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ehotelier Hospitality News Archives: August 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 31, 2009Accor Considers Splitting into Two Stand-Alone BusinessesAccor, Europe's largest hospitality group, said it may split its hotels operations and services division into two separate companies. More... [2086 views] Welcome to the World's Most Expensive HotelsAmid the recession, rock stars, diplomats and other celebrities find solace from the doom and gloom by spending their time in sanctuary provided by the world's most luxurious, and expensive, hotels. While many of us are tightening our belts, shortening our summer holidays or even abandoning them, hoteliers to the rich and famous claim to have no trouble filling their most exclusive accommodation, and in the case of the most expensive suite in the world, managing to double its rate to $65,000 (€45,642) a night. By Tara Loader Wilkinson More... [2350 views] Create a Spiritual Concept of Guest Hospitality and They Will ComeThe hotel industry needs a new concept of hospitality, one that doesn't exist, but which is simple to create with untried methods. One that is strong in standards, but stronger in spiritual values. By Peter McAlpine More... [1683 views] Immigration Worksite is Evolving: Are you Prepared?If your main strategy for avoiding a worksite immigration raid is hoping the ICE's thinly spread staff won't knock on your door, your number is up. Earlier this year, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) began to shift its worksite enforcement tactics away from raids toward Notices of Inspection-which means the old tactic of 100 ICE agents raiding one employer at a time has been replaced by one ICE analyst sending out Notices to hundreds of employers. More... [496 views] Luxury Hotels Facing Difficulties in ChinaThe demand for high-end hotels in China is sinking in a financial downturn that is showing no fast signs of recovery. "There isn't enough demand for top hotels in front-line cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, as these markets are saturated," said Lily Ng, senior vice-president of Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels. More... [1193 views] Top iPhone Travel AppsThe mobile platform is reshaping the way consumers plan, book and consume travel. In particular, the impact of the iPhone on the travel experience is and will continue to be highly disruptive and progressive. More... [1246 views] ASTW Travel Journalism AwardsIn announcing the winners of the 2009 ASTW Awards for Excellence Travel Writer of the Year and Travel Photographer of the Year Awards, President Kris Madden said that in spite of the difficult economic climate in 2009, the response to this year's awards had been exceptional. More... [477 views] European Cities Shrug-off Recession to Increase OccupancySix out of the 10 hotel markets reviewed this month experienced a growth in room occupancy levels. Amsterdam showed the highest rate of improvement with an increase of 7.9 percentage points, compared with July 2008. More... [746 views] Khiri Travel Speaks Out Against Plastic Bag ProblemBangkok based travel agent Khiri Travel is seeking to raise awareness of the disposable plastic bag problem in Thailand and Indochina. As a practical first step, the company has purchased 1,000 machine washable cotton bags which it will distribute to tourism partners, villagers and staff in destinations it visits. More... [519 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 28, 2009Pricing Case Study: Deep vs. Moderate Discounting (part 1)Hoteliers have been hearing different messages from opposing directions, ranging from "get as much business as you can-more heads in beds" to "more rate means more to the bottom line." Does encouraging properties to have the highest market premiums result in the most profitable solution for hotels at the end of the day? By Lana Yoshii More... [1060 views] Ten Rules Of Twitter (And How To Avoid Being A Twanker)So to help you avoid being a "twidiot" or a "twanker" - here are a few rules that seem to have become generally accepted for how to get set up, brand yourself or your organization and converse on Twitter. It's not meant to be a complete list, but hopefully others will add to it. By Rohit Bhargava More... [1894 views] More Guests in 2010; With a CatchAccording to the September 2009 edition of Hotel Horizons®, PKF Hospitality Research (PKF-HR) has forecast that the nine consecutive quarters of declining demand for U.S. hotels will come to an end in the second quarter of 2010. With the budgeting process underway at hotels around the U.S., the recovery of lodging demand is an important milestone that will be reached in the year ahead. More... [1009 views] STR Hotel Performance for Europe - July 2009 ResultsThe European hotel industry posted mixed year-over-year results when reported in U.S. dollars, euros and British pounds for July 2009, according to data compiled by STR Global. More... [629 views] Nielsen Report suggests that Chinese Travellers Love to Surf the ‘NetThe Internet has become the most popular medium for Chinese travellers seeking information about their trips, according the latest Nielsen China Outbound Travel Monitor. The Nielsen survey found that travellers will search for conventional destination information ahead of their trips (61 percent of leisure trips taken), and then turn to online travel discussion forums (48 percent) to fine-tune their plans. More... [719 views] Three New Ways for Hotels to Drive Demand and Increase Occupancy through Multi-Channel GrowthAs the hospitality industry looks to turn the corner in a down economy, it is more important than ever that hoteliers arm themselves with partners and tools that will position them to increase bookings and enhance occupancy. More... [1200 views] InterContinental Wins Condé Nast Traveler 2009 World Savers AwardCondé Nast Traveler announced the winners of the magazine‘s third annual World Savers Awards, naming Willard InterContinental Washington DC overall winner in the City Hotel category. More... [719 views] HVS Publishes the 2009 U.S. Hotel Franchise Fee Guide: A Comparative Analysis of Hotel BrandsHVS, has just released the 2009 U.S. Hotel Franchise Fee Guide - a survey of the fees charged by major hotel franchisors in the economy, mid-rate, and first-class market segments. This guide enables hotel owners to easily compare the total cost of one hotel franchise with that of another. More... [861 views] Dubai's Desert Theme Park Suddenly a MirageWalk through the grand arched entrance of Universal Studios' Dubai theme park, and you step into ... wind-swept desert. No Hollywood thrill rides, no ticket kiosks, no studio backlots. Even the guard house and the construction office sat empty during a recent visit. By Adam Schreck More... [1191 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 27, 2009Mastering The Art of Hotel Revenue Management Part One…The MissionIn previous articles, I mentioned that we've come a long way since the old days of the "heads-in-beds" mentality when it comes to rate-setting; I should modify that statement. Although many hotels have progressed to revenue management, it appears that too many have not. I am surprised that so many hoteliers have not taken steps to improve their financial position in the marketplace. By Neil Salerno More... [1837 views] Live the life of luxury in Versace and Armani HotelsDubai is to become the capital of couture as two of the world's most iconic fashion houses set to launch their new luxury hotels in the emirate. The Palazzo Versace Hotel and the Armani Hotel will offer the ultimate in designer luxury living, featuring an array of fabulous facilities and lavishly designed interiors fit for an Arabian Prince. By Vicky Karantzavelou More... [1162 views] Travelers More Familiar with 'Green Travel' but Unwilling to Pay MoreU.S. travelers are more familiar with sustainable travel terminology than they were two years ago but remain unwilling to pay more for eco-friendly travel options according to the July travelhorizons(TM), the quarterly consumer survey co-authored by the U.S. Travel Association and Ypartnership. More... [704 views] Five-Star Hotel Rates to DropExpedia Inc.'s Hotwire.com discount division expects hotel, airline and car-rental prices to resume their decline next month, led by cuts at five-star hotels as business travel "remains very