Hotel Wrap: Outrigger’s new agent newsletter, Marriott’s RevPAR plummets + MORE

Hotel Wrap: Outrigger’s new agent newsletter, Marriott’s RevPAR plummets + MORE

This week’s Hotel Wrap is a bit like an Allen’s Party Mix, in that it’s got everything from new properties and wellness series, to agent-focused initiatives and some not-so-good quarterly results.

Outrigger launches agent newsletter

In conjunction with its recently released #OutriggerCARES campaign, Outrigger Hotels and Resorts has launched its inaugural travel agent and trade newsletter, Outrigger Sails, to keep Aussie and Kiwi agents connected with the group’s properties during these uncertain times.

The newsletter was developed as another tool for agents to utilise and gain insight to the brand through a range of information, including property updates, new online initiatives and activities, quirky background information, and team member news.

Outrigger Sails will be circulated globally, with each edition catering specifically for the intended market, according to Outrigger’s vice president of sales and marketing for the Asia Pacific, Andrew Gee.

“The Oceania version has been created specifically with our agents in mind. We welcome any feedback if there is particular content our agents wish to read about,” he said.

“Although we are currently not actively prompting sales for our properties, it is a time when agents need to see messages of hope, resilience and unity. We need to show agents we are all in this together and are here to support them anyway we can.”

Agents or partners wishing to receive the inaugural Outrigger Sails or subscribe to upcoming editions can email sales@outrigger.com.au.

Marriott’s RevPAR falls by 90 per cent in April

Marriott International’s global RevPAR declined approximately 90 per cent in April, with roughly a quarter of its hotels currently closed.

However, the company’s president and CEO has said the resilience of travel demand is evident in the improving trends Marriott is seeing in Greater China.

“Occupancy at our hotels in the region reached 25 per cent in April, up from less than 10 percent in mid-February 2020,” he said.

Marriott’s RevPAR for the first quarter of 2020 fell 22.5 per cent compared to the prior corresponding period, while net income totalled $31 million compared to $375 million in Q1 of 2019.

Adjusted earnings totalled $442 million in the 2020 first quarter – almost half of the $821 million Marriot achieved in the first quarter of 2019.

The company added more than 14,500 rooms globally during the first quarter, including nearly 2,100 rooms converted from competitor brands and approximately 7,200 rooms in international markets. Net rooms grew 4.4 per cent from a year ago.

IHG to bring Crowne Plaza brand to historic Indian city

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), one of world’s leading hotel companies, has signed a management agreement to bring the Crowne Plaza brand to the historic city of Lucknow, in northern India.

The 110-room property, which is expected to open in late 2024, will have an array of food and beverage options with an all-day dining restaurant, a bar and a club lounge.

The hotel will also contain a large meeting and banqueting space of approximately 19,000 square feet, as well as a gymnasium and an outdoor pool.

A monument in Lucknow (credit: iStock/shylendrahoode)

Industry bodies welcome NSW government’s praise for hotels

Tourism Accommodation Australia (TAA) and the Accommodation Association have welcomed praise from both NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres for the contribution made by hotels in the fight against COVID-19.

Since the end of March when travel quarantine was initiated in a bid to help contain the spread of COVID-19, approximately 13,000 people have self-isolated in hotels across the state, including 1,059 families with children housed in serviced apartments.

“It is pleasing to see our industry’s ability to meet the high-level of logistical challenge with such success, and more pleasing still to hear such warm praise from our government leaders,” TAA chief executive Michael Johnson said.

Accommodation Association CEO Dean Long said the NSW Premier’s endorsement is recognition of the hotel staff who have unstintingly been at the frontline, providing the services, responding to guests, and working hard to put guest needs first.

“This is at a time when the industry as a whole faces huge uncertainty, as hotels respond to an unprecedented decline in demand with occupancies at 10 per cent and below,” he said.

Hilton reveals first-quarter pain

For the three months of 2020, Hilton’s RevPAR fell 22.6 per cent, and management and franchise fee revenues decreased 18 per cent.

The company blamed the declines on the COVID-19 pandemic and the related reduction in global travel and tourism, which required the complete and partial suspensions of hotel operations at many of its properties.

Hilton’s net income and adjusted earnings for Q1 were US$18 million and US$363 million respectively, compared to US$159 million and US$499 million respectively in the prior corresponding period.

In the first quarter of 2020, Hilton opened 67 new hotels, totalling 8,800 rooms, and achieved net unit growth of over 6,100 rooms.

Additionally, Hilton signed the largest multi-brand deal in company history with Resorts World Las Vegas for a 3,500 room resort uniting Hilton Hotels & Resorts, LXR Hotels and Resorts and Conrad Hotels and Resorts.

