Commentary for the 2nd january 07

Post selected : "Versace plans Luxury Hotels" by Remi Blomme

Link :

http://rblomme.blogspot.com/

I think that it is a trendy concept selected (I have seleted this article too), it was interesting to explain the evolution (first deluxe brand home accessory, after brand home shop...) and evoke other competitors but for me it was also important to present the danger of this new concept hotels maybe just a "trend effect" or the destruction of traditional hotel's companies: now every big groups (especially luxury brand) want to open hotels..

Week posting for friday 2nd january 07

Article selected : Intercontinental Hotels & Resorts Continues Aggressive Growth With New Hotel In Moscow

This article is about the new opening of the InterContinental Hotel Group: The InterContinental Moscow, which will be inaugurated in 2010 in Tverskaya city. This project is the continuation of the group’s new strategy : after having sold the majority of their establishments (except The Grand Hotel InterContinental Paris for instance), they are opening new hotels in countries or regions in development. We can evoke the recent inauguration of The InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa in French Polynesia or the global expansion forecasted for 2007 : four new openings in China (in Chengdu, Qingdao, Shenzhen and Jiuzhaigou)

For my part, I am currently working in The Grand Hotel InterContinental Paris and the group is always present through audit, meetings with the regional manager, InterContinental standard or procedure to apply, newsletter by email. We are also always informed of each new opening. I think that it’s important to have a certain quantity of “InterContinental’s standard” because our guest request for the brand image, quality… but it is important too, to have an own identity and this is the main challenge for chain’s hotels; for the InterContinental of Paris he succeed on that thanks through his particular & historical architecture, but for new establishment it a real challenge.

Link :

http://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/154000527/4030088.html

Commentary for the 26th january 07

Post selected : "Accor and Dorint hotels" by Annaik Simon

Link :

http://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/154000320/4029921.html

For my part, I have appreciated that she goes right to the point and resumes efficiently the article. She has selected a relevant one : Accor is the leader in Europe and so each action or decision of the group is important to know. Furthermore, it was really bright to introduce her personnal experience in her post. Just one little comment, maybe to add a picture or logo of the brands....

Week posting for friday 26th january 07

Article selected : An exceptional year-end: France’s hotels reach the upper range of MKG’s forecast in 2006, 18.01.07

This Article sheds light on the exceptional result of French hotel’s generated at the year-end. In effect, the RevPAR up by 10% in December (especially for luxury establishment which has realized the best performance since 1999) and this leads to a 7% up for the year. This increase is also available for the Occupancy rate: + 0,7 % for the year with a significant 4% up for Deluxe Hotels.

See below the results:

The reasons of this exceptional closure are numerous:

- a better political environment
- christmas day was on Sunday
- the increase of business group in Paris
- the increase of package offer for new-year
- all the workshops, parades show in december…

Regarding this result we can imagine that the France will maintain its position of first world destination and get better fall: in fact, even if it’s the first country visited, the France is not the leader in terms of revenue and so it can be one of the tourism professionals' challenge.

Link :

http://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/154000320/4029979.html

Commentary for the 19th january 07

Post selected : "Too much technology" by Geraud Desaulle

Link :
http://www.wiredhotelier.com/news/154000469/4029502.html

I think that it is a really relevant and visionary oppinion : too much technology will kill it and his idea of a new concept of hotel without technology is very interesting. For my part I am sure that it can be developed with succes : in effect, we can evok the upsurge of the "Maison d'Hôtes", the Eco Tourism or farmhouse. Maybe it's the concept of the future...

Week posting for friday 19th january 07

Article selected : Hilton Earns Certification for Pioneering Green, 10.01.07

This article sheds light on The Hilton Vancouver Washington Hotel which is actually one of the Canadian’s first green and environmentally sustainable establishments. In fact, it has been certified under the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED rating system which is nationally recognized and pay attention on a panel of ecology area such as water savings, reduced energy use or indoor air quality.

Personally I think that the planet fate will be one of the main people preoccupations of the 21st century and this conscious will touch each market, business or area. The ecology action is no just a “trend” but is becoming a “habit” for everybody especially on developed, powered countries. The best example to illustrate is the oil (petroleum): until 2004 it was impossible to image a car in the future using an other motor system financial reason; now each manufacturer proposes or would like to find an ecologic system, so the minds & the persons have change.

To finish with, ideas for sustainable actions in hotels could be:
. infrared move detector for light
. solar energy
. electronically invoice (send by email)
. digital door

Link :

http://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/

154000320/4029878.html