Hotels & Resorts
Global hotel rates post record rise
Pegasus Solutions Data (PSD) reports that the global hotel market enjoyed record increases over 2010 in the average daily rates (ADR) paid by consumers during December 2011. PSD released its data in The Pegasus View, revealing that leisure hotel rates grew by 8.3, while the corporate market realized more moderate rate gains of 3.2% compared to 2010. In North America, leisure rates climbed a near-record 6.3%, second only to June's 6.5% increase, as markets outside North America returned an impressive 7.5% jump above December 2010. Corporate rates in North America beat the global increase with...
Record growth continues for Starwood in 2012
Starwood Hotels & Resorts made it abundantly clear during the American Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) in Los Angeles that building on a year of record growth and deal activity in 2011 it plans to open an additional 80 new hotels in 2012. In 2011 -- against a backdrop of economic and geo-political uncertainty -- Starwood added 81 new hotels -- that's 21,000 new rooms -- and signed 112 new hotel deals. "Our global multi-brand growth continues unabated and Starwood is particularly well positioned to take full advantage of growth anywhere in the world, whether in established markets or in fast...
CHA taking care of business in the Bahamas
Caribbean Marketplace 2012 was officially opened this week with much pomp and circumstance at Atlantis in The Bahamas with attendees including Bahamas Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham. The annual travel show has attracted a total of 1,190 delegates from 18 countries, including Canada, the most in three years. Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association Josef Forstmayr noted that 2010 was a record year for "stop-over" arrivals in the Caribbean with 23.1 million visitors and said the forecast for 2011 is a 4% increase on this. "There is no question that our buyers who are attending Caribbean Travel...
Bermuda sale puts travellers in the pink
Some of Bermuda's top properties are putting travellers 'in the pink,' offering rate reductions of up to 50% as part of the "Bermuda Pink Sale." The limited-time promotion, which provides 50% off hotel rates when booking a minimum of four-nights at participating properties, is available for purchase from now through Feb. 3, 2012, with travel dates through April 30, 2012. Participating properties include Coco Reef Resort, Coral Beach Club, Fairmont Hamilton Princess, Fairmont Southampton Hotel, Grotto Bay Beach Hotel and Newstead Belmont Hills. It's also a great time to go as the period from...
Kerzner International picks Leibman as CEO
Kerzner International has named Alan Leibman as its new chief executive officer (CEO). Sol Kerzner remains as chairman of the company and will work closely with Leibman on the overall corporate strategy and planned growth of the Atlantis and One&Only brands worldwide. Leibman joined Kerzner in 1994, and has held positions of strategic importance, including chief operating officer of Atlantis, Paradise Island in the Bahamas, president/managing director of the early development phase of Mazagan Beach Resort, president/managing director of Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai and most recently, regional...
Golfing at Sandestin in 2012
The Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort -- a 2,400-acre resort on Northwest Florida's Emerald Coast with four championship golf courses -- has unveiled details of its 2012 golf packages. The packages feature Sandestin's entire course roster -- Burnt Pine Golf Club, Raven Golf Club, Baytowne Golf Club, and The Links Course -- and offer condominium, villa, town home or hotel accommodations to guests. Packages include 4 Star for serious golfers and course collectors which features a round at Rees Jones' Burnt Pine Golf Club (a private club) and a round at Robert Trent Jones II's Raven Golf Club...
Hit the jackpot at Jolly Beach
The Casino at the Jolly Beach is now open. The 1,500 square foot facility features slot machines, a roulette table, two blackjack tables and a Caribbean Stud Poker table. The Casino is owned and operated by King's Casino, operator of casinos in Antigua since 1988. Guests staying at the Jolly Beach Resort & Spa receive a US$5 Match Play coupon as part of the all-inclusive package. Winter Escape rates save 25%, starting at US$277.50 per room, per night based on double occupancy for bookings through Feb. 29, 2012, for travel through April 15, 2012. The Casino at Jolly Beach is open from 6 pm to...
Sheraton Nassau Beach marks 2012 with new vision
With a new name under its belt and diversified areas of focus including spa and gaming, among others, the Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort & Casino is heading into 2012 with one simple objective -- to take its reputation as one of the Caribbean's most family friendly beach resorts to the next level, emerging as a multi-faceted destination geared to a diverse audience of world travellers and locals. "As part of Baha Mar - one of the world's most exciting new tourism developments - the Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort & Casino's mission is to elevate our reputation as a leading family friendly...