Hotels & Resorts
TAKE TO THE SLOPES
Club Med is gearing up for the winter season at its 20 mountain resorts located in the French, Italian and Swiss Alps. Along with direct access to some of the world\'s to ski domains, Club Med also offers snow sport enthusiasts\' packages that feature both value and convenience. And what\'s more, Club Med\'s portfolio of luxury ski properties continues to grow with the success of its most recent additions -- Valmorel, France and Pragelato Vialattea, Italy. Plus it just announced Val Thorens, Club Med\'s future new generation flagship resort. Scheduled to open in Dec. 2014, Val Thorens is the...
PRICES ON THE RISE
Hotels.com reports that hotel prices in Canada and the United States continued to increase in the first half of 2013. In its Hotel Price Index (HPI), Hotels.com said that rates were up 3% when compared to the same period last year. And with an average global price increase of 2% cent, North America\'s performance is strong although still shy of 2011 and the first half of 2012 when the rate of growth was at five per cent. Jennifer Drew, director market management Hotels.com, commented: \"Canada is continuing to invest in its travel sector and the increase in current hotel prices is a direct...
BARBADOS HERE WE COME
Sandals Resorts International (SRI) has confirmed that it\'s talking to the Barbados government about building a new Beaches Resort on the site of former Almond Beach Resort in St Peter, Barbados. While an agreement is yet to be finalized, commitments have been made on both sides and SRI indicated that it is \"thrilled at the possibility of bringing the award-winning Beaches brand to this wonderful country. We are a Caribbean company and firmly believe that no one understands the needs of the region or its people like we do.\" SRI indicated that it will be releasing additional information...
PALACE TARGETS AGENTS
Mexico\'s Palace Resorts has launched the redesigned PRO Specialist program for the brand’s travel agents. The program is aimed at further developing the knowledge of travel agents, empowering them to become Palace Resorts experts in the eye of the consumer. When travel agents become PRO, they receive access to marketing tools and a unique digital interactive educational source that allow agents to learn about the resorts and key amenities. PRO members can maximize their business efforts by taking advantage of program inclusions, such as educational events, personalized marketing...
REINVIGORATING HOWARD JOHNSON
Wyndham Hotel Group has unveiled the preliminary details and designs for its reinvigoration project for Howard Johnson. The multi-year undertaking will be focused on elevating the overall guest experience by revitalizing all aspects of the brand -- from property design and case goods to signature amenities and service. The details were announced at Wyndham Hotel Group\'s 2013 Global Conference taking place in Las Vegas and the project -- which is backed by a significant investment in consumer research -- represents the start of the next major chapter in the brand\'s nearly 60-year lodging...
WEDDINGMOONS PARTY SET FOR SEPT. 25
Sandals Resorts has announced the return of its Virtual WeddingMoons Party — a webinar designed exclusively for clients of travel agents — with a new date of Sept. 25. Hosted by Michelle Lee, Sandals Resorts’ romance specialist, participants will learn information and helpful tips when booking a Sandals Resorts or Beaches Resorts WeddingMoon. The exclusive webinar will ensure that agents’ clients make the most of the resorts’ various wedding offerings and promotions. The next Sandals Resorts Virtual WeddingMoons Party will take place on Sept. 25 at 8 p.m. EST. Agents can direct...
A BRAND NEW TRAVELODGE
Travelodge has unveiled details of new room and lobby designs along with its first-ever signature breakfast item, the Travelodge Bear Claw -- during a general session on the Travelodge brand at the Wyndham Hotel Group\'s 2013 Global Conference in Las Vegas. Travelodge brand senior vice-president, Mark Young said: \"As one of the world\'s most well-known economy hotel brands, we\'re constantly looking for ways to enable our hotel owners to provide consumers with an even better hotel experience, and do so in a way that is not only cost effective but ultimately helps drive greater revenues...
AQUA TO ASSUME MANAGEMENT OF PACIFIC MONARCH
Aqua Hospitality continues to expand its Waikiki portfolio with the addition of the Pacific Monarch, a condominium resort just a block and a half to Waikiki beach. Effective Oct. 16, the company will assume management of the property, which will be flagged under the company’s Aqua Hotels and Resorts brand. “The Pacific Monarch offers the sought-after combination of spacious, comfortable rooms and a fabulous location near all Waikiki has to offer,” said Elizabeth Churchill, Aqua Hospitality’s senior vice-president of sales and marketing. “We are pleased to be able to offer our...