Copyright 1995-2010 Hsyndicate http://www.hsyndicate.org/ Top Stories - Latest Hospitality and Hotel Industry News en-us Fri, 19 Mar 2010 06:04:28 +0100 cs@hsyndicate.com (Hsyndicate) info@hsyndicate.com (Hsyndicate) Hsyndicate RSS FeedGenerator 5 http://www.hsyndicate.org/news/154000320/4045876.html http://www.hsyndicate.org/news/154000320/4045876.html Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:58:59 +0200 Cendyn, the leading single-source provider of turnkey online marketing solutions that increase profitability for multi-property hotel companies and large independent hotels, announced the successful completion of its comprehensive web platform redesign for the Galt House Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky. Cendyn, which developed an entirely new website and internet marketing plan for the Galt House, optimized all areas of its online strategies and marketing foot print and significantly increased overall website visits and guest conversion rates. http://www.hsyndicate.org/news/154000320/4045885.html http://www.hsyndicate.org/news/154000320/4045885.html Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:50:21 +0200 Attending the importance of cooperation among the different entities in the tourism sector to strengthening the development of tourism in the Caribbean, Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST) and Confederación de Organizaciones Turísticas de América Latina (COTAL) has signed a Memorandum of Cooperation to the joint support of both institutions for initiatives that promote sustainability of Caribbean tourism industry. http://www.hsyndicate.org/news/154000320/4045884.html http://www.hsyndicate.org/news/154000320/4045884.html Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:44:34 +0200 The Hotel Industry Pulse Index (HIP) posted a slight recovery in February, according to economic research firm e-forecasting.com in conjunction with STR. After edging down 0.5 percent in January, HIP improved 1.3 percent in February. http://www.hsyndicate.org/news/154000320/4045882.html http://www.hsyndicate.org/news/154000320/4045882.html Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:19:11 +0200 StarCite, Inc., the leading provider of Web-based solutions to strategically manage corporate meetings and events, today announced a new exclusive partnership with EveryScape, creator of "The Real World Online," allowing participating hotel properties to add WebScapes -- fully navigable and interactive 3D replicas of their destinations -- to their listings in StarCite's Global Online Marketplace. http://www.hsyndicate.org/news/154000320/4045881.html http://www.hsyndicate.org/news/154000320/4045881.html Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:59:39 +0200 Results from a new survey of unmanaged business travelers in Best Western’s loyalty program, Best Western Rewards®, provide further indication that the effects of the recession are easing and that more people plan to hit the road for business again in 2010. http://www.hsyndicate.org/news/154000320/4045880.html http://www.hsyndicate.org/news/154000320/4045880.html Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:54:11 +0200 After a year of tremendous growth that made it one of the fastest and most successful hospitality industry launches ever, Aloft® Hotels this week announced expansion plans for key global markets from Brussels to Bangalore – and one of Aloft’s first New York City properties, in downtown Brooklyn. http://www.hsyndicate.org/news/154000320/4045879.html http://www.hsyndicate.org/news/154000320/4045879.html Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:37:03 +0200 Joining the brand’s prestigious Wyndham® Grand Collection are the 523-room Wyndham Grand Plaza Royale Oriental Shanghai, overlooking the Yangpu Bridge on the Pudong; the 316-room Wyndham Grand Plaza Royale Furongguo Changsha in Hunan’s capital city; and the picturesque 283-room Wyndham Grand Plaza Royale West Lake Hangzhou on the shore of the West Lake adjacent to the city’s center. All will be managed by Greater China Hospitality (H.K.) Limited. http://www.hsyndicate.org/news/154000320/4045878.html http://www.hsyndicate.org/news/154000320/4045878.html Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:08:50 +0200 As we enter 2010, words like, “economic downturn” and “recession” are still lingering in everyone’s minds. The service industry among others was significantly impacted by the events commencing in the fall of 2008 and unfortunately, hotel spas were not immune. Hotel spa operators reported that they began to feel the impacts of the economic events early on in 2008, especially those within the luxury hotel segment. http://www.hsyndicate.org/news/154000320/4045877.html http://www.hsyndicate.org/news/154000320/4045877.html Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:45:03 +0200 INNCOM International Inc. is what one might call an ambassador of “eco-luxury” to the worldwide hospitality industry. And now its name is attached to some rather serious recognition – the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification, recently awarded to the Yountville, Calif.