Chalets Europe

Ref: P10108 - Apartment in Heart Of Northland New Zealand

2006-12-03T19:52:00.000-08:00

Ref: P10108 - Apartment in Heart Of Northland New Zealand

10 Marketing Trends to Watch in 2007
Nov 30, 06 1:59 am
By Kim T. Gordon, MSNBC Throughout 2006, I've been watching and interpreting the marketing stats and studies that impact small businesses to give you tips on staying one step ahead. Now, with 2007 fast approaching, let's look at a roundup of the hottest trends, from changes taking place among consumer audiences through what to watch for in traditional and online marketing. Here's the info you need on the most important trends and how to make the most of them to increase sales and grow your business in the New Year.
Consumer Trends
1. College GradsIf you're searching for the most effective way to reach this desirable prospect group, move your marketing dollars into online media. The internet is now the primary source of media and entertainment among college grads, whose top planned purchases upon graduation are professional clothing, travel/airline tickets, health insurance and furniture according to the “Y2M: eGrad College Graduate Survey”. Nearly 80 percent of respondents are online purchasers, making them ideal candidates for your online campaign.
2. Affluent Working WomenThe big news is that this group is increasing in size, and the best way to reach them may be online. According to The Media Audit, affluent working women with family incomes of $75,000 or more are growing in number, and 94.3 percent access the internet during an average month. About half are now considered heavy users of the internet, while heavy use of radio, television, newspapers and direct mail has all declined within this group. To increase sales from this expanding audience, alter your media spending to place greater emphasis online.
3. Asian Population GrowthThe southern region of the U.S. boasts the fastest Asian population growth rate (31 percent), followed by the Midwest (24 percent), the Northeast (23 percent) and the West (19 percent), according to an analysis of Census Bureau data in the “American Community Survey” by Kang & Lee Advertising. Asians represent a prospect group with higher than average household incomes and education levels. Can you offer a product or service that will appeal to this growing market?

Ref: P11067 - Self-catering house in Taupo New Zealand

2006-12-03T19:50:00.000-08:00

Ref: P11067 - Self-catering house in Taupo New Zealand

10 Marketing Trends to Watch in 2007
Nov 30, 06 1:59 am
By Kim T. Gordon, MSNBC Throughout 2006, I've been watching and interpreting the marketing stats and studies that impact small businesses to give you tips on staying one step ahead. Now, with 2007 fast approaching, let's look at a roundup of the hottest trends, from changes taking place among consumer audiences through what to watch for in traditional and online marketing. Here's the info you need on the most important trends and how to make the most of them to increase sales and grow your business in the New Year.
Consumer Trends
1. College GradsIf you're searching for the most effective way to reach this desirable prospect group, move your marketing dollars into online media. The internet is now the primary source of media and entertainment among college grads, whose top planned purchases upon graduation are professional clothing, travel/airline tickets, health insurance and furniture according to the “Y2M: eGrad College Graduate Survey”. Nearly 80 percent of respondents are online purchasers, making them ideal candidates for your online campaign.
2. Affluent Working WomenThe big news is that this group is increasing in size, and the best way to reach them may be online. According to The Media Audit, affluent working women with family incomes of $75,000 or more are growing in number, and 94.3 percent access the internet during an average month. About half are now considered heavy users of the internet, while heavy use of radio, television, newspapers and direct mail has all declined within this group. To increase sales from this expanding audience, alter your media spending to place greater emphasis online.
3. Asian Population GrowthThe southern region of the U.S. boasts the fastest Asian population growth rate (31 percent), followed by the Midwest (24 percent), the Northeast (23 percent) and the West (19 percent), according to an analysis of Census Bureau data in the “American Community Survey” by Kang & Lee Advertising. Asians represent a prospect group with higher than average household incomes and education levels. Can you offer a product or service that will appeal to this growing market?

