Global Hospitality News - ARCHIVE 2002

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News Archive for June, 2002

THE POWER OF EMAIL MARKETING IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY: DEVELOPING A TOTAL EMAIL MARKETING STRATEGY

By Jason Price and Max Starkov

Boston Consulting Group describes the marketing power of the Internet in terms of reach and frequency. Nowhere is this better illustrated than through email marketing. Following the lead of the airlines, many hospitality managers are evaluating email marketing for its low cost, rapid dissemination, and measurability. As many marketers have demonstrated, a well-executed email strategy can produce results. It can strengthen existing market share while at the same time reach new markets to boost revenues, particularly online-generated revenues.

For this "must-read" comprehensive report Click Here :
/newsletter/June19.htm#THE

SIX CONTINENTS TO RESHUFFLE KEY ASIA ROLES

TravelWeeklyEast.com has learned Six Continents Hotel & Reosrts is to announce a reshuffle of key regional roles, which will see Rolf Hubner take on a South-east Asia area director role based in Singapore.

For details, Click Here:
/newsletter/June19.htm#SIX

MARRIOTT PLANS 10 NEW HOTELS IN ASIA, SEES BUSINESS REBOUND

Marriott International Inc plans to open 10 new hotels in Asia over the next 18 months amid a tourism rebound in the region, executive vice president John W. Marriott III said. A Thai newspaper quoted him as telling a marketing conference that Thailand is a key part of its Asian growth strategy.

For details, Click Here:
/newsletter/June19.htm#MARRIOTT

UK HOTELS RECOVERY "ON HOLD UNTIL 2003"

British hoteliers will have to wait until next year for a recovery in demand, according to top industry pundits. London is on course for its worse year in nearly a decade, PricewaterhouseCoopers" Hospitality and Leisure Group added.

For details, Click Here:
/newsletter/June19.htm#UK

2002 LAS VEGAS INTL HOTEL & RESTAURANT SHOW WILL OFFER MORE THAN EVER

The 23rd Las Vegas International Hotel & Restaurant Show (LVIHRS), scheduled for June 19-20, will offer more than ever for its attendees this week when the show opens at the Las Vegas Convention Center. With over 300 exhibitors, keynote sessions, seminar programs, hospitality competitions and special features, the LVIHRS can?t be missed.

?If you work in the hospitality industry, then you can?t afford to miss LVIHRS,? said Felix Rappaport, president and COO of New York-New York Hotel & Casino and chairman of the LVIHRS.

For detailed update, Click Here:
/newsletter/June19.htm#2002

HONG KONG"S ANNUAL "BEST OF THE BEST CULINARY AWARDS" GETS UNDER WAY

Hong Kong is known for its wide selection of taste sensations that delight discerning diners the world over. Following last year"s overwhelming success, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) is holding the 2002 Best of the Best Culinary Awards, providing yet another great opportunity for restaurants of all types and sizes to showcase their gastronomic sensations.

For further details, Click Here:
/newsletter/June 19.htm#HONG

TRAVEL IS NOT AN IMPULSE BUY: LATEST ONLINE TRAVEL MARKETING STUDY

TripAdvisor Study Proves Travel Marketers Need to Track Consumer Visits Over Time to Accurately Measure Campaign Performance

TripAdvisor, the first and only performance-based marketing service targeted specifically at the travel industry, announced today the results of a study conducted during the month of March 2002 to measure consumer purchase behavior for hotel and vacation products. The study highlighted the fact that consumers often take as long as a month to purchase complex online travel products - hotel and vacation packages.

For further details, Click Here:
/newsletter/June19.htm#TRAVEL

CARLSON HOTELS WORLDWIDE ANNOUNCES NEW GLOBAL STRUCTURE

Carlson Hotels Worldwide has announced a new global organizational structure, aligning the company operationally with the world"s three primary economic theaters: The Americas, Europe/Middle East/Africa, and Asia Pacific. A key executive appointment was also announced, naming Paul Kirwin, currently president of Country Inns & Suites By Carlson, to the new position of president and managing director of Carlson Hotels Asia Pacific.

