SmartBrief on Luxury Hoteliers

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January 2, 2013

News for luxury hospitality professionals

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Uncertainty clouds hotels' future in 2013, analysts say
Whether the hotel industry will see a full recovery or another year of slow growth in 2013 is still up in the air, lodging analysts say. However, business and leisure travel are showing signs of improvement despite economic uncertainty and increased government attention to travel spending. Travel Weekly (12/31)

The Concierge Desk

New year, new spa package at Four Seasons Hotel Toronto
The Four Seasons Hotel Toronto is offering a spa package that includes a daily breakfast for two at the hotel's Café Boulud, along with a daily spa credit of up to $200. The deal is available until April 20, 2014. Luxury Daily (12/31)

Ill. hotel offers holiday-inspired cocktails
The Chicago Oak Brook Hills Marriott Resort in Oak Brook, Ill., is serving up its pumpkin mojito. The cocktail is a blend of rum, brown sugar, spiced pumpkin sauce, club soda, lime and a mint garnish, this feature says. Other popular drinks at the hotel include the cranberry Old-Fashioned and the caramel apple martini. HotelsMag.com (free registration) (12/31)

Berlin tops Germany's list of Michelin-starred restaurants
Berlin leads other German cities with 13 restaurants that have Michelin stars. Some of the newest additions include Restaurant Horváth, a cozy eatery reminiscent of an Alpine Lodge, and the Hotel Adlon Kempinski's Lorenz Adlon Esszimmer. The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (1/1)

Hospitality Trends and Technology

NYC hit 52M visits in 2012, aims for 55M by 2015
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has announced that a record 52 million travelers entered the city in 2012, beating 2011's figures by more than 1 million and rewarding the city's multimillion-dollar marketing effort. The city's hotels sold 29 million room nights in the same year -- a 7% increase over figures in 2011. Bloomberg says the city's next target will be 55 million visitors by 2015. WCBS-TV (New York)/The Associated Press (1/1)

Added services are expected to increase travel costs in 2013
Travel-service providers such as hotels, cruise lines and rental car agencies are expected to emulate airline practices and introduce more ancillary services this year. Some hotels are already offering services such as luggage storage and room safes. USA Today (1/1)

Column: Tips on revamping a hotel's social-media strategy
A social-media campaign that focuses on building a relationship with prospective customers can boost conversions for hotels in this channel, writes Tom Costello, CEO and managing director of iGroupAdvisors. "At the end of the day, you build trust with your audience through thought leadership, transparency, quick and responsive customer communication, accountability, fun and simple engagement and a level of social responsibility," Costello writes. eHotelier.com (12/31)

Spotlight on Development

Development boom in Cincinnati region adds variety to hotel scene
The Greater Cincinnati and northern Kentucky areas are experiencing a hotel-building boom that officials hope will boost tourism in the region. The new properties boast unique locations and concepts that are expected to complement the appeal of the upcoming Horseshoe Casino Cincinnati, this feature says. Cincinnati.com (12/29)

International Update

Accor Middle East eyes 8 more Saudi hotels by 2015
Accor Middle East "recently signed a franchise agreement with Al Hokair Group -- one of the largest hotel owners and operators in Saudi Arabia" -- to bring eight new hotels to the kingdom by 2015, this feature says. Accor Middle East already has 12 hotels up and running in Saudi Arabia. HotelierMiddleEast.com (United Arab Emirates) (12/30)

Luxury Hoteliers News

Director of engineering for international hotel group
An upscale hotel group is looking for a director of engineering for its hotel in Dubai. The successful applicant will have at least five years' experience as a chief engineer with a luxury-hotel group. Read more.

Networking made easier
Here are some great tips from women to make networking events a cinch. Read here.

Luxury Hoteliers: LinkedIn

SmartQuote

Birds sing after a storm; why shouldn't people feel as free to delight in whatever remains to them."

--Rose Kennedy,
American philanthropist

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