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ehotelier Hospitality News Archives: October 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 30, 2009Great, Grand & Famous Chefs and Their Signature DishesEhotelier is pleased to present a new feature in the form of a monthly book review. Regular contributors and industry experts are invited to submit their latest offerings and we hope this new feature will assist readers in locating the most relevant and inspiring publications within our industry. The second review is of Fritz Gubler's latest offering Great, Grand & Famous Chefs and Their Signature Dishes. We hope you enjoy this as much as we did. More... [2537 views] Your Say Regarding the Relationship Between Hoteliers and OTA’sHot topic: Below we've published some of your thoughts regarding the relationship between hotel owners and OTA's. Thanks for writing to us. ehotelier team More... [1212 views] Riding High Through the Recession - What Jam Bands Can Teach the BrandsA recent article in Forbes magazine described a Friday night this past June, when 15,000 fans descended on New York's Jones Beach Amphitheater in a torrential rainstorm to listen to the band Phish at one of the first concerts on their 2009 summer tour. Despite the downpour, hundreds of other fans with no tickets in hand roamed the parking lot hoping to get lucky and find a way in to this sold-out show. By Rob Rush More... [855 views] American Express Clients Expect China to Lead Business Travel RecoveryAmerican Express Business Travel announced the findings of two surveys which offered separate yet similar predictions on the health and future of business travel heading into 2010. The company surveyed its Global Business Partnership (GBP) clients, its largest global clients, as well as 180 client organizations based across Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou in China through its annual China Business Travel Survey (The Barometer). The findings indicate that clients expect China will lead business travel recovery. More... [724 views] £417m Gaming Resort Planned For IrelandA replica of the White House will form the centrepiece of a EUR460 million (£417 million) Las Vegas-style village deep in the Irish countryside, it was announced yesterday. By: Brian Hutton More... [660 views] Meeting and Business Conferences Not Affected by H1N1 Influenza FearsThe good news for the business meetings and professional conferences industries is that fear of the H1N1 "swine" influenza is not a factor in either bookings nor attendance for the remainder of 2009 and 2010, according to a statement issued by the Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE). More... [583 views] STR and V-TRiP Announce Intent to Launch Leisure Destination Research ProgramHendersonville, Tennessee and DENVER, Colorado-Representatives of the Vacation Travel Research Program (V-TRiP) and Smith Travel Research (STR) have reached an intent to partner agreement designed to better serve leisure travel destinations and their growing condominium and vacation rental lodging by providing a definitive set of destination market intelligence and performance metrics. More... [433 views] STR Global releases global hotel performance results for Asia/Pacific - September 2009Hotels in the Asia/Pacific region experienced mixed results when reported in U.S. dollars for all three key performance metrics for September 2009, according to data compiled by STR Global. More... [556 views] Hotel Giant Hilton Files Lawsuit Over Naming RightsHotel giant, Hilton has filed a law suit against a motel in Busan, Korea's second largest city after Seoul, for the usage of their brand name. More... [921 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 29, 2009Marketing Q&A with Jennifer RodriguesQ & A with Jennifer Rodrigues of TravelInk'd. More... [985 views] On-page Optimization Tactics that ‘Win Big’ when it comes to Organic RankingsEnsuring your hotel's website is search engine friendly, must be one of hoteliers' most important online marketing considerations. Unfortunately, if this is overlooked during those vital months of website design and implementation, you could be left with a website and no organic traffic. But, all is not lost! By Samantha Hasler More... [1048 views] Rev Up your RevPAR In 4 Different WaysHotels' occupancy and RevPAR, always key metrics for the industry, are in desperate need of revitalization. Lucky for you, we've compiled a short list of four highly effective tactics that can help hotels increase both RevPAR and occupancy through the fastest-growing (and most important) sales channel currently available to them -the online channel. By Jean Francois Mourier More... [1834 views] The Best Australian Accommodation RewardedThe best businesses and people in the accommodation industry were rewarded last Friday night at the Hotel Motel and Accommodation Association's 2009 National Inaugural Awards for Excellence, held at Cockle Bay Wharf, Darling Park in Sydney, Australia. More... [639 views] The Hotel Management Agreement: Increasing Investor AppealIn the June 2009 edition of the Baker & McKenzie's observations from the field newsletter: (The impact of the Global Financial Crisis on hotel management), we identified a number of recent developments in hotel management agreements. It was our conclusion that together these had the potential to make hotel real estate less attractive as a property asset class. By Graeme Dickson and Robert Williams More... [1180 views] Amex Reveals 2009 Winners and LosersTraditional short-break destinations such as Krakow and Prague have lost out this year, as consumers concentrate on one longer holiday, according to American Express. More... [510 views] STR Global Releases Global Hotel Performance Results for Europe - September 2009The European hotel industry posted decreases in year-over-year results when reported in U.S. dollars, euros and British pounds for September 2009, according to data compiled by STR Global. More... [553 views] Indian Royals Fight for Empire of HotelsMaharani Gayatri Devi, Queen Mother of the Jaipur royals and India's most enduringly glamorous socialite, is locked in a bitter family feud over her late son's vast wealth. More... [781 views] Hotel Rooms for 20 Cents a NightIf you're into swinging cats around - this hotel's not for you. By Angela Harper More... [931 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 28, 2009Hoteliers and OTA's, Partners or Opponents?The firestorm, which began when the negotiations between Choice Hotels and Expedia broke down on October 15th, stirred-up a lot of deep-seated feelings about OTA’s and Expedia in particular. Last week’s article, with an alternative viewpoint from that presented by another Internet strategist, was well received, but it exposed some apparent sensitivities among hoteliers. By Neil Salerno More... [1183 views] Can the Customer Wow Go Mainstream?Boston is a pretty toney town, even though it has no classic song, like New York, Chicago or San Francisco ("Down by the River Charles" and "Charlie on the MTA" don't quite cut it). High end Retail is prominent, from iconic hotels, Newbury Street merchants, extraordinary cuisine, cultural institutions, attractions and a well read, traveled, educated consumer. Boston is a Destination of Choice. By Ragsdale Hendrie More... [918 views] Will the Pritzkers’ Crown Jewel Create Value for Investors?In one of the largest and most anticipated initial public offerings in recent years, Hyatt Hotels will soon be in the hands of public shareholders - Or will it? So asks the hospitality union UNITE HERE's October 22nd report. More... [729 views] Advito Releases 2010 Industry Forecast for Business TravelCorporate travel buyers can expect to command significant savings next year. But with increases in air fares and a combination of regional hotel rate variances on the way, opportunities for savings may start to shrink, according to the just-released 2010 Industry Forecast from Advito, BCD Travel's independent consulting unit. More... [430 views] 3 Star Here, 4 Star There: Brands Reposition For IndiaPremier Inn, the UK's largest hotel chain, is popular among international travellers as a budget hotel. But in India, where it will open its first hotel in Bangalore early next month, Premier Inn is pitching itself as a value-for-money mid-market brand. By Meenakshi Verma Ambwan. More... [607 views] Will the Travel Industry Catch the Flu?New travelhorizons(TM) survey reveals affect of H1N1 virus on Americans' travel plans. The U.S. Centers For Disease Control and Prevention is reporting the H1N1 virus (a.k.a. the Swine Flu) is now "widespread" in 46 of 50 states. Numerous schools have been closed and public events canceled as a result. Physician visits to evaluate flu-like symptoms are also reported to be higher now than the level typically recorded at the peak of the winter flu season. More... [441 views] UK Chain Hotels Market Review September 2009London hoteliers successfully