Global Hospitality News: eHotelier Newsletter

Study On Hotel Properties And How They Influence The Success Of A City - By Melinda McKay - Senior VP Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels

Chicago, As part of Jones Lang LaSalle's Winning Cities and Property Futures research projects, Melinda McKay, Senior Vice President of Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels, has authored a study on hotel properties and how they influence the success of a city. Winning Cities is a Jones Lang LaSalle/LaSalle Investment Management research program aimed at defining the essence of competitiveness in cities of the future and using this analysis to pick winning locations ahead of the curve for property market players.

There is much evidence to suggest that hotels are a leading indicator of future property and economic performance. It is generally accepted that the daily 'rent' of hotels serves as an immediate reflection of economic prosperity. But what about hotels' ability to act as a barometer for the future sustained growth of a city?

According to McKay, the reality is a combination of the two. Leisure is a common theme, characteristic of the success of Las Vegas, Dubai, and to a lesser extent, Dublin, which were identified as the winning cities of the past decade. Las Vegas provides the most poignant example of how leisure acts as a leading indicator.

"Over the past 10 years, Las Vegas has found that newer, bigger and glitzier hotels have created new demand, bringing visitors to see the latest and greatest hotel," stated McKay.

Typically, leisure will also act as a leading indicator in emerging markets and when governments attempt to stimulate city growth via 'master planning' or 'city renaissance' type initiatives. Convention centers are a classic example of the latter.

"Often a city will sponsor the development of a convention center as a central component in its growth program. Key catalysts of success for such a strategy include the adequacy of hotel infrastructure and access--particularly air lift," included McKay.

For example, according to the Salt Lake City Convention Bureau, since the Winter Olympics the city has accommodated more convention delegates in the last 10 months of 2002 than ever experienced in a single year. This is even more impressive when you consider that the Olympics effectively 'swallowed' the first three months of the year.

Would we really have predicted 10 years ago the power of leisure and the lasting "Guggenheim effect" in the repositioning of a little known city like Bilbao? Yet cities must be careful about relying on the "build it and they will come" theory.

"Key investment and growth principals, such as transparency, labor market flexibility and favorable tax regimes still remain critical to sustainable success," noted McKay.

Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels, the world's leading hotel investment services group, provides clients with value-added investment opportunities and advice. In 2001, its success story includes the sale of 7,972 hotel rooms to the value of US$1.3 billion in 39 cities and advisory expertise on 100,550 rooms to the value of US$26.3 billion across 255 cities. Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels' services include transactions, mergers and acquisitions, financial advice and capital raising, valuation and appraisal, asset management, strategic planning, operator assessment and selection and industry research. Jones Lang LaSalle [NYSE: JLL] is the world's leading real estate services and investment management firm, operating across more than 100 key markets on five continents. www.joneslanglasallehotels.com

eTurbo.com - The Foundation - The World Tourism Organization set up Recovery Committee in late 2001 during its General Assembly in Seoul and Osaka following the 9-11 tragedy. The WTO with its Recovery Committee, is a catalyst for the public-private alliances needed for the recovery of world tourism. An "Emergency task force" became active immediately after the General Assembly in order to set an agenda to revive international tourism. The Objective - Mr Tom Nutley, Managing Director of Reed Travel Exhibitions, in the recent World Travel Mart (London) put the objective of the road to recovery simply: "The industry needs lasting peace ---."

The Lesson from 9-11 : Loss of traveler's trust in air travel resulted a global crises faced with job loss and bankruptcy. Even the robust of companies failed to survive. The tendency to avoid air travel lead to a decline in business tourism and conventions, luxury hotels, and cruises, though not much affecting social and rural tourism. Rail and road travel went up. People who must travel took advantage of the low price offered by operators. Thus, the decline in business revenues was greater than the decline in the number of departures. Short holidays and last-minute travel decisions stimulated structural changes on the supply side.

The very reason, primarily, that lead to the collapse of scheduled network air carriers (Air Afrique, Sabena, Swissair - to name a few). US Airways filed for bankruptcy protection. Revenue losses for U.S. airlines however received financial support from the U.S. Federal Government. Lack of demand and higher cost of security and insurance which would penalizes tour operators, airlines and airports in the short term; the burden, in the long term, would fell on the shoulder of future travelers. The International Federation of Tour Operators recently highlighted that the potential demand for travel would remain strong and certain destinations like some European destinations and China that are supposedly "protected" are experiencing strong growth.

International tourist arrivals since 9-11 have sharply declined. Different regions and destinations were affected to varying degrees. Destinations that depended on the U.S.A. generating market suffered a great deal. The Middle East, South Asia, North Africa, North America and the Caribbean were especially affected, while Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa held steady. East Asia and the Pacific maintained its growth through its share of Asian market particularly during the Christmas and New Year season.

