Senior executives participate in opinion survey regarding the outlook for the European hotel industry

In early November, hosts Deloitte & Touche and Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels, invited almost 300 senior executives to a one day conference in London addressing the issues of the European hotel investment industry. Taylor Nelson Sofres supported the hosts and invitees by conducting a opinion survey amongst some the attendees. About 35 percent of the interviewees were hotel operators, some 18 percent were investors, a further 17 percent were lawyers, accountants and other financial advisors, whilst 16 percent were from the real estate and surveying industries. About 10 percent of the interviewees were bankers and other lenders.

Testing the mood of the audience before the conference, the survey showed that the invitees were evenly divided as to whether Eurozone growth in 2003 would be faster than that achieved in 2002. After listening to the presentations and discussions, including a powerful contribution from Roger Bootle of Capital Economics, the audience were a good deal more pessimistic. 45 percent of delegates left believing that Eurozone growth would not be faster than 2002, whilst the number either strongly agreeing or agreeing before the conference fell considerably as a result of the conference elements.

Asked prior to the conference whether occupancy levels in German hotels (as surveyed by Deloitte & Touche in the world's leading monthly survey of occupancy and rate (www.Hotelbenchmark.com) will fall below 60 percent in 2003, more than 52 percent of invitees either agreed with this statement or strongly agreed with this statement. After hearing Roger Bootle's assessment of general economic trends, and Nick van Marken's views as partner in charge of hospitality consulting at Deloitte & Touche, the audience became yet more convinced that German occupancies will continue their downward trend for some time to come. Only 27 percent of the audience left the conference confident that German occupancies will not crash below 60 percent in 2003.

Turning their attention to the UK, the audience was asked to comment on UK revPAR trends for 2003 - would UK hotel performance decline bringing UK revPARs nearer to German revPARs. Prior to the conference, the largest segment (41 percent) agreed with this prediction, although there was a significant minority (17 percent) who strongly disagreed with the assessment.

The conference presentations, and perhaps the networking with colleagues at breaks, moved the invitees to a more optimistic view on UK outcomes for 2003 by the end of the conference. Almost 70 percent left the conference believing that in 2003 UK revPARs will not decline.

Arriving at the conference, invitees were evenly divided as to whether London occupancies are set to fall below 70 percent in 2003 whilst UK Regional occupancies are set to trade above 70 percent. Was it the sight of guests in the lobby, restaurants and bars of the sponsoring hotels (Royal Lancaster, Dorchester, Four Seasons Canary Wharf and Hilton Paddington), or was it Nick van Marken's analysis, that caused 63 percent invitees to leave the conference believing that London occupancies will not fall below 70 percent in 2003?

An innovation at this year's conference - the 14th time this annual event has been hosted - was a panel session linking the issues facing the European airline industry with the European hotel industry. Arriving at the conference, almost 60 percent of delegates either agreed or strongly agreed that when airlines suffer a decline in revenue, the hotel industry is hit with a similar decline. After listening to contributions from Chris Tarry of Commerzbank and Sinead Finn from Ryanair, the invitees had significantly hardened their views; no less than 66 percent believed that the hotel industry is inextricably linked to the airline industry for its fortunes.

Nick Marsh led the invitees into an exploration of the mood of investors. Arriving at the conference, more than 75 percent of delegates either agreed or strongly agreed, that although in 2003 hotel businesses are more likely to use private equity houses for funding, there will be few transactions until banks and bond investors become less cautious. Having listened to Nick, the delegates left less sure that it will be the caution of the banks that prevents transactions in 2003. 32 percent of the delegates strongly disagreed with the hypothesis.

Commenting on the survey results, Managing Director of Taylor Nelson Sofres ospitality and Leisure Division Clive Nicolaou commented, "Using our technology, and responding to our on-site researchers, delegates clearly showed that they had taken on board the content of the presentations at this year's conference. In our position as leading researchers for the industry, we see how both guests and hotel industry executives change their opinions as new and changing information comes to hand. It is reassuring to witness that hotel investment executives are flexible in their thinking, as this is likely to mean that the industry responds better and quicker to changing customer and investor demands"

Marvin Rust, Hotel Industry leader in the Travel, Tourism and Leisure Practice at Deloitte & Touche added that, "The survey was an innovation at this year's conference which is open only to invitees. The fact that the invitees clearly were motivated by the elements of the conference demonstrates the quality of our panel of presenters. The expertise available to invitees, whether from Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels, Deloitte & Touche or other sources, is a fundamental reason why this has been the premier hotel ninvestment conference in London year after year for the last 14 years."

