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Iran to pursue visa-free travel with Russia at Moscow tourism fair

Iran to pursue visa-free travel with Russia at Moscow tourism fair

TEHRAN – The Iranian tourism minister on Monday said that the country will follow up on the issue of visa-free travel for mutual tourist groups with Russia at the upcoming [27th edition] Moscow International Travel & Tourism Exhibition (MITT), which will be held from March 17 to 19. “The Russian fair is very important [for us] so that we should have a strong and influential presence in this exhibition… One of the major issues is to pursue and finalize visa cancellation for Iranian and Russian group tours,” Ali-Asghar Mounesan said, CHTN reported. He made the remarks at a meeting with representatives of the private sector active in tourism projects. In December, Mounesan announced that Tehran was considering to allow Russian tourists to visa-free entry into the country to boost tourism after it granted the same privilege for some other nationals including Chinese and Omani passport holders. In 2017, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin inked a preliminary visa-free agreement for certain tourist groups during their meeting in Moscow. Based on the agreement tour groups of 5 to 50 people heading to [easternmost parts of] Russia from Iran or vice versa are granted a visa-free stay of up to 15 days. MITT is the largest B2B travel & tourism trade show in Russia, attracting representatives of the tourism industry from Russia, regions and all over the world. According to organizers, a total of 22,289 travel industry professionals visited MITT in 2019. The participants ranged from the representatives of tour operators, travel agents to various other companies involved in the travel industry such as airlines, transport companies, hotels, and IT businesses.

Create: Feb 18, 2020     Edit: Feb 19, 2020     Regional News
Marriott announces seventh consecutive year of record organic worldwide rooms signings in 2019

Marriott announces seventh consecutive year of record organic worldwide rooms signings in 2019

Marriott International announced it signed a record number of rooms in 2019, pushing its global pipeline to approximately 515,000 rooms as of year-end 2019 for the first time in the company’s history. The company signed 815 agreements, representing more than 136,000 rooms, marking the seventh consecutive year of record-breaking volume of organic rooms signings. Growth was fueled by unprecedented levels of organic rooms signed in each of the company’s international regions. During 2019, the company added 516 properties with more than 78,000 rooms in 60 countries and territories – an average of one new property every 17 hours. “With growth and loyalty as the cornerstones of our company’s success, our unrivaled 2019 signings illustrate our winning strategy, which combines leading brands, powerful business platforms and an enduring focus on our associates,” said Tony Capuano, Group President, Global Development, Design and Operations Services, Marriott International. “We continue to drive value for our owners with quality branding options for both property conversions and new builds, backed by our leading business support systems and loyalty platform. By staying true to our growth philosophy and continuously responding to the evolving preferences and lifestyles of travelers, we are poised for a successful 2020 and beyond.” At the end of 2019, Marriott International’s worldwide system consisted of more than 7,300 properties and roughly 1.38 million rooms in 134 countries and territories. More than half of the company’s record global development pipeline is located outside North America. “With 141 million Marriott Bonvoy members who increasingly crave travel to new cities and unique experiences around the world, a record-breaking year of deals means new, exciting properties are coming for travelers worldwide,” said Stephanie Linnartz, Group President, Consumer Operations, Technology & Emerging Businesses, Marriott International. “Our stellar growth results prove that our broad brand portfolio and platforms are resonating with owners and developers, as well as with customers.” Record-setting year for growth in valuable international markets In 2019, 53 percent of the company’s signed rooms were outside North America with record-breaking organic volumes in the company’s Asia Pacific (38,000 rooms), Europe (17,000 rooms), Caribbean and Latin America (more than 9,000 rooms), and Middle East and Africa (8,000 rooms) regions. Additionally, in 2019, Marriott International debuted its first hotels in four additional countries – Cyprus, Moldova, Kyrgyzstan and Latvia. Company extends its lead in luxury Marriott International did a record-breaking number of deals for its global luxury hotel brands, bolstering its lead in this high-value segment. In 2019, the company signed 42 luxury projects in 27 countries and territories, while opening or converting 34 properties such as The St. Regis Venice, W Dubai – The Palm, The West Hollywood EDITION and The Ritz-Carlton, Pune. As the company focuses on expanding its leading luxury footprint, it is revitalizing W Hotels. Last year, the company purchased the W New York – Union Square, with plans to transform the property into a showcase for the brand’s future look. Successful all-inclusive launch Last August, Marriott launched its all-inclusive platform to bring its brands, scale and trusted service to this growing, global vacation segment. Less than six months after its launch, the company has signed seven management and franchise agreements for all-inclusive properties representing nearly 3,200 rooms. Among the all-inclusive projects in development are an 800-room Marriott Hotels resort in Jamaica and a 240-room Ritz-Carlton resort in Mexico. The company last year also completed its acquisition of Elegant Hotels Group, which consists of seven hotels and 588 rooms located on the picturesque island of Barbados. Affordable lifestyle hotel brands buoy company growth Catering to the next generation of travelers, the company’s AC by Marriott, Aloft and Moxy brands opened nearly 10,000 rooms in 2019. Combined, these brands represent more than 65,000 open rooms in 44 countries and territories, including new hotels in Greece, Ireland, Jamaica, Latvia, Nepal and Switzerland. The company signed nearly 24,000 rooms across the AC by Marriott, Moxy and Aloft brands during the year – with record room signings for both AC by Marriott and Moxy.

