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  • News: Hertz partners with China Auto Rental

    The Hertz Corporation and China Auto Rental (CAR) announced today that Hertz, the worldwide car rental leader, has agreed to speculate in CAR, China’s domestic market leader in brief and long-term car rentals. Hertz will acquire a stake of approximately 20%, on a fully diluted basis, in CAR and hold a seat on CAR’s Board of Directors.  Hertz and CAR will be co-branded at the latter’s full service rental locations countrywide, and Hertz’s car rental locations and operations in China, which will provide premium rental services in key cities, will be contributed to CAR. Hertz will continue to manage its outbound sales team in China, and its equipment rental business in the country is unaffected by this announcement.

    The partnership fulfills Hertz’s objective to significantly increase its presence in the rapidly expanding car rental market in China.  Additionally, Hertz and CAR will be exclusive car rental partners for inbound and outbound business, offering international corporate and leisure travelers unparalleled short and long time rental services.  In 2012, China’s international travel expenditures exceeded $100 billion, #1 worldwide, and its domestic rental business is expected to grow more than 15% annually through 2016.

    “As the leading global car rental brand, it’s a perfect fit for Hertz to partner with the largest and most recognized car rental company in China. China Auto Rental has the largest domestic rental footprint, with 700 locations in 66 cities, and a 50,000-vehicle fleet which is more than four times the size of its nearest competitor. Also, CAR is growing rapidly, having doubled its revenues in 2012 to $250 million, 2.5 times larger than any other domestic company,” commented Mark P. Frissora, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Hertz Corporation.

    “CAR’s 200% annual growth rate from 2009-2012 is 6 times higher than the market over the same period, and their 50%+ annual forecasted growth rate through 2016 is more than 3 times higher than the overall market projection.  As a result, Hertz is now uniquely positioned among American and European car rental brands to support the rapidly expanding Chinese rental market, as well as CAR’s growth. Not only will CAR and Hertz be able to fulfill business and leisure rentals throughout the country, we will also provide the best rental solutions for international travelers to and from China, two markets with strong growth projections,” added Frissora.

    Under the agreement, which is subject to normal closing conditions, CAR would be granted a license for an initial 5 year term to operate on behalf of Hertz in China. CAR will develop a network of full-service Hertz premium locations in key cities to complement CAR’s expanding location footprint. Taken together, the Hertz/CAR services will encompass self-drive and chauffeur-driven rentals, as well as short, medium and long-term vehicle rentals and leases. Hertz will provide CAR with access to a full array of services to support their rapidly expanding market presence, services which meet Hertz’s industry-leading standards. These include access to Hertz’s operational expertise, reservation capabilities, and fleet management efficiencies.

    “Hertz has extensive industry experience, advanced technology, strong brand influence and abundant customer resources. We are very pleased to enter into a comprehensive and in-depth strategic cooperation with Hertz. I believe this alliance will further intensify CAR’s shareholder strength and reinforce CAR’s leading position in China’s car rental industry.  It will to a great extent enhance CAR’s scale, branding, as well as products and services, with a purpose to bring customers at home and abroad a car rental experience of top of the range and convenience,” commented China Auto Rental Chairman and Chief Executive officer, Charles Lu.

  • News: The Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Downtown completes $5.8m revitalisation

    The Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Downtown hotel, located within the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter, recently completed a $5.8 million renovation of all public spaces, meeting rooms and guest rooms.  As portion of this comprehensive revitalization, the hotel is unveiling THE LOBBY, a colourful and refreshing new space for dining, working and relaxing.  The hotel is owned by affiliates of Wheelock Street Capital, LLC, and managed by Sage Hospitality.

    Located in downtown San Diego, the hotel is within walking distance of the central business district and plenty of the city’s premier leisure attractions.  Housed within the historic San Diego Trust and Savings Bank building, this boutique hotel is an iconic San Diego landmark.  The changes to the lobby and public spaces incorporate unique, locally relevant design components which respect the heritage of the building while remaining in keeping with Courtyard by Marriott’s brand wide design standards. These changes, inclusive of a brand new business center, media pods, a GoBoard and an expanded “The Market”, meet modern travelers’ needs while making a relaxing urban ambience.

