EXCLUSIVE: Carlson’s CEO Joly talks about the Rezidor merger

EXCLUSIVE BY JAMES WILKINSON

Carlson Hotels’ CEO Hubert Joly says the company’s merger with the Rezidor Hotel Group will result in a “more consistent alignment” of its portfolio of brands and the “continued growth” of properties around the world.

The Observatory Hotel to offer a taste of the Cipriani

The Observatory Hotel is set to be gastronomically transformed in February when internationally-renowned chef Renato Piccolotto, from Venice’s Hotel Cipriani takes over the kitchen for a series of seven-course degustation dinners.

Adelaide’s ICHM offers first badged degree with Swiss Hotel Association

Adelaide’s International College of Hotel Management (ICHM) has teamed up with the Swiss Hotel Association to offer a badged degree, the first time ever outside Switzerland.

QantasLink adds 200,000 seats in regional Queensland

QantasLink is adding over 200,000 seats per year throughout regional Queensland with the introduction of Boeing 717 jet services from Brisbane to Rockhampton, Gladstone and Mackay from mid-March.

Accor rebrands Hotel Nikko Jakarta under Pullman flag

Accor, the largest hotel operator in Indonesia has announced the official takeover of Hotel Nikko Jakarta with the hotel now sporting the Pullman hotel brand.

Boost to inbound arrivals as Emirates adds Spanish flights

In a boost to inbound Australasian tourism, Emirates is increasing its presence in Spain with the launch of Barcelona flights and the doubling of Madrid services from July.

Hamilton Island welcomes the return of Business Class

For the first time in eight years, flights to Hamilton Island will feature Business Class and the move to introduce the cabin by Virgin Australia is set to boost luxury traffic to the destination.

Resorts soldier on despite flooded NSW North Coast

It has been business as usual for many NSW and Queensland resorts amid recent torrential rainfall and threat of flooding.

Rise of automation puts face-to-face service in the spotlight

The rise of self-service and DIY transactions has made encounters with great face-to-face service all the more important, especially when dining out and on holiday, says Head of William Blue College of Hospitality Management, Andrew Ugarte.

The Langham Auckland strikes gold with EarthCheck

The Langham, Auckland has secured the prestigious EarthCheck Gold level of certification through the world’s leading certifier of travel and tourism organisations.