InfoGenesis Acquired by Warburg Pincus / January 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report InfoGenesis Acquired by Warburg Pincus . Santa Barbara, CA, January 4, 2005 – InfoGenesis, a leading provider of information technology for hospitality and foodservice, announced today that Warburg Pincus has acquired the company. The transaction closed on December 29, 2004. “The entire team at InfoGenesis is pleased to have one of the largest private equity firms join forces with us in our mission,” said Karl Willig, former CEO and founder of the company nineteen years ago. “Warburg Pincus has great respect for what we have accomplished throughout the years, and for the principles upon wh...

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Changing Your Rate Strategy to Improve Your ADR - Today’s "Guaranteed Lowest Rate" on the Internet Now Viewed as the Hotel’s Published Rack Rate By: Neil Salerno, CHME, CHA – January 2005 From the time when I was still a young hotel sales pup, the only rates published to the consumer were our highest rack rates; and sometimes other specially created rates for specific hot dates or specific market segments. Times were good.  We were able to leverage special rates against our rack rates to show consumers the real value of the discount presented to them. “Our rack rate is $125, but ...

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report  Institute For Conflict Management, LLC Adds ISHC Members to Dispute Resolution Panel of Hospitality Industry Mediators, Arbitrators, And Issue Review Board™ Panelists Jan 24, 2005 -  SANTA MONICA, CA ---The Institute for Conflict Management, LLC (ICM) is pleased to announce the expansion of its Hospitality dispute resolution panel to include top members of the International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC).   ICM is pleased to welcome ISHC members: Peter Keim, Drew Dimond, Maurice Robinson, Robert Patterson, Bruce Goodwin, and Wayne Williams to its hospitality panel roster. I...

The 511 room Hyatt Regency Denver Changes Name to Grand Hyatt Denver / January 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  News for the Hospitality Executive By Christine Tatum, The Denver Post Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News Jan. 11, 2005 - The Hyatt Regency Denver on Monday changed its name to the Grand Hyatt Denver and announced that it has taken over operations of a neighboring private dining club, the Pinnacle Club. The name change reflects three years of renovations valued at $16.5 million. They're designed to help the 511-room hotel at 1750 Welton St. compete more aggressively for business travelers and to differentiate from the larger 1,100-room Hyatt Regency under construction across f...

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Hotelier’s 2005 Top Ten  Internet Strategy Resolutions By Max Starkov and Jason Price, January 2005 In 2005 25% of all revenues in hospitality will be generated from the Internet (20% in 2004, 15% in 2003). Another 25% of all hotel bookings will be influenced by the Internet, but done offline (call center, walk-ins, group bookings, etc). By the end of 2006, the Internet will contribute over 27% of all hotel bookings (PhoCusWright, CSFB). In 2004, for the first time Internet hotel bookings surpassed GDS hotel bookings. Are hoteliers ready for this dramatic channel shift? Who owns the c...

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report     A Primer’s Guide to Understanding and Maximizing Your Hotel Web Site by Brenda Fields and Michael Parkes, January 2005 Regardless of the size of the marketing budget, the web site has evolved into the most important component of the marketing plan. Properly developed, executed, and maintained, the web site will, at a minimum cost, effectively reach local, domestic, and international markets. The web will create a level playing field, allowing the small independent property to compete successfully against the large chains and third party providers.  In understanding and getting the m...

Europe, Asia and the Middle East – Post Double-digit Growth in Revenue per Available Room During 2004 / January 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Discount Hotels London, Sydney, Rome, AmsterdamParis, Melbourne, Lisbon, Barcelona, Berlin, Hong Kong, New York, Auckland Discount Hotels London, Sydney, Rome, AmsterdamParis, Melbourne, Lisbon, Barcelona, Berlin, Hong Kong, New York, Auckland Europe, Asia and the Middle East - Post Double-digit Growth in Revenue per Available Room During 2004 January 24, 2005 - Latest figures show that all regions across the world - Europe, Asia and the Middle East - managed to post double-digit growth in revenue per available room (revPAR) during 2004. The Middle East s...

2005 Hotel Investment Conference Announces Keynote Speakers

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report 2005 Hotel Investment Conference Announces Keynote Speakers Gary Tharaldson to Give Owners/Developers Outlook; Henry Vickers to Speak on Hotel Investing  ATLANTA, Ga., Jan.4, 2005 -- Officials of the Hotel Investment Conference today announced that hospitality industry leaders Gary Tharaldson and Henry Vickers will be keynote speakers at the 2005 HotelInvestment Conference, to be held March 13-15, 2005, at the Crowne Plaza Ravinia in Atlanta, Ga. The Hotel Investment Conference is one of the industry's four major annual nationw...

