January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report  Tarsadia Hotels Opens the Givenchy Resort and Spa in Palm Springs, California; Formerly Merv Griffin’s Resort Hotel January 27, 2003 - Home to Hollywood stars, corporate executives and travelers looking for a restorative retreat, the former Merv Griffin Resort Hotel has re-opened as the Givenchy Resort & Spa, under new ownership and the management of Tarsadia Hotels of Costa Mesa. "We believe it is the premier resort in Palm Springs, and one known worldwide, not just because of its past associations with star owners such as Gene Autry and Merv Griffin, but because of its unique design and ...

Chandler Properties Appoints The Generation Companies as Operator of the Suburban Extended-Stay Hotel, Destin, Florida / Jan 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report Chandler Properties Appoints The Generation Companies as Operator of the Suburban Extended-Stay Hotel,  Destin, Florida  January 22, 2003 - The Generation Companies (Generation), a developer and operator of extended stay hotels in North Carolina, Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee and Florida, recently won the management contract for the Suburban Extended-Stay Hotel (Suburban) of Destin, Florida.  “I’d heard a lot of good things about Generation,” says Butch Chandler, owner of Chandler Properties, which includes the one-year-old hotel.  “When you go to an owners meeting, Mark Daley (Generati...

Gaming Bonds Are So Far Beating Casino Stocks in 2003 / January 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive Gaming Bonds Are So Far Beating Casino Stocks in 2003 By Rod Smith, Las Vegas Review-Journal Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News  Jan. 24, 2003 - Gaming industry bonds are outperforming casino stocks so far this year, bouncing back from a sharp downturn toward the end of 2002, a gaming analyst said.  Investments in gaming industry bonds on the average outperformed stock, returning 0.68 percent in the first three weeks of 2003, compared with gaming stocks in the Dow Jones casino index, which tumbled more than 3 percent in value. Standard and Poor's 500 index was down more ...

Arthur J. Gallagher Named President of the Johnson & Wales University Charlotte Campus / Jan 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report Arthur J. Gallagher Named President of the Johnson & Wales University Charlotte Campus Charlotte, N.C., Jan. 7, 2003 . . .  Johnson & Wales University announced it has promoted Arthur J. Gallagher to the position of president of the Charlotte Campus. Gallagher, the University's vice president of student affairs, will assume his new responsibilities in Charlotte immediately, while transitioning out of his current role over the next few months.  He is expected to name key members of the Charlotte campus leadership team in the weeks ahead. Gallagher joined Johnson & Wales Universit...

New York Wins Out Over Tampa and New Orleans for 2004 National GOP Convention; Hotels Guarantee 22,000 Rooms at $156 a Night / Jan 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive New York Wins Out Over Tampa and New Orleans for 2004 National GOP Convention; Hotels Guarantee 22,000 Rooms at $156 a Night By David Saltonstall, Daily News, New York Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News  Jan. 7--Mark your chads and your calendars -- the Republican National Convention is coming to town.  The national GOP will stage its first-ever presidential convention in Madison Square Garden in August 2004, marking a daring incursion by Republicans into a city where Democrats still outnumber them 5 to 1.  The city's winning bid was announced yesterday by Mayor Bloomber...

Gary Loveman Successfully Makes Leap from Business School Professor to CEO of Harrah's Entertainment / Jan 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive  Gary Loveman Successfully Makes Leap from Business School Professor to CEO of Harrah's Entertainment By D.C. Denison, The Boston Globe Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News  Jan. 5, 2002 - LAS VEGAS--The evening is just getting started at the Rio Hotel & Casino. The circular drive that leads to the entrance is like a carousel, delivering a steady stream of customers from under a neon sky into the carnival-colored lobby. The body language and facial expressions of the early arrivals range from giddy anticipation (party!) to steely determination (I will beat the house tonight...

Geordie Clark Named Managing Director, Australasia and Yann Goh to Executive Vice President Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels – Sydney / Jan 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report Geordie Clark Named Managing Director, Australasia and Yann Goh to Executive Vice President Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels - Sydney Sydney, January 20, 2003 — Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels has reinforced its position as Australasia’s market leader in hotel investment services, announcing the promotion of Geordie Clark to Managing Director, Australasia and Yann Goh to Executive Vice President, as well as the appointment of Gus Moors to the Corporate Advisory team.  All are based in the firm’s Sydney office.  CEO of Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels Asia Pacific Mr David Gibson said “Together,...

Fiesta Bowl Major Impact for Phoenix Area Hotels, Restaurants / Jan 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive Fiesta Bowl Major Impact for Phoenix Area Hotels, Restaurants By Donna Hogan, The Tribune, Mesa, Ariz. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News  Jan. 8--When the final tally is in, last Friday's national collegiate football championship game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Miami Hurricanes likely will be dubbed the best Fiesta Bowl ever for East Valley businesses.  "The Fiesta Bowl always draws a lot of people to town, but with the numbers and the quality of the people (this year), it surpassed all our expectations," said Stephanie Nowack, executive director of the ...

