The Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC)’s fourth annual Summer is Easy promotion is outpacing last summer’s bookings. The campaign generated a 6 percent rise in participating partner room night sales in May and a seven percent rise in June —versus the same months in 2015. Comparatively, bookings through Summer is Easy partner Expedia are currently 9.7 percent above 2015 bookings.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the first AC Hotel by Marriott in San Juan, took place today at 1369 Ashford Avenue, a privileged location within the active and progressive Condado Area. Ashford 1369 Hospitality, LLC, an affiliate of Interlink, acquired the former Radisson Ambassador Plaza & Casino. A comprehensive renovation of the property will take place to convert it into the sophisticated and contemporary Marriott International brand.
Caribbean hotel owners and managers, along with leading providers of goods and services to the hotel industry, will gather early this fall for the highly successful Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum, being conducted by the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA). Owners and seniors managers from the region's hotels will have the opportunity to network and share best practices through a series of roundtables, workshops, professional development sessions, and social networking opportunities throughout the regional gathering.CHIEF is scheduled for Sept. 30 - Oct. 2, 2016 at El Conquistador Resort, A Waldorf Astoria Resort in Puerto Rico."CHIEF is all about learning from one another and improving our bottom lines. In a competitive global tourism landscape, we need to leverage our resources and our thinking. We want to build upon the incredibly positive feedback we received from last year's event and bring even greater value through CHIEF to the region's hotels as well as those allied members who provide hotels with goods and services." says Karolin Troubetzkoy, president of CHTA.CHTA canvased last year's attendees and its members to identify those session topics which are of greatest interest to its members. Among the general sessions being offered are:
Following the success of the inauguralCaribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF) in October 2015, the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) has scheduled CHIEF to return to El Conquistador Resort, A Waldorf Astoria Resort in Puerto Rico, Sept. 30 - Oct. 2, 2016. Registration opens May 19, 2016.CHIEF brings together owners and senior managers from Caribbean hotels with top experts from companies which work with hoteliers to exchange ideas and share best practices.This year's program will expand its educational offerings by incorporating a Technology track in addition to sessions in Operations, Environmental Sustainability and Sales & Marketing. The educational tracks, led by experts in the travel, tourism and hospitality industry, provide CHTA's membership with tactics that generate revenue and increase efficiency. Another program highlight is the professional development opportunities offered on Friday, Sept. 30 similar to the sessions offered in 2015 by Florida International University (FIU). "CHIEF provides a platform for Caribbean hoteliers and employees to develop strategies that will enhance their business model and result in a more efficient and profitable operation," said Karolin Troubetzkoy, president of CHTA. "We are developing a comprehensive program that will reflect core elements that our membership need in order to stay ahead of the curve with the goal of providing tools which employees at all levels in the tourism industry can implement when they return home to their property," Troubetzkoy added. "We're incorporating peer-to-peer opportunities for our members and their employees to consider, share and adapt successful business models that drive incremental business and revenue," said Troubetzkoy. Registration for CHIEF opened on May 19, 2016 and includes access to the event, all educational sessions, conference materials, two lunches, coffee breaks and two receptions. Visit www.chtachief.com to learn more about CHIEF and take advantage of early registration and discounted hotel rates. Companies which conduct business with hoteliers can also exhibit at the event with complete details available on the website. CHIEF is staged by CHTA in conjunction with host sponsors Interval International and JetBlue Getaways, platinum sponsor Travelzoo, and gold sponsorsAskMe Inc., Clear Channel Airport Division, OBM International and SiteMinder.Companies interested in learning about sponsorship opportunities should contact Matt Cooper, chief marketing officer, via [email protected] call (305) 443-3040.Contact CHTA by email at [email protected] or via telephone at 786-476-8623 for more information.
'Ground Zero?' 'Pandemic?' 'Hundreds of thousands of cases of Zika virus in Puerto Rico this year?' 'Puerto Rico is not prepared!'. None of the s 'tatements above reflect the situation on the ground in Puerto Rico. So why doesn't the CDC stick to just facts? That's all we are asking. The CDC has an obligation to report factual, relevant information to "protect America from health, safety and security threats, both foreign and in the US." As the CDC states in its mission, it saves lives and protects people from health threats. Nowhere in its mission, however, does it state that its objective is to be accomplished through fear.
Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa strengthens its seasoned sales and marketing team with the appointment of Willie Chin as the resort’s new director of sales and marketing. A familiar face on property, Chin returns to the 500 acre beachfront resort to spearhead all marketing, public relations and sales initiatives. Specializing in Caribbean and Puerto Rico properties for the entirety of his career, Willie Chin most recently served as regional director of sales and marketing for IHG’s Caribbean hotels. Prior to this, Chin held sales and marketing leadership positions with Puerto Rico and Caribbean based InterContinental, Starwood, and Sonesta properties. No stranger to the Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa, Chin worked as Director of Sales for the resort several years prior.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H), PRISA Group and McConnell Valdés Consulting, Inc. announce the opening of Puerto Rico's fourth Hyatt-branded select service hotel, the $29 million Hyatt Place San Juan/City Center in the capital city of San Juan. Hyatt Place San Juan/City Center is ideally situated in the metropolitan area, just steps from the Puerto Rico Convention Center and minutes away from the international airport and all major attractions.