Deloitte & Touche is the UK's fastest growing major professional services firm in 23 locations, with over 10,000 staff nationwide and fee income of £713.6 million in 2001/2002.  It is the UK practice of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, a global leader in professional services with over 100,000 people in 140 countries and fee income of $12.4 billion for the year ended 31 May 2001.

Authorised by the Financial Services Authority in respect of regulated activities.  The information contained in this article is correct at the time of going to press. For further information on Deloitte & Touche, you can access our website on www.deloitte.co.uk.

Center For Hospitality Research Gains Five Advisory Board Members

The Center for Hospitality Research at Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration welcomes five new members to its advisory board. They are:

• Craig Lambert, senior vice president, brand management, Marriott Hotels, Resorts and Suites;
• Gordon S. Potter, associate professor, Cornell School of Hotel Administration;
• David A. Sherf, senior vice president, real estate and investment analysis, Hilton Hotels Worldwide;
• Gary M. Thompson, associate professor, Cornell School of Hotel Administration;
• R. Mark Woodworth, executive managing director, The Hospitality Research Group of PKF Consulting.

“I cannot emphasize enough the importance of our advisory board to the mission of The Center for Hospitality Research,” said Professor Cathy Enz, executive director of the CHR. “Not only do they provide advice and counsel on the center’s overall course, but they offer their expertise on specific elements of the center’s activities. Their assistance is greatly appreciated.”

The new members join the following people, who continue their advisory board service:

• Roger S. Cline, chairman and CEO, Roundhill Hospitality;
• Richard Cotter, vice president of operations, Starwood Hotels of New York;
• Bjorn Hanson, Ph.D., global hospitality industry managing partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers
• Mark V. Lomanno, president, Smith Travel Research;
• Barbara Talbott, Ph.D., executive vice president, marketing, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts;
• Peter Yesawich, Ph.D., president and CEO, Yesawich, Pepperdine & Brown.

The Center for Hospitality Research at Cornell conducts and sponsors research studies aimed at improving the hospitality industry’s fundamental operating knowledge. All studies are posted on the CHR Web site: www.hotelschool.cornell.edu/CHR

Intelligent Spas Releases Standard Operating Procedures for the Spa Industry

Intelligent Spas Pte Ltd (www.intelligentspas.com) today released Spa Policies and Procedures: Standard Policies and Procedures for Spa and Salon Management, Operations and Treatments, a valuable tool to assist spas or larger salons refine their existing operations manual, develop a new customised manual, or expand their current offering of spa services.

As the spa industry grows at amazing rates, so too do client expectations. Spas need to be more organised and efficient than ever before to be financially successful.

Julie Garrow (julie@intelligentspas.com), director of Intelligent Spas and author of Spa Policies and Procedures states “policies and procedures guide the operations of the spa by promoting efficiency, productivity, consistency and quality. They also provide an effective means of communication between management and employees. If designed and implemented correctly, they can significantly impact a spa’s bottom line”.

The 100 page report features standard policies and procedures relevant to spa and larger salon operations, covering general management, human resource management, spa preparation, client interaction and standarised spa treatments. A step-by-step guide and templates are also provided to help spas or salons develop their own manual.

Maggie Gunning, chief operating officer of Spa Synergy provided the technical knowledge to develop the report. A fully qualified aesthetician with over 16 years managerial and operational experience in the spa industry across the United Kingdom and Asia, states “sometimes it’s just a few small inefficiencies that are generating heavy costs or negatively impacting the client experience. With a few refinements to process and procedure, spas eliminate those inefficiencies and directly improve profits and service quality.”

