Hotel & Motel Management - June 16, 2008 - (Page 47) www.HotelMotel.com/digital_edition HotelMotel.com | H&MM June 16, 2008 News 47 Hospitality industry Continued from page 4 conference was global. “We need to be resourceful in keeping tourism strong despite the economy,” he said. Marriott announced the company signed a deal that week to launch the 320-unit Marriott Vacation Club, Dubai Festival City, the first Marriott Vacation Club resort in the Middle East and the first one outside of the U.S. Dubai Festival City is just one example of the booming hospitality climate that characterizes this Middle Eastern seat. Four Seasons, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide and InterContinental Hotels Group also have committed projects to this waterfront mixed-use development. His Excellency Khalid bin Sulayem, director general of the Dubai government department of tourism and commerce marketing, explained Dubai’s growth and gave a nod to the expansion opportunities on the horizon. “We had 7 million hotel guests in 2007 in Dubai and booked 47,000 rooms,” he said. The government has a goal to attract 10 million guests by 2010 and 15 million by 2015. Tourism is 30 percent of Dubai’s gross domestic product, and bin Sulayem said the Emirate is keeping up with the pace and prioritizing sustainable development. “Dubai was the first city in this region to create green building initiatives,” he said. Who gets the biggest piece of the pie? Most travel forecasts agree on one point: Despite a slushy economy, Americans still are traveling internationally, and it’s a given that they’re spending more to do it. The American Automobile Assn. predicts 25.1 million Americans will travel internationally this summer, a 2.6-percent increase over last summer. Canada and Mexico remain the top destinations for Americans traveling internationally. China and India are expected to see the largest increases in travelers, according to the AAA study, produced by Global Insight. “Americans truly work harder and longer than ever, and they believe they deserve a vacation regardless of price,” said Betsy Sell, managing director of travel for AAA. “Americans will adjust their budgets to take that trip they’ve been dreaming about.” But what about the statistics of foreign travelers visiting the United States this year? According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, overseas arrivals still are down. Two million fewer visitors came to the U.S. from overseas in 2007 than in 2000, according to the department. This figure, however, doesn’t take into account travelers from Mexico and Canada. Consumer-driven trends Peter Greenberg, travel editor of NBC’s “Today Show,” moderated a panel including Stephen Holmes, chairman and c.e.o. of Wyndham Worldwide, that sought to clearly define socially, economically and politically responsible tourism. “We follow where the consumer is taking us,” Holmes said. “We can advertise standards and allow the consumer to make the decision.” Consumers drive trends at all levels, speakers said. Norbert Walter, chief economist of Deutsche Bank Group and c.e.o. of Deutsche Bank Research, further defined the United States’ role in the economic impact of travel and tourism. “The world economy is in very different shape this year,” he said. “The U.S. is close to recession. Japan is suffering from modest domestic demand. Europe is so-so. The one country that has been strong is China, but there we’re in the middle of a confrontation, not a feast,” he said, referencing recent protests to the Beijing Olympic Games because of China’s relationship with Tibet. “Regarding climate change, the U.S. still sets the pace, regulatory-wise,” he said. “The U.S. will set the standards, and they will have implications.” sricca@questex.com Stephen Holmes, chairman and c.e.o. of Wyndham Worldwide, said sustainable lodging choices are in the hands of consumers. Changing Flags Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide will rebrand two former Adams Mark Hotels as Sheraton Dallas Hotel and Sheraton Denver Hotel. The move is part of a worldwide comprehensive revitalization and expansion of the Sheraton brand. Both hotels, which are owned in partnership between Whitehall Funds and The Chartres Lodging Group, will undergo comprehensive renovations, enhancing nearly all aspects of the properties. Magnuson Hotels completed the rebranding of the 104-room Pheasant Hill Inn & Suites Magnuson Grand Hotel, Spokane, Wash., a former Best Western property. Best Western International added Best Western Concord Inn, Minocqua, Wis., to its chain. The non-smoking hotel has 52 guestrooms and is owned by NCI Investors. Compiled by Stephanie Ricca, sricca@questex.com As political and social changes happen, economies follow, said Norbert Walter, chief economist of Deutsche Bank Group and c.e.o. of Deutsche Bank Research. WTTC sricca@questex.com CIRCLE NO. 124 WTTC http://HotelMotel.com http://www.HotelMotel.com/digital_edition http://sterifab.com http://sterifab.com
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