Thursday, the 14th of August 2008, will always remain significant for GATE- Global Academy of Tourism & Hospitality Education, adding yet another cornerstone of its very foundation of making differences, learning, celebrating people and unleashing their true potential. The GATE College hosted the graduation ceremony of vulnerable young students who got opportunity to learn basics of cooking, hygiene & sanitation, book-keeping and customer service in GATE College in order to become self employed in their brand new street food cart which will soon be in the market to sale various delicacy that is possible to prepare and sale safely in the street.

A video with the Top 10 tips from Craig Cochran, Director of Human Resources for Movenpick Hotels & Resorts, Middle East & Asia for hoteliers considering a move to Dubai (or the Middle East in general) to take up a job. The video explores some basics you need to keep in mind and also touches on some key considerations for employment in the region.

Long version:

A great video that just needs to be shared! A superb video by Matthew Harding (Matt), who spent 14 months, visited 42 countries and got a cast of thousands involved in his dance around the world... guaranteed to make your day!


Where the Hell is Matt? (2008) from Matthew Harding on Vimeo.

Share this video with everyone you know!

tags: people, video, talent-jungle, matt, where-the-hell-is-matt, matthew-harding, inspiration, world, cultures

We catch up with Lucas Baumann, proud SSTH & HTW alumnus and now sailing the world! Lucas tells us about his experience in the Cruise industry and a few sights to see along the way...



Cruising – where the way is the goal. During my time in the SSTH Hotel Management School in Switzerland, I have learned becoming a world citizen and after my BBA in Hospitality and Tourism Management I decided to go abroad, experiencing the world and its different cultures. My strong desire to travel the world has led me to become a proud Princess Cruises Crew Member. This offers me the opportunity to work and travel at the same time – what a wonderful experience.

Four Points by Sheraton today announced Simple Pleasures and smiles for sale on the brand’s newly designed retail web site - fourpoints.com/store. Much more than sheets and beds, the Four Points retail site is dedicated to curating items that will surprise and delight. Are you a fan of the Four Points Chief Beer Officer or Best Brews program? The beer-loving public can proudly wear specially designed vintage t-shirts proclaiming their love for all that is beer. Looking for something salty or sweet? The new site features a selection of yummy treats from pie and pretzel making kits to Dale & Thomas popcorn samplers. And for those in search of some fun, nostalgic kids’ games and fancy free summer items are also available.

We catch up with young hotelier Kevin Levine, who started podcasting hospitality industry news a little while ago. Here is the excerpt of our exclusive Talent Jungle interview:



- Name: Kevin Levine, based in Washington, DC.
- Could you tell us about your association with and your experience in the hospitality industry?I went to college at Johnson and Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island for Hotel Management. While in college I was hired by a major hotel chain at the age of 19, which I still work for after 4 years.

Indian television and media is full of glowing examples of PG-rated creativity and ad brilliance. Here are a new series of adverts / commercials launched by the Indian online travel agent / booking site called MakeMyTrip.com:

Lower Airfares Advert

Market-leading revenue-management software for hospitality sector expands SAS’ portfolio of industry-specific solutions. CARY, NC (Aug. 04, 2008) – SAS, the leader in business intelligence and analytics, has acquired IDeaS Revenue Optimization, the premier provider of advanced revenue-management software for the hospitality industry.

With its existing broad and powerful portfolio of market-leading advanced analytics, business intelligence and industry-specific solutions, SAS now has the leading revenue-management offering designed specifically for the travel and hospitality industries. IDeaS customers will benefit from the global resources of SAS, a $2 billion company.

The Travel Industry Association reports that Americans are expected to take more than 327 million leisure trips this summer. But as travelers hit the road, many are feeling the pinch of gas prices averaging above $4 per gallon. Many Hotel chains have hopped onto the Gas promotion bandwagon and are offering Gas credits, Gas vouchers and rebates for travellers over Summer, in an effort to lure guests to their hotels. Even Hotels.com has taken this route...check out their funny commerical:





tags: hotels, resorts, hospitality, gas, fuel, discounts, specials, promotions, ideas

Starwood Hotels & Resorts and ADNEC to Introduce the First Element(SM) Hotel in the Middle East. Striking Element extended-stay brand is to become a part of Abu Dhabi's AED 8 billion (US$2.3 billion) Capital Centre. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) & Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC), have jointly announced the launch of a new Element hotel in Abu Dhabi - the first to be introduced in the Europe, Africa and Middle East division.

The new Element hotel is scheduled to open in 2011 at the prestigious Capital Centre development in Abu Dhabi - a business and residential micro-city including a state-of-the art exhibition centre, a 2.4km marina development, and a gravity defying, iconic feature tower known as Capital Gate. Element will showcase 36 studios, 144 one-bedroom guest rooms, and 90 two-bedroom units, a restaurant, swimming pool and fitness center ideally suiting the business and leisure traveler. Adjacent to the exhibition centre and close to the marina, the hotel will be easily accessible from all points.

An update from Jeff Ross, who announces his latest school partnership. Congratulations! The official release:

Hospitality Graduate Recruitment is pleased to announce Plekhanov Russian Economic Academy as its 200th international hospitality university partner. h-g-r (www.h-g-r.com), founded by Managing Director Jeff Ross - who is himself a hotel school graduate, a past lecturer for Swiss Hotel Schools and a former General Manager with Intercontinental Hotels Group - knows well the challenges that hotel schools and hospitality employers both face in providing students and alumni with career guidance, training placements and job opportunities. Via its leading website, h-g-r offers a unique solution for hotel schools, graduates and employers alike.