Holiday Villas Usa

Ref: P184 - Self-catering house in New York USA

2006-12-06T20:39:00.000-08:00

Ref: P184 - Self-catering house in New York USA

Singapore ready to Host ASEAN’s Largest Tourism Showcase in 2007
Dec 06, 06 1:57 am
Singapore will host more than 1,600 participants including tourism government officials, travel industry professionals and international media at the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) happening next year from 26 January to 3 February 2007.
Now into its 26th year, the ATF is the largest tourism showcase for ASEAN. The annual forum comprises the meetings of the ASEAN Tourism Ministers, Heads of National Tourism Organisations (NTOs) and industry associations, the travel mart - TRAVEX and the ASEAN Tourism Conference.
Mr. Dayne Lim, Coordinating Regional Director (International Group), Singapore Tourism Board and Deputy Chairman of the ATF 2007 Singapore Host Committee said, “We are very excited to host ATF 2007, especially with ASEAN celebrating its 40th anniversary next year. ATF 2007 also offers an excellent opportunity to showcase Singapore as a compelling, must-visit destination. Over the recent years, Singapore has undergone many changes that has made it an even more vibrant and attractive destination. We look forward to welcoming ATF 2007 participants to enjoy a memorable and enriching experience in Uniquely Singapore.”
During their stay in Singapore, ATF 2007 participants can take the opportunity to experience first hand Singapore’s new attractions and unique lifestyle offerings including the 1.1 million square feet Vivocity, St. James Power Station comprising nine entertainment outlets, the trendy Singapore River which is currently being redeveloped into an iconic riverfront and 24 hour precinct as well as the Chinese New Year light-up tour.
With two months to go, the TRAVEX at ATF 2007 has already seen some 1,400 buyers and sellers from 50 countries confirmed their participation. The trade-only event will be held at SUNTEC Singapore.
Commenting on the participation for this year’s TRAVEX Mr. Lim said, “We are pleased to see such a strong interest this year from both sellers and buyers. For the sellers, it goes to show how important the ATF is as a platform to showcase the diversity of ASEAN’s tourism product offerings to an international audience. For the buyers, we are seeing more participation from those outside ASEAN – an indication of the region’s collective attractiveness as a destination to visitors from outside ASEAN.”
In 2005, 28 million visitors from outside ASEAN visited the region. This is a 4.2% increase over 2004, contributing to about 55% of total arrivals into ASEAN and demonstrating ASEAN’s continued draw as a destination to visitors from outside the region.
Mr Robert Khoo, Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of Travel Agents of Singapore (NATAS) and member of the ATF Singapore Host Committee added, “ASEAN is a very appealing destination for the global market. We are seeing strong interest at ATF 2007 not just from regional markets, but also long-haul markets such as Germany, UK and USA. The TRAVEX 2007 Secretariat is still receiving enquiries from trade members and is expecting registration to climb further.”
The TRAVEX halls at Suntec Singapore span over 10,600 square meters and so far, 95% of the 500 booths have already been booked.

