Happy Thanksgiving!

Travel safely. Sleep well.
Thank you for reading "Get A Room!"
www.landmarkhotelgroup.com

Virginia Beach and OBX are Open for Business!

You probably heard a lot about Virginia Beach, Virginia and the Outer Banks of North Carolina recently, what with that pesky nor'easter that parked itself on us for a few days. While The Weather Channel tagged the event as an "Atlantic Assault," the locals came to know the storm (quite well, what with the nearly four days it spent visiting us!) as "Nor'Ida," named for the remnants of a hurricane that developed in the Gulf of Mexico, and the nor'easter that it became.

The good news is that LHG hotels in both of these areas weathered the storm better than expected, considering the wind and rain, and never ceased operating during the event. Management teams at the five hotels in these destinations did an incredible job of taking care of guests that found themselves staying a couple of extra days until the storm passed, and were able to continue operations as normal throughout the storm.

For some, this may have been the first time you've paid much attention to either of these destinations, so I thought I would allow for a more proper introduction to a couple of vacation spots that are already recovering from this latest storm, and that deserve to be seen in their "natural" state!

Landmark Hotel Group hotels in North Carolina's Outer Banks

Comfort Inn Oceanfront North, Kill Devil Hills, NC
Comfort Inn Oceanfront South, Nags Head, NC

Landmark Hotel Group hotels in Virginia Beach:
Crowne Plaza Virginia Beach-Norfolk
Candlewood Suites Virginia Beach-Norfolk
Howard Johnson Oceanfront Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach Prepares to Welcome Whales!

Virginia Aquarium whale watching boat tours begin late December showcasing humpback and fin whales migrating off the coast.

It moves through the water with amazing grace, in search of its next meal. It plummets toward the depths of the deep sea throwing its fluke upward out of the water with great force. Then in a flash, it’s gone. It’s wintertime – the humpback and fin whales are returning to Virginia Beach.

Virginia Beach invites you to observe these mystifying sea creatures up close. The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center offers 2 – 2½ hour whale watching boat trips from late December through mid-March, narrated by a trained Virginia Aquarium educator. Whale watching packages also will be available from December through March through the Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau’s site at www.vbfun.com. The packages will include accommodations, and admission aboard a whale watching boat trip, the Virginia Aquarium and its 3D IMAX® Theater. Visitors to Virginia Beach can also enjoy a range of winter activities, including, holiday lights along the boardwalk and ice skating at Neptune’s Park through February.

Thanks to the food-rich mouth of the Chesapeake Bay and warm Atlantic Ocean waters, surprisingly acrobatic humpback and fin whales can be seen diving, breaching, spyhopping and lobtailing off the coast each winter. These massive creatures can weigh up to 70 tons, range up to 79 feet long and consume an impressive 1 ½ tons of food each day. With speeds up to 23 mph, humpback and fin whales display amazing behaviors when in search of food and when communicating with other whales. The characteristic “singing” of humpback whales produces long, complex songs that are language between these animals. Interestingly, whales of the Northern American Atlantic have their own song, while whales of the Pacific carry their own tune. A typical song lasts up to 20 minutes and can be repeated for hours. Fin whales, otherwise known as the “Greyhounds of the Sea” are among the fastest of the great whales, and can travel in groups of three to seven.

I found a video on YouTube that was posted in January of 2009 by some visitors who ventured out on one of these Whale Watching excursions. Enjoy!

Welcome to the USA

NTA Has Some 'Splainin' to Do

In an article published on the NTA website entitled "NTA Takes Message of Opening Cuba to NY Media," the National Tour Association has announced that they are promoting "the freedom to travel to Cuba."

Are you kidding me?

I have some questions regarding the motives here, especially at a time when so many of us in the U.S. travel and tourism industries are looking for new ways to promote inbound international travel and domestic travel to both individual and group travelers.

How is travel to Cuba in the interest of members of the National Tour Association, unless the nation this association is representing is Cuba?

Seriously, I don't get it.

Don't get me wrong, I don't have an issue with traveling to Cuba, but at the same time I don't have any personal interest in visiting that country. I'm old enough to know about our country's history with them and young enough not to hold a grudge, but wouldn't promoting tourism to Cuba fall under the jurisdiction of, say, a Cuban Tour Association?

Wouldn't NTA's members be better served by a move to promote tourism in this nation, in turn doing their part to boost the sagging economy here at home?

With the shape of the economy in the U.S., I'm quite certain that members of organizations like NTA are looking for them them to create initiatives like those being promoted by organizations like the USTA which is campaigning to promote U.S. tourism to people in foreign countries and has launched their "Meetings Mean Business" campaign to promote responsible business travel, and the American Bus Association, which, in my opinion, has become the strongest advocate of domestic travel by focusing their efforts on promoting destinations that can be reached by putting rubber to the road.

As an American in the hotel business in the United States, I wonder how freeing Americans to spend U.S. dollars in Cuban hotels helps the sector of NTA's membership comprised of U.S. hoteliers? And if this is the wave of NTA's future, why not take an even bigger leap and become the International Tour Association?