depressed." By Beth Jinks More... [852 views] UK Chain Hotels Market Review – July 2009London hotel occupancy figures for July 2009 exceeded levels achieved in the same month last year, according to the latest HotStats survey by industry experts, TRI Hospitality Consulting. More... [560 views] Tax Report Projects U.S. Travel Costs to Be Higher After RecessionThe NBTA Foundation, the education and research foundation of the National Business Travel Association (NBTA), and Concur, the world's leading provider of on-demand employee spend management services, today released the updated findings of a comprehensive study of car rental, hotel and meal taxes in the top 50 U.S. travel destination cities. More... [413 views] EZYield.com Solves Hotel Rate Parity ChallengesEZYield.com, the originator of automated online channel management solutions for the global hospitality industry, is experiencing an increased demand for their channel management products as the importance of achieving rate parity continues to increase among hoteliers worldwide. More... [953 views] Good News – Face to Face Meetings Considered EssentialResearch by British Airways shows 95% of business people believe face-to-face meetings are essential to build long-term relationships. More... [942 views] StarCite’s Record Client Expansions Helps Company Reach New Milestones In Second QuarterStarCite, Inc., announced that the company set a new record for client expansions during the second quarter of 2009, driven by the growth of strategic meetings management programs by current customers to increase global savings and control over their meetings investment. More... [412 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 26, 2009Safety and Security in U.S. HotelsAn investigation of the physical attributes or features that signal safety and security in a sample of 5,487 U.S. hotels revealed significant differences in the distribution of these key amenities in various hotel price segments and geographical locations. By Cathy A. Enz Ph.D. More... [878 views] Maximizing Effectiveness at Trade ShowsPart 2 - A Baker's Dozen of Strategies in Maximizing leads and attendee sales potential at your hospitality trade show booth. By Dr. John Hogan More... [817 views] Demand for Hotel Day Rooms SurgesBooking hotel rooms for the day is proving to be the new trend as demonstrated by the success of the world's first website specialised in online day room bookings 'between9and5'. Despite only being launched last year, the website has already more than doubled the number of hotels participating in 2009 while the number of bookings has risen by more than 230 percent. More... [1515 views] What You Need to Consider Before Buying a Distressed PropertyPoorly performing hotels are an unfortunate casualty of the recession, which is causing an increase in the number of distressed sales. Here we examine the tools you need to employ to maximize investment in a distressed property. By Li Chen and Michael Brophy More... [870 views] Pegasus Opens the Vault on 2009 Hotel TransactionsWe're finally opening the vault. Pegasus sits in a unique position that allows us to track trends and forecast net reservations, length of stay, average daily rates and net revenues from both a global and regional perspective. Our first report, based on data from July 2009, shows the overall pace of decline has slowed somewhat since early 2009, but that the industry is still in a difficult position compared to the same period in 2008. This tells us, we aren't out of the woods yet, but the forward-looking data allows us all to plan accordingly. More... [563 views] CBRE Hotels Select Operator for the Great Northern Hotel at Kings CrossA consortium assembled and led by Robson Asset Management (RAM) will redevelop the hotel as a luxury boutique hotel. The 19th Century Grade II listed building will be restored, refurbished and brought stunningly back to life in good time for the London Olympics in 2012. King's Cross Central retains freehold ownership of the hotel, granting a 125-year lease to the RAM consortium. More... [1482 views] Individual Business Travel Expected to be StrongThe fall 2009 business travel season will not be as bleak for individual, or "unmanaged," business travelers, compared to industry-projected reductions in corporate, or "managed," travel, according to a newly-formed Best Western advisory board. More... [902 views] Travel Companies Warm to Online VouchersTravel companies are replicating the success of restaurants by offering online vouchers to boost business during the credit crunch. More... [522 views] HEI Acquires NJ Marriott for $27MConnecticut-based HEI Hotels and Resorts has acquired the 353-room Hanover Marriott from Host Hotels and Resorts, Inc. for $27 million. More... [555 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 25, 2009World’s Best Hotels 2009Leading luxury travel network, Virtuoso(R), and its award-winning magazine, VIRTUOSO LIFE, are pleased to announce the winners of the prestigious Best of the Best Awards. More... [3160 views] Hotelier of the Week: Vella RamasawmyVella Ramasawmy is general manager of the newly opened Leela Kempinski Gurgaon, Delhi (NCR). Located a short drive from Indira Ghandi International Airport, the hotel has 320 rooms and suites and 90 one-, two- and three-bedroom residences, a 20,000 sq ft spa and 27,000 sq ft of function space as well as several restaurants and large outdoor heated pool. By Tom Otley More... [876 views] 2008 - Good News, Bad Numbers - Fixed Costs A Problem In 2009The good news is that when faced with lower levels of business in 2008, US hotel managers cut operating costs by close to half a percent. (0.3 percent). By Robert Mandelbaum More... [1092 views] Taming the Escalating Cost of EscalatorsShutting down escalators during periods of low use and installing voltage controllers lowers utility costs, reduces the environmental impact of a hotel, and clearly conveys a hotel's environmental commitment to guests and staff. By John Scaggs More... [533 views] Global Hoteliers Feel the HeatGlobal hoteliers reported double-digit revenue per available room (revPAR) declines year to June 2009, according to latest analysis by Deloitte. More... [968 views] Banyan Tree Tackles ObstaclesMainboard-listed Banyan Tree Holdings Limited ("Banyan Tree" or the "Group"), a leading manager and developer of premium resorts, hotels, spas and galleries, announced its 2nd quarter result which shows a 62% decrease in operating profit to S$9.0 million mainly due to a series of political disturbances in Thailand since August 2008 with the latest anti-government riots occurring in Bangkok and Pattaya in April 2009, the Thai Government declared a state of emergency and several countries issued travel advisories to their citizens, coupled with the current global economic crisis, H1N1 pandemic and traditional low season. More... [1271 views] Hilton Heads Website Experience SurveyA website benchmarking specialist has urged smaller hotel chains to liaise more personally with customers by phone or email rather than invest too heavily online. More... [785 views] Advice for Avoiding Travel MishapsThis summer, nearly 2 million, freshly-minted college graduates will enter the workforce, bright-eyed, bushy-tailed, and many without a bit of practical experience to help them prepare for the business world. To assist these rookie road warriors, Embassy Suites Hotels has announced the results of a recently conducted, nationwide survey* that taps into the mindset and experiences of business travelers and offers words of wisdom to grads just entering the workforce. More... [573 views] TCC Land to buy luxury hotel in Japan for $100mTCC Land, the property arm of beverage tycoon Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, is moving to acquire a luxury hotel in Japan worth nearly US$100 million (Bt3.4 billion) after freezing all expansion plans early this year due to the economic situation. By Somluck Srimalee More... [780 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 24, 2009Five Star Employee Part 2In 5-Star Employees Part 1, I wrote about four commitments that world-class service employees share. Part 2 we will look at the fifth commitment: 'I will make you feel special, included, valued, and appreciated'. By Bryan K. Williams More... [2499 views] Buyers Redefining Dynamic Hotel PricingTravel buyers and hoteliers, fatigued with repeated renegotiations to keep up