Business travel woes drive interest in luggage shipping services, as traveling solo not so glamorous, most business travelers prefer to take their spouse or significant other along -
In a summer travel season that has seen nearly a half-billion travelers(1) but also a record number of flight delays(2), business travelers continue to show interest in ways to get through airports and to their destinations more quickly.
And with luggage shipping services now available and designed to make air travel easier, 50 percent of those surveyed in the July Orbitz for Business corporate traveler poll say they'd pay between $25 and $75 for this type of service.
This was among the findings in this month's Orbitz for Business Traveler Survey, as 56% said they would pay to have bags shipped ahead of time when taking a trip. The breakdown of responses and costs is as follows:
* Would pay $25 - 30%
* Would pay $50 - 14%
* Would pay $75 - 6%
* Would pay $100 - 6%
* Would pay $200 - 1%
* Not interested in the service - 44%
Prices listed are for round-trip delivery of a single bag, with at least two-day advanced shipping.
"Business travelers today are certainly airport savvy, and given today's travel climate racked with delays and airport headaches, it's not surprising that many are looking for ways to make the process easier," said Dean Sivley, COO and general manager, Orbitz Worldwide's Corporate Travel Solutions group. "Services like OrbitzTLC, traveler alerts and luggage shipping are among the many now available services to make business travelers' lives easier and more hassle-free."
Another question in the July survey asked if business travelers had a trip to a popular vacation destination, would they prefer to bring their spouse or significant other along, or prefer to travel alone?
Seventy-two percent said they would rather bring their spouse/significant other. Twenty-eight percent favor traveling alone. Other questions and findings of the survey include:
1. How much of your annual leisure travel costs (not including spending money) would you estimate are paid for by being a frequent business traveler, such as free airline tickets through mileage programs, hotel stays through loyalty points, etc.?
* 0-10% - 58%
* 10-25% - 22%
* 25-50% - 15%
* 50-75% - 4%
* 75-100% - 1%
2. Most business hotels today offer Wi-Fi access and Internet service to make working while traveling easier. How many hours per day would you estimate you spend working outside of normal business hours when traveling?
* 0-1 - 27%
* 2 - 36%
* 3 - 23%
* 4 - 7%
* More than 4 hours - 7%
3. Assume you have a business trip to a popular vacation destination. Would you prefer to bring your spouse/significant other with you (assuming you are responsible for their travel costs) or to travel alone?
* Bring a spouse/significant other - 72%
* Travel alone - 28%
The Orbitz for Business survey is a subset of Orbitz' Take 5 initiative, which was launched in 2006 in celebration of the company's five-year anniversary.
The Take 5 Corporate Traveler poll was conducted online using a MarketTools panel of 436 adults ages 18-65 who are business travelers.
MarketTools is a market research firm that directly manages a nationally-representative online panel of more than 2.5 million individuals, with a global network extending to more than eight million consumers worldwide.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
W Hotels heads for Asian Las Vegas.
This new build W hotel will be located within the Macao Studio City complex; situated on Cotai, an area earmarked by the Macao government to become one of the main gaming - entertainment and resort developments in the Special Administrative Region.
W Macao Studio City will make its debut in 2009, offering 563 guest rooms, in addition to the innovative design and full-range of branded amenities guests have come to expect of W Hotels.
Designed by Charles Allem of Charles Allem Designs International in co-operation with the W brands’s award winning design team, W Macao Studio City will be an exciting keystone of this new development on Cotai. W Macao Studio City is poised to strengthen Starwood’s presence in Macao, as well as being an integral part of a new flagship development in the new “Las Vegas of Asia.”
"W continues to extend beyond the boundaries of everyday travel, offering a magical mix of sexy destinations and sublime design," said Ross Klein, President of Starwood's Luxury Brands Group. "W Macao marks our fourth property in China and promises to offer extraordinary experiences at every turn through the brand's key lifestyle elements of provocative spaces, delightful indulgences and experiential surprises. From the Maldives to Milan, Hoboken to Hong Kong, W Hotels continues to go global as the influential and innovative lifestyle authority and we are proud to make Macao a W destination."
