Ritz-Carlton Names Chris Gabaldon as Chief Sales and Marketing Officer

Chris Gabaldon is a hospitality marketing and sales executive with 2 decades of experience at both The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company and Marriott International, now he has been elevated to the position of Marketing Officer and Chief Sales for The Ritz-Carlton.

In his new and expanded job, Gabaldon will play a critical role as a strategic business advisor to newly appointed President and Chief Operations Officer Herve Humler.

Holiday Inn Male Launches Day Use Promotion

The Holiday Inn Male launched a Day Use room promotion. For all inclusive rate, the hotel will take care of the airport transfers, allow access to its facilities and a room to relax, making sure you can take advantage of the limited time you have in transit.

For USD 75 the Facilities package includes the usage of facilities, roundtrip transfer, luggage storage, 20 percent discount on spa treatments at the Coconut spa, and three course set dinner in Lime restaurant for one person.

Air Berlin Appoints New GSA in Dubai

Oasis Travels is nominated Passenger General Sales Agent for the Air Berlin Goup for the United Arab Emirates and Oman. Oasis Travels is fully owned by the Sharaf Group of companies.

With the commencement of its winter 2010/11 schedule in November 2010, Air Berlin will provide the only non-stop connection between Dubai and the German capital, Berlin. The flights to Berlin will be offered three times weekly utilizing an Airbus 330 aircraft in a two class configuration. These flights will be integrated into the Air Berlin hub in Berlin-Tegel, allowing convenient connections to further destinations in Germany and Europe.

Best Europe airport buys: Rome for bags, perfumes in London

For airport shopping deals, Rome tops Europe's busiest airports, followed by Frankfurt and Berlin, but best buys for bags, perfumes or drink vary hugely from one hub to the next, a survey said this week.

A Dolce&Gabbana "Hobo" bag for instance can be picked up for EURO 850 (USD 1,096) at Rome airport but costs 1,245 (USD 1,605) at London's Heathrow, according to a Centre for Retail Research survey.

Britain's Gatwick and Heathrow are cheapest of all for humdrum stuff like cigarettes, perfume and alcohol, said the survey released by online shopping site Kelkoo.

Hotel Lighting Just Got a Whole Lot Cooler

Lighting is always a big topic in hotel operators, and for good reason. It’s estimated that, on average, interior lighting accounts for 28 percent of a typical hotel’s energy bill.

An energy-efficient lighting program can help reduce overall energy consumption and expenditures, while demonstrating a commitment to sustainability to today’s tens of millions of eco-conscious travelers.

Until recently, hoteliers’ options in energy-efficient lighting have been limited by available designs and by cost. But that is starting to change. New LED technology delivers fantastic light, long life and tremendous energy savings that pays for itself in a shorter amount of time.

Keeping Control on Food Costs

Last week I took a walk though arable land and could not fail to notice that all wasn't well with the wheat crops. I suppose it is not surprising and I only have to look at my own garden and see the effects of the recent dry weather.

The impact for the hospitality sector is more food inflation. Not helped by the potential banning of grain exports from Russia, floods in Canada, India and Pakistan. And the poor cereal crops have a knock on effect on meat prices as well as bread and pasta, and there are predications of price increases on soya, palm oil and cocoa too.

So is it time to check on the basics on keeping control of food costs?

Rezidor Signs New Airport Hotel in England

The Rezidor Hotel Group has signed a new hotel in the England. The 216-room Radisson Blu Hotel, East Midlands Airport, is a new build property that is scheduled to open its doors in Q1 2012.

The Radisson Blu Hotel, East Midlands Airport will benefit from a prime location with excellent visibility – 800 meters away from the main terminal and along the M1, the country’s busiest motorway. Besides 208 rooms and 8 suites, all offering Radisson signature services such as free high speed internet access, the property will offer 1 restaurant, 1 bar/lounge, and 1 coffee shop. The hotel will also feature 750 square meters of conference and event-space while leisure facilities will comprise an extensive fitness centre with a gym and indoor pool.

"After the Radisson Blu and Park Inn hotels in Manchester, London Stansted, London Heathrow and Edinburgh, this project is our 5th airport hotel in the England. We continue to be Europe’s leading airport hotel operator – with now 32 properties in operation and under development and a total of more than 8000 rooms," said Kurt Ritter, President & CEO of Rezidor. "At the same time I’m delighted to announce this hotel as our 250th Radisson Blu; our continuously growing EMEA-portfolio now comprises more than 58000 rooms."