Ref: P4280 - Villa in Costa Blanca - Azahar Spain

2006-12-06T19:41:00.000-08:00

Ref: P4280 - Villa in Costa Blanca - Azahar Spain

New Development Relationships appointment will see Hilton maximise development opportunity
Dec 06, 06 1:57 am
Hilton Hotels Corporation (HHC) has appointed Jan Hazelton as the new Vice President Development, Relationships & Funding for Europe - a new role, which will see Hilton drive its development strategy to a new level in key markets.
Jan joins Hilton from New York where she has been working for Calyon (formed from the merger of Crédit Agricole Indosuez and Crédit Lyonnais) as Senior Relationship Manager/Director - Lodging Group. She brings a wealth of experience from the banking and financing sector for both single and multiple unit hotel developments, in the US and Europe.
Patrick Fitzgibbon, SVP Development commented: "The HHC acquisition in February this year has brought with it a great opportunity for Hilton and the extended family of brands such as Doubletree, Hilton Garden Inn and Hampton Inn.
"We have identified key development markets for these brands and have worked quickly to boost the team, who will have responsibility for driving the strategy and maximising the opportunity. Jan's background in banking and finance is sure to bring an additional dimension to our development focus."
Jan will work closely with the European development team to match projects and opportunities with partners and investors, commencing her position with Hilton in early in December 2006.
About Hilton Hotels Corporation
Hilton Hotels Corporation (NYSE:HLT) is the leading global hospitality company, with more than 2,800 hotels and 495,000 rooms in more than 80 countries, including 150,000 team members worldwide.
The company owns, manages or franchises a hotel portfolio of some of the best known and highly regarded brands, including Hilton®, Conrad®, Doubletree®, Embassy Suites Hotels®, Hampton Inn®, Hampton Inn & Suites®, Hilton Garden Inn®, Hilton Grand VacationsT, Homewood Suites by Hilton®, Scandic and The Waldorf=Astoria CollectionT.
The Hilton Family of Hotels adheres to founder Conrad Hilton's philosophy that, "It has been, and continues to be, our responsibility to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality." The company put a name to its unique brand of service that has made it the best known and most highly regarded hotel company: be hospitable®. The philosophy is shared by all 10 brands in the Hilton Family of Hotels, and is the inspiration for its overarching message of kindness and generosity.
About Hilton Hotels Corporation
Hilton Hotels Corporation (NYSE:HLT) is the leading global hospitality company, with more than 2,800 hotels and 495,000 rooms in more than 80 countries, including 150,000 team members worldwide.
The company owns, manages or franchises a hotel portfolio of some of the best known and highly regarded brands, including Hilton®, Conrad®, Doubletree®, Embassy Suites Hotels®, Hampton Inn®, Hampton Inn & Suites®, Hilton Garden Inn®, Hilton Grand VacationsT, Homewood Suites by Hilton®, Scandic and The Waldorf=Astoria CollectionT.
The Hilton Family of Hotels adheres to founder Conrad Hilton's philosophy that, "It has been, and continues to be, our responsibility to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality." The company put a name to its unique brand of service that has made it the best known and most highly regarded hotel company: be hospitable®. The philosophy is shared by all 10 brands in the Hilton Family of Hotels, and is the inspiration for its overarching message of kindness and generosity.

Ref: P8009 - Apartment in Costa Blanca - Azahar Spain

2006-12-06T19:38:00.000-08:00

Ref: P8009 - Apartment in Costa Blanca - Azahar Spain

Analysts Bullish on Online Ad Spending
Dec 06, 06 1:58 am
An emerging consensus paints a positive picture.
The trend began early last week, when the Internet Advertising Bureau (IAB) and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) released new data showing that US Internet advertising revenues reached a record $4.2 billion in the third quarter of 2006.

That represents a 35% increase over the $3.1 billion figure posted for the third quarter of 2005, and a 2% increase over the second-quarter 2006 total of nearly $4.1 billion.
"Interactive advertising, with its eighth consecutive quarter of growth and the largest single quarter ever, is on pace for its biggest year," said David Silverman of PwC.
Now Merrill Lynch has raised its estimates.
Merrill Lynch now estimates that US online ad revenue for the first three quarters of 2006 was 35.5% more than in the same period in 2005. The firm previously forecast a 31% increase.
The company also now expects US online ad spending in the fourth quarter to be 30% more than it was in Q4 2005, up from its previous estimate of a 27% increase.
For 2007, Merrill is projecting 23.3% growth in online ad spending — up slightly from its previous projection of 22.5%.

Merrill Lynch expects paid search to increase 27% next year, and branded ads to grow by 21%.

Even with the injection of online video ad spending expected in 2007, the firm projects that search will still account for over 42% of the online advertising spend, up one percentage point from this year.

For more on Internet advertising, read eMarketer's report.
The trend began early last week, when the Internet Advertising Bureau (IAB) and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) released new data showing that US Internet advertising revenues reached a record $4.2 billion in the third quarter of 2006.

