To cater to India’s fast growing hotel and travel industry, Dynamic Vertical Solutions (DVS) launched Cenium - a cohesive secure system with single database and a standardized user interface. Cenium is a system built directly on the Microsoft DynamicsTM platform, one of the most widely used financial and ERP-systems in the world. The software provides the industry with a one-stop business solution in terms of a hospitality front office together with an accounting back office. Cenium solutions have been deployed by hotel chains like Choice Group of Hotels and the Clarion Collection; one the largest chain of business/leisure hotels in Scandinavia.

TravelCLICK has just sent out the above email / HTML campaign to subscribers announcing their new SearchVIEW product. SearchVIEW, which was announced in June 2007, is a product aimed at the hospitality industry (or specifically hoteliers without the dedicated resources to focus on online marketing & distribution) which will cover Online User Reviews, Search visibility / marketing and Online Travel Agency / Meta-search engine visibility.

By - Reda Hossain, SSTH Media Co-ordinator, KSA

"Hospitality is innate among the Arabs as it is among the Swiss however the Swiss have taken it to a higher level by opening this hospitality to all, perfecting their art and bestowing it on everyone willing to learn." These words were expressed by Safwan Modhir, a man who has learned this art from Switzerland and is encouraging the education in this country through an exceptional institute aimed at excellence. In an interesting conversation he revealed how he was influenced into this industry and how he has attained his current views.

The Sheraton Doha Resort & Convention Hotel is the first Sheraton hotel in the Middle East to launch the Link@Sheraton, a new brand standard intended to create a lively experience for guests while working online.

The opening ceremony and ribbon cutting was honored by the presence of Roeland Vos, President Europe, Africa and the Middle East for Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Gerhard Foltin, General Manager of the Sheraton Doha in addition to high profile Executives, celebrating the launch of a new distinguished facility.

The Talent Jungle presents our featured hotelier, our "chosen one". This feature highlights the talented and devoted professionals in the hotel & hospitality industry and brings out their experiences, strengths, background and more...in an effort to build a base of knowledge and connect people together.

I had the pleasure of experiencing the renowned hospitality of the Sheraton Belgravia in Central London a few weeks ago and had the chance to corner the hotel's very capable and warm General Manager, Sofia Vandaele and ask her a few questions...

New Tools and Features like "MY SPG" and "HOTEL EXPLORER" Give Members Personalized Access and Customized On-Line Experience

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has announced the re-design of SPG.com, the dedicated website for members of Starwood Preferred Guest - the industry's top rated hotel loyalty program. The re-designed site showcases a new look, new tools, features and downloads unprecedented in the hospitality industry that provide members with personalized access and a rich, customized on-line experience.

"The new SPG.com highlights the synergies between our award winning Loyalty program - Starwood Preferred Guest and Starwood's forward thinking and innovative web strategies," said Mark Vondrasek, senior vice president, Interactive Marketing and Loyalty Program, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Worldwide, Inc. "Our goal has always been to offer our members benefits that set a benchmark in the way travel loyalty programs do business and the new site remains true to this promise by delivering a vanguard and unique on-line experience that can only be found on SPG.com."

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has created a worldwide brand management leadership team to drive brand development across the globe.

The team will headed by Nina Bibby who will continue in her role as senior vice president, worldwide brand management, reporting directly to Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Peter Gowers.

$30MM Experiential Campaign Uses Non-Traditional Methods to Bring Renewal to Commuters in Major Transit Hubs Throughout the United States

This summer Westin Hotels & Resorts is transforming some of the country's most hectic transportation hubs into "places of renewal." Westin's $30 million campaign uses experiential mediums including 3-D and Bluetooth billboards, image-shifting lenticulars and sub-media (ads that appear to move on the train tunnel walls, much like a giant flip book), that bring to life the brand's ongoing concept of personal renewal. Rolling out in major cities including Chicago, Boston, Atlanta and San Francisco, the campaign culminates on August 1st in New York City when every possible media touch point in Grand Central Station will be a carefully choreographed brand immersion experience. One of many executions includes the interiors of three Grand Central/Times Square shuttle trains completely wrapped with 360-degree imagery of a lush rain forest, tropical scuba dive or a soothing sauna leading to an icy lakeshore.