In a time of change, the hospitality industry is in constant update for innovating and interesting changes to offer to their customers.

The Marriott Hotels are now the first chain of hotels to offer Telepresence Worldwide. This will allow customers to have the widest array of meeting options.

With Telepresence guests at the Marriott Hotel will be able to have virtual or in-person conferences, or in the best scenario, guest will be able to have both type of conferences.

This new system will definitely increase Marriott’s revenue and it will provide a high quality service to businessmen and companies in need of meeting rooms with this sort of technology.

The Telepresence Worldwide technology will use AT&T’s fully-managed AT&T Telepresence Solution.

The partnership between InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) and the Portuguese Grupo Marope have sealed the deal of opening the first Crown Plaza in Portugal.

The Crown Plaza Vilamoura will be open in January 2010 and the opening will generate more than 200 jobs in the area.

The first Crown Plaza in Portugal will feature 327 rooms and suites, 1,200 sq. mts. of meeting room space. A gorgeous garden filled up with palm trees and a variety of restaurants and facilities.

The new hotel will be located on the Vilamour beach near the Vilamoura Casino and just 300 mts. from the Algarve’s main marina.

It’s not a surprise that with the global economy in recession some big firms have stopped the construction and developing of hotels around the world. However, in the second quarter of 2009, there could be a chance for funding hotels in Dubai.

There were multiple projects in Dubai and in the nearby regions, but they were postponed with the economical crisis. There was a significant reduction of funds to developers and projects were canceled.

However, it seems that the second quarter of 2009 looks more promising for new developments. If banks start lending money to developers, the projects that were in stand by might finish what they’ve started before the recession.

Due to the financial crisis, the Los Angeles Times has posted an article in which shows how upscale hotels are offering special discounts for this summer.

In an interview with Bruce Baltin, vice president for PKF Consulting, informed:”Consumers are going to find better discounts, percentage wise, by taking advantage of more upscale hotels that have to provide dramatic discounts.”

Hotels have reduced their prices and they have informed that the revenue per room has gone down 17.5%. This summer is going to be a good time for frequent travelers to take advantage of enjoying an upscale hotel for the price of a regular one.