Decrease in Casino Wagering Causing Downgrading of Casino Stocks / Jan 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive Decrease in Casino Wagering Causing Downgrading of Casino Stocks By Rod Smith, Las Vegas Review-Journal Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News  Jan. 9--The continuing national economic slump finally has caught up with leisure travelers and the Las Vegas gaming industry.  On a day that Wall Street investment houses downgraded major casino company stocks and gaming shares tumbled more than 12 percent, analysts were predicting tougher times probably lie ahead.  "We are at a stage in the economy where traditional casino customers are unwilling to wager as aggressively as they h...

Dominican Republic's Casa de Campo Resort Hires Johnson & Wales University to Help Train 7,000 Employees / Jan 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive Dominican Republic's Casa de Campo Resort Hires Johnson & Wales University to Help Train 7,000 Employees By Cara Buckley, The Miami Herald Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News  Jan. 6, 2002 - Casa de Campo was the perfect place to bake in the sun, but could the cooks really cook? The vistas from the bars were staggering, but did the bartenders mix killer drinks? Did the waiters make people wait? Were the housekeepers keeping proper house?  Claudio Silvestri, the resort's CEO, wasn't sure. So he hired a big gun -- Johnson & Wales University -- to help him out. The culinary ...

$20 million Renovation of the Historic Robles del Rio Lodge in Carmel Valley, California Stalls / January 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive $20 million Renovation of the Historic Robles del Rio Lodge in Carmel Valley, California Stalls The Monterey County Herald, Calif. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News  Jan. 29, 2003 - It was the biggest case of water profiteering on the Peninsula when owners of Robles del Rio Lodge offered up some $1 million in water credits to help pay for renovations at the historic Carmel Valley inn.  Now, two years later, most of the credits have been sold and the owners have put the lodge up for sale, the remodeling work far from complete.  Managing partner Glen Gurries said he and ...

The Carino Collection Celebrates Explosive Growth at First Annual Meeting / January 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report   The Carino Collection Celebrates Explosive Growth at First Annual Meeting Company’s International Expansion Propelled by its SalesConnect 2.0™ Tool NEW YORK/January 20, 2003 -- The CARINO Collection, an innovative sales representation company for independent hotels, will celebrate an extremely successful first anniversary on January 21, beating the odds in a highly volatile hospitality industry. Launched in January 2002, the CARINO Collection has signed 32 hotels worldwide, including properties in the US, Europe, Asia and Australia, according to President Joe Carino, and has opened...

Caribbean Sees Slow Rise in Tourism; The Dominican Republic Reports Visitors Up 33.5% Compared to 2001 / January 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive Caribbean Sees Slow Rise in Tourism; The Dominican Republic Reports Visitors Up 33.5% Compared to 2001 By Nancy San Martin, The Miami Herald Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News  Jan. 11, 2003 - Tourism is making a slow comeback across the Caribbean.  The number of tourists visiting the region is significantly higher for the first time since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks left beach resorts looking more like ghost towns as fearful travelers opted for vacations that didn't require air travel.  The Dominican Republic reports an increase of 33.5 percent in the number ...

Jeff David Named Food & Beverage Manager Cap Juluca, Anguilla / Jan 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report Jeff David Named Food & Beverage Manager Cap Juluca, Anguilla Maundays Bay, Anguilla (January 2, 2003) - Cap Juluca, Anguilla, has taken major steps to further enhance its food and beverage operation. Effective immediately, Jeff David has been named Food & Beverage Manager, new chefs and new menus are now in place at two of the hotel's three restaurants and after-dinner jazz has been added.  David's appointment was made by Eustace Guishard, General Manager of the hotel. He comes to Cap Juluca from Little Dix Bay in the British Virgin Islands where he was Food & Beverage Manager. ...

The Resort at Callaway Puts the Breaks on $30 million Southern Pine Lodge Project / January 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive The Resort at Callaway Puts the Breaks on $30 million Southern Pine Lodge Project  By Harry Franklin, Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, Ga. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News  Jan. 13--A $30 million project the Resort at Callaway was considering won't take place.  The concept would have included an upscale 100-room Southern Pine Lodge, clubhouse with 24 luxury club condominiums and redesign of the Garden View and Sky View golf courses.  Kathy Tilley, Callaway director of marketing, said that financing for the lodge could not be secured after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks ...

Huntercorp Pacific, a private investment group based in Sydney, Acquires The Pier Marketplace and Radisson Hotel in Cairns for $65 million / Jan 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report Huntercorp Pacific, a Private Investment Group Based in Sydney, Acquires The Pier Marketplace and Radisson Hotel in Cairns for $65 million Sydney, January 14, 2003 - In one of the largest mixed-use property deals of 2002, Jones Lang LaSalle has sold The Pier Marketplace and Radisson Hotel in Cairns for $65 million. The deal which includes the Marketplace retail complex and 97 specialty shops as well as the 219-room Radisson Plaza Hotel reflects an initial yield of 9%. The property was bought by Huntercorp Pacific, a private investment group based in Sydney, who also acquired t...