For details, Click Here:
/newsletter/June19.htm#CARLSON

HO CHI MINH CITY (SAIGON) IDENTIFIES INVESTMENT IN TOURISM

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam"s largest economic hub, is to spend 300 million U.S. dollars from its coffers on tourism promotion this year, municipal officials said.

For details, Click Here:
/newsletter/June19.htm#HO

RESEARCHERS DISAGREE ON EUROPEAN E-TRAVEL INDUSTRY

Although researchers disagree on exactly how much the European e-travel sector will grow in the next few years, they all agree it is a burgeoning business. The Centre for Regional Tourism Research in Denmark estimates that total sales for e-travel in Western Europe will hit E14bn by 2006.

For details, Click Here:
/newsletter/June19.htm#RESEARCHERS

June 20, 2002

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WHAT IS MY RESTAURANT BUSINESS WORTH? PART 1

Written By: Richard D. Williams & Matthew Williams HVS International

How often have you asked yourself this question? Restaurant operators often need to know the approximate value of their restaurant business and/or real estate and personal property, even if they are not currently contemplating a sale of the business. Knowledge of value becomes important for a variety of reasons.

For comprehensive report, Click Here:
/newsletter/June20.htm#WHAT

HOTELS.COM: TIME TO CHECK IN?

As online bookings soar, the discounted-room seller is in a good spot. One caveat for investors: Barry Diller may buy it out

Online travel and leisure companies are among the few dot-coms making money on Web. Within this small but growing club, not many have such attractive growth prospects as Hotels.com (ROOM ), which peddles discounted hotel rooms over the Internet. Wall Street expects the Dallas company, known as Hotel Reservations Network until it acquired the more Net-friendly domain name earlier this year, to post profit gains of as much as 40% annually over the next several years

For detailed report, Click Here:
/newsletter/June20.htm#HOTELS

THE IMPORTANCE OF EXPECTATIONS BUILT INTO A BRAND NAME

For a while early last year, the gossipy hotel industry cackled with the tale.

The Marriott hotel chain, eager to polish the image of its most upscale brand, JW Marriott, had taken over the tony Rihga Royal Hotel on West 54th Street in Manhattan and renamed it the JW Marriott New York. The new signs were barely up, the gossips reported gleefully, when a number of show business celebrities who always stayed at the Rihga when they were in New York went into a swoon of the vapors and started canceling reservations. No one in that world, it seems, wanted to have to tell colleagues: "Call me in New York. I"m at the Marriott.

A few months later, the hotel restored the Rihga Royal name and downgraded the "JW Marriott" to smaller print.

For the rest of this report, Click Here:
/newsletter/June20.htm#THE

UK HOTEL revPAR EXPECTED TO FALL FURTHER THEN RECOVER NEXT YEAR - REPORT

Revenues per available room (RevPAR) in the UK hotel sector are set to fall further this year, but then make a recovery next year, according to a new study.

The research by PricewaterhouseCoopers Hospitality and Leisure Group said that despite improvement in the seasonally stronger summer months, recovery in demand is not expected to be strong enough to compensate for occupancy declines suffered during the earlier part of the year.

For details, Click Here:
/newsletter/June20.htm#UK

STARWOOD HAS LAUNCHED ITS NEW GLOBAL ENDLESS WEEKENDS PROGRAM

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has launched its new global Endless Weekends program that will be featured year-round at participating Westin, Sheraton, Four Points by Sheraton hotels worldwide in great city and resort destinations. Endless Weekends feature a weekend rate offer that is valid Thursday-Sunday. Some resort and leisure destinations also offer Endless Getaways with the same great rates and benefits available from Sunday through Thursday.

For details, Click Here:
/newsletter/June20.htm#STARWOOD

OBEROI FOCUSES ON LUXURY RESORTS

The Oberoi Group is focusing on luxury resorts in its current phase of expansion. Vice president of business development and corporate communications, Ragini Chopra, said its newest resort, The Tiger Resort in Rajasthan, reflected the group"s interest in this sector. "We are focusing on high end luxury resorts for the high end luxury traveller, people who want to travel in style," she said.

For further details, Click Here:
/newsletter/June20.htm#OBEROI

SEOUL CHARMS HOTEL INVESTORS

Jones Lang LaSalle said the hotel market cycle now is "to a decreasing extent being coloured by the events of September 11." Getting out of the cycle is Seoul which investors place towards the peak of the cycle as it continues to achieve strong trading results. Before peaking, Seoul is expected to benefit from the FIFA World Cup and limited supply conditions.