The Fear Factor: Terrorism is blind and global and it strikes where it is least expected. Individual attempts to save oneself are futile. The crisis is global and thus the response must be carried out globally and jointly. Just before the end of the summer of 2002 when the recovery was showing progress, uncertainty arise after mid summer (2002) due to tension in Afghanistan, India, Pakistan and Yemen. Seconded with prospect of war on Iraq and more recently, bombings of 12 October in Bali, Indonesia, the hostage-taking in Moscow and the Mombasa suicide bombing.

Travel industry is thus unable pick itself up the floor. Although the tourism Dept. of the Philippine government initiated a meeting in Manila to combat negative press, a chain of terrorist attacks has rooted fear and uncertainty with an impression that there are no longer any destination in the world so called "safe haven". Today, the travel industry fears uncertainty: What is going to happen next? Everything now depends on whether or not, war on Iraq breaks out.

Given that the Middle East, Europe and North America serve as the point of origin of travel into the Pacific Asia region, the industry will suffer a disaster. The Industry of Peace has a tendency to collapse at the very first sign of war, terrorism and security risks. Travelers would not want to go to a destination (or even fly-over unsafe country) for leisure and holidays under the umbrella of police guarding them with guns and rifles. They need comfort, privacy, seclusion, parties, fun and adventure.

The Light at the end of the tunnel: A need to travel would impose a traveler either to postpone the scheduled trip or look for some new and "safer" destination. There is always a dwindling light of optimism at the other end of the tunnel, simply to the fact that for a segment of the world population, travel is as essential as living a day to day life. Some of the recommendations proposed to facilitate the normalization of the tourism industry's situation come as follows: -Restore confidence to enhance the desire to travel.

Travel Advisories could play a more responsible role than its double standard policies of issuing stern warnings to travelers on one hand, to refrain travel to a place where disaster struck including its neighboring countries (Asia, Middle East and Africa); on the other hand, no such advise issued to travelers when tragedy struck in New York with a much greater impact. Soon after Bali bombing, travel advisory not only issued a stern ban on travelers to visit Bali - Indonesia but also unjustly warned travelers not to visit neighboring countries of Indonesia. Leaders of the ASEAN (Association of S.E.Asian Nations) in an urgent meeting filed a protest against the Travel Advisories. In effect, the advisory lifted the ban and issued an advice to exercise caution. Travelers are now returning to these destinations.

But the 1997 attack in Luxor, Egypt, tourism deterred for about four years due to negative press and travel advisory and the neighboring countries did not unite in toning down such warnings. Dr. W. H. Thome, President, Uganda Tourism Association in a recent International Council of Tourism Partners (ICTP) Discussion stated that: "Travel Advisories are almost as much enemies of global travel as is the threat of terrorism, and yet they are mainly being compiled to 'protect' citizens of the respective travelling countries of ending up in the middle of a foreseeable or perceived problem.

The question must be asked, is it to cover themselves, speak the issuing parties, or is it in the real interest of travelers? If we give in to threats and the intimidation springing from acts of terrorism, we put the livelihoods of thousands of people in jeopardy, make them possibly loose their jobs and face economic hardships beyond their own doing. Widespread unemployment in such areas then turns into a fertile breeding ground for other problems in those societies and communities - and that is exactly what has to be avoided."

In Bali where more than 80 percent of the population make a livelihood directly form tourism, is badly victimized through travel advisories. The Balinese people contemplated the tragedy a bad storm, which helped to controlled emotions and therefore avoided inter-communial violence. The communities on the Island shared each others grief and people from different beliefs participated in the cleansing ceremony with a prayer that such evil will not happen again. The basics of criminology that the criminal never returns to the scene of the crime, considering the small size of Island where security check in certain places possible to regulate, tourism could revive in Bali as sooner as from New year's holiday season.

A hope of revival: Violence only breed violence. And anyone who claims of "winning the war" (military based strategy) is a loony. The war on terrorism may breed more terrorism. Experts on counter terrorism say that use of intelligence and freezing bank accounts and assets of terrorists groups could be an effective measure to combat terrorism. After the Mombasa (Kenya) bombing, Foreign Affairs Editor of The Observer - UK, Sunday December 1, 2002; Peter Beaumont argues that the atrocities will continue until the West finally grasps the fact that we are fighting a lethal idea rather than a tangible enemy.

