HSMAI Appoints Board of Directors and Executive Committee for 2007; Jack Schmidt, Destination Hotels & Resorts, Named Chair / January 2007

January 30, 2007

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive HSMAI Appoints Board of Directors and Executive Committee for 2007 , Jack Schmidt, Destination Hotels & Resorts, Named Chair Prestigious Group of Seasoned Industry Execs Tapped for Wealth of Experience, Knowledge and Ideas    MCLEAN, VA (Jan. 2, 2006) – Taking a leadership role to drive the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) to even greater heights is its newly-announced Americas Board of Directors and Executive Committee for 2007.  The impressive board of seasoned sales and marketing executives in the travel and hospitality industry is char...

Joseph M. Reyes Named General Manager of the Westminster Hotel in Livingston, N.J. / January 2007

January 30, 2007

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive Joseph M. Reyes Named General Manager of the Westminster Hotel in Livingston, N.J.  LIVINGSTON, N.J., Jan. 5, 2007 – Joseph M. Reyes has been named general manager of the award-winning Westminster Hotel in Livingston, N.J. The appointment was announced by Kevin Swill, director of the Westminster Hospitality Group, an affiliate of the Kushner Companies real estate organization, which owns and manages the property.   Reyes, a resident of Manhattan, most recently served as general manager of the Shoreham, an upscale boutique hotel in New York City. He has been in the hospitali...

Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels Select Service Division Closes Radisson Fort Worth North Hotel / January 2007

January 30, 2007

Hotel Online Special Report Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels Select Service Division Closes Radisson Fort Worth North Hotel FORT WORTH, TEXAS – January 2, 2007 – Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels Select Service Division announced today that they advised Allegiance Hospitality Corporation in the disposition of the Radisson Fort Worth North Hotel in Fort Worth, Texas. The hotel was sold to Tog Enterprises, headed by Terry Tognazzini.  The Radisson Fort Worth North is comprised of one, six-story interior corridor building consisting of 247 guest rooms. The hotel was built in 1986 as a Holiday Inn, and in April 2006, was converted to a Radi...

Joseph C. Jimenez Named Foxwood's Senior Vice President of Casino Marketing / January 2007

January 30, 2007

Hotel Online  News for the Hospitality Executive By Scott Ritter, The Day, New London, Conn.McClatchy-Tribune Business News Jan. 5, 2007 -MASHANTUCKET -- Foxwoods Resort Casino has brought in a former Caesars Palace marketing executive as it maps out long-term plans for growth both on and off the reservation. Joseph C. Jimenez, a 28-year gaming and resort veteran, was named senior vice president of casino marketing, Foxwoods President John O'Brien said Thursday. Jimenez, 52, has held marketing and operations posts at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Caesars Atlantic City, the Atl...

Jeff Dallas Named SVP of Development for Wyndham Hotel Group / January 2007

January 30, 2007

Hotel Online  Special Report Jeff Dallas Named SVP of Development for Wyndham Hotel Group   PARSIPPANY, N.J. (Jan. 4, 2007) –Wyndham Hotel Group today announced the appointment of Jeff Dallas as senior vice president of development.  Dallas, who reports to Steven A. Rudnitsky, Wyndham Hotel Group president and chief executive officer, will be responsible for expanding relationships with multiunit, full-service asset owners including real estate investment trusts, developers and financial institutions with hospitality portfolios.  Dallas has more than 20 years of hospitality and real estate experience.  Previously, he...

Tour Operators to Gain Insights on Boosting Profitability at Upcoming JDA – TUI Webinar; JDA partners with TUI in January 18 event to help opera

January 30, 2007

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive Tour Operators to Gain Insights on Boosting Profitability at Upcoming JDA - TUI Webinar - JDA partners with TUI in January 18 event to help operators maximize revenue Scottsdale, Ariz. – January 16, 2007 – JDA® Software Group, Inc. announced today it will partner with European leisure travel group TUI UK to host an educational webinar for tour operators and other travel industry professionals to demonstrate the opportunity offered by Pricing and Revenue Management in the market for inclusive tours.  The one-hour webinar, titled, “The Revenue Management Roadmap for Tour ...

Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group Captures Sales Opportunities, Drives Improved Forecasting with JDA / January 2007

January 30, 2007

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group Captures Sales Opportunities, Drives Improved Forecasting with JDA January 9, 2007 - Tulsa-based Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group (NYSE: DTG), with revenues of $1.5 billion, is a giant in the car rental industry.  Managing more than 114,000 cars from more than 250 Dollar Rent A Car and 340 Thrifty Car Rental locations in the United States – both corporate and franchised stores – the company has more than 1,600 locations worldwide.  In its first year utilizing JDA’s Rental Car Revenue Management System (RCRMS), the company improved its bottom ...

Jenny Cast Named General Manager and Amy Magdon Named Director of Sales at the Homewood Suites by Hilton in the Village of Lansing, New York / January

January 30, 2007

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive Jenny Cast Named General Manager and Amy Magdon Named Director of Sales at the Homewood Suites by Hilton in the Village of Lansing, New York Latham, NY – January 10, 2007 --- A new management team has been introduced at the new Homewood Suites by Hilton in the Village of Lansing, New York. General Manager Jenny Cast and Director of Sales Amy Magdon will oversee all the operational, sales, and marketing aspects of the hotel, which is currently under construction and slated for a summer 2007 opening. Waterford Hotel Group, Inc., with headquarters in Waterford, CT, will professi...

The International Society of Hospitality Consultants Honors James Burba with the 2007 Pioneer Award / January 2007

January 30, 2007

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive The International Society of Hospitality Consultants Honors James Burba with the 2007 Pioneer Award  January 31, 2007 - Each Year the International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) recognizes an industry leader for their outstanding contribution, vision, achievement and/or improvement to the hospitality industry. ISHC Pioneer Award winners are selected based on three primary criteria: active involvement in the industry, contribution to the industry and personal/organizational attributes and qualities. The 2007 ISHC Pioneer Award was presented to James E. Burba, founder...

First Three Year Review of Istria's Tourism Plan… Plenty of Opportunities for Hoteliers / January 2007

January 30, 2007

Hotel Online  Special Report First Three Year Review of Istria's Tourism Plan...  Plenty of Opportunities for Hoteliers by Barry Napier, January 2007 In previous articles we looked at the Master Plan used by Istria to develop its tourist base, and the opportunities this afforded to serious investors. Though a small part of Croatia, Istria is still the most advanced in its tourist provision. The Master Plan’s duration is 2004 to 2012. The man responsible for the implementation of the Plan is Denis Ivoševic, Head of Tourism, and his vision for Istria remains enthusiastic and promising. He is offering opportunities for hote...

Hilton Head Island Hotel Gets Third Name In Less than a Year / January 2007

January 30, 2007

Hotel Online  News for the Hospitality Executive By Jim Faber, The Island Packet, Hilton Head Island, S.C.McClatchy-Tribune Business News Jan. 12, 2007 - A hotel on Hilton Head Island has a new name -- its third in less than a year -- and a $1 million facelift. In the last year, the hotel has gone from the "Hilton Head Plaza Hotel and Suites" to the "Hilton Head Grand" before the new owners put out the name "Hilton Head Metropolitan Hotel." The hotel on South Forest Beach Drive on the southern end of Hilton Head also has received nearly $1 million worth of renovations in the ...

Ishin Hotels Group Appoints Susumu Owan as Managing Director for Okinawa Region / January 2007

January 30, 2007

Hotel Online  Special Report Ishin Hotels Group Appoints Susumu Owan as Managing Director for Okinawa Region January 25, 2007 - Mr. Susumu Owan’s appointment as Managing Director - Okinawa will further enhance the growth of Okinawa’s long-term tourism market by strengthening the local sales structure as well as increasing operational efficiencies.  A major aspect of Mr. Owan’s new role will be to successfully leverage a regional business framework that totals 1,092 rooms including those of three hotels directly operated by Ishin Hotels Group.  Profile - Susumu Owan, Managing Director for Okinawa area  March ...

