Planning A Wedding Abroad With Karisma Hotels & Resorts

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Weddings, moving house and divorces are meant to be the most stressful things to go through in life and as more brides and grooms are opting to tie the knot abroad, the stress levels are likely to increase.

However, help is available for couples planning weddings abroad via Faith Wishnie, the director of wedding services for Karisma Hotels & Resorts.

According to Wishnie, the rising number of destination weddings is down to the changes in todays modern society.

“Awareness of destination (wedding) options has really jumped. This is because of family and friends being spread across the world, people are travelling more now, and the Internet has played a big part because it’s easy to do the research,” she explained.

Beach weddings are a popular option for loved-up couples who are seeking romance and a picturesque setting. Destinations such as the Caribbean are among the favourites due to the large number of all inclusive resorts, tailor-made wedding packages and considerably lower costs compared to weddings in the United Kingdom.

Many of the resorts offer free wedding planners who can take care of all of the details, from the marriage licence and legal documents, to the flowers, photographer, music and catering.

“The trend is (for brides) who want to have the planning simplified and have everything taken care of,” added Wishnie.

Karisma Hotels and Resorts has 12 wedding planners who can help brides and grooms plan their dream Cancun weddings via email and over the phone, plus 15 onsite wedding coordinators who are available at the hotel groups seven properties across Cancun and the Riviera Maya.

The resorts also offer a separate groom’s room, so the bride and groom can both get ready in privacy before the ceremony.
Wishnie offers a couple of tips for couples so they can enjoy stress-free weddings abroad:

Don’t check-in anything that you’ll absolutely need or want for the big day. Carry your dress with you and/or buy anything there that you definitely want for the wedding, she said.

Don’t bring party favours with you. We can work with you to get favours or flowers and decorations cheaper (onsite).”

International Hotel Chain Plans To Open New Jamaica Hotels In 2012

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During the Caribbean Marketplace event hosted by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) in the Bahamas, leading international hotel chain Choice Hotels International announced plans to expand its business in key Caribbean holiday destinations including Aruba, Barbados, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago and the United States Virgin Islands.

While these markets form part of Choice Hotels long term strategy, spokespeople for the group have stated that opening new Jamaica hotels in 2012 are part of the company’s more immediate plans. Bill Clegg Regional Vice President for Brand Performance and Programs of Choice Hotels International, pegged Jamaica as one of their top five target markets in 2012 in a nod to the growing popularity of Jamaica holidays. We are very keen on re-establishing our presence in Jamaica and driving more business to an already robust tourism destination within the region noted Mr Clegg.

While the Choice Hotels Group is keen to launch its economy and midscale brands to offer affordable Caribbean hotels it is now most excited at the prospect of launching its luxury brand: the Ascend Collection. Choice Hotels provides the opportunity for historic, boutique or otherwise distinctive independent Jamaica hotels to be part of the of the luxury Ascend Collection brand through its membership programme. Jose Salvador Icaza, the Caribbean Franchise Development Director for Choice Hotels International stated the following of the membership programme, Hotel members benefit from our powerful marketing and reservations systems, education and training, and are given the tools to strengthen their commitment to service excellence We’re excited about Ascend and hope to bring Jamaica online in the near future.

Choice Hotels eagerness to launch in Jamaica is part of a growing trend of hotel groups seeking to gain a foothold in the Caribbean island as it continues to prove itself as one of the leading Caribbean holiday destinations. Many people anticipate that the upcoming 2012 Olympic Games will thrust the island further into the spotlight with high hopes of another dominating performance from track and field star Usain Bolt as well as other top performing Jamaican athletes.

Tourism officials in Jamaica have acknowledged the 2012 Games as a key marketing opportunity that can lead to a substantial increase in the number of people booking holidays in Jamaica. Minister of Tourism and Entertainment Dr. Wykeham McNeill noted that the islands sports personalities would be key in building the islands tourism brand and marketing Jamaica holidays to travellers from key international source markets.

In 2009 you experienced the fever Bolt crated at the 12th IAAF World Championships in Berlin. Well its only gotten bigger because Bolt was adding to Jamaicas past Olympians and world record holders. Today the list goes on and on with Asafa Powell, Yohan Blake and Veronica Campbell-Brown, Dr Wykeham said.

Hospitality Industry Hotels Business Current And Future Trends

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Hospitality has long been synonymous with the hotel industry. Any changes in trends of hotel business have wide scale implications on an otherwise diverse industry. What might be an opportunity for a traveler can be a matter of survival for hotels? It will not be an oversimplification to suggest that the emerging concepts in hotel industry reveal an atmosphere of stiff competition. Here is a look at a few major issues:

Is Green better?