“Following the announcements of the Ws in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Guangzhou, W Macao Studio City is a logical extension of W’s dynamic growth in China,” said Miguel Ko, President of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Asia Pacific. “W brings to life its own unique positioning, delivering a differentiated travel experience for travelers and will be an irresistible destination for visitors to Macao. Macao provides guests with a wealth of entertainment options, including world-class shopping and proximity to Macao and China’s most popular attractions, making it a perfect fit for the W brand”, added Ko.
“Macao Studio City brings together the best hotel partners in the world and we are excited to partner with Starwood to bring the W to Macao,” said Peter Lam, co-chairman of Macao Studio City. “Our vision is to create a must-see, must-stay and must-return destination for leisure and business travelers around the world. Along with other hotel partners – not to mention the arrival of the Playboy Mansion Macao – I firmly believe that Macao Studio City will be an experience that visitors will want to return again and again.”
“W will captivate an in-crowd of lifestyle-oriented travelers by offering its special blend of warm, witty and worldly experiences. The brand fits in very well with the overall design and direction of Macao Studio City and its positioning as the coolest place to be in Macao. Macao Studio City will be the place where the stars and celebrities will hang out,” said David Friedman, co-chairman and co-chief executive officer of Macao Studio City.
“The Cotai area is seeing great momentum, and the addition of W Macao Studio City is certainly going to attract stylish and trendy customers who seek innovative design, comfort and cultural influences, to the ‘new Macao’,” said Mr. Ambrose Cheung, co-chief executive officer, Macao Studio City. “Macao Studio City is developing at a rapid pace; our recent announcements have brought other world-class brands in entertainment, retail and hospitality to the complex. We are confident that W Macao Studio City, as well as the Macao Studio City complex itself, will be a tremendous success when it opens in mid-2009.”
W Macao Studio City will be an exciting addition to the brand's fast-growing international collection of hotels in the world's most vibrant cities and emerging destinations. Starwood has also recently announced it will open a 4,000-room Sheraton Macao Hotel, a 460-room St. Regis Hotel and over 400 St. Regis Residences on the strip in 2008 and 2009 respectively.
W Macao Studio City will feature 563 rooms and suites, all outfitted with the W signature bed, plasma television and wireless Internet access. The W brand's signature Living Room will offer a lounge-like atmosphere perfect for reading the paper, sipping a cappuccino or enjoying a cocktail with friends. Other facilities will include a signature restaurant, W Café, a Sweat workout facility, approximately 11,000 square feet of meeting space, an outdoor heated pool, and the W Whatever/Whenever service, the hotel's 24-hour concierge that provides whatever guests want - from a pair of running shoes to private jet service - whenever they want.
Macao is a Special Administrative Region of People’s Republic of China. It is located on the Southeast coast of China and the western bank of the Pearl River Delta. Bordering on Guangdong Province, it is located 40 miles from Hong Kong and 90 miles from the city of Guangzhou. With the removal of the casino gaming monopoly in Macao in December 2001, new casino developments are quickly establishing Cotai as the ‘new Las Vegas of Asia’.
W Macao Studio City will make its debut in 2009, offering 563 guest rooms, in addition to the innovative design and full-range of branded amenities guests have come to expect of W Hotels.
Designed by Charles Allem of Charles Allem Designs International in co-operation with the W brands’s award winning design team, W Macao Studio City will be an exciting keystone of this new development on Cotai. W Macao Studio City is poised to strengthen Starwood’s presence in Macao, as well as being an integral part of a new flagship development in the new “Las Vegas of Asia.”