Create: Feb 9, 2020     Edit: Feb 9, 2020     International News
Four Seasons to debut new hotels, resorts, private residences and more in 2020

Four Seasons to debut new hotels, resorts, private residences and more in 2020

Anticipated openings embody the company’s commitment to setting the highest standards for guest experiences in its growing global portfolio. Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, the world’s leading luxury hospitality company, continues to expand its global portfolio with strategic openings of new hotels, resorts and branded private residences in the world’s most desirable locations. “An unwavering commitment to service and quality, a strong operating model and alignment with hotel owners who share our vision places Four Seasons in an enviable market position as we continue to grow our portfolio and strengthen our global development pipeline,” says John Davison, President and Chief Executive Officer, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. “As we begin a new decade, we continue to elevate the experience for our guests and enhance our product offering, affirming our passionate dedication to excellence and the industry-leading innovation that has defined our brand for nearly 60 years.” Working in concert with its partners, each new development authentically reflects the character of the destination, envisioning new ways for travellers as well as local residents to experience the world of Four Seasons. Recent innovations have included the company’s first standalone Private Residences, fully serviced by Four Seasons, in London at Twenty Grosvenor Square; a technology-led development with Comcast in Philadelphia; the Athenian riviera conversion of the iconic Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens; and the company’s first all-inclusive wellness retreat in Hawaii. Soon, having just opened its collection of traditional chalets at the foot of the Mont d’Arbois slopes with Les Chalets du Mont d’Arbois, Megève, the company that also introduced the first private jet experience will debut its first resort with an onsite winery in Napa Valley. Planned Openings in 2020 Six new openings are anticipated for 2020, including the return of Four Seasons to Bangkok with the glorious new Jean-Michel Gathy-designed landmark along the Chao Phraya River, debuting with nearly 300 stunning guest rooms and more than 350 beautifully appointed Private Residences. Also opening in the Asia-Pacific region early in the year is a third address in Japan, in the Otemachi area of Tokyo facing the Imperial Palace Gardens. In Europe, Four Seasons will debut in Spain for the first time with a new hotel in central Madrid, an assembly of several historic buildings now fully restored and reimagined, and highlighted by a rooftop restaurant by three Michelin-starred Spanish celebrity chef Dani García. Long established as the premier luxury hospitality brand in California with seven existing locations, Four Seasons continues to expand its presence in the northern part of the state with the spring opening of its second hotel in San Francisco, a soaring building in the Embarcadero district. Also scheduled for 2020 is the highly anticipated opening of a Four Seasons resort in Napa Valley, including a unique collection of Private Residences as well as Four Seasons first on-property winery in partnership with acclaimed winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown. Also in the United States, a recently announced hotel in New Orleans is expected to open in late 2020 in the city’s historic World Trade Center. 2019 Highlights Planned openings for 2020 follow an exciting year as Four Seasons celebrated a significant number of new openings around the world in 2019, including its first entry into Greece with the rebirth of the legendary Astir Palace Hotel in Athens; and the company’s return to Montreal with a stunning and sleek new hotel in the heart of the city’s Golden Mile, featuring the opening of the restaurant MARCUS with celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson. Additional openings included a new hotel in the Garden City of Bengaluru, its second in India; the return of the brand to Philadelphia (located within the Comcast Center, the city’s tallest building) as well as a second hotel in Boston at One Dalton Street; a third address in Mexico, this time on the pristine beaches of the East Cape of Los Cabos; the company’s first all-inclusive wellness retreat in the fully refurbished Lodge at Koele on the Hawaiian Island of Lanai; and the completion of its full suite of historic chalet offerings in the French Alpine community of Megève. Looking Further Ahead In addition to announcing new properties in San Francisco and New Orleans, Four Seasons also unveiled plans for new hotels in Okinawa, Japan; Nashville and Minneapolis, USA; Cartagena, Colombia; and a second resort in Cabo del Sol, Mexico. The company also previously announced new Four Seasons projects in Dalian, China; Makkah, Saudi Arabia; Hanoi, Vietnam; and Caye Chapel, Belize. Also in 2019, Four Seasons announced plans for a new, fully customised Four Seasons Private Jet that will continue to take luxury travel to new heights as it continues the journey first introduced in 2015. A Growing Residential Portfolio Building upon Four Seasons 35-year history in branded residential following the opening of its first Private Residence in 1985, the company continues to strategically enhance its portfolio of exclusive Private Residences in markets around the world.