Holiday homes, rentals, bed and breakfast, baches, accommodation, villas and cottages in New Zealand - Advertise now your property for FREE

2006-12-03T19:49:00.000-08:00

Holiday homes, rentals, bed and breakfast, baches, accommodation, villas and cottages in New Zealand - Advertise now your property for FREE

U.S. Hotel Profits Up 13.1 Percent In 2006
Nov 30, 06 2:01 am
The U.S. lodging industry continues to benefit from double-digit profit growth in 2006. According to a recent study, the gross operating profit (GOP) for the typical U.S. hotel increased 13.1 percent from the first half of 2005 to the first half of 2006. However, during this period hotel managers continued to struggle to control such costs as salaries and wages, employee benefits, utilities, and maintenance. This analysis is based on data presented in the recently released 2006 mid-year edition of Trends in the Hotel Industry published by PKF Hospitality Research (PKF-HR), an affiliate of PKF Consulting.“Due to the strength of the economy, U.S. hotels posted healthy increases in occupancy and room rates during the first half of 2006,” said R. Mark Woodworth, president of Atlanta-based PKF-HR. “Given where the lodging industry is in the business cycle, the strong gains in room rates were expected, and the sustained growth in occupancy augurs well for continued profit growth. While the resulting 9.7 percent gain in total revenue is certainly welcome, it is the 7.8 percent increase in operating expenses that concerns hotel owners and operators.”“Compared to other industries, the hotel business does not benefit to the same degree from gains in productivity due to automation,“ Woodworth noted. “Hotels are very labor-, marketing-, and management-intensive. They are 24/7 operations that require a complete re-sell of the inventory each and every day. The 13.1 percent increase in profit over the first six months of 2006 has been achieved because the marketplace has generated revenues that outpaced the sharp rise in these burdensome operating expenses.”The PKF-HR 2006 mid-year edition of Trends in the Hotel Industry presents detailed revenue and expense data for both full-service and limited-service hotels for the periods January through June of 2006 and 2005. For the purposes of this report, operating expenses and GOP are calculated before deductions for management fees, property taxes, and insurance.Strong Revenue GrowthTotal hotel revenue grew 9.7 percent during the first half of 2006, the result of strong sales in most operating departments. The survey sample averaged a 1.9 percent gain in occupancy, along with an 8.5 percent increase in average room rates (ADR). The net result was a 10.6 percent boost in rooms revenue, the main driver of total revenue.“A benefit of the strong gain in occupied rooms is the contribution it made to increased business in the restaurants, lounges, and other operated departments of the nation’s hotels,” Woodworth noted. “Except for the telecommunications department, all minor sources of hotel revenue achieved growth in excess of 7.0 percent.”Unallocated and UncontrollableHotel operating expenses grew an average of 7.8 percent during the first half of 2006. This is more than twice the 3.8 percent U.S. inflation rate recorded during the same period.“When analyzing the data, all expense items experienced strong increases during the first half of 2006,” said Woodworth. “A closer look reveals that the greatest increases in operating costs occurred in the areas where management has the least control.”Total operated department expenses grew 6.7 percent in the first six months of 2006, compared to a 9.5 percent growth in undistributed department expenses. Undistributed department costs, such as administration, marketing, maintenance, and utilities, are typically viewed primarily as fixed expenses. In other words, they do not vary as much with business volume as the expenses in the rooms, food, and beverage departments.“The fact that undistributed operating expenses grew faster than the operating department costs is indicative of the rise in the base cost of the goods and services that hotels must purchase to sustain their operations,” Woodworth said. “For example, hotel management has very little control over a sharp rise in utility costs, or increases in royalty payments based on the terms of their franchise contract. On the other hand, operators do have the ability to adjust the staffing of room attendants or bartenders to control labor costs.”Limited-Service ThrivingThrough the first half of 2006, limited-service hotels enjoyed greater gains in revenue and profits compared to full-service properties. During the first six months of 2006, limited-service revenues grew 11.1 percent, which resulted in a 17.7 percent gain in GOP. Concurrently, full-service hotels saw their revenues grow 9.5 percent, while enjoying a 12.4 percent increase in profits.“Limited-service hotels did not experience as severe a decline in performance during the 2001 – 2003 recession, thus positioning the segment a little behind full-service hotels in the long-term business cycle. Limited service hotels are currently experiencing great gains in revenue and profits because their recovery has occurred at a slower pace,” Woodworth said. “Full-service properties have already reached the peak of their recovery and are now entering a period of more modest profit growth.”Slower Finish, Yet Still StrongDue to the impact of Hurricane Katrina on industry performance during the fourth quarter of 2005, as well as a moderation in the nation’s economic growth, PKF-HR is expecting a slight slowdown in the pace of performance gains during the later part of 2006. “The lingering Katrina and economic impacts on lodging industry performance during the fourth quarter of 2006 will result in annual revenue and profit gains somewhat less than those achieved during the first half of the year. However, PKF-HR is still projecting that 2006 will mark the third consecutive year of double-digit profit growth for U.S. hotels,” Woodworth concluded.

