It's a Sellers' Market!

If you didn’t know it already, it’s a sellers’ market and hotels worldwide are reaping the benefits. With business booming again, it’s becoming harder for planners and groups find availability and harder still to negotiate the rates, space and concessions they are used to contracting. Many hotels say it’s the best market they’ve seen in 30 years with consistent bookings for the next 24 to 36 months. The Incentive Research Foundation started their “Pulse Surveys” in 2008 to track trends in the industry. During the recession, 86% of groups were reducing their number of rooms and/or the number of nights. Now, only 12% of groups are reducing their blocks while most are increasing.

It helps to know what is most important to your group. If you can be flexible on the location and/or dates/pattern, you might be able find an opening at great hotel that can offer more concessions. If your location and dates are fixed, you should expect to pay higher rates with fewer concessions. 

Did you know?

China Business Travel to Skyrocket By 61 percent Over Next 5 Years.

Kimpton Instant Meetings - Big on Small Groups

Meet K.I.M. – Kimpton Instant Meetings. It’s a perfect tool for confirming a meeting for up to 50 guests; from 5 to 45 days out; from 6 to 25 guest rooms; and staying up to 7 days.  It’s quick and easy to use offering you the ability to choose your meeting room set up as well as a meeting package with the click of a button. It just doesn’t get easier than this. Thank you, Kimpton Hotels!

Welcome to Miami!

The Royal Palms Miami managed by HEI Hotels & Resorts is a Starwood hotels franchise. It is located in the heard of South Beach fronting the Atlantic Ocean. It’s has 393 guest rooms in an art deco style. Each guest gets a “Beach Box” as shown here which contains water, fresh fruit, and hand sanitizer. Personalized boxes can be created on request. It also comes with a “Sun Concierge” to remind you to turn over to ensure an even tan and offers buckets of water to help your feet stay cool in the sand. Check it out for yourself and see what you think. http://www.royalpalmsouthbeach.com/

More Airports Offering Free WiFi!

 VINCI Airports is pleased to offer free and unlimited WiFi service in its 24 airports in France, Portugal and Cambodia.  Go VINCI!