For details, Click Here:
/newsletter/June20.htm#SEOUL

TravelCLICK ISSUES FIRST QUARTER ELECTRONIC BOOKING RESULTS FOR TOP TEN EUROPEAN HOTEL MARKETS

Exclusive Database Details Trends in Hotel E-Commerce

TravelCLICK released results today for the top ten destination markets in Europe, based on hotel room nights booked electronically through the Global Distribution Systems (GDS) during the first quarter of 2002. While London and Paris remained the two leading markets, Frankfurt moved up to the number three ranking. However, electronic booking growth for the European hospitality industry continued to be suppressed by the overall slowdown in global travel. Of the top ten European cities, only Madrid and Barcelona showed growth over first quarter 2001 for room nights.

For detailed report, Click Here:
/newsletter/June20.htm#TRAVEL

June 21, 2002

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WTO: GLOBAL TOURISM REVENUE FELL 2.6 PCT IN 2001 - ARRIVALS DOWN 0.6 PCT

Tourism has shown again, how resilient and stable economic sector it is. Compared to the preliminary estimates issued last January, updated information demonstrates that world tourism only experimented a small reduction in 2001. According to recent and more precise information, it now appears that the decrease in world tourism arrivals has been adjusted to - 0.6 per cent.

For further details, Click Here:
/newsletter/June21.htm#WTO

HOTEL SALE-LEASEBACK TRANSACTIONS IN THE UNITED STATES?

Research by Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels Explores Possibility Of Hotel Sale-Leaseback Transactions Gaining Popularity in the United States

In its most recent edition of Hotel Topics, Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels explores the possibility that hotel sale-leaseback transactions will gain popularity in the United States.

The traditional sale-leaseback buyer in the United States likes the security of the "A" tenant, combined with a return spread over Treasuries or other secure investments," said Anwar Elgonemy, Associate of Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels, who authored the report. "But if the guarantee is capped under the lease (common in Europe), some investors in the U.S. might not be interested."

For full report, Click Here:
/newsletter/June21.htm#HOTEL

TravelCLICK ISSUES FIRST QUARTER ELECTRONIC BOOKING RESULTS FOR TOP ASIA-PACIFIC MARKETS

TravelCLICK released results today for first quarter hotel room nights booked electronically through the Global Distribution Systems (GDS). Most of the top ten markets still show the effects of the slowdown in travel throughout Asia, while the Asian cities display recovery over fourth quarter.

For details, Click Here:
/newsletter/June21.htm#TRAVEL

VIETNAM RECEIVES NEARLY 1.3 MLN FOREIGN TOURISTS IN JAN-JUNE

The country received 1,275,000 foreign tourists in the first half of this year, a year-on-year increase of 10 per cent. Malaysian visitors increased 53 per cent followed by South Korean tourists, 49 per cent; Swedish, 44 per cent; Thai, 31 per cent; Japanese, 25 per cent; and Dutch, 24 per cent.

For details, Click Here:
/newsletter/June21.htm#VIETNAM

RITZ-CARLTON TO MOVE HQ

Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co. said that it will move from its Atlanta headquarters to Montgomery County so it can be closer to parent company Marriott International Inc. of Bethesda.

For details, Click Here:
/newsletter/June21.htm#RITZ

HONG KONG: THREE & FOUR STAR HOTEL DEMAND TO OUTSTRIP SUPPLY

Three to four-star hotel demand will outstrip supply over the next three years in the wake of increasing numbers of mainland visitors, according to DTZ Debenham Tie Leung. DTZ investment director Mark Hahn said recent hotel transactions included Harbour Plaza Metropolis in Hunghom, the former Starra Hotel at 133 Leighton Road and Grandfield Pacific at 18 Percival Street, both in Causeway Bay.

For details, Click Here:
/newsletter/June21.htm#HK

June 24, 2002

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MANAGE E-COMMERCE TO YOUR ADVANTAGE

Call centers have quieted down as hotel e-commerce has turned the corner. Today, more than half of all transient hotel guests make their bookings electronically, either through travel agents or consumer Web sites. And it"s paying off. Hotel reservations made by consumers over the Internet comprise a $3 to $4 billion marketplace. Almost one billion of this revenue is powered by the GDS, which continues to be the king of e-commerce, generating $15 billion in hotel bookings.