So, what is this "idea"! John Stevenson, senior fellow in counter terrorism at the International Institute for Strategic Studies describes it as Al-Qaeda's aim of 'neutralising' America and the West's influence in large areas of the world. Leaders, particularly in the travel industry, cannot afford to turn a blind eye towards the matters that feed conflicts (due to double standards and arrogance) - leading to potential threat of terrorism. It is time proven that destinations are interdependent both in times of crisis and in times of development. In the face of adversity, and through the WTO, international cooperation must prevail so that we can all get back on the road to a strong and lasting growth of the travel and tourism industry.

Pakistan and Bali (Indonesia): A case study - Despite the immense tourism wealth, the bodies responsible to tap the growth potential of Pakistan's tourism never made a dedicated effort in putting the country on the map of successful tourism destinations of the world. Although the tourism industry of Pakistan has collapsed after the 9-11, the over all impact on the economy (i.e. after the collapse of tourism industry) of the country is negligible. Since 9-11 the industry, unable to pick itself due to series of conflicts and tragedies, has deep rooted the fear factor in overseas travelers, particularly from the West and Japan. Adequate efforts are not being made to attract tourism from China and the Middle-East. Travel companies has lost almost all the international business and tourists are scared taking the services of even the most reputable local ground operators. Bali unlike Pakistan is detached from the mainland and does not faces conflicts with neighboring countries. The people employed in Bali tourism cannot afford not to participate in travel events.

Even at pre 9-11 difficult times, Indonesia has played a winning role in the many travel events, by giving buyers/ delegates a taste of cuisine and culture of Indonesia at a par excellence. Soon after the Bali bombing, a large delegation from Bali attended the IT&CMA (Incentive Travel and Conference, Meeting Asia) organized by TTG Asia - recently held in Bangkok. The objective of the delegation to make a humble presence (and not necessarily a presentation) to communicate with the attendees has helped Bali win an enormous support.

Explore the niche market: Travel industry in countries like Pakistan and Indonesia, the best bargain in these times of difficulty is to look for niche markets like MICE (Meeting, Incentive, Conference and Exhibition), with a strategy to dump the MICE package at a more attractive price compared to the other leaders in the region. A global look as follows, may serve as a key to unlock the opportunity for entrepreneurs and hotel industry. With a sign of decline in leisure travel, countries in the Asia - Pacific region would be facing a fierce competition in the travel industry's niche market of MICE. In 2001, with an increase of 1.61 percent over 2000 - Macau plans to invest billions of dollars in infrastructure that will include upscale hotels and conference and convention facilities.

Accession of China (PRC) to the World Trade Organization is expected to give Macau a further boost as a launch-pad for foreign companies which are setting up their regional headquarters both in Macau and Hong Kong. Upcoming events include the 4th East Asia Games and PATA's 54th Annual Conference, both in 2005. With the dawn of lasting peace in Sri Lanka MICE travel is expected to rise. Home to seven UNESCO World Heritage sites and tourism being the fourth largest foreign exchange earner; Sri Lanka is reshaping its appearance and resources. After a promotional road show that traveled to London, Amsterdam and Brussels, the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau achieved a rise of 12.5 percent in 2002.

Upcoming events include the first travel and tourism mart showcasing Sri Lanka and South Asia from May 17 to 20, 2003 and an Asian festival of food and dance, plus a street carnival, planned for August/September 2003. Singapore's MICE industry increased by 42 percent (2001). Singapore has been ranked the top convention city in Asia for the 19th consecutive year and fifth in the world for the third consecutive year. The 2003 PATA Travel Mart in Singapore would attract "business event buyers looking for innovative, high-quality products offering an 'authentic' experience in a well- managed environment". "Choose Australia - Your Best Business Partner" is the new campaign launched by the Australian Tourist Commission (ATC) in Asia. Targeted incentive travel or corporate meetings, industry sectors include direct selling, insurance, pharmaceutical and IT companies, with the largest groups coming from Asia, followed by the United States and Europe.

The International Congress and Convention Association predicted that Australia is likely to take second place (after the U.S.) for the number of meetings per country. In Thailand, convention delegates have more than doubled in 2001 over 1997. Thailand's convention facilities are propped by its appeal as a shopping destination and a broad range of pre- and post-conference tours, especially to the neighboring countries of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Vietnam. The annual Incentive Travel & Conventions, Meetings Asia (IT&CMA) event, one of Asia's most important gatherings of buyers and sellers of MICE products and services, moved to Bangkok in 2002 for three years.

