| December 4, 2008 | News for hotel and lodging professionals |
 |  |
| Front Desk |  |  |
|
- 3 investors form group to purchase hotels
Robert Solmson, founder of RFS Hotel Investors, and Ed Ansbro, former senior vice president of Equity Inns, are joining Richard Reiss, a former RFS board member, to form Fairwood Hospitality Investors. The new group plans to acquire as much as $300 million worth of hotels during the next three years. The Commercial Appeal (Memphis, Tenn.) (free registration)
(12/4)      
| Business Update | | |
|
- Indigo offers escape from the in-laws package
In response to a survey indicating that 36% of Americans would rather stay at a hotel than with family, and 97% would prefer a hotel over staying with in-laws, Indigo Hotels is offering an Escape the In-Laws package through Jan. 14. The package features breakfast for two and a Family Decompression Kit, complete with aspirin, aromatherapy oil and a bottle of wine. The Boston Globe (free registration)
(12/3)
| Market Trends | | |
|
- Hotels increasingly cooling off to minibars
Minibars are on the way out in the Phoenix area, where hotels and resorts see decreasing demand for them. With many guests opting to bring their own -- cheaper -- snacks, resorts such as the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch have emptied their mini-refrigerators of minibar items and left them empty for guests to use. The Arizona Republic (Phoenix)
(12/4)
- Caribbean's white-sand beaches offer interesting holiday escape
From Christmas trees to palm trees, travelers who head to the Caribbean for a holiday retreat may discover it to be a surreal experience, complete with sand, sea and sun. The islands feature Dutch, French, English and Spanish heritages, each with their own unique customs. For example, in Haiti, Santa Claus is known as Papa Noel. Children shine their shoes and fill them with straw to be left on the porch. Papa Noel trades the straw for presents. Houston Chronicle
(11/28)
- Build Web site to be easily searchable
In building a successful Web site, hoteliers need to make the site's searchability a top priority and keep in mind that search engines don't see images or flash movie files -- or the text in them. The best sites will turn up on the first or second page of a search and offer a great user experience. 4Hoteliers
(12/4)
| Best Practices | | |
|
| Development | | |
|
 |
|  |
| The Buzz(CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS)
DIRECTV. Happy Guests. Big Returns.
The best TV means happier guests and more repeat business. DIRECTV delivers the best in news, sports, entertainment and HD programming with one simple national pricing solution. It's a small investment with big returns for your guests and your business. Click here for limited-time lodging offers.
Interested in learning more about advertising in the AH&LA SmartBrief? Contact Susan W. Kim at 703-909-7337 or skim@smartbrief.com.
 | |
 |
|  |
| Government Affairs | | |
|
- Despite criticisms, DHS says Americans are safer
In response to criticism by the Boston Globe, Elaine Duke, undersecretary for management at the Department of Homeland Security, says her agency has made great strides "to keep Americans safe since Sept. 11." Among the accomplishments cited: hundreds of miles of new barriers on the Mexican border, biometric records on foreign visitors, 100% screening of incoming cargo containers and "more than 20 layers of security [to] protect air travelers, from the curb to the cockpit." The Boston Globe (free registration)
(12/4)
| AH&LA News | | |
|
-
Increase group business with ConventionPlanit.com
AH&LA members receive an exclusive 20% savings on Web site advertising with ConventionPlanit.com. Generate new group business through this global distribution channel accessed daily by 500 top meeting professionals, and work directly with decision makers when they're shopping. For information on listings, hot deal postings, Web site and eBlast advertising, click here or contact Katherine Markham, CHME, at (301) 975-9462 or katherinem@conventionplanit.com.
-
".travel" identifies you as a verified travel organization worldwide
As an AH&LA member, you can become ".travel" authenticated at no charge with special discounts on names purchased. Take advantage of a verified status on the Internet, clear branding, and cost-effective, global marketing with your own ".travel" name(s). There are more than 250,000 ".travel" Web sites. To join the ".travel" community, click here.
| SmartQuote | | |
|
 | Chaos is the score upon which reality is written."
|
| |
| |
|
Read more at SmartBrief.com |
|
A powerful website for SmartBrief readers including:
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
| | Recent AH&LA SmartBrief Issues:
- Wednesday, December 03, 2008
- Tuesday, December 02, 2008
- Monday, December 01, 2008
- Wednesday, November 26, 2008
- Tuesday, November 25, 2008
| | | Lead Editor: Angela Giroux-Scheide
Contributing Editor: Nancy Melville
Mailing Address:
SmartBrief, Inc.®, 1100 H ST NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20005 | |
| |
|
| © 1999-2011 SmartBrief, Inc.® Legal Information |
|