FelCor Warns It Will Miss Forecasts for 2002; Cites Slower-than-expected Business in November and December / January 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  News for the Hospitality Executive  FelCor Warns It Will Miss Forecasts for 2002; Cites Slower-than-expected Business in November and December By Suzanne Marta, The Dallas Morning News  Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News  January 15, 2003 -  Irving-based FelCor Lodging Trust Inc. said Tuesday that is expects to miss Wall Street's expectations by as much as 11 cents for 2002 because of slower-than-expected business in November and December.  The hotel company's earnings warning was released after the market closed Tuesday.  FelCor shares closed at $11.85, up 30 cents.  FelCor – a real estate i...

Internet Hotel Booking Engine Giant Launches Americas Push / January 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report   Internet Hotel Booking Engine Giant Launches Americas Push; FastBooking Opens USA Office for Sales and Support January 22, 2003 - FastBooking announced today the opening of its USA Sales and Service Center based in New York to sell and support hotels on its popular booking engine software. Over 1500 hotels worldwide now utilize the web based application which facilitates booking in a choice of 20 languages. FastBooking is a booking tool that sits on the hotel’s web site. It is completely managed on-line by the hotel permitting instant updates to inventory and client rates. Further the sy...

Creative Leisure International Adds Investors Frank M. Samson and Tony McKinnon; New President/CEO / Jan 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report Creative Leisure International Adds Investors Frank M. Samson and Tony McKinnon; New President/CEO Sonoma County, CA (January 6, 2003) - Creative Leisure International, a pioneer in customized vacations at privately-owned villas and resorts around the world, announced today that a group of travel industry executives is making a significant investment in the privately-held company. Frank M. Samson, CTC, a senior executive at Uniglobe Travel International, and founder of InHouse Travel Group, LLC, and Tony McKinnon, president of Amadeus North America, LLC, are the lead investors of the gr...

Frederik Houben Named Director of Marketing at the Radisson Hotel Sacramento / Jan 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report  Frederik Houben Named Director of Marketing at the Radisson Hotel Sacramento January 28, 2003 - The Dow Hotel Company announces today that Frederik G. Houben has been appointed by Murray Dow, President of The Dow Hotel Company, to the position of Director of Marketing at The Radisson Hotel in Sacramento, California. He was transferred from his previous position with the company as the Director of Sales and Marketing at the company’s O’Hare Airport Embassy Suites Hotel in the Chicago area. “We are very pleased to welcome Frederik G. Houben to The Radisson Sacramento”, said Murray Dow. ...

Fairmont Posts Fourth Quarter Net Income of $11 million; Aided by Balanced Customer Mix and Geographical Diversity / Jan 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report   Fairmont Posts Fourth Quarter Net Income of $11 million; Aided by Balanced Customer Mix and Geographical Diversity . Acquires Remaining 50% Interest in The Fairmont Copley Plaza Boston from Prince Alwaleed  Hotel Operating Statistics 2002 EBITDA Improved 22% to $198 Million  Secures Second Management Contract in United Arab Emirates  2003 EBITDA Guidance of $215 - $225 Million TORONTO, Jan. 30 /CNW/ - Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Inc. ("FHR" or the "Company") (TSX/NYSE: FHR) today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2002. All ...

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online Special Report   Hastings Hotels Group Implement EzRMS™ Throughout Property Portfolio, As Does The 5 Star Royal Garden Hotel January 29, 2003 - Hastings Hotels Group, Northern Ireland’s premier hotel chain, recently announced their decision to implement the EzRMS™ Core Module, Ez-REGION™ Regional Management and Ez-QUOTE™ Deal Quotation Modules throughout their six-strong property portfolio –becoming the first clients of EasyRMS in the Northern Irish territory. Mr Howard Hastings, Managing Director of the group, based his decision on several key factors – including the unique ASP approach of EasyRMS and...

The Future of Event Entertainment & Production / By Mark Sonder, CSEP / Jan 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report  The Future of Event Entertainment & Production By Mark Sonder, CSEP, January 2003 Study any human culture, past or present; entertainment is noted as a central force in most.  Our society today is no different; in fact, the extremes we will employ to amuse ourselves seem boundless.  Consider the popularity of extreme sports such as skateboarding, high production rock concerts with heart-stopping pyrotechnics or the kaleidoscope of gravity defying displays at Vegas-style shows like "O."  Event patrons are no different; they expect top-shelf thrills for their dollars.  Following is an over...

Elliot Leadership Institute to Open at Johnson & Wales University; Funded by Pepsi-Cola, New Institute Will Focus on Development of Executive Leaders

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report Elliot Leadership Institute to Open at Johnson & Wales University;  Funded by Pepsi-Cola, New Institute Will Focus on Development of Executive Leadership in Foodservice and Hospitality Industries PROVIDENCE, R.I. - January 13, 2003 - Johnson & Wales University today announced the founding of The Elliot Leadership Institute at Johnson & Wales University in partnership with Pepsi-Cola North America and Nation's Restaurant News.  The not-for-profit organization will be dedicated to leadership development and advancement in the foodservice and hospitality industries.  Named for industry leader...