Parisian luxury hotels: From gloom to boom?

With record room prices of EURO 1,000 (USD 1,297) and occupancies of 95 percent, the luxury hotel sector in Paris is flourishing. But is the market ready to absorb a string of new openings forecast for the coming two years?

It's back in October 2006, when hotel news headlines in France announced that Parisian palaces—ultra-luxury hotels, such as Hôtel de Crillon and Hôtel Plaza Athénée—were going "full sail."

In those days, Paris’s six legendary luxury properties—Hôtel Le Bristol Paris, Hôtel de Crillon, Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris, Le Meurice, Hôtel Plaza Athénée and the Hôtel Paris Ritz—were notching up average occupancy of 77.5 percent, room prices of EURO 725 (USD 940) and 15 percent hikes in revenue per available room post 9/11, according to a study from French hotel industry consultants, MKG Consulting.

Ritz-Carlton Appoints Herve Humler as President & Chief Operations Officer

Ritz-Carlton has appointed Herve Humler as President and Chief Operations Officer.

Mr. Humler is one of the original founders of The Ritz-Carlton in 1983, he will be responsible for leading the brand’s operations and global growth strategy and championing its distinctive service culture. Based at The Ritz-Carlton headquarters in Chevy Chase, Maryland, he will also oversee Bvlgari Hotels & Resorts and report to Robert J. McCarthy, Marriott International Group President.

"Herve is a true international hotelier with more than 35 years in the luxury lodging business and has helped to build The Ritz-Carlton into a world-class brand," said McCarthy. "We feel most fortunate to have Herve in this position of increased responsibility where he can continue to provide his strong leadership to this iconic brand."

Hotel Industry Pulse Index: Business Expansion Probability 100 percent

HIP is a composite indicator which gauges business activity in the US hotel industry in real-time, similar to a gross domestic product measure for the industry. The latest monthly change brought the index to a reading of 89.9. The index was set to equal 100 in 2000. 

HIP's six-month growth rate, which historically has signaled turning points in US hotel business activity, continued to improve. After 20 months of the six-month growth rate being negative, the rate has gone up six consecutive months. In July, the six-month growth improved upon June's growth of 10.8 percent by gaining 17.5 percent. This compares with a long-term growth rate of 3.2 percent. It is useful to benchmark against the long-term growth rate of 3.2 percent because it is the same as the 38-year average annual growth rate of the industry's GDP.  

ME Cancun to Become All-Inclusive Property

ME Hotels, a collection of experience-based urban contemporary resorts and hotels operated by Sol Melia, announced today that the brand's Cancun property, ME Cancun, will shift to an all-inclusive business model as of January 1, 2011. ME Cancun  will embrace the brand's first "Complete ME" concept, which will break the mold of traditional all-inclusive resorts where non-guests are prohibited access to the property grounds and amenities. In addition to welcoming hotel guests, this revolutionary and industry-first business approach will embrace non-guests and local movers and shakers, allowing them to enjoy the property's a la carte culinary offerings and revel in ME Cancun's high style design and vibrant social scene.

Gabriel Escarrer Jaume, the Co-Vice President & CEO of Sol Melia Hotels and Resorts and an industry innovator says "We are excited to evolve the ME brand with the implementation of the Complete ME concept at our Cancun property. This dynamic model will allow the property to cater to a wide array of guests while meeting new consumer demands which have become increasingly driven by the desire for more qualitative value with freedom. Thanks to this calculated business decision, ME Cancun will now become the area's premier all-inclusive property, offering guests a superior product coupled with the high service standards our guests have grown accustomed to."

West Virginia

The Canadian hotel industry reported mostly positive results during the week of 25-31 July 2010, according to data released by STR.

In year-over-year measurements, the Canadian hotel industry’s occupancy increased 4.0 percent to 73.0 percent. Average daily rate ended the week virtually flat with a 0.5-percent decrease to CAD$126.66. Revenue per available room for the week rose 3.4 percent to CAD$92.50.

Among the provinces, Ontario posted the largest occupancy increase, rising 7.2 percent to 72.3 percent, followed by Nova Scotia with a 6.1-percent increase to 81.3 percent. Alberta reported the largest occupancy decrease, falling 2.8 percent to 65.6 percent. Prince Edward Island ended the week virtually flat with a 0.7-percent occupancy decrease to 89.3 percent.

Hyatt, Chesapeake and more

Chesapeake Lodging Trust announced that has entered into a credit agreement to obtain a USD 115-million, two-year secured revolving credit facility with a syndicate of banks, including Wells Fargo and JP Morgan Chase.