Create: Feb 9, 2020     Edit: Feb 9, 2020     International News
Tripadvisor launches 'Review Hub'

Tripadvisor launches 'Review Hub'

In its continued quest to help restaurants better manage their business and take control of their reputation online, Tripadvisor® launched Review Hub, a new interactive portal that allows restaurant owners to view consumer reviews of their business and quickly respond to them all from one convenient dashboard, whether the review was shared on Tripadvisor, TheFork, Google, Facebook, Yelp, or other major review sites. "Few restaurant owners have time to log into each of the various restaurant sites one-by-one to respond to their diners' reviews, so we're excited to give them one tool to manage these reviews in less time," said Bertrand Jelensperger, senior vice president of Restaurants, Tripadvisor. "Review Hub is the latest example of Tripadvisor's efforts to make online restaurant marketing and management a breeze for busy owners." How Review Hub Works Review Hub displays a snapshot of ratings and reviews from multiple platforms, and lets owners click through to explore their unique review trends in more depth — so restaurateurs can see what's working and where they can further improve their customer experience, with a complete range of reviews from multiple sites. There, they can quickly respond to each review with a thoughtful management response, thank their guests for their feedback and share their side of the story. The management response they share is then automatically posted on the site or app where the review was originally submitted by the diner, making online reputation management easier and less time consuming. Review Hub is a subscription-based product available to all restaurant owners, operators and digital marketing teams, and can be subscribed to on a monthly or annual basis, and is now available in all markets where Tripadvisor operates. The Importance of Responding Research shows that over 90% of diners say restaurant reviews matter when choosing a place to eat, showing how important it is to pay attention to what customers are saying online. Online reviews not only show the experiences of past customers, but also allow owners to show the best of a business to potential future customers looking for a place to eat. The IPSOS Mori Study, which polled over 23,000 diners worldwide, also showed that six out of ten (63%) respondents said they would be more likely to book if the owner responds to the majority of reviews. And when a restaurant owner leaves personalised responses to reviews, over three-quarters (77%) of respondents said they were more likely to book as a result. IPSOS Mori study Methodology The Power of Reviews project surveyed 23,292 Tripadvisor users across 12 markets (Australia, China, France, German-speaking, India, Italy, Japan, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States) between May and June 2019. The survey targeted users who had visited the site in the last 12 months. The sample is made up of Tripadvisor users who had opted into a survey panel and were invited to participate in the research via an email link directing them to an online survey platform. Ipsos MORI were involved in questionnaire design and data analysis. Results are weighted to represent the residency profile of Tripadvisor users across participating markets.

