Bali: “You name your price”

TravelWeeklyEast.com  -  Online player Indo.com, and 200 hotels in its network, today launched a special promotion whereby international and domestic travelers to Bali name their own price.

Under “You name the Price!” a guest enters the maximum price they are willing to pay for a certain hotel class in a certain area for a specific period. Indo.com forwards and negotiates with over 200 hotels in its network.

Eka Ginting, indo.com’s CEO said, “This Promotional Feature is one of many small steps we can do to help bring back tourism to Bali.

Specially aimed at value seekers, this promotion allows people who might be a bit reluctant, to finally decide to come to Bali because of a great deal.”

The deal did not oblige hoteliers to accept, he said.

“Hotels, on the other side, are free to accept or reject an offer, depending on their occupancy and policy for the period that the guest requires,” said Ginting.

TUI to restart Bali programme

Major German tour operator, TUI, will re-start its programme to Bali on November 1, Luzi Matzig, group managing director of Asian Trails, which handles TUI, told TravelWeekly.

Matzig said TUI's product manager for Asia, Barbara Peisert, had reported to him that TUI business to Bali were down 45 percent for the next two months.

“Only 20 percent cancelled, she told me, but there are hardly any new bookings,” said Matzig. He said he hoped business to be back at 60 percent by Christmas.

Meanwhile, he said Vietnam was booming with Asian Trails handling a record number of clients this month.

Myanmar too was having its biggest month in history in November, helped by new charters with Lauda Air from Vienna.

How secure is your hotel?

Online Hotel Security Survey launched

AN extensive online Hotel Security Survey has been launched by trade magazine HOTEL Asia Pacific and hospitality IT specialists Pertlink in the wake of the Bali bombing.

The comprehensive survey, which can be accessed at  www.hotelasiapacific.com or www.pertlink.net  is designed to assess the industry's security awareness in the face of increasing terrorism throughout the world.

A similar survey, launched a year ago after the 9/11 attacks in the US, received tremendous feedback from the industry, according to HOTEL Asia Pacific publisher/editor Steve Shellum.

"It is essential that the industry works together to share data and knowledge on this crucial issue," said Shellum. "Following recent tragic events, no hotel can afford to let its guard down, and the survey will provide an important indicator of how prepared the industry really is. It also provides an essential checklist of security issues that need to be addressed by every hotel, whatever its size or location."

Like last year, the survey is hosted by Pertlink, which will collate the results and make them available to the industry at the above websites, as well as in HOTEL Asia Pacific magazine. 

Managing Director Terence Ronson said: "We are confident that the sharing of information will be a benefit to everyone in the industry”.

All information will be kept strictly confidential.

Direct Link to survey:   http://pertlink.net/archived/HotelSecuritySurvey2002.HTM  

Hawaii Visitor’s Arrivals on rebound

Visitor arrivals in September rebounded from last year's terrorist attacks, but did not reach levels set in 2000 or 1999. A total of 462,139 visitors came to the state last month, up 28 percent from 360,116 in September 2001 but down from 533,849 in 2000 and 528,769 in 1999, according to a monthly report from the state Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism. The bounce over last year was apparent in all markets, and on all islands.

But the recoil was not strong enough to propel any one visitor market above 2000 and 1999 levels. A total of 166,172 U.S. West visitors came to the isles in September, up from 140,195 visitors last year. U.S. West arrivals fell 5.9 percent from 176,573 in 2000. Japanese arrivals in September rose to 126,492 from 89,817 in 2001, but fell 20 percent from 157,524 in 2000. U.S. East travelers increased to 101,181 from 78,548 last year, though they were down 17 percent from 121,328 in 2000. 

In 2000, the islands set a record for the most visitor arrivals, at nearly 7 million. The average length of stay rose 13 percent in September to 11.33 days for the domestic market, and fell 6 percent to 6.53 days in the international market, the state said. As a result, visitor days bounced to 4.45 million in September, the second- highest on record for that month. The highest was 4.55 million, set in 1997, the state said.

Visitor days were boosted by the domestic market, which set a record for September at 3.38 million. "While growth rates were extremely high in our international market, arrival levels for international visitors are still below pre-Sept. 11th levels," said Seiji F. Naya, director of the state business department. Most tourist destinations are dealing with a soft international market, Naya noted. September 2001 visitor statistics were skewed because of the immediate impact of the attacks on the airlines. 