"W continues to extend beyond the boundaries of everyday travel, offering a magical mix of sexy destinations and sublime design," said Ross Klein, President of Starwood's Luxury Brands Group. "W Macao marks our fourth property in China and promises to offer extraordinary experiences at every turn through the brand's key lifestyle elements of provocative spaces, delightful indulgences and experiential surprises. From the Maldives to Milan, Hoboken to Hong Kong, W Hotels continues to go global as the influential and innovative lifestyle authority and we are proud to make Macao a W destination."
“Following the announcements of the Ws in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Guangzhou, W Macao Studio City is a logical extension of W’s dynamic growth in China,” said Miguel Ko, President of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Asia Pacific. “W brings to life its own unique positioning, delivering a differentiated travel experience for travelers and will be an irresistible destination for visitors to Macao. Macao provides guests with a wealth of entertainment options, including world-class shopping and proximity to Macao and China’s most popular attractions, making it a perfect fit for the W brand”, added Ko.
“Macao Studio City brings together the best hotel partners in the world and we are excited to partner with Starwood to bring the W to Macao,” said Peter Lam, co-chairman of Macao Studio City. “Our vision is to create a must-see, must-stay and must-return destination for leisure and business travelers around the world. Along with other hotel partners – not to mention the arrival of the Playboy Mansion Macao – I firmly believe that Macao Studio City will be an experience that visitors will want to return again and again.”
“W will captivate an in-crowd of lifestyle-oriented travelers by offering its special blend of warm, witty and worldly experiences. The brand fits in very well with the overall design and direction of Macao Studio City and its positioning as the coolest place to be in Macao. Macao Studio City will be the place where the stars and celebrities will hang out,” said David Friedman, co-chairman and co-chief executive officer of Macao Studio City.
“The Cotai area is seeing great momentum, and the addition of W Macao Studio City is certainly going to attract stylish and trendy customers who seek innovative design, comfort and cultural influences, to the ‘new Macao’,” said Mr. Ambrose Cheung, co-chief executive officer, Macao Studio City. “Macao Studio City is developing at a rapid pace; our recent announcements have brought other world-class brands in entertainment, retail and hospitality to the complex. We are confident that W Macao Studio City, as well as the Macao Studio City complex itself, will be a tremendous success when it opens in mid-2009.”
W Macao Studio City will be an exciting addition to the brand's fast-growing international collection of hotels in the world's most vibrant cities and emerging destinations. Starwood has also recently announced it will open a 4,000-room Sheraton Macao Hotel, a 460-room St. Regis Hotel and over 400 St. Regis Residences on the strip in 2008 and 2009 respectively.
W Macao Studio City will feature 563 rooms and suites, all outfitted with the W signature bed, plasma television and wireless Internet access. The W brand's signature Living Room will offer a lounge-like atmosphere perfect for reading the paper, sipping a cappuccino or enjoying a cocktail with friends. Other facilities will include a signature restaurant, W Café, a Sweat workout facility, approximately 11,000 square feet of meeting space, an outdoor heated pool, and the W Whatever/Whenever service, the hotel's 24-hour concierge that provides whatever guests want - from a pair of running shoes to private jet service - whenever they want.
Macao is a Special Administrative Region of People’s Republic of China. It is located on the Southeast coast of China and the western bank of the Pearl River Delta. Bordering on Guangdong Province, it is located 40 miles from Hong Kong and 90 miles from the city of Guangzhou. With the removal of the casino gaming monopoly in Macao in December 2001, new casino developments are quickly establishing Cotai as the ‘new Las Vegas of Asia’.
Hampton opens 20th hotel in Canada.
Hampton today announced the opening of the 92 room Hampton Inn by Hilton London, Ontario in Canada.
The hotel marks the 20th Hampton hotel to open in Canada, the 11th in Ontario and brings the brand’s total room count in the country to 2,238.
