Chinese officials have been predicting a crunch in reservations as a result of a forecasted 500,000 visitors for the Olympics, but it just doesn’t seem to be materializing.

So far, only about 77% of capacity at Beijing’s five-star hotels are booked, and even less for 4, 3, and 2-star hotels.

Some speculate that this is a result of China’s crackdown on visa processing, holding up the process and preventing students from entering in fear that they are coming only to ignite protests during the games.

Prices aren’t helping either. For all hotels, prices have gone up 2.6 to more than 3.6 times higher than they were a year ago.

This year so many things have happened in China, Zhang Huiguang, the director of Beijing’s Tourism Bureau, said. But I can assure you that Chinese authorities can guarantee the safety of the tourists, of the city and of the games. Beijingers will enthusiastically welcome foreign tourists.

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MSNBC.com posted an interesting article today about how Hotels will go about surviving the slump the US economy has been experiencing.

They point out 6 ways hotels will try to cut costs and how it will affect travelers. Looking at this list might just be a good idea for the hotels themselves, trying to forsee and prevent the predicted troubles touched on below.

1. Service Suffers: After cutting middle-managers and front line staff, expect longer waits to check-in and get your room cleaned.
2. Outsourcing: Hiring private cleaners and such to take care of the property. Many people complain that this leads to poorer quality as the private companies aren’t part of corporate culture nor do they have an opportunity for upward mobility in the hotel.
3. Facelifts: Hotels can fix up their current properties while they aren’t building new ones. A big plus for visitors, so long as they don’t arrive while the work is going on…
4. Lower Rates? Probably not, but its possible. Here’s hoping!
5. Look for New Segments: Looking for new “groups” of people to market to that still spend money–like foreigners. This could hijack a hotel’s ambience if they alter the hotel to better accommodate the new segments, alienating the previous visitors.
6. Green: Going green to save money on bills and operating costs might become more attractive and lead to some innovation.

Read the MSNBC.com Article Here

What was once known as the “Redneck Riviera” has been transformed into the “Spring Break Capital of the World.” Panama City Beach receives increasing fluctuations of young party goers, “snowbirds” hiding from the Northern Winter, and vacationing families every year, and with the development of a brand new, expanded airport and other attractions there is a real need for further Hotels in this growing market.

The new airport is forecasted to bring in nearly half a billion dollars to this bay area as well as an additional 500,000 visitors per year. The current hotel infrastructure cannot support this vast increase in visitors and opens up the field to some new brand name hotels to expand into this fast growing enclave.

In addition to new airport is the $1.1 billion Pier Port attraction.

Pier Park is 1.1-million-square-foot, open-air regional lifestyle center with retail, restaurants, and entertainment on approximately 112 acres of prime gulf-view property. Phase I opened in February of 2008 and contains nationally recognized chain stores and restaurants. Pier Park is expected to generate approximately $500 million in annual sales8 and add almost 5,000 jobs9 to the local economy. Still under development, Pier Park will be a key attraction to Panama City Beach and a consistent source of demand throughout the year.

- Kaoru Chikushi

The recent pinch in the US economy has not seemed to phase this robustly growing city in the South East of the country.

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Impervious to recent economic slumps, US and European based hotel chains have continued to grow their holdings in all of Asia as a core principle in their growth plans. Not surprisingly, eastern hotels have big plans to head west as well.

Shangri-La Hotels, a Hong-Kong based company has been extending its reach west, first in India, and now with new holding in the middle east.

“Our development philosophy is to select locations which will allow us to showcase the brand in markets with high potential for Shangri-La guests,” said senior vice president for development Marc Hediger. “As well, the mid-to-long-term expansion strategy is to enter markets to accommodate the increasing outbound traffic from China and Asia to the West.”

Banyan Tree Holdings Ltd., a Singapore based company, has 23 worldwide holdings with plans to grow into the west as well.

“World travelers really see the world as their oyster,” said Ho Kwon Ping, executive chairman of Banyan Tree Holdings. “They’ll visit Prague this year and Phuket the next, to Maldives this year and Mayakoba the next. With global air travel becoming increasingly convenient, seasoned travelers are now seeking more exotic destinations—places and roads less traveled.”

One can only wonder if we’ll ever run out of places and roads.

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The PhoCusWright Consumer Travel Trends Survey Tenth Edition looked into how Web 2.0 rich media played into hotel’s online reservations, and the numbers might surprise some.

When travelers were asked what most influenced their decision in choosing accommodations, a recommendation from a friend or family member ranked fifth overall at 72%.

What could influence the traveler more than a personal recommendation?

Rich media, seems to be the answer.