This report is compiled after research through a numerous reliable sources. This report was received by eTurboNews reader Saifuddin Ismailji Readers may forward and present their views and comments to further the cause - Peace through tourism and Tourism for Peace. Your feed back will be very much appreciated - Thank you Travel Photojournalist with distinction: PATA Gold Award 1997 ASEANTA Award for Excellence 1999 & 2000 PTDC Best Performance Award 2001

PricewaterhouseCoopers has wrapped up the year in lodging and released its forecasts for the years ahead. Based on statistics from Smith Travel Research, occupancy in 2002 will be the lowest in 31 years -- an estimated 59.3 percent. Of all the hotel segments -- upper upscale, upscale, midscale with F&B, midscale without F&B and economy -- the least bruised seems to be the midscale without F&B. According to Bjorn Hanson, PwC's global hospitality and leisure industry leader, that segment lost the least revenue per available room (RevPAR), despite a 5.7 percent growth in room supply.

Across the United States, only three of the top 25 markets experienced occupancy gains from January through October of 2002, compared with the same period in 2001: Nashville, Philadelphia and Norfolk, Va. Houston suffered the most, with an occupancy dip of 8 percent. When will things get better? Probably not until 2004. Real RevPAR levels (which are adjusted for inflation) will approach fourth-quarter 1995 levels by the fourth quarter of 2004. Occupancy will remain fairly flat: PwC predicted 60 percent in 2003 and 61.4 percent in 2004.

A petition submitted by Citizens for Taxpayers' Rights, carrying more than 15,000 signatures, has forced a general vote on the $130 million headquarters hotel already approved by the Fort Worth (Texas) City Council. Yesterday afternoon, the council decided to postpone such a vote for at least six months, to allow a citizens committee to study the issue. The action delays the initial issuing of bonds that would have gotten the project off the ground.

The National Business Travel Association named Bill Connors executive director. Connors joins NBTA from the American Society of Travel Agents, where he was senior vice president of meetings, education and member services. Connors, who assumes his new post on Jan. 22, replaces Marianne McInerney, who resigned as NBTA's executive director in May.

A new convention and visitors bureau opens for business tomorrow in Portugal. The Estoril and Sintra Convention Bureau will sell the Estoril coast -- including the towns of Sintra, Cascais and Mafra -- and the Estoril Congress Center, which offers 70,000 square feet of exhibition space and 20 meeting rooms. The area is working on expanding tourism offerings with a number of initiatives, like turning old forts into museums and tea houses, refurbishing a local airport, improving signage and bringing in more international sporting events. Officials are hoping to increase the available hotel rooms 25 percent by 2006, starting next year by demolishing the 300-room Estoril Sol hotel, built in the 1960s, and replacing it with a more aesthetically pleasing group of properties.

Canadian Tourism Commission: October Tourism Numbers Hint at Resurgence in Overseas Visits to Canada

The number of tourists travelling to Canada increased for the fourth straight quarter in October 2002, fuelled primarily by strong tourism numbers from the United States and a resurgence from Asia. Results published by Statistics Canada indicate that the total seasonally unadjusted international overnight travel to Canada increased by a 17.3% in October 2002, compared to October 2001. This gain was the fourth consecutive monthly increase in 2002. For the first ten months of 2002, the total numbers were up 1.3%, indicating slow but positive growth over the same period in 2001.

The total number of U.S. tourists coming to Canada was up 17.3%, in October 2002. The number of U.S. tourists entering Canada by automobile continued its positive climb, up 24.7% in October 2002 and up 7.5% for the first ten months. The number of U.S. tourists entering Canada by plane or other modes increased by 6.4% over October 2001.

Although easing, the uncertainty in the global economy, the events of September 11, 2001 and the conflicts in the Middle East continued to impact overseas travel to Canada. In October 2002, overseas overnight travel to Canada was up 17.4%. This seemingly significant increase is mitigated by its comparison to October 2001, the first full month to be negatively impacted by the events of September 11. For the first ten months of 2002, the number of overseas overnight travellers was down by 7.2%. The countries registering the most important positive growth for Canada during this period were Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Italy, Mainland China, India, Spain, and the Philippines.

"These numbers, released today, indicate that October represents a significant milestone for 2002," said Jim Watson, President and CEO of the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC). "The tourism numbers for October and for the year to date hint at a possible bottoming out of the declines in international overnight travel to Canada. Although compared to a particularly difficult period in 2001, signs seem to be pointing towards a slow recovery for the industry." The number of Canadian tourists travelling to the U.S. or overseas was up 15.5% and 8.7% respectively for a total of 1.3 million in October 2002, and down 5.8% to 15.4 million for the first ten months of 2002 compared to the same period last year. Industry led, market driven and research based, the Canadian Tourism Commission is a Crown corporation that works in partnership with the tourism industry and provincial and territorial governments to market Canada as a four-season destination.

e-Tid.com - Club Med’s executive chairman Henri Giscard d’Estaing has told FT that occupancy levels of 72-75% can generate an ‘acceptable level of profit’.
d‘Estaing took over from Philippe Bourguignon last week. He reiterated Club Med’s decision to put its gym and leisure centre plans on hold and concentrate on its core village business.