A two-day grounding of domestic flights and a three-day grounding of international flights hurt the visitor count and artificially boosted the average length of stay. Meanwhile, seven international flights were temporarily diverted to the isles, lifting arrivals and shortening the length of stay, though to a lesser degree. For the first nine months of the year, Hawaii arrivals were down 4.8 percent compared to last year, though the gap is likely to close before the end of 2002. Hawaii's strongest market, U.S. West visitors, began beating year-ago levels in May, and were up 2.1 percent this year before the data skewed in September.

Other, more distant markets have not done so well for Hawaii. For the year-to-date leading up to September, U.S. East arrivals were down 5.4 percent, Japan was down 21 percent and Canada was down 17 percent. There were positive developments in September. Cruise ship passengers jumped to 24,112 from 12,626 last year. 

Honeymoon travelers increased 65 percent to 63,922 from 38,800, continuing a year-long trend that has been fed primarily by the Japanese market. Every island saw increases in visitors over last year, though only Lanai and Molokai beat year 2000 arrivals. Of the major islands, the Big Island came closest to 2000 levels, with 84,917 visitors in September 2002, down 8.8 percent from 93,124 in September 2000. Oahu had the weakest performance during the same period, with arrivals falling 16 percent to 314,525 from 374,961.

Terror concerns fail to dent Singapore's tourism forecast

(DPA)  -  Despite concerns that the Bali bomb blasts may keep tourists away, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) was optimistic on Wednesday the industry will pick up in three to six months.

Encouraging was a year-on-year increase in visitors to the city-state in the last three weeks, the STB said.

STB area director Lee Loong Koon said the board was not revising its forecast of 7.5 million visitors for this year in the aftermath of the October 12 bombing on the Indonesian resort island.

"We are optimistic that things will pick up in three to six months, provided nothing else happens," The Straits Times quoted Lee as saying.

Australia and Britain have issued travel warnings for Singapore and the region while the United States lifted its warning for the city-state.

The immediate impact of the attack was cancellations of meetings, conventions and exhibitions, Lee noted.

About 1,200 people cancelled their trips, he said, but more than 900 others moved their conventions here from Bali.

The STB is concentrating on other markets such as China and India.

"We're going full-steam ahead to promote Singapore as a holiday destination in those countries," Lee said.

Even before the Bali bombings, tourism arrivals had been falling steadily since April.

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts Takes Top Honours as Number One Hotel Chain in the U.S. in 2003 Zagat Survey

/PRNewswire/ - The results are in - Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts is, once again, the top choice for travelers in the United States. In the 2003 Zagat Survey of Top U.S. Hotels, Resorts and Spas, released today, the company was awarded the number one hotel chain and Four Seasons Resort Hualalai at Historic Ka'upulehu, Hawaii, was named top resort.

Using Zagat's signature 30-point scale, surveyors rated hotel chains, as well as hotels, resorts and spas separately for their rooms, service, dining and public spaces/facilities. Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts scored 28 points out of 30 to claim the top spot. The findings underscore the position of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts as the world's leading luxury hotel company, known for providing anticipatory, personalized service throughout its 56 properties worldwide.

"This is truly an honour and one which we are proud to have earned," said Wolf Hengst, president, worldwide hotel operations, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. "Four Seasons strives to be the best hotel in every location where we operate, and to be recognized in this manner by the participants in the Zagat Survey is a testament to our employees around the world, who make every effort to deliver personalized, intuitive service, consistently."

Results of the survey were based on the ratings and reviews of more than 7,000 frequent travelers, including approximately 675 travel industry professionals.

"Our surveyors once again ranked Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts the best hotel chain because each of its properties offers premiere style and out-of- this-world service," said Tim Zagat, CEO and Co-Chair of Zagat Survey.

"The traveling public knows that the Four Seasons brand guarantees an incredible, luxury hotel experience."

Along with being named the U.S.'s leading hotel chain, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts also garnered these distinctions in the survey:

- Top Resorts - The top four resorts in the country are Four Seasons

properties:

- Led by Four Seasons Resort Hualalai at Historic Ka'upulehu, Hawaii,

where surveyors say is "paradise in paradise";

- Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, Hawaii came in at number two;

- Followed by Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North,

Scottsdale, Arizona and Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas.

- Top 10 Hotels - Half of the top 10 hotels listed in the Survey were

represented by Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts:

- Four Seasons Hotel Chicago

- Four Seasons Hotel New York

- Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco

- Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia

- Four Seasons Hotel Boston

- Top Newcomers - Among the many new spots opened this year, Four Seasons

Hotel San Francisco was named one of the top newcomers.

