Wish in Miami Beach was number seven on Trip Advisor’s Top Ten Romantic Restaurants in U.S. List.
Fort Lauderdale’s Lago Mar Resort, the Premier Hotel, and La Quinta Cypress Creek Inn received very good customer reviews in Trip Advisor. Majestic Hotel (Miami/South Beach) listed under negative hotel stories.
Trip Advisor’s “Travelers’ Choice 2010” Awards showed Sanibel as # 6 and Sarasota as #7 in the “Top 10 Beaches and Sun Destinations in the U.S.” category. In the “Top Nightlife Destinations in the U.S.”, Miami Beach placed at number seven.
Trip Advisor launched TripWow whereby travelers can easily put together a free travel slideshow (video) of their vacation photos. These shows can be embedded in blogs, etc. and/or shared via various social networking sites.
Google now offers live hotel rates on its popular map services.
The Fodor’s “Choice Gold Awards 2010” nominated these local hotels in the following categories -- In the “Best Design Hotels”: The Delano (Miami Beach), Fontainebleau (Miami Beach); In “Best Hotels for Kids and Families”: The Acqualina Resort (Miami Beach);
In “Best Hotel Pools”: The National (Miami Beach); in “Best Urban Escapes”: The Four Seasons Hotel (Miami).
Conde Nast Traveler’s Concierge.com World Beat featured an article (from men.style.com) on the “Worlds Best Hotel Design Details in Design and Architecture”. The article mentioned the Raleigh in South Beach for its coral pink stag filament motif light bulbs and featured the 12-foot steel black staircase at the Mondrian Hotel in South Beach.
Conde Nast’s “2010 World’s Sexiest Beach Hotels” category featured the W Fort Lauderdale. Considering most of the other nominees were in exotic locations, this was quite an honor.
Conde Nast’s “Hot List Hotels 2010” included 134 hotels worldwide that debuted in the last year and showed hotel “innovation, stylish service, technology and transporting aura.” Of the 134, 3 were in South Florida: The Betsey (Miami Beach), The Seagate (Delray Beach), and the W South Beach (Miami Beach).
Best, Julie Wernick, HSMAInsider. (June, 2010)
Send news to: jwfranklin1@gmail.com
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Monday, June 7, 2010
“Marketing Medley” – May/June 2010
Here are several recent trends and hospitality marketing hints collected from various websites, releases, etc.
--Despite a forecast for a continued decline in hotel rates in 2010, hoteliers will increase the total collected fees and surcharges this year according to Bjorn Hanson, NYU professor.
(How does one do this carefully and not alienate customers?)(Does this only apply to luxury hotels?)
--Studies show that those who follow a brand on Facebook or Twitter are more likely to buy or recommend products from those followed companies. Of course, getting someone to follow your company is the key. (Are you on Twitter, yet?)
--One of the keys to success in a down market is to avoid offering across the board price cuts, to instead focus on particular market segments and distribution channels, says a recent Cornell study. There are two ways for hotels to compete: either non-price methods, e.g., using quality, strategic partnerships, loyalty programs, additional revenue sources or market segments; or price-related methods, e.g., packages, opaque channels, or only offering discounted rates to selected markets. (What did your hotel do to “survive”?)
--Although in general most meeting groups are smaller and more price sensitive this year, bookings of corporate meetings are up and increasing so far in 2010 compared to 2009. (Would you agree? Is this true at your hotel property?)
Best, Julie Wernick, HSMAInsider
--Despite a forecast for a continued decline in hotel rates in 2010, hoteliers will increase the total collected fees and surcharges this year according to Bjorn Hanson, NYU professor.
(How does one do this carefully and not alienate customers?)(Does this only apply to luxury hotels?)
--Studies show that those who follow a brand on Facebook or Twitter are more likely to buy or recommend products from those followed companies. Of course, getting someone to follow your company is the key. (Are you on Twitter, yet?)
