Shanty Creek Resorts in Michigan has partnered with Northwind-Maestro PMS to put into place a multi-property, multi-module hotel software technology platform that helps people shop and book their own accommodations online.  This has resulted in a ten dollar increase in ADR, because of the ease of use for guests.

Shanty Creek properties provide everything for travelers, whether business or recreational.  Championship golf courses, ski mountains and fine dining outlets help create a very attractive destination throughout the seasons.

Northwind-Maestro’s ‘Web Connection’ is a complete eBusiness package of online profitability tools.  Some features include the ResWave booking engine, and a tool that maximizes revenue, enhances service provided to guests and lowers the cost-per-reservation booked directly on the hotel website.

According to Leslie Chinn, Shanty Creek Resorts’ revenue management director, all three “Village” properties are unique.  Cedar River Village offers one and two bedroom condos, Schuss Village is a budget minded property, and Summit Village is their flagship.  By implementing the Maestro Multi-Property Suite that supports these three separate operations on one database, personalized guest service is streamlined and clients experience faster reservation booking.

Due to these changes, the company has noticed that direct hotel website bookings have risen by five percent, and ADR is up ten dollars.

BedandBreakfast.com recently conducted a survey that found that almost 80% of travelers intend to take as many or more trips this season as they did last year.

More than 3,300 travelers responded to the survey. The results were evenly split, with about half claiming they would take “staycations”, where they stay closer to home, and “go-cations”, where they travel a further distance by driving or flying.  Of the survey respondents, 67% say that if gas does climb to $4 per gallon, they will reduce their travel plans.

Sandy Soule, Marketing VP at BedandBreakfast.com said they are relieved to learn that even with soaring gas prices over the last month, 70% of respondents still plan to take from two to four trips between now and labor day.  Since last year, the percentage of people who said they would stay closer to home has decreased, which may show more hope that the economy is strengthening somewhat.

To reduce costs, many respondents stated that they will spend less each day while vacationing, or reduce the length of their vacation.  Half of the people who responded to the survey said the motivation for travel was simply the need to get away, while 76% feel that they will travel more because of good deals being offered on lodging.

It is clear that people intending to vacation are responding to the travel bargains available.  Reduced airfares and lodging rates are enticing many to go ahead and get away from it all, at least for a few days.

The World Business Summit on Climate Change in Copenhagen, which was held May 24 - 26, is where global business leaders gathered together for the presentation by the World Economic Forum about responding to climate change.

The report ‘Towards a Low Carbon Travel and Tourism Sector’ represents a collaboration between the World Economic Forum, UNWTO, UNEP, the International Civil Aviation Organization and Tourism and Travel business leaders.  Efforts are being made to lessen greenhouse gas emission in varying areas of the travel industry, such as transport and accommodation.

The study also includes innovative methods that may be used to finance and transform towards a green economy and believes public-private partnerships may be a solution.  The crucial issue discussed in the study is how to efficiently shift toward a low carbon lifestyle that can be sustained.  According to Geoffrey Limpan, UNWTO Assistant Secretary, the study is meant to draw attention to the travel and tourism industries in regards to climate changes and lessening carbon emissions.

The study points out that collectively, consumers, industry stakeholders and governments can improve the low carbon sustainability of travel.  This will enable continued growth of the sector and sustain the economic development of nations.

The need to continually address climate change and poverty along with the economic crisis was also discussed in the report.

Hyatt Hotels & Resorts have teamed up with National Geographic Kids to re-launch its year-round Camp Hyatt program, which will give children ages 3 to 12 more opportunities to have fun and experience cultural activities at participating North American Hyatt resorts.

The program kicked off on May 29 with a new website, which you can visit at www.camphyatt.com.  The website and the renovated Camp Hyatt program are designed to teach children about topics such as culture, animals, recycling and water in fun and interactive ways.

Each program will be different, according to the natural environment of each Hyatt resort location.  Kids are invited to visit the website at www.camphyatt.com to see what all of the excitement is about, and to help build anticipation for their family vacation.

Some of the features kids will find on the site include environmental awareness and appreciation, animal games and art, arts and crafts related to culture, and a National Geographic kids entertainment library.

Hyatt Hotels & Resorts is reviving the classic family vacation to celebrate the new Camp Hyatt program.  This new package includes:

15% savings on restaurant dining for registered guests

15% savings on Hyatt Pure spa services in locations that offer this service

Complimentary half day of Camp Hyatt for one child

Exclusive access to a 20% shopping discount on NationalGeographic.com

Registered guests receive full daily breakfast

Now through September 7, 2009 this family package is offered at participating Hyatt hotels.  You can learn more by visiting classicfamilyvacation.com.  Be sure to use offer code FAMVAC, or you can call 1-800-233-1234 for more information.

According to Michael George, president and CEO of Crescent Hotels & Resorts, properly setting beer and food prices, along with other services offered by hotels, can help drive room sales.  This seems to be especially true of full-service hotels that have an attractive staff and nice atmosphere.

Also being noted is that banquets and meetings are more frequently being booked as day meetings instead of overnight meetings.  The Hilton brand Embassy Suites has been less affected by this trend because if offers value and extra services.  For example, some incentives include a manager’s cocktail hour and free breakfast.  It seems that adding value helps book rooms as well.

Style and design is another issue that is being looked into, according to Fredrik Korallus, executive VP and COO Radisson Hotels and Resorts.  Although people are looking to save money in a recession, they still notice properties that are attractive when it comes to style and design.  According to Korallus, ugly costs just as much as attractive.

