Travel Agent - November 12, 2007 - (Page 82)

NEWS IMPACT Overseas Lines Eye U.S. Market; Holiday Inn Changing Its Image nation’s largest publicly traded hotel owner and an arm of Hilton competitor Marriott International. Though some assumed Matthew Hart, Hilton’s former president and COO, would fill the position, which opened after Stephen Bollenbach announced his resignation, it appears that Nassetta’s longstanding relationship with Blackstone’s senior managing director Jonathan Gray helped him land the job. Blackstone maintains that it doesn’t intend to sell off any of Hilton’s brands, which include Embassy Suites and Doubletree, but instead is set to accelerate the company’s international growth and most likely fold some of its luxury holdings into Hilton’s Waldorf=Astoria Collection. Meanwhile, Hilton competitor InterContinental Hotels Group (www.ichotelsgroup.com) is turning its attention to redeveloping its Holiday Inn brand to satisfy midmarket travelers’ evolving tastes. “Today we are at a crossroads,” said Steve Porter, InterContinental’s president, the Americas. “Our relevance is at risk.” InterContinental has planned a three-year relaunch of Holiday Inn that calls for an investment of approximately $1 billion from the company and franchisees to uplift the sagging iconic brand. The project will involve changing everything from guest room bedding to Holiday Inn’s logo (flowing script will replace the stylized H). Holiday Inn, which was founded in 1952, competes in the highly crowded mid-price lodging sector, with brands such as Hilton Garden Inn and Courtyard by Marriott. DAVID EISEN Cabin on Fred. Olsen Cruises’ Black Prince WINTER IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER—HAVE YOU SOLD THAT WARM AND INVITING CARIBBEAN CRUISE? It might sound like a shameless plug for the industry, but with hurricane season out of the way, now is a great time to tout a Caribbean cruise. Across-the-Pond Lines Entice North Americans Two European cruise lines—one British, one German—are making a push to enlist more American passengers. Fred. Olsen Cruises (www.fredolsencruises.com) is a U.K.-based company known for its intimate ships that emit a noticeable British flavor. Brits have accounted for 95 percent of Olsen’s guests, but the CONNECTING YOU For earlier coverage of Blackstone’s acquisition of Hilton Hotels, visit www. travelagentcentral.com/blackstone line is particularly interested in changing that. “Yes, we tend to attract mostly British clientele,” Kate Wooldridge, Fred. Olsen’s international sales manager, said aboard the Black Watch, which was recently moored in New York. “But we are now looking to expand in North America.” However, the company is not losing its British touch—on the contrary, it’s asking new passengers to come and experience British cruising. So what should a guest expect? Well, you will find that much of the food and decor are, rightfully, British-tinged. One note: On our visit aboard the Black Watch, we found that standard rooms accommodate only twin beds. So, for couples looking to share a bed, you must book at least a Junior Suite. Initial bookings pay 10 percent commission, while all subsequent bookings earn 14 percent. Olsen’s newest ship, the Balmoral, will debut in spring 2008. Meanwhile, Hapag-Lloyd (www.hapag-lloyd.com) is also on the lookout for North American passengers. The German luxury cruise operator has announced bilingual (German and English) cruises on its four- and five-star ships for 2008-09. “The company’s cruise business has great potential in the North American market,” says Sebastian Ahrens, managing director of Hapag-Lloyd. “One of the biggest secrets is that Hapag-Lloyd ships already cater to English-speaking passengers. As more and more Americans are drawn to the allure of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, the company will continue to expand its schedule of bilingual sailings.” An early incentive for American travelers: free air on select cruises in Europe and South Africa. Hotel Hire and Rewire On land, two of the biggest hotel players have made headlines—one announcing a new CEO, the other planning a brand makeover. Less than a week after its acquisition by the Blackstone Group, Hilton Hotels Corp. (hiltonworld wide.com) hired Chris Nassetta as president and CEO. He has been the CEO of Host Hotels, the 82 | TravelAgent November 12, 2007 http://www.hapag-lloyd.com http://www.ichotelsgroup.com http://www.fredolsencruises.com http://hiltonworldwide.com http://hiltonworldwide.com http://www.travelagentcentral.com/blackstone http://www.travelagentcentral.com/blackstone

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - November 12, 2007

Travel Agent - November 12, 2007 Online Now Contents From the Editor From the Publisher Contributors Europe: Berlin Has a Vibrant Arts Scene Central & South America: Iberostar Grand Amazon: Adventure, but with Upscale Cruise Comforts Culinary Tours in Argentina and Peru Belize Eco-Lodge Packages Pacific/Asia: Bali Awaits Discovery by U.S. Tourists Las Vegas: Three Days in Vegas for Baby Boomers Caribbean & Bahamas: CTO’s Chairman Sees Growth in the Market Dominica’s New Tourism Director Discusses Challenges and Opportunities for His Island St. Vincent and the Grenadines: Where Less is More St. Maarten as a Destination for Foodies Tours: Sunshine and Disney are Just Two of Florida’s Options Cruises: Theme Cruises Generate Demand and Revenue Oceania’s Sales and Fleet are Growing Cruise Deals Cover Story: The New Wave Supplier Profile: Viking River Cruises Launches Land-Only Tour Operation Air Lift: Sabre Takes UpSell to the Skies A Tough Season Ahead: Rising Rates and Demand Give Hotels Edge in Price Negotiating Agenda: Fam Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar Caribbean Tourism Conference Cruise and Hotel News Trends In U.S. Travel to France Disneyland Upgrade Travel Week In the Spotlight Classified Marketplace Editorial Index Advertising Index Trendwatch

Travel Agent - November 12, 2007

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