Higher Occupancy Rates Anticipated By Bahamas Hotels

According to a Smith Travel Research report commissioned by the Bahamas Hotel Association (BHA), Bahamas-based hoteliers are anticipating increased occupancy in 2012, as 85 per cent predict higher levels this year. In spite of the struggles the countrys tourism industry suffered in earlier years (2008 and 2009), it is expected that more travellers take Bahamas holidays from now on.

The optimistic report surveyed a total of 22 large and petite Bahamas hotels in the regions of Nassau, the capital, Grand Bahama and the Family Islands. After 70 per cent of hoteliers reported increased occupancy levels in 2011 in comparison to 2010, they are looking forward to a significant boost in 2012, overall after the challenging years of 2008 and 2009, when hoteliers declared occupancy declines of 78 and 85 per cent respectively.

Stuart Bowe, BHAs president, expressed his positivity about the Bahamas tourism industry this year, although he acknowledges that there are still many issues to work through. While we are encouraged, he said It is clear that many businesses are not yet out of the woods. The profitability picture is further constrained because higher airfares have forced hoteliers to restrain from increasing prices, and to invent more resources in marketing and promotional offers. Had we not invested more in marketing and promotions during the past year, we would not have seen the reported incremental improvements in business.

The report also discovered that 55 per cent of the properties that were polled realised increase revenues last year, while 72 per cent predict further growth in 2012. This recent revenue increase is a complete turnaround from the results obtained in 2009, when 85 per cent of the surveyed hotels reported a decline in revenue and 62 per cent declared a significant decrease in revenue.

Even when only 9 per cent of hoteliers were able to report growth in room rates in 2011, 50 per cent now say they are anticipating price rises in 2012, according to the Smith Travel Research Report. The countrys tourism industry has been recovering slowly since 2010. Stuart Bowe looks optimistically to the future and states his belief that rates will grow as more tourists take holidays in Bahamas this year.

Since 2010, the industry has recorded marginal gains in revenue, occupancy and customer satisfaction, said Mr. Bowe This is most evident in 2011 performance reports and projections for 2012 improvements in sales, occupancy, room rates and capital spending, as well as, reports by some hotels increased employment levels. We are clearly moving in the right direction.

Blue Diamond Hotels To Open Luxury Beach Resort In Varadero, Ready For Holidays In May

Blue Diamond Hotels and Resorts has added a new hotel in Cuba to its portfolio with the scheduled launch of the Memories Varadero Beach Resort this May. The luxury four-star resort will open its doors to tourists taking Cuba holidays on 1st May, 2012 after the property was refurbished and rebranded.

Formerly known as the Sirenis La Salina, the property has 1,035 rooms and suites and it is situated on one of the most beautiful beaches in Varadero, Cuba. Memories Varadero Beach Resort offers plenty of activities for the younger guests to enjoy throughout their holidays to Cuba including a Kids Club and Baby Club, two children’s swimming pools and daily entertainment.

Facilities and activities at the all inclusive hotel include three tennis courts, a spa and salon, a disco, Jacuzzi, two adults swimming pools, fitness centre, multi-sport court, beach volleyball, and watersports such as windsurfing, pedal-boating, snorkelling, scuba diving, and catamaran cruises.

Guests can upgrade to Diamond Club, which offers a personalised check-in/check-out service, including early check-in and late check-out; private access to the Diamond VIP Lounge; an exclusive beach area with beach butler service; and a dedicated concierge service.

The hotel boasts eight gourmet restaurants with a wide range of international cuisine such as Italian, Creole, Mexican, and Japanese, and there are eight bars and lounges where visitors can enjoy a refreshing cocktail or fruit juice.

Varadero Beach is situated in the province of Matanzas on the Hicacos Peninsula on the north coast of the Caribbean island of Cuba. The region is one of the most popular destinations for holidays in Cuba with more than 20km of pristine white sand beaches and several luxury beachfront Cuba hotels.

The area features beautiful natural landscapes include the Bellamar Caves and idyllic virgin cays and during holidays in Varadero, travellers can go scuba diving and snorkelling in the turquoise crystal-clear water; sailing and deep sea fishing; play golf against the backdrop of the sparkling ocean; and take excursions to explore Cardenas City.

The beach resort is a great place for a family holiday in Cuba with an array of museums, white sand beaches, and parks and fun attractions including the Delfinario, a natural pool for dolphins.

Blue Diamond Hotels and Resorts operates several all inclusive resorts across the Caribbean and Latin America under “Memories Beach Resorts” and “Royalton Luxury Resorts” brands.

Book Cheap London Hotels Save Costs on Your Next Trip to London

London is known to be a historical city with old world charms and architecture, yet possesses a modern and cosmopolitan vibe that makes it one of the most visited tourist destinations in the world. But wait, isnt London also one of the most expensive cities in the world?

Yes it is, but budget-conscious travelers need not fear, as the city has catered to visitors of various budgets and preferences with a comprehensive range of accommodation that includes plenty of cozy and comfortable, yet surprisingly affordable hotel chains and bed and breakfasts that allow you to enjoy substantial savings on your total travel costs. You might be pleased to note that the locations of these hotels include both the suburbs as well as more central locations of the city, thus affording you a wide range of low cost choices.

That being said, your search for a low cost hotel in London to suit your needs will not be complete without first conducting some simple research on what kinds of budget accommodation are available as well as which parts of London you can find them. Read on for more information on these topics as well as a recommended website where you can book your cheap London hotels in a hassle-free manner.