International Hotel Investments: Hotel Developers Should Keep their Eyes Wide Open; The Plays to Make Successful International Hotel Investments / Jim

January 30, 2007

Hotel Online  Special Report  International Hotel Investments: Hotel Developers Should Keep their Eyes Wide Open . The Plays to Make Successful International Hotel Investments   By Jim Butler, Hotel Lawyer | Author of www.HotelLawBlog.com / January 2007 In a number of recent postings on www.HotelLawBlog.com, I have focused on the attractiveness of international hotel investments and some of the big names pouring investment overseas. Some of the hot markets include Mexico, Costa Rica, the Caribbean, Spain, Italy, London, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, China and India. In Why we’re building hotels in India like crazy, I focused...

Interstate Hotels & Resorts and The John Buck Company Form Joint Venture to Build Five to 10 aloft Hotels; First Two Sites Under Contract in Rancho Cu

January 30, 2007

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive Interstate Hotels & Resorts and The John Buck Company Form Joint Venture to Build Five to 10 aloft Hotels . First Two Sites Under Contract in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., and Nashville Suburb ARLINGTON, Va./CHICAGO, Ill., January 16, 2007 — Interstate Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: IHR), one of the nation’s largest independent hotel management companies, today announced that it has formed a joint venture with The John Buck Company (TJBC) to build as many as five to 10 aloft hotels over the next several years.  Carrying the DNA of W Hotels, aloft is the new, premium, select-service ...

Luxury Hotels on Italy's Lake Como Provide Intensive 3 Month Internships for Niagara University College of Hospitality and Tourism Management S

January 30, 2007

Hotel Online  News for the Hospitality Executive By Paul Westmoore, The Buffalo News, N.Y.McClatchy-Tribune Business News Jan. 7, 2006 - LEWISTON -- While their classmates relaxed or worked seasonal jobs on summer vacation last year, Niagara University students Matthew J. Morinello and Elena C. Oxford were in Italy getting a leg up on their future careers. The two seniors -- who hope to land permanent jobs one day in the hospitality industry -- were among 10 Niagara students who did three-month working internships at luxury hotels along Lake Como. They learned various ...

Beware of Internet Predators; Invoice Look-alikes are Deceptive / Neil Salerno / January 2007

January 30, 2007

Hotel Online  Special Report Beware of Internet Predators; Invoice Look-alikes are Deceptive By Neil Salerno, January 2007 Anyone, who has been around our industry for a while, has experienced the scams and deceptions created by opportunists preying on hoteliers. Many years ago, they took the form of “invoices” for such things as directory listings, copier supplies, light bulbs, and many others.  I hate to think about the many hoteliers who were burned by not paying enough attention to the subtle message enclosed within the invoice look-alike; “This is not a bill. This is a solicitation. You are under no obligation to p...

Opus Hospitality Advisors Turn to Intercrew Systems for Revenue Management / January 2007

January 30, 2007

Hotel Online  Special Report Opus Hospitality Advisors Turn to Intercrew  Systems for Revenue Management , JANUARY 17, 2007 — Intercrew Systems (ICS) is pleased to announce that Opus Hospitality Advisors joins a growing list of clients that use its revenue management solution.  A key objective to Opus was establishing and maintaining a high level of forecast accuracy. Since accurate, day-by-day, segmented forecasting is central to the ICS revenue management solution, the Opus/ICS relationship is a perfect fit.  ICS offers hotel room revenue forecasting tools that achieve extremely a...

Marriott Residence Inn of West Orange, NJ Locks in Cost of a Portion of Electric Needs for Next Thirty Years, Helps Combat Global Warming by Installin

January 30, 2007

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive Marriott Residence Inn of West Orange, NJ Locks in Cost of a Portion of Electric Needs for Next Thirty Years, Helps Combat Global Warming by Installing a Solar Electric System West Orange, NJ – January 11, 2007 – The Inn at the Manor, a 128 suite Marriott Residence Inn, completes the installation of a solar electric generating system. The solar arrays are installed on southeast and southwest facing roofs, and include 700 Sharp and Sanyo photovoltaic modules. The Solar Center, a Denville New Jersey based solar energy company, was selected to design and install the 108 kW syst...

