Newsletter - January 11, 2002

BHA LINES UP HOTEL HEAVYWEIGHT TO REPLACE JARVIS

The British Hospitality Association has named John Wilson, CEO of Millennium & Copthorne Hotels as its chairman. He takes over from Jarvis Hotels’ chairman and CEO John Jarvis.

ADAM’S MARK SALE OF SIX HOTELS IS OFF

The chain took the properties off the market after the prospective buyer asked for an extension.

ST. LOUIS - The Adam's Mark Hotel chain has called off plans to sell six hotels, including one on City Avenue, after rejecting the buyer's request to extend the contract deadline, the company said yesterday.

"We were ready to consummate the deal under the original terms but felt an extension was not in our best interests," Fred Kummer, president and chief executive officer of St. Louis-based HBE Corp., which operates the 24 Adam's Mark hotels, said in a written statement.

On Nov. 28, HBE agreed to sell the City Avenue hotel and those in Houston; Memphis, Tenn.; Columbia, S.C.; Colorado Springs, Colo.; and Clearwater, Fla., to Columbia Sussex Corp. A sale price was not disclosed. Columbia Sussex, of Fort Mitchell, Ky., operates 54 hotels under franchises such as Marriott, Radisson and Crown Plaza.

It was not clear why Columbia Sussex wanted to extend the contract deadline. An official at Columbia Sussex said the company would not comment.

Kummer said that his hotels were now off the market despite a difficult economy worsened by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and allegations of racism against the chain. In October, Adam's Mark laid off 20 percent of its management.

Kummer said the chain was recovering faster than expected.

"We're a solid company, despite the tough challenges facing our industry in the current economy," Kummer's statement said. "We're pleased to retain these six properties and look forward to continue serving guests in those markets."

A spokesman for Kummer said he was unavailable for an interview.

Adam's Mark added two hotels last year - in suburban Chicago and in Jacksonville, Fla. Meanwhile, a $45 million expansion at the Daytona Beach, Fla., hotel, which adds 306 rooms and 30,000 square feet of meeting space, is expected to be complete by Feb. 1.

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People called off a boycott in December after Kummer agreed to pay $1.1 million to settle allegations that the Daytona Beach Adam's Mark discriminated against black guests in 1999.

In Philadelphia, employees filed suit accusing the Adam's Mark hotels of racial discrimination in eight cities. But in November, a federal judge ruled that black workers at the hotel chain cannot pursue a class-action discrimination suit because they had not shown that Adam's Mark had a companywide policy of racial discrimination.     Source: -    www.philly.com

 
HILTON MAKES FIRST INVESTMENT IN CROATIA

The Hilton hotel chain is to invest 25 million euros (22 million dollars) in the renovation of the oldest hotel in Croatia's famous coastal resort of Dubrovnik, a hotel executive said Wednesday.

It is the first investment by Hilton in Croatia.

The Grand Hotel Imperial, badly damaged during the 1991-95 Serbo-Croatian conflict, will thus become the Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik, its head, Hrvoje Miloglav said, quoted by independent Novi List daily.

The first phase of the reconstruction of the hotel, built 105 years ago, is to start on Monday, Miloglav said.

It is expected that the renovated five-star hotel will open in November 2003.

Croatian shipping company Atlantska Plovidba has a 64-percent share in the hotel and Hilton holds 18 percent. An Austrian construction company, Strabag AG, has 13 percent and the remaining five percent are owned by small shareholders.

Since 1998 Croatia has seen a gradual recovery of its tourist industry destroyed in the 1990s by wars on its own and neighbouring territories.

ICE HOTEL QUEBEC OPENS  

/PRNewswire/ - The incredible and unique Ice Hotel in North America welcomed its first guests as of January 1st. Until the end of March, thousands of people will experience the coolest getaway by spending a night in a cathedral entirely made of ice and snow. Everything, from the walls to the furniture, is made from these elements, the purest of materials.

This extraordinary complex of 27,000 ft(2) with ceilings as high as 18 feet can accommodate up to 76 people per night in one of our 31 rooms and suites. Everything is created to ensure the most comfortable stay for our guests. We provide arctic rated sleeping bags on a deer pelt covered bed. Looking for a hot spot? Relax in the spa situated in the inner court.

An overnight stay or a simple visit is an unique experience. The Hotel itself is an oeuvre d'art. You will be amazed by the grand hall, the candelabra lighted by fibre optic, the chapel where couples will get married, the Absolut ice bar, the 2 art galleries, the movie theatre, and functioning fireplaces.

Ice Hotel Offers The Peak Winter Experience

Visitors will be able to take part in a full array of winter activities: skating on the Hotel's interior/exterior rink, sliding, cross-country skiing, snow shoeing, snowmobiling, dog-sledding, ice fishing and even golf on a driving range.
Located at the Station ecotouristique Duchesnay, 30 minutes west of Quebec City in Canada.
The Ice Hotel Quebec-Canada where cold IS cool.  