with constantly falling hotel rates, are exploring dynamic pricing in hotel program negotiations this year, but largely coming to the table with disparate views of what such pricing would entail. By Michael B. Baker More... [1000 views] Ten Tactics for Lowering your Website's Bounce RateAre visitors abandoning your site shortly after arriving? Incorporate this analysis into your efforts to help maximize your paid search campaign's ROI. By Tom Shapiro More... [999 views] Wall Street Checks In Hotels, Even As Travelers Stay HomeWhile hotel room rates and revenue projections continue on a downward spiral, lodging stocks are on a torrid upswing as investors try to get ahead of any recovery. More... [522 views] History Only Happens OnceA head-in-the-sand approach does not work for any economic sector, country, local community or individual... More... [546 views] Singapore launches City Advantage Tag for Business TravellersBusiness travellers now have more reasons to attend business events in Singapore with the launch of the City Advantage tag, the latest addition to the Singapore Tourism Board's "2009 Reasons to meet in Singapore" campaign, which aims to provide business travellers with value-for-money promotions and opportunities to experience Singapore's rich spectrum of business and leisure offerings. More... [712 views] Linentracker Revolutionizes Hospitality IndustryAt a time when hotels are experiencing countless challenges, Linen Technology Tracking, LLC. announces the launch of a cost savings opportunity for the hospitality industry: linentracker®,their Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system. More... [568 views] Egyptian Travco Group buys SteinbergerThe battle is over: Travco Group from Egypt and Grupo Iberostar from Spain were both trying to get the main share of Germany's traditonal hotel group, Steigenberger. The Steigenberger family headed by Anne-Marie Steigenberger, the founder's wife, and her daughters Christine Steigenberger, Claudia Steigenberger and Bettina Leitgeb, has sold 99.6 percent retaining only three hotel properties. By Andreas Augustin More... [1820 views] Guilt-free Travel with Design HotelsForget hippie hideaways, outdoor toilets and tie-dye clad guests - today eco-hotels tend to be even more modern than their non-"green" peers. Design HotelsTM presents four member hotels offering eco-luxurious experiences at their best. More... [1019 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 21, 2009How do you Devise a Plan for Mobile Travel Applications?At a time when the focus is on operational efficiency and cost cutting, it can be an onerous task to take a call on how to approach and mark budgets for mobile phones as a communication and transaction tool. More... [666 views] Mobile Marketing & Distribution Strategy in Hospitality: the Future is Already HereToday, just as in 2001, the media hype on anything mobile has not eased up. Hoteliers are rightfully confused about the real impact of the mobile Internet and about the importance of the mobile distribution channel in hospitality. Eight years later, we revisit the analysis and recommendations we made back in 2001, offer an update on industry best practices, and provide hoteliers an action plan on mobile marketing and mobile channel distribution. By Max Starkov More... [1333 views] Travellers to 'Check Out' Virtual WorldsTravellers will increasingly explore their next holiday in virtual worlds, allowing them to check out new cities before booking, a conference has heard. Social network strategist and blogger Lauren Papworth gave industry leaders a view of the future of social media tourism at the national Tourism Futures conference at the Gold Coast, Australia on Wednesday. More... [640 views] Travel Communities – A Highly Effective Way of Evaluating HolidaysOne third of all online users obtain information about travel from the internet - travel communities exert a growing influence on holiday decision-making: the main criterion is the genuineness of the evaluations, according to a representative poll by the Internet Travel Marketing Federation (VIR). More... [643 views] Virtual Meetings Solution: What Doesn’t Kill You Could Make You StrongerAmerican Express Business Travel unveiled virtual meetings eXpert, a unique telepresence solution that will act as a central hub and aggregator of both public telepresence facilities and the private network a company may already have in place. The combination of public-private access offers a company access to a broader pool of virtual meeting options. More... [578 views] Tend Those Green Shoots with Care, Says BaileyYeoh Siew Hoon attends a lunch hosted by Abacus where she heard some good news, and experienced a meal that requires as much new thinking as travel agents probably do to ride out the changes in the industry. More... [607 views] November Dates Set for 3rd Annual Travel Sales and Marketing Asia-Pac EventAt an EyeforTravel summit located in Singapore this April, a poll of the audience - largely comprising of travel industry executives - was taken. The questions focused on core elements of online business activities, and opened by asking how much sales revenues had changed over the past 6 months versus the same time in 2008. The results uncovered that 26% of the audience had experienced a decline by between 5 - 15%, while 24% were down by more than a 15%. More... [369 views] Opportunities for Late Room Rate Discounts Up By Over 40%Hotelscene's latest research into the turbulent state of the UK hotel market has revealed a massive increase in the number of rooms that hotels are offloading at last minute discounted rates. More... [556 views] Hotels Play a Losing GameA hotel in "survival mode" is an eerie place indeed: floors where the lifts mysteriously never stop, ripple-free swimming pools, banks of CCTV screens containing few signs of anything resembling a tourist. By Laura Slattery More... [778 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 20, 2009Revenue Management: Things to Know to REALLY Maximize RevenuesNow that business is significantly down, many properties are at a loss as to how to generate business and how to ensure that each room is sold at the right rate to the right market. This article will provide some tips on ensuring that you manage your rates from a position of strength for both a short term and long term pay off. By Brenda Fields More... [3036 views] Maximizing Effectiveness at Trade ShowsPart 1 - Increasing traffic at your hospitality trade show booth. By Dr. John Hogan More... [883 views] Fifteen Tips to Save on Event CostsThe pressure on meeting planners to save money while producing great results is intense. To help them do just that, the Ontario Convention Center has released a new white paper, "15 Money-Saving Tips for Meeting Planning; A Guide to Frugal Planning for Meeting Professionals." More... [953 views] Getting Your Act Together For GeotourismFor tourism projects to be truly sustainable, it has to be fully inclusive. In this article excerpt, Dr Scott Rains, Featured Commentator of the 2009 Geotourism Challenge, shares some questions you need to ask. More... [732 views] Tackling Meetings SpendTravel managers get involved as economic woes and public scrutiny push corporations to improve meetings visibility. More... [544 views] Growth Seen In Some Markets; Phuket Hotels Hit By DelaysVietnam, Philippines and Kazakhstan are among markets which are showing growth while Phuket's hotel industry continues to face problems. More... [783 views] Westin Hotels & Resorts and National Sleep Foundation Launch Free Sleep HotlineFree hotline staffed by sleep professionals who will provide screening for common sleep disorders and offer healthy sleep tips during peak sleep problem times. More... [553 views] Hotels with the 'est' Factor - Hotels.com Names Its List of Record-Breaking HotelsFor those travellers who wish to heighten their holiday experience and 'Wake Up Happy', Hotels.com(R), the global hotel specialist, highlights some record-breaking hotels around the world, whether they are the biggest, tallest, oldest, greenest or most expensive. More... [785 views] TravelCLICK Hosts Webinar on Second Quarter 2009 Global Hotel Performance: Preparing Hotels for the Long Road BackIf the latest numbers are any indication, the hospitality industry is beginning to turn the corner. Recent reports show significantly smaller rates of decline, indicating that the economic