“With this opening, Hampton now is the most well represented brand of the Hilton Family of Hotels in Canada,” said Phil Cordell, senior vice-president, Hampton brand management. “We are now represented in five provinces across the country, and we still see tremendous potential here. Canada is a priority market for us, as it generally is underserved by branded hotels, particularly in the mid-market, focused-service segment.”
Located at 840 Exeter Road, the six-story hotel is situated within driving distance of numerous corporate offices, including 3M and Ford, as well as Victoria Hospital and the John Labatt Centre, home of the London Knights OHL hockey team.
Hotel amenities include an indoor pool, fitness facilities, full-service business center and free wireless, high-speed Internet access throughout the hotel. Rooms are equipped with an oversized work desk, two telephones with voice mail and free local telephone calls, as well as 32-inch LCD televisions. All Hampton hotels provide complimentary On the House® hot breakfast and On the Run breakfast bags™, Purity Basics® bath products, a curved shower rod, the Hampton bedding package -- Cloud Nine. The Hampton Bed Experience and the industry’s easiest-to-set alarm clock/radio.
The Hilton Family of Hotels in Canada, including Hampton by Hilton is offering preferred rates to any traveller age 50 and over through the Hilton Family of Hotels 50Plus program. Preferred rates may be booked through hiltoncanada.com/50Plus and represent 10% off the Best Available Rate at participating hotels.
The hotel marks the 20th Hampton hotel to open in Canada, the 11th in Ontario and brings the brand’s total room count in the country to 2,238.
“With this opening, Hampton now is the most well represented brand of the Hilton Family of Hotels in Canada,” said Phil Cordell, senior vice-president, Hampton brand management. “We are now represented in five provinces across the country, and we still see tremendous potential here. Canada is a priority market for us, as it generally is underserved by branded hotels, particularly in the mid-market, focused-service segment.”
Located at 840 Exeter Road, the six-story hotel is situated within driving distance of numerous corporate offices, including 3M and Ford, as well as Victoria Hospital and the John Labatt Centre, home of the London Knights OHL hockey team.
Hotel amenities include an indoor pool, fitness facilities, full-service business center and free wireless, high-speed Internet access throughout the hotel. Rooms are equipped with an oversized work desk, two telephones with voice mail and free local telephone calls, as well as 32-inch LCD televisions. All Hampton hotels provide complimentary On the House® hot breakfast and On the Run breakfast bags™, Purity Basics® bath products, a curved shower rod, the Hampton bedding package -- Cloud Nine. The Hampton Bed Experience and the industry’s easiest-to-set alarm clock/radio.
The Hilton Family of Hotels in Canada, including Hampton by Hilton is offering preferred rates to any traveller age 50 and over through the Hilton Family of Hotels 50Plus program. Preferred rates may be booked through hiltoncanada.com/50Plus and represent 10% off the Best Available Rate at participating hotels.
Wynn opens boutique nightclub.
Casino developer Wynn and renowned night club operator Sean Christie have partnered to create Blush, the first boutique nightclub in Las Vegas -
"We wanted to create an intimate nightlife experience that we have termed 'the boutique nightclub'," said managing partner Sean Christie. "Blush offers a unique option to the Las Vegas scene as the club seamlessly transforms from elegant lounge to high-energy nightclub."
Formerly the location of Lure, the venue will undergo a complete remodel under the direction of Wynn's Executive Vice President of Design Roger Thomas. The 4,500 square-foot club will feature a lit onyx dance floor and creme lantern ceiling sculpture. This central art focal piece will create various hues and images that enhance the vibe and atmosphere as the display literally comes alive nightly.
A rich palette of deep green, chocolate brown, gold and shimmering metallics create an ambience of sensual elegance. The club will feature a series of contemporary paintings that add a provocative and edgy feel. Additional seating banquettes around a new dance floor will produce a circular flow to the space. The open-air patio and bar have been enhanced with lighted topiaries and outdoor seating surrounded by lush foliage.