InnLink Clients Experience Record-Setting Increases in 2006/January 2007

January 30, 2007

Hotel Online  Special Report InnLink Clients Experience Record-Setting Increases in 2006  Hendersonville, Tenn. - January 8, 2007 - InnLink, LLC, a leading provider of central reservation services and technology is pleased to announce record-setting revenue increases to their clients in 2006. Representing over 1000 hotels, resorts, inns, condominiums and extended-stay properties worldwide, InnLink has assisted these properties in achieving dramatic increases in both reservations and revenue over the past year by providing a wide variety of electronic reservation ...

InnLink Clients Experience Record-Setting Increases in 2006 / January 2007

January 30, 2007

Hotel Online  Special Report InnLink Clients Experience Record-Setting Increases in 2006  Hendersonville, TN - January 9, 2007 - InnLink, LLC, a leading provider of central reservation services and technology is pleased to announce record-setting revenue increases to their clients in 2006. Representing over 1000 hotels, resorts, inns, condominiums and extended-stay properties worldwide, InnLink has assisted these properties in achieving dramatic increases in both reservations and revenue over the past year by providing a wide variety of electronic reservation representation. Customers using iLINK, InnLink’s branded book...

Tourist Arrivals in India Rise 14% in 2006; The US and UK Remain India's Largest Inward Markets / January 2007

January 30, 2007

Hotel Online  News for the Hospitality Executive The Economic Times, IndiaMcClatchy-Tribune Business News Jan. 10, 2007 - NEW DELHI -- Tourist arrivals to India crossed 4.47 million in the calendar year 2006, a growth of 14.3 percent over January-December '05. December '06 had the highest ever number of tourist arrivals to India in the past three years, 5.47 lakh, up 18 percent over December '05, and is nearly twice the numbers that arrived in India in December '02. These arrivals show up in the forex earnings in 2006, which were Rs 29,000 crore for January-December '06 , up ...

January 30, 2007

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive Why We’re Building Hotels in India Like Crazy!  By Jim Butler, Hotel Lawyer | Author of www.HotelLawBlog.com  26 December 2006 - In a number of articles on www.HotelLawBlog.com, I have talked about the exploding international hotel markets, including Mexico, Costa Rica, the Caribbean, Spain, Italy, London Saudi Arabia, Dubai and China — but particularly INDIA. Why are we building hotels in India? Why are all of the brands and operators trying to stake out territory in India? It’s not hard to figure out. On December 23, 2006, the Los Angeles Times ran an article by Henry Chu...

State of Illinois May Seize and then Auction the Collinsville Holiday Inn and Springfield's President Abraham Lincoln Hotel; Hotels Were Financ

January 30, 2007

Hotel Online  News for the Hospitality Executive By Scott Wuerz, Belleville News-Democrat, Ill.McClatchy-Tribune Business News Jan. 19, 2007 - --No matter who is elected the next state treasurer, it's foreclosure for the Collinsville Holiday Inn and Springfield's President Abraham Lincoln Hotel. Both Republican Christine Radogno and Democrat Alexi Giannoulias said that if elected state treasurer, they would seize the hotels financed by taxpayers 24 years ago through former Gov. Jim Thompson's Build Illinois program. "We need to get in there and acquire title to the properties ...

Lee Iacocca's Group, Full House Resorts, Gets Appoval to Purchase Stockman's Casino and Holiday Inn Express in Fallon, Nevada for $25.5 mi

January 30, 2007

Hotel Online  News for the Hospitality Executive By Howard Stutz, Las Vegas Review-JournalMcClatchy-Tribune Business News Jan. 26, 2007 - In time, Northern Nevada residents could see the face of auto industry icon Lee Iacocca on billboards telling them if they can find a better casino than Stockman's in Fallon, they should buy it. Full House Resorts, a small casino company in which Iacocca is one of the primary investors, was approved by the Nevada Gaming Commission to purchase Stockman's Casino and Holiday Inn Express for $25.5 million. Company officials said they expect the...