For further details of the report, Click Here:
/newsletter/June24.htm#MANAGE

KIRWIN TO HEAD CARLSON ASIA/PACIFIC

Carlson Hotels Worldwide has announced a new global organisational structure in which new divisions will be created in Americas, Europe/Middle East/Africa, and Asia/Pacific.

For details, Click Here:
/newsletter/June24.htm#KIRWIN

ORBITZ COMES UNDER FIRE

Orbitz, the controversial travel website developed and supported by the main US airlines has announced it will introduce software to give travel agents direct access to the site"s internet fares. Orbitz is tying up with Navigant International, a corporate travel agency chain to develop the software.

For details, Click Here:
/newsletter/June24.htm#ORBITZ

MELBOURNE PUSHES FOR BUSINESS EVENTS

With Melbourne chosen as the venue for the 2003 and 2004 Australian Tourism Exchange, Victoria will launch a major push to reinforce the city"s image as a premier business destination.

For details, Click Here:
/newsletter/June24.htm#MELBOURNE

AUSTRALIA GOES BIG ON THE INTERNET

Australia believes the Internet is the way to draw in visitors to the country despite the dotcom meltdown. The Australian Tourist Commission leads the way with the recent relaunch of its website, while various state tourist organisations follow with new websites. Corinne Wan checks them out.

For detailed report, Click Here:
/newsletter/June24.htm#AUSTRALIA

THAILAND WANTS MORE WOMAN TRAVELLERS TO VISIT THE COUNTRY

Thailand wants more women travellers to visit the country and is adjusting its marketing strategy accordingly. Of Thailand"s 10.06 million visitors in 2002, 4.04 million were women, a growth of 5.7 percent over 2001.

For details, Click Here:
/newsletter/June24.htm#THAILAND

UK SURVEY FINDS: EXPONENTIAL GROWTH IN INTERNET RESERVATIONS

UK hotels record over 300% growth in Internet reservations

A new survey conducted by Active Hotels has found that the number of hotel reservations made over the Internet has increased by 300% since this time last year. Active Hotels, the provider of confirmed online reservations for the UK hotel industry, surveyed over 800 of its independent hotels and 200 of its group hotels throughout England, Scotland and Wales.

For further details, Click Here:
/newsletter/June24.htm#SURVEY

PWC FORECASTS LODGING PROFITS TO RISE TO $17.2 BILLION IN 2002

The U.S. lodging industry will record aggregate profits of $17.2 billion this year, up from $16.7 billion in 2001, as a result of cost reductions initiated in 2001. Revenues will increase from $108.7 billion in 2001 to $109.7 billion in 2002. This increase in profits reflects aggressive cost controls and expense reductions that have been continued and "fine-tuned" from last year. Without these actions, profits would have decreased by 7.8 percent to $15.4 billion in 2002.

For full details, Click Here:
/newsletter/June24.htm#PWC

CLUB MED BOSS BOURGUIGNON HOPES FOR COMPANY TURNAROUND THIS SUMMER

Club Med boss Philippe Bourguignon seems fated to travel but never to arrive. After five years battling to improve the profitability of France"s biggest holiday company, the man who turned Euro Disneyland into a success has announced a first-half loss of euro25 million (UKpound 16 million) at Club Mediterranee.

But is there a ray of sunshine, maybe even a destination, around the corner?

For details, Click Here:
/newsletter/June24.htm#CLUB

EXCLUDE AGENTS? WE"D RATHER GIVE THEM CASH: LE MERIDIEN

Le Meridien believes travel agents are "absolutely important", and the London-based global luxury hotel chain is showing its gratitude to them by offering a new incentive programme called Le Guestbook.

For details, Click Here:
/newsletter/June24.htm#EXCLUDE

RITZ-CARLTON THUMBS FOUR SEASONS: SURVEY: ANALYST DOWNGRADES STOCK TO "REDUCE"

Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co. has trounced Four Seasons Hotels Inc. in an influential survey of the world"s best hotels, prompting one analyst to question whether the Toronto-based chain"s reputation is slipping. "This is of concern to Four Seasons because the company often quotes statistics that show its average room rate being US$ 90 per night higher than that of Ritz-Carlton," said Jacques Kavafian, an analyst at Octagon Capital Corp. who is a long-standing supporter of the company.

