Convention facilities at IRs to help S'pore's MICE sector

By Noor Mohd Aziz, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 16 April 2007 2123 hrs

SINGAPORE: The two upcoming integrated resorts will play a key role in the growth of the MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) sector in Singapore.

According to industry watchers, Singapore will see a greater growth in its MICE sector, compared with other countries in the region.

They say the emphasis on MICE facilities in the two integrated resort projects at Marina Bay and Sentosa will help Singapore compete for a greater share of the MICE market in the region.

Singapore is focusing on the MICE sector in its efforts to grow the tourism industry.

And industry watchers say it is playing its cards right.

"The MICE industry is an important part of the Singapore model and that is going to bring new business, new consumers to Singapore. If you look at Las Vegas, in one year, approximately $8 billion is the economic impact, just because of the MICE industry," said Dr Andy Nazarechuk, Dean of William F Harrah College of Hotel Administration, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Singapore campus.

Going by the experience of Las Vegas and Macau, experts believe the upcoming integrated resorts will not only bring in gaming revenue but also help boost hotel and retail turnovers in Singapore.

"The growth potential in the region is unlimited. If you look at Las Vegas, over the past 30 to 40 years, they've said it is going to cap out and hit its peak but it never has. So I think the growth potential for Singapore, Macau and the region is unlimited. In Macau, for example, by the end of this decade, 2010, they are looking at revenues of above $12 billion in the gaming industry. I think Singapore is going to set some new record in gaming revenue, and not only gaming but retail, hotel revenue when it (Marina Bay Sands integrated resort) opens in 2009," said Dr Nazarechuk.

There has been talk of competition between Singapore and Macau for the gaming dollar, but industry players say the two markets are different.

"I don't think these two places have life-and-death competition. What I have said is what's successful in Singapore may not fare well in Macau. I think each of the two territories, they will have their own niche market that they can exploit," said Dr Ambrose So, Director of Sociedade de Jogos de Macau.

"The Macau formula is a little bit different from Singapore. The Macau gaming industry is termed as the spearhead industry. It is the mainstay of the economic development in Macau. While in Singapore, you have the casino gaming as one of the elements in the tourism industry. That's why the government limited the amount of area attributable to casino operations....the emphasis of Singapore is really in the integrated resort where you offer other facilities, other amenities in tourism, with the addition of the gaming flavour," he added.

Dr So and Dr Nazarechuk are among industry players in Singapore for a three-day Asian Casino Executives Seminar, which opened on Monday.

Another is Mark Vlassopulos, the president of America's Eighth Wonder, which was one of the losing bidders for the Sentosa integrated resort project.

"I think there is no point to do a sidestreet gaming industry with European-style casinos that are small scale. Doesn't really benefit anybody in terms of revenue, government tax and at the same time doesn't really give any kind of true experience to a tourist, either a local or regional. So I think the critical mass is a really important factor. Do it big if you really want to do it at all," said Mr Vlassopulos. - CNA/ir

Source : http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporebusinessnews/view/270695/1/.html

Andaz, Another New Hyatt Brand

4/16/2007 at 10:24 AM
Tags: Hotel News, Hotel Industry, New Hotels, Hyatt Hotels

We highlighted a report last week that hotel chains had launched 24 new brands in the past 24 months, but Hyatt doesn't want to slow down the pace. They just announced the launch of new brand Andaz, with the first opening slated for this September in London. Another Andaz brand will open across from New York's Public Library on Fifth Avenue but no opening date has been set.

It seems Andaz is another case of out with the old (that's the Great Eastern Hotel atrium pictured here) and in with the new--some word that they say means "personal style."

Have you just yearned for a hotel that is not quite a Hyatt and not quite a Park Hyatt? To the marketing consultants who live and breathe this kind of thing, apparently those two brands are like ebony and ivory. They saw vast white space on their charts that needed to be filled in:

Hyatt is calling the Andaz brand an unpretentious upscale alternative focusing on "casual elegance" and "local identity," which it is positioning in between its Park Hyatt and Hyatt Hotel brands. CEO Mark Hoplamazian said in a statement that Hyatt's "worldwide customer base is looking for fresh, uncomplicated luxury that is timeless and gimmick free."

