Hotel News in Brief
Aug 18, 10 | 1:45 am
HOTEL ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The Rezidor Hotel Group announces the Radisson Blu Hotel, East Midlands Airport in the UK. The new build property featuring 216 guest rooms is scheduled to open its doors in Q1 2012. "After the Radisson Blu and Park Inn hotels in Manchester, London Stansted, London Heathrow and Edinburgh, this project is our 5th airport hotel in the UK. We continue to be Europe's leading airport hotel operator - with now 32 properties in operation and under development and a total of more than 8,000 rooms", says Kurt Ritter, President & CEO of Rezidor. "At the same time I'm delighted to announce this hotel as our 250th Radisson Blu; our continuously growing EMEA-portfolio now comprises more than 58,000 rooms", continues Ritter.
Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts is pleased to announce the opening of China World Summit Wing Hotel, Beijing, located on the top floors of the capital's latest landmark, the China World Tower. With unrivalled views over the city, the hotel soars 330 metres above the China World Trade Center at the heart of Beijing's Central Business District.
GLOBAL STAFF MOVEMENT:
Marriott has made further steps in the company's global strategy to establish continental divisions in Asia Pacific and the Middle East and Africa with two key leadership appointments. Simon F. Cooper has been named President & Managing Director, Asia Pacific, and will be responsible for leading the operating performance and growth of the region which includes more than 130 properties and 70 hotels under development represented by The Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott, Marriott, Renaissance, Courtyard and Marriott Executive Apartments brands. Edwin D. Fuller will lead operations and growth in the Middle East and Africa in his continued role as President & Managing Director, Lodging International. He will also provide counsel on the company's global growth strategy. Marriott plans to open 42 additional hotels in the Middle East and Africa region over the next three years.
Hotels.com, the world's leading hotel booking website, and part of the Expedia Inc. group, has announced the appointment of Katherine Birch as Marketing Manager, Australia and New Zealand. In her new role as Marketing Manager, Ms Birch will be responsible for driving and executing the company's marketing strategies, including the recently launched "Choose your View" brand campaign, which was supported with both online and offline advertising. Ms Birch will also be tasked with driving customer acquisition and retention strategies.
Melissa Lane, a 30-year hospitality veteran, has been promoted to General Manager, Embassy Suites Deerfield Beach Resort & Spa with responsibilities of overseeing the day-to-day operations of the 244-all suite property situated on South Florida's Gulf Coast - in the vibrant waterfront community of Deerfield Beach, Florida.
Gregor Wateler has been appointed general manager of Shangri-La Hotel, Ningbo, and he joins the hotel from Shangri-La Hotel, Changchun, where he held a similar position.
OTHER RELATED NEWS:
Russia became a leader in tourist market of Thailand. According to ATOR Analytical Service this season Russia has taken the 3rd place for the tourist flow to Thailand among the European countries. Such conclusion is based on the statistics of the Ministry of Tourism and Sport of Thailand and also according to the data of TourIndex system, AllSpo.ru and TopHotels.ru. Twenty thousand Russians visited Thailand in July 2010 and that was for 54% more than during the same period of last year. The increase of tourist flow for the first 7 months of 2010 amounted to 80%: 325 thousand people against 164 thousand during the same period of 2009. Russia is the only country, which showed such dynamics of Thailand tourism market. It's paradoxical, but according to the experts, the main reason of the growing popularity of Thailand in Russian market is political instability in the country, which led to the decline in prices for the holidays in and a great number of special offers appeared. The analysis of the statistics of TopHotels.ru confirms the same tendency. The number of the visitors of the website who were interested in the hotels of Thailand during the period from January to July increased by 85% in comparison with the same period of last year. This data also correlates with TourIndex statistics, showing the requests of travel agents. The number of requests from January to July 2010 increased by 56% in comparison with the same period of 2009.
According to a survey by Caribbean specialist Sandals, 46% of those planning to marry within the next 12 months will do so abroad. The survey of 2,000 people also found the most popular reason for marrying overseas was the better weather, cited by 69%, followed by the romance of an exotic location and the chance to avoid inviting unwanted relatives and acquaintances (both 47%) and the lower cost (23%). A further 39% said being able to combine their wedding with a honeymoon was a deciding factor. The Caribbean was the most popular destination, selected by 23%, followed by Italy (14%) and the Maldives (12%). Amanda Lucas, weddings supervisor for Sandals UK, said: ‘We have seen a year-on-year increase in the number of weddings we've organised abroad this year for obvious reasons such as better weather; however, alleviating stress and avoiding family issues seem to be a common reason for our guests marrying abroad. According to the research, 28% of those marrying in the UK are planning to spend over £10,000 on their wedding and honeymoon, compared with 22.6% of those marrying abroad.
The World Travel & Tourism Council is demanding changes to European Union compensation regulations in the wake of the volcanic ash cloud. Jean-Claude Baumgarten, WTTC president and chief executive, said: ‘While passengers should certainly be reimbursed for out of pocket expenses, the fallout of the volcanic ash cloud is unduly impacting an industry that is already subject to excessive regulation and taxation. ‘This situation originated from force majeure and not as a result of mismanagement by airlines and tour operators. We believe it is time the EC recognise this and re-examine how the legislation is applied in such circumstances.' The WTTC believes that the airspace restrictions went on too long and were undertaken without proper consultation with those most affected, ie the airlines and tour operators now having to meet the resulting costs. ‘Tourism is being hit with a double whammy: the loss of business as planes were grounded and now the cost of reimbursing passengers,' Baumgarten continued. ‘With evidence that some operators - particularly small and medium-sized enterprises which make up more than three-quarters of the industry - are struggling financially this year, it is an unwanted and unwarranted burden. ‘We cannot help but think tourism is being punished for circumstances not of its making.' The WTTC claims current EU denied boarding compensation legislation is too prohibitive and does not allow for circumstances beyond the control of the aviation industry. It also calling on governments and the European Commission to re-examine other barriers facing the industry, including visa policies and processes, taxation - particularly UK Air Passenger Duty - and infrastructure restrictions such as airport expansion. Tourism is worth US$5.7tn to the global economy and employs 235m people worldwide.