Kirien Withers, editor of Spa Policies and Procedures and a leading player in Australia’s spa industry adds “as the spa  industry is generally experiencing an under supply of qualified and experienced spa managers and therapists, the report provides repeatable systems and streamlines training, ensuring enhanced profitability despite the global shortage of experienced staff.”

Spa Policies and Procedures is available for purchase online at www.intelligentspas.com . For further information or to request an order form, contact Julie Garrow via email julie@intelligentspas.com , telephone +65 6248 4736 or facsimile +65 6248 4531.

The report was written by Julie Garrow, director of Intelligent Spas (www.intelligentspas.com), based on technical knowledge provided by Maggie Gunning, CEO of Spa Synergy. Kirien Withers professionally edited the report.

Tiscover moves into the UK market

Plymouth becomes first UK destination to take Europe's leading e-travel system

Tiscover, Europe's leading e-travel destination portal and management system provider, has today entered the UK market, signing an agreement with Plymouth to power and manage the city's destination web presence.

The deal sees Morveren, a Truro/Cornwall based e-tourism training and support company, becoming a UK partner to Tiscover and providing local support to Plymouth to continually develop the destination's online presence.

In 2001, Plymouth earned £330 million from tourism, welcoming over 800,000 visitors to the city. Tourism accounts for 9% of employment - nearly 11,000 jobs - both directly and indirectly.

Tiscover is the world's leading destination management system (DMS) provider, operating the largest family of destination portals, (tiscover.com/.at/.co.uk etc.). The system behind each portal is a powerful tool for destination marketing organisations and accommodation providers to market their products and services online, both through Tiscover portals and their own individual websites.

Tiscover's agreement with Plymouth arose as a result of the city's desire to reach more overseas visitors, in addition to increasing awareness across the UK, and will see Tiscover re-developing the city's tourism website, www.visitplymouth.co.uk, in conjunction with Morveren.

The redeveloped site will offer an at-a-glance guide to top tourist attractions, festivals and cultural events, coupled with the ability to search and, in the future, to book hundreds of accommodation providers in and near Plymouth.

The Bureau Chairman Kathleen Banks welcomed this bold and innovative partnership with Tiscover which will propel Plymouth to the leading edge of quality e-tourism development in the UK.

Peter Roberts, Plymouth Marketing Bureau Manager said: "Plymouth will become the first UK destination to benefit from Tiscover's marketing strength, which has revolutionised tourism promotion in Europe. Following an extensive review of destination management systems we opted to work with Tiscover because of the company's unrivalled marketing support and robust e-commerce model."

Karsten Karcher, chief international business officer at Tiscover said: "We are delighted with Plymouth's decision, and believe our entry into the UK market represents a key breakthrough for Tiscover. Plymouth's move reflects the widely held view that destination management technology represents the future of tourism not only for the UK, but worldwide."

Brian Gurnett, director at Moveren commented: "We are currently working with other tourist-related organisations in both the public and private sectors to bring the competitive marketing advantages of Tiscover to an increasing number of destinations across the UK. We look forward to an exciting fast-developing relationship."

About Tiscover:

* Founded in 1991, Tiscover has become the leading tourism portal in Austria, Germany and Switzerland, with Österreich Werbung (the Austrian Tourist Board) and Bayern Tourismus Marketing (the Bavarian Tourist Board) adopting Tiscover as their technology platform.

* In addition to the Tiscover portals in each country, each destination is also free to use the Tiscover management system to present itself independently at a separate location and with a completely different look and feel (for example, www.austria-tourism.com and www.tiscover.at; www.tirol.at and www.tiscover.at/tirol).

Travel to Americas and Caribbean Strong for Holiday 2002

/PRNewswire/ -- In a study of 2002 Winter holiday travel trends, Travelocity, the sixth largest travel agency in the United States, finds that travelers are staying closer to home this season. In addition to North America, travel to Central America, South America and the Caribbean show the greatest increase in popularity this year.

 Latin American and Caribbean countries in particular have gained ground in
popularity this year among Travelocity holiday bookers. Destinations that saw
the most growth in interest include Lima, Peru; San Salvador, El Salvador;
Kingston, Jamaica; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Aruba; and Tortola, British Virgin
Islands. Mexico saw a surge in popularity in 2001, and continues to be a hot
spot in 2002.