improved profitability and boosted total revenue per available room (TrevPAR), according to the latest HotStats survey by industry experts TRI Hospitality Consulting. More... [458 views] TIG Global Sweeps the WebAwards Competition with Wins in all of the Travel CategoriesIn this year's competition, TIG Global walked away with an unprecedented collection of honors for outstanding website design in all of the travel-related categories, including Hotel and Lodging, Travel and Restaurant. More... [419 views] Texan Hotelier Admits Cross Cultural BlunderLarry Whitten marched into this northern New Mexico town in late July on a mission: resurrect a failing hotel. The tough-talking former Marine immediately laid down some new rules. Among them, he forbade the Hispanic workers at the run-down, Southwestern adobe-style hotel from speaking Spanish in his presence. By Melanie Dabovich More... [641 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 27, 2009Message to Hotel Owners: The Relationship with On Line Travel Agencies (OTA) Should Be That of a PartnershipHot topic: The message from HVS is clear regarding the relationship between hotel owners and OTA's. At ehotelier we'd like to know your thoughts on this topic. Post your comments on our forum and we'll print the best of them. More... [877 views] Hotelier of the Week: Andrew StembridgeAndrew Stembridge, managing director of Chewton Glen in southern England, says it is the magical moments of a hotel stay that make the guests want to come back. By Andrew Gough More... [1073 views] Workers of the World, Relax! Chávez Takes Over HiltonA portrait of the president greets you at reception, the managers espouse socialism, the guests wear red T-shirts and the decor promotes Latin American solidarity: welcome to Hotel Chávez. More... [1021 views] Innovative Flavours Drive Restaurant TrafficConsumers are interested in expanding their palates when dining out and want to patronize restaurants that offer innovative flavors. A new study from foodservice industry consultant Technomic finds that 42 percent of consumers, particularly males aged 25 to 34, are more likely to visit restaurants that offer new or unique flavors. More... [594 views] Scottsdale Hotel Has Reached Resolution with Its Lender and Contractors, Ending Litigation and Cancelling Foreclosure ProceedingsTriyar Hospitality Scottsdale, LLC, owner of the W Scottsdale Hotel, announced today that it has reached a resolution in its legal disputes with its lender and the hotel's construction contractors, which ends litigation between them and the lender's foreclosure proceedings. More... [463 views] Seven Iconic Hotels Come Together To Form Kindred Resorts & HotelsSeven independent and iconic U.S. properties announce the launch of Kindred Resorts & Hotels, a newly-formed collaboration dedicated to giving independent hotels one voice in a cluttered hospitality marketplace with the ethos: "Authentic in Spirit, Distinctive in Style." More... [653 views] Hong Leong Group of companies in the region rally for disaster victims: Network of Hotels Step Up after Typhoon and Earthquake StrikesThe Hong Leong Group has embarked on a drive beyond Singapore to offer assistance to the victims of the recent killer typhoon in the Philippines and the major earthquake in Padang, Indonesia. More... [541 views] Youth Travel Defies the RecessionThe WYSE Travel Confederation, a global not-for-profit association for the youth and student travel industry, sees a bright future for the sector, most especially in Asia. More... [481 views] Small Luxuries and Delicious Surprises-All in a Day's Work in This HotelEvery day, a delicious surprise awaited us in our room at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza. Sometimes, it was a mango mousse, a bottle of red wine or melba toast and liver pâté in a shot glass. Other times, it was a tray of chocolate truffles or bite-size pieces of native treats like pichi-pichi. By Norma O. Chikiamco More... [638 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 26, 2009Understanding the Heritage Tourist Market SegmentThe present paper aims to investigate tourists’ perception and brand image associations of heritage destinations as a form of leisure activity. The established behaviour theory [theory of planned behaviour (TPB) (Ajzen, 1991)] was utilised as the key theoretical framework to investigate tourists’ perceptions toward participating in heritage tourism activities in Australia and identify brand image associations of heritage destinations. Data collection methods included questionnaire surveys, interviews and focus groups. Sixty-nine respondents participated in the research. Results indicate that tourists were motivated differently when deciding to visit heritage sites. Furthermore, functional, symbolic, experiential associations and overall brand attitudes were identified as key brand image associations toward heritage destinations. By Edmund Goh More... [1829 views] The talk at WIT, Day 1A lot was said and shared at the first day of WIT. Yeoh Siew Hoon distills the essence. More... [438 views] Guest Satisfaction In Europe At 5-Year HighOverall hotel guest satisfaction in Europe has increased notably from 2008 to achieve a five-year high in 2009, with improvements occurring in all ranked brands and across all segments, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 European Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study(SM) released today. More... [1349 views] Euro Hotel Giant Reports Sales PlungeEurope's biggest hotel group, Accor, has reported sales dropping 8.4 per cent in the third quarter to 1.85 billion euros ($A3.02 billion) amid a decline in travel during the economic crisis. More... [437 views] Q3 2009 Construction Pipeline SummaryToday, regional and community banks are experiencing growing balance sheet difficulties of their own and are now cutting back on mortgage lending as well, directly affecting smaller projects in the pipeline. The result is that development activity has slowed further and pipeline totals continue to fall. More... [506 views] Hilton on Margarita Island Seized by Venezuelan GovernmentThe Hilton resort on the island of Margarita, located 40 miles off the coast of Venezuela, has been seized by the Venezuelan government on the orders of President Hugo Chavez. More... [1342 views] Business Travel Still Suffering from Economic CrisisDark clouds still hang over the business travel sector - latest VDR survey reports an increase in video conferences - ITB Berlin with a new Mobile Travel Services section. More... [638 views] So You Like Motorsports: The Yas HotelThe Yas Hotel on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, is gearing up to welcome its first guests over the inaugural Formula 1™Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which will take place between 29 October and 1 November 2009. The hotel will then open to the public on 3 November, the day after the final race of the Formula 1 season. More... [520 views] Swissôtel Sydney Voted Best In Australia, New Zealand and Pacific IslandsAfter 52,000 votes and 2,800 nominations, Swissôtel Sydney has been awarded the HotelClub Awards premier accolade of Top 3 Hotels in Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands at the 4th HotelClub Hotel Awards ceremony held recently in Sydney. Swissôtel Sydney also walked away with the Best Hotel in New South Wales and Best Hotel in Oceania award, truly deserving the title of ‘one of the most popular hotels within the Oceania region'. More... [1236 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 23, 2009Online Reviews: The Bane of Hotels’ Existence or an Unprecedented Opportunity?Like the airlines, hotels overbook when demand is high, banking on a few no-shows, and occasionally we get caught with our pants down. Unlike the airlines, however, we don't broadcast an oversold situation to a holding lounge full of travelers. We handle relocate situations discreetly, one-on-one with travelers, and typically no one is the wiser. Or so that used to be the case. By Daniel Edward Craig More... [982 views] Principles of Success: Options to Avoid Struggling To Measure Performance (Part 2)Measuring staff performance has been a challenge over the years for many hotel managers and supervisors. Most people want to be fair and equitable in the evaluations for their staff, but I have discovered in my career as a manager, corporate executive and consultant that many organizations and individuals make it more difficult and less rewarding than it should be. By Dr. John Hogan CHE CHA MHS More... [756 views] Outwit the Peeping TomHotel and Motel Management Just when you thought the life of a hotel manager could not get any more complicated, the peeping tom issue returns with a vengeance. And the whole country is watching. By Karen Morris More... [935 views] A Different Mind-Set for the Super RichForbes examined the cost of luxury goods in nine global cities to find out what it cost for these cash-strapped