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Hotel Industry News In Brief

Sep 07, 12 | 12:09 am

Some current conversation starters…

The First "Room with a View" Photo—and Every One Published Since Then

The world has changed since launched in 1987 (and we have an infographic that proves it), but at least one thing has stayed the same: We've published a "Room with a View" photo in every single issue. The first one (above) was taken in Chamonix, France, and the locations have spanned the globe ever since. We put all 301 of them in a slideshow—click through, and start dreaming about that next vacation. Conde Nast Traveller.

Rezidor Launches Think Planet Initiative for Greener Hotels

Rezidor has launched a group-wide energy-saving initiative. The ambitious and pro-active programme Think Planet targets an energy consumption reduction of 25% by the year 2016 in all Rezidor hotels across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.  The group is currently present in 70 countries where 330+ hotels of the brands Radisson Blu, Park Inn by Radisson and Hotel Missoni are operated, and 100 further properties are under development. “Think Planet reinforces Rezidor’s position as one of the industry leaders in terms of sustainability. Many of our hotels have already introduced progressive, environmentally friendly measures – now we are spreading these initiatives into all our properties and focus on key energy-saving investments that will have the biggest impact,” said Inge Huijbrechts, Director Responsible Business at Rezidor. Wolfgang M. Neumann, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer at Rezidor, added, “At the same time, we are currently faced with significantly rising energy costs in many countries, along with government carbon taxation. Moving forward, reducing our energy consumption will also contribute to maximizing our profits.” Think Planet has been developed and is driven by a specially formed, interdepartmental and cross-regional team at Rezidor – with representatives from Technical Services, Operations, Purchasing, Finance, and Responsible Business. The programme’s first phase, a company-wide energy audit, has already been carried out and resulted in a general Energy Action Plan listing the group’s top energy priorities. In hotel operations, Think Planet focuses on creating smart energy habits – such as switching off lights and equipment, turning heating and cooling to eco-mode, and reporting energy related issues that request attention and preventive maintenance.  The basic Think Planet tools are simple and low-cost solutions. They comprise daylight and motion sensors for lighting, condensation water recuperation from air-conditioning, and alarms on freezers. Considerable investments are made to completely move to energy efficient lighting in all hotels, install variable extraction systems in the kitchens, and optimize building management systems and heating, ventilation and air condition installations.  “We focus on energy saving investments with a return on investment up to 7 years,” explained Inge Huijbrechts.

Dusit Thani College launched International hospitality programme in association with world leading Swiss hospitality school Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL)

Mr.Chanin Donavanik, MD & CEO of Dusit International, said that the new programme is not a carbon copy of the course offered in Switzerland but a combination of Swiss and Thai hospitality values. “We should never start trying to copy each other as we both have our strengths based on our values, traditions, history etc. In my view we should further develop our own uniqueness and identity, because that is the reason people travel to Thailand or Switzerland. Having said that, it might be that we can learn from Switzerland more about the way they coordinate and manage hospitality and tourism on their different levels, whereas Switzerland can probably learn from the ways we have developed hospitality and service here”. Ms. Veera Pardpattanapanich, Rector of Dusit Thani College, added that the new four-year degree programme, brings together the strengths of both institutions and is anticipated to lead to a significant transformation of hospitality education within Thailand ahead of the forming of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015. “The new programme will become a blend of the highest possible international standards together with renowned Thai hospitality values. DTC has a unique advantage in that it is a dedicated learning institute for hospitality, and has been appointed by Ministry of Tourism and Sports to develop a curriculum and training materials for ASEAN Common Competency Standards for Tourism Professionals. We can specialize and pass on to the students in-depth knowledge and skills that will ensure they are in a much better position to gain employment when graduating whether it be here in Thailand, in the ASEAN community or further afield”. With tourism booming and high demand generally for industry professionals, Dusit Thani College is looking to recruit up to 40 students in the first year of the programme both from Thailand and neighbouring countries. Dusit Thani College is now accepting applications for enrollment from Thai and internantional students for bachelor degree programs. Interested candidates should immediately contact the college’s admission at telephone number +66 (0) 2361 7811-3 extension 146-148 or email to marketing@dtc.ac.th.

Key Appointments in the Industry

Congratulations to these new appointments…

Emirates has appointed Mr. Jabr Al-Azeeby as Area Manager for Thailand and Indochina. Jabr replaces Mr. Khalid Salim Saeed Salim Bardan who has spearheaded the airline’s growth in the area for the last three and a half years. Jabr Al-Azeeby brings to Thailand extensive experience in the aviation industry since beginning his career as Area Manager in Uganda with Emirates from 2008 to 2011. Prior to being appointed as Area Manager for Thailand and Indochina, Jabr was serving Emirates as Manager for Cyprus from 2011-2012. “It is indeed a real honour and pleasure to continue my career with one of the world’s fastest-growing international airlines and to oversee Thailand and Indochina is an exciting new challenge. I am committed to continuing the growth of Emirates in Thailand and across Indochina by pursuing initiatives that effectively meet the needs of business and leisure travelers in the region,” said Jabr Al-Azeeby.