Typical budget accommodation in London

Budget accommodation in London which comprises of hotels and bed and breakfasts typically do not boast fanciful amenities or spacious rooms. They do, however, provide you with a comfortable and value for money stay as a basic range of amenities such as telephones, televisions and showers, as well as inclusions such as breakfast, are adequate to satisfy your needs at an affordable cost. You can even find suitable room configurations for yourself or your group as they range from single to quad (family).

Convenience and affordability in central London

So here is your situation. You are visiting London and want to keep your hotel spending to a minimum yet still prefer to be located in an easily-accessible area which is close to all the famous attractions such as Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, the London Eye and Buckingham Palace. Is that even possible? The answer is yes, there is a variety of affordable accommodation to be found in central London so you do not have to struggle with the hassle of travelling long distances to the city centre from your suburban hotel.

In the central London neighbourhoods, you not only are in close proximity to attractions and business centres, travel to other parts of London is also made convenient with the area being well-connected by the London Underground and bus system. You may be surprised to discover the large number of low cost accommodation options that you have in this area, which includes both budget hotels as well as bed and breakfasts.

You will be able to find low cost to mid-range accommodation in all of Londons districts, however it pays to do your research before deciding which type, and which neighbourhood, best suits your needs. On one end of the spectrum, you can consider a stay at a branded hotel which is likely to have been converted from an office or town building but still exude a certain grandeur and charm. These hotels are typically cheaper than luxury hotels.

The Pros And Cons Of Boutique Hotel Accommodation

The term boutique hotel refers to a style of usually small and independently run hotels which have their own unique style and creative flair. A boutique hotel could be anything from a stylish city retreat with themed rooms, a quaint countryside inn, or a quirky historical hostel.

There are pros and cons to staying in this type of accommodation, and here are some of the main advantages and disadvantages of boutique hotels:

The Advantages of Boutique Hotel Accommodation

There are many advantages to be found in this type of accommodation. One of the main reasons why boutique hotels are so popular is because they offer a chance to stay in a unique and creative space that has a lot more personality than a chain hotel room. Boutique hotels usually have funky and artistic decor or special themes. This is desirable for travellers who want their accommodation to have a bit of personality and intrigue.

Another advantage of boutique hotels is that they are usually run by a small amount of passionate and caring staff and only have a small amount of guests at one time. This allows them to offer more personalized service and create a welcoming feeling. Since boutique hotels are usually smaller than large chain hotels they can be built within tiny spaces in city centres, often offering a much better location.

When you patronize independently owned boutique hotel accommodation you also get the satisfying feeling that you are supporting a local business rather than a large conglomerate. Also, most boutique hotels will offer lower prices than conventional style hotels of the same quality.

Disadvantages of Boutique Hotels

Despite how lovely some boutique hotels can be, there are also some disadvantages to choosing this style of accommodation. Some people find that the lack of a brand name makes them nervous because the hotel does not have the guarantee of belonging to a reliable large company. Many people choose chain hotels because they like the security of knowing what to expect from their accommodation.

Boutique hotels are also often much smaller than chain hotels, which means that there are less likely to be rooms available if you book your stay at the last minute. Also, if you are travelling for business you might not find all of the facilities such as free WiFi and conference rooms to use during your stay, as boutique hotels usually cater for those who travel for pleasure. Another disadvantage is that most boutique hotels dont offer the types of loyalty programs that the larger companies do.

Whether you choose to stay in boutique hotels or not depends on your personal preferences towards holiday accommodation, yet it is good to know that these unique and quirky choices are available if you desire to stay somewhere different on your next trip.

There are advantages and disadvantages to staying in boutique hotel accommodation during your next holiday.

Important Standard Operating Procedure for Hotels.

The hotel, with excellent service and steady is the key to success, standard operating procedures, or SOPs, plays an important role.

Identification Hotel Standard operating procedure for setting policy, protocols and the hotel in written form that is readily available in the hotel staff. A typical procedure is standard operating in three parts: the purpose, or made a clear SOP and the details of what the expected results should be a procedure or a step-by-step manual control tasks, and resources, including personnel hotel, other employees or managers and databases, or other references. Function Hotel/Resorts in Pune follow standard operating procedures to improve the customer experience. Standard operating procedures for the training of this staff is the best way to handle a situation, from Fielding guest complaint handling, fire drills. By creating a structure for service abroad, which is consistent and well thought out, senior management, hotels can provide a positive guest. Types Hotels can use different types of standard operating procedures. Tool procedures to focus on specific tasks, such as the hotel staff might have to deal with. Tool procedures may include tasks that the hotel staff are likely to face every day as late check-out or temperature concerns, and in rare circumstances, such as fire alarms sound or malfunctioning elevator . Rule procedures help the hotel staff in the face of potentially difficult situations. Rule procedures may include employee behavior acceptable, as if an employee can accept a tip in cash from a hotel guest. Procedures of the rule can also include people in vulnerable areas, indicating that smoking in a nonsmoking room or a credit card declined. Working Procedures clearly define the role of an employee and responsibility within the hotel, so expectations are clear. Benefits According to HVS, consulting and services organization that focuses on hotels and leisure, standard operating procedures for hotels benefit from a number of ways. In a competitive hotel industry, the standard operating procedures to ensure that the hotel promises to keep its marketing materials and advertising. Standard operating procedures to ensure that customers specially for Honeymoon Resorts receive the same treatment every time they visit the hotel. A complete SOP can help employers posting job opportunities for the future Standard Operating Procedure for Hotels in General.e, because the role of each employee is clearly indicated. Take SOP also provides a basis for performance evaluations of the hotel employees. Considerations Standard operating procedures can take up to three months to complete, and that to succeed, must be tested and evaluated in depth. Hotel standard operating procedures are more successful when employees are involved in its creation. n.