EEOC Finds the Grand Casino Gulfport Guilty of Discriminating Against Female Workers / May 2002

February 28, 2002

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive EEOC Finds the Grand Casino Gulfport Guilty of Discriminating Against Female Workers By Melissa M. Scallan, The Sun Herald, Biloxi, Miss. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News  May 29--GULFPORT, Miss.--Five female employees at Grand Casino Gulfport were discriminated against, then treated badly for complaining, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has found.  Grand Casino officials strongly disagree and have refused to settle the case out of court. Officials would not answer questions about the EEOC findings, instead issuing a written response:  "It is the strong po...

Earl Holding's The Grand America Hotel Completes Construction; Classic Architecture Make the Property Unlike Any in the World / May 2002

February 28, 2002

Hotel Online  Special Report Earl Holding's The Grand America Hotel Completes Construction; Classic Architecture Make the Property Unlike Any in the World SALT LAKE CITY, May 15, 2002 - The Grand America is pleased to announce the completion of Salt Lake City's finest boutique hotel.  Inspired by Grand hotels of the past, The Grand America was designed to make every guest feel like they are in the comfort of their own home. "We are pleased to provide the elegance and luxury of the fine European hotels, but it is our friendly service that distinguishes us and makes our guests feel at home," stated General Manager...

Global Wireless Technology Topic at HSMAI's Executive THINK Preceding HITEC in Chicago / May 2002

February 28, 2002

Hotel Online  Special Report Global Wireless Technology Topic at HSMAI's Executive THINK Preceding HITEC in Chicago Case Studies, Live Demos and Keynote Addresses Highlight the  Full-day Program Preceding HITEC in Chicago  WASHINGTON, DC (May 14, 2002) – Global wireless technology has enabled the world to reach and influence consumers farther, faster and cheaper than ever before.  The question confronting every hospitality and travel entity is:  How can hospitality and tourism executives use wireless technology to better and effectively market, develop and compete?           With those realitie...

The Hert family Converting 1st Choice Inns in Glenwood Springs, CO to Timeshare Resort / May 2002

February 28, 2002

Hotel Online  Special Report  The Hert family Converting 1st Choice Inns in Glenwood Springs, CO to Timeshare Resort Affiliates with Trading Places to Enter Timeshare Industry LAGUNA NIGUEL, Calif.- May 28, 2002 - Trading Places International will help 1st Choice Inns launch a timeshare resort in the heart of the Colorado Rockies.  The resort is located in Glenwood Springs, Colo. near Vail and Aspen.  It’s currently operating as a hotel.  The phased renovation into timeshare units will begin this summer.   The strategic alliance between 1st Choice Inns Vacation Club, which is owned by the Hert family, ...

Sunstone Hotel Properties, Inc. Names George T. Finn, CHA General Manager at the Holiday Inn City Center in Rochester, Minnesota / May 2002

February 28, 2002

Hotel Online  Special Report  Sunstone Hotel Properties, Inc. Names George T. Finn, CHA General Manager at the Holiday Inn City Center in Rochester, Minnesota ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA -- May 2002 - Veteran Hospitality industry professional George T. Finn, CHA has been named General Manager of the Holiday Inn Downtown, City Center / Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota by Sunstone Hotels, LLC.    Finn has been in the hospitality industry for 26 years and has an extensive background in new hotel openings, re-flagging / turn-around properties as well as Food and Beverage operations. He has sat on the Board of Directors f...

Olympus Real Estate Partners Retains Gemstone Resorts International to Maximizing Asset Value and Return on Capital on its Five Rockresort Properties

February 28, 2002

Hotel Online Special Report Olympus Real Estate Partners Retains Gemstone Resorts International to Maximizing Asset Value and Return on Capital on its Five Rockresort Properties PARK CITY, Utah, May 13, 2002 -- Gemstone Resorts International, a hotel and resort management company, announced today that it has been retained by Olympus Real Estate Partners, a real estate investment firm, to provide day-to-day consulting services on its five Rockresort properties located throughout the United States.  Gemstone will be responsible for assisting Olympus in maximizing asset value and return on capital for the four-star reso...