downturn is beginning to loosen its hold. Most significantly, direct web bookings have increased 8.9% for year to date June, as measured for independent hoteliers worldwide. More... [516 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 19, 2009To Discount or Not to DiscountWhenever a recession looms on the horizon, caused by either wars, terror attacks, a pandemic such as SARS or the present day H1N1 virus, political instability (Thailand for example), sales and profit begin to decline, market share often shrinks and management raises the inevitable question - by how much do we discount our price points in order to galvanize business? By Dietmar Kielnhofer PhD More... [1851 views] A Great Night’s Sleep Trumps Sex in New StudyA great night's sleep trumps great sex according to more than half (51%) of the U.S. respondents to a new global survey of sleeping habits conducted by Westin Hotels & Resorts. Just how desperate are we for sleep? Well, 42% said they'd rather have a sleeping pill on their hotel pillow than the ubiquitous chocolate, and 62% take a relaxant, sleep or stress medication when traveling overnight. More... [1911 views] The Hotel Confidence Monitor by TRI Hospitality Consulting – Q3 2009UK hotel general managers continue to be increasingly positive about their hotel's trading performance, with growth in optimism for a second successive quarter. More... [716 views] “Dim Sum with a China expert!” Guest column launched on blogAustralian learning and development company, TravConsult, has just launched a new guest-interview column on its widely read blog, TravConsult China. The column, called "Dim Sum with a China Expert", was created to introduce more China specialists to suppliers and professionals in the tourism industry, an industry struggling for help in these challenging economic times. More... [651 views] Excuse Me, You’re Not Good Looking Enough To Work HereBeauty has its privileges, especially in the travel industry where beauty is in the eye of the customer, says Yeoh Siew Hoon. More... [1562 views] Latest South African Tourism Report Now Available as the World Cup is Just around the CornerResearch and Markets has announced the addition of the "South Africa Tourism Report Q3 2009" report to their offering. The South Africa Tourism Report provides industry professionals and strategists, corporate analysts, tourism associations, government departments and regulatory bodies with independent forecasts and competitive intelligence on South Africa's tourism industry. More... [551 views] Transformation into a Smarter and More Cost-effective IndustryOne year into a less settled economic climate, meetings industry suppliers and buyers are responding with an assertive mix of creativity, proactivity and cost-consciousness, a new IMEX survey reveals. More... [492 views] STR forecast: Supply growth to stifle RevPAR in 2010RevPAR declines are expected to continue into the convention season according to STR's revised monthly forecast. The company also revised its forecasts for year-end 2009 and 2010. More... [711 views] Leading Hotel Investment Conferences Spanning the GlobeHVS and Bench Events are pleased to present leading conferences for the hotel, lodging and investment industries around the globe. More... [455 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 18, 2009So You Want to Work in Hotels, Part II: The InterviewWhen I last wrote about how to get a job in the hotel industry, the economy was booming and hotels were so desperate for staff they were stopping just short of dragging passersby off the street and slapping uniforms on them. These days, occupancy rates have tanked, room attendants are dozing on beds rather than making them, and it seems the only place to find job vacancies is in the obituaries. Are job prospects that bleak? Absolutely not. Hotels are always in need of great people, but competition is fiercer than ever. By Daniel Edward Craig More... [1736 views] Five Psychological Principles Everyone Should Know and UseHospitality is about a "customer-centric" mindset. Five, easy-to-learn principles can help professionals to live this mindset. The examples here focus on sales, but these principles are useful for working with anyone personally and professionally. By Jim Houran More... [1785 views] Hotel Security: The Costly ErrorsMost security organizations are hopelessly behind the curve. By the time their measures are upgraded, they will be proven redundant by the next attacks. By Col. Thomas Bove More... [899 views] Travelzoo to Sell Asia Pacific Division"While we remain upbeat about business prospects in Asia Pacific, we believe we can currently create more shareholder value by redirecting and focusing our investments in other areas of the Travelzoo franchise where we see more compelling near-term growth opportunities, such as in Europe, North America, and our new Fly.com search engine," said Holger Bartel, Travelzoo's chief executive officer. "Consequently, we intend to sell our Asia Pacific division." More... [683 views] LE's First Forecast of Latin America 2011 New OpeningsLodging Econometrics (LE) has compiled and released its first 2011 Forecast for New Hotel Openings in Latin America, projected to be 132 hotels/23,693 rooms. Adjusted for the global recession, LE has made further downward revisions to its forecasts for 2009 and 2010. More... [546 views] Older Generation to Dominate TourismA report by the German tourism analyst ADAC Reisemonitor, predicts that by 2020 every second holidaymaker will be over the age of 50, but the travel industry is not yet taking notice of this demographic change. More... [689 views] Guest Satisfaction With Hotels has Risen Worldwide"Was your hotel room worth the price paid?" This is the question currently under investigation by hotel.info, the free online reservation service for over 210,000 hotels worldwide. hotel.info is analyzing its current pool of over 1 million hotel reviews of hotel.info booking customers from around the world in terms of price performance of 3 and 4 star hotels. More... [567 views] Head Back To School With HSMAI University 2009 Fall Webinar LineupSchool bells are ringing, marking the official farewell to summer as students around the country pack up their book bags and board the bus this month to go back to school. The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) and HSMAI University are also offering hospitality sales and marketing professionals a chance to hit the books with a new fall webinar lineup, featuring a 2010 forecasting series in conjunction with Smith Travel Research and Hotel News Now. More... [856 views] Name Change for Stella Hospitality GroupOne of Australia and New Zealand's largest accommodation providers, Stella Hospitality Group, has changed its name to Mantra Group. More... [675 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 17, 2009The Mindset of the 2010 Business Plan – Survival Mode or Recovery Mode?In the throes of developing the Sales and Marketing plan for 2010 - it's time to do a gut check! What is the mindset of the people involved in the plan development - are they in a hunkered down in survival mode or in an optimistic recovery state? After a brutal year in 2009, it is easy to fall into survival mode. By Carol Verret More... [1789 views] HRG Unveils Hotel Survey for the First Six Months of 2009The Asia-Pacific hotel market is still feeling the effects of the tough economic climate according to the bi-annual hotel survey conducted by HRG, Most regions are experiencing a decline in hotel room rates in local currency terms, with Abu Dhabi as the only exception. With occupancy levels continuing to fall and rates reduced, corporates continue to consolidate their travel policies and negotiate more favourable corporate deals. More... [1008 views] Are Virtual Worlds For Real This Time?It went from hype to disillusionment. What’s next for virtual worlds? Yeoh Siew Hoon attends a virtual world networking night and finds its occupants still battling away to make it real. More... [931 views] Involving Your Chef In The Sales ProcessOn occasion, I meet individuals that naturally come across as "sales people." Their personality, enthusiasm and communication skills all play a part in my perception. Recently, I met an incredible gentleman that I would have guessed was a sales professional -- the only problem is that he was wearing "kitchen whites" and a chef's hat. By Bart Berkey More... [1139 