fat cats to maintain their lifestyles. By Francesca Levy with Kevin Traynor and Jhelum Bagchi More... [2390 views] Luxury Hotel Growth Stymied In Hong KongA lack of suitable sites and the relatively high cost of land are frustrating efforts by some of the biggest names in the luxury hotel business to tap the lucrative business travel market in Hong Kong. By: Dennis Eng and Paggie Leung More... [531 views] PATA to Set Up Online CSR Best Practice ForumsThe Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is establishing a series of online forums where the industry can share knowledge about a variety of issues relating to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the first of which deals with SUSTAINABLE TOURISM. More... [431 views] Consumer Response to DeclinesExpedia, Inc., the global leader in online travel and the largest provider of hotel bookings worldwide, presenting at the Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific (HICAP) in Hong Kong, released insights on consumer travel demand that indicate consumer response to value-driven offers from Asia hotels is spurring an increasing interest in regional travel. More... [349 views] Rendezvous Hospitality Group Reorganises, Plans Singapore-Based Asia-Pacific ExpansionThe Straits Trading Company Limited has announced the formation of Rendezvous Hospitality Group (RHG), a wholly-owned subsidiary which combines the hospitality assets of The Straits Trading Company with its hospitality management arm, Rendezvous Hotels and Resorts International (RHI). More... [716 views] Choice Hotels International Named Among Top 50 Franchisees for Minorities for Third Consecutive YearChoice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) , one of the world's leading lodging franchisors, has been selected as one of the top 50 franchises for minorities by the National Minority Franchising Initiative (NMFI), an organization which serves to expand the number of minorities in franchising, for the third consecutive year. More... [696 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 22, 2009‘Growing Tension Between Hoteliers and OTA's’…NONSENSE!An Alternative Viewpoint. By Neil Salerno More... [1298 views] Rate Trends Will Get Worse Before They Get BetterPKF Hospitality Research released their updated forecasts covering the domestic lodging industry in late August 2009. Per these estimates, Revenue per Available Room ("RevPAR") in the United States is expected to decline 18.5 percent this year, and another 2.7 percent in 2010. These estimates come from our understanding of the historical relationship of lodging industry performance relative to changes in the economy. By Adam Maclennan More... [725 views] Choice CEO: Expedia's Demands 'Outrageous'On October 15, Expedia pulled all Choice Hotels International inventory off its Web sites after contract negotiations broke down. A few Choice hotels that have independent contracts with Expedia still can be found its sites, but just a handful. More... [1046 views] Business Hotels Turn Attention to LeisureFruity drinks. Beach balls. Inflatable fish floaties. Poolside, the crisis in corporate travel looks pretty fun. By Douglas Hanks More... [572 views] SITA Survey Finds Huge Growth in Online Booking in BrazilA global benchmark survey of leading airport hubs has found that online booking among passengers using the Brazilian gateway, Sao Paulo Guarulhos, has risen almost 50% over the last twelve months, it was announced at the ALTA Airline Leaders' Forum in Cartagena, Colombia. More... [475 views] Business Tourism’s Economic Boost in Scotland’s Capital CityBusiness tourism is flourishing in Scotland's capital city as the global economy continues to battle the impact of the worst recession for half a century. Figures released by the Edinburgh Convention Bureau (ECB) for the first half of the year show it's on track to achieve its target of helping secure conferences worth £73.9 million to the city's economy. The value of events won or influenced by the ECB between April and the beginning of October is £42.6 million. More... [428 views] India's Oberoi Hotel Chain Head in Stake Sale TalksThe founding family of India's Oberoi hotel chain is in talks to sell a part of its stake to Analjit Singh, who controls healthcare services and insurance firm Max India (MAXI.BO), the chairman of the hotel group said. More... [616 views] Mecca Super-Hotel to Offer Spa, Butler and a Chocolate RoomThe pilgrimage to Mecca has always involved hardship and sacrifice, whether months spent travelling on foot through barren valleys and sleeping in the open with no shelter from the elements or stripping oneself of earthly trappings. But help is at hand for the pilgrim who cannot bear to be without comfort while executing the fifth pillar of Islam. More... [633 views] Lifetime Achievement Award Bestowed upon The Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotels ChairmanThe Honorable Sir Michael Kadoorie, chairman of The Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited (HSH), a hotels and property company listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong, today received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the 2009 Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific (HICAP) for his considerable contribution to the hotel industry in the Asia Pacific region and in the world through positive actions and significant contributions. More... [464 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 21, 2009Hospitality Training Tips in the Era of Social NetworkingRemember in "the good old days" when "all" we had to worry about from a negative guest was that they would tell their family, friends, and co-workers? Most seasoned hoteliers will recall being told in training classes that "a happy guest tells five others; an unhappy guest tells 9-10 others." It seems like not that long ago I was facilitating workshops where, based on these numbers, we tried to quantify the significant cost of future business that was lost through negative word-of-month advertising, and even then it easily justified an investment in hotel hospitality training. By Doug Kennedy More... [1869 views] Weisswurst for Breakfast, Excellence for Dessert: An Interview with Horst SchulzeHorst Schulze, CEO Capella Hotels and Resorts, is having breakfast with Andreas Augustin at his first Capella Hotel Schloss Velden, Austria. By Andreas Augustin More... [1101 views] 2009 World Travel AwardsEuropcar, Adam & Eve Hotels, Carlson Wagonlit Travel and Virgin Atlantic Airways were amongst companies who triumphed during the World Travel Awards European regional ceremony, staged in the luxurious Marriott Praia D'El Rey in Portugal on 17th October. More... [1281 views] Fraud on the IncreaseThe travel, leisure and transportation industry has seen an increase in fraudulent activity over the past year, according to an international survey. The survey, by the Economist Intelligence Unit on behalf of Kroll, revealed the average fraudulent loss in the industry was $10.2m over the past three years. More... [431 views] Guests Don’t Always Walk the Talk for GreenA new study has found a significant gap between consumers' attitudes towards "green" initiatives in the hospitality industry and their actual behavior. More... [687 views] The Miele Guide - Top 5 Restaurants in Featured Countries UnveiledFollowing its successful launch as Asia's first authoritative and independent annual guide to the region's best restaurants last year, The Miele Guide has upped the ante with the highly anticipated inclusion of the Top 5 restaurants in each of the countries featured in this year's guide. More... [8306 views] Santiago Market SnapshotTourism in Chile has been for the recent years one of the most dynamic sectors of the national economy. Although recent statistics for 2009 show a slight decrease in the level of tourism activity in the month to month comparison, due to the international crisis; projections for the future years point to it continuing to play a vital role in the generation of revenue -and foreign currency- and the creation of new jobs. By Graciana García Iribarne and Arturo García Rosa, More... [354 views] Free Listing for Holiday Rentals Property OwnersHoliday rentals company, HouseTrip have recently launched their new website. Unlike other holiday rentals websites, HouseTrip lets you register your property for free. More... [554 views] London Proves to be One of the Most Resilient Cities in the DownturnDeloitte, the business advisory firm, has confirmed that hotels in the UK saw revenue per available room (revPAR) fall 10.9% to £60, during the first three quarters of 2009. More... [529 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 20, 2009Social Customer Relationship Management QuizIt's one thing to say that, as a hospitality brand you know a lot about social media. It's another entirely, to wrap your head around the complex world of social customer relationship management. Print out and take this