This whole issue has left me scratching my head. Is it just me, or has NTA missed the boat?

Ironing Board Abuse

Ever wondered why there's an unusual dent in your hotel room ironing board, or why it doesn't necessarily open or close properly?

As hotel employees, we don't always know what happens to the poor, defenseless ironing boards provided in the hotel rooms... but thanks to YouTube (and videos like this one), we're getting a pretty good idea.

Please don't try this at home, or anywhere else for that matter!

Good News for Travel Planners

If you're the person who handles corporate travel for your company, from negotiating a preferred rate for your organization or issuing and reviewing RFPs, to actually making the reservations, life is getting easier for you.

Some hotels are now able to provide you with a link directly to an online page where your rate is loaded, and reservations can be made instantly. No more waiting on hold for reservations. No more trying to track down a sales manager to confirm what your corporate rate is. No more hoping that the person you've made a reservation for received the correct rate.

No kidding.

In fact, the name of your company will appear at the top of the page, eliminating any doubt that it's your company's negotiated rate.

I know that the Crowne Plaza Virginia Beach-Norfolk, Candlewood Suites Virginia Beach-Norfolk, and Candlewood Suites Richmond Airport in LHG's Virginia portfolio currently have this capability through software provided by IHG.

I can't speak for all hotel brands just yet, but I suspect this is becoming more and more accessible each year. And while I'm sure many of you already know about this technology, I thought it would be beneficial to share its existence with those who haven't discovered it yet.

As you're negotiating rates or issuing RFPs for your company, it might save you plenty of time and frustration if you ask up front whether this service is available through their reservations systems.

Orbitz is Obsessed!

I was scanning the web looking for inspiration, and whaddya know, I found some.

Here's the release from Orbitz.com concerning recent changes they've made:

Orbitz.com Delivers Customers Improved Flexibility and Value with New Change Fee and Cancellation Fee Policy

With more and more people reserving hotel rooms online, this has to come as a welcome change! I know we're seeing an increased number of reservations through third party channels at several of our hotels this year, and have been watching the numbers grow year after year.

As people become more comfortable and secure with booking online, something tells me we'll be seeing additional breaks for travel consumers in the coming months.

Home: At the Heart of Candlewood Suites

Candlewood Suites uses the slogan "Consider Us Home." But for this IHG brand, "home" is actually something more than just something they'd like for you to consider them to be while you're out of town on business for an extended period of time.

Home is something they have the heart to build.

Take a look at this home, and the hand Candlewood Suites had in making it happen with Habitat for Humanity.



If you're a Priority Club Rewards member, you can help. Candlewood Suites has a way for Priority Club members to donate Priority Club points to benefit the humanitarian work they do through Habitat for Humanity through IHG's Priority Club Rewards for Hope Program, where points are converted to cash donations.

You rock, Candlewood Suites. You really do.

In Virginia, the Landmark Hotel Group manages the Candlewood Suites Virginia Beach-Norfolk, and the Candlewood Suites Richmond Airport.

Go With What (and Who) You Know

In a recent post on Travel-Rants, blogger extraordinaire Darren Cronian uncovers some of the frustrations travelers face when trying to book travel.

It's true. There seems to be a billion choices, and another billion ways in which to do the hours and hours of research some feel is necessary in order to make the choices they feel will give them the biggest bangs for their bucks. I don't think this is a phenomenon that's only affected the leisure or holiday traveler. I've seen this sort of struggle to find the best deal bleed over to corporate and government business travelers, as well as to meeting planners and tour operators.

Unfortunately, the prices that may appear to be giving these travelers the best deal may also be short-changing them on services--and possibly security--and as a result, is in the end providing them with far less value.

Granted, money is money, and people these days seem to be more willing than ever to shift their loyalties to the lowest bidder for the sole sake of spending less, but is what they're getting at the lower price really providing them with the best value?

What appears to have gone out the window in many of these instances is the loyalty certain companies and brands have earned, and used to enjoy.

Don't get me wrong, I still run into the occasional traveler who will say, "I love Hilton Garden Inns, so that's where I always stay." One said he's always had a great experience with them, so keeps coming back... no matter what he had to pay.

Others insist that for extended stays, they feel more comfortable staying at a Candlewood Suites because they've consistently done a great job of super-serving the long-term traveler. In fact, I spoke with a guest recently at the Candlewood Suites Richmond Airport who stated that no matter where he goes, he looks first for a Candlewood Suites.

Comfort Inns have become wildly popular for both business and leisure travelers, as the brand provides an outstanding value built into the complimentary breakfasts that they provide.

And when IHG's Crowne Plaza Hotels rolled out their "Sleep Advantage" and "The Place to Meet" programs, they were able to add value not only to the guest's sleep experience, but at the same time expand the services Crowne Plaza provides meeting planners and attendees.