views] Ten Million Fewer Tourists Visiting the Mediterranean CountriesThe World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has announced that 10 million fewer tourists visiting countries like Greece, Spain and Portugal will have a devastating effect on local jobs and businesses. It forecast a 14 billion euros loss of income for the region. The arrival of tourists along the Mediterranean coast is down this year by 10%. This figure tops the worldwide slump of 8%. More... [659 views] 'Green Shoots’ Evident In SA Hospitality IndustyThe outlook for the South African hospitality industry remains positive and considerably brighter when viewed against the backdrop of somewhat sobering global trends, says Joop Demes, CEO of Pam Golding Hospitality, a specialised hospitality division within the Pam Golding Property group. More... [564 views] PATA calls EGM as Chairman Looks to Implement Important ChangesPATA has taken another significant step towards important and necessary changes in its structure and governance. Members of the Association have been notified of an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) scheduled for Saturday 26 September 2009 in Hangzhou, China (PRC) in conjunction with the PATA Board of Directors' meeting being held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Hangzhou from 25-27 September 2009. More... [395 views] Responsibletravel in Charity Tie-upresponsibletravel.com has partnered with an online charity donation scheme for travellers wanting to contribute to the destinations they have visited. More... [445 views] Crust, Crumb, Charity & CreativityRoyal Plaza on Scotts (RP) will celebrate Singapore's motor racing week with a truly unique culinary and visual treat - Bread Torque! The hotel is doing its part for charity while supporting Singapore's efforts to make the nation a motor racing hub in Asia Pacific. More... [514 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 14, 2009Maximize Performance Through UnderstandingTo be effective, leaders must not only manage their team but they must develop an understanding of every individual on that team. By Rick Johnson More... [1385 views] A Sales Self-evaluation test for General ManagersIt is common knowledge and an undisputed fact that general managers at almost any size hotel could take over the sales efforts for that hotel and have the occupancy and RevPAR near the capacity level within just a few weeks. Here is a chance for General Managers to examine the other perspective. You are invited to take this little test (without looking at the answers) By Dr. John Hogan More... [3173 views] Capt. Nair Receives Lifetime Achievement AwardThe chairman of one of India's most renowned hotel groups was honored last week for his contribution to the travel and tourism industry. Capt. C.P. Krishnan Nair, Chairman of The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts was conferred the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award by CNBC TRAVEL AWARDS 2009. More... [693 views] Hilton Uses Customer Insights to Assess Missed OpportunitiesHilton Hotels has begun using real-time information collected using customer insight technology through its website, to assess missed opportunities that could be worth over $3 million per year. More... [932 views] Do Music Festivals Contribute to Tourism?Tourism Insights, the authoritative subscription site which monitors, analyses and interprets trends in tourism in the UK, looks this month at the real value and impact of the Music Festival. More... [864 views] Report Reveals 40% OF Would-Be Bookers Abandon Booking ProcessData shows hospitality sites struggle to convert on booking intent, as 4 in 10 would-be bookers click away without completing a transaction. More... [597 views] Hoteliers call for Government ActionThe Irish Hotels' Federation (IHF) called on the Government to intervene urgently to safeguard the long-term viability of Ireland's tourist industry. More... [468 views] Travel Costs Are The Determining FactorTo an increasing extent German vacationers are basing their choice of destination on the cost of the trip - Cheaper countries are becoming more popular holiday destinations. More... [688 views] The New Butlins Hotel? Get Away!Jerome Taylor samples the spa treatments and chateaubriand on offer in Bognor Regis. More... [551 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 13, 20092009 Hotel Cateys Shortlist Unveiled - Are You On It?The wait is over. The shortlist for the 2009 Hotel Cateys has been unveiled. The awards, organised by Caterer and Hotelkeeper, were launched in 2007 to complement the Cateys and are designed to allow hoteliers to celebrate the achievements of their staff and give them the recognition they deserve. More... [1027 views] Mastering The Art of Online Sales Through Hotel WebsiteThe content on your proprietary website performs two separate, and extremely important, functions. The first is to attract visitors to your site through organic search; second, to generate interest and drive visitors to your site's booking page. Two reasons why hotel site content must be the primary focus of a site's design and why site content must be carefully shaped and written to produce sales. By Neil Salerno More... [1518 views] Some Practical Alternatives to Hotel Closings - Turning Around Operating Results
In a recent article, we talked about 8 bad things that happen when you close a hotel, and suggested that a hotel should never be closed without first running a careful analysis of cash flows and holding costs. That is not to say, a hotel should never be closed, but a hotel closing deserves close scrutiny, and full exploration of the alternatives. Today, we will focus on one of those 'Intense, pro-active asset management'. By Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group® Hotel Lawyers More... [758 views] Greening The Global Economy Through Sustainable TourismWith climate change and the global recession driving the current international political agenda, both politicians and businesses are increasingly drawn towards the idea of a global green economy. More... [997 views] Pirate Attack on Amazon Cruise ShipAn Australian couple have told The Age in Melbourne about a terrifying encounter with pirates who robbed the luxury cruise ship on which they were travelling in the Amazon. By Lorna Edwards More... [836 views] Airlines, Hotels Struggle as Business Travel PlummetsCaution tape covers the climate controls in one of the "Survivor Package" rooms at San Diego's Rancho Bernardo Inn, which is offering rooms for $19 a night -- if you don't mind sleeping in a tent with no air conditioning. By Hugo Martin More... [560 views] Why Pritzkers' Feud Is Good For Hyatt OfferingA family fight forces Tom Pritzker to invite the public in, and may add to the IPO's appeal. By Stephane Fitch More... [969 views] Study Shows Travellers Find Hotel Co. Web Sites LackingMany multibrand hotel companies are failing to properly package information on their Web sites to encourage bookings by business travelers, according to second-quarter hotel company Web site satisfaction scores in a report released today by New York research firm IPerceptions. By Michael B. Baker More... [610 views] Creationist Theme Park Closed for Tax EvasionIn the Beginning, there was the tax man. And no matter your religious beliefs, if you don't heed that bit of teaching, the end will come soon. That's the hard lesson learned by the owner of Dinosaur Adventure Land, a Creationism-themed play park in Pensacola, Florida. By Jason Cochran More... [519 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 12, 2009Five Ways to Inject Storytelling into Your CampaignConsumers aren't interested in your message -- they're interested in entertainment. Find out how to create storyline-rich content that combines both. By Corey Torrence More... [1074 views] Cornell Study Finds Pricing Issues Top Hotel Revenue Management Concerns WorldwideNew hospitality revenue management research shows consumers gaining pricing power. More... [1116 views] Through the eyes of a Hotel Butler. The meaning of the lived experience as a point of remembrance in the guest memoryThe new trend in differentiating the hotel industry today is the design of positive holistic experiences, achieving the emotional involvement of guests through the offered services, meaning that these will be generators of emotions and positive feelings. By Osvaldo Torres Cruz