With a history spanning four decades and a portfolio that now extends around the world, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts is the world's leading operator of luxury hotels, currently managing 56 properties in 25 countries. In 2002, the company opened its second property in Tokyo, in the heart of Marunouchi district, as well as properties in Shanghai and Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts continues to expand, with over 20 projects in development stages in choice locations around the world. Four Seasons has claimed first position on many prestigious lists. Recent honours include top ranking in the J.D. Powers Guest Satisfaction Survey and AAA Five Diamond awards (receiving more than other any hotel company for the 21st consecutive year). Information on the company and its 41 years of achievement in the hospitality industry can be accessed through the Four Seasons Web site at www.fourseasons.com.

Hotel investment potential in China bound in red tape: report

(AFP) - International investors looking to pump money into China's rapidly growing hotel sector are finding few opportunities, according to a property industry report Tuesday.

A huge gap in the aspirations of buyers and sellers, and Chinese red tape were acting as a deterrent, property consultancy Jones Lang LaSalle said.

As China has opened up over the past decade, its inbound tourism market has consistently outstripped the world average.

Between 1990 and 2000, international visitor arrivals increased by an average 11.8 percent a year, compared with the more modest global figure of 4.3 percent.

The country with the world's largest population, also leads the world in economic growth which is expected to grow as the benefits of accession to the World Trade Organization crystallise.

"Hotel investors, developers and operators alike, are currently scrambling for market presence in China, especially in the key centres of Beijing and Shanghai," said Scott Hetherington, the consultancy's hotel executive vice president.

"They are driven by the desire to benefit from an increasingly affluent domestic population as well as the influx of foreign corporate travelers."

Beijing's hosting of the 2008 Olympic Games also offered immense opportunities, both during the event and in the lead up as foreign corporations establish a presence in time to win lucrative contracts, he said.

But despite the strong investor interest in China, there have been few hotel transactions.

There is a lack of market transparency and a "significant pricing gap" between buyers and sellers in China's key hotel markets, the report said.

Tenure laws, restricting the maximum ground lease for a hotel to 40 years, concern about the ability to repatriate earnings out of the country, and the dominance of minority interests also held back investment, it said.

Hetherington said the China market needed to follow established practices.

"It is the balance of supply and demand that determines the profitability of any hotel investment," he said.

"Potential investors, developers and operators in China's hotel industry need to look beyond the obvious attractions to these same hotel market fundamentals that apply across the globe."

Beijing and Shanghai were the only Asian markets to record growth last year when hotels elsewhere in the region had to contend with the global economic slowdown at the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the US.

The World Tourism Organization recently announced China is set to become the world's top destination by 2020, attracting 130 million visitors.

German travel advisory does not single out Malaysia

TravelWeeklyEast.com  -  The travel advice for Germans planning to visit Malaysia and other countries in the region has been adjusted to inform them of the risks, said a German Embassy official here.

“The German Government’s current travel advice does not single out Malaysia in the region. Nor does it tell them to avoid Malaysia as a destination. Malaysia has always been and remains a major partner for Germany in the region,” the official was reported as saying.

Malaysia has protested strongly the advisory posted on the German Foreign Affairs website which put the country on a “highest caution” alert.

Last Friday, Malaysia Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad asked Germany to show proof on what led to it issuing the alert. He said impact of the move was it would frighten off tourists and foreign investors and dampen the country’s economy. (e-Daily, 28 October).

The official said the German government recognised and appreciated the efforts by the Malaysian government in its fight against terrorism. However recent terrorist attacks in the region (Bali and the Philippines) have highlighted a generally higher risk for German citizens living in and travelling throughout Southeast Asia, as in other parts of the world.

Based on this assessment, the official said Germans had been advised to exercise caution when travelling.

Hilton and Grupo Hotelero Azteca Sign Agreement to Build Five New Hilton Garden Inn Hotels in Mexico 

(Business Wire)  -  Hilton Inns, Inc., the franchising subsidiary of Hilton Hotels Corporation, and Grupo Hotelero Azteca, S.A. de C. V. have signed an agreement for the construction and operation of five new Hilton Garden Inn hotels in Mexico. The new franchise hotels will join the three existing Hilton Garden Inn properties in Mexico located in the cities of Monterrey, Ciudad Juarez and Nuevo Laredo.

"The Mexican market represents one of the most important business opportunities for Hilton in Latin America," said Nelson Diaz, vice president franchise development, Mexico & Latin America - Hilton Hotels Corporation. "Mexico's industrial and enterprise activities and its geographic location makes the country an ideal place for new industrial developments and hotel expansion."