With possible apologies to the Energizer Bunny, a Sheraton in Puerto Rico recently introduced a new service, namely a member of the hotel staff whose job it is to help guests whose electronic devices have run out of juice.
A Puerto Rico hotel is capitalizing on the hospitality management experience of a seasoned professional to improve guest satisfaction and support the professional development of younger members of the staff.
Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa is proud to announce the appointment of its two newest national sales managers, industry veterans Tracy Blough and Elizabeth Dexter. With more than 30 years of combined experience, the two industry innovators look forward to applying their previous successes with group sales and new business development to the 500 acre Puerto Rican beachfront resort.
Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa is proud to announce the appointment of its two newest national sales managers, industry veterans Tracy Blough and Elizabeth Dexter. With more than 30 years of combined experience, the two industry innovators look forward to applying their previous successes with group sales and new business development to the 500 acre Puerto Rican beachfront resort.
Today, Best Western Hotels & Resorts announced the first North American hotel to join the BW Premier Collection®— The Copamarina Beach Resort & Spa in Puerto Rico. The BW Premier Collection, Best Western's soft brand, consists of carefully selected high-quality hotels in primary and destination markets.
The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) has named the winners for the inaugural "CHIEF Awards" honoring member hotels and tourism-related enterprises for best practices in Business Operations, Sales & Marketing and Sustainable Practices. Awardees were announced at the Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF) which took place Oct. 2 - 4, 2015 at El Conquistador Resort, A Waldorf Astoria Resort in Puerto Rico.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts announced the appointment of Nathalie Urban as General Manager of W Retreat & Spa, Vieques Island. With more than 20 years of hospitality expertise, Urban will take the helm of the distinguished luxury retreat, focusing on elevating guest satisfaction and managing day-to-day operations tied to its dynamic programming. Urban joins W Retreat & Spa, Vieques Island after having held various leadership roles around the globe. Her most recent post was at Presidente InterContinental Cancun Resort. Prior to that, Urban held management positions at Hyatt Hotels & Resorts EAME Divisional Marketing Center in Switzerland, and Hyatt Regency La Manga in Spain, among others. In 2015, Urban received the Torch Bearer Award 2014 – 2015 for Best Guest Satisfaction at InterContinental Hotels & Resorts in the Americas. Additionally, she was awarded the Prix Vulcain Award for best performance through renovation for InterContinental Hotels & Resorts.
The just completed successful Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF) taking place in Puerto Rico has emerged as a milestone setting the tone for a new era for the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA), according the CHTA President Emil Lee.
The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) presented the "Caribbean Hotelier of the Year" award to Adam Stewart, Chief Executive Officer, Sandals Resorts International, during the Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF), which took place Oct. 2 - 4, 2015 at El Conquistador Resort, A Waldorf Astoria Resort in Puerto Rico.
One of the most highly anticipated panels of the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association's (CHTA) upcoming Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF) is "Cuba: Opportunity or Threat?" which will take place on the closing day of the conference (Sunday, Oct. 4) from 3:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m."Cuba: Opportunity or Threat?" will delve into how the US-Cuba normalization affects Caribbean business and how hotels can minimize any potential downside impact. Additionally, it will explore the positive opportunities Cuba may present to stimulate the region's growth as a whole.This highly-anticipated session - expected to be standing-room only - will be moderated by Anton Edmunds, Principal, The Edmunds Group International, and will feature the following panelists:
The Caribbean hospitality industry continues to strengthen as hotel operating fundamentals have exhibited continuous growth following the global economic downturn that began in the last decade. The Caribbean hotel market has shown steady improvements in average rate, occupancy and RevPAR since 2010. As STR shares, Caribbean-wide average daily rate increased every year since 2011 and notably by 4.3% year to date through June 2015, compared to same period last year. And Caribbean-wide RevPAR improved every year since 2011. These trends are driven mainly be the increases in average daily rate. Moreover, with limited new supply scheduled to enter the market coupled with a favorable forecast for higher levels of tourist arrivals, the overall market is expected to continue to strengthen even further. However, the one major challenge still facing the region is the limited amount of financing available for new construction, which in turn limits opportunities for developers to build new hotels.
THE CARIBBEAN - The Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association's (CHTA) inaugural Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF) has drawn attention of innovative hoteliers from across the region as well as top speakers from a variety of industry segments. This long-needed networking and educational conference will take place Oct. 2-4 in Puerto Rico.
Velasco most recently held the position of Director of Sales & Marketing at NH Collection Eurobuilding in Madrid, Spain, where he re-opened and positioned the classic hotel as a flagship property for the new luxury brand of NH Hotels. Prior to his role at NH Collection, Velasco was the Director of Sales & Marketing at The Mark Hotel, New York, and served as the Area Director of Sales & Marketing for Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, where he was responsible for the overall performance of two top performing properties, including Rosewood Little Dix Bay in the British Virgin Islands and Rosewood Tucker's Point in Bermuda. A graduate of the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras, PR, with a B.A. in Social Sciences & Political Science, Velasco is fluent in English, Spanish, Italian, German and Portuguese.