Holiday cottages are proving more popular than hotels

2006-11-05T18:47:00.000-08:00

Three million hours, 100,000 litres of water & 40,000 light bulbs
Nov 03, 06 1:58 am
The challenge that faced InterContinental Hotels Group’s Director of Engineering at Dubai Festival City
With the InterContinental and Crowne Plaza Festival City developments really starting to resemble the impressive statures they’ll become by summer 2007, the project’s Director of Engineering gives an insider’s view on what exactly goes into constructing world-class properties that will stand out even in five-star studded Dubai.
William (Bill) Carr has extensive international experience in hotel development and operation in a career spanning 28 years, having worked in the West Indies, North America, Canada and Europe before coming to the Middle East some 12 years ago with Holiday Inn Worldwide, now InterContinental Hotels Group.
Prior to joining the Dubai Festival City project, Carr was the Area Chief Engineer for InterContinental Hotels Group – Egypt, responsible for 11 properties as well as being the Chief Engineer for the InterContinental and Holiday Inn Citystars hotels based at the Citystars complex, Egypt’s largest shopping plaza.
As Director of Engineering for the InterContinental Hotels Group properties at Dubai Festival City, Carr is tasked with ensuring the highest level of both property and safety standards are adhered to at construction stage through to the opening and beyond.
While Carr’s experience is clearly extensive, the InterContinental Hotels Group properties at Dubai Festival City are a phenomenal piece of work and must have seemed a tall order even for Carr who stands at over two metres tall.
“This is the largest project I have worked on to date,” said Carr. “The Dubai Festival City project is an awesome feat and the InterContinental and Crowne Plaza hotels as well as the InterContinental Residence Suites are set to become iconic fixtures at the heart of the development.”
While Carr’s height and credentials are impressive, the new InterContinental and Crowne Plaza properties present some awe-inspiring statistics of their own. Together they’ll take up almost three million man hours, use over 100,000 litres of water and require more than 40,000 light bulbs!
“We’re really proud of the water features currently taking shape at the InterContinental and Crowne Plaza hotels – they are going to be spectacular,” said Carr. “Both hotel properties will have temperature-controlled outdoor spa pools and, at the Crowne Plaza, a unique water feature around the circumference of the hotel will be breathtaking.”
Other jaw dropping figures include a total of 60,000m3 of concrete and well over 1000km of cable which have been sourced to complete the projects. And these numbers do not even include materials required for the InterContinental Residence Suites also being built at Dubai Festival City, which will be a first for the group in the UAE market and are specially designed to cater to the needs of extended stay guests.
While Carr says modern construction materials withstand Dubai weather conditions easily, the InterContinental Hotels Group projects at Dubai Festival City properties are much heavier on air conditioning than hotels in other parts of the world and also incorporate a system to slow down the velocity of the air entering the properties to increase the efficiency of the cooling facilities.
At 35-floors high, the InterContinental property will boast over 500 exquisitely designed rooms, including 120 suites, three Presidential Suites and one Royal Suite. All rooms will have a choice of views including the Dubai Creek, the Festival Marina or a world-class shopping centre.
All bathrooms will feature panoramic views, as well as flat screen televisions, separate wet zone incorporating showers and free standing bathtubs. With technology services now playing a major role in enhancing the customer hotel experience, each of the rooms will be equipped with high speed broad band internet access, flat screen TVs, each with CD, DVD and VCD.
While the brand’s iconic Club InterContinental will be located on the 26th floor with capturing views of the creek and the city’s skyline, g uests in search of relaxation will be able to pamper themselves at the new spa facility, the first massage and therapy spa to operate within the InterContinental Hotels Group portfolio of properties in the UAE.
On schedule and set for completion by summer 2007, the hotel’s meeting facilities include a 4,500sqm conference centre across two levels which can cater for up to 1800 guests.
According to Carr the level of construction and the high-specification of the hotels being built compare to no-where in the world.
“ Dubai is recognised by all in the construction industry as leading the way in terms of sheer pace of development at present and the InterContinental Hotels Group properties are no exception,” commented Carr. “While the group’s properties at Dubai Festival City will retain the brand standards established over four decades in the region, they will also incorporate the latest in cutting edge design throughout the rooms, F&B outlets and leisure facilities.”
Carr is confident that the Crowne Plaza property will follow the InterContinental’s timely completion and will then become a real ‘place to meet’ in the city, especially thanks to its strategic location incorporating a state-of-the-art conference centre.
The 316-room property, including 26 suites, presents an ideal location for business travellers, with all rooms equipped with high-speed internet access and flat plasma TV screens. And for those who want to take a break from the business of the day, they will be able opt for a physical workout at the fully-equipped state-of-the-art gymnasium complete with sauna and steam rooms. Alternatively guests will have the option of enjoying the pool leisure deck area which will enclose the 25m swimming pool and outdoor spa pools and featuring equally stunning views of the creek.
The Dubai Festival City development within Middle East and the UAE particularly, is extremely important within the objectives of the InterContinental Hotels Group globally, with a company goal of a net organic growth of 60,000 rooms by 2008.
“My dream is to build my own ‘family run’ hotel one day in a nice, sunny place,” said Carr. “Hopefully having worked on the InterContinental Hotels Group properties, which I considered two of the most prestigious in the world, will stand me in good stead.”
About InterContinental Hotels Group
InterContinental Hotels Group PLC of the United Kingdom [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms. InterContinental Hotels Group owns, manages, leases or franchises, through various subsidiaries, over 3,650 hotels and 540,000 guest rooms in nearly 100 countries and territories around the world. The Group owns a portfolio of well recognised and respected hotel brands including InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn® Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express®, Staybridge Suites®, Candlewood Suites® and Hotel Indigo®, and also manages the world's largest hotel loyalty programme, Priority Club® Rewards with over 28 million members worldwide.