-based Bardessono Hotel, Restaurant and Spa http://www.hsyndicate.org/news/154000320/4045874.html http://www.hsyndicate.org/news/154000320/4045874.html Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:24:30 +0200 MKG Hospitality’s 2010 Hotel Group Ranking is marked by two major mergers: Louvre Hotels with Golden Tulip and NH Hoteles with Hesperia, in turn boosting each group’s position and into the top five. Meanwhile, Accor remains Europe’s leading group, whilst Best Western moves into second spot. http://www.hsyndicate.org/news/154000320/4045873.html http://www.hsyndicate.org/news/154000320/4045873.html Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:15:08 +0200 The National Business Travel Association (NBTA) announced today that world champion cyclist, cancer survivor and international activist Lance Armstrong will be featured as a keynote speaker at the 2010 NBTA International Convention & Exposition August 8-11 in Houston, TX. After surviving testicular cancer, the U.S. Olympian went on to win seven Tour de France titles, claiming his status as one of the most honored athletes in the world. Armstrong’s appearance during the Convention’s Wednesday General Session is made possible by Amadeus. http://www.hsyndicate.org/news/154000320/4045869.html http://www.hsyndicate.org/news/154000320/4045869.html Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:01:48 +0200 Welcome to the Spring 2010 issue of Hospitality Upgrade's e-mail blast! We hope that you enjoy this bold edition of the digital experience. The digital editions are also always found online at our newly redesigned site, Guestroom Technology is our cover feature this issue. The Feature begins on page 10. Please check out the TOC on page 4 for everything this issue offers. If you haven't noticed the thumbnail tab, it's a great feature to use to see multiple pages at once. This issue's helpful hints: Use the Browse tab and Page Thumbnails to see the entire issue at a glance. Use the SHARE icon to send a link of the digital edition to a friend or colleague. http://www.hsyndicate.org/news/154000320/4045868.html http://www.hsyndicate.org/news/154000320/4045868.html Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:56:50 +0200 Abacus Lodging Investors, LLC, a private equity firm focused on investments in the hospitality industry, has become an Industry Fellow of the Center for Real Estate Finance (CREF) at the Cornell School of Hotel Administration. Barry Bloom, principal at Abacus, will represent the Chicago-based company at meetings of the CREF Industry Fellows. http://www.hsyndicate.org/news/154000320/4045867.html http://www.hsyndicate.org/news/154000320/4045867.html Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:54:56 +0200 Evil Erik has recently read somewhere that there is a difference between the disciplines of marketing and sales as well as that a General Manager should be the person in command of the Marketing team. So what to do in such case, call a meeting and " let them know who's the boss ". The meeting was scheduled for 2 PM, but unfortunately the http://www.hsyndicate.org/news/154000320/4045866.html http://www.hsyndicate.org/news/154000320/4045866.html Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:59:42 +0200 Full Moon Hotel. This hotel was meant to be built in Baku, Azerbaijan, and was quickly dubbed the death star. A 521-foot-tall hotel with 382 rooms on 35 floors, it may be going ahead, but if it is, it is doing it quietly. One Baku resident commented on a blog: 'I live in Baku too. But I've never heard about this plan and death star and moon. This hotel is something new. I saw pictures, but I thought it is just pictures.' No need to get Luke Skywalker quite yet. http://www.hsyndicate.org/news/154000320/4045865.html http://www.hsyndicate.org/news/154000320/4045865.html Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:37:22 +0200 When Alumnus and Visiting Leader Tom Thomas (BA ’78) returned to campus in February to address students in The School of Hospitality Business at MSU, they heard from someone who has done it all. http://www.hsyndicate.org/news/154000320/4045851.html http://www.hsyndicate.org/news/154000320/4045851.html Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:58:04 +0200 From March 10 to 14, ITB Berlin, the leading B2B platform for the international tourism industry, opened its doors and TAC participated with a real innovation. The Austrian software vendor presented RA 4.0, the latest version of Reservation Spa & Activity Software, for the first time. http://www.hsyndicate.org/news/154000320/4045834.html http://www.hsyndicate.org/news/154000320/4045834.html Thu, 18 Mar 2010 08:56:45 +0200 Hospitality Softnet, Inc. is extremely pleased to have selected SyberWorks, Inc, of Waltham, MA to design its upcoming e-Learning Campus. SyberWorks was selected after an extensive search, due to their high level of experience in developing contemporary LMS (Learning Management System) platforms of high quality over many years. This platform will be very robust with Hotel Sales training topics, presented in a current style which is in keeping with today's selling environment. The launch of the e-Learning Campus is targeted for later this year. http://www.hsyndicate.org/news/154000320/4045860.html http://www.hsyndicate.org/news/154000320/4045860.html Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:58:44 +0200 For independent hotels and resorts, the era of social media, internet marketing, and fully-integrated direct website online booking software are providing new revenue generating strategies that reach travelers with a message of unique guest experiences and personal service. Independent properties are more effective with social media strategies than large chains burdened with corporate guidelines. Creative independent operators are responding quickly to the evolving needs of guests who are traveling less frequently. http://www.hsyndicate.org/news/154000320/4045858.html http://www.hsyndicate.org/news/154000320/4045858.html Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:46:32 +0200 Hotel occupancy rates are forecast to rebound this year in the U.S. and Europe. Room prices may follow in 2011, according to analysts including Patrick Scholes at FBR Capital Markets & Co. Some luxury hotels have already been able to lift rates as demand for $600 rooms, butler service and poolside cabanas recovers in cities such as Miami, New York and London.