"While most people still visit family and friends over the holidays, it is
interesting to note that more exotic vacation destinations such as Peru,
Argentina and Tortola have increased their overall share of bookings
significantly," said Amy Ziff, Travelocity's Editor-at-Large. "New York is still
number one, leading the pack of traditional big-city destinations such as
Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago."

Domestically, air travel to the nation's large cities is on the rebound.
Travelocity bookings for the Winter holiday show:

  --  New York City, which saw a decrease in popularity in 2001, remains th
      most popular destination for flights, with its overall share of


      bookings up 25 percent over 2001 and 13 percent over 2000.


  --  Denver is the second most popular destination, with ski season in high


      gear, moving up from fifth place last year, with its share of booking
      up 27 percent over 2001 and 31 percent over 2000.
  --  Los Angeles is the third most popular destination, with its share of


      bookings staying approximately the same as 2001.  Travel to Los


      Angeles is still slightly down from 2000 -- by 8 percent.


  --  San Francisco is fourth on the list and its share of bookings has


      remained constant in 2001 and 2002.


  --  Chicago rounds out the top five most popular destinations with its


      share of bookings up 10 percent over 2001 -- a return to 2000 levels.

Looking overseas, despite lower fares to Europe and Asia, the study indicated
that fewer people are booking trips there this Winter holiday. Germany, France
and Switzerland have seen their share of trips decline. Asian countries less
popular this year include Japan, the Philippines, and Hong Kong.

Of the top 10 international destination cities for the Winter holiday 2002,
San Juan, Vancouver, Calgary and Cancun saw the share of their bookings increase
over 2001. The remaining top 10 international cities, including London, Paris,
and Rome, saw their share of tickets decline.

Additional Findings

Top 10 Cities Overall for Winter Holiday 2002 Air Travel Based on Travelocity
Bookings (Domestic and International Combined)

   Ranking                                 Ranking      Ranking


    2002               City                  2001         2000

    1             New York City              1            1



    2             Denver                         5            6



    3             Los Angeles                 2            2



    4             San Francisco Bay       3            3



    5             Chicago                       4            4  



    6             Washington D.C.          6            5



    7             Dallas                         8            7



    8             Houston                      7            9



    9             London                       9            8



   10             Detroit                      11           11

Top 10 Domestic Cities for Winter Holiday 2002 Air Travel at Travelocity



   Ranking                                 Ranking     Ranking



    2002                City                 2001         2000



    1             New York City              1            1



    2             Denver                         5            6



    3             Los Angeles                 2            2



    4             San Francisco Bay       3            3



    5             Chicago                       4            4



    6             Washington D.C.          6            5



    7             Dallas                           8            7



    8             Houston                       7            8



    9             Detroit                        10           10



   10             Orlando                       9            9

Top 10 International Cities for Winter Holiday 2002 Air Travel at Travelocity

   Ranking                                Ranking      Ranking



    2002                City                2001         2000

    1             London                      1            1



    2             Toronto                      2            3



    3             Paris                          3            2



    4             Montreal                     4            4



    5             San Juan                    5            7



    6             Vancouver B.C            7            6



    7             Rome                         6            5



    8             Calgary                      11           10



    9             Cancun                      13            9



   10             Mexico City                9           15

About the Travelocity 2002 Winter Holiday Travel Trend Study

Travelocity reviewed all air bookings made by travelers on the site for
Winter holiday travel in 2002, 2001 and 2000. For Winter holiday 2000, the studyreviewed all tickets booked by Nov. 22, 2000 with departure between Dec. 22 and
Dec. 31, 2000 and returns between Dec. 26, 2000 and Jan. 7, 2001; for Winter
holiday 2001, all tickets booked by Nov. 21, 2001 with departure between Dec. 21
and Dec. 31, 2001 and return between Dec. 26, 2001 and Jan. 6, 2002; and for
Winter holiday 2002, all tickets booked by Nov. 20, 2002 with departure between
Dec. 20 and Dec. 31, 2002 and return between Dec. 26, 2002 and Jan. 5, 2003.