That represents a 35% increase over the $3.1 billion figure posted for the third quarter of 2005, and a 2% increase over the second-quarter 2006 total of nearly $4.1 billion.
"Interactive advertising, with its eighth consecutive quarter of growth and the largest single quarter ever, is on pace for its biggest year," said David Silverman of PwC.
Now has raised its estimates.
Merrill Lynch now estimates that US online ad revenue for the first three quarters of 2006 was 35.5% more than in the same period in 2005. The firm previously forecast a 31% increase.
The company also now expects US online ad spending in the fourth quarter to be 30% more than it was in Q4 2005, up from its previous estimate of a 27% increase.
For 2007, Merrill is projecting 23.3% growth in online ad spending — up slightly from its previous projection of 22.5%.

Merrill Lynch expects paid search to increase 27% next year, and branded ads to grow by 21%.

Even with the injection of online video ad spending expected in 2007, the firm projects that search will still account for over 42% of the online advertising spend, up one percentage point from this year.

For more on Internet advertising, read eMarketer's report.
The trend began early last week, when the Internet Advertising Bureau (IAB) and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) released new data showing that US Internet advertising revenues reached a record $4.2 billion in the third quarter of 2006.

That represents a 35% increase over the $3.1 billion figure posted for the third quarter of 2005, and a 2% increase over the second-quarter 2006 total of nearly $4.1 billion.
"Interactive advertising, with its eighth consecutive quarter of growth and the largest single quarter ever, is on pace for its biggest year," said David Silverman of PwC.
Now has raised its estimates.
Merrill Lynch now estimates that US online ad revenue for the first three quarters of 2006 was 35.5% more than in the same period in 2005. The firm previously forecast a 31% increase.
The company also now expects US online ad spending in the fourth quarter to be 30% more than it was in Q4 2005, up from its previous estimate of a 27% increase.
For 2007, Merrill is projecting 23.3% growth in online ad spending — up slightly from its previous projection of 22.5%.

Merrill Lynch expects paid search to increase 27% next year, and branded ads to grow by 21%.

Even with the injection of online video ad spending expected in 2007, the firm projects that search will still account for over 42% of the online advertising spend, up one percentage point from this year.

The next Gary Trooper

2006-08-16T02:58:00.000-07:00

New destinations, new products and increases in stand space at EIBTM 2006
Aug 02, 06 1:57 am
With four months still to go until EIBTM 2006, global exhibitor representation goes from strength to strength with further substantial stand increases and more destinations confirming their participation for the first time.
Germany will be exhibiting its meetings and incentives products on a stand 40% bigger than last year at over 500sqm - the destination’s largest stand at the EIBTM to date. Over 50 other exhibitors have also increased their stand size so far, including most recently, Visit London, Canadian Tourism Commission, Turkey, Venezuela, Romania, Tourism Malaysia, Greater Miami CVB and Starwood Hotels.
Colombia, previously promoted by the Tourism Office of Cartagena De Indias, will be increasing their presence as a result of growth in private sector companies joining their stand as Exhibiting Partners this year. Strong exhibitor representation from Central and South America will be further supported by Paraguay, El Salvador and Uruguay all participating at EIBTM for the first time providing visitors with the unique opportunity to discover the diverse range of meetings and incentives products from this emerging region.
Representing themselves individually at EIBTM this year will be Centro Sevilla Congresos who last year attended as an Exhibiting Partner with Andalucia. The Convention Centre, the first in the city, opened last year.
A newcomer to the meetings and incentive industry is Montenegro represented for the first time at the EIBTM by Montenegro Stars Hotel Group. Operating 4 and 5 star hotels and conference facilities, the group have chosen EIBTM to showcase themselves to an international audience.
Morocco, who have significantly increased their stand size over 2005, are heading to EIBTM determined to position the country as a “leading conference and incentive destination in North Africa” said Sakina Bouhsina, Director. “We believe that the show is a good investment and also excellent value for money as it ensures quality and quantity of visitors which is important.”
The EIBTM 2006 will take place from 28-30th November 2006, at Fira Gran Via in Barcelona.

