October 2019 – Hotel PFA

New Summer Holiday Programmes Launched By St Lucia Hotels

Posted on October 28, 2019 by blogger

In order to entice more summer holidaymakers to stay in St Lucia this season, hotels and restaurants as well as some of the most exciting tours and attractions have stepped their game to offer tourists with special deals aimed at a local audience. Trying to tap into the local market with special Staycation offers, the ultimate goal for many St Lucia holidays is to raise awareness of their services among local residents and in many cases build a long-lasting relationship with their home guests.

This annual summer promotion has been launched in previous years and continues to grow in popularity. For this reason, many hotels in St Lucia have revved up their offers to their loyal local clientele to now include special spa treatments at some of the islands most indulgent spa facilities.

The Staycation summer holiday deals in St Lucia will officially kick off on 1st July and will run until 30th September 2012.

At the moment the St Lucia Tourist Board is working with the many St Lucia hotels, tour operators, spas, restaurants and other organisations specialised in adding to the St Lucia holiday experience, in order to create the different tailor-made holiday packages that will offer exclusive summer deals to residents. Some of these specials will include hotel stays starting from just $30 US dollars per night per room and exclusive discounts on popular attractions and tours. In addition there are also some all inclusive holiday deals as part of the promotion.

The launch of Staycation coincides with the launch of another summer promotion called Summerlicious; yet another summer programme created by the St Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association (SLHTA), designed to expose both locals and visitors alike to the diversity of St Lucian cuisine as influenced by Afro, European, French and Caribbean heritage.

As part of the Summerlicious programme those enjoying holidays in St Lucia during the summer season will get to enjoy authentic St Lucian culinary delights with reduced prix fixed prices on lunch and dinner summer menus at some of the finest restaurants island-wide. Visitors can sample a two course lunch for EC$50-$65 and a three course dinner from EC$95, $125 and $145. In addition, all meals include a high-quality signature cocktail made with St Lucias award winning Chairmans Reserve Rum. Ahead of the imposition of the Value Added Tax in October of this year, Summerlicious has been hailed as the, Pre VAT Dine Out.

Tourism Director Louis Lewis said Staycation/Summerlicious offers that unique opportunity for nationals; and in the case of Summerlicious visitors alike, the chance to experience the islands varied tourism product.

It is noteworthy to see the excitement amongst the hotels, restaurants, sites, attractions and spas to these two programs as we work together to execute these exciting summer promotions. The fact that more and more of our tourism partners are eager to participate in the promotions is testament to their success and the value they place on the on-island clientele. – Lewis said.

Participating hotels and restaurants in St Lucia for the Staycation/Summerlicious 2012 include both small and large properties and are located throughout the island from Cap Estate in the north to Vieux Fort in the south.

Flights, Hotels and Gibraltar Weddings

Posted on October 26, 2019 by blogger

Looking for a new and exciting destination in which to get married but need not be expensive? Want a beach, sunshine and an English speaking location but don’t want to travel miles away? Want your closest friends and family to attend your Big Day without burdening them with the huge cost (and embarrassment) of travelling transatlantic?

Then consider getting married in Gibraltar, just a short 2 and half hour flight from the UK and with year round sunshine, a choice of up to five beaches and being a duty-free tax haven, Gibraltar is fast entering the top ten bracket of favourite places in the world in which to get hitched! Unlike the Caribbean, it is not expensive and unlike Las Vegas, it is not crass! You can get married in Gibraltar within 24 hours of arrival without the residency requirements of other countries. Apart from the traditional registry office or church, you can get married al-fresco in a picturesque Italian garden with fountains and a magical backdrop of a waterfall and tropical flowers or even on a rose bedecked terrace overlooking the blue azures of the Mediterranean.

Extremely competitively priced flight and hotel packages are available by booking online at http://www.mygibraltar.co.uk who also offer a fabulous one-stop Wedding service where they even match the colour of the bridal bouquet to the colour of the dress! You even get a 5.00 per person discount and free night offers when you book online!

