Hotels & Resorts
THE PERKS OF PLANNING
Starwood\'s Perks of Being a Planner promotion has been designed to make sure that meeting and event planners get great value while enjoying a rich variety of benefits. The offer is valid for meetings booked by Dec. 31, 2013 and held by March 31, 2014. More than 40 hotels and resorts across Canada are participating in the promotion which provides meeting organizers a 5% rebate on master-billed guest rooms, plus the planner\'s choice of one of the following -- a complimentary welcome reception, an accelerated room upgrade offer or an accelerated complimentary room policy. In addition meeting...
TRIUMPH OVER ADVERSITY
A little over a year ago, the Seaport area was devastated by high tides, resulting from Super Storm Sandy. Water rose up to 5 feet and destroyed many of the businesses in the area. Just days after the storm, the clean-up started and the true devastation of the event was realized. Like most businesses in the South Street Seaport area, the BEST WESTERN PLUS Seaport Inn Downtown lobby was flooded and destroyed. As soon as it was possible, general manager, ZB Moham and his team began major cleanup and repairs. Determined to get the hotel reopened, the team worked round the clock and within 45...
A BLIP ON THE RADAR
Despite a late summer stall, global hotel bookings for business travel increased by 4.4% over last year in September, according to data released today by Pegasus Solutions. In August, the industry saw a bit of a slowdown with bookings for the channel below prior year by 1.5%; however, September\'s booking values sustained the year-to-date pace of 3% over 2012. Average daily rates (ADR) remained a key contributing factor for business travel revenue driven to hotels from the global distribution systems (GDSs). Globally, they edged past prior year by 0.3% in September, inching to 0.6%...
HOTWIRE REPORTS THE RATES
Hotwire.com has released the results of the October 2013 Hotwire Canadian Hotel Rate Report, featuring the top five cities in Canada where hotel rates have dropped the most. Pierre-Etienne Chartier, vice-president of the Hotwire Group, noted of the results: \"Ontario and Quebec are the hot spots to visit this October, with the two provinces making up the entirety of this month\'s Rate Report while boasting some of Canada\'s most popular destinations.\" And Chartier added: \"With such exceptional price drops, there\'s no better time to visit these cities, which offer a wide variety of events...
SOME CHOICE PILLOW TALK
It appears that Choice Hotels Canada has discovered the hidden side of Canadians in its recently released, nationally-commissioned survey, Pillow Talk. What Choice found was that the majority of Canadian travellers \"leave their reservations at the door when checking-in.\" Conducted by Leger Canada, the survey reports that most Canadians say they are more likely to talk to new people (82%), cheat on their diet (70%) and keep their shoes on indoors (52%) while on vacation. Nearly half (45%) of Canadians surveyed say they are more adventurous in the bedroom and almost 1 in 5 (19%) say they...
FAMILY FRIENDLY OUTRIGGER
For families heading to Hawaii this winter, Outrigger Hotels and Resorts on Maui are offering them the chance at the \"suite\" life. Guests will enjoy condominium-style accommodations at affordable rates -- ideal for travelling families and groups of friends. For those looking to visit the Magic Isle, Outrigger vacation condos make for an ideal home base offering convenient amenities and easy access to the many island activities that are perfect for keiki (kids). Teri Orton, vice president of condominium resort marketing for Outrigger Hotels and Resorts, points out that: \"The sun, sand and...
DISTRIBUTION DEAL RENEWED
Sabre and Marriott International, Inc. have signed a long-term distribution agreement extension. As a result, Sabre-connected travel agents will have access to room rates and availability to the more than 3,800 Marriott properties, across 18 distinctive brands in 72 countries and territories. David Gross, senior vice president, Sabre Global Supplier Commerce, said of the new agreement: \"Marriott is a leader in the hospitality industry. We believe our high-performance technology and exposure to millions of travelers that we provide brings them tremendous value.\" Shafiq Khan, Marriott\'s...
OCCIDENTAL, ESTELAR PARTNER
Following the successful opening of the Occidental Grand Cartagena in Columbia, Occidental Hotels & Resorts together with Estelar Hotels have announced a strategic marketing agreement which will allow the two companies to collaborate in a joint sales strategy for five key flagship hotels from each chain. The alliance will enhance the visibility of Occidental Hotels & Resorts as well as Estelar Hotels in those markets where the companies currently do not have a presence. The two companies will leverage their well-established brands with sales networks in Colombia and Peru for Estelar Hotels...