USA hotel and villa news

2006-06-09T16:08:00.000-07:00

2006 Hotel Sales Continue Robust
Jun 09, 06 1:58 am
Over $9.5 billion in hotel sales transactions have been recorded year to date, according to data compiled by Hotel Brokers International's TransActions Data Services Division. Since the beginning of the year, more than 250 assets have sold at an average price per room of $162,000. Although the total number of properties trading hands is slightly lower than in 2005, the dollar volume represents a 55 percent increase over the amount posted during the comparable period last year.'Based on our analysis of the current market, 2006 will be another record year for hotel real estate transactions,' said Teague Hunter, CHB, and president of Hotel Brokers International. 'The market is still very active. Hotel values are strong and funding is readily available. Investors are aggressively looking for product and they are willing to pay to get what they want. ' Sales of economy and midscale hotels accounted for 48 percent of all transactions. Since the beginning of the year, economy properties sold at an average price per room of $24,000 and a room revenue multiplier of 3.7. Midscale hotels averaged $73,000 per room with an average cap ratio of 9.54 percent.'In 2005 we saw double digit RevPAR growth,' added Hunter, whose brokerage firm, Hunter Realty Associates, services the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. 'Currently RevPAR growth has slowed but is still impressive at around 7 percent. Occupancy and average daily rates continue to grow for all segments of the market. This bodes well for anyone who is interested in investing in the hotel market.'Tony De George, CHB, who recently closed on five transactions for a total of $22.7 million, noted, 'We are seeing a huge demand for properties in the economy and midscale segments. In Florida and the South Atlantic region there isn't much available inventory and hotels are selling at above the 2005 rates.' Florida, where De George's firm is located, recorded 15 percent of all hotel transactions in 2006, second only to California. According to De George, the state currently has 3,000 less available rooms as a result of property conversion to condo hotels during the past few years.In the midscale market, Hampton Inn was the most popular brand selling at an average price per room of $59,000. In the economy segment, Microtel was a big seller at an average price per room of $30,000.Upscale hotel sales were also healthy with close to 100 properties selling at an average price per room of $200,000. Ten luxury properties also sold since the beginning of the year at an average price per room of $648,000. The most notable transaction was the sale of the Four Seasons Resort, Hawaii, for $515 million. The 243-room luxury hotel sold along its related golf course and several parcels suitable for the development of residential or hotel condominiums.

Holiday- What do you think?

2006-05-24T01:36:00.000-07:00

Carlson Hotels Worldwide Announces Top Award Winners
Apr 13, 06 1:58 am

http://www.holidayhomesthestates.com/properties/

Honors Presented at Company's Annual Business Conference
Carlson Hotels Worldwide honored its top- performing hotels, managers and employees at the company's annual business conference held recently in Las Vegas. Following are highlights of the top award winners for Radisson Hotels & Resorts®, Park Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Country Inns & Suites By Carlsonsm and Park Inn®.
Special Recognition AwardsThree special awards were presented at the annual business conference, including two Diamond Awards to two general managers in New Orleans who showed great leadership in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina; and a Guest Satisfaction Award to a hotel group that is a champion of delivering guest service excellence at its Radisson hotels.
In August 2005, when Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, the Radisson New Orleans Airport Hotel, lost all communications, electricity and much of the bottom two floors. General Manager Weylan Rhame and a handful of employees remained at the hotel, working to secure generators and clean water, while repairing, cleaning and drying out mildly damaged rooms on the upper floors. Rhame and key management remained on site throughout the emergency, ultimately housing 550 relief workers, media and locals, who were allowed to stay after running out of money.
Guy Dinmore, reporting for the United Kingdom Financial Times, wrote, "If New Orleans were to make an award for entrepreneurial spirit in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, then Weylan Rhames, general manager of the Radisson Airport hotel, would be a top contender."
Near the French Quarter, General Manager Mike Larose of the Country Inn & Suites New Orleans, also without communications, sheltered 100 guests and employees during the storm as the rising flood waters reached with a block of the hotel and then arranged for their safe evacuation.