Famous celebrities who have chosen the lush backdrop of palms and fountains in Gibraltar for their Wedding Day have included John Lennon & Yoko Ono, Sean Connery (married twice here!) and Roger Moore. Further 007 connections include the filming of -Living Daylights’ starring Timothy Dalton on The Rock itself.

Andrew writes about “Flights, Hotels and Gibraltar Weddings”. Collect More Information at http://www.mygibraltar.co.uk

The best way to book cheap hotels

Posted on October 23, 2019 by blogger

Though many people prefer the perks and amenities which are a part of staying at a premium hotel, many also prefer to save on hotel costs and opt for cheap hotels. While hotels can be booked over the phone or in person, booking online can save you a large amount of money. Not only can you book cheap hotels but discount flights are also available online. Many websites offer you a vast choice and they are also very user-friendly and booking can be simple and easy on the pocket. The important thing is to be flexible with your options and know exactly what you are looking for.

The rack rate is the standard rate that a hotel charges and when you book via deals and offers you can easily get a discount of 30-50%, depending on what you are looking for and how lucky you are as well. Though this might be difficult during peak travel season, you can easily get very hefty discounts off season. There are a few basic things that you should be willing to do. Do not fix the exact date of the stay and travel. Be a little flexible with the dates and keep a window within which you will be able to travel and then start your search.

Look with the right search criteria and be a little savvy. It is easier to get discount flights mid-week and hotels also tend to be cheaper around that time. Plan your vacation during off-season. This serves a dual purpose. You end up saving a lot of money and the vacation spots are also not choc-a-block with people. If you have found a hotel you like while you were searching online, call that particular hotel and ask them when the off-season rates start. That is a good way of ensuring that you get the best rates.

Getting discounted rates is a lot about the right timing and planning in advance can help you get the timing right. When you call the hotel, also ask them about special discounts, promotions and package deals. In some cases these may be mentioned online but not all hotels do that. When they quote a rate, ask if they have any less-expensive rooms. Some travel agents also have tie-ups with various hotels. You can check if they have any good deals on offer. Alternatively, you can just action all your bookings online.

Many good hotels also offer discounts for online transactions and all of these are commission-free. Travel websites have special arrangements with numerous hotels and can offer room rates that you will not be able to get on your own. If you have kids, ask if they get to stay for free. Also check if the rooms have kitchens. You can end up saving a lot of money on food that way. The best way of getting the best rates is to book well in advance, be flexible with choices in terms of the actual hotel and the time and date and you will be sure to get a good deal.

Information Of Hotel Industry Laws In India – Part2

Posted on October 20, 2019 by blogger

Tax benefits/ incentives.
.Current projections in budget.

Hotel Industry in India currently has supply of 110,000 rooms and there is a shortage of 150,000 rooms fueling hotel room rates across India. According to estimates demand is going to exceed supply by at least 100% over the next 2 years. To overcome, this shortage Indian hotel industry is adding about 60,000 quality rooms, currently in different stages of planning and development, which should be ready by 2012.

Indias hotel industry comprises of four main categories star hotels, heritage hotels, budget hotels and unclassified hotels. It is expected that the budget and mid-market hotel segment will witness huge growth and expansion while the luxury segment will continue to perform extremely well over the next few years.

It is forecasted to be the number 3 market in the world by 2015 for hospitality and tourism.

The industry is growing at a very rapid pace and there is a demand for more rooms both in metros and smaller towns.

In short, the Indian hospitality industry is poised for tremendous growth as the demand-supply imbalance has prompted several national and international hotel companies to focus their energies towards expansion in India. The next few years will thus witness the opening of several hotels in India.

Regulatory policy

The Ministry of Tourism is the nodal authority & along Dept. of Tourism it is responsible policies promotion & regulation of hospitality industry particular hotels.

The following are the some of important guidelines issued by the Dept. of Tourism.