We've got to hand it to a corporate communications department that can put a new brand called "Andaz" and the words "gimmick free" in the same press release while still keeping a straight face.

Source : http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2007/4/16/1096/37677/hotels/Andaz_Another_New_Hyatt_Brand

Morgan Stanley buys 13 ANA Hotels for $2.4 billion in Japan

Japan’s All Nippon Airways is to sell 13 hotels and two property management units to Morgan Stanley for $2.4 billion, a deal termed as the biggest hotel transaction in Asia. (4/16/2007)

According to media reports, under the deal, ANA will sell its stakes in ANA Property Management Co. Ltd., ANA Hotel Management Co. Ltd. and subsidiary companies of 13 hotels as of June 1 for ¥281.3 billion or $2.4 billion. New additions to the portfolio of Morgan Stanley, which has been raising an $8 billion global property fund this year, will include ANA Hotel Tokyo in Minato ward, a prime Tokyo business district, and Okinawa Harborview Hotel on Japan’s southern island of Okinawa known for sandy beaches.

Morgan Stanley, one of the first investors to begin buying Japanese properties, already has interests in 14 hotels in Japan.

“This transaction highlights Morgan Stanley’s continued long-term commitment to investing in Japan and optimistic outlook for the nation’s economy and hotel industry,” Morgan Stanley said in a news release.

ANA will remain an operator of the hotels through its unit IHG ANA Hotels Group. Morgan Stanley said its hotel management affiliate, Panorama Hospitality, will work with IHG ANA Hotels to boost value at the properties.

“The office and residential markets, especially in Tokyo, are quite overheated and investors are shifting their focus to higher-yielding assets,” reportedly said Masahiro Yoshioka, a partner at management consultancy KPMG FAS Co. “There aren't many such large-scale property deals, and this was probably a great investment opportunity.”

Source : http://www.eyefortravel.com/index.asp?news=55533

Interstate Hotels & Resorts Signs Management Contracts for Two Holiday Inn Hotels in Moscow