quick quiz to see how well you know how to re-market to and drive revenue from the social web. By Adam Metz More... [1339 views] Hotelier of the Week: Stephan Vanden AuweeleStephan Vanden Auweele is Complex General Manager for aloft and Elements hotels in Abu Dhabi. Aloft will open on the October 25, in time for the Abu Dhabi Formula 1 contest on November 1, the last race of the season. By Tom Otley More... [755 views] Spot Your Super Hero: Talent Management in the Hotel IndustryTop talent seems to be as elusive as Superman's true identity; managing this talent an equally elusory skill. HVS Executive Search decided to play Lois Lane and went out in search of the superhero hotelier. By Pooja Vir More... [1108 views] The Prisoner's Dilemma, the Stockholm Syndrome, or a Case of Both?I have just heard through the industry grapevine that Expedia has cut off negotiations with Choice Hotels and has removed Choice properties from its sites, which include Expedia.com and Hotels.com. Choice Hotels, similar to all other major hotel brands, has been working consistently to negotiate a renewal of a brand-wide wholesale agreement with Expedia. By Max Starkov More... [1335 views] Searches for Holiday Package Deals Online Increase 65%All-inclusive holiday deals and getting great value for their travel dollar are near the top of the checklist this year for Australian travellers, who are increasingly hunting down holiday packages online. More... [405 views] Japanese Travel Market Struggles to Keep PaceThe Asia Pacific travel industry has not completely escaped the ravages of the global recession. PhoCusWright's Asia Pacific Online Travel Overview Third Edition highlights some markets that have performed quite well in 2009 and others that have suffered. The Japanese market is struggling in the face of both internal challenges and external pressures. By Namita Gyanchandani More... [542 views] Quadriga Encourages Hoteliers to Look Beyond EntertainmentQuadriga is unveiling its next generation technology platform to help hoteliers deliver a fully branded guest experience, improve their in-room communication with guests and take advantage of new commercial opportunities. More... [518 views] 39% 0f Business Travellers to Increase Corporate Travel BudgetsA recent industry survey shows that during the next 12 months the majority of companies intend to increase or consolidate their spend on corporate travel. More... [540 views] Small Hotels Retreat Gains MomentumCaribbean hoteliers representing properties with 75 rooms or less gathered in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, last week to strengthen their marketing and operations programs at the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) Small Hotels Retreat. By Tatiana Rokou More... [371 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 19, 2009Serving a CelebrityA few weeks ago, a call arrived from the Langham hotel (formerly the Ritz-Carlton in Pasadena). It was the manager of a hip hop singer whose name, like that of all hip hop singers, was unfamiliar. He explained that his client felt a sore throat coming on and wanted a shot of cortisone. I receive those requests now and then; singers think it helps. By Mike Oppenheim More... [1524 views] Principles of Success: Options to Avoid Struggling To Measure Performance (Part 1 of 2)Each year, hotel managers and supervisors face the struggle of annual evaluations for their staff. The reason for this "struggle" should be obvious to most professionals who have been in the workforce for 5 years or more, but I have discovered in my career as a manager, corporate executive and consultant that many organizations and individuals make it more difficult and less rewarding than it should be. By Dr. John Hogan More... [1186 views] Land of Toddy and HoneyYeoh Siew Hoon visits New Delhi where she tastes her first toddy and gets carried away with sports and honey. More... [407 views] The Hotel Food & Beverage Consumer Trend ReportThe hospitality and lodging industry is an important part of the American culture. A 2006 survey conducted by Travel Industry Association (TIA) and American Express found that about 124 million Americans took a vacation in the past year, representing a majority (55%) of the U.S. adult population. Furthermore, the report found that the typical traveler goes on three trips per year, two of which include hotel stays. More... [1204 views] Self-Catering Explosion Ensures British Tourism Spend Reaches Far and WideCheap flights, better value accommodation, greater flexibility and more personal customer service are driving enormous growth in the private villa rental marketplace, according to Ross Elder managing director of holidaylettings. By Vicky Karantzavelou More... [344 views] China - the Richest Source of New, Loyal Travellers for Starwood HotelsChina has become the richest source of new, loyal travelers for Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT), according to an analysis on the enrollment and travel trends of Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) members. The results underscore previous reports by the World Tourism Organization that forecast China as the world's largest market for inbound and domestic tourism by 2015. More... [1003 views] Hotels.com Reveals New York City Hotel Rates Drop 30%According to the latest hotels.com Hotel Price Index (HPI), New York City hotel rates dropped 30% in the first half of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008. This drop tied with Las Vegas hotels as the greatest price fall among major US cities. Despite this drop in rates, New York still had the most expensive hotel prices in the US and seventh most expensive globally. By Tatiana Rokou More... [453 views] Hospitality Investment Conference - AfricaHow Africa's hotel and hospitality industry compares internationally in terms of Revpar (revenue per available room) is a hot topic - and highly relevant in the current global economic climate - to be debated at this year's Hospitality Investment Conference Africa (HICA) from 4-6 November. More... [617 views] Watchdog Probes Online Pricing and AdvertsThe Office of Fair Trading has launched two investigations into advertising and pricing to make sure consumers are not being ripped off online. More... [397 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 16, 2009Virtual events Won’t Replace Face-to-FaceEventia and the Institute of Travel and Meetings have revealed the results of their experiment into the delegate experience of real versus virtual events. More... [639 views] A Recovery to ‘Less Bad’ in TravelAs the economy begins to shift gears from dismal to slightly improved, the travel industry sees some reason for hope - but not much. By Susan Stellin More... [448 views] Monarch sees an Increase in Eight and Nine Day TripsMonarch Holidays is reporting an increase in eight- and nine-night trips as consumers look to minimise their costs while still taking a long break. More... [373 views] Hotel Industry Pulse StallsEconomic research firm e-forecasting in conjunction with Smith Travel Research announced that the HIP hit a snag in its recovery. After going up two months in a row, HIP declined 2.1 percent in September. HIP, the Hotel Industry's Pulse index, is a composite indicator that gauges business activity in the U.S. hotel industry in real-time. More... [460 views] Hotels.com Discovers Dramatic Drop in Western US Hotel PricesAccording to the latest hotels.com Hotel Price Index (HPI), Hawaii, Alaska, Washington state and California were all ranked among the top 10 US cities with the highest hotel rates. However, with the exception of Washington state, these states were also found to have some of the greatest price falls in average hotel prices. More... [375 views] STR Releases Canada Hotel Pipeline for Third Quarter 2009Among the Chain-Scale segments, two segments reported increases in the number of rooms at the In Construction phase for the month. More... [363 views] Preventing H1N1 This Flu SeasonThis past summer, when news continued to spread about the threat of the H1N1 virus - aka the swine flu - management at the Q Hotel & Spa in Kansas City, Mo., wanted to do something to keep guests and employees healthy and safe. But as a "green lodging property," the Q Hotel & Spa didn't want to resort to using toxic chemicals or harsh alcohol-based cleaning products. By Ray Burger More... [708 views] New Spa Research for South AfricaIntelligent Spas' second Spa Benchmark Report on the South African spa market presents an extensive collection of financial statistics including breakdowns of key performance indicators by day spas. By Julie Garrow More... [915 views] Gender Inequality in Hospitality Sector is Focus of New CampaignA new campaign to help combat gender inequality at the top of firms operating in the hospitality, leisure and tourism sector has been launched by sector skills council People 1st. By Kate Baker More... [560 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 