Bethlehem, Pa., Hotel to End 5-year Run With Radisson Chain / January 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  News for the Hospitality Executive The Morning Call, Allentown, Pa. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News Jan. 14, 2005 --The Hotel Bethlehem will end its five-year affiliation with the Radisson chain on April 1, doing business instead as an independent hotel. The business' managing partner said the 83-year-old Main Street building will be marketed as a historic hotel. However, the owner of one local travel company wondered how well the hotel will fare without a national hotel company and its reservations system. Bruce Haines, managing partner of the 11-member C...

Next Generation Holiday Inn to Debut in Southeast New Jersey

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report  Next Generation Holiday Inn to Debut in Southeast New Jersey -- Ninth Holiday Inn Prototype Celebrates Heritage and Innovation with Classic Holiday Inn Images, Updated “Great Sign” and Enhanced Guestrooms -- ATLANTA (Jan. 7, 2005) – InterContinental Hotels Group announced today that the 116-room, 21st-century model hotel in Manahawkin, N.J., recently broke ground.   Developed to be more efficient and less expensive to build and maintain, this 93,000 sq.-ft. prototype will bring the heritage of Holiday Inn to life th...

Historic Hotels of America Announces 2005 Board of Advisors / January 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Historic Hotels of America Announces 2005 Board of Advisors-- Sharon Rowe From The Greenbrier Selected Chair -- WASHINGTON, D.C., January 27, 2005 -- National Trust Historic Hotels of America, a collection of 213 historically significant hotels, announced its 2005 board of advisors.  Sharon Rowe, vice president of communications for The Greenbrier Resort and Club Management Company and director of communications for The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, W.V., was named chair of the advisory board. The Greenbrier is a charter member of Historic Hotels of Amer...

Hilton Phuket Arcadia Looking to the Meetings and Conference Business Sector to Return / January 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Hilton Phuket Arcadia Looking to the Meetings and Conference Business Sector to Return January 25, 2005 - Following the positive lifting of government travel advisories to Phuket, and the need for the return of the ‘tourist dollar’ in order to support and sustain the already fragile livelihoods of local communities, Hilton Phuket Arcadia is looking to the meetings and conference business sector to return. Getting tourists back is even more important for the community than it is for hotels. A recent analysis by Deloitte showed that for every $1 spent at a hotel, almost $1.50 is s...

Hilton Group Pledges Commitment and On-Going Support Following Disaster in Asia

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Hilton Group Pledges Commitment and On-Going Support Following Disaster in Asia 5 January 2005 - Hilton Group has pledged its ongoing support to the people and communities affected by the Tsunami disaster, committing an initial donation of £100,000 from The Hilton in the Community Foundation, and a further £100,000 from its betting and gaming division Ladbrokes towards aid relief. Hilton International operates five properties in locations that were affected by the earthquake and subsequent tidal wave, b...

3,500 Union Workers at 14 of the Largest Hotels in Washington DC Overwhelmingly Approve New 3 Year Contract / January 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality ExecutiveBy William Glanz, The Washington TimesKnight Ridder/Tribune Business News Jan. 19, 2005 - In the midst of a ratification vote yesterday, Hiruye Berhanemeskel put his arms around the chief negotiator for the hotel workers' union and gave him a bear hug. Mr. Berhanemeskel, a banquet server and Ethiopian native who has worked at the Capital Hilton for 10 years, wasn't the only person to seek out John Boardman, the union official who helped iron out a popular contract for 3,500 people who work at 14 of the largest hotels in the District. "I've been getting that a lot the past four days," said...

Las Vegas Gaming Companies Say $9.4 Billion Merger Gets Closer to Completion / January 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  News for the Hospitality Executive By Howard Stutz, Las Vegas Review-Journal Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News Jan. 21, 2005 -- Harrah's Entertainment and Caesars Entertainment announced jointly Wednesday that the companies had substantially complied with a request from the Federal Trade Commission for additional information surrounding their proposed $9.4 billion merger agreement. A spokesman for the federal agency said that if the companies have certified all the additional information requested covering various antitrust concerns, government regulators would have 30 days...

Historic Hotel Investment & Management Opportunity

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Historic Hotel Investment & Management Opportunity Bear Mountain, NY (January 7, 2005) -- The Palisades Interstate Parks Commission has announced that it is currently searching for a top tier hotel/resort development and management company for the restoration and long term management of the Bear Mountain Inn Complex that is located 42 miles north of New York City. > The massive stone and timber Bear Mountain Inn is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was originally constructed by Par...

IRS Claims $396 million in Tax Free Bonds Used to Finance the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Projects in Hollywood and Tampa Skirts Laws / January 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality ExecutiveBy John Holland, South Florida Sun-SentinelKnight Ridder/Tribune Business News Jan. 15, 2005 - Seminole leaders are confident the bonds used to build their new hotels and casinos are not taxable, but said others involved in the deal would have to pay any fines resulting from a recent ruling by the Internal Revenue Service. Last month's preliminary IRS ruling that $396 million in municipal bonds should have been issued as taxable does not worry Seminole Tribal Councilor Max Osceola. "We've been assured by our lawyers that everything was done right," Osceola said. "You've got to remember a...

