Monday - Oct 20, 2008
Televisionpoint.com Correspondent | Mumbai
Discovery Travel & Living will bring in hotel-based reality series called Hotel by the Bay. Based in The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower in Mumbai, the series take a peek-a-boo look, juxtaposing the worlds that co-exist in a hotel – that of guests and the employees. The 10-part series is slated to premiere on the channel on Sunday, October 26, at 8.30 pm.
Nokia, Mastercard, Maruti Suzuki Ltd, Birla Sun Life Insurance and HLL (Vim) have joined the series as sponsors. Miditech Pvt Ltd is the production house behind 'Hotel by the Bay'.
Rajiv Bakshi, director, marketing, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific, said, "Discovery Travel & Living has built a reputation to showcase the reality of the Indian and international contingent. In the past, the channel has covered Indian lifestyles and its various manifestations – marriage, travel, cuisine and fashion. But the behind-the-scenes of a hotel were an area of darkness and hence, we decided to explore this arena."
"The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Mumbai, was the apt selection of choice for the series as the hotel is resonant worldwide. Globally known, the hotel will be a testimony of the grueling life of the hoteliers. The series has already been shot and was non-intrusive as far as the guests were concerned. There were no hidden cameras and we made it a point not to invade anyone's their privacy." Bakshi says.
Niret Alva, chief creative officer, Miditech Pvt Ltd, said, "The real challenge was to remain invisible in a high-end hotel while specialised operations were going on. From following a tomato soup from the kitchen to a room, to being present when a brother took his sister out for a special meal to observing protocol when the Deputy President of South Africa came calling, 'Hotel by the Bay' reflects one of the best forms of reality television – that of merely observing."
Karambir Singh Kang, general manager, The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Mumbai, said, "The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower has acquainted guests with the living heritage of India. From Maharajas and Princes to various Kings, Presidents, CEOs and entertainers, the Taj has played the perfect host, supportive of their every need."
The show encompasses staff from all departments, including chefs, housekeeping, room service, chauffeurs and butlers. The series presents their meticulous planning and attention to minute details, while serving irate and challenging customers. At the same time, it also showcases the unseen chaos and goof-ups that are created in the process.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Mercury360, to expand through acquisition and new units
Mercury360, the main independent market research agency in Romania in terms of turnover, is set to develop in the sector of new media and field marketing (marketing activities in stores, supermarkets, hotels and restaurants) and plans to launch a new unit this year and also acquire some companies that specialise in the two fields.
"I would certainly not want to start from scratch, but from a completely different level and this can be done by acquiring another company. I am interested and I've already held talks on the market," said Radu Miu, general manager of Mercury360.
The potential acquisitions come after Miu held talks last year for the partial or even complete acquisition of an agency whose shareholder is Simarom Trading Limited, which is headquartered in Cyprus. The Cypriot company's stakeholders are Radu Miu and Barry Mulligan, Michael Hunt and Peter Hurley from Ireland.
"I'm absolutely open to any kind of partnership or collaboration. It couldeven be a complete takeover," stated Miu in early 2007.
To strengthen Mercury360 in the area of field marketing, in February Miu signed a partnership with CPM International, a major services provider in this field.
In Mercury's portfolio, around 60% of customers come from the field of consumer goods, 10-15% from telecoms and the rest from other fields. The most profitable client is Ursus Breweries, with which the company sealed a partnership back in 1997.
Besides development in the online and field marketing areas, Miu also wants to strengthen the strategy, creation and client service departments. To coordinate these, Mihai Scortea, a former marketing manager with Cristalex, was appointed as agency CEO early this year. "The manager in charge with creation is a business driver and for us he is of particular importance as we're counting on creation, we want to expand in the ATL area (promotion on TV, the radio, printed press, outdoor and indoor advertising) where we are less experienced (the agency is known for BTL-below the line- services specialising in marketing consultancy and event organisation).
"In H1, targets were hit. We generated 10m euros, up 35% on H1, 2007," says Miu. Last year, Mercury360 reached turnover worth some 17.3m euros. Around 60% of 2007 turnover came from BTL activities, with Ursus Breweries, Coca-Cola, Nestle, Vodafone and L'Oreal as the most important clients on this segment.