.Approval of Hotels at Project Stage and Classification & Reclassification of Hotels.
.Guidelines for Classification of Heritage Hotels.
.Time Share Resorts (TSR).
.Stand Alone Restaurants
.Guidelines for apartment hotels.
.Guidelines for approval of Guest Houses.

FDI in this sector is permitted up to 100 per cent on the automatic route. For foreign technology agreements, automatic approval is granted if:-

.Up to 3 per cent of the capital cost of the project is proposed to be paid for technical and consultancy services.

.Up to 3 per cent of the net turnover is payable for franchising and marketing/publicity fee, and

.Up to 10 per cent of gross operating profit is payable for management fee, including incentive fee.

Incentives

Tax incentives under the current Budget

.Five year holiday from income tax being granted to two, three or four star hotels established in specified districts having UNESCO-declared ‘World Heritage Sites’; the hotel should be constructed and start functioning during the period April 1, 2008 to March 31, 2013.

.FBT exempted on crche, employee sports, guest houses facilities.

.No specific projections for this sector under the Current Budget.

Conclusion

The thriving economy and increased business opportunities especially growth in the tourism in India have acted as a boon for Indian hotel industry.

The future scenario of Indian hotel industry looks extremely rosy. It is expected that the budget and mid-market hotel segment will witness huge growth and expansion while the luxury segment will continue to perform extremely well over the next few years.

Cheap Boston Hotels Staying in Boston the Affordable Way

Posted on October 18, 2019 by blogger

Boston is a name that many associate with worldwide repute as an established cultural and academic hub. Walk down the streets of Boston and you will be instantly charmed and fascinated by the quaint architecture, lush greenery in the parks and gardens, historical landmarks, and of course, the most prestigious universities in the world including Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

If you decide to explore this incredible city on a budget, you might be wondering if there are many budget accommodation choices in a place where signs of luxury and prestige, including the biggest luxury hotel chains, are prominent everywhere. You will thus be glad to discover a decent range of cheap Boston hotels that are not only value for money, but also provide easy access to the citys many sightseeing, dining, sporting and entertainment options.

Looking for a modestly priced lodging that provides a satisfactory guest experience in Boston? You will certainly not be disappointed by the budget to mid-ranged accommodation you can find throughout the city, as these hotels provide an intimate ambience at an affordable price. The charming character of Boston is certainly reflected in the furnishings and dcor of these hotels, while you can enjoy the comfort and basic amenities that are adequate in leaving you feeling well-rested and ready to continue your exploration of the city.

When planning your trip to Boston, it is best to consult the events calendar as hotel occupancy rates usually rise sharply during certain popular events and festivals such as Independence Day, Patriots Day and the Boston Marathon. As Boston boasts several top universities in the city, it is also to be expected that the graduation weekend towards the end of May will also result in more people streaming into the city to attend the ceremonies, resulting in less available rooms as well.

If you want to get the best rates as well as a room in the downtown hotel of your choice, it is thus especially crucial that you book well in advance if your visit takes place during these time periods. All is not lost if you fail to secure a room however, as there are more cheap accommodation options in the suburban areas of the city which are also well-served by Bostons public transportation network.

One main advantage of Boston is that it is a relatively small city, which makes it easier to explore the various attractions within walking distance of each other. This is why the downtown and Back Bay areas are especially recommended if you would prefer to be located close to these sights. You may be thinking that there may be less cheap accommodation options close to the city centre, but you would be surprised by the diverse types of budget accommodation that exist alongside their more outstanding luxury counterparts. You can find bed and breakfasts, motels and mid-ranged hotels near the city centre which allow you to pick something that suits your tastes and budget.

For business travelers, I especially recommend the downtown area, also known as the financial district, as there are numerous accommodations and business facilities specifically catered to the needs of busy executives. Tourists can choose to stay in either the downtown or Back Bay areas as both locations are well-connected by Bostons public transport network which includes the subway and trolley.

Here, you will also find endless options to keep you well-fed and entertained cafes, restaurants, bars, shopping centres and historical landmarks. Arts buffs can also benefit from staying in these areas as the theatre district is just a stones throw away.