15, 2009What Is Your Hotel's Online Marketshare?Online, your competition set amounts to those hotels which appear, with yours, on search results. At this point, your hotel's title and description tags are of critical importance, but more about this later. I'm sure you can name all the hotels in your local market, but do you know which hotels compete with your hotel online? By Neil Salerno More... [1107 views] The 20% Solution to Increased Market Share and RevenuePKF states that "Our research over the past 10 years reveals that seventy-five to eighty percent of a hotel's performance is systematically a function of changes in the larger market in which the property is located," notes John B. (Jack) Corgel Ph.D., Senior Advisor to PKF Hospitality Research and the Robert C. Baker Professor of Real Estate, Cornell University School of Hotel Administration. "And who is better at knowing that remaining twenty to twenty-five percent than the local property owner or operator? The person in charge of the hotel knows when rooms will come in and out of service, when renovations occur, and when competitors open across the street." By Carol Verret More... [737 views] Mixed Fortunes for Hoteliers across Asia PacificA report launched today by Deloitte, the business advisory firm, has found that revenue per available room (revPAR) in Asia Pacific dropped 28.4% to US$68 year-to-August 2009. Average room rates fell US$27, while occupancy dropped 12.0% over the same period last year. Despite rivalling Europe for the steepest decline in hotel performance globally, reductions in revPAR have eased in Asia Pacific since May 2009 with monthly drops less severe than the year-to-date decline. More... [526 views] Hope Through Soap: Former Refugee Recycles Used Hotel Soap to Help Uganda's Poor Fight DiseaseNearly two decades after he arrived in this country, Ugandan Derreck Kayongo is still bowled over by one subtle display of American wealth: the endless array of soaps available in stores. By Dionne Walker More... [554 views] Travellers Could Be Sued for Hotel RantsTravellers who post scathing reviews or comments about hotels or restaurants could be exposing themselves to long and costly legal battles. By Angela Saurine More... [1057 views] October Forecast Holds SteadyAs the U.S. hotel industry traverses the precarious gulf between the summer months and the conference travel season, the year-end projections have not been adjusted, according to STR's monthly forecast. More... [369 views] Accor Launches All Seasons Brand in UKA hotel which promises to "reinvent hotel service and value" has opened in London. This ambitious undertaking comes from all seasons - the new international budget hotel brand being pioneered by hospitality leader Accor. More... [781 views] Starwood’s Road Show across Europe, Africa & Middle EastBased on Starwood's belief in the importance of the private sector's contribution to the growth of each and every industry & the importance of sharing and exchanging experience among industry professionals, Starwood regional offices all over the world organize on yearly basis a series of Road Shows at the most important touristic destinations in each region. Those Road Shows are organized twice per year to include top sales & marketing executives from regional offices and properties. More... [608 views] Bank Hires Brokerage Firm to Market Watergate HotelThe bank trying to sell the shuttered Watergate Hotel has hired a top commercial real estate brokerage firm to market the property, a sign that the fate of the Washington landmark remains in limbo. By Lisa Rein More... [408 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 14, 2009Need PR and Marketing Help? Ask Away!Q & A with Jennifer Rodrigues of TravelInk'd. More... [1304 views] Performance Potential of Mid-Scale Hotels: Less May Be MoreHotel stakeholders have to know the right place, time, and hotel category to maximize investments. In the present economic climate, mid-scale, limited-service hotels may be a good bet. By Daniel McCoy More... [544 views] Through the eyes of a Hotel Butler: The Empathy in Customized ServicesThe new differential trend in the present Hotel Services is to achieve the emotional guest involvement by means of the services offered; that is to say, that the services be a source of positive guests feelings and emotions, obtaining not only his rational but also his emotional satisfaction. By Osvaldo Torres Cruz More... [920 views] Hilton Worldwide CEO Sends Letter to Hotel Owners Regarding Grand Jury StoryHilton Worldwide CEO Christopher Nassetta penned Hilton hotel owners a six-paragraph letter Wednesday in response to the Wall Street Journal's front-page story about the convening of a federal grand jury to investigate whether Hilton committed corporate espionage. By Barbara De Lollis More... [1396 views] TripAdvisor Influences £500m of Corporate Hotel ChoicesTripAdvisor and similar user review websites now influence corporate decisions on hotels to the tune of £500m a year, according to research firm BDRC. By Daniel Thomas More... [1123 views] STR Global provides Hotel Market Forecast Reports to New DestinationsFour cities have been added to the Hotel Market Forecast reports programme of STR Global, the leading provider of performance data to the world's hotel industry. In Scandinavia, these are Stockholm, Oslo and Malmo. Dubai is the first market covered in the Middle East. The Hotel Market Forecast reports provide two years of forecast data that reduce uncertainty and improve the decision-making process of hotel owners and operators and, ultimately, add to the bottom line. More... [512 views] New UNWTO Roadmap for Recovery for Tourism and TravelThe 18th session of the UNWTO General Assembly concluded with unanimous endorsement of a Roadmap for Recovery to mainstream travel and tourism into economic stimulus packages being considered by global leaders. It underscored the enormous importance of the sector for job creation, trade and development. More... [662 views] Grandma Can Rest Easy: Holiday Travelers Won’t be DeterredDespite a challenging economy and concerns over the H1N1 flu, Americans' plans to visit family and friends this holiday season have not been diminished. Holiday travelers predict they'll be out in numbers that rival last year's exodus and are taking advantage of travel deals and other dollar stretchers in order to make holiday dreams a reality. More... [342 views] St John Team to Launch Hotel in London's West EndThe team behind iconic London restaurant St John has confirmed that it is to launch a hotel in the West End next year. By Kerstin Kuhn More... [531 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 13, 2009Executive Recruitment in a World of Economic Uncertainty and New BeginningsThe past year has been a challenging one to say the least and we have seen many companies in the hospitality industry cut back on their employment and with that their level of services and standards. By Karl Faux More... [960 views] Dubai's Oct Hotel Room Rates Top World ListAverage hotel room rates in Dubai are the highest in the world in October, according to a global price index published by industry website Hotels.com. By Andy Sambidge More... [972 views] Leadership and the Global Recession: Lessons from Seven Hotel Company CEOsHVS Executive Search conducted a series of interviews with seven hospitality company CEOs that revealed how to best lead a company through tough times. By Lorenza Alessie More... [1274 views] Sri Lanka Sets Minimum Hotel RatesThe country, which has been plagued by decades of ethnic conflict, hopes to control prices in an effort to profit off of a recent tourism boom. More... [622 views] Beach Hut Resorts Concept to Roll-Out Across the UKA pilot scheme to build twenty one luxury beach huts is now to be rolled out throughout the UK in an exciting GBP35m expansion plan. More... [467 views] Free Breakfast Breaks Vicious CycleLatest research has enabled Cheltenham's newest hotel to provide the town's corporate visitors with the nutritional breakfast they need before they start work or attend a meeting. More... [612 views] Starwood Hotels & Resorts Takes on the World with Global Sales RaceArmed with a passion for life, signature experiences to share and beauty to be appreciated, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has inspiring stories to tell the world. With this in mind, the leading global hotel and leisure company embarked on its first global sales blitz by ‘flagging off' its associates of over 6,000 enabling them to tell their stories through a portfolio of nine leading hotel brands. More... [691 views] Welcome to Dreamtime 2009 - Australia's Premier Incentive Travel Event CommencesOver 80 international incentive travel buyers have landed in Australia today to participate in Dreamtime 2009 - Australia's premier incentive travel event. More... [408 views] HGR hosting Atlantis Dubai at 2009 SEG Recruitment Forum, Montreux, SwitzerlandThe Swiss