Just 12 Weeks After Opening Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center Succeeding with Convention Planners / May 2002

February 28, 2002

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive  Just 12 Weeks After Opening Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center Succeeding with Convention Planners By Sue Hale, The Daily Oklahoman Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News  May 19--ORLANDO, Fla.--Picture this: A female business executive is sitting on a comfortable couch using the Internet on her laptop via a wireless connection. Her couch is on an indoor plaza in a glass-enclosed atrium across from a chocolate shop. Behind her is a beautifully landscaped waterfall. Above her is a huge video screen that provides breaking news or pre-recorded presentations.  The exec...

American Gaming Association Reports Casino Industry Revenue Grew by 5% in 2001 / May 2002

February 28, 2002

Hotel Online Special Report American Gaming Association Reports Casino Industry Revenue Grew by 5% in 2001 WASHINGTON, May 8, 2002 - An annual industry survey by the American Gaming Association (AGA) found that, despite significant challenges to the tourism and hospitality sectors in 2001, casino gaming remained one of the nation's favorite pastimes.  Casino industry revenue grew by 5 percent, and tens of millions of people visited 433 casinos in 11 states across the country last year. "Despite a difficult economy and unprecedented travel concerns, our industry thrived," said AGA President and CEO Frank J. Fa...

February 28, 2002

Hotel Online  Special Report Galaxy Hotel Systems’ “Complexing” Technology Spans International Boundaries For Canadian Niagara Hotels Inc.  - Providing The Technological Foundation Required For A Multi-Unit, Multi-Flag Environment Tustin, CA (May 20, 2002)…Galaxy Hotel Systems LLC, announced today the successful implementation of the company’s Galaxy/UX Property Management System (PMS) for Canadian Niagara Hotels, Inc.   Seven of their properties went live at the same time on one server including the – Brock Plaza, Skyline Inn, Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn At The Falls, Sheraton on the Falls, Days Inn At The Falls ...

Hotel Occupancy Rates, Revenues in Fort Worth and Arlington, Texas, Area Continue to Slide / May 2002

February 28, 2002

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive Hotel Occupancy Rates, Revenues in Fort Worth and Arlington, Texas, Area Continue to Slide By Sean Wood, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Texas Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News  May 3--Hotel occupancy rates and revenues took another tumble in March with hotels in Fort Worth and Arlington taking some of the biggest hits, according to a monthly report.  The Las Colinas in Irving area showed a slight improvement, however, according to Houston-based PKF Consulting's monthly Trends in the Hotel Industry report.  "There's going to be continuing misery this year," said John Keeling...

FelCor Reports a Net Loss of $12.3 million, Compared with a Loss of $12.9 million in the Year-ago Quarter / RevPAR 18.1% Below the Same Period of 2001

February 28, 2002

Hotel Online Special Report --- FelCor Reports a Net Loss of $12.3 million, Compared with a Loss of $12.9 million in the Year-ago Quarter RevPAR 18.1% Below the Same Period of 2001 FelCor Meets Consensus Analyst Estimates for First Quarter 2002  FFO per share of $0.44 IRVING, Texas…May 1, 2002 - FelCor Lodging Trust Incorporated (NYSE: FCH), one of the nation’s largest hotel real estate investment trusts (REITs), today reported operating results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2002.  FelCor’s first quarter results reflect Revenue Per Available Room ("RevPAR") below prior year, but consistent with p...

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Adopts Advanced Computer Telephony Integration for its Global Reservation Centre / May 2002

February 28, 2002

Hotel Online  Special Report Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Adopts Advanced Computer Telephony Integration for its Global Reservation Centre  Now a caller responding to a Fairmont advertisement or promotion benefits from  advanced technology that routes the phone call to the most knowledgeable agent MONCTON, NB, May 13, 2002 -  Fairmont Hotels & Resorts’ Global Reservation Centre (GRC) today announced that it has launched an advanced phone-routing system, leveraging Computer Telephony Integration, which speeds up the reservation process and converts more phone inquiries to reservations.  The new system ...

