Around Town – July 2011

(Editor’s Note: Here’s a collection of newsworthy items from our industry members and the South Florida community. HSMAInsider, Julie Wernick)

Southeast Florida:
Congrats to Gail Spier who was recently appointed Ad Director at THINK Magazine and Lucky Fan. THINK Magazine is a regional lifestyle magazine direct mailed to 42,000 high end homes and found at local area businesses. Lucky Fan is a groupon like company featuring luxury amenities and services at value rates starting in August. Gail was formerly Account Manager at City & Shore. She currently serves as Advisor to the Board of HSMAI-South Florida and was also a past Chapter President.

Congrats to Tony LeFebvre recently appointed/promoted to Sr. VP and COO of Spirit Airlines. Best wishes on your new job!

Congrats to the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau. The Bureau won five 2010 National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO) Awards, including: Best of Class for Mild to Wild GLBT mobile site, Superior for Vacation Playbook, Excellent for Super Bowl, Meritorious for Sunny in the City campaign in NYC and Learn to Dive Month.

The Village at Gulfstream Park is continuing to offer its Wine Walk Wednesdays during the month of July. They take place the first Wednesday of every month from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., rain or shine. For $10, you receive a commemorative wine glass and the chance to sample 5 wines and hors d’oeuvres at various shops throughout The Village. The participation fee benefits a different charity each month. More info: www.thevillageatgulfstreampark.com

Greater Fort Lauderdale’s new “Super Summer Savings” package promotion is in effect through September 30, 2011. Visitors can receive more than 30 options. When combined with summer hotel value rates and low-fare air service from over 50 U.S. destinations, summer in Greater Fort Lauderdale is “super” easy and “super” affordable. More info is available at the GFLCVB’s website: sunny.org

The Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport reports that: Air Canada has begun using an Airbus330 plane for flights between Fort Lauderdale and Toronto. This is the largest aircraft (265 seats) of any scheduled airline operating from FLL on a daily basis.

The average hotel occupancy in the Fort Lauderdale market rose to 68.4 percent from 63.8 percent in May 2010. The average daily rate climbed 3.7 percent, to $105.68 from $101.92 per Smith Travel Research reports.

The number of passengers at Fort Lauderdale International Airport rose in May. Total passengers climbed 4.6 percent, year-over-year, to 1.91 million. The number of domestic travelers rose to 1.65 million from 1.58 million. International passengers increased 8.2 percent, to 266,745 from 246,616.

Urgo Hotels, an operator, developer/owner of upscale hotels, has acquired two landmark Miami Beach properties in a joint venture with The Carlyle Group. The hotels are the 75-room Blue Moon Hotel and the 71-room Winterhaven Hotel. Both properties are scheduled to undergo significant renovations over the next 6 months including upgrades to public spaces and guest rooms.

Miami’s only marina-front hotel has just reopened after a two-year, $31 million renovation. The Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay has 20,000 square feet of event space.

Welcome to the recently opened Dream South Beach (a sister to outposts in New York, Bangkok and Cochin, India). Two low-rise Art Deco buildings along Collins Avenue have been “fused” into one 108-room boutique hotel.

The Related Group sold the Viceroy Miami Hotel. The 148 unit hotel was located in the Icon Brickell project and was known for its water lounge and 2-acre outdoor park on the 15th floor.

In May, compared to Broward and Palm Beach, Miami-Dade County had the largest year-over-year hotel occupancy gain: to 73.4 percent from 67.3 percent. Average daily rate climbed 8.4 percent, year-over-year, to $144.52 from $133.35 (according to Smith Travel Research).

Miami International Airport ranked first in the nation for international passengers boarded on U.S. airline carriers per March 2011 data. Enplaned international passengers at MIA rose 5 percent, year-over-year, in March, to 446,100 from 424,700, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics at the US Department of Transportation.

Ground was broken on the new Hyatt Place in downtown Delray Beach last week. This is the first new hotel project in Palm Beach County in 2 years.

For a limited time, stay 3 consecutive nights and get a fourth night free at Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort. Offers end September 29, 2011.

Air Canada will add a seasonal daily flight from Toronto direct to Palm Beach International. These added 17,000 airline seats between December and April could bring up to $8 million in new spending to the Palm Beaches.

Good news! Hotel occupancy rates in Palm Beach County have been climbing for 17 consecutive months according the PBCVB.

Southwest Florida:

This summer, Florida Residents can stay at any of Sun Stream’s Hotels in Cape Coral, Fort Myers Beach and Naples and receive 15% off the best available rate with no minimum night stay.

Residence Inn Fort Myers Sanibel Beach Hotel is offering a new promotion called “Shop Until You Drop”.
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To submit items for future blog editions, please send to jwfranklin1@gmail.com
Best, Julie Wernick, HSMAInsider