--One of the keys to success in a down market is to avoid offering across the board price cuts, to instead focus on particular market segments and distribution channels, says a recent Cornell study. There are two ways for hotels to compete: either non-price methods, e.g., using quality, strategic partnerships, loyalty programs, additional revenue sources or market segments; or price-related methods, e.g., packages, opaque channels, or only offering discounted rates to selected markets. (What did your hotel do to “survive”?)
--Although in general most meeting groups are smaller and more price sensitive this year, bookings of corporate meetings are up and increasing so far in 2010 compared to 2009. (Would you agree? Is this true at your hotel property?)
Best, Julie Wernick, HSMAInsider
Friday, June 4, 2010
“Around Town” – May/June 2010
Southeast:
In the Everglades’ Big Cypress Swamp, more than 1,600 animals roam wild on thousands of acres in a park run by the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Best described as controlled chaos, the Billie Swamp Safari offers visitors face-to-face encounters. The goal is to immerse visitors in the wild, but sometimes these close encounters can mean trouble for people and wildlife. It’s up to the park’s director, Ed Woods, and his tough team of self-described Swamp Men to patrol the land, relocate animals from dangerous situations and rescue animals in need.
Nat Geo WILD’s new series "Swamp Men", premiered Monday, May 3, at 10 p.m. ET/PT, and rode along with Ed and his staff as they work to maintain safety at the Safari. They are considered among the best wild animal wranglers, and each day brings new tests of their skills with bears, alligators, wild hogs and panthers that inhabit the Everglades
Bal Harbour Resort has started a kids program. As part of its rebranding efforts after separating from the Regent hotel group, One Bal Harbour Resort & Spa celebrated its new children’s program with an afternoon of activities for 200 local kids and parents. The brand, and this hotel specifically, is going through an expansion, and they’re doing a lot of new programming to make everything work as one for a complete experience from arrival to check-in.
The 250-room Crowne Plaza at Sawgrass Mills was going to be auctioned this past month after losing a foreclosure lawsuit.
The Pirates Inn (Dania Beach) has been purchased by Hank Thomas/Green Hill Development. In addition, the company will be building the Hotel Indigo on Federal Highway in Dania Beach.
Port Everglades was selected as “best U.S. homeport” by Porthole Cruise Magazine. Port Everglades gets more than 3 million passengers each year.
The New Yorker Boutique Hotel (Miami) is offering an “oil spill special”. Gulf coast hotels that refer a cancelled booking to them can receive a 10% commission. Direct bookers can receive a 50% discount when they show a print out of their cancelled reservation booked prior to May 26th.
Bluegreen Corporation, best know as a timeshare company, has started hotel management of the Sandhurst Hotel in Ft. Pierce
Construction has begun on a 221-room Hampton Inn on SW 12th Street (Miami). The 15-story hotel is expected to open at the end of 2011.
“Moonlight, Sea Turtles and You!” at the Museum of Discovery and Science (Fort Lauderdale) will be held during the months of June and July. The whole family can participate in an evening of discovery while uncovering the natural history and myths of sea turtles. Information and reservations are available at 954-713-0930, or by visiting www.mods.org.
Smith Travel Research reported hotel occupancy up in Palm Beach and Broward and down in Dade for the week ending May 22nd. All tri-county average daily room rates for this period were down. Figures are compared to same week last year. For the prior week, ending May 15th, occupancy rose in all three counties with mixed average daily rates (Dade flat; Broward and Palm Beach down).
Southwest:
Newlyweds can win a 5-night/6-day honeymoon by entering the Paradise Coast “Heart & Soul” Honeymoon Getaway Sweepstakes. Valued at $2,000, the getaway includes luxurious 4-diamond resort accommodations at the Bellasera Hotel; a romantic dinner for two at Zizi Restaurant and Lounge; two rejuvenating spa treatments at Esterra Spa at the Bellasera. The couple will be whisked away in style on a 3-hour limo ride provided by Naples Transportation, Tours & Event Planning; as well as attend a stellar performance by the award-winning Naples Players. Contest runs through August 31, 2010.