For details, Click Here:
/newsletter/June24.htm#RITZ

MEETINGS TAKE OVER MICE

The often misunderstood, misinterpreted and ill-defined MICE or meetings, incentives and conferences industry may have found a common phrase to best describe them - meetings industry.

For details, Click Here:
/newsletter/June24.htm#MEETINGS

NH HOTELS TARGETS THE NORTH AMERICAN MARKET

With a growing international recognition for innovation in property operation, acquisition and development, nH Hotels, one of Europe"s largest lodging groups, has launched an ambitious initiative of more than US$ 2 million to gain prominence with the North American international business traveler. The new effort is in addition to a US$ 7 million worldwide corporate re-branding initiative, following major property acquisitions, including the Dutch chain Krasnapolsky Hotels, the Mexican chain Krystal and Germany"s Astron Hotels. The objective is to convert these to the nH brand in all the countries where the chain operates. The Madrid-based company"s impressive portfolio currently numbers 237 hotels with more than 34,000 rooms in 18 countries. An additional 38 new projects under construction will add 6,647 rooms.

For full details, Click Here:
/newsletter/June24.htm#HN

June 25, 2002

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"IT"S SO EASY TO HAVE LOVE AFFAIRS WITH HOTELS"

Interview with Richard Thomason, Chief Executive, Jarvis Hotels

Richard Thomason is sitting one of his hotels and talking about love. It is probably not the first time the subject has been raised in the opulent surroundings of this penthouse room overlooking Lord"s cricket ground in north-west London. But it is probably the first time that someone has discussed being in love with a building.

For full interview Click Here:
/newsletter/June25.htm#JARVIS

HILTON GROUP PLANS "LAS VEGAS STYLE" HOTELS FOR UK RESORTS - REPORT

Hilton Group PLC wants to introduce Las Vegas glamour to resorts such as Brighton and plans to transform coastal hotels into giant casinos with roulette tables, slot machines and cabaret, The Sunday Times reported citing chief executive David Michels.

For details, Click Here: /newsletter/June25.htm#HILTON

UK HOTELS STILL SUFFERING FROM TOURISM DOWNTURN

Hotels are still being hit by the downturn in tourism numbers, according to the latest figures. Although occupancy levels should rise over the next two years, they would still be lower than they were in the late 1970s.

For details, Click Here:
/newsletter/June25.htm#UK

MARCO POLO GROUP EYES MANILA, CEBU

The Marco Polo Hotel Group is eyeing properties in Cebu and Manila for its expansion program scheduled within the next two years. The program is part of its 15-hotel package within the Asia-Pacific in 10 years. Charles So, Marco Polo Hotel Hong Kong manager, said the company is eyeing an area in Makati for a four-star business hotel to complement its Marco Polo Davao Hotel.

For details, Click Here:
/newsletter/June25.htm#MARCO

SIX CONTINENTS EXIT FROM IMPERIAL TAIPEI

Six Continents Hotels and Imperial Hotel have mutually agreed to discontinue their association as at May 31 2002. From June 1, the former Imperial Inter-Continental Taipei will be known as Imperial Hotel and operated by Imperial Hotel Company Limited.

Six Continents Hotels remains committed to Taiwan for development of its hotel brands and will continue to drive value for its existing hotels in the region.

STRONG TOURISM PERFORMANCE CONTRIBUTING TO NEW ZEALAND ECONOMY

New Zealand continues to experience a strong growth in international visitors, and the tourism sector is making an increasingly valuable contribution to the New Zealand economy, Tourism Minister Mark Burton said Friday.