Create: Feb 9, 2020     Edit: Feb 9, 2020     International News
IHG debuts voco brand in Africa

IHG debuts voco brand in Africa

nterContinental Hotels Group has signed voco™ The Bank, Rosebank in South Africa in partnership with Valor Hospitality Partners Africa. Last year, IHG announced the signing of a Master Development Agreement (MDA) with Valor Hospitality Partners Africa to roll out multiple franchise hotels over the next 10 years, across IHG’s portfolio of brands in midscale, upscale and luxury segments. This is the first signing under the MDA and adds to IHG’s growing pipeline in the Middle East and Africa whilst strengthens the growth of company’s new upscale brand, voco in the region. voco, combines the informality and charm of an individual hotel with the quality and reassurance of a global and respected brand. The brand allows guests to enjoy an upscale experience with the freshness of a unique, independent hotel under a name they can trust. Since being launched globally just over a year ago, voco has enjoyed rapid growth with multiple signings across the Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia (EMEAA), and signing of voco The Bank, Rosebank marks the brand’s debut in the African continent. A new built property, voco The Bank, Rosebank, will open its doors to guests in 2020 and feature 131, well-designed rooms. Reflecting brand’s unstuffy service style, the hotel will welcome guests with little personal touches and offer a memorable stay experience. Located in Rosebank, a cosmopolitan commercial and residential suburb close to central Johannesburg, the hotel will provide easy access to all key business districts and directly links into the Rosebank Mall and pedestrian precinct, and is located at a convenient distance of 19kms from the city airport, (Gautrain Metro station is directly under the Hotel). The hotel will feature an expansive dining facility which will include a two-level restaurant, a lounge and bar. Catering to the needs of the corporate guests, the hotel will feature 3 meeting rooms, accommodating approximately 80 people. Speaking on the announcement, Pascal Gauvin, Managing Director, India, Middle East and Africa, IHG said: “We are pleased to announce the first hotel under our agreement with Valor Hospitality Partners Africa and debut our newest upscale brand voco, in the African continent. Receiving immense interest from owners and partners, voco has gained tremendous momentum in the EMEAA region, and we are excited to be expanding the brand footprint further in the region. True to the brand promise, the new hotel will offer a unique hospitality experience to guests, and will cater to the increasing number of domestic and international travellers looking for quality branded accommodation in South Africa. He added: we look forward to signing more hotels under our agreement with our valued, long-term partner, Valor Hospitality Partners Africa and expand our offering across key markets in the continent.” Euan McGlashan, Global CEO and Founder of Valor Hospitality Partners added: “We are excited to announce our first hotel with IHG on the African continent. voco, IHG’s latest upscale brand is a unique offering and we have received significant interest from the owner community in Africa. In partnership with IHG, we look forward to developing this distinct hotel with an individual character, to welcome leisure and business guests visiting South Africa and offering them a dependable upscale experience. We are also confident that the hotel will benefit from the strength and scale of IHG’s global systems, best in class technology and capabilities and the world’s largest loyalty programme – IHG Rewards Club.”

Create: Feb 8, 2020     Edit: Feb 8, 2020     International News
Marriott to open three EDITION Hotels in 2020

Marriott to open three EDITION Hotels in 2020

Ian Schrager and Marriott International‘s EDITION brand will open three new hotels this year, taking its sophisticated, minimalist-chic approach to luxury to Japan, Iceland and Dubai. Each EDITION is designed to feel exclusive to the city in which it is located. “All of the EDITION hotels are unique, original and one of a kind, embedded with a sense of time and place,” Schrager said in a statement. EDITION Hotels expects to open its first property in Japan with The Tokyo EDITION Toranomon, launching mid-2020. The 205-room property will house four food and beverage outlets, dedicated meeting and events spaces, a swimming pool, a fitness center and a spa, as well as EDITION’s much-loved Punch Room cocktail bar. Located in Tokyo’s upmarket Toranomon neighborhood, the hotel is expected to offer easy access to some of Tokyo’s most iconic sites, including the Tokyo Tower and Tsukiji fish market. Later in the year, The Reykjavik EDITION in Iceland will debut in the city’s downtown area. Adjacent to the prominent Harpa Concert Hall, the hotel is situated in both a vibrant and scenic part of Iceland’s historical capital, Marriott said. The hotel’s 250 rooms and suites will be complemented with a private rooftop, nightlife space and ballroom. In addition, the hotel is expected to offer guests and locals a diverse culinary offering with three restaurants and a café. EDITION will also expand its footprint in the Middle East, with the opening of The Dubai EDITION in late 2020, the second hotel in the UAE following last year’s launch of The Abu Dhabi EDITION. The property is slated to open in downtown Dubai, opposite the world-famous Dubai Mall. Plans for the hotel call for 210 rooms and suites, along with seven restaurants, swimming pools, pool deck dining, a spa and fitness center, in addition to event spaces with multiple meeting rooms and a ballroom. Since launching the lifestyle concept in 2007, EDITION currently operates 10 hotels in New York, London, Miami Beach, West Hollywood, Barcelona, Shanghai, Sanya, Abu Dhabi and Bodrum. Marriott has another 15 hotels in EDITION’s signed development pipeline which, upon opening in coming years, should more than double the brand’s footprint.