Dinarobin Hotel Golf & Spa, Mauritius Appoints Stuart de San Nicolas as General Manager. After a long and successful career with Beachcomber Hotels, Gilbert Staub has stepped down as General Manager at the prestigious Dinarobin Hotel Golf & Spa to be replaced by the exceptional Stuart de San Nicolas. Mr de San Nicolas has managed luxury four and five star hotels across the world including properties in Morocco, Thailand and France. Most recently Mr de San Nicolas managed the five-star Altapura resort in Val Thorens, France and began his career in hospitality working front of house in 1993 at the legendary Hyatt Regency in Paris. Mr de San Nicolas will bring his fantastic experience and passion for providing unrivalled service and hospitality to Dinarobin, reinforcing its position as one of the most elegant and refined hotels in the Indian Ocean. A keen sportsman and golfer, Mr de San Nicolas will be working with the Dinarobin team to continue promoting the wonderful complimentary land and water sports as well as the incredible golf course and driving range available to all guests at sister-hotel, Paradis Hotel & Golf Club. New for 2012, this includes the Junior Golf Academy allowing families to spend time together enjoying the fantastic golfing facilities.

The Latest in Hotel Openings

Hilton Worldwide today announced the signing of a franchise agreement with Emaytaş Turizm Gayrimenkul Yönetim Hizmetleri Sanayi ve Tic A.Ş. to open Hilton Worldwide's first Hilton Hotels & Resorts branded property on the Asian side of Istanbul. Hilton Istanbul Kozyataği Conference Center & Spa joins a fast growing portfolio of 40 hotels across Turkey that are either currently trading or under development. Having opened its first Turkish hotel in 1955, Hilton Worldwide has long established itself as a leader in the Turkish hospitality industry and this latest signing marks yet another milestone for the company as it grows its portfolio across the country. The upper upscale Hilton Istanbul Kozyataği Conference Center & Spa will be located in the rapidly emerging Asian side of Istanbul, featuring 317 bedrooms and more than 2,000 square metres of events space. Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vice president, development, Europe & Africa, Hilton Worldwide, said, "We have a long heritage in Istanbul coupled with rapid growth over recent years in what is a thriving global destination. I am delighted to be introducing Hilton Hotels & Resorts to the Asian side of Istanbul. The new hotel will complement the spectacular DoubleTree by Hilton Istanbul Moda which began welcoming guests in 2011." The hotel will comprise of two iconic 16 storey towers which sit on top of a three storey podium. The upper floors of the hotel will provide incredible views of the Marmara Sea and Princess Islands with the rooftops playing host to a speciality restaurant and stylish destination bar. The hotel will also feature a further two dining options and a large Health Club & Spa, plus a direct link to the award winning Optimum Shopping Centre via a pedestrian footbridge. Dave Horton, global head, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, said, "Visitors to the Asian side of the city will soon be able to experience legendary Hilton Hotels & Resorts service - which has been a visionary hospitality provider in Istanbul for many years. We are delighted to extend our presence in Istanbul with this upscale and design led hotel which I have no doubt will be extremely popular with guests."

Hotel operator Rezidor has announced plans for a new property in Dubai — the Park Inn by Radisson Dubai Al Jadaf. The hotel, which will have 300 guest rooms, is scheduled to open in 2015, Rezidor, a member of the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, said in a statement. The hotel is a project in collaboration with Aabar Investments, the statement added. Kurt Ritter, president & CEO of Rezidor, said: "Dubai and the UAE are a promising market for Park Inn by Radisson. We are delighted to partner with Aabar Investments and welcome them to our family.

Accor is gearing up to open four London hotels in October, bringing the group’s portfolio in the capital to over 50 properties. The Novotel and Ibis brands will welcome two adjacent hotels on Blackfriars Road, south of Blackfriars Bridge and close to Southwark Underground station. The 182-room Novotel London Blackfriars will feature a restaurant, seven meeting rooms, a gym, saunarium and swimming pool, while the Ibis London Blackfriars will offer 297 rooms with an open plan reception and living space. The 128-room Ibis Shepherd’s Bush is housed within a converted office building within the West 12 shopping centre, close to both Shepherd’s Bush tube station and the Westfield London shopping centre. Finally the 145-room Mercure Greenwich will be housed within the converted Maurice Drummond House, a former police "Section House" and winner of the Royal Institute of British Architect’s Bronze award in 1946. The hotel is located just off the Greenwich High Road and close to Deptford Bridge DLR station, with features including free wifi, a restaurant, bar and fitness centre. Accor recently opened its first properties under the revamped Ibis Budget and Ibis Styles brands in London and has also rebranded the Novotel London St Pancras as the first Pullman hotel in the UK. For more information visit accorhotels.com.