Four Seasons Reported a Profit of C$7.7 million for 1st Qtr Compared to Profit of C$17 million in the Year-ago Quarter RevPAR Down 12% / May 2002

February 28, 2002

Hotel Online Special Report Four Seasons Reported a Profit of C$7.7 million for 1st Qtr Compared to Profit of C$17 million in the Year-ago Quarter, RevPAR Down 12 percent Hotel Operating Data TORONTO - May 10, 2002 - Four Seasons Hotels Inc. (TSE:FSH) today reported its results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2002. Net earnings decreased to $7.7 million ($0.22 basic earnings per share and $0.21 diluted earnings per share) for the three months ended March 31, 2002, as compared to $17 million ($0.49 basic earnings per share and $0.45 diluted earnings per share) for the first quarter of 2001.      "Al...

Florida Attorney General Files a Deceptive Trade Practices Suit Against Wyndham International Inc. / May 2002

February 28, 2002

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive Florida Attorney General Files a Deceptive Trade Practices Suit Against Wyndham International Inc.  By Mark Albright, St. Petersburg Times, Fla. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News  May 30--After government workers were hit with a surprise $2.75-a-night energy surcharge at the Wyndham Harbour Island in Tampa, state Attorney General Bob Butterworth on Wednesday filed a deceptive trade practices suit against Wyndham International Inc.  The suit alleges that Wyndham misled consumers while collecting more than $600,000 in energy surcharges at its 12 Florida hotels before the ...

Francesca Gadaleta Named Director of Sales and Marketing at The Muse / May 2002

February 28, 2002

Hotel Online Special Report Francesca Gadaleta Named Director of Sales and Marketing at The Muse NEW YORK, NY -- The Muse -- a provocative and eclectic hotel poised amidst the pulse of Times Square as well as the Sixth Avenue corporate district -- announces  Francesca Gadaleta as director of sales and marketing. A graduate of Ecole Hotelier  “Les Roches” in Switzerland and New York University, Francesca directs the transient, group and catering sales teams, as well as managing the marketing for the hotel.  A nine-year veteran of the hospitality industry, including three years with the Swissôtel Beijing, Frances...

$350 Million in Hotel & Tourism Projects in Eurasia Creates Opportunities for U.S. Companies / May 2002

February 28, 2002

Hotel Online Special Report $350 Million in Hotel & Tourism Projects in Eurasia Creates Opportunities for U.S. Companies WASHINGTON, DC (8 May 2002) -- Tourism and hospitality projects valued at more than $350 million will be presented at an upcoming U.S. Trade and Development Agency (TDA) conference in Istanbul, Turkey. The May 29-31 event will help match U.S. companies with more than 30 tourism, hospitality and infrastructure projects in 12 Eurasian countries. "Destination Eurasia: Building Infrastructure for Tourism" will provide participants with information on projects involving development and constructio...

Raffles International Makes Culinary Statement the New Equinox Complex Atop the Swissotel Stamford Singapore / May 2002

February 28, 2002

Hotel Online  Special Report Raffles International Makes Culinary Statement the New Equinox Complex Atop the Swissotel Stamford Singapore Hotel Asia Pacific May 2002 EQUINOX: “when the sun crosses the equator and day and night are in perfect harmony”. By Raini Hamdi  The innovative dining and entertainment complex that has replaced the rather stuffy Compass Rose at the top of the Swissotel Stamford Singapore was designed by owners Raffles International to make a bold, cutting-edge culinary statement that is on a par with anything else in the world. It is, if you like, the latest contribution to touris...

The 12th Epicurean Affair Benefits the the Nevada Hospitality Foundation / May 2002

February 28, 2002

Hotel Online Special Report The 12th Epicurean Affair Benefits the the Nevada Hospitality Foundation The Dining Extravaganza of the Las Vegas International Hotel & Restaurant Show Is Open to the Public and will be Held at Caesars Palace LAS VEGAS ­ Premiere restaurants from throughout Las Vegas will showcase their signature dishes, many of them created by the country¹s top chefs, at the 12th annual Epicurean Affair, the gala dining extravaganza of the Las Vegas International Hotel & Restaurant Show (LVIHRS). Internationally acclaimed wines and spirits also will be available for tasting. The event, which is op...