About Travelocity

Travelocity pioneered the online travel space and continues to be the most
popular travel service on the Web, giving consumers access to reservations and
information for more than 700 airlines, 55,000 hotels, 50 car rental companies
and 6,500 cruise and vacation packages, all backed by more than 1,000 customer service representatives who offer 24-hour assistance. With 36 million members, Travelocity is the sixth largest travel agency in the United States. It has been recognized worldwide for its leadership in the online travel space, and it operates or powers Web sites in seven languages across four continents.
Travelocity is wholly owned by Sabre Holdings Corporation

Cendant launches Days Hotel

Cendant Europe today announced a new development strategy for its economy hotel chain, Days Inn, which will see the creation of a sister division called Days Hotel.

Roy Murray, MD franchise services for Cendant Europe, said the long-term strategy in the UK was to develop two distinct products – Days Inn and Days Hotel – within the Days Inn brand. The move will bring development of the brand in the UK into line with its US counterpart.

Murray said: ‘When Days Inn was first introduced into the UK, it was mainly a roadside product. Due largely to the restrictions on rates, it is uneconomical to build Days Inn in city centre locations. Now, as more and more of our development partners choose to build in urban locations, we must encourage the brand to evolve, which will provide them with more flexibility on rates.

‘Our new development strategy is also in line with the changing face of the budget hotel market in the UK. Hotel developers are choosing to build properties to a much higher specification, which reflects the ever increasing expectations of the UK business and leisure traveller.’

The first Days Hotel will open in South Ruislip, while the recently launched Days Inn London Gateway at Mill Hill will be re-branded early in 2003. The Days Inn Birmingham Mailbox and Days Inn Waterloo will also be re-branded.

Cendant said rates at Days Hotel would start at £69.50. The properties will offer the ‘full service hotel experience, with bedrooms equipped to a four star standard’.

All Days Hotels will have a restaurant, bar, meeting rooms and business facitilies. Days Inns, meanwhile, where rates start at £45, will have the same bedroom specification as Days Hotels, but with more limited dining and meeting facilities, usually located in buildings adjacent to the properties.

Kerala, India leads world’s tourism growth: WTTC

Asia Pulse -  Kerala is poised to grow by 11.6 per cent per annum over the coming decade, which will be the highest in the world, even as its investments were "abysmally" low, the World Travel and Tourism Council report released here Monday said.

Apart from recommending to the state government to hike the budgetary support, the report also suggested reducing the taxation levels on hotel services and increasing international air connectitivity for better positioning of the state on the world tourism map.

"Tourism is expected to grow by 11.6 per annum for the coming decades" and this would be the highest recorded in the world "eclipsing" Turkey at 10.2 per cent, WTTC Vice President Richard Miller told reporters releasing the report.

He said Kerala's highest growth rate of 10.9 per cent in this year was higher than national average of 9.7 per cent.

Remarkably, the 'God's Own Country' will register 23.5 per cent growth in foreign currency earning through tourism by 2012, as against the 14.39 per cent projected growth for the country as a whole, he said.

Though India showed a decline of 4.8 per cent in 'visitor exports' (external accounts earnings from travel and tourism) after Sep 11 incidents, he said, "Kerala's visitor exports actually increased by 11 per cent over that in 2000."

Recommending the state to hike the plan allocation to 5.0 per cent, it said, "one per cent of the budget is certainly not enough to propel the state fast enough into main stream of global tourism.

Mainland visitors to Hong Kong set to top six million 

SCMP -  The number of cross-border visitors to Hong Kong is set to exceed six million this year, thanks to the scrapping from January 1 of the daily quota on mainland Chinese who can enter the SAR.

Last year, 3.58 million mainland visitors arrived in Hong Kong, according to the Hong Kong Tourism Board.

The board says that between January and October, 5.37 million mainland visitors arrived in Hong Kong, up 49.9 per cent from a year ago.

Mainlanders accounted for 40 per cent of the total 13.32 million visitor arrivals as at October.

The Travel Industry Council executive director Joseph Tung Yao-chung attributed the robust growth to the strength of China's economy and an increase in the number of holidays given to mainland workers.

He predicted the number of mainland visitors would jump 30 per cent during the Christmas period from last year.

