| February 23, 2012 | News for hotel and lodging professionals |
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- Budget-segment growth lifts Accor's 2011 performance
Accor's 2011 earnings before interest and tax grew 19%, to $702 million from $593 million in 2010, boosted by strong business in emerging markets and its budget hotels segment. "Despite the uncertain economic environment, business is holding firm," the company said. This year, Accor will be pursuing the goal of adding 40,000 rooms; it sees opportunities in Latin America and the Asia-Pacific region, CEO Denis Hennequin said. Bloomberg
(2/22)      
| Business Update |  |  |
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- MGM Resorts posts lower Q4 net loss amid rising Strip performance
MGM Resorts International Chairman and CEO James Murren reported his company's net loss dropping to $113.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2011, compared with a $139.2 million loss a year earlier, as revenues climbed 55.4%, to $2.3 billion. Murren also made positive predictions regarding Las Vegas' hotel-casino industry based on reports of improving revenue per available room and gaming business at Strip resorts. "Gaming is coming back in Las Vegas," he said. Las Vegas Review-Journal
(2/22)
- InterContinental Hotels inaugurates London training academy
InterContinental Hotels Group has opened a hospitality training academy in London, in partnership with Newham College. The new facility seeks to provide locals with relevant industry skills and is expected to generate 3,000 jobs over the next three years. Reuters
(2/22)
| Market Trends | | |
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- Hotels promote medical tourism as the trend rises
Hotels around the world are working to attract more medical tourists to their locations and tailoring hotel services to suit their specific needs as more travelers opt to undergo medical procedures abroad, this feature says. The 2011 U.S. and Global Survey of Health Care Consumers by the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions shows 25% of respondents saying they are willing to travel for necessary medical care, and 22% say they would do so for elective procedures. Top destinations for medical tourism include Brazil, Costa Rica, India, Singapore, Turkey and Uruguay, Deloitte says. HotelNewsNow.com
(2/21)
| Best Practices | | |
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- Facebook offers deeper engagement with fans, travel leader says
Adopting a Facebook-based marketing campaign provides a wide range of opportunities to reach out to consumers, gain new customers and encourage deeper conversations with fans, said Tom Kuhr, senior vice president of marketing for Luxury Link Travel Group. Kuhr advises ensuring variety in posts and building a distinctive brand personality when engaging with fans. Hospitality Net
(2/22)
| Development | | |
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- Developer readies construction of 2 Marriotts in Lakewood, Wash.
Developer InterMountain Management has begun prep work on a site in Lakewood, Wash., where it plans to build two Marriott hotels side by side. The $23 million project will include a 109-room Courtyard by Marriott and an extended-stay TownePlace Suites by Marriott, with 101 rooms. Plans call for groundbreaking by the fourth quarter, with construction expected to take a year. GlobeSt.com
(2/21)
- Seneca Allegany Casino expansion is weeks ahead of schedule
Expansion work at the Seneca Allegany Casino in Salamanca, N.Y., is under budget and ahead of schedule by several weeks. Seneca Gaming credits an efficient workforce and a mild winter for progress with its hotel tower. "It was just a short two months ago that we announced construction of the new Seneca Allegany Casino Tower," said Cathy Walker, president and CEO of Seneca Gaming. Olean Times Herald (N.Y.)
(2/22)
| AH&LA News | | |
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Interactive calculator exposes your credit card processing fees
Calculate your card processing rates with the American Hotel & Lodging Association's rate calculator courtesy of Heartland Payment Systems and discover how you may be able to reduce the costs of one of your hotel's largest expenses. Visit knowyourhotelscardrates.com to find out what you're really paying in processing fees.
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Appoint 5 contacts
When your organization becomes a member of AH&LA, up to five employees can be elected as contacts to receive all AH&LA communication and benefits. It's a great way to keep HR in the know about labor issues or your PR department current on the latest media frenzy. Just contact member services at (800) 252-2462 or membership@ahla.com to have names added.
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