The signed agreement outlines the construction of five Hilton Garden Inn hotels in the cities of San Luis Potosi, Leon, Queretaro, Mexico City and Puebla, which will add 900 new guestrooms to the hotel chain. Construction of the first hotel will begin next year in San Luis Potosi with an opening scheduled in 2004.

According to Jorge Abud, chairman of Grupo Hotelero Azteca, "This joint venture will significantly contribute to place Hoteles Azteca as one of the main forces of the hospitality industry in our country and show the confidence that private enterprises have in the stability of the Mexican economy."

The Hilton Garden Inn brand has a portfolio of more than 150+ hotels located throughout Mexico, the United States and Canada and is positioned as the mid-priced brand of Hilton Hotels Corporation targeted to today's growing segment of value-conscious business and leisure travelers who are looking for a home-like atmosphere. Hilton Garden Inn hotels feature a signature glass-walled pavilion; a Pavilion Pantry(R) with a selection of refrigerated, frozen and microwaveable packaged items, and sundries; a restaurant; a comfortable lounge area with a television and fireplace; a fitness center; swimming pool and whirlpool; and an on-site guest laundry facility.

Hilton Garden Inn hotels are targeted towards today's business and leisure travelers offering business-oriented features in guestrooms that include: complimentary high speed Internet access; a spacious work desk with a pull-out shelf for a lap top computer; adjustable lighting; an ergonomic chair; electrical outlets at desk height; and two telephones equipped with two lines, data ports and voice mail.

Guestroom accommodations and features include a "hospitality center" that includes a microwave, coffee-maker and a small refrigerator; a sitting area with an easy chair and ottoman; a hairdryer; and an iron and ironing board. In-room entertainment and information services include video-on-demand movies, video games and interactive Hilton guest services.

Hilton Garden Inn recently received the distinguished "Highest Guest Satisfaction Among Mid-Price Hotel Chains with Full Service" award in the J.D. Power and Associates 2002 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Study(SM). The Hilton Garden Inn brand is part of the Hilton Family of Hotels that include 12 properties in Mexico, including Hilton, Doubletree, Hampton, Hampton Inn & Suites and Hilton Garden Inn.

Hilton Hotels Corporation is recognized internationally as a preeminent hospitality company. The Beverly Hills, Calif., based company develops, owns, manages or franchises more than 2,000 hotels, resorts and vacation ownership properties. Its portfolio includes many of the world's best known and most highly regarded hotel brands, including Hilton, Conrad, Doubletree, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hampton Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, Hilton Grand Vacations Company and Homewood Suites by Hilton.

Starwood Scheduled to Open Major Managed Hotels and Resorts During Fourth Quarter 2002

From Shanghai to San Diego, Starwood Opens a Selection of New Managed Properties In Choice Global Destinations

(Business Wire)  -  Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) will open 12 key hotels and resorts in choice destinations around the world by the end of the year.

From the Arizona desert to the heart of Times Square, these properties will be managed by Starwood and illustrates the company's strategy of securing contracts in major global gateway and leisure markets.

The Westin Princeton at Forrestal Village, formerly a Marriott property, was recently reflagged under the Westin brand in September. Located in Princeton, New Jersey, is in the heart of the Forrestal Village shopping district, near numerous area corporations and minutes from Princeton University. The hotel is situated in an ideal location in central New Jersey, midway between Philadelphia and New York. 

The hotel's 19 meeting rooms and 15,550 square feet of meeting space offer a variety of flexible function alternatives. Its 294 guestrooms feature numerous Westin innovations including the highly acclaimed Heavenly Bed(R), Heavenly Bath(sm), Service Express(R) and The Westin Kids Club(R). The Westin Princeton provides complimentary parking, 24-hour in-room dining and a full business center. The hotel features an indoor/outdoor pool, a health club, sauna and tennis courts.

The 500-room Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa opened earlier this month, situated just south of Phoenix on the Gila River Indian Community. The resort, designed to be an authentic representation of the Gila River Indian heritage and culture, offers guests a recreational, educational and inspirational experience never before available in a resort setting. The resort complex is located in the high Sonoran Desert on an expanse of rugged Arizona landscape where the ancient vistas, mountains and roaming wild horses remain untouched. 