Anwar Elgonemy Appointed by Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels to Northern California Post / Jan 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report Anwar Elgonemy Appointed by Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels to Northern California Post SAN FRANCISCO, January 3, 2003 - As of January 2003, Anwar Elgonemy of Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels will relocate from the firm's Miami office to San Francisco, making him the first Hotels executive to be dedicated to Northern California.  Anwar will join Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels' West Coast operation, which is headed by Arthur Buser, Managing Director, out of Los Angeles. Anwar Elgonemy "The San Francisco market will recover and provide hotel transaction opportunities," said Arthur Adler, Ma...

Eden Roc Miami Beach, A Renaissance Resort And Spa, Completes $17 million Renovation / Jan 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report Eden Roc Miami Beach, A Renaissance Resort And Spa, Completes $17 million Renovation MIAMI BEACH, FL -- (January 21, 2003) -- Eden Roc Miami Beach, A Renaissance Resort And Spa, announces completion of its $17 million renovation program that included a re-design of the resort's meeting space, fine dining and casual dining restaurants, and pool areas. The new beachside restaurant, Aquatica, will also open in late January with stunning new design, contemporary cuisine and fantastic ocean views.   Meeting planners will appreciate the changes in Eden Roc's meeting space, which include new soft go...

eMarketing Honors, to be Awarded byTravelCLICK at the HSMAI Travel Industry Awards Dinner / Jan 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report eMarketing Honors, to be Awarded byTravelCLICK at the HSMAI Travel Industry Awards Dinner MCLEAN, VA (Jan. 8, 2003) – Excellence in hotel industry eMarketing will be recognized at the HSMAI Travel Awards Night as TravelCLICK presents the 2002 “eMarketer of the Year Awards.”  Awards will be presented for the top electronic marketing by individual hotels in three regions: The Americas, Europe/Middle East/Africa and Asia/Pacific.  In addition, there will be an award for the top Chain/Brand eMarketer worldwide.  One of these four category winners will be named the overall eMarke...

Electronic Distribution: Who's in Control? UNLV Hotel Management Department Hosts Think Tank / January 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report Electronic Distribution: Who's in Control? UNLV Hotel Management Department Hosts Think Tank Las Vegas, NV (January 15, 2003) – On January 28, 2003, a select group of industry influencers including hotel executives, operators, and suppliers will participate in a Think Tank on Electronic Distribution Channel Management, sponsored by the Mirage, Hotel Information Systems, SynXis, IDeaS, and PS Hospitality. The event is presented by The William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), one of the world’s leading hospitality schools. The Think ...

Millennium Hotels and Resorts Awarded Management Agreement for the Dubai Airport Hotel in the United Arab Emirates / Jan 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report Millennium Hotels and Resorts Awarded Management Agreement for the Dubai Airport Hotel in the United Arab Emirates January 6, 2003 - Millennium Hotels and Resorts has signed a management agreement for the Dubai Airport Hotel in the United Arab Emirates. Franz Zeller, Senior Vice President Middle East & North Africa, for Millennium Hotels and Resorts has announced that Millennium Hotels have taken over the management of the hotel as of 01 January 2003, and will be re-branding the property as MILLENNIUM AIRPORT HOTEL DUBAI. Further to the recent opening of the Millennium Hotel Ab...

American and Mexican Designers Working on Restoring Historic Drive Inn Restaurant in Matamoros, Mexico / Jan 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive American and Mexican Designers Working on Restoring Historic Drive Inn Restaurant in Matamoros, Mexico By Angeles Negrete, The Brownsville Herald, Texas Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News  Jan. 20, 2002 - MATAMOROS, Mexico-- For more than 30 years Gilbert Vazquez raced back and forth between the Drive Inn's tables and the kitchen waiting on hungry customers.  He worked there so long that the restaurant's dining room left an indelible mark in his memory.  "I remember it like it was yesterday," said Vazquez, who is now retired but still lives in Matamoros. "My brother...

Following 18 months of Land Reclamation and Road Work by the Hong Kong Government, The Walt Disney Company Commences Construction of Hong Kong Disneyl

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report Following 18 months of Land Reclamation and Road Work by the Hong Kong Government, The Walt Disney Company Commences Construction of Hong Kong Disneyland January 13, 2003 - Against a majestic backdrop of Lantau Island's mountains, the waters of Penny's Bay, and a facade of soon-to-be-built Sleeping Beauty Castle, The Honourable Tung Chee Hwa, Chief Executive, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, Michael D. Eisner, Chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company, and Robert A. Iger, President of The Walt Disney Company, addressed an audience of more...

Study Suggests Travelers with Disabilities Would Double their Spending if Airlines and Hotels Improved Certain Needs / Jan 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report Study Suggests Travelers with Disabilities Would Double Their Spending if Airlines and Hotels Improved Certain Needs Washington, DC - January 16, 2003 -  The Open Doors Organization in cooperation with the Travel Industry Association of America (TIA) and the Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality (SATH) released a landmark study on the spending trends and market scope of U.S. resident travelers with disabilities. The study, conducted by Harris Interactive, polled 1,037 people with disabilities. The major findings of this groundbreaking study were released on January 16, 2...