Untitled - Hospitality Maldives

Hilton Hotels is expanding its hotel
network in Asia despite the downturn.
It plans to double its presence in the region
over the next three years. Despite the tough
economic climate, Hilton said it is planning
for the longterm and sees India and China
as markets with high growth potential. With
53 hotels under its brand in Asia, the hotel
operator is hoping to double its properties by
2012. So it is targeting to open 58 new hotels
in China and India. Source: China Economic
Review
The Kuoni Group’s net profit increased
by 12.1% year-on-year to a record
152.1m Swiss francs (£93.1m) in 2008.
Turnover rose 3.3% to CHF4.86bn (£2.97bn),
including 4.4% organic growth and 5.9%
from the seven acquisitions made during
the year. Unfavourable currency movements
eroded a ‘substantial’ 7% of turnover. Costs
were cut by 3.9% to CHF3.8bn (£2.33bn),
resulting in gross profit of CHF1.06bn, 1.4%
ahead of 2007. However, gross profit margin
slipped to 21.8% from 22.2%. Earnings
before interest and taxes (EBIT) improved
by 8.6% to CHF151.5m. The EBIT results
included CHF5m in costs related to the
group’s ongoing restructuring process and
CHF9.5m of depreciation no longer required
following the sale of Edelweiss Air’s aircraft
to SWISS. Cash flow from operating activities
amounted to CHF108.7m in 2008, down
from CHF256.9m in 2007, primarily due
to a reduction in advance payments from
customers as a result of ‘more hesitant’
booking behaviour. The group’s UK division
saw turnover decline by 14.2% to CHF661m
(£404.6m), while EBIT dropped to CHF31.5m
(£19.3m) from CHF43.9m in 2007. Kuoni said
the division had been hit by the weakening
of sterling, which fell 17% versus the Swiss
franc, and the continuing economic crisis.
Source: e-tid.com
Mr. Gerd Steeb, President of Centara
Hotels & Resorts recently announced
the appointment of Mr. Grant Jefferies
as General Manager of Centara Grand
Island Resort & Spa Maldives. Grant’s
career in hospitality began at the tender age
of 6 by cleaning glasses at his parent’s hotel
in Southeast Queensland, Australia. From
humble beginnings, Grant began a journey
of traveling and working in hotels and resorts
around the world. Grant has over 20 years
of experience in the hospitality industry
working in Australia, New Zealand, New York,
UK, Singapore, Maldives and multiple world
cruises on the Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2). Such
an expansive career has enabled Grant to
develop an ability to view issues from many
perspectives whilst remaining focused on the
fundamentals of good management. With a
penchant for pre-openings, Grant will embark
on another journey in opening the Centara
Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives.
Hilton Colombo’s Executive Chef Rohan
Fernandopulle was recently named
“Chef of the Year” at the prestigious
2nd Travel & Tourism Awards 2008.
Organized by the Ministry of Tourism and the
Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority,
the Travel and Tourism Awards recognize
excellence among industry stakeholders in
Sri Lanka, which further aids to encourage
their contribution to the sustainable
development of the tourism industry. Chef
Rohan said: “It is a great honor to win this
award, especially when I am recognized by
the industry in my homeland. Going forward,
I hope to delight guests with more unique
culinary experiences, such as the revamped
lunch concept at Hilton Colombo’s Spoons
Restaurant and a new menu at the popular
Sunday Brunch.” One of Chef Rohan’s strong
specialties is his ability to inject local flavors
into international preferences, providing
guests with the opportunity to taste first class
gourmet fused with the authentic flavors of
homegrown ingredients.
Luxury boutique hotel operator, Alila
Hotels and Resorts, is set to expand its
footprint in Asia with six new properties
slated to open this year, which will include
the launch of three Alila Villas properties,
the new generation of resorts that deliver
ultra luxury in design, space and bespoke
hospitality combined with innovative lifestyle
concepts. “These upcoming properties
represent a significant milestone in the growth
of Alila in both established and emerging
destinations across the region,” says Frederic
Flageat-Simon, Managing Director and Chief
Operating Officer of Alila Hotels and Resort.
Source: btbtravel.com
Asia Luxury Travel Market (ALTM), the
region’s leading showcase for the luxury
travel industry, returns to the Shanghai
Exhibition Centre from 15-18 June with
a strong turnout of both returning and
new exhibitors. “ALTM is pleased to see
continued support and commitment from
leaders in the global luxury travel industry.
This year we are also proud to welcome a
host of new exhibitors from around the world
and spanning the industry”, said Christina
Wood, Exhibition Director.
A team of three UK environmental
experts will make a return visit to the
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island between
12 April and 12 June to continue their
groundbreaking ‘Maldives Whale Shark
Research Programme’. The Not for Profit
organisation has established new whale
shark protection guidelines in the country,
with the Maldivian Government providing
directions on establishing community and
tourism industry guidelines to protect the
vulnerable species. During the team’s visit,
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island will once
again provide sponsorship and equipment
including a research vessel, dive kit, food,
fuel, maintenance and accommodation to
support the team’s efforts as part of their
ongoing commitment to protect the fragile
paradise setting of the resort.
Courtesy of ehotelier.com