Company Adds Sixth and Seventh Hotel to Moscow Management Portfolio

ARLINGTON, Va., April 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Interstate Hotels &
Resorts (NYSE: IHR), one of the nation's largest independent hotel
management companies, today announced that the company has been selected to
manage two Holiday Inn hotels in downtown Moscow, Russia: the 301-room
Holiday Inn Moscow Lesnaya Hotel and the 312-room Holiday Inn Moscow
Suschevsky Hotel. Both properties are owned by Mospromstoi, a major,
Moscow-based construction and hotel ownership company.
   "These two contracts represent our sixth and seventh hotel in Moscow,
where we have established a major management presence, and bring our total
number of management contracts in Europe to nine," said Thomas F. Hewitt,
Interstate's chief executive officer. "We now have six hotels under
contracts with Mospromstoi, and we look forward to continuing our
relationship."
   "We recently opened a branch office in Moscow with an executive team
that provides the kind of hands-on, personalized service no other
management company can match," said Henry L. (Hank) Ciaffone, president of
international operations and development at Interstate. "We continue to
seek opportunities to expand our operations in Russia and throughout
Europe. We remain focused on first-class, full-service and select-service
hotels affiliated with top- quality, internationally known brands like
Marriott, Starwood, Holiday Inn and Hilton, as well as independent hotels
and resorts."
   Holiday Inn Moscow Lesnaya Hotel
   Built in 2005, the Holiday Inn Moscow Lesnaya Hotel is located in the
downtown area right off the central Tverskaya-Yamskaya street, within a 45-
minute drive of the Moscow International Airport Sheremetyevo. The major
tourist attractions of the city - the Kremlin, Red Square, St. Basil's
Cathedral and the Bolshoi Theatre - are a 10-minute drive from the hotel.
   The hotel features 301 rooms, including suites and executive floor
rooms; all-day dining at the Red & White bar and restaurant serving
international cuisine; 24-hour room service; 8,000 square feet of meeting
space that can accommodate groups of up to 460; business center; and mini
gym.
   Holiday Inn Moscow Suschevsky Hotel
   The Holiday Inn Moscow Suschevsky Hotel was opened in 2006 and is
located in one of the central business areas of Moscow. The hotel is a
short drive from the city's major tourist attractions and 30 minutes from
the Moscow International Airport Sheremetyevo.
   The hotel offers 312 guest rooms, including suites and executive floor
rooms; the Fleur Cafe bar and restaurant serving international cuisine; 24-
hour room service; six meeting rooms totaling 6,300 square feet of space
with a maximum capacity of 350, reception-style; business center; and mini
gym.
   About Interstate
   As of March 31, 2007, Interstate Hotels & Resorts operated 207
hospitality properties with more than 47,000 rooms in 36 states, the
District of Columbia, Belgium, Canada, and Russia. In addition, Interstate
Hotels & Resorts has contracts to manage 15 hospitality properties with
nearly 4,300 rooms currently under development. For more information about
Interstate Hotels & Resorts, visit the company's Web site:
http://www.ihrco.com.
   This press release contains "forward-looking statements," within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, about
Interstate Hotels & Resorts, including those statements regarding future
operating results and the timing and composition of revenues, among others,
and statements containing words such as "expects," "believes" or "will,"
which indicate that those statements are forward-looking. Except for
historical information, the matters discussed in this press release are
forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and
uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially,
including the volatility of the national economy, economic conditions
generally and the hotel and real estate markets specifically, the war in
Iraq, international and geopolitical difficulties or health concerns,
governmental actions, legislative and regulatory changes, availability of
debt and equity capital, interest rates, competition, weather conditions or
natural disasters, supply and demand for lodging facilities in our current
and proposed market areas, and the company's ability to manage integration
and growth. Additional risks are discussed in Interstate Hotels & Resorts'
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Interstate
Hotels & Resorts' annual report on Form 10-K as amended for the year ended
December 31, 2006.
   Contact:
   Carrie McIntyre
   SVP, Treasurer
   (703) 387-3320

Source : http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/04-16-2007/0004566009&EDATE=

French hotel slashes rates for election weekends

Mon Apr 16, 2007 3:01PM BST

TOULOUSE, France (Reuters) - Fearing France's coming series of weekend elections might keep customers away, one hotelier is offering rooms at half price -- but only to holidaymakers who can prove they have cast their ballots.

The French will be called on to vote no fewer than four times in national elections between April and June, also a busy time for the country's tourist industry.

"I had to find a solution for these four upcoming weekends when we are normally almost 90 percent full, given that at each election our occupancy rate falls to less than 30 percent," said Renaud Jeanne, who runs a hotel in the southwestern town of Lacaune.

To benefit from the discount rate, guests will have to show they have filed the paperwork to vote by proxy, he said.

"I also didn't want to attract a clientele composed only of 'fishermen', as we call abstainers," Jeanne, whose "Relais de Fusies" has 30 rooms, told Reuters.

Voters in France generally cast their ballot at a polling station near their home, unless they vote by proxy.

The presidential election will be held in two rounds on April 22 and May 6, while a parliamentary vote will take place on June 10 and 17.

Source : http://uk.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUKL169405320070416

Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels sells ANA hotel portfolio in Japan

Monday, April 16, 2007

Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels as joint advisor to All Nippon Airways revealed the JPY281.3 billion (approximately USD2.36 billion) sale of ANA’s 13 owned and leased hotels in Japan ("Portfolio") to Morgan Stanley Real Estate Fund.