For their unparalleled courage and spirit in the wake of one of the most destructive natural disasters to occur in the U.S., the two New Orleans hotel general managers were presented with Diamond Awards.

The third special award, the Radisson 100% Champion Award, was presented to Radisson Hotels of Latin America for overall exceptional guest service at its hotels throughout the region.

Top-Performing Hotels

Radisson Hotels & Resorts honored 68 of its hotels and resorts with its prestigious President's Award, based on performance in 2005. The award- winning hotels were selected from among over 200 Radisson properties in The Americas, Asia Pacific and a portion of the United Kingdom. The top- performing President's Award hotel for 2005, the Radisson Hotel-Utica Centre in New York, was recognized as the best of the best with the coveted Pinnacle award. The President's and Pinnacle award-winning hotels excelled in property quality and cleanliness, property management, marketing and sales, leveraging the revenue generating tools of the brand and delivering total guest satisfaction.

Country Inns & Suites By Carlson presented its 2005 Presidential Award to the Country Inn & Suites in Lewisburg, Penn. This award is presented to the property that displayed outstanding sales and marketing efforts, distinguished itself with a high level of commitment to guest service, supported the Country Inns & Suites brand and has had exceptional financial success.
The Presidential Award for the Park Inn brand recognizes the hotel that demonstrated its commitment to guest service by consistently receiving scores of at least 90 percent in qualifying criteria during its annual Quality Performance Review. The Park Inn in Brunswick, Ga., was selected as the 2005 winner based on a vision that includes: Focus on the Customer; Provide Individualized Marketing and Services; and Empower Employees.

Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts awarded a Guest Services Award to the Park Plaza Bariboo, Wisc. This award recognizes the hotel that delivers the best overall guest service noted by top scores from guests indicating that they would stay again, the lowest number of guest complaints, and overall responsiveness to guest concerns. Park Plaza awarded the Park Plaza Toronto Airport with the Most Improved Property Award, based on the biggest improvement in revenue generated per available room (RevPAR), guest service and quality assurance scores from 2004 to 2005.

Top General Managers

Kelly Krier, general manager of the Country Inn & Suites in Kearney, Neb., was honored as Country Inns & Suites By Carlson's 2005 General Manager of the Year. The award is presented to the general manager who has provided the highest standards of leadership, particularly in the areas of sales and profit achievement, guest service and human resource development.
The General Manager of the Year for the Park Inn brand is Raju Patel of the Park Inn Orlando Winter Park in Florida. Patel was selected for his leadership excellence, which creates an engaging work environment that attracts and retains employees that are empowered to help the hotel achieve success. Patel has maintained superior performance at his hotel with little staff turnover.

Radisson Hotels & Resorts awarded Managing Director German Fayad of the Radisson Hacienda Cancun Hotel in Mexico the brand's top manager in The Americas. The Esprit Award is awarded annually to the top manager who establishes a high level of employee and guest engagement is recognized for excellence in guest services, RevPAR and profit growth, and who is an active participant within the brand. Under Fayad's leadership, the hotel was the first in Mexico to subscribe to the ECPAT (End Child Prostitution and Trafficking) program supporting the Carlson Hotels Worldwide institutional campaign, and it weathered two hurricanes. Following the storms, guest comments hailed Fayad's disaster planning and crisis management skills, which enabled the hotel to recover quickly, provide care to guests and maintain staffing.
Employees of the Year
Radisson selected Nadia Pinder, conference services manager at the Radisson Cable Beach & Golf Resort in Nassau, Bahamas, as the company's 2005 Employee of the Year. Pinder was chosen for her commitment to quality work, demonstration of a Yes I Can! attitude, and ability to create meaningful and positive experiences for guests and fellow employees.

Mohamed Abdi, front office manager at the Park Plaza Hotel Phoenix/Chandler, Ariz., was selected as that brand's Employee of the Year. Throughout 2005, Abdi regularly received complimentary guest comment letters, which told of how he displayed Park Pride toward guests to ensure they had a positive experience while staying at his hotel. To be considered for this award, nominees must display consistent, outstanding performance; a commitment to quality and excellence in their responsibilities; and an ability to create meaningful and positive experiences for Park Plaza guests and other employees.