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WOW folks

2006-06-19T01:25:00.000-07:00

Jonathan Tisch Receives Tourism Achievement Award for Dedication to New York City
Jun 19, 06 1:57 am
Jonathan M. Tisch, Chairman & CEO of Loews Hotels was selected and honored as the recipient of the 13th annual Frank W. Berkman Tourism Achievement Award by the Big Apple Chapter of the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI).
The award was created in 1994 by the Past Presidents’ Council of the HSMAI Chapter to recognize those individuals or organizations that have made a significant contribution to the travel and tourism industry in New York City. The award was named for Frank W. Berkman who, for 16 years, was the Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of HSMAI.
Jonathan Tisch has been a stalwart supporter of New York City tourism and spearheaded the revival of tourism after the city was devastated 9-11-2001. He is also:
Chairman of the Board of Directors of NYC & Company, which promotes tourism to New York City
Chairman of the New York University International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference
Chairman of the Travel Business Roundtable
Previous recipients include the late Preston Robert Tisch, Jonathan’s father and then Chairman of the Board for Loews Hotels. Other recipients were:
1994 Charles Gillett, President of the New York Convention & Visitors Bureau
1995 Preston Robert Tisch, Chairman of the Board for Loews Hotels
1996 Arthur Surin, Senior Vice President of Hilton Hotels Corporation
1997 Mayor Rudolph Giulliani
1998 Donald Trump
1999 The Today Show
2000 The League of American Theatres & Producers
2001 Starwood Hotels & Resorts
2002 The New York Police, Fire Department, EMS & Port Authority Police
2003 Macy*s
2004 The Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre & Broadcasting
2005 ING New York City Marathon
“As the sales and marketing arm of the hospitality industry, HSMAI values the enormous contributions Jonathan Tisch has made both to New York City and the travel, tourism and hospitality industries and finds it particularly fitting that he followed in his father’s steps with his dedication to tourism development in New York,” said Kathie Stapleton, Executive Director of the Chapter and daughter of the late Frank W. Berk HSMAI is an organization of sales and marketing professionals representing all segments of the hospitality industry. With a strong focus on education, HSMAI has become the industry champion in identifying and communicating trends in the hospitality industry, and bringing together customers and members at 15 annual events. Founded in 1927, HSMAI is an individual membership organization comprising nearly 7,000 members worldwide, with 38 chapters in the Americas region.

