Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Limited (MHRIL), one of the leading players in the leisure hospitality industry, today announced the launch of its new acquisition in Goa, the Club Mahindra Emerald Palms. With this acquisition, MHRIL has added another 106 rooms in Goa.

Club Mahindra now has the largest resort operations in South Goa taking its tally to 336 rooms with this acquisition. With the changes in the urban lifestyle reflecting in the increased holiday pattern of families, Club Mahindra also plans to keep up with this upward trend in India’s holidaying habits. This is the first of a series of launches that Club Mahindra will have in the next six months, whereby several new destinations will be added along with a significant increase in its room count.

Speaking on the occasion, Rajiv Sawhney, Managing Director said, “While discovering new destinations and placing them on the holidayer’s map has been a strong tradition at Mahindra Holidays, we always aim to ensure that our members can holiday where they want. This launch will significantly augment our capacity in Goa which is one of our most preferred destinations.”  

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RCI, the global leader in vacation exchange and part of the Wyndham Worldwide family of companies (NYSE:WYN), is slated to host the Shared Ownership Conference on Jan. 10, 2012 at JW Marriott, Mumbai. The conference aims to help audiences discover the key to turning assets into opportunities as it delves into the shared ownership industry in detail.

The day-long conference will be an essential forum for hoteliers, resort owners, real estate developers, investors and hospitality consultants to understand and explore the benefits of shared ownership and the ways in which it can be successfully integrated into leisure real-estate developments to maximize the revenue potential of available assets.

“RCI was early to advance the case for timeshare development in India,” said Geoff Ballotti, CEO, RCI. “And the tremendous success that RCI’s affiliates have experienced across the country over the past 20 years confirms the opportunity for all developers of real estate to explore the many benefits that shared ownership has to offer. Our operations, marketing and business development teams in our offices across India remain more committed than ever to helping our developers capitalize on the significant demand for their vacation offerings and services that is growing in India today.”

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Francis Taylor, CEO of Dial An Exchange, will examine the current state of the exchange business during Perspective Magazine’s timeshare and fractional ownership industry networking event.

Timeshare and fractional industry multi-media information leader Perspective Magazine announces that Francis Taylor, CEO of Dial An Exchange (DAE), will provide expert analysis of the timeshare exchange marketplace during the Global Networking Expo, GNEX 2011.

DAE is now the largest independent timeshare exchange provider in the world, servicing a global market from offices in the USA, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, China, Thailand and India. Mr. Taylor has steadfastly modeled the DAE business simply based on keeping its members happy while delivering on its promises. Members can access live availability online 24/7 and can search, hold, book and confirm in real time, making the exchange process simple.

Mr. Taylor’s position atop DAE allows him to see the industry from a unique, global perspective and bring an independent viewpoint to the discussion regarding timeshare exchange and how best to meet the needs of changing consumer behavior.

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RCI, the global leader in vacation exchange and one of the Wyndham Worldwide family of brands (NYSE: WYN), today announced two new resort affiliations in highly sought-after hill destinations in India. The two new resorts are The Krishna Mount View-Mountain Resort, Kausani in Uttarakhand and the Kadkani River Resort, Coorg, Karnataka.

“We are very pleased to welcome The Krishna Mount View-Mountain Resort and the Kadkani River Resort into RCI’s network of affiliated resorts,” said Radhika Shastry, Managing Director, RCI India. “These beautiful resorts are a remarkable addition to the collection of hill vacation destinations we offer to our members worldwide.”

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Citadel is proud to announce that it will be attending the Fractional Summit in Abu Dhabi as a Ruby Sponsor. The decision by Citadel to support this event which is to be held at the spectacular Yas Hotel on the 23rd and 24th of November 2010, reflects the increasing importance of the Middle East region and the potential it offers the shared leisure market. The Abu Dhabi Fractional Summit is to focus on all the main aspects of the shared leisure industry from traditional timeshare through to all the different types of fractional products.

Christopher Allen, Director, commented “This is an exciting decision for Citadel and we firmly believe that the event will provide us with the ideal platform from which we can launch our bespoke services in the region. Citadel already has many years of experience in Europe, Asia and the Far East, so we see it as a natural progression for us to now look towards the Middle East and the business opportunities it can offer”.

Piers Brown, founder of event organizer Fractional Life, said: “We´re delighted to have Citadel on board for our first event in the Middle East. This sponsorship demonstrates Citadel’s true foresight and commitment to growing the shared ownership marketplace and we look forward to welcoming delegates and sponsors from around the world to network and discover the opportunities in this exciting region”.

Further to the success of the UK Fractional Summit held earlier this year at the Marriott Grovesnor, London, Citadel is also proud to confirm that it will be attending the 2011 event and, for the fourth year running, it will be supporting the Summit as a Gold Sponsor.

Citadel, which also specializes in emerging products, such as green energy and biomass products, requiring stakeholder, trustee and escrow services, as well as Hotel buy-to-let schemes and other leisure related investment products. Citadel has grown rapidly over since its inception and is authorized by the UK Financial Services Authority to set-up, operate and wind-up Unregulated Collective Investments Schemes, an area of business which has seen very strong growth in recent years and one which will be of particular focus for the company in the future. The Group now boasts offices in the UK, Spain, India, Thailand and China and is involved with projects valued at over $2.5 billion.