Country Inns & Suites' Employee of the Year Award was presented to Nuve Quito of the Country Inns & Suites By Carlson in Des Moines-West, Iowa. Quito was the employee who by attitude and action most displayed the spirit of Country Hospitality in 2005, and is considered a team player who consistently goes beyond the call of duty to satisfy guests.

Looking For Holiday Accommodation????

2006-05-24T01:35:00.000-07:00

The Next Evolution Of Online Recruitment
Apr 14, 06 1:57 am
By Douglas Rosen, HVS International
Internet recruitment reaches new heights by blending in traditional search strategies. We live in an ever-changing world where hybrid solutions are becoming increasingly popular. The ability to combine the best attributes of two distinct models provides a unique solution for the consumer. In the continuing effort to supply companies with the best talent available, a hybrid recruitment solution has emerged. Lets examine how this model was born, its components and benefits.In the late 1990's, online job boards emerged as a low cost, innovative solution for attracting job seekers and filling property level needs. Employers embraced this new model, but so far job boards have delivered quantity, not necessarily quality. Job postings attract the active job seeker, but not the higher qualified passive job seeker. Employers have expressed that they are inundated with unqualified applicants via online job postings. While it is certainly possible to get a match with a posting, best practice companies are asking themselves, 'Do I want to settle on hiring the best person who applies to my posting, or do I want the absolute best person in my industry?'The goal of hybrid recruiting is to provide employers a targeted list of highly qualified interested candidates in a short amount of time. The candidates will be of quality because a search professional will be contacting the best fits directly and selling them on the opportunity. The cycle time gets reduced by leveraging the internet, which provides access to large pools of potential candidates.

http://www.holidayhomeseuro.com/rentals/Albania-Holiday/

This model is most effective for localized mid management positions. Senior level executive positions are still best handled by a retained executive search firm as those positions are more complex (and perhaps confidential), are often national or global, and the matching of culture and personality is much more exacting. We can see examples of the hybrid recruitment method being offered by both large job boards as well as by retained executive search firms. Careerbuilder.com offers its 'Right Fish' service, where their recruiters will hand select 10 qualified pre-screened applicants for an open position. Korn Ferry International has 'Future Step,' which is their mid-management recruitment solution where they tap into their pre-screened database for your needs. The industry specific job board HospitalityCareerNetwork.com has its 'HCN Select' in which a search consultant handles each account, screening and reaching out to passive job seekers.

Throughout any industry, technology is a tool that allows people to work more efficiently but can never truly replace human interaction. This is especially true when you combine human capital strategies with the hospitality industry, two areas that are particularly driven by people. Online recruitment will continue to evolve, but it can only realize it's greatest potential with a healthy dose of personal attention.About the Author Doug Rosen is Vice President of hospitalitycareernet.com, the online recruiting division of HVS Executive Search. Hospitalitycareernet.com is an internet recruiting solution, designed to help companies within the hospitality industry find talent.

Hospitalitycareernet.com also powers the job boards of organizations such as The Leading Hotels of the World and The Hotel Association of Canada. Mr. Rosen has written several articles about online recruitment, and also runs HVS's leadership and employment assessment.

Holidays in Trinidad

2006-05-11T02:11:00.000-07:00

Pitch LakeThe Pitch Lake is situated in the La Brea district, which is on the East Coast of Trinidad. It is the largest natural asphalt lake in the world.

http://blogs.holidayhomesthestates.com

Pitch is another word for tar. The lake, which is 100 acres, continually releases asphalt from the depths.Piparo Mud VolcanoPiparo Mud Volcano is one of Trinidad’s several mud volcanoes, which usually lie dormant. It erupted in 1997, causing wide spread damage which left a number of people homeless.Caroni Bird SanctuaryCaroni Bird Sanctuary is the refuge roosting site for the Scarlet Ibis, the national Bird of Trinidad and Tobago. There are a wide variety of wildlife, 150 species of birds including ospreys, herons, white flamingos, plovers and egrets. The Nariva SwampSeveral different species of birds inhabit this swamp. The Nariva swamp is one of the largest wetlands in the Caribbean. Touring by kayak is recommended, as it allows you to travel quietly through fields of water lilies observing butterflies, a variety of birds, hawks, monkeys and parrots.