Mr Scott Hetherington, Managing Director of the Firm in Asia, who jointly led the transaction with Mr Tomohiko Sawayanagi, the Firm’s Executive Vice President in Japan, said: “This is the largest hotel transaction in Asia Pacific and one of the biggest real estate sales the region has experienced. The sale underlines the strength of the region’s capital markets and in particular, investors’ desire for real estate in the world’s second largest economy.”

Mr Hetherington commented that global investors were approached for the Portfolio which has a total of approximately 5,000 rooms located throughout Japan and includes market leading properties such as the ANA-InterContinental Tokyo and its sister property on Manza Beach in Okinawa. “Through a highly competitive process, bids were received from investors not only in Japan but also from Asia and North America. The level of interest was reflective of the scarcity of opportunity to buy a portfolio of this size and the desire of international investors to consider hotel investments,” Mr Hetherington added.

According to Mr Sawayanagi the sale is the culmination of four years’ work by the Firm which started when ANA began to review whether hotels were a core business for the airline. “We were appointed to conduct a tender process to seek an international management company to form a joint venture with ANA to manage the 33 hotels it owned, leased and operated in Japan and internationally. Critical to the success of this joint venture was finding a partner who would not only provide career opportunities for the staff but also deliver international best practice, operational expertise and marketing to all the hotels. InterContinental Hotels Group were the successful party and on December 1, 2006, IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan was founded.”

Mr Sawayanagi said. Subsequently on the April 1, 2007 the ANA Hotel Tokyo was re-branded as the ANA-InterContinental Tokyo and over the coming months the remainder of the owned and leased hotels in the Portfolio will be re-branded under the ANA-InterContinental, ANA-Crowne Plaza and ANA-Holiday Inn flags.

The Portfolio was offered for sale with the benefit of long term operating agreements with IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan. Mr Hetherington explained, “Historically the hotel investment market in Asia has been driven by owner operators but we have seen a profound change in this view over the past few years with investors being happy to acquire hotels which are encumbered by operating agreements that fairly share the risks and rewards between owners and operators.”

Mr Hetherington noted the sale by the Firm of the Swissotel Merchant Court and the Intercontinental Hotel in Singapore last year as further evidence of this trend.

Mr Sawayanagi added, “The Portfolio presented a tremendous opportunity for the purchaser to work with the new operating joint venture to reposition and refurbish the hotels and to benefit from an ever strengthening domestic consumer market in Japan.”

Rania Deimezi - Monday, April 16, 2007

Source : http://www.traveldailynews.com/new.asp?newid=36694&subcategory_id=59

Monkey Island, Hotel on River Thames Near London Goes on Sale

By Peter Woodifield

April 16 (Bloomberg) -- Monkey Island, a five-acre island with a 26-bedroom hotel in the middle of the U.K.'s River Thames, was put up for sale for 7.5 million pounds ($15 million) by its Dubai-based owners.

The island, reachable only by walkway, boat or helicopter, is 30 miles west of London near the village of Bray, London-based real estate brokers Knight Frank LLC said in a statement today. It has been owned since 1999 by the Al Habtoor Group from Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates.

``It is attracting a lot of interest,'' Henry Jackson, a surveyor in Knight Frank's hotels unit, said in a telephone interview from London.

Investors spent a record $27.4 billion buying European hotels last year, according to real estate brokers Jones Lang LaSalle Inc. Property buyers are seeking alternatives to shops and offices and hotel operators are looking to focus on managing their assets.

The Monkey Island hotel was built as a fishing lodge about 280 years ago and has a Grade 1 heritage listing, which carries the greatest level of restrictions for owners wishing to renovate sites deemed to be historically significant. The hotel has been used as an inn since 1840 and includes a 90-seat restaurant.

The island was once known as Monks Eyot, and was used by monks for fishing from as early as 1197, according to the hotel's Web site.

Al-Habtoor has owned and operated hotels across the Middle East for 25 years. It recently opened its first theme park in Lebanon.

To contact the reporter on this story: Peter Woodifield in Edinburgh at pwoodifield@bloomberg.net .