He was sharp in his assessment of its US operations. ‘People forget that until 1995 it was the US that made all of Club Med’s profits. In 1997 when the new management team came in we were focussing on restructuring our European operations, which were then loss-making and left the US alone.’

The crucial error, he said, was adding capacity in the face of competition from operators such as Sandals. In its post-11 village closure programme five US villages were shut down, leaving 11. Over the year to end-Oct the US villages had an occupancy rate of 58.8% making an operating loss of €41m.

The interview also reveals that Club Med would consider partnerships with other European holiday groups. The FT mentions rumours that Club Med’s major shareholder, the Agnelli family, was seeking to forge a partnership between Club Med and its other tourism assets by orchestrating a merger with a large German group.

The Nation - Phuket's hotel industry is experiencing a slump due to increased competition and terrorism concerns following the bombing at the Indonesian resort of Bali.

"The performance of hotels depends on their marketing strategy," said Anuparp Thirarath, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand's southern office.

"Some of the hotels with good marketing teams are still experiencing growth."

Phuket is expected to see more tourists for the year about to end - four million compared to 3.8 million in 2001 - but the increase in hotel rooms has heightened competition.

Hotels relying mainly on business from Europe now face lower occupancy than those with a better mix of customers, he said.

New destinations such as Phang Nga and Krabi have been drawing vacationers away from Phuket, especially after foreign countries issued travel warnings naming the island as a potential terrorist target.

Arrivals in Phuket next year are expected to increase 10 per cent to 4.4 million, three million of whom will be foreign visitors, Anuparp said.

Sithi Tandavanitj, president of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), predicted that the average hotel occupancy rate in Phuket this year would be unchanged from last year's 65 per cent, due to increased capacity.

"Hotels that have not undertaken any renovations or improvements will lose business to new hotels on the island or to nearby beach resorts" Sithi said.

Even renovated or upgraded hotels may face an occupancy rate of just over 50 per cent, as guests prefer new hotels, he said.

However, many of the island's hotels are enjoying occupancy rates of about 60 per cent during the end-of-year holiday season.

Forbes.com - Although 2002 was a slower than average year for new hotel construction, several outstanding hotels did have their grand openings in 2002.

The vast majority of hotels that opened this year are chains, such as five-star behemoths Ritz-Carlton and the Four Seasons and the rapidly expanding W group. But the hotel sector with the most openings this year was the mid-market range, which includes places such as Hilton Hotels subsidiary Hampton Inn or Starwood Hotels & Sheraton Four Points.

"This sector had far and away the most new hotel openings," says Bobby Powers of the Hendersonville, Tenn.-based Smith Travel Research. "These kind of hotels are cheaper to build, and they're usually in secondary markets." From January through November of 2002 (the last month for which data is available), 258 new mid-range properties were built in the U.S, compared with only 35 at the luxury level. Taking a broader view, 1,047 new hotels opened in 2001, while only 690 were built in 2002 (up to November).

Fortunately, several of those 35 new luxury hotels are outstanding properties. For our survey of the best new business hotels, Forbes.com focused on major metropolitan cities around the world. While our list includes the Ritz and Four Seasons, we also included some smaller boutique hotels with plenty of character, such as the quirky Hotel ZaZa in Dallas.

The properties on our list may differ in terms of décor, but what they have in common is proximity to the business district, high-speed Internet connections, plenty of meeting spaces, as well as a staff ready to help with any business need. Small services such as complimentary over night shoeshine and choice of both the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal also help make a business stay more convenient. (While we may be biased, a copy of Forbes would make a stay more pleasurable.)

Six Continents Hotels, the world's most global hotel company is implementing an aggressive global sales strategy to gain greater market share over its competitors. Six Continents Hotels is investing in its direct sales force like never before and in the first quarter of 2003, will add more than 30 sales professionals to its global sales team.

"Many hotel companies are hurting during these challenging economic times and have trimmed their sales forces in an attempt to recover," said Mike Fegley, vice president, Global Sales for Six Continents Hotels. "But at Six Continents Hotels we're employing a different strategy, one of growth and aggressive pursuit of new accounts, and new markets by increasing our presence among existing customers. Increasing the size of our sales force allows us to get closer to our customers and better understand their individual needs."