"I would certainly not want to start from scratch, but from a completely different level and this can be done by acquiring another company. I am interested and I've already held talks on the market," said Radu Miu, general manager of Mercury360.
The potential acquisitions come after Miu held talks last year for the partial or even complete acquisition of an agency whose shareholder is Simarom Trading Limited, which is headquartered in Cyprus. The Cypriot company's stakeholders are Radu Miu and Barry Mulligan, Michael Hunt and Peter Hurley from Ireland.
"I'm absolutely open to any kind of partnership or collaboration. It couldeven be a complete takeover," stated Miu in early 2007.
To strengthen Mercury360 in the area of field marketing, in February Miu signed a partnership with CPM International, a major services provider in this field.
In Mercury's portfolio, around 60% of customers come from the field of consumer goods, 10-15% from telecoms and the rest from other fields. The most profitable client is Ursus Breweries, with which the company sealed a partnership back in 1997.
Besides development in the online and field marketing areas, Miu also wants to strengthen the strategy, creation and client service departments. To coordinate these, Mihai Scortea, a former marketing manager with Cristalex, was appointed as agency CEO early this year. "The manager in charge with creation is a business driver and for us he is of particular importance as we're counting on creation, we want to expand in the ATL area (promotion on TV, the radio, printed press, outdoor and indoor advertising) where we are less experienced (the agency is known for BTL-below the line- services specialising in marketing consultancy and event organisation).
"In H1, targets were hit. We generated 10m euros, up 35% on H1, 2007," says Miu. Last year, Mercury360 reached turnover worth some 17.3m euros. Around 60% of 2007 turnover came from BTL activities, with Ursus Breweries, Coca-Cola, Nestle, Vodafone and L'Oreal as the most important clients on this segment.
Shareholders grill OE board
Two influential shareholders of luxury hotels chain operator Orient-Express Hotel (OEH) have called for a meeting of investors to question the legal standing of anti-takeover corporate structure adopted by the company.
The call for the meeting, by hedge funds headed by Mr D.E. Shaw and Mr Steven Cohen who together hold close to 14 per cent stake in OEH, comes in the midst of the company on Wednesday posting a better-than-expected second quarter results. OEH, last year rebuffed an alliance proposal from Indian conglomerate Tata group’s Indian Hotels, which owns a 11.5 per cent stake in the company. However, these class A shares held by Indian Hotels and the hedge funds hold little voting rights, most of which resides with the company’s Bermuda-based promoters.
D.E. Shaw & Co headed by Mr David Shaw and CR Intrinsic Investors headed by Mr Steven Cohen said in a letter addressed to the OEH board that the company’s corporate governance structure should be revised as it might not survive if challenged in the court.
While noting that the company’s shares have fallen by close to 50 per cent in about 8-9 months, the two investors said in separate regulatory filings here that the objections to OEH’s corporate governance structure was also raised at the company’s latest AGM.
The investors had re-asserted their objections in a letter written to the OEH board on July 24, for which they had sought a reply by August 1.
The call for the meeting, by hedge funds headed by Mr D.E. Shaw and Mr Steven Cohen who together hold close to 14 per cent stake in OEH, comes in the midst of the company on Wednesday posting a better-than-expected second quarter results. OEH, last year rebuffed an alliance proposal from Indian conglomerate Tata group’s Indian Hotels, which owns a 11.5 per cent stake in the company. However, these class A shares held by Indian Hotels and the hedge funds hold little voting rights, most of which resides with the company’s Bermuda-based promoters.
D.E. Shaw & Co headed by Mr David Shaw and CR Intrinsic Investors headed by Mr Steven Cohen said in a letter addressed to the OEH board that the company’s corporate governance structure should be revised as it might not survive if challenged in the court.
While noting that the company’s shares have fallen by close to 50 per cent in about 8-9 months, the two investors said in separate regulatory filings here that the objections to OEH’s corporate governance structure was also raised at the company’s latest AGM.