Education Group (SEG), comprised of four of the leading Swiss hotel schools, is hosting its annual recruitment forum in mid October, giving the opportunity for worldwide employers and over 1600 students to meet each other. Students of an extensive variety of nationalities and various international employers gather on this annual event to network, exchange ideas, discuss the industry and ideally to sign a job contract. More... [1119 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 12, 2009Effective Pricing & Revenue Management Tactics for a Post-Recession WorldThe Smith Travel Research Hotel Data Conference last month revealed that more than 50% of hotel industry professionals believe that industry-wide RevPAR rates will not recover until the third quarter of 2010 or after. By Jean Francois Mourier & Bruno Perez More... [2315 views] Budget Hotels May be False EconomyBusiness travellers may find the recession means four-star hotels offer better rates and more flexibility than three-stars, reports hotel booking agency Inntel. More... [1314 views] Slow Cities, Slow Food, Slow Travel?Nic Marks, founder of the new economics foundation, claims the shift to a low-carbon society will be like the dramatic change during the Industrial Revolution. More... [696 views] Four Seasons Launches New Application for iPhone/iPodTravellers can now take Four Seasons with them wherever planes, trains, automobiles or even feet may carry them with a new iPhone/iPod touch application. More... [1359 views] Asia Pacific Tourism Trending UpwardsFigures released today by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) show that the numbers of international visitors to the Asia Pacific region* fell by an estimated six percent in July 2009 compared to July 2008, an improvement over the months of May and June which recorded year-on-year reductions of 10 percent and eight percent respectively. More... [1054 views] Education Key to Improving Workplace HygieneIn the lead up to November's Australian Food Safety Week, Pro-Visual Publishing is calling for greater education of workplace hygiene with its 2009/10 edition of the Restaurant & Catering Australia's Guide to Food Safety & Hygiene. More... [458 views] San Juan Marriott Introduces "YouTube Concierge"The San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino maintains its position as an innovative industry leader with the institution of a "You Tube Concierge". The resort has expanded the role of one of its staff members to incorporate this position with the goal of helping hotel guests share their vacation experience with those back home via free online video postcards. More... [900 views] Getting the Guests to SortGuess how much trash the average hotel guest throws away every day. By Susan Stellin More... [441 views] Raffles Hotel Conferred Best Luxury Hotel In Asia-Pacific For The Seventh YearFor the seventh consecutive year, travel industry leaders and peers once again acknowledge Raffles Hotel's unique charm and inimitable service by conferring the Grand Dame with the "Best Luxury Hotel" award in the 20th Annual TTG Travel Awards 2009. The Annual Travel Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner was held in Bangkok, Thailand. More... [680 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 9, 2009Recognizing the Many Ways to Reach and Influence Potential GuestsThe late Skip Boyer*, formerly the Director of Executive Communications at Best Western International and the senior member of his team, was a wonderful speech writer, author and story teller. He used to employ a simple but amusing story when his department was explaining the differences between the various forms of marketing at the company's regular orientations for owners and management new to the brand. By Dr. John Hogan More... [956 views] The Voice of Experience – J.W. Marriott Talks about Recession and Hotel TrendsThe chief of the Marriott International hotel chain visited South Florida on Monday to formally unveil a $70 million upgrade of three adjacent Miami airport hotels. Bill Marriott, 77, spoke about the recession, hotel trends and the company he built from his parents' restaurant business. By Doreen Hemlock More... [1194 views] Cornell Roundtable Shows Connection of Strong Sales with Employee and Guest SatisfactionA critical aspect of hotel and restaurant management is making sure that employees are satisfied and loyal, because you cannot have satisfied guests with unhappy employees. Participants in the Center for Hospitality Research (CHR) Guest Service Processes and Outcomes Roundtable examined this critical connection, with an eye to improving sales. They discussed research that showed that working to make sure that guests are highly satisfied is worth the trouble, because highly satisfied guests are more loyal and spend more money than those who are merely satisfied. More... [563 views] Poll Shows Stinky Fellow Passengers and Boisterous Kids Push Travellers Buttons When on the RoadTravelocity's 2009 Rudeness Poll reveals the opinions of nearly 1,600 North American travelers on an array of bad travel behavior, highlighting poor hygiene, oversized carry-on luggage and arguing families as among top travel peeves for U.S. respondents. From boarding the plane to dining out while on vacation, it seems rude behavior occurs at every stage of the trip. More... [520 views] The Art of Being a ButlerShatec Institutes has officially launched ‘The Art of Being a Butler', a butler training programme. The three-month intensive programme, offered exclusively to a select group of students, will see the classroom being brought to The St. Regis Singapore. More... [975 views] Study Reveals What Kind of Toothpaste Your Guest Truly WantsThe Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has pioneered one of the first hospitality research projects, undertaken by its School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM), in the virtual world of Second Life, a three-dimensional virtual environment with over 16 million users. More... [516 views] How About the Hotel's Back-Office Bandwidth?Hotels typically have two separate Internet connections in place, one for their back-office and one for the guest area. At Rome's Hilton Airport hotel, things work out much better with Swisscom managing all connectivity through one shared network, providing bandwidth dynamically when and where it is needed. Optimizing bandwidth usage throughout the property, Swisscom reduces the hotel's operational costs while increasing the effective speed for both guests and back-office users. More... [589 views] Italian Hotel Market Shrugs off RecessionRecent data released by STR Global, the leading provider of market data to the world's hotel industry, shows improving conditions in the Italian hotel market. More... [563 views] Andrew Harper Revamps Harper Collection & Introduces Michelin-Style Ranking System for HotelsAndrew Harper, the anonymous travel legend, has redesigned and reorganized his one-of-a-kind Harper Collection and introduced a new rating system for the famed Hideaway Report. More... [785 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 8, 2009Make No Substitutions for Exceptional ServiceWhen entering any dining establishment, guests should make sure they read the fine print at the bottom of the menu. It could be an indicator of service and whether or not they'll get much. By Roberta Nedry More... [1359 views] Pliant Hotels OK Novel DealsWith hoteliers more flexible in negotiations during a buyer's market, travel buyers are finding success with alternatives to the standard negotiation strategy, including reverse auctions, block space programs, capped dynamic pricing and consortia negotiations. By Michael B. Baker More... [371 views] Hotel Lawyer: Distressed hotel investments -- Maximizing the value for Lenders, Borrowers and InvestorsOur national hotel practice focuses on being the legal and business advisors for lenders, borrowers and investors. With the hotel industry suffering a record-breaking collapse of revenues and no immediate relief in sight, everyone is starting to examine available options. By Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group® Hotel Lawyers More... [422 views] How Rio’s 2016 Olympic Games will Benefit Brazilian TourismThe International Olympic Committee (IOC) last Friday selected Rio de Janeiro as the 31st Olympic and Paralympic Games host city. The increase in foreign tourists to Brazil in 2016 is already projected to be ten to 15 percent greater than the previous year (2015). More... [1274 views] The Hyatt Housekeeper Outrage: Is Business the New Enemy?It's been a tough fortnight for Hyatt, as the hotel chain has endured a flood of negative publicity and public outrage over its decision to fire 98 housekeepers from three Boston area hotels and replace them with contractors. Even as Hyatt has taken steps to try to remedy the situation, the damage to its brand will likely linger for some time to come. By Paul Michelman More... [1097 