Travel to lose 200,000+ jobs

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Nearly 200,000 travel-related jobs were lost in 2008. Another 247,000 are forecasted for 2009. And, the financial crisis is still developing. While we lament the loss of six- and seven-figure investment banking jobs, let’s not forget what those big money gigs mean for the travel industry.

Consider your average Wall Street titan. He’s still pulling down more than $1 million a year (somehow). So, he’s sitting on the couch in his rather large Chelsea apartment, wondering, “Do I need to take that golf trip down to Naples for the weekend?” For him, it’s throwaway. If he doesn’t head out for a few days, his life doesn’t change much.

Now, multiply this by several Wall Street titans for that weekend. Most of them decide to stay at home. Who suffers?

Well, an empty restaurant is a waiter’s nightmare. It’s also rough for the spa therapists, housekeepers and everyone else along the “travel supply chain.” Eventually, the companies have to cut back, and we see how that 247,000 projection becomes a reality.

For this reason, 10 of the largest hotel companies in the United States have urged members of Congress to remember the importance of business travel when developing legislation and regulations that may “unintentionally hinder economic recovery and cost American jobs.”

The hotel companies are: Carlson, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, Hilton, Hyatt, InterContinental Hotels Group, Loews, Marriott, Starwood and Wyndham Worldwide.

Stupidity at its best – alcoholic falls down stairs- sues hotel for brain damage

by Scott Carmichael on

Every now and then I run into an article that is so insane, it’s just too wacky to make up.

Such is the story of Michael Fenton. This self admitted alcoholic checked into the Marriott Marco Island resort and spa last January, apparently with the sole intention of getting plastered.

Two days into his debauchery, he walked out of the bar to make his way to the bathroom. Instead of relieving himself, he stumbled down a 100 foot staircase and now suffers from brain damage.

To most people, this would be an important wake up call – but not to Mr Fenton.

Instead of accepting responsibility for his actions, and be happy he survived the fall, he’s decided it would be much easier to blame the hotel, and sue them.

In his claim, he blames the hotel bartender for serving him, even though he was obviously intoxicated. He then goes on to claim the hotel staircase is a code violation.

The lawsuit seeks damages for injuries, pain, suffering, mental anguish, disfigurement, hospital expenses, medical and nursing care treatment, loss of earnings and loss of the ability to enjoy life. The damages were filed as being more than $15,000 (my guess is he’s asking for a couple of million).

I think he’s just lucky he was so drunk when he fell down those stairs, or he would have really injured himself. Keep your fingers crossed that he runs into a judge that gets this stupid case thrown out within 15 minutes, or this lunatic will be clogging the legal system for years.

(Via: Naples News)

Why are these the world’s weirdest hotels? Click the pictures to find out.

Hotels cut back on fruit, everything else

by Tom Johansmeyer on

At the low end and high end, hotels are slicing away amenities. Some are the little things that you may not notice, but others will stand out. However you stack it up, you get less for your money. When you hit that discount rate, realize that you may be getting a discounted experience.

What’s disappearing? Several Marriott properties have stopped leaving hand lotion in guestrooms, requiring guests to call the front desk and ask for it. You’ll find fewer towels at Wyndham hotels, and those in the Ritz-Carlton family are shortening operating hours for restaurants, retail shops and spas.

Sometimes, the impact is noticeable, even if the cuts are not. Check-in lines are likely to get longer, and you’ll be disappointed if you expect to enjoy a cup of coffee while you wait. Lobby food is disappearing across the country. This is what happens when hotels compete on price.

[Thanks, Bob Johansmeyer (yes, we’re related), [Via the Wall Street Journal, photo of amenities at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples, FL]

Nintendo Wii madness spreads to hotel rooms

by Scott Carmichael on

There is no denying that the Nintendo Wii is a success. It is the only game console that is still challenging to find on store shelves, despite being out since 2006. So it comes as no surprise that some hotels are cashing in on the hype by offering special “Wii packages”.

Marriott currently have 5 properties in their portfolio who are offering a special “Wii and you” (groan!) package, which consists of a night in one of their rooms, a Nintendo Wii with 20 built in games, the Wii Fit unit and “a basket of sweet treats delivered upon arrival”.

The “Wii and you” amenity adds between $20 and $50 per night to the room rate, which is actually quite decent. Wii freaks will be interested to read that the Marriott Wii unit was specially developed by Nintendo for use in public areas, and does not require the use of game discs, all the games are built into the unit and can be selected using the Wii remote.

Marriott was not the first hotel chain to take advantage of the Wii hype, Several Westin hotels recently introduced the game console as part of their WestinWorkout fitness program, but the Wii and You program from Marriott is the first to bring the Wii into the hotel room itself.

In-room entertainment sure has evolved in recent years, guests are apparently no longer interested in $19 porno flicks and $7 diet cokes from the minibar.

I’m not sure I see myself sitting in a hotel room playing Wii sports, but I do think it could be a great way to keep the kids entertained while mommy and daddy enjoy some adult conversation, so kudos to Marriott for this innovation.