Argophilia

Αργοφιλία: For the love of the journey.

hotels

Magnuson Hotels Extends to Southeast Asia

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An exclusive press release from Magnuson Hotels tells of their expansion into the Southeast Asia hospitality market. According to the news, the world’s largest independent hotel group adds the Grand Royal Panghegar Hotel in Bandung. A 450 room, four star hotel, the Grand Royal is situated in the center of Bandung, once referred to as “the Paris of Java.”

1000 More Hotels Join Global Hotel Exchange

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In online travel agency (OTA) news, the California Lodging Industry Association (CLIA) and the Independent Lodging Industry Association (ILIA) have added a thousand plus independent hotels to upstart booking platform Global Hotels Exchange (GHX). Even prior to the official launch of GHX, it appears many hotel owners and support organizations are willing to flock to the new channel.

Google Hotel Finder Adds “Search by Travel Time”

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Google Hotel Finder has finally rolled out some of its much-anticipated ‘innovation’, in the form of a new search parameter than allows us to search for hotels by travel time from key attractions and destinations

Marriott Extends Helping Hand to UK & Europe Youth

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Marriott Hotels across Europe and the UK will donate £1 euro €1 to relieve youth unemployment throughout February, the company announced. As part of the “World of Opportunity” initiative announced last week, the “You eat – we give” program is designed to afford the disadvantaged a leg up in reaching their full potential.

Selling Soap, Seats, & Other Hospitality Services In 2012

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An article on Tnooz last Friday peaked our interest, Xotels boss Patrick Landman offering up key variables in what will become the biggest online trade war ever. When Google, all the big corporate OTAs, and key independent online travel entities lock horns for a final round, a few will not be left standing.

US Travel Market Growth Predicted to Stall Next Year

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Travel markets in the US have shown a marked improvement this year and are set to recover all the ground lost during the recession which began back in 2007, yet we shouldn’t get too excited as this growth is about to hit a brick wall, reports Travel Weekly.

Global Hotel Exchange Utilizes RateTiger Effect

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On Tuesday, an new, independent OTA announced a strategical alignment with RateTiger. Global Hotel Exchange, a cost free distrubution channel for hotels to launch in January, will leverage the power of global hospitality technology provider Rate Tager and eRevMax.

Rate Parity – Apples When You Need Oranges

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The definitions of hotel room rate parity vary depending on who is doing the defining. The big online booking platforms speak of consistency and fairness, hotels often simply “have to” maintain parity to play in the game, and so on. But, is consistency at the expense of value and clarity worth then high price? These […]

Orbitz Worldwide & Travelport: Ups & Downs

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Travelport and Orbitz are in the positive and negative news again today. Travelport for any number of announcements of business dealings, and Orbitz for a very negative S & P rating they just received. Since it was announced that Travelport needed to restructure its dept, it seems as if neither of these online travel giants can catch a break.

Conrad Hotels & Resorts – Sleek & Provocative Rebrand

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Marketing campaigns for hotels chains are not a new fad, nor is using sexy to sell ideas, but doing so intriguingly, this is a bit uncommon. In News from Conrad Hotels & Resorts this morning, their brand is on a global marketing binge that may see a new phrase coined, “chic and slinky sells,” rather than sex.

Hilton: Listening, Showing, Communicating in the Digital World

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Last week, Hilton extended their Stay Hilton, Go Everywhere campaign with what the hotelier calls the world’s first “iAd interactive” extension for Apple devices. The strategy is pretty simple, take Hilton’s already successful marketing campaign and evangelize it across Apple platforms already adopted by tens of millions. Whether or not Hilton’s so called iAd is a first of its kind or not, the digital engagement is brilliant.

Google Is NOT Taking Over Travel With Hotel Finder

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Okay, just because Google bought ITA, just because flight search stuff got put onto the search page, just because they have 50 billion reasons to take over online travel, does not mean Sergey Brin, Larry Page, Eric Schmidt, and the rest at Google will. AND, launching the unbelievably fast Google Hotel Finder aspect for online travel? Nah, Google will never take over the multi-billion dollar online travel scene. Yeah! They will.

Magic World Russia – The Federation Strikes Back

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In travel news from the Russian Federation, California’s Moschanko Investment Group (MIG 2000) announced Magic World Russia, a compelling new destination theme park.