The property features two 18-hole championship golf courses. With over 100,000-square feet of function space, indoors and out, the resort accommodates a variety of meeting, exhibit and event requirements for groups ranging in size from 10 to 2000 attendees. Amenities include a 17,500-square foot spa with 17 treatment rooms, fitness center, tennis courts, jogging trails and the 1,000-acre Koli Equestrian Center. Four pools and a waterslide enhance the recreational facilities set amid waterfalls and bridges overlooking the river with majestic mountain views.

The Westin New York at Times Square opened in mid-October becoming Westin's second property in New York City and Starwood's 11th property in Manhattan. Located in the heart of the theater district, the hotel features a 45-story glass prismatic tower designed by internationally renowned Miami-based design firm Arquitectonica. A symbolic fusion of earth and sky, the hotel showcases a beam of light that begins in the nine-story interior atrium before breaking through to the copper, blue, and silver glass facade. The beam of light gives the illusion that it splits the tower as it arches to the top and beyond. 

The Westin New York at Times Square boasts 863 luxurious guest rooms, including 124 Westin Executive Club(R) rooms and suites that offers all of Westin's superior business services and amenities including wireless Internet access throughout the hotel. The hotel is home to former Miami Dolphins' Coach Don Shula's award-winning steakhouse, which will be the first Shula's Steakhouse to open in New York City.

In Asia-Pacific, The Westin Shanghai, made its debut this month in China's most vibrant business and financial city. The hotel is part of the integrated mixed-use Bund Center project in Shanghai, which is a symbol of Shanghai as the business and financial center of China, as well as the renewed glory of the Bund district in the new millennium. The Bund Center consists of a 50-story office tower and large retail space. The Westin Shanghai features 302 rooms while The Westin Residences within the complex contains 145 serviced apartments.

The Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa, on the lush tropical island of Bora Bora in the South Pacific, joined The Luxury Collection on October 1. Bora Bora - known as "Tahiti's Romantic Island" - is one of 118 Tahitian islands and atolls that comprise the area officially known as French Polynesia. The resort consists of 120 all-suite luxury bungalows - each with ocean views - located on 16 acres of lush, terraced hillside and on the water of a private, protected cove. Other features include a 30,000 square-foot hilltop Mandara Spa (offering an extensive menu of spa treatments and services), infinity swimming pool, an overwater check-in area (set on a natural aquarium) and a white sand beach nearly a half-mile long.

Located just northeast of Phoenix, The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa will open its doors on November 3. The design of the resort is based on a theme - the "essence" of Arizona. In keeping with the essence of Arizona theme, the resort pays tribute to the people, landscape and events that shaped the state's cultural heritage. This urban resort is Westin's first branded full-scale destination resort in the area and will feature a 750-room hotel including 63 suites, 32 casita units, 160,000-square feet of indoor and outdoor function space; eight food and beverage outlets, a full service spa and fitness center and a sophisticated water park. The property will also feature the 27-hole Kierland Golf Club. In addition, the company will begin construction of its fourth Westin brand interval ownership resort in the fourth quarter featuring 158 villas adjacent to the resort.

The 412-room Sheraton Overland Park Hotel in Overland Park, Kansas makes its debut on December 1. The hotel promises to be one of the preeminent meeting venues in the area as it will be seamlessly attached to the new 240,000-square foot Overland Park Convention Center, scheduled to open in mid-November. The hotel and convention center have been designed to complement each other architecturally and will connect via an enclosed walkway. Both the hotel and convention center combined will offer more than 150,000-square feet of versatile meeting space. Appealing to both the meeting planner and convention attendee, the hotel and convention center can accommodate groups of any size from 10 to 4,000.

On the West Coast, the 261-room W San Diego is scheduled to open in December and will be located in the heart of the city's new residential loft district just south of Little Italy with easy access to the San Diego Convention Center, the Gaslamp District and shopping at Horton Plaza. The hotel will be the W brand's 17th property and the fourth in California. The nightlife in San Diego will never be the same with the opening of the hotel's stylish nightspots - W Living Room Bar and its rooftop bar called "Beach", which will take Cabana culture to a new level. Beach will feature a "sand bar" complete with a heated sand floor, fire pit, private tented Cabanas and nightly outdoor movie screenings. The hotel will offer a selection of dining venues, including Rice, which will serve Pacific "new wave" cuisine.

Located adjacent to the new Edward H. McNamara Terminal/Northwest WorldGateway, The Westin Detroit Metropolitan Airport Hotel, will be a first-class, luxury airport hotel that features 25,000-square feet of meeting space, a 7,600 ballroom, business center, fitness center, heated indoor pool with whirlpool, restaurant and bar, and an eight-story atrium with a 5,000-square foot reflecting pool with 55' bamboo trees and a jet ramp observation lounge. The $85.1 million, 404-room hotel is scheduled to open this December.