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report  Claude Vargo Promoted to Vice President - Research Products PKF Consulting’s Hospitality Research Group Atlanta, GA.  January 24, 2003 -- The Hospitality Research Group (HRG), the research affiliate of PKF Consulting, has promoted Claude Vargo to Vice President - Research Products, according to Mark Woodworth, Executive Managing Director of HRG.  “Claude's dedicated efforts have positioned Benchmarker® as the preeminent hotel financial tool serving a global hotel ownership and management community.    In addition to his management of the Benchmarker® product, Vargo also leads the ma...

Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau's Board Chairman and President Remain in Hot Water with City Council / Jan 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau's Board Chairman and President Remain in Hot Water with City Council By Mary Mckee, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Texas Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News  Jan. 9--DALLAS--Several City Council members berated the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau on Wednesday, saying they have lost confidence in the organization and want top bureau officials to resign.  Councilman John Loza said he is distressed by revelations that bureau officials were taking expensive trips, entertaining clients at topless bars and spending thousands on liquor for clien...

Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mohegan Sun Now Employ More than 10,000 People, Keep Creating Attractions / January 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mohegan Sun Now Employ More than 10,000 People, Keep Creating Attractions By Karen Florin, The Day, New London, Conn. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News  Jan. 28--The newest power industry in Southeastern Connecticut -- Indian gaming -- is expected to prosper for the foreseeable future, despite a weaker economy, the likelihood of war and the potential for new competition.  Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mohegan Sun, which opened in 1992 and 1996, respectively, each generate about $1 billion annually and employ more than 10,000 people.  The tribes ...

Chairman of the Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau Resigns; Claims Dallas Mayor has Done Disservice to the Hospitality Industry and Hotel Community

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive Chairman of the Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau Resigns; Claims Dallas Mayor has Done Disservice to the Hospitality Industry and Hotel Community By Dave Michaels, The Dallas Morning News Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News  Jan. 17--Chris Luna resigned Thursday as chairman of the Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau, forced out by a mayor who he says has been reckless with the city's convention and hotel business.  Mr. Luna announced his decision to quit at a meeting of the bureau's executive committee. His resignation followed two months of media reports about que...

Colleen Kopack Named Regional Vice President of Sales AmeriSuites Hotels – Southern Region / Jan 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report Colleen Kopack Named Regional Vice President of Sales AmeriSuites® Hotels - Southern Region -  FAIRFIELD, NEW JERSEY (January 21, 2003) ---- AmeriSuites® hotels has named Colleen Kopack as Regional Vice President of Sales for its Southern region. Kopack will oversee sales for 20 AmeriSuites hotels in Florida, North Carolina and Louisiana.  Kopack joins AmeriSuites from Davidson Hotel Group in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she was Director of Sales and Marketing. With more than 10-years of hospitality industry experience, Kopack has also held sales and marketing positions in...

Navin Dimond, CHA President of Stonebridge Companies Elected Chairman, Colorado Hotel & Lodging Association for 2003 / Jan 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report  Navin Dimond, CHA President of Stonebridge Companies Elected Chairman, Colorado Hotel & Lodging Association for 2003 Colorado Hotel & Lodging Association Board of Directors Elected for 2003 Denver; January 20, 2003; Colorado Hotel & Lodging Association (CH&LA) announced that Bruce Lightenburger, CHA general manager of Holiday Inn Express Cortez will serve as past chairman, Navin Dimond, CHA president of Stonebridge Companies will serve as chairman, Becky Dombrowski, general manager of the Snowmass Club will serve as chairman-elect, John Evans, CHA, COO of East West Resorts will serve as...

The Caribbean Hotel Association's Caribbean Marketplace 2003 Draws 1,286 Buyer and Supplier Delegates; 12% Increase in Buyer Registration / Jan

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report  The Caribbean Hotel Association’s Caribbean Marketplace 2003 Draws 1,286 Buyer and Supplier Delegates; 12% Increase in Buyer Registration January 23, 2003 (SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico) – The Caribbean Hotel Association’s (CHA) Caribbean Marketplace 2003, held in San Juan, Puerto Rico, from January 19-22, 2003, drew a total of 1,286 buyer and supplier delegates.   The event, recognized as the most important tourism-marketing event of the year for the Caribbean region, reflected a significant 12% increase in buyer registration, with a total of 395 buyer delegates representing 199 buyer compan...

Craig Chandler Appoint Vice President of Business Development – Suburban Franchise Systems, Inc. / Jan 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report  Craig Chandler Appoint Vice President of Business Development - Suburban Franchise Systems, Inc. ATLANTA, Ga. - January 23, 2003 - Suburban Franchise Systems, Inc. (SFS), which operates and franchises Suburban Extended Stay Hotels, announces the promotion of Craig Chandler to vice president of business development.  Chandler previously served as vice president of franchise development for SFS and focused solely on new franchisees.  In his new role, Chandler is responsible for supporting sales and marketing functions at the property level.  He will focus on developing and implementing suc...