Create: Feb 8, 2020     Edit: Feb 8, 2020     International News
Remarkable Hotels Sees 19 Percent Uplift in Rooms Revenue With IDeaS Revenue Management System

Remarkable Hotels Sees 19 Percent Uplift in Rooms Revenue With IDeaS Revenue Management System

IDeaS Revenue Solutions, the world’s leading provider of revenue management software and services, announced today that Remarkable Hotels has seen a 19 percent increase in rooms revenue since implementing IDeaS Revenue Management System (RMS). Remarkable Hotels’ Best Western Plus Nottingham Westminster Hotel is a 73-room property in the central English city of Nottingham. When the growth of its newly renovated hotel began plateauing, the management was confident a sophisticated and stable RMS was the key to expanding the property’s business and profitability. Manual spreadsheets no longer working – When the uptick in average daily rate and occupancy initially gained after re-opening began to ebb away, owner/operator Al Malik realised his manual spreadsheet system for determining room rates was missing something. Seeking peer advice – Malik’s quest to boost efficiency led him to approach rival hotel operators where he discovered several were using IDeaS RMS. After receiving a demonstration of the platform’s advanced features, he knew he’d found the solution he was seeking. Remote monitoring and updating – IDeaS RMS has empowered the staff at Remarkable Hotels to make robust improvements in performance with an increase of 15 percent in overall sales, 12.5 percent occupancy and 19 percent in rooms revenue. These positive results have allowed Malik to instill a better work/life balance by providing him with the automated technology to manage his hotel remotely.  Al Malik, owner/operator, Remarkable Hotels, said: “I used to spend my days buried in data and I knew that basing key pricing decisions on human intuition meant we were leaving money on the table. I knew I needed to base my business on scientific analysis—guesswork was not going to generate an effective return on my refurbishment costs. With IDeaS RMS we have now raised our rates for our peak demand days and are confident the prices reflect the local market and, in particular, what our competitors are charging. I know the system is always there in the background, automatically working for me.” Dr. Ravi Mehrotra, president, founder and chief scientist, IDeaS, said: “IDeaS RMS is not only for large hotels—in fact, the power of the system provides the tools needed for any size property to ensure increased profit margins and consistent data analysis. We are pleased to provide a game-changing system that helps Mr. Malik and Remarkable Hotels drive profitability and stay competitive.”

Create: Jan 31, 2020     Edit: Jan 31, 2020     International News
Hilton’s Conrad Brand Will Debut First Resort in Mexico With Spring Opening of Conrad Punta de Mita

Hilton’s Conrad Brand Will Debut First Resort in Mexico With Spring Opening of Conrad Punta de Mita