More... [1375 views] Mirages or oases: Is the worst really over?From Cathay Pacific to Orbitz, there seems to be signs the worst may be over but no one's bringing out the champagne yet, especially not Singapore Airlines. More... [605 views] Rev PAR Recovery Predicted for mid 2010More than 50 percent of attendees who participated in a survey at STR's inaugural Hotel Data Conference presented by Magnuson Hotels on 4-5 August believe the industry's revenue per available room will not start to recover until at least the second half of 2010 or after. More... [913 views] New Research Confirms That Mexico's Tourism Will Remain Strong Over The Long TermWTTC expects Mexico's Travel & Tourism Economy GDP growth to average around 5% per annum over the next decade (2009-19); generating some 2 million direct industry jobs by the end of the period. More... [1951 views] Hilton Selects MTT to Launch Innovative Mobile ServicesHilton Hotels, one of the world's largest hotel companies, has launched UK and Germany specific mobile services in conjunction with Dublin-based specialist Mobile Travel Technologies Ltd (MTT). The new solution, which includes a Web App version for iPhone users in the UK, has full booking capability, offering travellers the convenience to select and book a hotel, access and change bookings and view hotel images and information, whilst away from their PC. More... [545 views] Thomas Cook Faces Legal Action over 'Hell Hole' HotelMore than 15 British holidaymakers are taking legal action against four travel companies after a ‘hellish' holiday in Egypt earlier this year. By Bev Fearis More... [1133 views] Los Angeles Launches Gay and Lesbian Travel GuideLos Angeles has launched its first gay and lesbian travel guide. Called Navigaytour, the guide is now available for visitors in locations throughout the region. More... [822 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 11, 2009Effective Sales Management: Short and Long-term Planning, Forecasting, and Expense Budgeting Part 2 of 2This 2 part series is very direct and applies common sense in approach. The first part addressed Mapping out Your Sales Plan and Preparing and Revising Your Sales Forecast. The second examines: 1. Aligning Your Expense Budget With Your Forecast and 2. Sales Plan and Practical Approaches to Opportunities in the Market. By Dr. John Hogan More... [1449 views] Discounting Is Not the AnswerWhile hoteliers suffer sleepless nights the debate continues as to whether they should discount prices in light of the economic climate. In reality it has never been more important to revisit your revenue and pricing strategies. Research shows that discounting prices can have both long and short term negative effects... By Samantha Hasler More... [2349 views] Hotelier of the Week: Henrik MuehleHenrik Muehle has spent much of his career working in small luxury hotels. He has now just taken over as the managing director of the newly refurbished St James Hotel and Club in London which calls his grand hotel in miniature. By Stanley Slaughter More... [842 views] A Paramount Moment in My LifeYeoh Siew Hoon traces her roots in hospitality and finds her life, as well as the Paramount's, has come full circle. More... [1108 views] Accor to Stop Hiring Check-in Staff Based on LooksThe French hotel chain says it will buck the industry trend to put older, less attractive staff out of sight of guests. By Mark Frary More... [1247 views] Cutting Commission Does Not Mean Less Revenue for AgentsAirlines have been negotiating and re-working on their distribution strategies to optimise reach offered by indirect channels. More... [650 views] European Hotel Valuation Index - 2009HVS's London office released the latest edition of the Hotel Valuation Index (HVI). The survey shows that on average hotel values across Europe, measured in euro, showed the first annual fall in value since 2003. By Alexandre Smertnik, More... [620 views] Disney Hotel Workers Overwhelmingly Vote to Reject Disney’s Latest Contract ProposalA majority of Disney hotel workers voted to reject Disney's most recent contract proposal that would have made health insurance largely unaffordable for many of the workers employed at the three Disney owned hotels. More... [688 views] HRG Praises Hotels’ Sensible PricingMoscow remains the most expensive destination for corporate travellers, but Abu Dhabi is catching up fast, according to Hogg Robinson Group's bi-annual travel survey. More... [558 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 10, 2009Good News: Travel Loyalty Program Membership is ShrinkingIt's a fact - companies with the most loyal customers (we call them Brand Advocates) are the most profitable by a wide margin. So the recent research on travel industry loyalty marketing programs conducted by Colloquy research spells bad news for larger hotel brands and good news for smaller luxury properties. By Madigan Pratt More... [1433 views] Cheap is the new sexOkay, we wrote that just to get your attention. Did it work? Yeoh Siew Hoon tackles the question of cheap at a time when consumers want cheap and service providers are selling cheap. More... [1822 views] Venture Capital Returns to the Travel IndustryThe first half of this year saw at least 10 investments in travel companies after an initial slowdown last year. More... [591 views] Luxury Travel That Eases the ConscienceIn recent years, research has shown that a new "sophisticated" traveller, naturally more aware of global responsible principles in their business place and home, is now starting to adopt eco values into their leisure decisions. This holistic approach is not a new one but is a fast growing important lifestyle trend. By Theodore Koumelis More... [581 views] The Next Generation of Affordable, Eco-Friendly Marriott LodgingIf ever there was an eco hotel with all the bases covered, this is it. The 118-suite Residence Inn Gainesville I-75, will open in August 7th 2009 and has more environmentally-friendly elements than this EcoFeature has room to list, but we'll do our absolute best to fit in as many as possible! Here goes... More... [823 views] Travel Survey Finds Americans Suffering from ‘Vacation Deficit’When someone thinks of a "deficit," they think of budget woes. But a new survey finds that the United States is in the throes of a serious "vacation deficit." According to a just-released survey of travelers, many Americans have yet to take a vacation this year, and some are not planning to take one at all, despite the high value placed on getting away with family and friends. More... [527 views] Maiden Journey for 5-Star Deluxe TrainTravel Corporation (India) Ltd (TCI) has scheduled the launch of Indian Maharaja - Deccan Odyssey, a five-star deluxe train in India in November this year. The tourist train which will accommodate total 96 passengers has a total of 21 coaches, of which 11 are passenger cars. More... [650 views] Environmentaland - Hollywood's Newest Quirky Theme ParkHollywood is world famous for many things - celebrities, sunshine, and shopping among them. But a new Hollywood attraction is the first of its kind: Environmentaland, an eco-themed park that opened this month at Hollywood Boulevard and North Highland Avenue. By Sarah Harper More... [560 views] Holiday Inn Reaches 50 Relaunched Hotels in the UKKew Green Hotels has become IHG's first owner outside the USA to relaunch its entire Holiday Inn estate. Its 15 UK hotels have now unveiled their new image, with the final changes at the Holiday Inn Slough Windsor taking the number of relaunched properties in the UK and Ireland to 50. More... [700 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 7, 2009Insights Behind Declining Employee Engagement and Motivation in RecessionResearch from SHL, the global leader in talent assessment solutions, exposes that the oft-used ‘one size fits all' approach doesn't help declining levels of motivation and engagement in the workplace. The SHL study reveals striking comparisons between what motivates and engages employees across a number of factors to ultimately help employers design tailor-made solutions for increasingly apathetic employees. More... [1085 views] Employee Branding That RocksHow you attract, hire, train, develop and treat your front-line employees is commonly known as the one true strategy to provide great guest service. In lieu of managers doing all of the work themselves, a specific culture must be created and fostered to secure