I suppose it all boils down to what's truly important to you when deciding on a hotel, and I'm aware that searching for a hotel online is quite different than planning a trip with a live human being. Having had the opportunity to represent several brands within the Landmark Hotel Group family of hotels, I'm able to find--in getting to know potential clients--what their expectations are, and what really matters to them. If a client is traveling to Virginia Beach and indicates that an oceanfront property is important to them, I can discuss with them what the Howard Johnson Oceanfront has to offer. I know the hotel, I know the location, and I know whether it's a good fit for them. It would do me absolutely no good to try to persuade them to use a Candlewood Suites located eight miles from the beach. What I've found over the years is that clients are willing to go with my recommendations based on previous experiences they've had with The Landmark Hotel Group.

Likewise, it wouldn't benefit a client who is planning a business meeting for me to refer them to an oceanfront hotel, when there's an inland hotel in my portfolio that would better serve their needs, even if the oceanfront hotel might have a better rate during the time of year that they're planning their event.

In fact, based on the experiences one client has had with one of LHG's hotels, I have been asked by a few tour operators to provide information for future dates at all of the hotels I represent in one particular market. They didn't say "just give me the lowest rates." They said, "We want to begin working with the rest of them."

I can't help but wonder if the people that are switching from a mid-scale hotel brand to an economy brand have also switched to a store-brand toothpaste, generic shave cream, cheap luggage, and a knock-off cologne? Did that traveler pack their meals to avoid having to pay to eat out and fly on a no-frills airline to get to where they're going for less?

It may sound ludicrous, but I wonder at what point the decision to "trade down" or shift loyalties occurs, and why it may only apply to certain areas of our lives.

Even during a time when money is tight, I still think travelers searching for the best deals should search for them in familiar territory. Whether the choice you're faced with is on which airline to fly or in which hotel to stay, I think the best advice would be to go with what (or who) you know.

If you currently have a corporate account or your company has had a negotiated rate with a hotel for several years and are looking at reducing hotel costs, why wouldn't you begin negotiations with the hotel that has served and stood by you for years? If you know that you're receiving a good value with a hotel brand that has proven itself to be consistent stay after stay, why not give them a chance to work with you?

If you are a tour operator who has developed a relationship with a hotel or group of hotels that has met or exceeded your clients' expectations busload after busload, why not work with them to develop a series of trips?

In the hotel business, we're aware that customer loyalty is difficult to earn, and easy to lose. If the hotel you've been using has been loyal to you when times were good, providing you with services at standards you expect and honoring your agreement with them even when it meant not selling that last room they rented to you to another guest for the highest possible rate, they've shown you that they value your business.

I think you'll find it over and over again in your travels that the hotel that values your business will provide you with the best value, no matter what price you pay.

GroupConnect.com Names Managing Director

GroupConnect.com has announced the slection of veteran travel industry leader James J. Palmeri as Managing Director for GroupConnect.com, the new joint American Bus Association - Ontario Motor Coach Association online portal designed to be a one-stop shop for group travel needs. Palmeri joins the organization as it prepares for its launch.

As GroupConnect's Managing Director, Palmeri will be responsible for developing and executing a vigorous strategic business plan; managing product development and marketing plans; working to build coaliitions to achieve broad third-party stakeholder outreach; and serving as the group's primary media spokesperson.

Palmeri most recently served as Managing Director of Travel Alliance Partners, LLC (TAP), from 2005-2009. TAP, a marketing cooperative of North America's top tour operators was also a start-up when Palmeri joined as its first professional staffer. While at TAP, Palmeri was instrumental in developing a business blueprint from the organizations strategic plan, the major components of which he subsequently executed.

"Jim Palmeri's blend of motorcoach and group tour experience, his relationships with the tour and travel industries across North America, and his expertise in launching a successful new group travel start-up, make him the ideal person to lead GroupConnect," said OMCA President Brian Crow. "We're privileged to have him."

"When it comes to tourism, Jim Palmeri has done it all," said ABA President and CEO Peter Pantuso, CTIS. "He has developed the tour, driven the bus, managed 350 buses and 600 drivers during the Salt Lake City Olympic Games, and developed innovative training programs for the hospitality industry and CVBs, among many other accomplishments."

"I am thrilled to have the opportunity to be part of the revolution in online tour planning GroupConnect will lead," Palmeri said. "GroupConnect is going to alter the group tour and travel landscape by offering digital tools that streamline each step of the process. GroupConnect will turbocharge everything from tour & itinerary planning to booking business by seamlessly shifting tourism tools of the trad from desks to desktop PCs."

GroupConnect is poised to become a breakthrough technological innovation in how tour and travel business gets done. As an online B2B tool, time-consuming phone calls and paperwork will be replaced by high-speed internet that moves at warp speed. Netowkring, efficiency and maximizing ROI.

More information is available online at http://www.groupconnect.com.

"Hotel Room Service"

When I think about great songs with a hotel theme, what quickly comes to mind is "Hotel California" by the Eagles, "Heart Hotels" by Dan Fogelberg, and "Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis.

Will this one go down in history as one of those great songs about hotels?