    The new theme of the boutique Courtyard hotel is “What You will want, Where You Want”. “We call our team ‘cultural instigators’,” said Jody Blackinton , General Manager of the Courtyard San Diego Downtown.  “They are ready and excited to give guests an authentic San Diego experience while responding promptly to guest needs. This revitalization has underscored the hotel’s local energy and allowed us to further elevate the guest experience.  We’re excited to determine more San Diego locals within the LOBBY alongside our hotel guests. It’s the suitable place for a lager before a Padres game or a delicious dinner date.”
    THE LOBBY adds a brand new flair to the hotel restaurant, taking color hints from the historic hand-painted ceiling and the California sunset.  Separated from the lobby by decorative wood screens, the restaurant has an area of its own while seamlessly connecting to the remainder of the hotels public space.  THE LOBBY serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and the redesigned bar features local draft and bottled beers. Dishes offer classic American flavors with a splash of southern California flair.  Coffee service has also been upgraded to a Starbucks Espresso Bar.

    Guest rooms have a colourful color scheme incorporated during the new bedding, furniture, carpeting and wall vinyl. Green upgrades include environmentally friendly lights and air-con.  Executive king rooms feature a wet bar and sofa bed, while every room now includes refrigerators, microwaves and safes.

    Meeting space features new wall vinyl, carpeting, furniture and technology, and in addition includes the hotel’s new art program.  Following an initiative driven by the Sage Hospitality, greater than 300 pieces of local San Diego artwork are featured through the hotel.  These include two special commissions—an eight foot by eight foot oil painting of a pool scene by emerging San Diego artist Sarah Stieber , and a recent, colorful portrait of San Diego Trust and Savings Bank founder J.W. Sefton, Sr. by L. a. artist Leia Steingart .

    Key historical elements of the San Diego Trust and Savings Bank, inbuilt 1928, were preserved through the renovation. “We desired to create an interior that celebrates the nostalgia yet has a fresh and contemporary overlay of design elements that honor the historical details,” said Brandon Asbury of SERA Architects, who oversaw the renovation design.  “The overall goal was to create an area that welcomes both hotel guests and locals alike, allowing everyone to experience the architectural heritage of the building.”

  • Germany scores – with excellent value for money

    Whether you’re a tender couple, a family or just a passionate traveller – price always matters. But if it involves accommodation visitors to Germany can’t only place confidence in excellent value for money, they are able to even be assured of excellent facilities and repair.

    Comparing accommodation within Europe, German hotel prices score well below the common, in response to the German Hotel Association (IHA). This will account for the truth that overnight stays in Germany have risen again in 2012 and 3 years in succession. Germany’s Federal Statistical Office reports 68.8 million overnight stays in 2012 – an extra increase of 8.1% in comparison to the former year.

    “Due to the widely prevailing economic troubles, price sensibility amongst travellers has increased in just about all European countries,” states Petra Hedorfer, Chief Executive Officer of the German National Tourist Board (GNTB). “Attractive competitive prices make a difference when choosing a travel destination – here’s where Germany will always score highly.”

    Room rates within Europe have risen in 2012 by 4.7% to 104 Euro, whereas in Germany they’ve only risen by 3.4% and a standard rate of 94 Euro. Especially in Germany’s popular cities hotel rates are far below other European destinations.

    Overall, visitor satisfaction is additionally high – within the result of GNTO/ERV’s quality monitor 2011/2012 Germany’s value for money ratio was given excellent scores by holiday makers and business travellers alike.

  • News: Etihad Guest expands customer offering

    Etihad Guest, Etihad Airways’ award-winning loyalty program, has unveiled a variety of impressive new benefits for holders of its prestigious Gold Elite membership status.

    The new benefits include a rise in tier bonus miles from 50 per cent to 75 per cent in addition to a complimentary nomination to Etihad Guest Gold for every other member in their choosing.

    In addition, whatever the cabin they’re flying in, Etihad Guest Gold Elite members now have access to Etihad Airways’ Diamond First-class Lounges for them and a companion in addition access to Diamond Top notch check-in.

    Gold Elite members also are absolute to be capable to purchase a Pearl Business Class seat, when booking at the least 48 hours ahead of departure, on an Etihad Airways operated flight for his or her chosen date and destination.

    Barry Green, Etihad Airways’ vp customer relationship management and loyalty, said: “Etihad Guest is renowned because the world’s leading loyalty program and so we’re always taking a look at new and exciting enhancements for our members.