The investors had re-asserted their objections in a letter written to the OEH board on July 24, for which they had sought a reply by August 1.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Jumeirah joins hands with Expedia
Dubai: Expedia, a global online travel company, on Tuesday said it had signed a long-term global agreement with the Dubai-based Jumeirah Group, a hospitality management company.
"We have ambitious expansion plans to grow our global portfolio of luxury hotels and resorts with new projects underway in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Aqaba, Doha, Phuket, Shanghai, Mallorca, London, Argentina and elsewhere around the world," said Apo Demirtas, Jumeirah Group chief sales and marketing officer.
"Expedia is an ideal partner to help us reach millions of travellers worldwide and enhance our global distribution strategy."
"We have ambitious expansion plans to grow our global portfolio of luxury hotels and resorts with new projects underway in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Aqaba, Doha, Phuket, Shanghai, Mallorca, London, Argentina and elsewhere around the world," said Apo Demirtas, Jumeirah Group chief sales and marketing officer.
"Expedia is an ideal partner to help us reach millions of travellers worldwide and enhance our global distribution strategy."
The Address Hotels & Resorts to manage The Palace in Downtown Burj Dubai
UAE. The Address Hotels & Resorts, the new hotel brand launched by Emaar Hospitality Group (EHG), will assume the management and operations of The Palace, The Old Town hotel within Downtown Burj Dubai. The five star hotel was earlier managed by Sofitel, the hotel management brand of French Accor Group.
Marc Dardenne, Chief Executive Officer, Emaar Hospitality Group, said: “Sofitel’s contribution to developing The Palace, The Old Town as one of the premier hotels in Dubai has been invaluable. We thank them for their support and creating a direction of growth since October 2007.”
He added: “The Address Hotels & Resorts is Emaar’s home-grown five star premium hotel brand and The Palace, The Old Town is one of the prestigious hotel developments by Emaar. By integrating the hotel under The Address umbrella, as a separate collection, we aim to achieve service and operational consistency and efficiency, while enhancing the overall value offering of the hotel group.”
This follows a mutual agreement with Accor Group, following the conclusion of the management agreement. Sofitel Luxury Hotels is developing its own strategy and network in the luxury segment. To have The Address Hotels & Resorts assume the management of The Palace is a logical extension for Emaar, a view shared by both parties.
The current branding of The Palace, The Old Town will continue with The Address Hotels & Resorts managing all operational aspects. This reiterates EHG’s goal of having a diverse bouquet of hotels, some featuring The Address branding and others operated by the hotels company.
Robert Gaymer Jones, Chief Operating Officer, Sofitel Luxury Hotels Worldwide, said: “The Sofitel team has done a very good job since the opening of The Palace, The Old Town and I want to thank them all. The Palace is one of the exemplary hotel destinations in Dubai and we are confident that The Address, Emaar’s own hotel brand will build further on the strong platform of growth we have created for the property. We wish Emaar Hospitality the very best and continued success at The Palace.”
The Address Hotels & Resorts will open three new hotels in Dubai: The Address, Downtown Burj Dubai; The Address, Dubai Mall; and The Address, Dubai Marina.
The Palace, The Old Town is located within Downtown Burj Dubai and has 242 well-appointed guestrooms and suites including the imperial suite, all with an enchanting Middle Eastern ambience.
Marc Dardenne, Chief Executive Officer, Emaar Hospitality Group, said: “Sofitel’s contribution to developing The Palace, The Old Town as one of the premier hotels in Dubai has been invaluable. We thank them for their support and creating a direction of growth since October 2007.”
He added: “The Address Hotels & Resorts is Emaar’s home-grown five star premium hotel brand and The Palace, The Old Town is one of the prestigious hotel developments by Emaar. By integrating the hotel under The Address umbrella, as a separate collection, we aim to achieve service and operational consistency and efficiency, while enhancing the overall value offering of the hotel group.”
This follows a mutual agreement with Accor Group, following the conclusion of the management agreement. Sofitel Luxury Hotels is developing its own strategy and network in the luxury segment. To have The Address Hotels & Resorts assume the management of The Palace is a logical extension for Emaar, a view shared by both parties.