The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club recently completed its all-new $5 million beachfront pool complex. The much larger beachfront pool complex features two new swimming pools: a free-form pool as well as a secluded oval-shaped pool for adults. The area also features two new whirlpools, a new pool bar with food service, new restrooms, new locker facilities, and a new pool shop.
Doubletree Guest Suites Naples, Florida won four industry awards for its commitment for maintaining brand standards, performance and community involvement. The awards include the 2009 "Connie" Award; the 2009 CARE Cup, the Pride Award and Hospitality Award of Excellence from Hilton Hotels Corporation.
Naples Bay Resort Earned Triple AAA Four Diamond Designation. The resort, which is a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts is Naples only property with a marina, which the resort gracefully envelops, lending the feeling of a relaxed Italian seaside village. The Marina at Naples Bay Resort features 97 slips and direct water access to Naples Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.
Best, HSMAInsider, Julie Wernick
Reminder to send materials for inclusion to: jwfranklin1@gmail.com
In the Everglades’ Big Cypress Swamp, more than 1,600 animals roam wild on thousands of acres in a park run by the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Best described as controlled chaos, the Billie Swamp Safari offers visitors face-to-face encounters. The goal is to immerse visitors in the wild, but sometimes these close encounters can mean trouble for people and wildlife. It’s up to the park’s director, Ed Woods, and his tough team of self-described Swamp Men to patrol the land, relocate animals from dangerous situations and rescue animals in need.
Nat Geo WILD’s new series "Swamp Men", premiered Monday, May 3, at 10 p.m. ET/PT, and rode along with Ed and his staff as they work to maintain safety at the Safari. They are considered among the best wild animal wranglers, and each day brings new tests of their skills with bears, alligators, wild hogs and panthers that inhabit the Everglades
Bal Harbour Resort has started a kids program. As part of its rebranding efforts after separating from the Regent hotel group, One Bal Harbour Resort & Spa celebrated its new children’s program with an afternoon of activities for 200 local kids and parents. The brand, and this hotel specifically, is going through an expansion, and they’re doing a lot of new programming to make everything work as one for a complete experience from arrival to check-in.
The 250-room Crowne Plaza at Sawgrass Mills was going to be auctioned this past month after losing a foreclosure lawsuit.
The Pirates Inn (Dania Beach) has been purchased by Hank Thomas/Green Hill Development. In addition, the company will be building the Hotel Indigo on Federal Highway in Dania Beach.
Port Everglades was selected as “best U.S. homeport” by Porthole Cruise Magazine. Port Everglades gets more than 3 million passengers each year.
The New Yorker Boutique Hotel (Miami) is offering an “oil spill special”. Gulf coast hotels that refer a cancelled booking to them can receive a 10% commission. Direct bookers can receive a 50% discount when they show a print out of their cancelled reservation booked prior to May 26th.
Bluegreen Corporation, best know as a timeshare company, has started hotel management of the Sandhurst Hotel in Ft. Pierce
Construction has begun on a 221-room Hampton Inn on SW 12th Street (Miami). The 15-story hotel is expected to open at the end of 2011.
“Moonlight, Sea Turtles and You!” at the Museum of Discovery and Science (Fort Lauderdale) will be held during the months of June and July. The whole family can participate in an evening of discovery while uncovering the natural history and myths of sea turtles. Information and reservations are available at 954-713-0930, or by visiting www.mods.org.
Smith Travel Research reported hotel occupancy up in Palm Beach and Broward and down in Dade for the week ending May 22nd. All tri-county average daily room rates for this period were down. Figures are compared to same week last year. For the prior week, ending May 15th, occupancy rose in all three counties with mixed average daily rates (Dade flat; Broward and Palm Beach down).
