Best Western new marketing tactic:Brand USA

The first-ever marketing plan to attract international visitors to the United States—dubbed Brand USA and launched at the World Travel Market in London on Monday—is just the first step of many on the path to America’s greater competiveness in global tourism.

“It’s about experiencing the American Dream. The key for hoteliers is to integrate Brand USA's efforts at every level,” said David Kong, president and CEO of Best Western International, regarding the the organization's new national marketing push. “Every hotel should deliver on the promise of America as a one-of-a-kind, world-class destination, regardless of location or property type.”
Brand USA is both the name of the new campaign as well as the organizing body, which was formely called the Corporation for Travel Promotion.

Future hoteliers will need to adapt to better satisfy a host of hypothetical foreign clients, as well as devising the means to not only convince international guests to choose the United States as their destination, but to also book at one’s own hotel, rather than the competitor down the street

Hotel Credit Card Scam

Hotel employees everywhere are exposed to Credit Card numbers given by guests on a daily basis. What if they were to misuse it? An auditor for a stylish New York City hotel chain has been indicted for allegedly selling credit card numbers and selling it to a man accused of using it to buy $840,000 worth of airline tickets and other items, the Associated Press reports. The indicted hotel auditor, Lukasz Kruk, 27, worked for Amsterdam Hospitality Group, which runs eight hotels including the chic, four-star Empire Hotel across from Lincoln Center that's popular with celebrities.

People who use their credit card oftens, can often overlook a charge unless checking their account on a daily basis. However, hotels have access to authorize their cards at any time, and one cannot overlook that threat. I recommend guests to ensure they pay attention to all hotel transactions placed on their accounts. Has anyone experienced an hotel charge that was unauthorized?

Las Vegas Hotel maid brutally raped while on the job

New information on a brutal rape last week in a strip casino. 19-year-old David Randell Ferren was arrested Saturday night and charged with four counts of sexually assaulting a woman over the age of 65. Police say the victim is a housekeeper at Bally's hotel.

According to investigators, she went to a room to clean it, when Ferren punched her in the face and attacked her.

All hotels should have a safety guide for housekeepers. These events can be prevented by placing rules and guidelines. For example, place a cart outside the room you are cleaning and keeping the door closed so entry will not be a surprise. Safety for all employees should be a first priority for hotel owners. Please post your thoughts on ways to help prevent such attacks.

New Marriott to open in NYC

The hotel, on the northeast corner of 6th Avenue and 35th Street, will occupy the former Atlantic Bank of New York building, constructed in 1928. Construction will begin this fall, with a completion date in early 2012.
The 17-story building will maintain its façade, with 5,000 square feet of leased retail space on the ground floor. The Courtyard signature lobby will be on the 3rd floor, complete with a “Table Concept” F&B. Guest rooms will occupy floors 4 to 17, with the Courtyard signature room.
“This will be our seventh Courtyard by Marriott hotel in New York City when it opens in 2012, and we are excited to be in this fabulous location, near Macy’s and New York’s Penn Station,” said David Marriott, chief operations officer -- Eastern Region, The Americas. “We look forward to managing this hotel and incorporating all the hugely successful elements of the Courtyard brand.”

With limited open space in NYC, this hotel will replace the 17 story Atlantic Bank of New york. For hoteliers hoping to join the NYC market, a similar move to target suffering businesses with land, would be a good start.

Facebook as a Booking Tool

People can now book through an interface to the hotel booking engine through Facebook. Imagine how easy it would be for them to see a promo that has been posted and take the next step without ever leaving Facebook!
This is an amazing opportunity for independents to have a new promotional and booking source. The price is right — after the widget is developed there are no addtional fees!
However, this wont work unless you are drving Fans and Friends to the site. Many hotels are running contests on their page to increase traffic, create more Fans and keep them returning. The large Franchise organizations are doing this but it is so easy for any hotel to do it.
Use your Facebook page as a marketing tool. Have Fan only offers! It’s FREE and if one strategy doesn’t work — it’s really cheap to try another one.

Value of Assets/SBA Loans

Hotel owners need to learn more about how assets are valued in the current marketplace, where increasing occupancy or rate alone does not necessarily translate into a higher property value. Professional hotel brokers and consultants help explain lending parameters such as cap rate and LTV’s (loan-to-value ratios) to owners looking to buy, sell, or refinance. Though the prolonged wait for an economic upturn is beginning to slow things down. Lenders still active in hotel projects often need a second party to absorb some of the risk. This is where the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 504 program comes in. The SBA’s 504 loan program is designed to “finance fixed assets for eligible small businesses on reasonable terms.” What does this mean? Essentially, the program provides up to 90% of the financing for eligible projects through a partnership between the SBA, the hotelier, and a traditional lender. The reasonable terms include a low down payment, a fixed interest rate, and a 20-year term for the maturation of the loan. This loan program is meant for small businesses, and many limited-service hotels fit the parameters; owners and investors can use the loans for transactions, new builds, and refinancing. Contact the professionals at www.parkregencycapital.com to find out more information on where you stand.

International Hospitality Summit in Mumbai

At the first Cornell International Hospitality Summit (CIHS), industry leaders and academics will examine the future of the hospitality industry in India. The summit, which will be held Tuesday, January 17, 2012, in Mumbai, India will be co-presented by the school’s Center for Hospitality Research (CHR). Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces is title sponsor of the summit, and all summit sessions will be held at the Taj Mahal Palace.
"We are excited to host the first Cornell International Hospitality Summit in India, one of the foremost emerging markets in the hospitality industry in the world, and we are honored to partner with Taj," said Michael D. Johnson, dean and E. M. Statler Professor at SHA.
Just few days ago, I had posted about my personal experience during my stay at Courtyard in Mumbai, India. Its just a matter of time, all hospitality bigwigs start conducting training sessions and meetings in India.