Econo Lodge Offering Incentives of Up to $40,000 for Like New Conversions / May 2002

February 28, 2002

Hotel Online  Special Report   Econo Lodge Offering Incentives of Up to $40,000 for "Like New" Conversions Silver Spring  (May 31, 2002) – Capitalizing on a conversion-oriented marketplace and the economy segment’s strong performance in the past year relative to the rest of the industry, Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH), worldwide franchisor of Econo Lodge brand hotels, today announced a conversion incentive package that nets a potential $40,000 in savings for Econo Lodge franchisees. Terms of the incentive offer a rebate of initial fees, signage costs, logo and amenity items costs, and fees associated with...

Hilton Hotels Corporation Selects Ernst & Young; Arthur Andersen Had Served Since 1981 / May 2002

February 28, 2002

Hotel Online  Special Report   Hilton Hotels Corporation Selects Ernst & Young; Arthur Andersen Had Served Since 1981 BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. - May 23, 2002--Hilton Hotels Corporation (NYSE:HLT) announced today that its Board of Directors, with the concurrence of its Audit Committee, has selected Ernst & Young as the company’s independent auditor for 2002, replacing Arthur Andersen. The appointment of Ernst & Young was made after careful consideration by the Audit Committee, the Board of Directors and management of the company. The decision to change auditors was not a result of any disagreement between the company ...

Eric Opron, 14 Year Opryland Veteran, Named Director of Sales for The Resort at Callaway / May 2002

February 28, 2002

Hotel Online  Special Report Eric Opron, 14 Year Opryland Veteran, Named Director of Sales for The Resort at Callaway PINE MOUNTAIN, GA - (May 29, 2002) - Callaway is proud to announce the appointment of Eric Opron as Callaway's director of sales.   In this position, Opron will oversee the day-to-day group sales operations of The Resort at Callaway, which includes more than 96,000 square feet of meeting space and three distinct types of accommodations totaling more than 800 rooms.  A sales staff of eight will report directly to him.      "I am thrilled to be at Callaway at such an exciting time.  The Fall o...

Billy Creel Creel, Former Capri Casino Resort Executive, Honored Posthumously by Mississippi Tourism Hall of Fame / May 2002

February 28, 2002

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive Billy Creel Creel, Former Capri Casino Resort Executive, Honored Posthumously by Mississippi Tourism Hall of Fame By David Tortorano, The Sun Herald, Biloxi, Miss. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News  May 7--BILOXI, Miss.--A longtime hotelier and champion of tourism was honored Monday night with an award named in honor of a dear friend who recently passed away.  Eddie McGuire was this year's recipient of the Harrison County Tourism Commission's Billy Creel Excellence in Tourism Award.  The award was presented at the Mississippi Gulf Coast annual Tourism Dinner at the Pr...

About 100 Employees Picket at Starwood's Swan and Dolphin Hotels; Key Demand Is a Guaranteed 32-hour Work Week / May 2002

February 28, 2002

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive  About 100 Employees Picket at Starwood's Swan and Dolphin Hotels;  Key Demand Is a Guaranteed 32-hour Work Week By Robert Johnson, The Orlando Sentinel, Fla. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News  May 29--About 100 workers at two hotels on Walt Disney World property picketed against a new contract offer on Monday, although some of those protesting didn't actually walk off their jobs on strike.  "It's unclear how many of the folks walking our picket line are on their days off or time off, but the point is they're turning out to show their dissatisfaction with the way they'...

Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott and Westin Finalists to Bid on Denver Convention Center Hotel Project / May 2002

February 28, 2002

Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott and Westin Finalists to Bid on Denver Convention Center Hotel Project By Mark P. Couch, The Denver Post Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News  May 23--Four hotel operators survived the first cut for the chance to run Denver's proposed convention center-hotel.  Denver Mayor Wellington Webb announced Wednesday that the Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott and Westin were selected to submit bids to run the hotel that Denver officials want to build on a site near the Colorado Convention Center.  City officials expect to pick two finalists in June.  The final four ...