As the world continues to work through one of the most paralyzing periods of economic crisis, one economic sector is actually gaining wide-scale appreciation for its ability to generate employment, revenues, and investment and unity: the global tourism sector. Fueling growth of the sector is the growing hunger for travel within, and to, the BRICS nations (Brasil, Russia, China, India, South Africa).
India, one of the world’s largest out-bound travel nations and most exciting inbound destinations, continues to fuel worldwide travel activity. Under this premise, and with the poignant theme, “Addressing Change – Rebrand, Reposition, Reinvent,” the Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) held its annual convention in Macao, China, from November 22-25, 2011. The convention was a calling together of over 1,200 of India’s travel business leaders and agency owners from Air India and Kingfisher Airlines to Nomad Tours and Cox and Kings. With an agenda focused on essential strategies and tools for business growth, including the role of the agent, business development strategies and partnerships, adoption of technology, evolving media, and CRM, the 2011 TAFI Convention was undoubtedly one of India’s most important travel conventions of 2011.
Ryanair has outraged Spanish housewives who claim the airline's 2012 charity calendar, which features scantily-clad members of its cabin crew, is exploiting female workers.
The Provincial Association of Housewives and Consumers of Valencia (TYRIUS) has issued a formal complaint to the airline and reported it to the Non-Sexist Advertising Observatory of Valencia as it "uses the female body" in the form of advertising.
Continue reading "Ryanair's Calendar Girls cause Spanish outrage" »
The all-new Tropicana Las Vegas unveiled an $180 million South Beach-inspired transformation this past year and its new look, exciting rhythm and vibe, and unique focus on exceptional customer service has earned the property numerous travel industry accolades, officially establishing Tropicana Las Vegas as one of the top resorts in Las Vegas. In addition, ratings for Tropicana Las Vegas' new restaurants Biscayne Steak, Sea & Wine and Bacio by Carla Pellegrino on TripAdvisor have recently revealed the dining venues to be the best kept culinary secret on the Las Vegas Strip.
Among the New Year's Eve packages available is the 'Midnight Revels' package in which guests can ring in the New Year over a 6-course menu served in the swanky Gladstone Library overlooking the midnight fireworks display at the London Eye. A more intimate evening can be found at the hotel's award winning OneTwentyOneTwo restaurant which offers equally stunning views of the fireworks. With 2012 being billed as a year of celebration for London, this year's fireworks display is set to top all previous efforts.
Continue reading "Guoman Hotels' Royal Horseguards reveals its New Year's Eve packages" »
It's a tough time for independent hotels. The anemic recovery may just have stalled. Lenders won't return phone calls. Competing for frequent travelers has never been tougher, as big brands creep into the independent's backyard with new mass-produced boutiques like Aloft and Indigo. It's enough to keep an independent hotelier up at night. And there may be reason for that insomnia. Hotel broker Atlas Hospitality estimates independents represent 71% of the California hotels in foreclosure.
Continue reading "Independent Hoteliers Find New Solutions in Tough Time" »
Thread count is essential for some guests. Others check in for the views or a buzz-worthy restaurant. But for geeks, a hotel is nothing without a high-tech gadget, a high-concept gimmick, or a connection to something the geek world holds dear (paging Star Wars fans).
When Wyndham Worldwide (NYSE:WYN) reported earnings 10 days ago on October 26th, 2011, analysts, on average, expected the company to report earnings of $0.88 on sales of $1.2 billion. The company actually reported EPS of $0.94 on sales of $1.2 billion, beating EPS estimates by $0.06 and missing revenue estimates by $2.0 million. Since the company's report, shares of Wyndham Worldwide have risen from $32.81 to $34.05, representing a gain of 3.8% in the past 10 days.
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