    “The new Etihad Guest Gold Elite member benefits, with 75 per cent tier bonus miles and warranted Pearl Business Class seat, make sure that our elite offering continues to set the top benchmark around the industry.”

    The Etihad Guest program was launched in 2006 and within the following couple of months is anticipated to arrive two million members.

  • Hotel Indigo announced for downtown Chicago

    Hotel Indigo®, IHG’s (InterContinental Hotels Group) upscale boutique brand, is continuous its expansion in major U.S. cities with plans for its third hotel inside the Chicago market. The hotel, with the intention to be located within the historic downtown area’s Atlantic Bank Building, is anticipated to open in spring 2014.

    The Hotel Indigo Chicago-Millennium Park hotel, located at 168 N. Michigan Ave., will undergo an estimated $20 million renovation by the ownership and can occupy a 101-year-old building that first opened in 1912 because the Federal Life Building. The 156-room hotel will feature design elements that reflect its local neighborhood just north of Millennium Park within Chicago’s central business district.

    As portion of the extensive renovations, the hotel will add four floors to the building—bringing the whole to 16 stories – housing a rooftop bar, and a cafe managed by celebrity chef David Burke. The hotel will maintain lots of its historic features, including the unique white enamel terra cotta exterior, while including the advantages and amenities guests expect from staying with a brand from probably the most world’s largest global hotel companies.

    “The Hotel Indigo brand is uniquely designed to mirror the culture, character and history of the neighborhoods where our hotels can be found,” said Mary Winslow, director, Brand Management, Hotel Indigo, the Americas, IHG. “This hotel will occupy a neighborhood landmark on famed Michigan Avenue, one of the crucial storied neighborhoods in Chicago. The expansion of the Hotel Indigo brand in top-tier markets like Chicago, Big apple and New Orleans proves that guests value the boutique, local neighborhood experience that our hotels provide.”

    Set within the heart of Chicago’s vibrant business district, and within walking distance to a lot of Chicago’s best restaurants, shopping and theater districts, the Hotel Indigo Chicago-Millennium Park hotel may be conveniently located just steps from the Jay Pritzker Pavilion and Millennium Park. The hotel may also be in close proximity to the Magnificent Mile, Grant Park, the Art Institute of Chicago and various corporate offices. Within a mile of Interstates 90, 94 and 290, in addition to U.S. Highway 41, the Hotel Indigo Chicago-Millennium Park hotel could be served by several bus and train stops and should be near the Chicago Cultural Center, one of the most city’s most well liked sites for fundraisers, concerts and other special events.

    “We are excited to be involved with bringing the Hotel Indigo brand to downtown Chicago,” said Musa P. Tadros, president, Crown Series 168 North Michigan Avenue LLC, a Frankfort, Ill. based company. “Chicago is a thriving business and travel destination that provides unique local flavors not found anywhere else within the U.S. We glance forward to welcoming both business and leisure guests and sharing our neighborhood story with them.”

    The Hotel Indigo brand, the world’s first global branded boutique hotel brand, has grown rapidly since launching in 2004. The Hotel Indigo brand remains to be a powerful growth vehicle for IHG with its strategy involved in growing in top-tier priority markets and gateway cities. With a high quality global pipeline of nearly 50 hotels, the Hotel Indigo estate is anticipated to double in size to 100 properties inside the next three to 5 years.

    The Hotel Indigo Chicago-Millennium Park hotel is among the many Hotel Indigo properties expected to open in key cities inside the U.S. within the following few years, including Ny city, Philadelphia, Newark, N.J., Savannah, Ga. and Pittsburgh. The emblem has recently seen growth in top U.S. markets with the 2012 openings of the Hotel Indigo Brooklyn and Hotel Indigo New Orleans Garden District hotels. The Hotel Indigo brand has also seen strong international growth, with the hot opening of the Hotel Indigo Barcelona – Plaza Catalunya hotel, and the imminent opening of the Hotel Indigo Hong Kong Island hotel, anticipated to open by mid-year.

    The Hotel Indigo Chicago-Millennium Park hotel, owned by Crown Series 168 North Michigan LLC and managed by First Hospitality Group, is franchised by an affiliate of IHG.