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.
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.