Our little Slice of Heaven

2006-06-19T01:24:00.000-07:00

Starwood sells 35 hotels in Europe
Jun 19, 06 1:58 am
Sales closed to affiliate of Host Hotels & Resorts.Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announced that it has closed on the sale of the Westin Europa & Regina hotel in Venice Italy to an affiliate of Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. This hotel is part of the portfolio of 35 hotels to be sold to Host. The closing of this hotel was deferred as a result of certain notice periods and consents that had not been received prior to the closing of the sale of 28 of the hotels on April 10, 2006 and four hotels on May 3, 2006. The hotel will remain in the Starwood system and continue to be managed by Starwood under a long-term management agreement. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately 850 properties in more than 95 countries and 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood(R) Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis(R), The Luxury Collection(R), Sheraton(R), Westin(R), Four Points(R) by Sheraton, W(R), Le Meridien(R) and the recently announced Aloft(SM). Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit

Bulgarian Properties Europe

2006-05-19T01:38:00.000-07:00

Thailand Launches International Competition for Building Memorial to Commemorate Tsunami Disaster
Sep 23, 05 1:48 am
The Government of Thailand will soon build a memorial to commemorate the devastating December 2004 Tsunami that claimed thousands of lives across South and Southeast Asia. Today, at a launch event, press conference and exhibition, held at the United Nations Conference Center, Bangkok, Thailand, the Thai Government announced the Tsunami Memorial Design Competition, open to all architects and designers, artists and laypersons to design and submit concepts for a memorial that will be built to commemorate the victims, both Thai and foreign, of the devastating December 26 Tsunami that struck the six southern provinces of Thailand along the Andaman coast along with their islands. Presiding over the auspicious event was Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Liptapanlop.Some 5,395 Thai and foreign nationals lost their lives, 8,457 people were injured and 2,817 are still missing, while the total amount of damage due to the December 26 Tsunami to the economy, society, geological settings, ecological systems and coastline landscape is still difficult to assess.

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The Government of Thailand has launched the Tsunami Memorial International Design Competition with the goal of gathering and developing ideas and concepts with the objective of building an appropriate and interactive Memorial. The Thai Government has selected a site in Khao Lak – Lamru National Park in Phangnga, the hardest hit province in Thailand, to build the Tsunami Memorial as a permanent tribute to those who lost their lives. According to Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Liptapanlop, the Thai Government felt it was important to establish some form of cooperative effort between Thais and foreigners to remember the tremendous losses attributed to the Tsunami. “At the same time, the proposed memorial is to honor all those across the globe who provided assistance and relief to Tsunami-affected persons immediately after the Tsunami hit and in the hours, days and weeks that followed,” announced Deputy Prime Minister Suwat.

Holiday Chalets in Europe

2006-05-18T02:29:00.000-07:00

Beautiful St. Thomas Island.
St. Thomas Island is a relatively small island, barely 4 miles wide and 13 miles long. It is hilly, with a mountain ridge that runs east to west that divides the island in half. Visitors are drawn to the popular tourist sites, but there?s much more to see on St. Thomas Island. Historical sites and monuments provide ample reward for those interested in learning more about St Thomas Island. The busy shopping town of Charlotte Amalie also hosts an excellent museum, as well as the beautiful Emancipation Gardens. Before setting out to explore St Thomas Island, it is well to understand how the street names work. Stemming from a mixed cultural heritage, the streets are named with both their Dutch and in English versions.

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Sunny St. Thomas Island is busiest between December and April, being a favorite vacation spot for those wishing to escape the gray skies and icy winds of winter in North America. Nearly all cruise lines make a stop at St Thomas Island. Guided tours are available, both by boat and helicopter, as well as safari tours by bus, making the island as carefree or as adventuresome as the visitor may wish. There are fewer crowds when summer comes, with the warmer weather, but the rates go down considerably then, making a stay very affordable. St. Thomas Island is about a 4 hour flight from New York City.