Source : http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601102&sid=aGxlDQfX69lg&refer=uk

Erin Finney Joins Austin’s Radisson Hotel and Suites Town Lake

April 16, 2007 10:05 AM Eastern Daylight Time

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The 413-Room Radisson Hotel & Suites Town Lake-Austin welcomes Erin Finney to the position of Sales Manager where she will focus on the State Association and State Government markets.

“We are excited to have Erin join our experiences Sales Team,” says Radisson GM Tom Schurr. “There is a growing demand in Austin for outstanding hotel and meeting locations, friendly customer service and enjoyable social gatherings. Erin understands Texas Hospitality and brings the energy and hotel management expertise that is key to delivering the professional and friendly hotel experience our clients have come to expect.”

Finney’s experience includes four years with the Marriott Plaza San Antonio in San Antonio, where she was most recently the Front Office Manager. She began there as Business Travel and Corporate Group Sales Manager for San Antonio’s 250-room destination/resort property with 16,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.

While managing the San Antonio four-diamond urban resort, Finney oversaw all front office operations including front desk, bell stand, concierge, parking, valet, PBX and gift shop. She also managed site inspections and client events and was named the Marriott Plaza's Manager of the Year in 2005.

Prior to her San Antonio experience, Finney held sales positions in Austin at the Omni Hotel Downtown and the Embassy Suites North. She effectively joined the Radisson Hotel and Suites on Town Lake March 26, and is excited to return to Austin and join the hotel's sales team.

The hotel just completed a million-dollar lobby remodel and expansion, which includes a fireplace, cozy seating, lobby bar service, free wireless Internet access, a full-service Starbucks®, and a completely remodeled TGI Friday’s with views of Town Lake and Austin’s famous bats!

The Radisson Hotel & Suites Austin is located on Town Lake, next to the hike and bike trail and is walking distance to businesses, the Convention Center, Austin’s Warehouse and 2^nd and 6^th Street Entertainment Districts and other points of interest.

The Radisson Hotel and Suites Town Lake-Austin offers upscale accommodations in a unique downtown/lakeside setting. The 413 room hotel features 99 two-room suites and 314 guest rooms, many with views of Town Lake. Whether you need to hold a small executive meeting or a function for 600 people, the Radisson Hotel and Suites Austin has flexible meeting space for all your event needs. For reservations visit http://www.radisson.com/austintx/ or call toll free (800) 333-3333.

Source : http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20070416005710&newsLang=en

First Courtyard by Marriott Hotel Opens in El Salvador

(WebWire) 4/16/2007 10:25:01 AM

Washington, DC -Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE:MAR) today announced the opening of its first Courtyard by Marriott hotel in El Salvador with the opening of the 133-room Courtyard by Marriott San Salvador Hotel. The hotel opened under a management agreement with Caribe Hospitality El Salvador. It is the first Courtyard-branded hotel to open in El Salvador and the third to open in Central America.

“We are delighted by the continued growth of our Courtyard by Marriott brand both in Central America and around the world. We are especially proud to introduce this widely acclaimed hotel brand in El Salvador,” said Alex Stadlin, Marriott’s area vice president for operations in Central America.

The general manager is Julia Bennett. The Courtyard by Marriott San Salvador Hotel is currently offering a rate of $109.00 USD per night plus all applicable taxes.

The hotel is conveniently located adjacent to La Gran Via lifestyle center, a new upscale entertainment complex in San Salvador, which offers guests a wide variety of local dining and shopping options.

For dining, the Courtyard by Marriott San Salvador Hotel offers La Puerta del Sol restaurant, serving breakfast daily, as well as a comfortable lobby bar for guests to enjoy cocktails and evening fare. The hotel also offers a 24-hour market. For social events and conferences, the hotel features four meeting rooms for a total of 238-square meters of space. Recreational amenities include an outdoor swimming pool and fitness center.