Holiday Villas USA

2006-05-09T01:34:00.000-07:00

Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts Looks Back on a Successful ATM

May 09, 06 1:57 am
http://www.holidayhomesthestates.com

The Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai once again gave Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts an opportunity to be at its best and highlight its reputation as one of the Middle East’s leading hotel groups. The Swiss international hotel group announced the take over of a resort in Phuket/Thailand and a new project in Yanbu/Saudi Arabia, and was again among the big winners at the prestigious MENA Travel Awards 2006.

Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts organised a press conference at the Dubai World trade centre on 2 May. Jean Gabriel Pérès, President & CEO, and Andreas Mattmueller, Senior Vice President Middle East and Asia/Pacific unravelled the companies expansion plans across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia/Pacific, focussing on the take over of an upscale resort in Phuket/Thailand and a new project in Yanbu/Saudi Arabia.

As last year the Mövenpick Swiss Night Dinner Cocktail was held on 3 May at Mövenpick Hotel Bur Dubai. The event was hosted by Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts in collaboration with Switzerland Tourism and Swiss International Air Lines. Over 500 guests including key accounts, business partners and journalists enjoyed an exclusive night of international culinary delights and modern jazz conducted by Pulsar, a Swiss band flown in for the occasion. The highlight of ATM was once again the dinner reception marking the MENA Travel Awards on 4 May. The Award recognises the competence, creativity and unique character of the successful and constantly expanding tourism sector in the Middle East and North Africa. More than 61'000 travel industry representatives and guests elected the 72 winners in a total of 18 categories. Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts again picked up numerous awards, with the Mövenpick Hotels in El Quseir, Sharm El Sheikh, Beirut, Jeddah, Doha and Dubai the night’s big winners. Platinum Awards went to the Mövenpick Resort El Quseir in the category of Best Environmental 4-Star Hotel (2005 Golden Award Winner in the same category) and the Jolie Ville Mövenpick Golf & Resort Sharm El Sheikh in the Best Golf Club category. The Mövenpick Hotel & Resort Beirut picked up a Golden Award in the category of Best Spa as well as the Mövenpick Hotel Jeddah for Best 4-Star New Hotel of the Year 2005. The Mövenpick Hotel Doha and the Mövenpick Hotel Bur Dubai won Golden Awards for the Best 4-Star Business/Corporate Hotel and the Best Price/Value Hotel respectively (both hotels were Silver Award Winners in the same categories last year).

“We are delighted with the prestigious MENA Awards, as they reflect the high level of quality, service and dedication provided by our employees. The awards are a true testimonial for our company’s philosophy of true excellence in Swiss hospitality”, explained Andreas Mattmueller, Senior Vice President Middle East and Asia/Pacific Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts.
“This year again the ATM was the ideal forum for meeting decision makers in tourism and hospitality and to make new contacts”, added Jean Gabriel Pérès, President & CEO Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts. “What’s more, it’s always impressive to witness how strongly Dubai is developing as a destination – and we’re delighted to be a part of this dynamic growth with no fewer than seven hotels currently under construction.”

Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts (MH&R), a premium hotel management company with over 10,000 employees, is represented in 24 countries with 80 hotels existing or under construction and focuses on its core markets in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. The international hotel group with Swiss roots is forging ahead with its expansion and aims to extend its portfolio to include 100 hotels by 2010. MH&R has an established presence in the 4 and 5-star segment with two types of accommodation: business and conference hotels and holiday resorts. In keeping with its slogan “True Excellence in Swiss Hospitality“, the hotel chain is a byword for the uncompromising quality of its products and services. The hotel group is owned by the Mövenpick Holding (66.7 %) as well as the Kingdom Group (33.3 %).