The consensus seems to be that by adding value, lowering food and bar prices, and offering attractive properties with a good atmosphere, this may be the “new normal” when it comes to generating better revenues in the hotel industry.

Aruba Bucuti Beach Resort owner Ewald Biemans has built up his accommodation to be environmentally friendly over the last quarter century, and he has a few pointers that will help travelers who are interested in “green” concepts to choose hotels and resorts that are eco-minded.

Good staff training is essential for the hotel industry if they want to call themselves green.  When choosing accommodations, look around to see if the staff and guides, as well as gift shops, demonstrate in any way that they are committed to helping the community.  If the hotel or resort employs locals and stocks items in their gift stores that are native to the area, it is a good sign that the facility is eco-minded.

When traveling, go for facilities that encourage their guests to do their part in helping protect the environment.  Upon arriving at your destination, check with the hotel to see if they harness renewable energy and/or participate in the reduction of waste.

Many in the hotel and resort information brand themselves as being environmentally friendly, but not all are truly dedicated to being green.  A little research can help you be certain that the choice you make is really “green”, and not just greenwashed.

It seems that when we are traveling, our good intentions to be eco-conscious slip a bit.  While at home, many of us try to conserve energy by recycling glass and plastic, raising the thermostat in warm weather, etc.  Not so much when traveling, it appears.

According to the Eco-Travel Index, which is an annual index of green travel habits among those who travel often, here are some interesting findings:

1.  Nearly half of frequent travelers claim they recycle glass and plastic when at home.  When traveling, this number decreases to 36%.

2.  When it comes to traveling, water consumption doesn’t appear to be as important.  While 34% claim to limit water at home by taking shorter showers and watering the lawn less, only 20% limit consumption while traveling.

3.  While most people use sheets and towels at home for several days, they are more likely to change daily when staying in a hotel.

While these results may be surprising, it is good to know that some people continue their efforts to improve the environment even when not at home.

According to Smith Travel Research (STR) the U.S. hotel industry declined in three key performance measurements during the week ending May 16 2009. Room occupancy fell 12.6% to end the week at 57.8%. The average daily rate was $98.33, a drop of 10%.

Of the Top 25 Markets, none posted increases in any of the three key performance areas. Atlanta posted the largest decline in occupancy of 18.8%. Washington, D.C.-Maryland-Virginia posted the smallest decline at 5.4%. The only states to experience average daily rate declines of more than 20% were New York, New York at 31.6% and San Francisco/San Mateo, California 22.8%.

Of the seven chain-scale segments, the largest drop in occupancy was seen in the Midscale with Food and Beverage segment. This segment declined 14.6% to 52.7%. Performance declines were led by the Luxury segment in the remaining two key performance measurements. The Luxury segment experienced a 20.1% average daily rate decline to $237.05 and a 31.3% drop in Revenue Per Available Room to $150.40

At one time, the thoughts of staying at a hotel implementing “green” practices conjured up thoughts of toilet paper with the texture of sandpaper.  As more and more businesses are going “green”, this term no longer equates to lower quality or sacrifices.

Now, it seems that vacationers are starting to realize that “green” practices used by many hotels can actually improve their health!  How can that be?  Here is a recent article from Heavenly Bed HR Management:

a “green” guest room can help reduce the stresses that typically accompany us on business trips.  Natural cleaning products, non-toxic materials and equipment designed to generate an abundant supply of fresh air create better air quality, resulting in fewer allergies and a good night’s sleep.

In times past, the practice of going “green” with a hotel included increased expenses.  Now, those times are receding and the costs associated with going “green” are more in line with the traditional marketplace.  The word “green” practically drips of savings now in the vocabularies or green hotel operations.

Conserve.  Reduce.  Buy Local.  Serve in Bulk.

Consider some of these things for a moment.  Light bulbs that conserve energy mean you pay for less energy.  Water-saving fixtures in hotel bathrooms mean that charges included in room rates for water will be reduced.

Guests can now stay at environmentally friendly hotels that may make them healthy AND a little more wealthy, without sacrificing quality and comfort.

The economy has resulted in many people choosing not to take vacations - which has effected Walt Disney Co. profits for the second quarter dramatically , a whopping 46% drop in net income.  In an effort to reassure investors, Disney management dropped hints that the declining economy seems to be easing up.

Disney’s net income fell to 33 cents a share for the quarter ending March 28, which was worth 58 cents a year earlier.  The brunt of the recession appears to be hitting Disney’s parks.

According to Robert A. Iger, Disney Chief Executive, action was taken to keep visitors coming to Disney’s domestic parks, which had a predictable impact on margins.  Discounted hotel rates resulted in increased attendance during the quarter when Walt Disney attendance decreased 1%, and Disneyland at Anaheim had a 2% gain.  This helped increase occupancy, but also resulted in a 17% drop in spending per room.

Disney’s broadcasting business continued to be weak due to decreases in local ad sales, resulting in decreased revenue at Disney’s television stations.  Higher international sales of “Criminal Minds”, “Ugly Betty” and “Desperate Housewives” helped balance program expenditures.

In recent years, ABC has been unsuccessful in launching a new hit show.  Ratings have slid 3%, which could mean a rough ride in coming months.  The advance sale of commercial time will soon begin, and it is believed ABC will have a hard time maintaining its share of revenues due to advertisers having to pay increased rates for a smaller viewing audience.

Revenue also slipped for Disney’s interactive media group, which fell 17% to $129 million.  This loss was caused by a reduction of sales in Disney’s video games.