Incentive - August 2008 - (Page 48)

TRAVEL Hong Kong: Still Great PA G E 5 2 All of the Emerald Isle PA G E 5 6 While other parts of China and Asia are enticing incentive travelers, Hong Kong is still an exciting destination Ireland holds a special place in the American imagination, and now peace has opened up the North Expanding Alliances Allied International and Associated Luxury Hotels International join By Alex Palmer I t was just a few months ago that Allied International, the conglomerate of European and Middle Eastern destination management companies, expanded its reach into North America by acquiring Carlsbad, Calif.–based PRA Destination Management. Now, Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI) has joined with Allied, offering both partners not only a wider reach, but a deeper one. “We can now provide [our clients] the destination solution in addition to the hotel solution by working with AI,” says David Gabri, president and CEO of Associated Luxury Hotels International. Gabri explains that Allied can now provide ALHI, an association of more than 100 Four- and Five-Star hotels and resorts, with information on “the newest and brightest venues, programs and opportunities” at their destinations across Europe, America and the burgeoning Middle East. In exchange, says Gabri, Allied will be able to “meet our hotel executives, meet many of the customers that we’ve been serving for two decades, and have the opportunity to expand their business, quarter of 2008. Bringing together panels of select clients, the association asked how ALHI’s international members could best serve their needs. According to Gabri, “establishing a global relationship with a reputable and reliable DMC” was at the top of The InterContinental Paris Le Grand is a member of the Associated Luxury Hotels the list. International; Above right: president and CEO of ALHI, David Gabri ALHI had been working with where appropriate, in America.” Allied’s Paris and London offices, but on Gabri emphasizes how complementary an ad hoc basis. The new partnership the partnership is, saying that later this expands their affiliation into all seven year and next the groups (as well as ALHI countries and 27 office locations that Allied affiliate member Delta Airlines) may be services. doing joint sales calls with incentive comGabri believes the effectiveness of their panies. He says they will be able to provide partnership is likely to grow as the compamore extensive program packages and site nies do. “In America as well as Europe, we visits to their clients than either group expect to see our portfolio of luxury hotels could offer on its own. continue to grow,” he says. “Later we would see a benefit in the Middle East and The decision to partner with Allied Interperhaps other emerging markets where national came out of several advisory council workshops that ALHI held in the first [Allied] have established operations.” 48 | Incentive | August 2008 | incentivemag.com http://incentivemag.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Incentive - August 2008

Incentive - August 2008
Contents
Editor's Note
In the News
Cover Story: Amgen and Avnet, a Pair of Fortune 200 companies, are taking two very Different Approaches to Rolling out a Global Recognition Program
Incentive Interview: Author, Speaker, Professor, Refugee; Steve L. Robbins’ many hats have led him to ask, “What if ... The World isn’t as We Think It Is?”
Case Study: Rudi’s Organic Bakery Found that an incentive trip with a Strong Social Responsibility Component Works Wonders
Gift Card IQ
Banking on Relationships
Corporate Comics Make Serious Points
Incentive Primer: Tom Miller
Gas Incentives Rev Up
Legal Ease: Pitfalls Beyond Taxes
My Turn: Airline Frequent Flier Programs
Travel News: Where To Go and What To Do
Amalfi Coast: A Classic Italian Destination
Hong Kong: The Original Chinese Incentive
Ireland: South, East, West, and Now North
potentials Here and Now
Electronics: Top Tech Trends
Luxury Goods: Exceptional Awards
Corporate Gifting: Rules and Ideas
Excite and Incent: Spot Rewards
Advertiser Index
Off the Cuff: Hollis H. Malone

Incentive - August 2008