With over 30 years of experience in auditing and accounting in the hospitality sector, Alan will head up a team of 22 to provide financial guidance to the hotel’s operations in formulating and implementing business plans to drive profitability and enhance guest experience.
Online customer reviews can provide crucial aid to hotel managers in understanding the drivers of customer satisfaction, argue Professor Rob Law of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and co-authors. In an article published recently, the researchers examine the content of online hotel reviews, identify the hotel features to which customers attach most importance, and highlight those features with which customers are most and least satisfied. The analysis, suggest the researchers, reveals a number of areas that hotel managers may wish to consider in the drive to "improve their hotels and satisfy more customers".
The Peninsula Hotels has been recognized by the Cannes Corporate and Media TV Awards for its brand heritage documentary, "Tradition Well Served," which received the top Golden Dolphin award.
Sara Kearney has been selected as Senior Vice President of Operations - Asia Pacific. During her 30-year career at Hyatt, Kearney has held a wide variety of operations, marketing and brand strategy roles. In this new position, Kearney will be responsible for the strategic planning of Hyatt’s direction in the region, overseeing operations and talent development. The selection follows the move of Pete Sears, a 27-year Hyatt veteran, from Asia Pacific to take on the position of Group President, Americas. - See more at: http://ehotelier.com/news/2014/10/09/5- senior-leadership-changes-at-hyatt-asia-pacific#sthash.hRAIAPFx.dpuf
Katie Carter has been selected as Vice President of Human Resources, Asia Pacific. Carter will focus on leadership and talent development, associate engagement and ensuring that Hyatt’s strong culture of empathy and innovation continues to drive preference among existing and prospective associates. Carter assumes the role from Sharon White, who after 30 years of dedicated service to Hyatt is set to retire by December 2014. - See more at: http://ehotelier.com/news/2014/10/09/5-senior-leadership-changes-at-hyatt-asia- pacific#sthash.hRAIAPFx.dpuf
Chorengel will support the driving and optimization of hotel revenue streams and devise strategy to enable the speedy ramp up of new hotels. She will also assist hotels with delivering experiences designed for each brand’s target customers. Having worked for Hyatt for 25 years, Chorengel’s previous role was VP of brands, Asia Pacific.
Phoebe Teo has been announced as JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group’s new senior vice president of strategic advisory. Relocating from Singapore to Hong Kong, Ms Teo marks JLL’s first appointment in the city. Phoebe joined the firm in Singapore in March 2001 and transferred to the Europe team in March 2004 and since then has been responsible for delivery of valuation and other reports and advice on a wide range of hotel properties, from budget to luxury hotels and has carried out assignments in locations including the UK, Northern Ireland, France, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Czech Republic, Russia, The Netherlands, Spain, Malta, Mauritius and Turkey.
Advertising expenditures lead to increased risk for publically listed firms in the US restaurant sector, argue Dr YongHee Kim of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and co-authors in a published research paper. The researchers analyse the financial data of firms listed as 'retail-eating places' by the US Securities and Exchange Commission and find that contrary to intentions, advertising expenditure actually increases total and firm-specific risk. Restaurants, they argue, need to change the focus of their advertising from short-term promotion-related gains to the "unique benefits" they offer to "enjoy more stable cash flows".
Didi Chan has been appointed director of revenue at the Langham Hong Kong. Having worked in revenue management for nearly 10 years, Ms Chan has held senior positions at the Langham’s sister hotel in Hong Kong, Langham Place Mongkok, including director of revenue & director of e-business.
This week Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) opened the HFTP Asia Research Center in collaboration with the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). The purpose of the new office is to expand HFTP's presence in the region by providing further education and professional development to hospitality practitioners in Asia. To facilitate this initiative HFTP has donated $100,000 USD and will establish a student exchange scholarship, a faculty research development fund and an applied research fund.
Mr. Rodrigues was the general manager of The Charterhouse Causeway Bay Hong Kong prior to joining New World Millennium Hong Kong Hotel. He possesses more than 29 years hospitality experience across Asia having held hotel leadership positions for InterContinental Hotels, Dusit Hotels & Resorts, and Royal Princess Hotels and Resorts. In 2013, he graduated with an MBA in International Hospitality and Industry Service Management from the Glion Institute of Higher Education, Switzerland. Mr. Rodrigues started his hotel career with Marina Mandarin Singapore after graduating from SHATEC, Singapore and Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne, Switzerland.
A refreshing and wholesome green stay during travel is made possible at Cosmo Hotel Hong Kong's newly launched green floor, which all the guestrooms located on the green room are fully stocked with a fine range of natural in-room amenities. Cosmo Hotel Hong Kong is also one of the few certified green hotels in Hong Kong to have introduced 100% indoor smoke-free policy in the entire hotel property.
The School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) have come together to sign an agreement to collaborate for the further development of hospitality finance and technology in Asia.
Miramar Hotel & Investment Company, Ltd (Miramar Group) - owner of The Mira Hong Kong and recently opened Mira Moon Hotel will open its latest boutique hotel, Mira Cube in January 2015. Conceptualized with the motto of a "five star shower and first class sleep", Mira Cube will be offering stylish accommodation, state-of-the-art communications technology, convenient location at value driven prices for both business and leisure travellers.
Convention attendees value opportunities for education and social networking more highly than features relating to the convention site itself, according to Dr Jinsoo Lee of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and a co-author. In a recently published article, the researchers identify the sensitivity of attendees to a multidimensional conceptualisation of value. The ultimate objective, they note, is to provide suggestions for convention planners on how best to cultivate attendees who are sensitive to not only functional value but also emotional and social value, thus generating loyalty and additional profit.
Tourists arriving Hong Kong at an unearthly hour can now swap their airport pit-stop for a more exclusive retreat at Dorsett Mongkok, Hong Kong with a range of perk-me-up benefits. These thoughtful benefits, specially tailored to the needs of early-arriving guests, including complimentary access to Dorsett Lounge - an oasis of service and comfort, here guests will be served with freshly made local delicacies Pineapple Bun and Hong Kong's "Silk Stocking" Milk Tea to kick start the Hong Kong experience. Guests can also enjoy a relaxing "ME Time" on full-body massage chair and a refreshing MISSHA facial mask, compliments at this hotel in Kowloon.
Nine families with kids aged between three and nine were invited to join a fun-filled "Treasure Hunt - Family FUN" event organised by Cosmopolitan Hotel Hong Kong on July 20. This exciting yet enlightening 'kids Amazing Race' was held in line with the launch of the hotel's Beyond Thoughtful - Family & Us campaign, in which during the event, parents and kids were able to experience firsthand the incredibly warm service and a series of newly introduced kid-friendly rooms and amenities specially designed with kids' needs in mind.
Following the success of the first round of "Tomorrow's Guestrooms" Competition last year, the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) announces design as the theme of the upcoming competition. The "Tomorrow's Guestrooms Design Competition – The Room of the Future" will be held from 1 September to 31 December 2014.
Formerly Director of Revenue and E-Business at Eaton, Hong Kong, Ken in his new position will be responsible for providing strategic management and leadership vision to maximise overall hotel revenue.
Marco Polo Hotels –Hong Kong has appointed Mr. James Ong as General Manager of the three harbourside hotels: Marco Polo Hongkong, Gateway and Prince Hotels. James is no stranger to Marco Polo: in 2007, he was appointed Area General Manager, Southern China based in Marco Polo Shenzhen.Prior to that, he was General Manager of Omni Saigon Hotel for two years, which at the time was also managed by Marco Polo Hotels.