The current branding of The Palace, The Old Town will continue with The Address Hotels & Resorts managing all operational aspects. This reiterates EHG’s goal of having a diverse bouquet of hotels, some featuring The Address branding and others operated by the hotels company.
Robert Gaymer Jones, Chief Operating Officer, Sofitel Luxury Hotels Worldwide, said: “The Sofitel team has done a very good job since the opening of The Palace, The Old Town and I want to thank them all. The Palace is one of the exemplary hotel destinations in Dubai and we are confident that The Address, Emaar’s own hotel brand will build further on the strong platform of growth we have created for the property. We wish Emaar Hospitality the very best and continued success at The Palace.”
The Address Hotels & Resorts will open three new hotels in Dubai: The Address, Downtown Burj Dubai; The Address, Dubai Mall; and The Address, Dubai Marina.
The Palace, The Old Town is located within Downtown Burj Dubai and has 242 well-appointed guestrooms and suites including the imperial suite, all with an enchanting Middle Eastern ambience.
Bruges also known as 'Venice of the North'
"Tourists land in here, take one look at the surroundings and know right away there's been some mistake," says Johan Creytens, owner of the Heritage Hotel in Bruges, Belgium, the city of canals that bills itself as "The Venice of the North."
It's an easy mistake to make. The Heritage, a four-star establishment, is located at Niklaas Desparsstraat 11. Right next door, at Niklaas Desparsstraat 9, is the Hotel Nicolas, with a two-star rating. It isn't uncommon, according to Creytens, for a travel-weary tourist stumbling out of a taxi late at night to wander into the wrong lodgings.
"We don't consider ourselves competitors," says Creytens. "They serve a particular clientele and so do we. If somebody chooses the wrong place - and it happens occasionally - we cheerfully send the guest next door, and they do likewise."
The Heritage provides all the amenities its four-star designation promises, from a sumptuous breakfast buffet in a beautiful salon setting to rooms you're thrilled to get back to after a long day of playing Jo(e) Tourist. A standard room currently goes for 140 euros single and 152 euros double. Breakfast is an extra 15 euros per person.
The Nicolas, on the other hand, rates two stars, so what you get is fairly basic. The breakfast is hearty but fairly unimaginative and the rooms, while clean and comfortable, aren't anything to write home about. This hotel's standard room is a wallet-pleasing 50 euros single and 60 euros double.
I recently stayed at the Hotel Heritage as their guest and they put me up in their showcase Belfry Suite on the top floor where skylights on each section of the sloped ceiling offered a breathtaking view of a different church spire.
This top-of-the-line suite came with a cosy sitting room, linen sheets on one of the most comfortable beds I've ever slept in, and a brightly lit and richly tiled bathroom featuring a double sink, Jacuzzi bath and separate shower cabinet. The normal tariff for this suite is 404 euros single and 416 euros double.
Johan and his wife Isabelle purchased their historic building in 1992. It had been a bank for about 70 years and had had a varied existence before that, dating back more than 500 years. Extensive renovations turned the edifice into a luxurious inn and spa - and a residence for the Creytens, who live in a suite on-site so they can keep close tabs on its day-to-day operations.
I also made a point of going next door to visit the Hotel Nicolas and can honestly say I would stay there without hesitation. I have paid a lot more for a lot less.
The Nicolas is also family operated. Yiling and Thomas Timmerman also take pride in what they have to offer. "We're not in the same league as the Heritage," says Yiling. "But we offer clean, comfortable accommodation for travelers keeping a fairly close eye on their budget."
One attractive feature of these hotels is that they are just a short walk from the Market Square, where boutiques and shops offer a cornucopia of Belgian specialties, including chocolate, lace and myriad souvenirs.
It's an easy mistake to make. The Heritage, a four-star establishment, is located at Niklaas Desparsstraat 11. Right next door, at Niklaas Desparsstraat 9, is the Hotel Nicolas, with a two-star rating. It isn't uncommon, according to Creytens, for a travel-weary tourist stumbling out of a taxi late at night to wander into the wrong lodgings.