TOURISM BROUGHT IN US$60 BILLION FOR CHINA LAST YEAR

Domestic and overseas tourist revenue in China last year hit US$60 billion – a 9.76 percent gain over 2000, a China Daily report said.

The China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) estimates China received about approximately 87 million overseas tourists last year, up 4.2 percent from 2000.

Chairman He is optimistic of further tourism growth this year as China opens up the sector in accordance with World Trade Organisation (WTO) requirements. Domestic agencies, whether large or small, are going to have to abide by the same market rules, he said.

He also indicated that top-performing international agencies will be allowed to control stakes in joint-venture companies in the not-too-distant future.

In accordance with the WTO agreements, by January 2003, chosen agencies will be able to control stakes in joint-venture (JV) companies and wholly-owned companies by the end of 2005. China must allow overseas travel agencies with a minimum registered capital of US$302,000 control stakes in JVs within three years after China's entry into the WTO.

Last month, the CNTA announced the formation of two new JV travel agencies in China.

In March, the CITS-AE Travel Agency, will begin operations. The new JV is a China International Travel Service and American Express partnership.

China Comfort Travel Company and Rosenbluth Company have also recently partnered to form a JV company known as Comfort-Rosenbluth.  

JONES LANG LASALLE HOTELS PROMOTES MIKE BATCHELOR AND MICHAEL CLARKE

Brisbane, Australia — Mike Batchelor and Michael Clarke have been promoted to Executive Vice President and Senior Vice President, respectively, of Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels. Both based in the firm’s Brisbane office, Mr Batchelor heads the Investment Sales division for Queensland and Mr Clarke is responsible for hotel valuation and tourism consultancy assignments throughout the Asia Pacific region.

Announcing the promotions, Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels’ CEO and Managing Director Mr David Gibson said “These promotions are based on each individual’s significant contribution to the success of the firm and their respective track records in arranging transactions and advising clients on a broad range of hospitality issues”.

Since joining Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels (formerly JLW TransAct) in 1993, Mr Batchelor has negotiated major transactions worth in excess of $400 million in value. His investment sales achievements include the Club Med’s Byron Bay Resort; the Courtyard by Marriott Hotels in Cairns and the Gold Coast; Kooralbyn Hotel Resort; the Surfers Paradise Parkroyal; Lakelands Golf Course; Radisson Reef Resort, Port Douglas and South Molle Island Resort, to name a few.

During his 15 years with Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels, Michael Clarke has valued over $1 billion of hotels and resorts in every state of Australia. He has also undertaken corporate advisory assignments in diverse locations such as Guam, Fiji, Korea and Papua New Guinea. His international experience was bolstered in 1999 and 2000 when he assisted in major hotel portfolio valuations in the UK and Europe. Mr Clarke holds degrees in Commerce and Business (Property Studies) from the University of Queensland.

Mr Gibson concluded “These promotions will strengthen Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels’ global leadership in providing specialist hotel investment services to our clients.”

NEWS IN BRIEF FROM AROUND THE WORLD  

US: WINTER FORECAST SHOWS DECLINE:  TIA's (Travel Industry Association of America)  latest post-September 11th travel indicator predicts that travel during the winter 2001-2002 season will be down 8.4 percent compared to last year. The quarterly Travelometer gauges consumers' seasonal travel plans from year to year. The winter forecast also shows that while 14 percent of business travelers say they'll go on the road more this season, 15 percent say they expect to travel less. Among pleasure travelers this winter, 53 percent plan to take along a spouse and 33 percent plan to take along children. Click here for the full release.

NUDE RESORTS SURVIVE SLOWDOWN  While most of the tourist industry was painting a bleak picture last month, the American Association for Nude Recreation bared facts showing business at the no-clothes clubs was remaining steady and even picking up in places.  "I wouldn't say tourism is booming, but our clubs are holding their own," said association president Erich Schuttauf. "We have a loyal market of people who wouldn't have a vacation anywhere else."  The association, based in Kissimmee, Fla., has grown to 250 affiliated clubs across the United States and Canada that provide clothes-free or clothing-optional recreation.  Among resorts that are expanding, he cited Avalon in Paw Paw, W. Va., near Washington, which offers winter recreation in a new indoor complex that includes a heated pool, sauna, and exercise room. No-clothes resorts in Florida, Texas, and California were all reporting business as usual or better, Schuttauf said.  Once you take off your clothes, you take off the stresses in your life, he added. Another advantage is traveling light: "You don't have to pack very much."

