Paphos, Cyprus: Magnuson Hotels, the world's largest independent hotel group, announced today their expansion into Cyprus, with the addition of the Corallia Beach Hotel in Paphos, one of the most exciting destinations on the Mediterranean coast.
The British Hospitality Association is working with the CSSC (Community Safety & Security Communication) project to help inform the hospitality industry and our members of issues regarding public safety & security particularly during the Olympic games period with a legacy for the future.
'The Resilience to Fraud of the UK Hotel Sector' survey – the most comprehensive study of its type ever undertaken – looks at how well the industry protects itself against fraud, highlighting where it is getting it right and identifying areas for improvement.
A snapshot survey of the UK hotel industry conducted with the readers of hotel-industry.co.uk throughout December has revealed that the industry is feeling overwhelmingly positive about doing business in 2012. More than 65% of respondents agreed that they felt positive about doing business in 2012, despite the gloomy financial climate.
At the end of 2011 the share of the Dutch hotel supply that is chain related is 61%: of all Dutch hotel rooms only 39% still is independent of hotel chains. This is the result of new research by Horwath HTL. The chain rate of 61% is considerably higher than the European average. Moreover, compared to the chain rate of 35% some 10 years ago it means an extraordinary fast advance of hotel chains. Of all hotel chains Van der Valk Hotels en Restaurants, the oldest Dutch hotel chain, has the largest market share by far. Also the international NH Hoteles takes a leading position in the Dutch hotel market.
Accor, the world's leading hotel operator and the market leader in Europe, is set to realise its ambition to increase the UK network to 300 hotels by 2015 with the signing of a franchise agreement with Jupiter Hotels Ltd, the new owners of the former Jarvis hotels. This is a landmark deal for the UK hotel industry in 2011.
Great Britain’s largest group of independent hotels, Best Western, has today announced a change to the structure of its 276 hotels. Today Richard Lewis, newly appointed CEO of Best Western, launched three hotel tiers; Best Western, Best Western Plus and Best Western Premier, in a move that sees the company embark upon a nationwide brand enhancement strategy.
A hotel in orbit, lunar sightseeing flights and luxury rides into the cosmos -- all are part of Russia's vision to ensure it is not left behind in the growing space tourism industry. Russian firms unveiled their plans at the country's premiere air show this week at Zhukovsky, outside Moscow, saying the race was on to build a new craft to take people into space following the retirement of NASA's space shuttle in April.
With one year to go until the start of the Games, hoteliers in the capital have begun taking advantage of an anticipated influx in visitors from home and abroad. Although the majority of hotels have not yet released their rates for the period covering the Games – July 27-August 12 – those which have are quoting prices well in excess of what they would usually be at that time of year.
France granted a few top hotels the right to call themselves a "palace" on Thursday, a label which distinguishes them from rivals and is designed to boost the country's profile as a luxury destination. The eight winners of the accolade include Paris hotels Meurice and Plaza-Athenee, both owned by the Sultan of Brunei, as well as the Bristol hotel, owned by Germany's Oetker family.
Check Safety First has joined forces with Diversey -- a leading supplier of hygiene and cleaning systems -- with the aim of supporting the Portuguese hotel industry in managing the issue of health and safety. Diversey has licensed Check Safety First's risk management audit system, E-Cristal, and will target hotels with this solution.
The prestigious Wyndham Grand, London Chelsea Harbour has implemented health and safety expert, Check Safety First's online E-Cristal health and safety risk management system to ensure the wellbeing of its guests.
The British government is pulling back its support of a hotel star rating system, but that doesn’t mean the program is going anywhere. The Independent reported the British government favors a consumer-led system. But VisitEngland, one of the organizers of the national star rating system, said the existing program will be updated and not dissolved. John Penrose, the British minister of tourism, wrote in a 1 February blog that consumer-driven websites are increasingly important, and he advised travelers not to “take any one source as gospel.”
VingCard Elsafe, the global leader in hospitality security and part of the ASSA ABLOY Group, recently completed installation of its Signature RFID by VingCard contactless electronic door locks with NFC cell phone compatibility at the Kyriad Marseille Centre-Rabatou in Marseille, France. Located a few steps from the Congress Palace and the city's Stadium, the 88-room Louvre Hotels property is conveniently located close to the city's main attractions, public transportation stops and superb beaches, making it an attractive location for both leisure and business travelers.
The first Swissôtel Living, a new, exclusive residence concept by Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts, was recently unveiled at Swissôtel The Bosphorus, Istanbul. Sixty-three elegant apartments in a range of sizes, from studios to 1 – 3 bedrooms, offer the ultimate in style and luxury, and allow guests to enjoy the full range of hotel services within the comfort of their own four walls. More Swissôtel Living residences will follow in the future in other Swissôtel destinations.
NBTA Europe and the German buyer-led business travel association VDR (Verband Deutsches Reisemanagement e.V.) have announced their partnership to build a stronger European buyer-led network. The deal, based on an initial one year partnership commencing in Spring 2011, will see VDR bring their more than 500 members and market intelligence from Germany to the network which started in January 2010. VDR members will join a European network of 2,700 buyers and suppliers and gain access to over 70 resources, research papers and benchmark tools through the network.
Bringing together all the travel industry’s key players from all sectors under one roof, WTM 2010 marked a superb networking and marketing ground for Travco Group to put on show its high- end services and premier products. Travco’s customary participation provided a strong presence at the fair, which took place in London from November 8th till November 11th, 2010.
As the clock continues to tick on the Savoy’s October 10 opening – after a delay that this blog was the first in the world to report – anticipation is growing to see exactly what delights the Old Dame has in store. Most are expecting a certain decadence within the frame of an ultra luxurious hotel – and quite right too, in view of the Savoy’s impressive heritage and longstanding tradition as an Art Deco hotel.
Today Corinthia Hotels released further details of the five-star luxury hotel it is building in central London, which is due to open in early 2011. It will become the world’s ninth Corinthia hotel. Corinthia Hotel London is being built within an imposing Victorian building, on a city block location between Whitehall Place, Northumberland Avenue and Great Scotland Yard, overlooking Trafalgar Square and the River Thames.
The Irish Hotel Federation has claimed 150 hotels are under threat after the announcement that Bank of Scotland Ireland is to close. The bank provides 20% of all loans to the hotel sector in the Irish Republic. Irish Hotel Federation President Paul Gallagher wants an Irish government "guarantee" scheme for the sector.