Southwest:
Newlyweds can win a 5-night/6-day honeymoon by entering the Paradise Coast “Heart & Soul” Honeymoon Getaway Sweepstakes. Valued at $2,000, the getaway includes luxurious 4-diamond resort accommodations at the Bellasera Hotel; a romantic dinner for two at Zizi Restaurant and Lounge; two rejuvenating spa treatments at Esterra Spa at the Bellasera. The couple will be whisked away in style on a 3-hour limo ride provided by Naples Transportation, Tours & Event Planning; as well as attend a stellar performance by the award-winning Naples Players. Contest runs through August 31, 2010.
The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club recently completed its all-new $5 million beachfront pool complex. The much larger beachfront pool complex features two new swimming pools: a free-form pool as well as a secluded oval-shaped pool for adults. The area also features two new whirlpools, a new pool bar with food service, new restrooms, new locker facilities, and a new pool shop.
Doubletree Guest Suites Naples, Florida won four industry awards for its commitment for maintaining brand standards, performance and community involvement. The awards include the 2009 "Connie" Award; the 2009 CARE Cup, the Pride Award and Hospitality Award of Excellence from Hilton Hotels Corporation.
Naples Bay Resort Earned Triple AAA Four Diamond Designation. The resort, which is a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts is Naples only property with a marina, which the resort gracefully envelops, lending the feeling of a relaxed Italian seaside village. The Marina at Naples Bay Resort features 97 slips and direct water access to Naples Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.
Best, HSMAInsider, Julie Wernick
Reminder to send materials for inclusion to: jwfranklin1@gmail.com
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Gulf Oil Spill Weekly Update from VISIT FLORIDA
In order to keep the Florida tourism industry up to speed on key developments and important information related to the Gulf oil spill, VISIT FLORIDA has created the following format for a weekly update. For more up-to-the-minute details, go to www.SunshineMatters.org – VISIT FLORIDA's official corporate blog.
Original Economic Risk Fund·
VISIT FLORDA began a $2.5 million emergency response campaign in 15 of Florida's summer drive markets on May 15 with the message that consumers should visit Florida Live on VISITFLORIDA.com to watch live webcams, read Twitter feeds and view up-to-the-minute photos posted by real people in real time from beach destinations throughout Florida. The existing ad buys in those 15 markets will now shift to the new messaging currently featuring Northwest Florida.$25 Million Grant from BP
· On May 25, Governor Crist held a press conference to announce the state's receipt of $25 million from BP for an emergency marketing response to the Gulf oil spill and the creation of a work group lead by Chief of Staff Shane Strum to recommend a plan for the spending of those funds. On May 27, the Governor announced the first phase of an aggressive marketing campaign utilizing the BP funds that includes a $7 million three-week media plan, as well as a new television ad presented by VISIT FLORIDA.
· Over the weekend, Governor Crist signed Memorandums of Understanding with eight Northwest Florida counties from Escambia to Wakulla totaling $4.4 million for local tourism marketing efforts.
· On June 1, Governor Crist signed a $7.15 million Memorandum of Understanding with VISIT FLORIDA for Phase 1, which includes a three-week campaign for both Northwest Florida and statewide tourism marketing efforts.
· Through a combination of broadcast television, national cable, radio and newspaper advertising, VISIT FLORIDA's three-week media buy is expected to reach nearly 500 million consumers in Northwest Florida's traditional feeder markets. Those markets include Atlanta, Birmingham, Charlotte, Dallas, Houston, Raleigh and St. Louis. Also included in the plan are the major metro markets of New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, Washington DC, Detroit, Cleveland and Baltimore, as well as 17 key regional markets and the 65 markets throughout the U.S. covered by the national cable buy.New Resources · VISIT FLORIDA is now tracking media coverage and sharing daily highlights with the industry via SunshineMatters.org.
