Meeting News - September 8, 2008 - (Page 25)

Hotels/Resorts Videoconferencing Is Coming to Taj Hotels in Key Cities Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces is introducing high-definition videoconferencing facilities at five of its properties, allowing meeting planners to organize virtual live meetings across multiple locations. Cutting down on travel for attendees, videoconferencing is a cheaper and more environmentally friendly option to bring people together than traditional face-toface meetings. The Cisco TelePresence rooms will be available at the Pierre, NY in early 2009 and will launch at the following hotels in the next few months: Taj Boston; Taj Mahal Palace Tower, Mumbai; Taj West End, Bangalore; and 51 Buckingham Gate, London. Use of the high-tech rooms will be billed on an hourly basis at these rates: $500, the Pierre and Taj Boston; 20,000 rupees (approximately $473) at Taj Mahal Palace Tower and Taj West End; and 250 pounds (approximately $493) at 51 Buckingham Gate. “It is our constant endeavor to provide state-of-the-art, valueadded services to our customers,” said Raymond Bickson, managing director of Taj. “With the TelePresence facility, we will be one of the first hospitality companies worldwide to offer this kind of cuttingedge technology.” Taj is comprised of 61 hotels in 42 locations across India, with another 16 properties spread across the United States, the United Kingdom, the Maldives, Mauritius, Malaysia, Australia, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Africa, and the Middle East. The company is part of Tata Group, one of India’s largest business conglomerates. Taj Boston, which overlooks the Public Garden, will soon add videoconferencing to its bag of tricks. Starwood Boosts Luxe Collection’s Online Presence The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts has launched an improved website, at www.luxurycollection .com. The upscale brand—comprising 65 properties in more than 26 countries, and overseen by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide—is now featuring more information about each hotel’s destination and making clearer any special offers on its site. On the Pursuits pages, web www.meetingnews.com surfers can access destination information in a variety of categories, including architecture and design, award-winning cuisine, secret hideaways, yachting, adventure, romance, and wildlife. Destination pages include exclusive editorial content that includes recommendations from local experts, a property overview, and links to additional properties from the brand that are in the region. Viewing the Global Cultural Calendar, potential guests can learn of upcoming events in each region where the brand has a presence, such as Chinese New Year in Mauritius, the Bali Arts Festival in Indonesia, and the International Aegean Sailing Rally in Greece, to name a few. Using the Privileges page allows guests to contact a Luxury Collection Concierge 24 hours a day, seven days a week and to learn about the line’s latest signature services. Lastly, the site includes a listing of Exclusives, or featured offers and special packages for a property or destination. “Today, we proudly unveil a rich online experience that mirrors the unique and authentic experiences at the Luxury Collection’s hotels and resorts,” said Phil McAveety, executive vice president and chief brand officer of Starwood. MeetingNews 25 September 8, 2008 http://www.luxurycollection.com http://www.luxurycollection.com http://www.meetingnews.com

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Meeting News - September 8, 2008 Contents Letters to the Editor What's Up @ MeetingNews.com Social Scene People Making News Hotels & Resorts Convention Centers CVBs International Green Beat Insider Report: Golf Destination Insider MN Webcast Report Advertisers Index Live from the Forum Mexico Hawaii

Meeting News - September 8, 2008

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