Historic Hotel Investment & Management Opportunity

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Historic Hotel Investment & Management Opportunity Bear Mountain, NY (Jan. 7, 2005) -- The Palisades Interstate Parks Commission has announced that it is currently searching for a top tier hotel/resort development and management company for the restoration and long term management of the Bear Mountain Inn Complex that is located 42 miles north of New York City.  The massive stone and timber Bear Mountain Inn is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was originally constructed by Park em...

BayStar Hotel Group Breaks Ground on New Prototype Hampton Inn in Tampa; Guest Rooms Measure 14 x 24 feet, tGuest Hallways Widen to six-feet, Walk-in

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report BayStar Hotel Group Breaks Ground on New Prototype Hampton Inn in Tampa - Guest Rooms Measure 14 x 24 feet,  Guest Hallways Widen to Six-feet,  Walk-in Showers MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Jan. 27, 2005 -- Hampton, the national brand of mid-priced Hampton Inn(R) and Hampton Inn & Suites(R) hotels, announced today it has broken ground on its newest hotel prototype, a 75-room Hampton Inn & Suites located in Tampa, Fla. The new prototype was designed to showcase the brand's "Make it Hampton" initiative that significantly raises the standards of the upper-mid-market, focused-service hotel segment, co...

The 25 Most Extraordinary Sales and Marketing Minds in Hospitality and Travel Named by HSMAI / January 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report The 25 Most Extraordinary Sales and Marketing Minds in Hospitality and Travel Named by HSMAI  MCLEAN, VA (Jan. 19, 2005) – Who are the most extraordinary sales and marketing minds in hospitality and travel today?  To answer that question, the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) polled senior executives throughout the marketplace to identify the “Hot List for 2004.”  “For the second year, we are proud and pleased to honor those who stand out in the industry for their creativity, intelligence, and passion for their work,” states Robert A. Gilbert,...

Hilton Hotels Corp. 4th Quarter Income Slips to $65 million from $67 million a Year Ago; For Full-year 2004, Hilton's Net Income of $238 million

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Discount Hotels London, Sydney, Rome, AmsterdamParis, Melbourne, Lisbon, Barcelona, Berlin, Hong Kong, New York, Auckland Discount Hotels London, Sydney, Rome, AmsterdamParis, Melbourne, Lisbon, Barcelona, Berlin, Hong Kong, New York, Auckland Hilton Hotels Corp. 4th Quarter Income Slips to $65 million from $67 million a Year Ago;  For Full-year 2004, Hilton's Net Income of $238 million Jumps 45% Over $164 million in 2003 Hotel Operating Statistics BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. - Jan. 31, 2005 -- Hilton Hotels Corporation (NYSE:HLT) today reported financial res...

Hong Kong PolyU signs pact with Shanghai Municipal Tourism Administrative Commission / January 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Hong Kong PolyU signs pact with Shanghai Municipal Tourism Administrative Commission The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU)’s School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) and the Education and Training Department of the Shanghai Municipal Tourism Administrative Commission (SMTAC) have formed strategic alliance to foster co-operation in professional tourism training, education and research. At a special ceremony held on the University campus yesterday (22 December), the agreement was signed by Madame Wang Hong-ping, Director of Education and Training Department of SMTAC, and Prof. ...

Hotel Information Systems Awarded GSA Contract for Purchase of Hospitality Products and Services / January 2005

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online  Special Report Hotel Information Systems Awarded GSA Contract for Purchase of Hospitality Products and Services Lake Forest, CA (January 24, 2005)... Hotel Information Systems, a division of MAI Systems Corporation (OTCBB: MAIY.OB) announces that MAI Systems Corporation has been awarded a General Services Administration (GSA) GSA Schedule 70 Contract. This contract enables United States federal government customers to easily acquire Hotel Information Systems technology products and services.  The products and services provided in the contract include Lodging Management Software with specific functionality ...

Affiliate of Saunders Hotel Group Acquires the Holiday Inn Hotel in New London, Connecticut, Waterford Hotel Group Continues Management / January 20

January 30, 2005

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality ExecutiveBy Anthony Cronin, The Day, New London, Conn.Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News Jan. 29, 2005 - A Boston-based real estate investment firm that operates several prominent hotels in the Boston area said Friday that it has acquired the Holiday Inn hotel and Outback Steakhouse in New London. Old Bayside Partners LLC bought the 136-room hotel from Bayonet Street LLC, which is affiliated with the Waterford Hotel Group. The hotel and steakhouse sit on a 10-acre parcel close to Interstate 95 and the New London Mall. Financial terms of the deal weren't disclosed. Jeffrey Saunders, a principal w...