Fegley also announced the reorganization of his team, which will enhance its ability to target six key travel segments: Mega Agency and Consortia, Corporate, Government, Groups and Meetings, Transportation and Latin America/International. The largest accounts within each travel sector will have one dedicated sales professional for all of their hotel needs throughout the world.

"The true value of Six Continents Hotels' Global Sales organization is our ability to sell and service clients who don't want to be contacted by multiple hotel-based sales people," said Fegley.

Beyond adding new talent to its direct sales force, the global sales operation will leverage technology to significantly reduce request for proposal turnaround times. With the implementation of an electronic Request for Proposal or e-RFP, the global sales team is able to communicate instantaneously and more efficiently with franchised properties, gain consensus around proposed rates and room availability and return the proposal to the customer in a matter of hours instead of days.

Additionally, global sales will leverage and promote the value of Six Continents Hotels Priority Club Rewards, the industry's most comprehensive and competitive customer loyalty program, to build and enhance loyalty among individual travelers at large corporations. Priority Club Rewards spans five of the world's most trusted hotel brands, including InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express and Staybridge Suites hotels.

TravelWeeklyEast.com - Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) has pulled out all stops to ensure EIBTM 2003 is the most innovative industry event ever. A new Technology Village and its highly regarded WorldWide Watch programme are two key attractions at that set EIBTM apart from would-be competitors.

“No other exhibition will have the technology programme that we will offer for 2003. It is a unique selling point,” said Didier Scaillet, director for European Operations and Global Development at MPI.

“Surveys of our membership have shown technology is the number one issue as far as they are concerned,” he added.

Together with industry expert, Corbin Ball, Scaillet has developed a new Technology platform for EIBTM 2003 - “The MPI Technology Village @ EIBTM”.

There will be 40 technology companies, addressing different aspects: online registration, online venue finding, webcasting, teleconferencing, online RFP, PDA applications, meeting planning software, virtual meetings/shows, e-marketing, wireless technology, exhibition management, audience polling, messaging/kiosks, contact management/lead retrieval, meetings consolidation/budgeting, association management, abstract/content management, room diagramming, incentive management and scheduling.

The Village will be equipped with PCs with large screens, high-speed connections and a presentation area with screens and projectors.

In addition to the vendors from the various exhibitors, three independent technology experts will be available to make neutral presentations on different topics and to answer questions.

“Technology is changing the face of the meetings and incentives industry. Encouraging and recognising international innovation in this area benefits us all,” said Ball.

“From sophisticated databases to video-conferencing, a constant flow of new technology products and services make it possible for us to explore new possibilities and maximise our business potential.”

EIBTM 2003 will be held at Palexpo, Geneva 20-22 May. For further information go to the EIBTM website at: www.eibtm.com.

TravelWeeklyEast.com - French hotel group Accor Hotels and Resorts has confirmed with TravelWeekly that it has ceased management of its hotels in Myanmar.

"In view of the ongoing political and social situation in Myanmar, I can confirm that Accor has decided to put an end to managing both hotels, Sofitel Plaza Yangon and Novotel Mandalay, in that country," Accor’s manager PR & communications - Asia, Tom Racette, told TravelWeekly.

Despite what some see as progress in the prevailing political situation in the country this year, Racette said the move was in line with the European Union resolutions on Myanmar.

"You are correct in that international public opinion has been generally hostile to Accor's presence in Myanmar, but other major companies have taken similar action in recent months."

"Having said that, the move was done in compliance with EU resolutions and therefore it was not an Accor decision," said Racette.

The owners have assumed management of both hotels effective immediately, he said.

Plaza Pacific Hotels and Resorts (PPHR) recently rebranded the Sofitel Plaza Yangon as as the Grand Plaza Parkroyal Yangon (TravelWeekly, December 5

Most of Seoul’s luxury hotels are to raise their room charges by 5 percent next year, sources in the hotel industry said Friday.

Sources said that Hotel Lotte downtown Seoul would be raising its one-night charge for a standard room by 5.9 percent to W360,000 next year, from W340,00 this year, while Westin Chosun Seoul is to increase the charge from W390,000 to W420,000. Hotel Shilla is to apply an across-the-board 4.6 percent hike for room fees next year.

Other top-notch hotels in Seoul, including Seoul Plaza Hotel, Inter-continental Seoul, and Grand Hilton Hotel, have been all considering increasing their prices next year

AsiaTravelTips.com - Hilton International Co. (Hilton International) will end its management of the Hilton Taipei owned by Kuo Yu Development Corporation (Kuo Yu) from January 1, 2003 under a mutual agreement announced last month.

Hilton Taipei has been operated by Hilton International on behalf of Kuo Yu since 1973. The decision to end the management agreement after almost 30 years is an arrangement both parties agreed would be in the best interests of each company.