In addition to banquettes and bottle service, a private, draped VIP Room is available for up to 25 people. Additional men's and women's restrooms have been added as well as some playful amenities -- purse drawers at each seat and personal lockers for belongings.
Delectable Asian appetizers from Red 8 will be served nightly from 5 P.M. until 9 P.M. Beverage menus, including wines by the glass or bottle and an extensive collection of infused vodkas, will change on a monthly basis.
The club will feature an eclectic mix of music -- rock n' roll, hip hop and house -- from Music Director and Resident DJ Mighty Mi. Every Thursday, DJ Jack Lafleur will take the stage with his signature style. The lighting and sound system was designed by John Lyons, winner of the World Club Award.
Blush Tuesdays, service industry and local night, will be promoted by Brandon Roque and begin September 4.
Prior to partnering with Wynn Las Vegas, Christie was a founding member and managing partner of The Light Group. He was also an integral part of The Lyons Group which owns and operates more than 30 nightclub venues on the East coast.
Table reservations (702-770-3633) are highly recommended. Free admission for Local Ladies and Service Industry professionals nightly. Blush Tuesdays is the dedicated Industry night. Visitors cover is $30.
Blush is open nightly at 5 P.M. and transforms into an energetic, sensual club on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 10 P.M. until 4 A.M. Located off the main casino floor of Wynn Las Vegas Resort and Country Club.
"We wanted to create an intimate nightlife experience that we have termed 'the boutique nightclub'," said managing partner Sean Christie. "Blush offers a unique option to the Las Vegas scene as the club seamlessly transforms from elegant lounge to high-energy nightclub."
Formerly the location of Lure, the venue will undergo a complete remodel under the direction of Wynn's Executive Vice President of Design Roger Thomas. The 4,500 square-foot club will feature a lit onyx dance floor and creme lantern ceiling sculpture. This central art focal piece will create various hues and images that enhance the vibe and atmosphere as the display literally comes alive nightly.
A rich palette of deep green, chocolate brown, gold and shimmering metallics create an ambience of sensual elegance. The club will feature a series of contemporary paintings that add a provocative and edgy feel. Additional seating banquettes around a new dance floor will produce a circular flow to the space. The open-air patio and bar have been enhanced with lighted topiaries and outdoor seating surrounded by lush foliage.
In addition to banquettes and bottle service, a private, draped VIP Room is available for up to 25 people. Additional men's and women's restrooms have been added as well as some playful amenities -- purse drawers at each seat and personal lockers for belongings.
Delectable Asian appetizers from Red 8 will be served nightly from 5 P.M. until 9 P.M. Beverage menus, including wines by the glass or bottle and an extensive collection of infused vodkas, will change on a monthly basis.
The club will feature an eclectic mix of music -- rock n' roll, hip hop and house -- from Music Director and Resident DJ Mighty Mi. Every Thursday, DJ Jack Lafleur will take the stage with his signature style. The lighting and sound system was designed by John Lyons, winner of the World Club Award.
Blush Tuesdays, service industry and local night, will be promoted by Brandon Roque and begin September 4.
Prior to partnering with Wynn Las Vegas, Christie was a founding member and managing partner of The Light Group. He was also an integral part of The Lyons Group which owns and operates more than 30 nightclub venues on the East coast.
Table reservations (702-770-3633) are highly recommended. Free admission for Local Ladies and Service Industry professionals nightly. Blush Tuesdays is the dedicated Industry night. Visitors cover is $30.
Blush is open nightly at 5 P.M. and transforms into an energetic, sensual club on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 10 P.M. until 4 A.M. Located off the main casino floor of Wynn Las Vegas Resort and Country Club.
Bristol Virginia committee discusses signs to help interstate travelers find restaurants and motels
City leaders moved a step closer Tuesday to allowing "way-finding" signs for some businesses.
A committee of the city's Planning Commission agreed to review a Wytheville town policy that allows the signs to help direct interstate travelers.