"Other markets remain stagnant as a result of the depressed economy, particularly long-haul travel," he said.

Visitors from the United States increased 4.9 per cent to 824,640 and Canada edged up 4.6 per cent to 212,107 for the first 10 months this year, the tourism board said.

However, the outbound market recorded slow sales because of prolonged deflation, he said.

Travel agencies had reduced holiday package prices by about 10 per cent to 15 per cent from last year, he added.

According to Immigration Department figures, Hong Kong residents made more than 53.6 million trips out of the SAR between January and October, up 6.3 per cent from a year ago. Of that figure, more than 46.1 million trips were made to the mainland.  

Disney delays Shanghai park to 2010

(CNN) -- Walt Disney Co. will delay any plans to build a theme park in Shanghai, to appease authorities in Hong Kong.

"In all likelihood, a second park would not open in China until 2010," Irene Chan, head of Disney's communications in Asia, told CNN on Monday.

The media giant is already building the Hong Kong Disneyland funpark, which breaks ground in January 2003 and is slated to open in 2005 or 2006.

"We have been in discussions for a second park in China for some time," Chan said. "But we have priorities and a focus. We have a first park in China already, and we want to make it successful."

A heavy investment

The Hong Kong government has awarded hefty incentives to attract Disney and is investing $2.8 billion in the project itself. Reclamation, landfill and infrastructure work has been under way for three years at the 310 acre site near the airport.

The government based its investment on a projected economic benefit of HK$148 billion ($19 billion) from the project's first phase.

But Disney alarmed Hong Kong officials when it said earlier this year that it has also been in talks to build a park in Shanghai. The company did not sign an exclusivity agreement, meaning it can open more than one theme park in China. (Full story)

Now Disney says it will wait at least eight years, until 2010, before constructing a park in that Chinese boomtown.

"If you look at the time schedule of a park, this is being realistic about it," Chan said.

Hong Kong officials also worried a Shanghai park would compete with the Hong Kong Disneyland for tourists from mainland China.

Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa reportedly made his case successfully to Disney President Robert Iger during Iger's recent trip to Asia.

Universal gets head start

That means Universal Studios is getting the jump on its rival in mainland China. Universal announced over the weekend that it will build an $870 million theme park in Shanghai that is slated to open in 2006. (Full story)

Universal said it will own 25 percent of the project, with the rest held by its mainland partners, logistics company Waigaoqiao Group and developer Shanghai Jinjiang Co.

Universal is expected to invest less than $100 million of the project's cost and to take a fee for managing the park when it opens.

The company is targeting 8 million visitors a year for the Shanghai park, less than the 5.6 million visitors Hong Kong Disneyland projects. But the Shanghai ticket fees will be lower than those collected in Hong Kong.

Both Universal and Disney say they are exploring further expansion possibilities in China, where the nascent middle class and a population of 1.3 billion may be able to support a handful of theme parks.

"China is such a big country, two Disney parks is always a possibility in the future," Chan said, and possibly even three parks in the long run.

Nepal Tourism Board Update

The total number of tourist arrivals to Nepal in November has gone down by 18.31 percent to 20,026. A comparison to the same period of last year shows a net loss of 4,489 arrivals. The third country tourist arrivals have come down by 25 percent registering a net loss of 4,985 as compared to the same period of last year. The Indian tourist arrivals have followed the same increasing track started from June of this year and have increased in November by 11% as compared to that of last year.

In the Asian market, the arrivals from Japan and Taiwan have registered growth of 3 and 10% respectively. China could not keep the continuous growth of previous months and has gone down by 4 per cent. Sri Lanka has recorded growth of 52 per cent. The Indian market this month shows the better hold in the total international arrivals, recording 25 per cent of total arrivals from 18 per cent last month.