For details, Click Here:
/newsletter/June25.htm#STRONG

EUROPEAN INVESTORS FLY IN THE FACE OF ANALYST SCEPTICISM TO SUPPORT SALE AND LEASEBACK IN HOTEL SECTOR

Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels / "Hotel Sale-Leaseback Transactions"

"Investors across Europe are increasingly recognising the potential benefits of investing in the hotel industry through sale and leaseback structures" says Mark Wynne-Smith, Executive Vice President, Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels when launching their latest Hotel Topics, entitled "Sale and Leaseback Transactions". Hotel Topics predicts that a shortage of available equity public finance will make this largely European trend spread quickly to the Americas and Asia Pacific, flying in the face of analysts" continual down-beat view of this form of financing.

For detailed report and analysis, Click Here:
/newsletter/June25.htm#EUROPEAN

CHINA"S "SINFUL" MAINLAND TOURISTS: SOME LOVE THEM, AND SOME DON"T

China"s official media has slammed mainland tourists, criticising them for "seven bad habits" when travelling overseas. Xinhua news agency, widely seen as the official voice of the PRC Government, has criticised mainland tourists for a variety of "sins" including widespread littering, noise, disregard for queues, inappropriate dress and rudeness. Its website urges mainland tourists to mend their ways or risk damaging China"s image as a "civilised country

Mainlanders, who usually travel in groups, are guilty of talking at high volume on public transport, in restaurants and in hotel rooms with doors wide open, the report says. In disputes, mainland tourists sometimes resort to bad language and even violence, it continues.

TravelWeeklyEasts.com"s Helen Castell in Hong Kong and Ian Jarrett in Australia check out reactions to the Xinhua report.

For this comprehensive report, Click Here:
/newsletter/June25.htm#CHINA

TIME TO "GROUP UP?"
MAYBE, MAYBE NOT

By David M. Brudney, ISHC May 2002

All across America, operators are becoming more and more interested in group business. Why? Because far too many hotels and resorts have seen their core business - - commercial transient and leisure - - nearly disappear.

For detailed report, Click Here:
/newsletter/June25.htm#TIME

EUROPE FILLING THE MIDDLE EAST TOURISM GAP

With the United States off the destination list for many Middle East travelers, Europe has come back to the fore as a popular option - and its members have been quick to capitalise on their new market potential.

For details, Click Here:
/newsletter/June25.htm#EUROPE

PHUKET OCCUPANCY RATES DOWN

A growth in the number of hotel rooms in Phuket, neigbouring Krabi, and Phang Nga has attributed to a decline in hotel occupancy rates on the island resort, said Sithi Tandavanitj, president of the Thai Hotels Association.

For details, Click Here:
/newsletter/June25.htm#PHUKET

June 26, 2002

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SPAS: FROM EXCLUSIVE TO THE MASS MARKET

Gone are the days when a spa treatment was nothing more than a facial and body massage. At many spas around the globe, holistic treatments spanning nutritional advice, meditation, yoga and Pilates (a muscle-stretching movement) are fast becoming the norm. So says Ingo Schweder, group director of spas at the Mandarin Oriental.

For further details, Click Here:
/newsletter/June26.htm#SPAS

News@PATA

PATA BoD MEET TO SHOWCASE THE PHILIPPINES

The next PATA Board of Directors Meeting will take place in the Westin Philippine Plaza, September 20-22, 2002 in Manila, the Philippines. Details of the meeting programme will be released next week. The host committee is offering deluxe room accommodation from US$65 and a 75 percent air fare discount on Philippine Airlines. Competitively priced day tours include Tagaytay Highlands Golf Tour, Corregidor, Mt. Pinatubo and Subic Eco-Tour. Three-day/two-night options include Palawan Underground River, El Nido and Boracay Island. For further information e-mail : ratana@pata.th.com.

For the rest of this week"s PATA news and update, Click Here: /newsletter/June26.htm#PATA

SOUTH AFRICAN HOTEL HIKE PRICES FOR EARTH SUMMIT: REPORT

Many hotels and other types of accommodation in and around Johannesburg are to hike their fees during the UN Earth summit, set to take place in this South African city from August 26 to September 4, a report said Monday.

For details, Click Here:
/newsletter/June26.htm#SOUTH

PEER RATING FOR INDONESIAN HOTELS

In a move that could bring consistency and clarity to the way Indonesian hotels are rated, the private sector will now rate hotels, taking over decades-long authority from the central government.