Kuo Yu Development Corporation said it appreciated Hilton International's assistance and cooperation over the past thirty years. Hilton International's management has helped Kuo Yu achieve excellent results in Taipei during that time. Although both parties will now pursue their own future goals and direction, as a result of their excellent working relationship in the past, Kuo Yu hope that they will have other opportunities to work with Hilton in the future.

AIG Global Real Estate Investment Corp. is newest partner of Cornell’s Center for Hospitality Research

The Center for Hospitality Research at Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration welcomes AIG Global Real Estate Investment Corp. as its newest partner.

Kevin P. Fitzpatrick, Cornell Class of ’76, announced his firm’s partnership commitment this November during a visit to the Hotel School as a guest lecturer in the Dean’s Distinguished Lecture Series. Stating that it is essential for industry practitioners in real estate and hospitality to support research through such partnerships, he said: “We are very pleased to become a partner with The Center for Hospitality Research, because it is building strong links between academic research and the industry.”

AIG is a holding company engaged in a broad range of insurance and insurance-related activities and financial services in the United States and abroad. Fitzpatrick is responsible for the real estate activities of AIG Companies worldwide, including fund management, financing, development and acquisition of real estate.

CHR partners are closely involved with the center and meet regularly with its administrators and research fellows. In addition to AIG, these companies and individuals are partners, sponsors or friends of the center: Partners and sponsors – Bartech Systems International; Cornell Hotel Society Foundation; Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts; Richmond Events (The Food & Beverage Forum); Willowbend Golf Management; and Windsor Hotels. Friends – ehotelier; Gazelle Systems, Inc.; Hospitalitynet.org; Hotel Asia Pacific; Hotel China; Lodging Hospitality;

Resorts+Recreation; National Hotel Executive; Smith Travel Research; Shibata Publishing Co. Ltd. (The Hotel & Ryokan Monthly Japan); The Hospitality Research Group of PKF Consulting; The Lodging Conference; and Wiredhotelier.com.

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: http://www.hotelschool.cornell.edu/CHR

AsiaTravelTips.com - Fresh ideas and inspiring changes will herald the 2003 Melbourne Food & Wine Festival to be held 28 March - 13 April 2003.

The Festival will feature more than 100 events over 17 days in Melbourne and around the state, highlighting the extraordinary depth of the food and wine industry in Victoria.

The most significant change will be to Master Class - scheduled for 29 and 30 March 2003.

After a decade of attracting the world's top chefs, winemakers, food writers and commentators, Master Class is being completely revamped. The commitment to excellence will remain but expect a name change, a contemporary program including demonstrations, workshops, dinners, a fresh line up of international and Australian chefs and a dynamic new venue.

Details of the new look Master Class will be announced in coming weeks, in the meantime some other festival highlights to whet your appetite:

World's Longest Lunch (Melbourne) & World's Longest Lunch in the Country: 28 March 2003

World's Longest Lunch in Melbourne and World's Longest Lunch In the Country will kick start the 2003 Melbourne Food & Wine Festival, a program change from previous years.

Considered one of the icon events of the Festival, the World's Longest Lunch attracts some 4,000 people who sit down to a three-course luncheon at one continuous table in Melbourne and at 25 locations across Victoria.

New Quay complex at Docklands will host the World's Longest Lunch in Melbourne. Approximately 1,000 people will 'do lunch' - a 3-course feast
created by Le Deux Catering, matched with Deakin Estate wines, Monte Coffee and San Pellegrino Mineral Water.

World's Longest Lunch In The Country will take place in 25 regional towns including:

Albury Wodonga, Ballarat, Bendigo, Castlemaine, Colac, Echuca, Falls Creek, Geelong, Gippsland, Grampians, Macedon Ranges-Hanging Rock, Queenscliff, Spa Country-Glenlyon, Maryborough, Melbourne Airport, Mildura, Moonambel (in the Pyrenees), Nagambie, Paynesville, Port of Sale, Port Fairy, Red Hill, Sorrento, Warrnambool and Yarra Valley.

Now in its second year, Celebrate The Bean Coffee Festival has quickly established itself as one of the major events on the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival calendar.

It's a celebration of Melburnians' love for coffee with approximately 20 coffee specialists such as Monte Coffee, AMANTI Gourmet Coffee, Gravity, Segafredo Zanetti, Andronicus and Robert Timms assembling on the promenade at Southgate making cappuccinos, lattes and macchiatos for just $1.50 a cup. Enjoy your coffee to the sounds of caffeine inspired jazz and traditional Cuban rhythms.