views] Perth Hotel Market Riding out the Global Financial Crisis StormWith much of the last twelve months being dominated by talk of recession and the far-reaching impacts of the Global Financial Crisis, Australia is one of the few developed nations now expected to avoid a fall in GDP. However, as some sectors of the economy power-on, other key sectors have stagnated and worse still, some have faced a fight for survival. More... [716 views] Supply increases hit RevPAR in RussiaMoscow and St. Petersburg, the two Russian cities tracked by STR Global, the leading provider of market data to the world's hotel industry, reported revenue per available room (RevPAR) declines for the first eight months of 2009. The increasing supply within both cities coupled with declining demand resulted in occupancy and average daily rate declines. More... [468 views] Facing Global Challenges and Setting the Framework for Increased EfficiencyAround 360 delegates representing 112 countries meet this week in Astana, Kazakhstan, on the occasion of the XVIII session of the UNWTO General Assembly. The gathering convened by the UN specialized agency for tourism will set the ground for how the travel and tourism sector can face the current economic downturn while staying on track with the twin challenges of climate change response and poverty alleviation. This Assembly will also initiate a far-reaching internal reform, starting with the election of a new Secretary-General. More... [341 views] Chain, Boutique - or Price?As veteran boutique hotel operators like Kimpton Hotels and Joie de Vivre continue to expand in popular business cities and court corporate business accounts, more business travelers are being exposed to boutique hotels than ever before. By Barbara De Lollis More... [644 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 7, 2009Marketing Q&A with Jennifer RodriguesI own a small boutique hotel with 50 rooms and I keep reading about social media. I don't use any of these social media sites myself so I have absolutely no idea of how to get started. What works, what doesn't and how do I implement these tactics without investing a great deal of time or money? By Jennifer Rodrigues More... [1519 views] Is it Brand Loyalty or Something Else at Play that Drives Hotel BusinessIt used to be so easy to make a Hotel reservation. We were led primarily by our prior Guest Experience. We knew what to expect. Hotel companies had defined Brands, service standards were consistent, amenities continually enhanced, and marketing pockets deep. We were believers and loyal to the Brand. We felt good! By Ragsdale Hendrie More... [978 views] Hotels Turn to ‘Stealth Gratitude’ to Attract and Keep GuestsIf you're looking for a hotel deal, you should have no problem finding one. Many hotels are offering a variety of value-added perks ranging from free nights, meals, spa treatments, theater tickets - even car washes. By Harriet Baskas More... [545 views] The Downturn's Aftermath: Attributes of SuccessThe consequences of the global economic crisis on the tourism industry and citizens in societies dependent on it are governed by the same fundamental principles. However, we can't ignore the diversity between regions and countries where tourism revenues are the primary source of domestic wealth, such as southeastern and southwestern European countries, as well as many Mediterranean countries in northern Africa. By Angelos Loizou More... [399 views] Customers are the Leading Source of Innovation say Businesses GloballyA new report from Grant Thornton International reveals that customers are now the leading source of innovation for businesses globally. No longer simply passive recipients of goods and services, customers are shaping the future of their own consumption. More... [558 views] A Break from the Norm: The Leading Hotels of the World Experiences Unique Boost in Summer SalesIn a recent production assessment, The Leading Hotels of the World has seen a 13.5% increase in revenue generation to its member hotels, May through August 2009, versus January through April 2009. While historically the opposite has been the norm for the global hospitality company, the atypical rise, and reversal of an ongoing pattern experienced in previous years, serve as encouraging signs during this difficult time for the industry. More... [816 views] The Electronic GuestroomThe guestroom experience has changed dramatically over the years. Hotel companies are progressively incorporating modern technology into their rooms to provide guests with comfort and conveniences. Technology has played a dramatic role in improving operations and bringing cost-savings to hotels. As guests increasingly embrace new technology in their lives, its use in hotels is quickly transforming the guest experience. By Jules A. Sieburgh More... [917 views] Windsor Court Hotel Returns to Local Ownership after Nearly Two DecadesFor the first time in nearly 20 years, the Windsor Court Hotel in downtown New Orleans is back in local hands. The new local ownership team, led by The Berger Company of New Orleans, closed on the storied 322-room property today for an undisclosed price. More... [538 views] Top 10 National Parks WorldwideThe hotel price comparison site trivago has brought together the most popular national parks around the world. More... [2062 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 6, 2009On the Move - September 2009Global Staff Movements for September 2009 provided by Spectrum International. More... [2994 views] Engaging Service: 22 Ways to Become a Service SuperstarEhotelier is pleased to present a new feature in the form of a monthly book review. Regular contributors and industry experts are invited to submit their latest offerings and we hope this new feature will assist readers in locating the most relevant and inspiring publications within our industry. The first review is one such book. Popular contributor and author Bryan K. Williams launches our monthly reviews with his book Engaging Service: 22 Ways to Become a Service Superstar. Happy reading. More... [2306 views] Who Needs Models when you have Real Guests?Marriott Hotels & Resorts does away with casting calls, glamorous models and impeccably staged scenes to let real guests help define the iconic hotel brand. Loyal, high performing guests, recruited via Twitter, Marriott Rewards and hotel general managers, are lending their names and faces to the brand's newest awareness and advertising campaign called "The Driven." More... [800 views] ADA Hotel Lawyers: California opens door to more ADA litigation, but also offers protection to the well-informedAmericans with Disabilities (ADA) update. Why you need to take advantage of the "Certified Access Specialists program" (CASp)! Much needed new protection for property owners against ADA litigation even as California Supreme Court decision opens door to more ADA claims. By Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group® Hotel Lawyers More... [785 views] Brand Evangelism is a Delicate BeastLonely Planet's Venessa Paech on leveraging the passion of brand advocates. More... [881 views] Accor Hotel Group Tops the First Tomorrow’s Value RatingAccor has topped the first Tomorrow's Value Rating of the world's ten largest hotel groups. Accor has not only recognised key sustainability challenges facing the hotels sector, says the new research, but has also designed a comprehensive approach to managing them. More... [723 views] Athens, Greece - Upscale Hotels Market SnapshotThis is the third in a series of articles that HVS publishes every month on a series of key markets. By Pavlos Papadimitriou and Themis Trakas More... [653 views] UNWTO: Has Tourism Reached Turning Point?Improved forecasts from the IMF and tourism statistics from August could signal ‘stronger prospects for a recovery in 2010', according to an international tourism body. More... [501 views] 2.6 Million More Holidays Taken as 'Lost Generation' Discovers EnglandNew figures released today by VisitEngland from the United Kingdom Tourism Survey show that holiday trips taken by UK residents in England in the first six months of 2009 are up by 14%, while outbound travel saw a 17% drop. More... [503 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 5, 2009Special Report: Rethinking Coastal Hotels and Resorts in the Wake of the Samoa TsunamiIf there is a lesson to be learned from the Samoan tsunami all coastal resorts need to re-think where accommodation is located while giving guests as much access and visibility to the beach as possible. By David Beirman More... [1735 views] Post F1 Rock & BluesYeoh Siew Hoon survived the F1 weekend. Now for some F2 rock and blues. More... [577 views] UK Hotels See Minor ImprovementYear-to-date August 2009 hotel performance indicators in the UK confirm a minor, yet positive swing, signifying a slowdown in market decline. More... [763 views] Dubai Hospitality and Tourism Industry OutlookSound fundamentals promise growth in tourism