http://www.ehotelier.com/ Global news from the hospitality and travel industries http://www.ehotelier.com/images/logo_small.jpg http://www.ehotelier.com/ Global news from the hospitality and travel industries http://ehotelier.com/browse/news_item.php?id=P13594 wow.travel (the online magazine of kiwicollection.com) edited by Mary Gostelow, introduces Seven Sensational places for morning country runs. http://ehotelier.com/browse/news_item.php?id=P13590 There is no doubt that hotels across all market segments have invested heavily in reservations sales development.  Besides scheduling outside training, most hotels have a regular telephone mystery shopping program in place, and the majority seem to factor results into frontline staff, management and General Manager incentive programs.   Yet all too often the quest for the "perfect shop" score turns front desk and reservations agents into robots... http://ehotelier.com/browse/news_item.php?id=P13593 For engaged couples, nowhere is too high or too low, too far or too wide, when it comes to having an alternative wedding that doesn't include a guest list. From the heights of Machu Picchu to the isolated beaches of the Seychelles Islands, ordinary weddings are out. Exceptional elopements-or "matrimonial getaways," if you prefer-are in. By Pamela Price http://ehotelier.com/browse/news_item.php?id=P13589 On June 29th Hilton hotels throughout the UK and Ireland will be inviting members of their communities to travel "around the world in a day" as part of their biggest ever national charity event. Around the World in a Day participants will collectively aim to travel the circumference of the earth - 24,901.55 miles - by taking part in one of two events: the competitive Team Challenge or the more relaxed Miles4fun, designed for families. http://ehotelier.com/browse/news_item.php?id=P13592 Fairmont Hotels & Resorts may consider going public over the next three to five years, a top company official told Emirates Business. http://ehotelier.com/browse/news_item.php?id=P13588 The International Lodging Finance Council (ILFC) is pleased to announce the results of its annual survey of active senior and subordinate hotel lenders.  This year's survey asked respondents to compare the real estate finance climates of 2007 to 2008, the results of which reflected the pronounced shift in lender sentiment to a more cautious approach to hospitality financing.  The survey was initially presented by ILFC co-chairs Robert Stiles and Mike Cahill at the... http://ehotelier.com/browse/news_item.php?id=P13591 Singapore's landmark Raffles Hotel, jointly owned by Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal's Kingdom Hotels International and U.S. private equity firm Colony Capital, has been sold for about S$650 million ($476 million), a local newspaper reported on Thursday. http://ehotelier.com/browse/news_item.php?id=P13587 Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) today announced that 13 of the company's franchised properties won big at the company's 54th Annual Convention in Las Vegas-each coming home as a 2008 Inn of the Year award winning hotel. From every corner of the United States and across the world, this year's winning hotels represent the "best of the best" among over 5,600 hotels worldwide thanks to their amazing guest satisfaction and consistent... http://ehotelier.com/browse/news_item.php?id=P13595 PATA produces groundbreaking report geared to harness future growth and development of US$100bn tourism industry. http://ehotelier.com/browse/news_item.php?id=P13596 Hotel industry news in brief.....