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report The Bush Plan - Will the Hotel Sector Enjoy "Growth and Jobs"? Synopsis Of The President’s Proposals To Revitalize The National Economy And Its Potential Impact On Hotel Real Estate CHICAGO, January 8, 2003— On a blustery Chicago day (is there any other kind in January?), 3,000 people crowded into the Sheraton Chicago Hotel to hear the President’s first formal announcement of his “Growth and Jobs” proposals.  The President spoke effectively and forcefully for about 40 minutes.  With a reputation as a less-than-stellar public speaker, our 43rd President has clearly received some ve...

The Westin Diplomat Hotel Helps Broward County, Fla., Hotel Revenues Reach Record Heights in November / Jan 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive The Westin Diplomat Hotel Helps Broward County, Fla., Hotel Revenues Reach Record Heights in November By Tom Stieghorst, South Florida Sun-Sentinel Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News  Jan. 7--South Florida hotels posted November results on Monday, and the surprise was in Broward County where revenues beat not only last year but also the record levels of November 2000.  In Palm Beach County results were mixed, with a November better than 2001 but not as good as 2000.  Paying visitors to Broward left behind bed tax revenues that were 33 percent above the depressed levels ...

Marriott Franchise Owner and Developer, The Briad Group, Adds Hilton Brand to Hotel Portfolio / Jan 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report Marriott Franchise Owner and Developer, The Briad Group,  Adds Hilton Brand to Hotel Portfolio Florham Park, NJ, January 13 , 2003  -- The Briad Group, one of the Northeast's leading hotel developers, is pleased to announce that it will be adding the Hilton brand to its growing hotel portfolio in 2003.   Briad currently has two properties slated to open this year. The 125-room Courtyard by Marriott in Lebanon, NJ is under construction and will open during the second quarter of the year. Briad's first Hilton hotel, the 140-room Hilton Garden Inn in Westbury, NY, is scheduled to...

Branded Hotel Properties: An Excellent Contrarian Play? Anticipate Strong Increases in Branded Hotel Cash Flows in the Next Five Years / Jan 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online  Special Report  Branded Hotel Properties: An Excellent Contrarian Play?  Anticipate Strong Increases in Branded Hotel Cash Flows in the Next Five Years Boston, MA and Atlanta, GA, January 27, 2003 - The five-year outlook for investments in chain-affiliated hotel properties looks promising, as indicated by forecasts of market and investment fundamentals produced by Boston-based Torto Wheaton Research, a business unit of CB Richard Ellis (‘TWR’) and the Atlanta-based Hospitality Research Group, the research arm of PKF Consulting (‘HRG’).  The forecasts are for chain-affiliated properties and are based o...

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online Special Report Global Update: Who’s Where and Doing What January 2003 Heads Above the Rest The Newsletter of The Boutique Search Firm The Americas Mark Vinciguerra will be joining the Phoenician in February as its Managing Director. He joins from the Boulders Resort & Golden Door Spa where he was the Regional Vice President and General Manager for four years. His mission: bring back to Starwood the Fifth AAA Diamond lost by the Phoenician in 2002 (the property received Five Stars from Mobil for both the hotel and its star restaurant Mary Elaine¹s). Vinciguerra will also oversee the construction o...

Massachusetts Convention Center Authority Votes for Budget Cuts – Termination for Fifth of its 108-person Work Force / January 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive Massachusetts Convention Center Authority Votes for Budget Cuts - Termination for Fifth of its 108-person Work Force By Thomas C. Palmer Jr., The Boston Globe Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News  Jan. 11, 2003 - Stung by the loss of its entire $13.7 million state subsidy for the current year, the board of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority yesterday voted for budget cuts that will mean termination for about a fifth of its 108-person work force.  Simultaneously, the board diluted the power of longtime executive director Francis X. Joyce, while giving increased bu...

Booths, Tables, and Chairs…Oh My! / Lee Simon – Drawing Conclusions / January 2003

January 30, 2003

  Drawing Conclusions Foodservice Design By Lee Simon / The General Group / January 2003   You look sharp!  You are all decked out and ready to celebrate a special birthday with your significant other and a few friends by spending an evening on the town.  Your evening starts with dinner at a restaurant featuring an award-winning menu and a three month waiting list.  You arrive early, part of a party of six, only to find a waiting room full of people and are promptly quoted a ninety-minute wait time despite your reservation.  As you peek beyond the host(ess) you see an empty dining room.  The combination doesn’t make s...

Hotel Company Web Sites Pulling 51% of Online Bookings in 2002; Internet Strategies in Play to Reduce Third-party Online Bookings / January 2003

January 30, 2003

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive  Hotel Company Web Sites Pulling 51% of Online Bookings in 2002; Internet Strategies in Play to Reduce Third-party Online Bookings By Kathy Bergen, Chicago Tribune Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News  Jan. 19, 2003 - Sales rep Marta McNair heads out of town at least once a week on business and at least twice a quarter to visit family.  She always books her hotel rooms online.  "I feel I can get better deals, and get exactly what I want, because I am in control of it," said McNair, a 37-year-old Lincoln Park resident who works for an Internet marketing company in Chicago...