and hospitality for years to come. By Adrian Jonklaas More... [1474 views] Unified Communications Platform Key for CollaborationTelepresence and video conferencing have been instrumental in helping businesses address the challenges of recent economic pressures, such as travel reductions and employee productivity. More... [358 views] Travel + Leisure Names 76 Virtuoso Experts to its 2009 "A-List"In its October issue, available now on newsstands, Travel + Leisure magazine reveals the top travel agents in the world, and names 76 travel professionals associated with leading luxury travel network, Virtuoso®. Virtuoso's experts account for nearly 60 percent of Travel + Leisure's 2009 "A-List," making it the most recognized travel network on the list. More... [745 views] Grass Isn't Always GreenerWater conservation tools like low-flow faucets and aerated shower heads have become standard in many hotels across the world in recent years, but the industry has been a bit slower to limit the water flow outside. At properties where sustainable landscaping practices have taken root, however, hoteliers are seeing considerable return on investment while also creating unique-and not necessarily diminished-landscape aesthetics. By Adam Kirby More... [447 views] Latest Space Tourist Takes Off for International Space StationGuy Laliberté and his crew have successfully launched aboard a Soyuz-TMA spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan en route to the International Space Station (ISS). More... [364 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 2, 2009Overcoming The “All They Want To Hear Is The Rate” MentalityAs an active hotel industry trainer who works with hotel and call center reservations agents representing all market segments and geographic locations, it is extremely intriguing to observe firsthand the various ways in which hotel and resort companies are responding to our recent economic conditions which for almost all markets, have been trending downward. By Doug Kennedy More... [1167 views] It's the Value, StupidWhat is the most appropriate tone to deliver in your advertising and marketing messages during this great recession? By Madigan Pratt More... [881 views] American Express Business Travel Announces 2010 Global Business Travel ForecastAccording to the American Express Global Business Travel Forecast released today, pent up trip demand coupled with supply base changes are likely to cause rates to slightly increase in most travel categories by the end of 2010. More... [916 views] Even Bad Product Reviews Boost SalesThink letting customers post cranky reviews of your products will scare away sales? Here's the surprising truth. By Jennifer Alsever More... [701 views] New Alliance Opens the Door For Hotel DevelopmentHotel development becomes financially feasible thanks to a strategic alliance announced last week to hospitality insiders at The Lodging Conference 2009 in Phoenix. More... [480 views] The Miele Guide 2009/2010 Unveils Asia's Top 20 RestaurantsThe highly-anticipated second edition of Asia's first truly independent and authoritative guide to the region's finest restaurants reveals that L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon (Hong Kong) is the best restaurant in Asia for 2009/2010. More... [1322 views] Latest results for HotStats European Chain Hotels Market - August 2009All the cities in the HotStats European Chain Hotels survey suffered a drop in RevPAR during August compared to the same month a year ago. But the rate of decline for most cities was slower than for the first eight months of the year. More... [476 views] First Concrete Modular, Pre-Greened Luxury Hotel Suites in North AmericaThe first ever concrete modular, green, luxury hotel guest suites were topped off in Islamorada at the legendary Florida Keys Cheeca Lodge, reopening December 15. More... [532 views] Travel & Tourism: Unity through Diversity in the Age of GlobalizationTourism's role in preserving diversity and fostering international understanding were at the centre of this year's World Tourism Day Think Tank debates around the 2009 theme "Tourism - Celebrating Diversity". The Think Tank was the climax of the official World Tourism Day celebrations held in Accra, Ghana, and brought together leading international experts, tourism policy makers and specialized media. More... [378 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 1, 2009Winners of the 2009 AA Hospitality Awards AnnouncedThe AA, celebrating the best in hospitality for over 100 years, announced the winners of the AA Hospitality Awards 2009 - 2010 last night at a glamorous black-tie ceremony, hosted by Natasha Kaplinsky, at the London Hilton on Park Lane. More... [1811 views] Hotel Industry Leading Indicator Shows ImprovementThis morning economic research firm e-forecasting.com in conjunction with Smith Travel Research announced that their US hotel industry leading indicator - HIL - went up in August for the fourth consecutive month. HIL went up 1.7 percent in August, after going up 2 percent in July. More... [482 views] Hotel Lawyers in Phoenix: What happened at the Phoenix lodging conference? Can we find a Black Swan?Hotel Lawyers' insights from The Lodging Conference at the Arizona Biltmore. As our Global Hospitality Group® members compared notes from last week's Phoenix Lodging Conference, we had some observations we wanted to share. Congratulations to Morris Lasky and Harry Javer for another great event. Here is our take on what happened in Phoenix... By Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group® Hospitality Lawyers More... [430 views] Blog Launched for Tourism Industry to Better Understand Tourists from "Incredible India"Cross-cultural customer service specialists, TravConsult, have just launched their second interactive educational blog for the tourism industry. This new blog, TravConsult India was developed to help tourism organisations, businesses, tourism professionals and academics globally to better understand tourists and travellers from India. More... [489 views] What's New in Housekeeping?Housekeepers from all over Sydney gathered this month at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in Sydney, to hear about some of the latest trends and developments in Housekeeping. Liz Lycette from Lycette&Associates in her role as Public Officer for PHAN (Professional Housekeepers Association NSW), was MC at the event. More... [3508 views] 'Aggressive' Hotel Price Cuts Woo HolidaymakersHotels in popular leisure destinations such as York and Blackpool reported year-on-year occupancy growth in August. More... [340 views] ‘Blunderful’ Hotel Story Wins Grand Prize in Embassy Suites Hotels ContestBusiness travel can be incredibly stressful. You're away from home, getting up early to catch your flight, eating on the run and burning the midnight oil to finish your presentation. The smallest of slip-ups can make for a miserable experience, like someone revealing that, well...you're not wearing any pants! More... [562 views] Rio Pledges 20,000 Hotel Rooms to Secure 2016 OlympicsRio de Janeiro officials have announced that an additional 2,000 hotel rooms would be built should the city win the bid to host the 2016 Olympics. More... [424 views] Indian Luxury Hotel Group Partners with LufthansaOne of India's most renowned luxury hotel groups is partnering with another industry leader. The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts has joined forces with Lufthansa, the European airline offering the most flights to India, to provide authentic Indian cuisine to travelers. More... [599 views] 
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ehotelier Hospitality News Archives: October 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 30, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 29, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 28, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 27, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 26, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 23, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 22, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 21, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 20, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 19, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 16, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 15, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 14, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 13, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 12, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 9, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 8, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 7, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 6, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 5, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 2, 2009Global Hospitality Newsletter: October 1, 2009
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