The Westin Mission Hills Resort & Villas located in Rancho Mirage, California, is the first purpose-built timeshare under the Westin flag and is part of Starwood Vacation Ownership (SVO). The Westin Mission Hills Resort & Villas will open the first phase of its 158 luxury two-bedroom villas in the fourth quarter. Located adjacent to The Westin Mission Hills Resort, the resort offers fully furnished two bedroom villas with full kitchens, a living room, dining room and two bathrooms. Perfect for families of couples traveling together, the resort also gives its guest full access to all the amenities including golf and spa services.

The Sheraton Krabi Beach Resort is scheduled to open in the exclusive resort area of Krabi, Thailand on December 16. The Sheraton Krabi Beach Resort is located on a secluded 19-acre site of Khlong Muang Beach and features a pristine white sand beach frontage. The resort will offer 246 rooms including 30 club floor rooms and six executive suites. The resort will also feature five dining outlets, health club, spa, tennis and squash courts, water sports, retail center and game room.

Charlotte, North Carolina, one of the fastest-growing cities in the country and a major financial/banking center, will be home to The Westin Charlotte, located in the city's Uptown business and entertainment district, adjacent to the Charlotte Convention Center and only eight miles from Charlotte-Douglas International Airport. Opening in January 2003, the 700-room hotel will feature a historic trolley stop with access to the rest of the city and 44,000-square feet of meeting facilities earning the distinction as the city's official convention center hotel.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 750 properties in more than 80 countries and 110,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. With internationally renowned brands, Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchiser of hotels and resorts including: St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, Sheraton, Westin, Four Points by Sheraton, W brands, as well as Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwood.com

Internet tops industry poll as recruitment tool

Caterer.com  -  The Internet is now the main method used by the hospitality industry when looking for a job, says recruitment company Chess Partnership.

According to research by Chess, 84% of managers in the industry now use the Web as the key medium when looking for a new job.

It found that the Internet was used most by people aged between 18 and 21 years old. Some 89% of managers in this age group said they used the Web to find a job.

Almost 90% of managers over 40 years old, however, said they preferred to use industry journals and magazines when looking for a new job.

Despite the massive number of managers using the Web as a recruitment tool, only 7% of the 388 managers interviewed found their last job via the Internet. Word-of-mouth was still the primary method for people finding a new position, with 34% of managers getting their last job this way.

Singapore’s Hotel Plaza Ltd acquires  Parkroyal brand for hotel properties in Asia
 
Plaza Hotels and Resorts, the hotel management arm of United Overseas Land, has acquired the Parkroyal brand for Asia.

For a start, it has added the Parkroyal brand to two of its three hotels in Singapore, and will spend some S$ 35 million to refurbish its Malaysian properties next year.

The Grand Plaza Parkroyal hotel on Coleman Street is the flagship of the Parkroyal Hotel group. Although only six years old, it has been recently renovated to reflect the Parkroyal brand.

The Hotel Plaza Group, a subsidiary of UOL, plans to draw in both business and leisure traveller with its Parkroyal brand, and expect the latest brand to increase turnover by about 16 per cent in the next 12 months, to S$ 70 million next year.

The group says that room occupancy rates are improving, although it will take advantage of lower demand to refurbish their rooms.

Scott Butcher, Senior VP, Hotel Operations Parkroyal Hotels & Resorts, said: "It's an opportune time. It's been a little depressed and so forth, in respect of occupancy. But it prepares us for an increased demand for next year, which we see. We also have to keep up with what our competitors are doing."

The four Parkroyal hotels, two in Singapore, and two in Malaysia, represent an asset base of S$ 183 million.

The group plans to expand its regional footprint. It is in current negotiations with hotels in Jakarta, Bangkok, and Hong Kong.

In Singapore, the Plaza Hotel, now named Plaza Parkroyal, was partially renovated for S$ 2.5 million. While recently acquired Malaysian Properties, the Parkroyal Kuala Lumpur, and the Penang Parkroyal, will experience more substantial facelifts, costing some S$ 35 million in all.

However, the hotel is confident that it will see return on investment, as soon as 2004.

To do this, the group will increase average room rates of its 1,300 rooms, by about 10 per cent.

The main growth driver, the hotel group says, will be in providing convention and business services.