Travel-related Podcasts or Online Video was #1 at 89%, Reviews generated by people the traveler did not know ranked #2 at 87%, and travel review websites and blogs ranked at 86%, sharing the #3 and #4 spots.

This report ought to be enough to get hotels to update their websites with all the latest web 2.0 bells and whistles.

Read more about the report.

Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd. recently launched a new version of their online presence, which has already created a 35% spike in conversion rate for online reservations.

The new site has an experimental feel to it, bring lots of bells and whistles that consumers like to help potential customers find just the right hotel among their 450 in over 80 countries.

“For eight decades, The Leading Hotels of the World has set the international gold standard, offering discriminating travelers exceptional levels of comfort, service and style at the finest hotels around the world,” said Marshall Calder, senior vice president of marketing. “Now, with our site on par with the best and most innovative sites inside, as well as outside of our industry, we are poised to meet the demands of today’s savvy and curious traveler with compelling online experiences and offerings.”

Read more here.

With current state of the US Economy, a recent poll of 6,700 individuals has revealed that vacationers have less money to spend, and will be careful with how they spend it.

• 57% of people questioned said they have less money to spend on summer vacations this year than the previous year.
• 20% of people questioned said they planned to rent a house instead of a hotel room, in order to cook at home and save one eating out.
• Summer could be the worse for U.S. Hotels since 2002, following the WTC Terrorist Attacks in 2001.

“Year after year after Sept. 11, hotels had started to come back and capacity increased,” said Jim Kovarik, the general manager for AOL Travel. “Heading into this year there was a lot of concern about the economy factors. They are anticipating a tough year.”

Other believe that the higher gasoline prices and tighter budgets will just lead consumers to go on shorter trips and stay in nearby hotels.

For the full story, click here.

HotelTravelCheck.com will now be servicing the Rochester Plaza Hotel, located in the heart of downtown Rochester, New York.

The Rochester Plaza Hotel is conveniently located in the center of Rochester. Ten minutes from the International Airport, next door to the Convention Center and a few steps away from exciting nightlife in the East End, St Paul Quarter and High Falls districts.

The 7 story hotel features 362 spacious guest suites, all well appointed and with modern amenities and features. Guests can also elect to stay in the Exectuvie Suites, spacious two bedroom units appropriate for entertaining business guests or family and friends.

An up-to-date business center is also available with advanced internet connectivity and other features that make getting your work done while out of the office as easy as plugging in or using the wireless internet. A large conference center for business seminars, meetings, weddings, and other special events is also available courteous service and professional catering.

Hotel Travel Check are internet marketing specialists that work with promoting, optimizing, and marketing Hotels on the internet.

For more information on the Rochester Plaze Hotel click here.

For more information on HotelTravelCheck.com click here.

The IHG Group has signed agreements with MAK Hotel Holdings, a member of the M.A. Kharafi Group of Kuwait, to develop an InterContinental Hotel in the Syrian capital.

The hotel will be integrated with a cinema complex, mall, and office space. Construction is slated to be finished by 2010.

“The M.A. Kharafi Group is one of the largest Groups in the Middle East and we are delighted to be partnering with them on the InterContinental Damascus. Over the last few years we have witnessed a substantial increase in tourism levels to Syria; our aim is for IHG to be at the forefront of this demand for accommodation. When open, InterContinental Damascus will offer guests a luxurious and first-class place to stay while discovering this historically rich location; testament to InterContinental’s commitment to provide authentic and enriching destination experiences for all guests,” said John Bamsey, Chief Operating Officer, IHG, Middle East & Africa.

Health spas and numerous business conference centers will also be built into the new project.

The Syrian government has increased spending on tourism as forecasts predict major growth for next quarter and over the next several years.

Read the whole article here.

The Washington Post recently wrote that the Marriott is mulling the idea of putting a new hotel in the Baghdad, Iraq ‘Green Zone’.

The development team would have to overcome some serious obstacles. Besides security issues, the Baghdad infrastructure has been seriously ravaged by the war.

The Marriott wants to expand its Middle Eastern presence, and the United States government is eager to have investment and development take place in the war torn Iraq.

“As with any opportunity, we carefully consider all the factors involved,” said Marriott spokesman John Wolf. “We’re evaluating this, just as we are considering opportunities elsewhere.”

Times Square was not the commercial mecca it is today, where prostitutes and drug dealers are now difficult to find. Back then it was still, as Bill Marriott once wrote, a “run-down, seedy area that might or might not come back to life.” Building hotel there was “a huge risk.”

But Marriott went ahead, installing one of the most elaborate hotel security systems of its time. Entrance to the hotel was limited. The lobby was located on the eighth floor. Times Square turned around, and today the Marquis is among the company’s most profitable hotels.

- Washington Post

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