The amount that the real estate investment trust can borrow under the revolving credit facility is based on the value of the Company's hotel properties included in the borrowing base, as defined in the credit agreement. Borrowings under the revolving credit facility bear interest equal to LIBOR, plus 3.75%, subject to a LIBOR floor of 2.00%. The credit agreement contains standard financial covenants, including certain leverage ratios, coverage ratios, and a minimum tangible net worth requirement. Subject to certain conditions, the facility allows for a one-year extension.

Irving, Texas-based FelCor Lodging Trust (NYSE: FCH) said second-quarter net income was USD 22 million. Revenue per available room for FelCor, which went public six months ago, was USD 90.62, up 5.6%.

HardRock needs a bigger global footprint

Michael Shindler is not taking much time in pushing forward Hard Rock Hotels and Casino’s growth plans.

The company that currently licenses or franchises a dozen properties comprising slightly more than 4500 rooms, is looking to increase that number to between 40 and 45 properties during the next decade.

And with over 30 projects comprising approximately 5000 rooms in its development pipeline, Hard Rock appears to be well on the way to reaching its goal. Approximately 80% of the projects in the pipeline are stand-alone hotels, with the remainder being casino-hotels.

“It iss a bit of a mixed bag,” Shindler said during a telephone interview. Growing the company’s casino-hotel brand internationally is a priority, however, he said.

Shindler, who joined the company in February as executive VP of hotels and casinos, is helping to oversee the effort. He had been president and CEO of Chicago hotel consulting and advisory firm Four Corners Advisors and also served in various other positions within the industry, including chairman of the board of directors of Hyatt Gaming Management and vice president of development and asset management at Las Vegas Sands Corporation.

Bangkok hotels vow to recover

For more than two months this spring, thousands of red-shirted protesters camped in the heart of Bangkok, shutting down a dozen hotels and four high-end shopping malls.

General managers of five hotels close to the conflict zones each said they lost millions of dollars in revenue between April and June. Hotels throughout the country are resorting to promotions and fam tours.

The protesters, mostly rural poor from the north and northeast, demanded dissolution of parliament and fresh elections. The focal point of a three-square-mile occupation area was a large televised stage set up at Rajaprasong. This four-way intersection is best known to visitors for the Erawan Shrine, the Grand Hyatt Erawan and the huge CentralWorld shopping mall.

The protesters were predominantly peaceful, respectful of property and not hostile to tourists or foreigners. But in the final week, as the army encircled the area preparing for its 19 May final assault, violence exploded north of the protest zone along Rajaprarop Road and to the south in the main commercial districts. By then, at least 20 hotels had closed. In Bangkok alone, 38 buildings were set on fire. In the final tally, nearly 90 people were dead and thousands wounded.

Latino Hotel Association Forms Strategic Relationship with Association Mexicana Hoteles Y Moteles

The Latino Hotel Association (LHA), a newly formed global organization dedicated to expanding Latino ownership, leadership and commerce in the hotel industry, today announced that it had formed a strategic alliance with the Association Mexicana Hoteles y Moteles, Mexico's primary hotel association.

Under the alliance arrangement, the two groups will work together to increase Latino hotel investment and ownership, concentrating on basic and advanced education programs about hotel franchising, investment and development, as well as networking.  "This is the first step in our plan to bring together the global Latino hotel industry," said Angela Gonzales-Rowe, president and founder of LHA.  "There are nearly 16,000 hotels in Mexico, the vast majority of which have no international brand affiliation.  As the hotel industry becomes more global, branding will play an increasingly important role in a property's success.  Our initial efforts will be on educational sessions with many of the world's leading brands, as well as conventions where members of our two organizations can network and increase Latino investment in hotels."

Bigger group bookings bode well for resorts

Professional meeting planners, who have been deferring, cancelling or drastically cutting back on both size and frequency of meetings for more than a year now, are scheduling more site inspections and booking much larger groups for 2011 and 2012. This was confirmed during a long interview conducted this month with John Washko, VP sales & marketing, The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Washko is seeing three recent trends:

    * more organizations are giving a green light for future meetings;
    * The Broadmoor is converting more and more smaller groups (less than 150-room peak night), and
    * groups booking for 2011 and 2012 have much larger room blocks.

“We’re seeing a definite ‘uptick’ in site inspections and that tells us that more organizations are putting some real skin in the game—a very positive sign,” Washko added.

The size of meetings is increasing, according to Washko.