As of 31 March, Hilton’s development pipeline totalled nearly 2,670 hotels consisting of more than 405,000 rooms throughout 120 countries and territories, including 35 countries and territories where Hilton does not currently have any open hotels.

Samujana launches online wellness series

Thailand’s leading private villa estate, Samujana, has created a wellness series to help people not only calm their mind, but also keep their body active.

Available on Samujana’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages, the tutorials on cooking, meditation, yoga and exercises aim to keep people motivated, fit and healthy during this period when many are required to stay at home.

The tutorials can also be accessed via Samujana’s website.

Latest News

  • Famil

TravHost launches expert hosting service to transform industry famils

TravHost offers a pioneering service bridging the gap between media professionals, travel agents and tourism organisations, addressing the demand for exceptional famil hosts. Founded by seasoned travel media professionals Fiona Harper and Carolyne Jasinski, TravHost is poised to revolutionise the way tourism organisations and travel companies approach famils. With decades of experience in tourism and […]

  • Tour Operators
  • Travel Agents

Book big and bag a spot of the TTC Tour Brand’s Top Achievers’ Famil

TTC Tour Brands’ Top Achievers Famil incentive is back, rewarding top-selling agents with the chance to embark on an unforgettable trip to a destination that remains a secret – for now. Agents who have sold any Luxury Gold, Insight Vacations, Trafalgar, Costsaver and Contiki, from 1 December 2024 to 14 March 2025, go into the […]

  • Business Travel
  • Conferences

New Zealand International Convention Centre to open in February 2026

The New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) has announced it is opening its doors to New Zealand and world conferences and events in February 2026. The long-awaited NZICC is set to transform New Zealand’s conference and events industry, boosting visitation and the wider economy with its world-class facilities. Located in the heart of Auckland’s CBD, […]

  • Cruise
  • Events

AmaWaterways invites AU/NZ travel trade to An Evening with AmaWaterways events

AmaWaterways has announced the dates of its upcoming An Evening with AmaWaterways events for travel advisors, just over a year after it entered the Australian and New Zealand markets. Dedicated to travel advisors, the events will be held in six cities and will be hosted by AmaWaterways’ regional sales managers, plus feature a presentation from […]

  • Destinations
  • Tourism

Mooloolaba cruise season boosts Sunshine Coast tourism and trade

Mooloolaba is set to welcome a series of cruise ships through February and March 2025, significantly boosting local businesses and tourism to the Sunshine Coast. Their arrival is expected to create a vibrant atmosphere and provide a substantial economic uplift to the region. Viking Sky kicks off the season on Sunday 8 February, with 930 […]

  • Food & Beverage

Little Pete Brewing opens first of its kind open-air bar

Little Pete Brewing has opened a new open-air bar at 543 Step Rd, Langhorne Creek, a must-visit South Australia destination for a drink with a view. The first-of-its-kind open-air bar sits on 8ha, surrounded by vineyards and paddocks, with the Bremer River flowing nearby and framed by majestic ancient river red gums. “We always felt […]

  • Events

CENTREPIECE is set to make a splash at AIME 2025

CENTREPIECE is set to make a splash at AIME 2025 with a one-of-a-kind activation that showcases their world-class event capabilities to inspire event planners and decision-makers. CENTREPIECE is located in the heart of Melbourne & Olympic Parks, Victoria’s epicentre for live sports and entertainment and home to world-renowned venues including Rod Laver Arena, AAMI Park, […]

  • Destinations
  • Tourism

NYC Tourism + Conventions announces two exciting new events

NYC Tourism + Conventions has announced ‘NYC Off-Broadway Week 2025’ and ‘Value Family Activities’ events lined up for this year. NYC Off-Broadway Week 2025 2-for-1 ticket sales for this event have begun with this season’s program featuring 29 Off-Broadway performances, including 18 new participants. The twice-yearly program runs from 17 February through 9 March with […]

  • Events
  • Tourism

Jeju wins bid to host 2028 Asia-Pacific Microscopy Conference

The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) has successfully secured the 14th Asia-Pacific Microscopy Conference (APMC14) for Jeju in November 2028. This was achieved in partnership with the Korean Society of Microscopy, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, Jeju Convention Bureau, and Jeju International Convention Center. Korea was selected as the final host after strong competition at the 13th […]

  • Cruise
  • Food & Beverage

Oceania Cruises sets new standard for onboard dining: one chef for every 10 guests

Oceania Cruises, renowned for The Finest Cuisine at Sea, has set a new standard for onboard dining with an exquisite new menu evolution in The Grand Dining Room. Launching on its newest 1,200-guest ship, Allura, in July 2025, the reimagined menus introduce over 270 brand-new recipes, from curated Signature Eggs Benedict breakfast selection to a chic French […]