Marriott introduced its Courtyard brand in 1983. Since then, it has grown to be Marriott’s largest brand, and the world’s 13th largest lodging chain with 700 hotels in 24 countries and territories. It is aimed at business and leisure travelers who want consistent, high-quality accommodations and services at moderate, affordable prices. Over the years, Courtyard by Marriott hotels have been the leading choice in their category.

The Courtyard by Marriott brand is currently represented in Central America by two hotels; the Courtyard by Marriott San Jose in Costa Rica and the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel Punta Pacifica in Panama.

Source : http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=32714

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Jin Jiang International Form Joint Venture Hotel Management Company

Iconic Property to be renovated and reopened as The Fairmont Peace Hotel Shanghai in 2010

TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (MARKET WIRE) -- April 16, 2007 -- Jin Jiang International Group (Jin Jiang) and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts (Fairmont) announced today that they have formed a joint venture company to be named Jin Jiang Fairmont Hotel Management Company, LTD, which will renovate and reopen The Peace Hotel, a Shanghai landmark for over a century. The hotel is scheduled to close during the refurbishment period and reopen in 2010.

Jin Jiang's goal during The Peace Hotel renovation program, the largest in its history, is to restore the hotel to its position as the preeminent luxury hotel in Shanghai, and the company is utilizing not only its own expertise and heritage, but partnering with Fairmont, a luxury hotel group recognized for their stewardship of historic properties across the globe, including London's Savoy, A Fairmont Managed Hotel and New York City's Plaza Hotel.

Situated on the Bund, the 12-story Peace Hotel enjoys a premier downtown location, facing the Pudong area over the Hangpu River. First opened in 1929 as the Cathay Hotel, the property was located on the former site of the Sassoon Mansion and built in the Gothic style of the Chicago School, with a copper-sheathed roof rising 77 meters above ground level. The hotel has hosted distinguished guests from all over the world, including politicians, artists and celebrities such as General Marshall, Charlie Chaplin, Bernard Shaw and Noel Coward who wrote Private Lives while in residence.

The Peace Hotel is Fairmont's second announced project in the region, following a recent deal announcing a future hotel development project on Macao's Cotai Strip. "This agreement will provide Fairmont with the opportunity to extend our distinctive portfolio to one of the world's key gateway cities and utilize our expertise in historic assets and restore a preeminent Shanghai landmark," said William R. Fatt, Fairmont's Chief Executive Officer. "The addition of the Fairmont Peace Hotel Shanghai will provide the ideal platform for further expansion in Asia and we look forward working with Jin Jiang, a strong leader in this region to further develop our luxury hotel brand."

Jin Jiang, owner of the Peace Hotel, is the largest hotel owner and operator in China and the 22nd largest in the world, with more than 300 properties in their portfolio. The company was listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange last year and will be investing in numerous branded properties to support it's strategy of enhancing and accelerating growth in central cities of China and developing greater awareness for its brands. The joint venture with Fairmont is a major step towards improving its market competitiveness though strategic cooperation with an international, luxury hotel brand.

About Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

Featuring a collection of fabled castles, secluded lodges, storied meeting places and esteemed clubhouses, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts opens the doors to some of the world's most celebrated addresses and challenging golf courses. With locations throughout ten countries, our 50 distinctive hotels - including The Fairmont San Francisco, The Fairmont Banff Springs and London's Savoy - promise travelers rich experiences and lasting memories in unparalleled settings. Committed to growing its portfolio of world-class hotels, Fairmont will soon reflag five hotels in Kenya, a resort in St Andrews, Scotland and anticipates the 2007 re-opening of New York's famed Plaza Hotel. Future Fairmont Hotels & Resorts also include locations in Cairo, Abu Dhabi and Dubai's Palm Island. Fairmont Raffles Hotels International owns and operates 120 hotels worldwide under the Fairmont, Raffles, Swissotel and Delta brands. For more information or reservations, please visit www.fairmont.com.

Contacts:
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
Lori Holland (212) 715-7098
Email: lori.holland@fairmont.com
Website: www.fairmont.com

Source : http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release_html_b1?release_id=239042