commitment from the employees to stick around and deliver the desired service. This takes time and a lot of work. This interactive session was designed to highlight best practices to create and maintain a strong internal employee culture. Knowing that Generation Y and the Millenials are the talent pool with which our industry is made, there are some key strategies that can be used to tap into and develop that workforce. By Jim M. Knight, Sr. More... [1358 views] UK Hotel Prices 13 Percent Above European AverageEuropean hotel prices remain favourable in August and are three percent cheaper in comparison to August 2008. Hotel prices in Madrid and Paris are at their lowest level this year. While the prices in many cities continue to fall, some cities are showing remarkably high prices in August. More... [668 views] Executive Pay -The How and The WhatThis year's proxy season was a rough one for shareholders and CEOs alike. One of the more daunting issues is the government's role in determining and/or legislating executive pay. We know what CEOs think about this political rhetoric but shareholders should be just as worried. By Keith Kefgen More... [570 views] Simonseeks.com Goes Live This WeekSimonseeks.com is launching a series of guides on how to find the best value travel deals. More... [540 views] Travel Innovation Summit Demonstrators Find Fame and FundingMany of the alumni of PhoCusWright's 2008 inaugural Travel Innovation Summit have found success in the months since they took the stage in November 2008 in Hollywood, California. The Travel Innovation Summit featured 32 companies competing for honors of having the year's most innovative and influential travel technology. More... [408 views] Cost Control and Corporate Responsibility as Top Priorities for Chinese MultinationalsThere is no doubt that corporate companies are facing one of the most tumultuous times on record, and even China, one of the world's most dynamic and rapidly growing travel markets, is not spared. The severity of the current economic downturn has forced Chinese companies to dramatically cut costs and business travel expenses. More... [794 views] 1.2 Million More Holidays Taken in England as Brits Take Breaks Closer to HomeFigures released today by VisitEngland from the United Kingdom Tourism Survey show that holiday trips taken by UK residents in England in the first four months of 2009 are up by 13%. That amounts to 1.2 million more holiday trips and over 5 million extra nights' holiday taken than in the same period of 2008. More... [477 views] Microtel Leading Brand for 8th Consecutive YearFor an unprecedented 8th consecutive year, the Microtel Inns & Suites® hotel brand was ranked by consumers as "Highest in Guest Satisfaction among Economy/Budget Hotel Chains" in a study conducted by J.D. Power and Associates, the global marketing information services company. More... [697 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 6, 2009Effective Sales Management: Short and Long-term Planning, Forecasting, and Expense Budgeting Part 1 of 2In uncertain economies such as we are facing globally today, performing long-term budget planning is often viewed as a luxury, rather than as an essential business practice. Understanding and monitoring the inflow and outflow of cash must be a top priority for every hospitality business owner, operations manager and sales team member. Many sales teams are not given enough information on the overall business cycles and needs to allow them to be as engaged and effective as possible. By Dr. John Hogan More... [3316 views] Seven Major Trends Reshaping the U.S. Corporate Travel LandscapeThe economic downturn may be causing a significant contraction in business travel in 2009, but it is not the only trend reshaping corporate travel. PhoCusWright's U.S. Corporate Travel Distribution Fourth Edition identifies seven key trends driving fundamental change across the corporate travel landscape. More... [1214 views] Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts creates 2000 jobs in DubaiIn a market rife with articles about redundancies, efficiencies and companies doing more with less, the recruitment of employees is still a challenging task despite the availability of talent. More... [1167 views] Bosses Changing Holiday Plans in RecessionTwo thirds of bosses have changed their holiday plans this year because of the recession, a new study reveals. By Phil Davies More... [727 views] Travel Industry Loses $11.5 Million per Year through Failed TransactionsNinety eight percent of travel firms have lost, on average, revenue of $11.5 million a year because of failure of transactions (such as reservations, bookings, check-in, etc.), according to a survey released today. Research by Progress Software Corporation (NASDAQ: PRGS), which surveyed 149 global travel businesses, found that 67% of respondents have noticed their transaction failures soar by almost a third - even though their transactions have only increased by 12%. More... [520 views] Paris Hotel Guests Undeterred by High RatesHotels in Paris achieved the highest revenue per available room (revPAR) of ten European cities studied by TRI Hospitality Consulting in June 2009. The French capital's hotels saw June revPAR increase by 0.5% year-on-year to €169.38, with a 1.1 percentage point improvement in occupancy to 84.4% offsetting a 0.7% decline in average room rates to €200.62, the highest of the ten. More... [533 views] Hotel Revenue Management in an Economic Downturn: Results from an International StudyThe sudden reversal in the lodging industry's fortunes from 2008 to 2009 has brought a renewed focus on revenue and profitability for revenue managers. In a survey conducted in 2009, 291 revenue managers cited concerns about customer rate resistance, contract renegotiations, competition, and price wars as their top considerations. This contrasts with a 2008 study, where human resources and technology issues were ahead of economic concerns. By Sheryl E. Kimes More... [1030 views] Hilton Hotels Named Best Hotel for Meetings and Business Service by Executive Travel ReadersLong recognized as one of the world's leading addresses for business, Hilton Hotels tops another survey of business travelers. Executive Travel readers voted Hilton 2009 Best Hotel for Meetings and Best Hotel for Business Service in the magazine's annual Leading Edge Awards recognizing the best and most innovative companies within the travel industry. More... [694 views] Brazil Hotels Stand Out In Challenging MarketWhile the global hotel market is struggling to regain footing amid a challenging economic climate, Brazilian hotels, a stand-out in the market, hit a record year of revenue per available room (RevPAR) performance during 2008, according to Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels' annual bi-lingual research study, Lodging Industry in Numbers - Brazil 2009. More... [796 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 5, 2009On the Move - July 2009Global Staff Movements for July 2009 provided by Spectrum International. More... [3241 views] Closing That Hotel May Be the Worst Money-Saving Idea You Ever Had! Lenders, Here's Why Mothballing a Hotel Can be a Very Bad IdeaHotel lawyer with another perspective on closing a money-losing hotel. By Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group® Hotel Lawyers More... [1216 views] Rebranding and Rescaling: Effects on Hotel PerformanceMarket realities often force hotel owners to rebrand their hotel or to change their property from one market scale to another. This exploratory study of ninety-five hotels analyzes whether rebranding or rescaling was worth the expense in terms of financial performance. By Bjorn Hanson, Anna S. Mattila, John W. O'Neill and Yong Hee Kim More... [935 views] Good to Know: Report Shows Hotel Guests Prefer GreenBeen feeling a little blue about your eco hotel's green initiative lately? Been wondering if all the hard work is worth it, or if you're just spinning your wheels for nothing? Thinking about giving up because no one else seems to care about sustainable hospitality as much as you do? Pull up a chair, my friend. Have I got some news for you! By Parisiscott More... [1304 views] We Make the RulesLuke Clark has decided to make the news, not let it happen to him. More... [583 views] Expedia and Guardian Join in Travel PartnershipLeading white label solutions provider Expedia Affiliate Network (EAN) has signed