MINIMUM ROOM RATES FOR COLOMBO HOTELS Hotels and conference organisers in  Sri Lanka’s capital city Colombo have agreed to set minimum hotel room rates targeting conferences and exhibitions.  The Sri Lanka Association of Professional Conference & Exhibition Organisers (SLAPCEO) and Colombo City Tourist Hotel Association (CCTHA) signed the deal today.  An online news report by Sri Lankan Tourism said business events tourism is one of the high yield earning segments of tourism and contributes greatly to the economy.  It said the Sri Lanka convention bureau and Sri Lanka Tourist Board have worked for

BIT MILAN  The PATA Europe Division is organising a PATA stand for BIT, to be held in Milan from February 20 to 24. BIT, the most important travel trade show in Italy and the Mediterranean area, is now in its 22nd year. In 2001, more than 5,000 companies were represented at the show and over 112,000 visitors attended. Participation in the PATA stand costs US$1,700. For information or to register please contact the PATA Europe Division. E-mail: pata@monaco.net. Tel: (377) 92 05 61 32. Fax: (377) 92 05 61 33.

A GLAMOROUS ADDITION TO SHANGHAI’S CELEBRATED M ON THE BUND Following three immensely successful years at the pinnacle of fine European dining in Shanghai, M on the Bund has just recently unveiled The Glamour Room, a new bar and dining area at the restaurant's exclusive Bund address.  A high-gloss extension of M on the Bund, The Glamour Room offers M's myriad fans additional dining space and a greatly expanded bar in a remarkable setting. The expansive casement windows in the new space provide an entirely fresh perspective on the Bund, with fabulous views that extend from the urban landscape behind the Bund to the spectacular skyscrapers of Pudong. "The Glamour Room is really a natural progression for us,'' says owner Michelle Garnaut. "Our guests have been clamouring for us to grow, and now we can not only accommodate more people without disturbing the ambience in the current dining area, but we can do it in a sophisticated and comfortable way." 

PATA BOD TO MEET IN   SARAWAK Members of the PATA Board of Directors and committees of the board will meet in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia from Jan. 18 to 20. More than 90 delegates have already registered for the meeting. For more information, contact Ms. Ratana Poopitakchatkaew, Director-Board Relations and Administration. E-mail: ratana@pata.th.com.

HILTON PARTNERS WITH AIR CHINA COMPANION FREQUENT FLYER PROGRAM Hilton today announced a landmark agreement with Air China. It is the first hotel to enter into partnership with China’s leading carrier allowing cross participation in Hilton HHonors, Hilton’s guest reward program and Air China Companion Club. A signing ceremony marking the agreement was held at Hilton Beijing. This agreement, commencing February 2002, gives members of the Air China Companion Program an opportunity to earn  Air China kilometers by staying at Hilton hotels in Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, Dalian, Chongqing and at any one of more than 2,100 participating Hilton hotels around the world. The  partnership between the world’s most recognized hotel brand, and China’s leading airline, aims to enhance the global service for the increasing number of business travelers in China and to address the strong competition with international airlines in the local business travel market after China’s entry  into WTO. Air China is PRC’s largest airline.

RAMADA OPENS NEW HOTEL IN SHANGHAI   The Ramada hotel group has opened a new luxury four-star property in China - the 222-room Ramada Plaza Pudong - Shanghai. Located in the centre of the Jinqiao Export Processing Zone in Pudong, the hotel is 23km from Hongqiao International Airport and 13km from Pudong International Airport, with easy access to all major highways. Part of the 38-storey Civil Aviation Mansion complex, the hotel features amenities including a business centre, gift shop, an indoor swimming pool, a fitness centre, sauna, squash and billiard rooms, outdoor tennis courts and a basketball court. A ballroom seats 280 people for functions and an auditorium seats 350 people. Another function room seats 120 and two conference rooms can accommodate up to 80.
http://www.marriott.com

FIVE HOTELS RE-BRANDED IN ASIA  Accor and Century International Hotels have launched five co-branded hotels in Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Shenzhen, China. The hotels include the 516-room Novotel Century Hong Kong (formerly the Century Hong Kong Hotel), the 418-room Novotel Century Kuala Lumpur (formerly the Century Kuala Lumpur) and the 276-room Novotel Century Harbourview (formerly the Century Harbour Hotel). Two more hotels have been rebranded - the 152-room Novotel Watergate Shenzhen (formerly the Watergate Century Hotel Shenzhen) and the 210-room Ibis North Point (formerly the Century Inn North Point).
http://www.centuryhotels.com

ACCOR SEASONAL SALE STARTS AT 75 HOTELS  The Accor hotel group has launched a seasonal winter sale at more than 75 properties in Asia. The special offers of up to 50 per cent off published rates, including breakfast, are available at Sofitel, Novotel, Mercure, Libertel and Coralia hotels until March 17 this year. Discount rates include the Novotel Century Kuala Lumpur at US$62 per room per night, the Novotel Siam Square in Bangkok at US$69, the Novotel Atlantis Shanghai at US$88, the Novotel Apollo Singapore at US$93, the Novotel Century Hong Kong at US$117, the Sofitel Metropole Hanoi at US$122 and the Sofitel Royal Angkor at US$135.
http://www.accorhotels.com