Amid growing concern over environment friendly services, a majority of travelers now prefer Green and Eco lodgings. Recent surveys by trade associations such as Partnership Travel Industry Association and online retailers like Yahoo revealed that nearly seventy percent of the tourists are willing to pay extra when it comes to environmental friendly lodgings. These surveys further revealed that these guests will pay anywhere from nine to ten percent premium on the already advertised prices.

What can be stated as a welcome relief for the educated traveler might pose real challenges for the hotel business. To better understand the scenario, it should be noted that hotels are presently facing severe shortages in occupancy rates which are at their lowest since 1971. Such a crisis and lack of funds can definitely hamper any efforts to install appliances that comply with the LEEDS standards (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design). Some experts agree that a trade off may lead hotels into removing free amenities that include little bottles of shampoos, jams and free basket of fruits; all of which are the hallmark of these eco lodgings.

Where are the Workers gone?

The hotel industry gives employment at a very large proportion of part time workers, who after gaining substantial experience, leave for other lucrative jobs at restaurants and outdoors. Low wages in the hotel industry is one of the primary reasons for low retention rates.

Hotel industry Gurus are already thinking of ways to attract and retain qualified workers by increasing the pay scales and by reducing the long working hours. The top management is now devising constructive methods that will retain the existing workers by sponsoring education and creating attractive career paths.

Mega Hotels

The rising cost of construction and a struggling real estate has prompted hoteliers to deploy the pre-fabricated and cost effective solution in the construction of new hotels. In fact they are fighting back by producing highly efficient designs that utilize a greater proportion of space for revenue generating purpose. Future trends in the hotel construction will seek to maximize the use of building areas by constructing a multi purpose facility that will include Casinos, shopping outlets and Theatres. The stand alone hotel concept is likely to vanish as the new properties will be constructed as a mixed use development to provide guests with facilities such as Church, Hospitals and Theme Parks. Such a variety will ensure that guests remain at one spot which will help generate revenue for the entire hotel complex.

The evolution of savvy traveller

The evolution of internet has given rise to a phenomenon where travelers are becoming ever more demanding. Industry professionals suggest that an increase in a trend, to review properties online, will make travelers less forgiving as they are able to post their travel experiences. Such an overemphasis on web may even lead to stiff competition and price reduction strategies where only large players may be able to survive.

To ward of such threats, the small business owner is now turning towards opening a boutique establishment as an alternate to 70,s style motels. Such niche properties are popping up everywhere by advertising a more personalized “home away from home” kind of experience. The introduction of such boutique properties has also given rise to the popular and widely accepted theme of modern hostels. These hostels are keen to provide a clean and safe environment for budget conscious travelers. Their goal is to wipe out the myths associated with cheap motels and dingy guesthouses.

Whatever may be the case, one thing is for sure that constant remodeling of the hotel industry has made it more functional and practical not only for the guests but also for the hotel owners.

Experience World Class Service in Luxury Hotels New York City

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There is no doubt that one of the most visited cities in the world is New York. Being center to almost everything, like art, business, and entertainment, it is not surprising that this city is visited by over 39 million people every year. That is why Luxury hotels New York City is very much in demand to give the proper accommodation to the millions of tourist that visit the big apple.

There are a lot of luxuries hotels that tourists can choose from, all of them vary in one thing or another but the sure thing is all of them offer nothing but superb service and accommodation. You can also be assured that all hotels are equipped with state of the art facilities.

One of the best Luxury hotel New York City is The Carlyle, a rosewood hotel. This hotel is second home to a lot of famous and highly respected personalities. This exquisite hotel is ideally positioned in the Madison Avenue. It offers various great services that guests will surely find very pleasing. They have a state of the art spa facility and fitness center for those who want to unwind from all their stress. They also have an onsite fine dining that serves great food. This hotel also has a high speed access to the internet.

Another pride of the collection of the Luxury Hotels New York City is the James hotel. This hotel is sophisticatedly designed so as to provide a comfort and style to the guests; it features a lot of great services like state of the art technology and guest centric service. They have provided a large stylish room for banquets and meetings. There is also a fine dining that serves good food near the hotel. Surely, this hotel will be able to provide all the services you will be looking for in a hotel accommodation.