If approved, the city could place the signs near Interstate 81's Exits 1, 5 and 7.
"The purpose is to try to keep them [travelers] from getting lost, not put them in the front door," committee member R.L. Light said.
The Wytheville policy only applies to restaurants. Committee members, however, agreed to also consider hotels and motels because they are regular destinations for interstate travelers.
The city would charge businesses to have their logos on the signs.
In the case of Exit 7, the biggest challenge might be finding an appropriate place for the sign outside the state rights of way.
After an extended discussion, Economic Development Director Jerry Brown said he will confer with Virginia Department of Transportation officials about what might be permissible. "We're 'ramp-dependant' at Exit 7," Brown said.
Because VDOT won't allow the signs along the interstate exit ramps, the city will be hard-pressed to find a visible location near the ramps.
The city already has a sign at the intersection of Linden Drive and Old Airport Road, directing motorists to many Linden businesses.
"I'm not as concerned about Linden Drive as I am The Village [a nearby hilltop development], anything along [Lee Highway] not visible from the interstate and Exit 5, if anything develops there," City Manager Bill Dennison said.
Committee members also discussed ways to improve the visibility of Stagecoach Road, which provides access to a Cracker Barrel restaurant at The Village.
"That's always been a problem with the Cracker Barrel and when Bob Evans [restaurant] was there," Mayor Jim Rector said.
In other matters, Rector agreed to start a dialogue with Washington County, Va., leaders about sign issues. The county currently has no restrictions on the height or location of commercial signs like those at the new Highlands retail center near the city limits.
"Are we going to have a problem competing with Washington County? They don't have an ordinance," Rector asked Brown.
"That's very likely to happen, especially at the original [Mack] Trammell site," Brown said of the originally proposed site for The Highlands retail center. "The frontage is in the city, so if anything goes there, the signs are going to be in the city and the businesses in the county."
The committee is scheduled to meet again Sept. 5.
A committee of the city's Planning Commission agreed to review a Wytheville town policy that allows the signs to help direct interstate travelers.
If approved, the city could place the signs near Interstate 81's Exits 1, 5 and 7.
"The purpose is to try to keep them [travelers] from getting lost, not put them in the front door," committee member R.L. Light said.
The Wytheville policy only applies to restaurants. Committee members, however, agreed to also consider hotels and motels because they are regular destinations for interstate travelers.
The city would charge businesses to have their logos on the signs.
In the case of Exit 7, the biggest challenge might be finding an appropriate place for the sign outside the state rights of way.
After an extended discussion, Economic Development Director Jerry Brown said he will confer with Virginia Department of Transportation officials about what might be permissible. "We're 'ramp-dependant' at Exit 7," Brown said.
Because VDOT won't allow the signs along the interstate exit ramps, the city will be hard-pressed to find a visible location near the ramps.
The city already has a sign at the intersection of Linden Drive and Old Airport Road, directing motorists to many Linden businesses.
"I'm not as concerned about Linden Drive as I am The Village [a nearby hilltop development], anything along [Lee Highway] not visible from the interstate and Exit 5, if anything develops there," City Manager Bill Dennison said.
Committee members also discussed ways to improve the visibility of Stagecoach Road, which provides access to a Cracker Barrel restaurant at The Village.
"That's always been a problem with the Cracker Barrel and when Bob Evans [restaurant] was there," Mayor Jim Rector said.
In other matters, Rector agreed to start a dialogue with Washington County, Va., leaders about sign issues. The county currently has no restrictions on the height or location of commercial signs like those at the new Highlands retail center near the city limits.
"Are we going to have a problem competing with Washington County? They don't have an ordinance," Rector asked Brown.
"That's very likely to happen, especially at the original [Mack] Trammell site," Brown said of the originally proposed site for The Highlands retail center. "The frontage is in the city, so if anything goes there, the signs are going to be in the city and the businesses in the county."
The committee is scheduled to meet again Sept. 5.
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