Meeting News - February 11, 2008 - (Page 24)

International continued from page 22 DC; and Philadelphia as destinations for OpenSkies. BA is looking to operate out of JFK International for the New York leg of OpenSkies’ first route. Hoteliers in Bangkok Quench Demand; Regent Puts Thailand On Its Global Map Bangkok, Thailand—Bangkok’s hot hotel sector is in the midst of another inventory surge, getting a spike of more than 20 percent in its four- and five-star product between now and 2010, with the majority of the new hotels courting the group market. “We have seen 10- to 15-percent annual growth in demand for MICE space in Bangkok, with almost no growth in capacity,” said Choo-Leng Goh, regional director of sales and marketing for Starwood Hotels & Resorts. But the new room construction is not going to prompt a decline in rates. In fact, the 381-room InterContinental Bangkok will boost rates by 10 percent this year, said Brian Connelly, regional GM in Bangkok for InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG). The 10-year-old property is undergoing a $20-million upgrade of its guest rooms and meeting space to keep up with new builds from Pullman, Grand Millennium, Radisson, Le Meridien, and Regent, each offering 170 to 386 rooms. “You have to be very aggressive and innovative with meetings in this market,” said Christophe Vielle, GM of the 386-room Pullman King Power Bangkok—Accor’s first Pullman hotel in Asia, which opened in October. The new brand targets corporate and meeting business. “You need the right facilities and expertise.” So much so that construction of the 380-room Crowne Plaza Bangkok has been delayed from early this year to early 2009 to make more room for groups. “The property wasn’t meetings-focused enough,” said Bruce Ryde, IHG area director of sales and marketing. “We are reworking the interior to maximize meeting space.” Company officials declined to cite square footage amounts. Meanwhile, in Phuket, Regent is on track to unveil its first property in Thailand in 2009, the 106-room Regent Phuket Cape Panwa, which will be geared for incentives and executive retreats. To be located on the southeastern tip of the island province, the resort will have 48 terrace rooms, 22 villas, and 35 pool villas. Amenities will be a 180-foot pool, a tennis court, and a health center and spa with 10 treatment rooms. Meetings will be met by two small (195-sf) function rooms. r —Fred Gebhart www.meetingnews.com Meetings Destined For Success Puerto Vallarta’s most beautiful hotel is now even better! The all-inclusive, all-suite Barceló La Jolla de Mismaloya Hotel has completed an expansive renovation to its guest suites, public spaces, a new spa facility and its famous beach. With 318 one and two bedroom guest suites, 10,000 square feet of meeting space, legendary service and endless sunshine, it’s the perfect destination for your next meeting. And for a limited time it’s the perfect price! Book your meeting or incentive program now and enjoy special savings for 2008 group bookings. Per person group rates beginning at $150 per person/double occupancy. CALL: 1-888-676-7960 to book your next group at any Barceló Resort The Barceló La Jolla de Mismaloya Hotel is an all-inclusive luxury resort located on Mismaloya Bay in Puerto Vallarta. All-inclusive resort guests enjoy suite accommodations, unlimited dining & house cocktails at the resort’s five restaurants & lounges, sports activities on the beach & at the swimming pools, health club access and live entertainment. Also available – spa services and golf nearby. For more information and reservations: 1-800-BARCELO or www.barcelo.com 24 MeetingNews February 11, 2008 http://www.barcelo.com http://www.barcelo.com http://www.meetingnews.com

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Meeting News - February 11, 2008

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