For further details, Click Here:
/newsletter/June26.htm#PEER

CANADIAN TOURISM STATISTICS - APRIL 2002

After two months of increases, the Canadian tourism recovery pattern was broken in April 2002 with overnight international travel to Canada down approximately 10% over April 2001. Overnight trips from the US for the first four months were up slightly primarily due to the strong increase in overnight auto trips. However, the decreases in overseas tourists negated the slight increase from the US.

For details, Click Here:
/newsletter/June26.htm#CANADIAN

OPINION: HOTEL BRAND FRANCHISE IMPACT POLICIES MUST CHANGE

By Richard J. Welch, C.H.A., C.H.M.E.

There is an old saying in Arkansas that comes in the form of a question. " What do the two words "Divorce" and "Tornado" have in common"? The answer is: "Somebody is going to lose a trailer." Or, in the hotel industry when referenced is made to an Impact Study, "Somebody is going to lose a Hotel". In the franchiser case, revenue stream. It really becomes a "Win-Lose" situation, and somebody is going to lose. But what if both the Franchiser and the Franchisee left a meeting agreeing that the new applicant would benefit both?

For comprehensive report, Click Here:
/newsletter/June26.htm#OPINION

BUTLER SERVICE FOR ALL

The Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur, will make history come July 1 when it becomes the first hotel in the chain to offer a dedicated butler service throughout the hotel. Currently this service is only available on the Club Floors. In practice, this means one butler per floor, for all 16 floors, says Andrew Nasskau, General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton KL.

For details, Click Here:
/newsletter/June26.htm#BUTLER

DOOMED HOTEL FULLY BOOKED

Siam Intercontinental Bangkok, a hotel famous for its exquisite architecture and well-designed garden, is booked out as the curtain comes down after 36 years of service.

For details, Click Here:
/newsletter/June26.htm#DOOMED

UK: INTERNET HOTEL BOOKINGS SOAR

The number of UK hotel bookings made over the Internet increased three-fold in the year to 1 June, says a new report from online reservations company Active Hotels.

For details, Click Here:
/newsletter/June26.htm#UK

LONDON GOES ON THE OFFENSIVE

London, hit by the crises of last year and faced with a strong pound, is on the marketing offensive to woo back foreign visitors and to change perceptions that it is becoming an increasingly expensive city.

For details, Click Here:
/newsletter/June26.htm#LONDON

ARABS TRY TO ATTRACT ARAB TOURISM

Arab tourism officials, who have seen Westerners stay away because of terrorism fears, are turning their attention closer to home.

For details, Click Here:
/newsletter/June26.htm#ARABS

BHA EXPANDS MEMBERSHIP

The British Hospitality Association now represents every publicly quoted UK hotel company, according to its annual report, published this week.

For details, Click Here:
/newsletter/June26.htm#BHA

June 27, 2002

Click Here for our online version of June 27 newsletter

DO YOU KNOW THE NEWS?

Written By:Gene Ference HVS International/The Ference Group

Specialists in Organizational Assessments and Performance Cultures.

Do you know the news? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the availability of people in the workforce over the next 15 years is forecasted to get worse with the labor force growing at only an expected rate of one percent per year. Moreover, futurists predict that this generalized situation will create a continuous, spiraling negative affect on staffing for the Hospitality Industry. But, right this minute, you may be thinking the future is a long way away and besides this prediction does not directly affect me and my operations today. So why be concerned?

For details, Click Here:
/newsletter/June27.htm#DO

IT"S ROOMY AT THE TOP

Chief executive officers and senior executives, as well as business travellers travelling with spouses or companions, are the most likely patrons of executive suites. So says Thomas Tapken (tapken@lox1.loxinfo.co.th), general manager of Amari Watergate Hotel in Thailand. "Additionally, when business colleagues are travelling together, the senior person will often request the suite," he adds. Executive suite occupancy at the hotel averages 60 percent annually, compared to 80 percent hotel-wide occupancy. And hoteliers say the facilities and the size of the suite are still top draws. "

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/newsletter/June27.htm#ITS

AL FAYED TO SELL PARIS RITZ

e-Tid.com - Today"s Times reports Mohamed Al Fayed may be forced to dispose of part of his empire to raise funds, after admitting he had used his personal fortune to shore up Harrods, which has been hard hit by a slump in US shoppers post-11 September.

