Hotel & Motel Management - March 17, 2008 - (Page 4) 4 News H&MM March 17, 2008 | HotelMotel.com www.HotelMotel.com/digital_edition New Red Lion leader optimistic on growth The United States dropped two spots to No. 7 among the most competitive countries in the travel and tourism sector, according to a study released by the World Economic Forum and Booz Allen Hamilton. Rankings are based on a measurement of more than 60 variables that impact a country’s appeal in developing travel and tourism. The U.S. ranked first for overall business environment and infrastructure. World Travel & Tourism is expected to generate close to $8 trillion in 2008, rising to approximately $15 trillion over the next 10 years, according to the latest Tourism Satellite Accounting research by the World Travel & Tourism Council and its strategic partner Accenture. K PARTNERS HOSPITALITY GROUP By Stacey Mieyal Higgins SENIOR EDITOR SPOKANE, WASH.–As Red Lion Hotels Corp. says goodbye to a long-time employee, the future looks bright for its growth opportunities, according to its new leader. Arthur M. Coffey, president, c.e.o. and director, retired on Feb. 13 after serving the company for 27 years. Anupam Narayan, executive v.p. and c.f.o. since 2004, was named as his successor. Narayan, who has worked for Best Western International, Doubletree Corp. and Red Lion Red Lion Hotel at the Park in Spokane, Wash., recently completed a renovation. The pool features a waterslide and waterfall. See Red Lion | page 64 K Partners constructs portfolio expansion By Jeff Higley CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Two personnel moves will impact Hilton Hotels Corp. at the c.e.o. level. Thomas Keltner, c.e.o. for the America’s and global brands, will step down from his position in June. Currently, there are no plans to replace him. Also, Steven Goldman, president and c.e.o. of Sunstone Hotel Investors, has resigned to become president of Hilton’s global real estate and development group. An Access America survey found nearly half of American families scaling back spring break plans or forgoing their vacations altogether. This year nearly half of American families with children say the uncertainty about the U.S. economy is causing them to stay at home. For updated breaking news, visit www.HotelMotel.com. The 81-room Fairfield Inn & Suites-Lafayette (La.) South is part of K Partners Hospitality Group’s expanding portfolio. The company has 12 hotels under construction and plans to break ground on 12 to 15 hotels in 2009. LOS ANGELES–In the eyes of two executive vice presidents at K Partners Hospitality Group, there’s no slowdown coming. If anything, the action is going to pick up for Mark Crisci and Jeremy Day. During a break at the Americas Lodging Investment Summit, the two executives outlined the comSee K Partners | page 70 Meetings business expects attendance boost anticipate a 19-percent increase in attendance for 2008. NATIONAL REPORT– “I think that you will While concerns over an find an up-tick in the impending recession meetings business [in hang heavy on the minds 2008],” said Tom Nolan, of some, hotels in the regional v.p. of the eastmeetings business remain ern region for Aramark unconcerned, predicting Harrison Lodging. “We increases in business and have room to improve.” preparing new tactics to The Hilton Daytona Nolan bolster business. Beach Ocean Walk VilARAMARK HARRISON According to a study LODGING lage surpassed its 2007 conducted by Meeting meetings goal of 88,000 Professionals International and group room nights by 4,000. The sponsored by American Express, hotel’s 2008 goal is 110,000 group meeting and event professionals See Meetings | page 70 By Emily Hanna ASSOCIATE EDITOR WYNDHAM WORLDWIDE CORP. The Wyndham Miami Airport Hotel & Executive Meeting Center features 20,000 square feet of meeting space. RED LION HOTELS CORP. Hotels, said he looks forward to continuing the momentum the company has been building on in the last few years. “In 2004 we introduced a new reservation system, and we launched a new Web site and renamed the company from WestCoast Hospitality Corp. to Red Lion Hotels Corp. in 2005,” Narayan said. The company invested $50 million to $60 million to make sure the product meets today’s customers’ needs. Narayan said although he had only been in the position for about http://HotelMotel.com http://www.HotelMotel.com/digital_edition http://www.HotelMotel.com
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