The James hotel also belongs to the myriad of Luxury hotels New York City that speaks of luxury and superb service. Its stunning design, overseen by the famous and legendary Jacques Grange that features artworks from famous artists who have been compromised to create unique masterpieces for the hotels collection of great artworks is what really captures the heart of their guests. Aside from its stunning exterior and interior design, it also offers superb hospitability and service, not to mention the world class facilities they offer their precious guests.

Hasten Luxury Beds In Hotels Worldwide

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The Hastens Luxury Bed is a sign of prestige and self-indulgence wherever it is found. Hastens Beds are the selected beds of the Swedish Royal Family, and are made in Sweden. Every luxury mattress is hand-sewn of all non-synthetic cotton, wool, flax, horsehair with boxes of naturally grown Swedish Pine.

Horsehair is felt to be the proprietary ingredient in the all natural mattress. The horse hair gives springiness, and is resistant to dust mites. Horsehair also carries away water vapor without synthetic fibers. There is no PU foam which exudes gases poisonous to many people. Every coil is made of Swedish steel, and is individually hand encased in a pocket. Coils are not connected, thus giving the most hold for each part of the body.

Hast is Swedish for horse, and the crest give witness to the manufacturer`s 1852 origins as a saddle making company. Saddles were cushioned with horse hair, and back then it was understood that horse hair stuffing made the best beds. Before long Hastens was manufacturing a some special order all natural mattresses. These standards are more valued in the present decade, and Hastens is the first mattress maker to receive the Swan Environmental Award.

Customers who swear by Hastens luxury mattresses are often those with sciatica. Around the globe, pleased users attest to receiving a full eight hours sleep on Hastens Beds if all separate brands have failed to provide them nightly comfort.

Hastens sell for between $3000 and $54,000 US dollars, clearly putting them in a class by themselves. Prestige seekers are happy to tell that they spent a night on one at a hotel, which of course will also be high-class. People who may be seriously considering ordering a Hastens Bed might desire to rest on one for several evenings prior to deciding on such a expensive buy.

Hastens offers a 25-year warranty on their beds. This makes them attractive to inns who must continually buy new beds which is subject to every day use which often approaches improper use.

Inns in urban areas across the globe have rooms with Hastens Luxury Beds. Austria, Salzburg, Hotel Salzburg
Belgium, Antwerpen, Qbic Hotel Antwerpen
Belgium, Haasrode, Hotel De Rode Haas
Czech Republic, Prague, ICON Boutique Hotel
Denmark, Bornholm, Melsted Badehotel
Denmark, Esbjerg, Hotel Hjerting
Denmark, Skagen, Hotel Plesner
Denmark, Vejle, Comwell Kellers Park
Denmark, Aarhus, Best Western Hotel Oasia
Finland, Kuopio, Sokos Hotel Puijonsarvi
Italy, Albergo, Ville di Corsano (SI)
Italy, Albergo, Residenza Villa Giuncheto
Netherlands, Amsterdam, Qbic Hotel Amsterdam
Netherlands, De Koog, Hotel Greenside
Netherlands, Haarlem, Hotel Stempels
Netherlands, Lattrop, Hotellerie De Holtweijde
Netherlands, Maastricht, La Bergre Hotel
Netherlands, Mechelen, Hotel Hoeve de Plei
Netherlands, Vlieland, Badhotel Bruin
Norway, Alta, Park Hotell Alta
Poland, Krynica Zdroj, Hotel SPA Dr Irena Eris Krynica Zdroj
Poland, Wzgorza Dylewskle, Hotel SPA Dr Irena Erls Wzgorza Dylewskle
Spain, Barcelona, Hotel Ibai
Spain, Marbella, Marbella Club Hotel
Sweden, Gotland, Furillen
Sweden, Goteborg, Clarion Collection Hotel Odin
Sweden, Karmansbo, Karmansbo Herrgard
Sweden, Mariefred, Gripsholms vardshus
Sweden, Riksgransen, Hotell Riksgransen
Sweden, Stockholm, Best Western Premier Foresta Hotel
Sweden, Stockholm, Kallfors Hotell
Sweden, Tallberg, Akerblads Hotell & Gastgiveri
Sweden, Varberg, Varbergs Kurort & Spa
Sweden, Are, Hotell Fjallgarden
Switzerland, Zurich, Hotel Kindli
United Kingdom, London, Blakes Hotel
United States, Chicago, Illinois, The Peninsula Chicago
United States, Los Angeles, California, Hotel Bel Air
United States, Phoenix, Arizona, Biltmore Resort & Spa
United States, Seattle, Washington, Hotel Andra