Coming to Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit, the thoughtfully designed Conrad Punta de Mita will offer travelers an authentic, tranquil respite. Situated among the area’s serene natural landscapes and aquamarine waters, the new-build resort will deliver an inspired beach vacation, the Conrad way. Drawing influence from Mexico’s rich history and unique culture, indigenous artwork will integrate with exceptional amenities to create a sense of barefoot resort elegance that highlights its local Mexican identity. All 324 guest rooms and suites will boast views of the Pacific Ocean, with suites offering large patios, plunge pools, freestanding soaking tubs and outdoor showers. Amenities will include three pools, each with its own purpose. Guests looking to indulge in R&R can lounge poolside with a cocktail at the adult pool, while the more active type swim laps in the activity pool. Kids will bask under the Punta de Mita sun in the family pool, with a game room and kids’ club rounding out activities for young explorers to connect with each other and the world around them. Four restaurant and three bar concepts will offer menus and spaces that pay tribute to age-old techniques and flavors of the local culture — among them, an intimate mezcal and tequila barrel tasting room, and a joyous lobby bar, Tuki, which borrows its name from the Huichol word for ’temple.’ The Conrad SPA will offer a refuge from the pace of everyday life with a unique indoor/outdoor design and traditional temazcal spread across 10,000 square feet. Seven cocoon treatment cabanas will be nestled among the vegetation and connected by an inspiring tunnel of plants and flowers. Fitness center offerings include an outdoor lawn for yoga and stretching. Groups will stay inspired with 54,000 square feet of event space that ranges from boardrooms to beaches, with custom activities, authentic cuisine and cultural experiences.

Create: Jan 31, 2020     Edit: Jan 31, 2020     International News
Now is the time to prepare for the post-virus wave of Chinese tourists

Now is the time to prepare for the post-virus wave of Chinese tourists

On February 15th, 2003, the first group of 67 Chinese officially travelling for leisure arrived in Germany, based on the ADS Approved Destination System agreement China and Germany signed the year before, second in Europe only to the island state of Malta, while for the rest of the Schengen Area the ADS agreement came only into force in September 2004. Your humble editor had stopped a few years earlier to be an inbound tour operator for Chinese delegations and had just finished the first semester as a tenured university professor. Witnessing the high expectations of my former colleagues, all buying coaches, employing additional staff and moving into bigger offices, I wondered if I had taken the wrong decision to opt out of the business just before the biggest bonanza ever for the German China inbound tour operators, looking forward to enjoying a year without competition in Europe. Unknown at the time, in November 2002 SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) started in Guangzhou and spread to many countries in the world. On March 15th, 2003, the WHO issued a global alert about a new infectious disease, advising against any unnecessary travel to and from East Asia. On April 2nd, Chinese officials finally began reporting the severity and extent of the SARS outbreak. As a result the second quarter of 2003 saw almost no Mainland Chinese citizen arriving in Germany, pushing several inbound tour operators close to bankruptcy. For the whole year, the number of arrivals however reached the level of 2002, and 2004 saw an increase of almost 40%, as many of the trips to Germany influenced by the SARS crisis were only postponed, not cancelled. Globally the same happened: From 16.6 million in 2002 the number of outbound trips jumped to 20.9 million in 2004 despite the three-month hiatus. With the yet not fully named 2019-nCoV, things could turn out in a similar way, based on what is known until now.  On the one hand the disease is spreading much faster, given the much improved domestic and international transport infrastructure available in comparison to 2003, on the other hand the Chinese government reacts in a much different way to the crisis. Among many others, starting from the 27th of January, all group travel from China has to cease. Individual travellers however will have a bigger incentive than before to go abroad. The biggest difference is clearly the fact that in 2003 outbound tourism was the least concern except for those few directly involved during the SARS crisis. In 2020 there are already articles published discussing the fate of the tourism industry of Thailand, Japan and other countries if the main source market China implodes. Via an open letter of the CATS China Association of Travel Services published on the 26th, the international partners have been asked to “introduce relative refund and changes policies to minimize Chinese tourists financial loss”. How much this will remain a wish or will become a demand, is one of the many unknown factors in the 2019-nCoV development. The main concern remains of course to minimize the loss of life in China. In all previous cases, being it SARS, MERS or the Lehman Brothers global economical crisis, demand bounced back stronger than before after two or three months. So it will be a good idea to use the time of the slowdown to train everybody involved in servicing Chinese customers, using the brand new CTT China Tourism Training. Let’s hope that the Year of the Rat will have a better ending than this dire beginning and that all our readers, their colleagues, family and customers will stay healthy.

Create: Jan 31, 2020     Edit: Jan 31, 2020     International News


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