· VISIT FLORIDA has created "palm cards" for tourism industry employees who may be answering questions from consumers regarding the oil spill. A separate palm card was created for those working with the media. The cards are available for download and will be updated as messaging changes.
· Visitors to the Florida Live page of VISITFLORIDA.com are now able to see video shot around the state by Outdoor & Nature Insider Kevin Mims. Through Florida Live TV, Kevin will video tape, blog and photograph vacation destinations, events and experiences happening in Florida and post content daily. Web site traffic proves consumers are responding to Florida Live and this daily content will help maintain that interest with postings that include YouTube, Flickr, blog updates and a Twitter feed. Florida Live TV launched Tuesday from Pensacola. We're developing a new look for the Florida Live page to better showcase the Florida Live TV content. In the meantime, check out the first few video updates on the VISIT FLORIDA Live YouTube Channel.
Copyright 2010 VISIT FLORIDA® 2540 W. Executive Center Circle, Ste. 200; Tallahassee, FL 32301 850-488-5607
Original Economic Risk Fund·
VISIT FLORDA began a $2.5 million emergency response campaign in 15 of Florida's summer drive markets on May 15 with the message that consumers should visit Florida Live on VISITFLORIDA.com to watch live webcams, read Twitter feeds and view up-to-the-minute photos posted by real people in real time from beach destinations throughout Florida. The existing ad buys in those 15 markets will now shift to the new messaging currently featuring Northwest Florida.$25 Million Grant from BP
· On May 25, Governor Crist held a press conference to announce the state's receipt of $25 million from BP for an emergency marketing response to the Gulf oil spill and the creation of a work group lead by Chief of Staff Shane Strum to recommend a plan for the spending of those funds. On May 27, the Governor announced the first phase of an aggressive marketing campaign utilizing the BP funds that includes a $7 million three-week media plan, as well as a new television ad presented by VISIT FLORIDA.
· Over the weekend, Governor Crist signed Memorandums of Understanding with eight Northwest Florida counties from Escambia to Wakulla totaling $4.4 million for local tourism marketing efforts.
· On June 1, Governor Crist signed a $7.15 million Memorandum of Understanding with VISIT FLORIDA for Phase 1, which includes a three-week campaign for both Northwest Florida and statewide tourism marketing efforts.
· Through a combination of broadcast television, national cable, radio and newspaper advertising, VISIT FLORIDA's three-week media buy is expected to reach nearly 500 million consumers in Northwest Florida's traditional feeder markets. Those markets include Atlanta, Birmingham, Charlotte, Dallas, Houston, Raleigh and St. Louis. Also included in the plan are the major metro markets of New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, Washington DC, Detroit, Cleveland and Baltimore, as well as 17 key regional markets and the 65 markets throughout the U.S. covered by the national cable buy.New Resources · VISIT FLORIDA is now tracking media coverage and sharing daily highlights with the industry via SunshineMatters.org.
· VISIT FLORIDA has created "palm cards" for tourism industry employees who may be answering questions from consumers regarding the oil spill. A separate palm card was created for those working with the media. The cards are available for download and will be updated as messaging changes.
· Visitors to the Florida Live page of VISITFLORIDA.com are now able to see video shot around the state by Outdoor & Nature Insider Kevin Mims. Through Florida Live TV, Kevin will video tape, blog and photograph vacation destinations, events and experiences happening in Florida and post content daily. Web site traffic proves consumers are responding to Florida Live and this daily content will help maintain that interest with postings that include YouTube, Flickr, blog updates and a Twitter feed. Florida Live TV launched Tuesday from Pensacola. We're developing a new look for the Florida Live page to better showcase the Florida Live TV content. In the meantime, check out the first few video updates on the VISIT FLORIDA Live YouTube Channel.
Copyright 2010 VISIT FLORIDA® 2540 W. Executive Center Circle, Ste. 200; Tallahassee, FL 32301 850-488-5607
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