Hotels & Resorts
New digs for Starwood
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has relocated its global headquarters from White Plains, NY to Stamford, bringing more than 800 jobs to Connecticut. The company's new headquarters is located in the Harbor Point development on Stamford's historic waterfront. Starwood's new 290,000-square-foot global headquarters comprises a two-tower office complex and is just minutes from downtown Stamford. The new global headquarters will be LEED certified, which aligns with Harbor Point's own LEED certification. Frits van Paasschen, president & CEO of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, commented: "Not...
Sandals has a spot for agents in elite club
Continuing its long-standing tradition of support and recognition for its travel agent partners, Sandals Resorts International (SRI) has launched the Chairman's Royal Club -- an all new reward program for its elite agents. A select group of top travel agents who have continuously produced results and showcased loyalty to the resort brand are invited into the inaugural class of the exclusive Chairman's Royal Club, allowing members to reap the extra rewards and opportunities available to those who have been especially successful at selling Sandals Resorts, Beaches Resorts and Grand Pineapple...
Responsible Travel: Industry needs to do more
A newly released survey reports that the global travel and tourism industry could do more for responsible and sustainable tourism. Conducted by SustainIt during the 2011 World Travel Market in London, the survey found that more than 7 out of 10 industry professionals -- including hoteliers, airlines, resorts and tourist attractions -- believed the industry could do more to reduce poverty and support sustainable local economic development in destination communities. It also found that only 18% of companies questioned had sustainable supply chains and procurement policies in place. The survey...
Agents can win with AMResorts
AMResorts says it's continuing to reward the travel agent community with a series of ongoing incentive-based promotions and featuring the return of "40 Days and 40 Nights to Win, Win, Win."AMResorts is offering the booking promotion through Feb. 29 with agents who book three nights (minimum) at any AMResorts property for travel through April 30, and register their bookings at AMRAgents.com automatically entered for three ways to win: daily drawing for $500 bonus commission; weekly drawing for a three-night stay in the brand featured that week for the agent, plus a guest; and a weekly drawing...
Trio of tourism conferences offer quite a buzz
At the beginning of March, hoteliers, tourism marketers, travel technology types and other industry professionals will head to Toronto for a trio of conferences that have been creating quite a buzz in the tourism business in the last couple of years. From March 5-6, the Hotel Association of Canada (HAC) will hold its annual conference which, in 2012, features Dr. David Suzuki and Joie de Vivre's founder, Chip Conley as the headline speakers. HAC's incoming chairman, Hank Stackhouse will not only give delegates the inside scoop on what's coming in the next 12 months for the association, he'll...
HAC names 2011 Hall of Fame recipients
The Hotel Association of Canada (HAC) has announced the 2011 Hall of Fame Awards of Excellence winners. The awards program was developed by the HAC to recognize those of its members (individuals, companies or properties) that have demonstrated significant accomplishments, exemplary leadership and tireless commitment to Canada's lodging industry. The winners of the Award of Excellence in each category include: !!! Humanitarian: Sawridge Inn & Conference Centre Slave Lake and Edmonton South; !!! Human Resources: The Westin Ottawa; !!! Energy & Environment: Hotel M - Holiday Inn Express & Suites...
One Wellness & Spa now at Solara Resort in Canmore
Bellstar Hotels & Resorts has just announced the opening of One Wellness & Spa at the Solara Resort & Spa in Canmore, AB. It makes the Bellstar flagship property a leading wellness destination resort in the Canadian Rockies. The "Pathways to Engagement"process is the spa's signature experience menu. Guests choose a pathway that best represents a current need -- sleep, release, clearing, transition or joy -- and then they are led through a process of needs assessment, massage, aromatherapy, etc. More traditional spa services are also offered by a talented staff, using the best possible...
New Grand Palladium debuts
The Riviera Nayarit's Palladium Vallarta Resort & Spa underwent a renovation late last year to transform the Puerto Vallarta hotel into a Grand Palladium Resort & Spa. Several areas of the hotel went through a significant transformation, starting with the lobby area, which now has a new décor with modern furniture. All rooms, including suites, were refurbished, and some restaurants have a completely new look in terms of decoration and furniture, such as the El Bosque Restaurant, which serves a buffet-style menu of international cuisine, and the Asian-themed "a la carte"Bamboo Restaurant....