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/newsletter/June27.htm#AL

THE HIGH VALUE OF SUPER LOW RATES

Travel and entertainment (T&E) expenses can easily amount to 30 percent of a company"s annual total spend. Will current market woes force companies to slash travel budgets and drive harder bargains with their travel suppliers?

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/newsletter/June27.htm#THE

GDS RATES MAY SOFTEN

There has never been an easier time for agents and hotels to secure bookings via the Global Distribution System (GDS), so says Don Birch, president and chief executive of Abacus. "The internet moves the system from text-based to graphics-based, which is much friendlier for hotel distribution," he adds

For details, Click Here:
/newsletter/June27.htm#GDS

2001 SAW CHINA PLACE ITSELF IN WORLD TRAVEL FIVE STRONG

The latest numerical data provided by the World Travel Organization (WTO) indicate that in the year of 2001 China hosted 33.2 million tourists, ranking itself in the five strong destination countries of the world.

For details, Click Here:
/newsletter/June27.htm#2001

SPA TOO MUCH IN BALI

By the end of 2002 it is expected that some 350 spas will be up and running in Bali, up from 250 in 2001 and a far cry from the first resort spa that opened on the island at the Nusa Dua Beach Hotel and Spa back in 1995. Today"s visitors to Bali can chose from a US$10 rub down on the beach to a complete spa experience at one of Bali"s top spa resorts.

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/newsletter/June27.htm#SPA

LEADERSHIP CHANGES AT JONES LANG LASALLE"S ASIA PACIFIC REGION

Chris Peacock, Chief Executive Officer of Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated (NYSE: JLL), today announced changes to the leadership of its Asia Pacific region, effective January 1, 2003. Christopher M.G. Brown, 56, will become Chairman of the region and Peter A. Barge, 51, will succeed as Chief Executive Officer. In the interim, Mr. Barge will serve as Deputy CEO of the region, based in Singapore.

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/newsletter/June27.htm#PETER

WTM EXHIBITORS TO GET MORE BUYER NOMINATION OPTIONS; REED GETS NEW SHOWS

Exhibitors at World Travel Market can now segment their target audiences by nominating senior buyers with purchasing authority for Meridian Club membership to attend World Travel Market on November 11 and 12, and key decision makers and influencers for the trade open days on November 13-14.

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/newsletter/June27.htm#WTM

CORNELL HOTEL SCHOOL, BICKEL & BREWER ANNOUNCE HOSPITALITY LAW INSTITUTE

If you are a legal, financial or management principal involved in the hospitality industry you won"t want to miss Strategies for Success, the 5th Annual Hospitality Law Institute, presented by The Cornell Hotel School and Bickel & Brewer. The event takes place October 24 - 25, 2002 at the Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers, New York, NY.

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/newsletter/June27.htm#CORNELL

June 28, 2002

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SCHRAGER ATTENDS TO SERVICE

e-Tid.com - Hotelier Ian Schrager, interviewed in yesterday"s FT, has admitted that "service is key" if he wants general business travellers to stay in his boutique properties. "We are going to have great service," said Schrager.

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/newsletter/June28.htm#SCHRAGER

ECONOMIC WORRIES, NOT TERRORISM, REASON FOR AMERICANS CUTTING NUMBER OF VACATIONS - SURVEY

Debt and job loss worries are a bigger concern than terrorism for Americans who are scaling down or dropping their 2002 summer vacation plans, according to a national Opinion Research Corporation (ORC) International survey conducted for the nonprofit credit counseling organization AmeriDebt. The poll of more than 1,000 adults also shows terrorism is not putting a damper on summer vacation plans in the U.S., with 52 percent of Americans saying that they will or may take a summer break, compared to the 48 percent who did so in the summer of 2001.

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/newsletter/June28.htm#ECONOMIC

PATA TO OPERATE MART ON ITS OWN; SHOW MOVED TO OCTOBER

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has decided that effective 2003, it will operate the PATA Travel Mart on its own. PATA and Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) have mutually agreed that it is in the best interest of both parties that the Mart be solely organised by PATA.

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/newsletter/June28.htm#PATA

BRAZIL LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN TO ATTRACT EUROPEAN TOURISTS

According to the Brazilian Ministry of Sport and Tourism, the country