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- World's tallest hotel to open next summer in North Korea
The world's tallest hotel is set to partially open next summer in the North Korean capital of Pyongyang, part of a bid by the government of Kim Jong Un to attract foreign currency to the impoverished country. The 105-story Ryugyong Hotel, whose name means "capital of willows" in Korean, will measure about 1,083 feet tall and feature shops, restaurants and a ballroom. It will be run by German luxury-hotel operator Kempinski. Bloomberg Businessweek
(11/1)
| The Concierge Desk
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- Buyers rush to new Swiss luxury-hotel-residences
Two new luxury hotels under construction in the Swiss ski resort town of Verbier will soon add new premium options at the increasingly popular site located two hours from Geneva. The new W Hotel and Residences will include 33 properties, including three- to five-bedroom apartments; the residences already have sold. The hotel-residence Cordée des Alpes has sold 12 of its 14 apartments. The New York Times (tiered subscription model)
(11/1)
- MGM, Royal Caribbean team up to offer customer rewards
MGM Resorts International has entered into a deal with Royal Caribbean that would allow customers to use reward points for amenities provided by the two companies starting in January. Under the agreement, members of MGM's M life programs will be allowed to earn points for free cruises with Royal Caribbean, while Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society members can use their rewards at MGM properties in Detroit, Las Vegas and Mississippi. VegasInc.com (Las Vegas)
(10/30)
- Makati Shangri-La in Manila adds Mercedes' S400 to limo fleet
The Makati Shangri-La hotel in Manila and Avis Philippines have partnered to add the Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid to the luxury hotel's limousine fleet. "Transportation is definitely a critical aspect in our services because this is one of the first things that can make or break a guest's overall staying experience with us," said Makati Shangri-La General Manager Reto Klauser. Philippine Daily Inquirer
(10/31)
- Hotels go extra mile with sleep-aid offerings
As most travelers will say they prefer sleeping at home in their own beds, many luxury hotels have been working harder than ever to ensure that guests have better sheets, pillows and a bevy of sleep aids to help them get a good night's rest. The Lorien Hotel & Spa in Alexandria, Va., offers a "dream" service that includes an upper-torso wedge and a hot water bottle, while Crowne Plaza offers "quiet zones" where no room attendants or housekeeping can take place between 9 p.m. and 10 a.m. most days of the week. USA Today
(10/31)
| Hospitality Trends and Technology
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- Eco-friendly venues among top considerations for meeting planners
Sustainability, culinary offerings and location are next year's top trends among meeting planners in considering venues, according to a survey from Destination Hotels & Resorts. Some 45% of meeting planners said environmentally friendly practices are "somewhat important" in choosing a meeting place, and 18% called it "extremely important." In culinary offerings, meeting planners said healthy eating and specialized dietary options were their top interests. HotelsMag.com(free registration)
(10/31)
- How vendors are keeping automated locks secure
Hotel-lock vendors are constantly developing new strategies to keep increasingly automated locks safe, says ASSA ABLOY Hospitality executive Tim Shea, such as automatic alerts to hotel security when someone tampers with a lock or tries to use the same card to open multiple rooms. Other innovations include locks that do not store master-key information and service devices that use an encryption process to gain access to the lock. Hotel Management online
(10/31)
- Travel agents see rising demand for foreign trips
Over half of U.S. travel agent revenue in 2011 came from trips to foreign destinations, according to an industry survey from Travel Weekly. The increase may be due to several factors, including agents who push higher-priced travel, travelers who seek out agents for more complicated international trips and pent-up demand for international travel that was put on hold during the recession. The boom in river cruises has also helped to fuel international travel, said American Society of Travel Agents President Nina Meyer. Travel Weekly
(10/31)
| International Update
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- Hotel occupancy recovering in Cairo
The hotel occupancy rate in Cairo rose to 55.4% in September, according to a survey of full service hotels by TRI Consulting. Gross operating profit per available room also climbed, 19.2%, to $63.79. The survey results are promising news for a tourism sector that has been heavily affected by the country's political instability the past two years, this feature says. Nearly 9 million tourists visited Egypt in the first nine months of 2012, according to Tourism Minister Hisham Zaazou. Hotel Management online
(10/31)
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- Travel hotspots of the future
Anyone tired of the same old tourist destinations might enjoy this list from CNN of seven exotic new destinations opening in the near future, including Marlon Brando's private island in Tahiti and an underwater hotel in Dubai. In Florida, the St. Petersburg pier will become a "futuristic eco-wonderland" for cyclers and runners. CNNGo.com (Asia)
(11/1)
| Luxury Hoteliers News
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Luxury Hoteliers launches new website for members
Luxury Hoteliers has launched a new website, www.luxuryhoteliers.com, giving LinkedIn members added benefits, including categorized forums, a daily news brief, an international jobs board and a directory of suppliers. Don't miss out on this opportunity to sign up.
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 | Nature does not equally distribute energy. Some people are born old and tired while others are going strong at 70."
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SmartBrief on Luxury Hoteliers Issues:
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