"We don't consider ourselves competitors," says Creytens. "They serve a particular clientele and so do we. If somebody chooses the wrong place - and it happens occasionally - we cheerfully send the guest next door, and they do likewise."
The Heritage provides all the amenities its four-star designation promises, from a sumptuous breakfast buffet in a beautiful salon setting to rooms you're thrilled to get back to after a long day of playing Jo(e) Tourist. A standard room currently goes for 140 euros single and 152 euros double. Breakfast is an extra 15 euros per person.
The Nicolas, on the other hand, rates two stars, so what you get is fairly basic. The breakfast is hearty but fairly unimaginative and the rooms, while clean and comfortable, aren't anything to write home about. This hotel's standard room is a wallet-pleasing 50 euros single and 60 euros double.
I recently stayed at the Hotel Heritage as their guest and they put me up in their showcase Belfry Suite on the top floor where skylights on each section of the sloped ceiling offered a breathtaking view of a different church spire.
This top-of-the-line suite came with a cosy sitting room, linen sheets on one of the most comfortable beds I've ever slept in, and a brightly lit and richly tiled bathroom featuring a double sink, Jacuzzi bath and separate shower cabinet. The normal tariff for this suite is 404 euros single and 416 euros double.
Johan and his wife Isabelle purchased their historic building in 1992. It had been a bank for about 70 years and had had a varied existence before that, dating back more than 500 years. Extensive renovations turned the edifice into a luxurious inn and spa - and a residence for the Creytens, who live in a suite on-site so they can keep close tabs on its day-to-day operations.
I also made a point of going next door to visit the Hotel Nicolas and can honestly say I would stay there without hesitation. I have paid a lot more for a lot less.
The Nicolas is also family operated. Yiling and Thomas Timmerman also take pride in what they have to offer. "We're not in the same league as the Heritage," says Yiling. "But we offer clean, comfortable accommodation for travelers keeping a fairly close eye on their budget."
One attractive feature of these hotels is that they are just a short walk from the Market Square, where boutiques and shops offer a cornucopia of Belgian specialties, including chocolate, lace and myriad souvenirs.
The First Week of The Chelsea Hotel Takeover Ends With Andre Balazs
The earth-shattering news that the long-time manager of the legendary old-school hotel/residence/bohemian artist camp The Chelsea Hotel was being kicked out for a slick hotel management company is still producing aftershocks.
The biggest one comes today courtesy of Page Six who says Andre Balazs may have some plans up his sleeve to turn the hotel into a Chateau Marmont East as he stopped in for a look-see.
We hear Balazs, with his knack for historical preservation, will have a role in running and restoring the place. Now all he has to do is figure out how to entice people who have long lived there for little to no rent to vacate.
Naturally, this has the devoted residents of the Chelsea Hotel up in arms saying they will not be "enticed" by any means. However, they have already received a notice about paying outstanding balances. The future looks grim indeed.
To us hotel geeks, it's interesting to note that Balazs would partner up with B&D again after it seems like the Mercer Hotel partnership went a little sour. Then again, Balazs would be crazy (!) to turn down a Chateau Marmont for the East Coast. Note to National Enquirer editors: Send someone up to NYC as soon as Marmont East opens!
The biggest one comes today courtesy of Page Six who says Andre Balazs may have some plans up his sleeve to turn the hotel into a Chateau Marmont East as he stopped in for a look-see.
We hear Balazs, with his knack for historical preservation, will have a role in running and restoring the place. Now all he has to do is figure out how to entice people who have long lived there for little to no rent to vacate.
Naturally, this has the devoted residents of the Chelsea Hotel up in arms saying they will not be "enticed" by any means. However, they have already received a notice about paying outstanding balances. The future looks grim indeed.
To us hotel geeks, it's interesting to note that Balazs would partner up with B&D again after it seems like the Mercer Hotel partnership went a little sour. Then again, Balazs would be crazy (!) to turn down a Chateau Marmont for the East Coast. Note to National Enquirer editors: Send someone up to NYC as soon as Marmont East opens!
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