a new partnership with The Guardian. More... [566 views] Excess Takes Its Toll On Hotel ValuesHeavy leverage, overly optimistic valuations and income shortfalls lead to global defaults, foreclosures, bankruptcies. More... [462 views] In This Time of Cutbacks, Two Prominent Businesses Take the Lead in Industry Education Initiativeshinton+grusich (h+g), has teamed up with partner One Smooth Stone, to invest in meetings industry supportive initiatives. During a time when companies are cutting back on such investments, these Chicago businesses are showing their commitment to their clients and the industry through offering a series of webinars, panel discussions and a "grass roots" campaign effort to provide feedback to the US Congress. More... [441 views] Cancun Hotel Accused of Pilfering Its SandSurprised tourists found their little piece of Cancun beach paradise ringed by crime-scene tape and gun-toting sailors last week. By Mark Stevenson More... [852 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 4, 2009Process vs. Personality: Achieving Balance in Your Guest ExperienceEarly in my career, while working as a young manager for a luxury hotel chain, there was one subject that I recall inspiring universal dread for staff and managers alike. Standards. By Rick Reilly More... [1529 views] Hotel Security Implications of the July 2009 Jakarta Terrorist AttackIn the 21st century all links in the tourism chain are required to tighten and re-evaluate preparedness and response to evolving security threats. By Dr David Beirman More... [1566 views] Hotelier of the Week: Debbie TaylorDebbie Taylor was the first woman ever to manage the Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh. But she left for an even more prestigious post just a few miles along the Scottish coast. By Stanley Slaughter More... [1131 views] Upgrading in the DownturnMany companies are downsizing and cost cutting but also taking advantage of the opportunity to assess their talent and to upgrade where necessary. By Christopher Mumford More... [653 views] Flying low cost and loving the freedomTwo things are happening at the same time. People have less money. Low cost airlines are expanding. Yeoh Siew Hoon, for one, is enjoying the new freedom in the sky. More... [571 views] European Chain Hotels Market Review – June 2009Vienna penalised by lack of football while London almost makes the full 9. More... [913 views] Ethical rating system for luxury hotelsLuxury hotels that exploit Australian workers and destroy the environment will be named and shamed on a new ethical rating website. More... [615 views] Hotels woo guests by displaying rates at entranceWith hotels in Dubai engaged in an escalating price war, some properties in the economy segment of the market have started displaying their rates outside their entrances to mop up last minute walk-in guests, said senior hotel executives. By Nina Varghese More... [657 views] Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts President to be subject of Key Industry Interview at 4th Annual BAHA Conference and IT ExhibitionOne of the world's leading hoteliers - Meinhard Huck, President of Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts - is to be the subject of BAHA's Classic Industry Interview at the 4th Annual BAHA (British Association of Hospitality Accountants) Conference and IT Exhibition, due to be held on Thursday, 19 November 2009 at the Sofitel Hotel, London Heathrow at Terminal 5. More... [681 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 3, 2009Six Reasons Your Revenue Management System Isn’t Working 'And What You Can Do About It'Part 1 of the RevPar Guru Knowledge Series: Revenue management is the new "IT" for hotels across the globe. As the worldwide economy continues its doldrums, maximizing revPAR and occupancy without resorting to drastic rate-slashing tactics remains the ultimate goal for owners, operators, GMs and revenue managers everywhere. And so it is this goal that should be prompting a thorough analysis of existing revenue management strategies, techniques and, most importantly, revenue management systems. By Jean Francois Mourier More... [2088 views] The Re-Invention RevolutionNo doubt, you've heard of Greek philosopher Plato's old proverb: Necessity, the mother of invention. For centuries, man's inventions have met man's needs. Nothing remains more necessary today than the need for fresh eyes, ears and ideas applied to new ways of doing business. By Karen Weiner Escalera More... [896 views] Going for Gold - PATA announces 2009 Awards winnersThe Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2009 PATA Gold Awards, sponsored by the Macau Government Tourist Office. This year the awards recognise the achievements of 24 separate organisations and individuals. More... [1040 views] The Worst Hotel ExperiencesSometimes unpleasant hotel experiences can put a strain on a vacation. The hotel price comparison site, www.trivago.co.uk asked its visitors in their latest survey what was the worst hotel experience they have encountered on holiday. The most common complaint was bugs in the room. More... [1810 views] Greenbelt Marriott Goes Face-to-Face with Customers to Keep Rooms FullWhile many hotels are suffering from an abundance of empty rooms during this tight economy, the Greenbelt Marriott is showing that old fashioned face-to-face contact is helping to keep their hotel full. More... [1486 views] UNWTO Predicts That India Will Account for 50 Million Outbound Tourists by 2020 and Europe Commands an Estimated Market Share Of About 20% of Outbound DeparturesResearch and Markets has announced the addition of the "The Indian Outbound Travel Market with Special Insight into the Image of Europe as a Destination" report to their offering. More... [1260 views] Luxury Hotel Spa Industry Not Immune to Tough TimesContinuing economic headwinds have not spared the luxury hotel spa industry. According to the latest figures of Spa STAR, the spa benchmarking program published by STR, performance metrics were either on par or declined for the first six months of 2009. More... [624 views] Fallout From Hospitality Property Crisis Will Have Far-Reaching ConsequencesThe deepening recession has prompted Americans to save versus spend, the unintended consequence of which is the fallout occurring in the hospitality sector as vacation and business travel are viewed as unavailable luxuries this year. In California alone, there are roughly 250 hotels in default or foreclosure, according to the Irvine consulting firm Atlas Hospitality Group. More... [597 views] W Hotels Worldwide Unveils “Extreme WOW Suite” of the Future at Instituto Tomie Ohtake in Sao Paulo, BrazilW Hotels Worldwide, proudly unveils the "Extreme Wow Suite" of the future. W Hotels engaged Jouin Manku to design a forward-looking, innovative lifestyle experience created in a three-dimensional installation. The "Extreme Wow Suite" will be unveiled 29th July 2009 at the Instituto Tomie Ohtake in Sao Paolo, Brazil as part of a special touring exhibition entitled "Le Paris de Patrick Jouin." More... [781 views] 
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ehotelier Hospitality News Archives: August 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 31, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 28, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 27, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 26, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 25, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 24, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 21, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 20, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 19, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 18, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 17, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 14, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 13, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 12, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 11, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 10, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 7, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 6, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 5, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 4, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: August 3, 2009
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