Among the third countries, the Italian and Spanish markets have considerably shown positive sign, recording growth of 82 per cent and 116 per cent respectively. The higher growths in these markets are observed because the base figures are quite low. However, the negative growth this year of major tourist generating markets like Germany, USA, UK, Denmark, Netherlands has continued

Highlights: International Visitor Arrivals for the month of November 2002 · India up 11% to 4,939 visitors · Japan up 3% to 2,047 visitors . China down 4% to 298 visitors · Germany down 26% to 1,384 visitors . UK down 41% to 1,890 visitors . USA down 42% to 1,306 visitors . Netherlands down 48% to 520 visitors Reported for eTurboNews by : Hari Nakarmi, Managing Director, Shakti Travels & Tours P.Ltd Shakti Treks & Expeditions P.Ltd P.O.Box 913,Lazimpat,Kathmandu,Nepal Tel:+977-1-428552,428691 Evening 428590 and 415185 Fax:+977-1-428691 Mobile;981026424 - (24 hours) E-Mail:shakti@travels.wlink.com.np

The Annual Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Investment Conference Set for April 1-3, 2003 in Hamilton, Bermuda

The Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA), and the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), in conjunction with Burba Hotel Network (BHN) will once again present the annual Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Investment Conference (CHTIC), April 1-3, 2003, at The Fairmont Southampton Hotel, in Hamilton, Bermuda.    CHTIC has been designed to be a tripartite meeting between government, industry, and the investment community, with the specific objectives of improving the tourism investment and operating climate across the region; making the investment community aware of the development opportunities available in the Caribbean; and stimulating a continuing flow of both equity and loan capital into the region.  In its seventh edition in 2003, the event has grown to become the most important annual event for those interested in investing in one of the world's most beautiful and exciting regions...the Caribbean. 

The CHTIC 2003 program was developed by a steering group representing the banking and investment communities, as well as the Caribbean hotel and public sectors, addressing a comprehensive range of key issues related to the investment climate in the Caribbean hotel and tourism industry.   The agenda kicks off each day with plenary sessions that set the tone for day’s discussions: 

“Economic & Tourism Outlook,” “The Capital Markets for Hotels & Tourism - What Are the Options and How Can the Region Compete?,” and “Competing Globally to Stimulate Tourism Investment.” 

To maximize the interaction and networking value of the 3-day conference, CHTIC will present concurrent sessions, group discussions led by a moderator and a panel of experts.  The preliminary program includes sessions that focus on topics that are vital to the Caribbean tourism industry.  Delegates can choose to participate in the following breakout sessions:

• “Assembling the Resort Development Team”
• “E-Commerce – Effective Strategies to Increase the Value of Your Investment”
• “Troubled Loans, Workouts and Bankruptcies”
• “Timeshare, Vacation Ownership and Fractional - What’s All the Buzz and does it Work in Caribbean?”
• “Public/Private Deals – Case Studies and Lessons Learned”
• “Negotiating Effective Management Agreements - Including the Lenders’ Perspective”
• “Legal and Operating Issues in the Mixed-Use Project”
• “Hotel Owner Issues / Strategies to Increase the Bottom Line”
• “Small Hotel Finance - Where Will the Money Come From?”
• “Strategies for Creating a Tourism Friendly Destination”
• “Developing the Mega Resort – How Are the Deals Getting Done?”
• “Successful Renovation / Repositioning Strategies”
• “Acquisitions Marketplace – What’s for Sale?”

The conference closes with a plenary session entitled “Heard on the Street – Media Wrap Up.”

In addition to the plenary and concurrent sessions, CHTIC 2003 will again feature the popular “Meet the Opportunity” presentations, where delegates will hear a brief synopsis of investment opportunities that exist throughout the region.  Following the presentation, delegates will be able to meet with the developers to learn more about the opportunities available and have the chance to become more involved with the various projects. 

Registration for the CHTIC Conference includes entrance to all sessions, sponsored meals and social events.  To register for the conference, contact CHA’s Meetings Management Department at telephone: 787-725-9139; fax: 787-725-9108; e-mail:
kcolondres@caribbeanhotels.org or visit the event website.

The Caribbean Hotel Association is dedicated to excellence in hospitality, leadership in marketing, and sustainable growth in tourism, to the benefit of its membership and that of the wider Caribbean community.  The members of CHA represent the entire spectrum of hospitality industry’s private sector, from over 1,100 member hotels in 34 national hotel associations, to allied members including airline executives, tour
operators, travel agents, trade and consumer press, hotel and restaurant suppliers, and others. 

www.caribbeanhotels.org