If you want to make your own café style coffee at home check out the Domestic Espresso Coffee Machine Display including specialist brands Delonghi, KRUPs, and SAECO.

Free coffee-making workshops will be held on the hour, covering everything from growing and roasting coffee, to how to make sensational Italian style coffee at home. Melbourne's first 'Coffee Academy' at William Angliss Institute Of Tafe will host the coffee workshops in the Victorian Art Centres Black Box Theatre throughout the day.

Time: 10.00am - 6.00pm
Venue - On the promenade at Southgate and surrounding precinct
Cost - Coffee $1.50 per cup, workshops free

Hawkers' Market brings the Asian street market to Melbourne all under one roof at the Queen Victoria Market.

Twelve participating Asian restaurants offer a menu of over 60 authentic dishes such as a fiery Mongolian barbecue, Peking Duck, curries, noodles, spicy sambals and sushi.

Hawkers' Market is the 'People's Event' of the Festival and attracts some 14,000 people over the three nights and includes ongoing entertainment featuring Indian dancers, noodle making demonstrations, tumblers, musicians and a Chinese dragon.

Time: 2 sessions per night: 6 - 8 pm, 8.30 - 10.30pm
Venue: Queen Victoria Market

The Big Taste Out - Cellar Door and the Southgate Chefs On Show. 5 - 6 April 2003

More than 40 vineyards (from small boutique wineries to well established operations) will bring their cellar door to the Southgate promenade and offer more than 200 wines to taste on the weekend of 5 & 6 April 2003.

A new addition is The Victorian Arts Centre Tasting Marquee, where Victorian winemakers, wine writers and commentators will present tutored tastings throughout the weekend. Huon Hooke and Ralph Kyte-Powell will be the moderators for the event.

There will be four 45 minute sessions running at 12 noon, 1.15 pm, 2.30 pm and 4.30 pm. There will be six wines tasted per session and places are limited to 40 people per session.

Also, Southgate's top chefs will leave their kitchens to create their signature dishes on stage, matching food with wine throughout the weekend. Celebrity chefs will host the cooking demonstrations.

Time: 11am - 6.00pm
Venue - On the promenade at Southgate and surrounding precinct

The Festival's cook-off, Stirring The Pots, calls competitors (both amateur and professional) to Prahran Market in a quest to find the best pasta dish. It's an opportunity to show off your culinary skills and have fun.

Two sessions are held: one for professional chefs, caterers and teachers; the other for dedicated home and amateur cooks.

Each competitor has 40 minutes to prepare, cook and present their finished pasta dish, including sauce and flavourings.

Anyone can enter the competition; entry forms are available at the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival office.

Breakfast Around The Tan is a great way to start the day - get some exercise and indulge in a hearty breakfast.

Set around the beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens, families, couples and well mannered dogs on leads can enjoy a leisurely stroll or (brisk walk) around the 3.7 kilometre track, made all the more pleasurable by the progressive brekky along the way.

The breakfast menu is guaranteed to fill. There's fruit juice, fruit, yoghurt, cereal, plus a hot breakfast which may include scrambled eggs and bacon, sausages and tomatoes, sweet pastries, tea and coffee and a glass of wine to celebrate the finish. Doggy snacks are also available.

Staggered Starting Time: 8am, 9am, 10am, and 10.30am
Venue: The Tan, Royal Botanic Gardens

eTurbo.com - Final international visitor arrivals to Australia figures for October 2002, released today by the ABS, reveal that the number of visitors to Australia was 13.3 percent up on the corresponding month in 2001. Preliminary arrivals for November are also up 12.8 percent. However, the 11-month January to November comparison is down 0.9 percent.

"These figures create some Christmas cheer but have to be taken in context as October and November 2001 were heavily impacted by 9/11. Having said that it is encouraging to see key markets such as Japan, New Zealand and the UK recovering and recording positive growth on 2000 arrivals figures. The US is also showing signs of recovery," said ATEC Managing Director, Peter Shelley. "The tourism export industry is operating in a very challenging environment as a consequence of global economic uncertainty and the threat of terrorism. People are travelling again, as the latest figures clearly show, but safety and security considerations have become the main decision drivers for travellers."

"Our focus for 2003 has to be the sustained recovery of Australia's fourth largest export industry within this new travel environment. We have a long way to go but can't move forward by dwelling on the past, and the first signs of a recovery may be starting to emerge following a strong last quarter of this year." "However, to achieve a long term and sustainable recovery we need a strong working partnership with government. The first quarter of 2003 still appears soft in terms of bookings and we need to address air capacity issues and develop competitive and aggressive international marketing programs."

Newsletter - December 23, 2002