Hospitality Portal

Agents reassured over Greek crisis

2012-05-19T20:59:59Z

Agents are being reassured that it’s still safe to sell holidays to Greece despite fears of the country leaving the euro and of further civil unrest. But as the country’s problems intensify, ABTA chief executive Mark Tanzer has issued advice to agents and operators about how to deal with enquiries from worried customers. “Their two [...]

Domino’s under fire for labeling crust ‘gluten-free’

2012-05-19T20:36:37Z

A group of experts on celiac disease on Thursday said Domino’s Pizza is exploiting and misusing the term “gluten free” and called on the restaurant industry to use proper labeling to avoid causing serious harm. Last week, Domino’s became the nation’s largest pizza chain to offer a “gluten-free” crust in its nearly 5,000 U.S. locations. [...]

City solicitor Kenneth Hunt jailed after £1m fraud

2012-05-19T20:08:07Z

A TRUSTED solicitor has been jailed after he siphoned more than £1m from his clients’ accounts, “driven by pride and vanity”. Kenneth Hunt and his legal firm Hunt Kidd LLP were caught in the “perfect storm” when the global economic crisis struck and the Government launched a bail-out package for the stricken Northern Rock. The [...]

Prominent Cancun Resort Takes Leading Role in Earth Hour Initiative

2012-05-19T19:34:55Z

Guests enjoying prominent Cancun hotel accommodations recently had the opportunity to participate in the 2012 world observance of Earth Hour as their lodging host proudly joined in the worldwide initiative. Taking a stand to draw global attention to the effects of climate change, the impressive CasaMagna Marriott Cancun Resort and its guests joined with more [...]

Paramount Pictures to build hotel chain with Hollywood and California themes

2012-05-19T19:23:53Z

Movie firm Paramount has announced plans to launch a chain of hotels. The firm, one of the most active studios in Hollywood and the name behind movies ranging from Breakfast at Tiffany’s to Mission Impossible, plans to create up to 50 hotels and resorts themed around Hollywood and California. The hotels will be luxury properties, [...]

Edinburgh urged to halt bed tax plans as hotel trade slumps

2012-05-19T19:16:40Z

NEW city leaders have been urged to abandon plans to revisit the controversial “bed tax” after fresh figures revealed a slump in the Capital’s hotel trade. The data showed room occupancy and revenue declined in March by 3.9 and 8.9 per cent respectively. Edinburgh compared poorly with other towns and cities in Scotland and the [...]

Special report: London’s Olympic hotels bonanza?

2012-05-19T19:08:00Z

Will the vast increase in London’s roomstock mean cheap hotel deals for buyers after the Olympics? Don’t hold your breath, says Gary Noakes One big selling point that swung the 2012 Olympics London’s way was the legacy it will give to the capital, particularly the run-down eastern parts – primarily Stratford – in which the [...]

LaSalle Hotel Properties Closes on $177.5 Million Term Loan

2012-05-18T14:52:36Z

LaSalle Hotel Properties (NYSE:LHO) today announced that it has closed on its new $177.5 million term loan. The seven-year term loan matures on May 16, 2019. The term loan was swapped to a fixed interest rate for the full seven-year term. The term loan’s interest rate will be 3.87 percent when the Company’s leverage ratio [...]

Jeddah to host major food, hotel, hospitality and packaging show

2012-05-18T14:43:58Z

Over 350 companies from 22 countries will be participating at the annual Saudi food, hotel, hospitality & propac arabia show to be held in Jeddah from May 20-23, 2012, under the patronage of the Saudi Ministry of Agriculture and under the auspices of Engineer Hassan Sangoof, Director General, Ministry of Agriculture, Makkah Region. Organised by [...]

Hotels4U loses over £120,000 in social media campaign

2012-05-18T14:31:23Z

Thomas Cook-owned Hotels4U suspended an ill-thought out one-day discount campaign after losing more than £120,000 within the first few hours of the launch. The company told the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) that it had grossly underestimated the amount of bookings it would attract via the promotion on social media sites Facebook and Twitter. Launched to [...]