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Hotel Industry News In Brief

Jun 18, 12 | 12:09 am

Some current conversation starters…

Study finds more people use wireless on vacation than at home.

Scanning smartphones, tablets and laptops have become as essential to vacations as brining skis to mountain or sunscreen to the beach, as much a part of vacations as slathering on sunscreen, according to a Michigan State University study."The results, which will appear in the forthcoming issue of Annals of Tourism Research, show that easy online access and ubiquitous personal devices have made the digital divide disappear, even for folks on holiday, writes bitsofscience.org. "Our results show clearly how the changing nature of IT behavior in everyday life is spilling over into our vacations," said Christine Vogt, MSU professor and co-author of the study. "Not that long ago, travelers would need to find a payphone or send postcards to brag about their vacations. Now they just log on and send photos and text," said Vogt.

The study revealed:

• People using smart phones have tripled.
• Wireless use has now become higher on vacation (40%) than at home (25%).
• People are now using the Web more to plan vacations (80%) than for work (70%).

"Travellers are using their laptops and phones more often, and not just to plan vacations," Vogt said. "Since Wi-Fi is available at most destinations, tourists are checking local weather forecasts, transportation schedules, restaurant recommendations, fishing reports, safe bicycling routes and much more." The study"s conclusion: iPads and smartphones have become addictive, even on vacations.

Tourism Ireland has unveiled a social media campaign highlighting the country’s scenery and attractions.

Called ‘Ireland Mystery Tour’, it is based around a British couple, Tyler and Amy, who are taking a tour of the destination. They don’t know where they are going or where they are staying, because Facebook and Twitter users will determine their route. Anyone who helps out will be in with a chance to win a trip for two to Ireland. The couple touched down in Belfast on Monday, where they received the keys to their campervan, a map and a clue to their first destination. Every detail of the couple’s journey will documented on their blog discoverireland.com/mysterytour, as they share videos and upload photos. It is expected 2m people around Britain will hear about the campaign, through Tourism Ireland’s extensive online and PR activity. Vanessa Markey, Tourism Ireland’s head of Great Britain, said: ‘Our latest social media initiative should prove to be a really effective way of engaging with online communities around Britain, really bringing our message of fun and friendliness to life. ‘By bringing potential holidaymakers around GB along for the journey, we’re hoping to inspire them to begin planning their very own Irish holiday.’

Dusit Thani Manila was awarded as the ‘Hotel of the Year 2011’ by its umbrella company Dusit International in the recently concluded Dusit International Conference 2012 held in Dusit Thani Pattaya, Thailand.

The event was attended by representatives from the group’s international hotels and residences. Dusit Thani Manila bested 22 other properties from all over Thailand, Egypt, United Arab Emirates and Maldives. The award was given based on the hotel’s exemplary performance, high service excellence rating, outstanding list of international accolades and innovative marketing campaigns for 2011.

Key Appointments in the Industry

Congratulations to these new appointments…

Catherine McKenna, CMP, CMM, has been appointed Director of Sales, North America, for Adare Manor, the five star castle hotel & golf resort located near Limerick, Ireland; and The K Club, the five star manor house estate, golf & spa resort near Dublin. In her new role, Ms. McKenna will focus on developing incentive & group business originating from the United States and Canada for both extraordinary properties, which serve as important venues for the group meetings segment. Ms. McKenna will operate out of offices in Chicago. Catherine McKenna was most recently director of global accounts for Peabody Hotels, responsible for a 16-state region throughout the Midwestern United States. In this role she successfully developed new business strategies, generating over $4 Million in annual revenues. She has previously served in senior-level sales positions for Destination Hotels & Resorts and Marriott Hotels and Resorts, at properties in Illinois and California. Ms. McKenna gained important destination sales and marketing experience through positions with Visit Charlotte, the Convention & Visitors Bureau of Charlotte, North Carolina; the Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau; and the Evanston, Illinois, Convention and Visitors Bureau. In these roles, her sales strategies generated substantial travel revenues for each destination.

Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, the premier manager of ultra-luxury properties throughout the world, is pleased to announce the appointment of Jennifer Cooke as Area Director of Public Relations for The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel and Rosewood Tucker's Point. In her new role, Cooke will manage public relations for the legendary Upper East Side hotel and the Bermuda resort, handling all media relations and spearheading new social media campaigns. A public relations professional specializing in the hospitality industry, Cooke joins Rosewood Hotels & Resorts following 13 years with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. Most recently, Cooke was Director of Public Relations of Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel, where she handled all media relations. During her seven year tenure with the hotel, Cooke led several dynamic social media campaigns for The Spa at Beverly Wilshire and the hotel’s signature restaurant, CUT by Wolfgang Puck. Previously, Cooke was Director of Public Relations of Four Seasons Hotel Chicago.

The Latest in Hotel Openings

Langham Hospitality Group secured its first flag in Sydney with the acquisition of The Observatory Hotel. Great Eagle Holdings, Hong Kong, bought The Observatory Hotel for about A$40 million (US$39.7 million) from Orient-Express Hotels, Hamilton, Bermuda. Great Eagle’s wholly owned subsidiary Langham will manage the 96-room property upon the deal’s closing in August. “Strategically, this purchase signals the group's plans for long-term expansion in the Pacific region,” said Brett Butcher, Langham Hospitality Group CEO. “The Observatory Hotel's Georgian architecture reminiscent of a grand 19th century Australian home fits perfectly with the timeless Langham brand.” While Langham is already present in Australia with The Langham, Melbourne, the sale marks the exit of Orient-Express from the Australian market.

Morgans Hotel Group Co. has announced that it has entered into a 20-year management agreement for a 200-room boutique property in London to be branded with its lifestyle hotel brand, Hudson. Hudson London, scheduled to open in early 2015, marks the beginning of an international growth plan to introduce the brand into gateway markets around the globe. The announcement of the second Hudson-branded property from Morgans Hotel Group coincides with the re-launch and renovation of the original Hudson location in New York City. Capturing the spirit of Hudson, plans for the London property reflect a social and cultural phenomenon where the emphasis is placed on unique personal experience, emotion and individuality, appealing to a certain sensibility rather than a particular age or social class. Following the uncompromised style and innovation of Morgans Hotel Group's current London properties, Sanderson and St Martins Lane, Hudson London embodies the next generation – stylish, democratic and young at heart. Bringing a distinctive new offering to London, Hudson will combine cutting edge style with impeccable service at accessible prices.

Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group has opened the Radisson Blu Hotel Nagpur in India. The hotel is the first Radisson Blu property to be established in Nagpur, the largest city in central India. Radisson Blu Hotel Nagpur is Carlson Rezidor’s 53rd hotel in India. Radisson Blu Hotel Nagpur has 214 rooms and suites. The hotel is within easy reach of the airport and the railway station, and is just minutes away from the city’s main commercial and business zones, including the Mihan special economic zone. Radisson Blu Hotel Nagpur has over 10,000 square feet of event space, which can accommodate up to 1,000 people. Recreational facilities include a spa, a fitness centre and an outdoor swimming pool.