For further information about Citadel, please contact Christopher Allen, Director, Client Services and Business Development, by email chrisallen@citadeltrustees.com or, call the company’s UK Head Office +44 (0) 1276 482015/16

Following on from the industry-first success of Owners Perspective Magazine’s independent positioning of shared ownership products amongst general consumers through first class airport lounge distribution with more than a dozen of the world’s leading airlines, and in top hotels, resorts, golf clubs and spas, the specifically tailored Resort Developer Editions are helping on-site sales credibility, reducing new member cancellations and increasing the opportunities for upgrades, rentals and referrals.

Since its official launch last month, the publisher has announced confirmation for distribution and use at resorts in Mexico, Thailand, India, Bali, United Kingdom and soon plans to announce a number of confirmed contracts in Florida, Canada and Australia. These developer orientated special editions are backed by the credibility of the world’s largest independent publication for shared ownership products that is available to the general public and is exciting and motivating sales teams as it continues to be implemented in more and more resorts around the globe.

“We are so pleased with being able to provide another unique product to help increase sales and customer retention, and the rapid success of our Resort Developer Package is testament again to the quality of our work” says Paul Mattimoe, CEO of Perspective International Ltd.

With an incredibly versatile suite of options, developers can choose some or all of the features provided within the package to create the perfect fit for their operation(s) and orders can be placed with no long term commitment enabling resorts to quickly integrate at low cost.

For more information on Owners Perspective Magazine’s Resort Developer Options please request an information pack by emailing advertising@perspectiveinternational.com

Owners Perspective Magazine can be freely read online at http://www.ownersperspective.com

Brand Will Remove Eight Additional Hotels that Don’t Meet New Brand Standards

Sheraton Guest Satisfaction Scores Hit New Historic Highs as Starwood Hotels’ Largest Brand Completes $6 Billion Revitalization Effort

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) announced today that its global powerhouse, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, will continue to enhance its portfolio by removing eight additional hotels later this year that do not meet the brand’s new upgraded standards. This will be the final group of “brand detractors” Sheraton will remove as it completes its $6 billion revitalization effort. These hotels are in addition to the 36 “off brand” properties Sheraton has already removed to improve its quality and consistency of the brand, and reflect a significantly enhanced guest experience. As Sheraton removes “off brand” hotels it is increasing its worldwide footprint through a strategic, $5 billion expansion that will add approximately 50 new hotels and more than 20,000 rooms to its global portfolio over the next three years.

Guests Rediscover a New Sheraton – Satisfaction Scores Reach Historic Highs as Brand Gains Market Share
The brand’s multi-billion dollar investment is already paying off with measurable success – for the past four quarters guest satisfaction scores have consistently continued to rise and last month reached new, all-time historic highs. Likelihood to return to the brand, likelihood to recommend and meeting planner scores are also up across the board as the brand begins to see solid growth in market share, signaling that guests are taking notice and rediscovering the new Sheraton.

“The brand’s all-time high guest satisfaction scores is a direct result of the extraordinary work we’ve invested in rebuilding Starwood’s most global and storied brand,” said Hoyt Harper, global brand leader for Sheraton Hotels. “A significant focus of this effort has been improving the quality and consistency of the brand portfolio by removing properties that do not meet the brand’s new standards and the needle is moving in the right direction. And, as the economy rebounds and travelers return to the road en masse, Sheraton will be ready with new flagship hotels, renovated properties and signature brand offerings.”

Making up nearly 50% of Starwood’s total rooms, Sheraton is a key focus for Starwood, especially as the company aggressively positions itself to own the upswing as the economy recovers. As yesterday’s staycations, cancelled meetings and postponed business trips become tomorrow’s pent up demand, travelers will find the newest portfolio in the Sheraton brand’s history.

Hotel Giant Continues Momentum with $5 Billion in New Developments Through 2012
Following on the heels of the revitalization effort Starwood and its partners are investing $5 billion in new hotel openings across four continents. As Starwood’s largest brand, Sheraton currently boasts more than 400 hotels in 75 countries with 92% global awareness among business travelers – the highest of any hotel brand in the world.

Beginning in 2010, the brand will open roughly 50 new hotels over three years in 15 countries and territories, including the United States, Colombia, Greece, India, Russia, Slovakia, Taiwan and Vietnam. Sheraton – the largest international upper-upscale hotel brand in China – will nearly double its footprint in the country with the addition of 24 stunning new properties, including the Sheraton Shanghai Hong Kou Hotel, Sheraton Qingdao and Sheraton Huadu Resort , bringing its total number of hotels there to 50. The brand will also add 10 new resorts to its renowned portfolio, expand its footprint in New York City with new properties in Brooklyn and Manhattan’s Tribeca neighborhood and open several new convention hotels.

Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, like all brands within Starwood’s robust portfolio, is proud to offer the Starwood Preferred Guest(R) program, which made headlines when it launched in 1999 with a breakthrough policy of no blackout dates on Free Night Awards. SPG(R) offers members the ability to redeem awards at more resorts, more luxury properties, more European hotels and more golf properties than any other hotel program.

About Sheraton Hotels & Resorts
Sheraton helps guests make connections at more than 400 hotels in 75 countries around the world. It is owned by and is the largest and most global brand Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 1000 properties in nearly 100 countries and territories with 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis(R), The Luxury Collection(R), W(R), Westin(R), Le Méridien(R), Sheraton(R), Four Points(R) by Sheraton, and the recently launched Aloft(R), and Element SM. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.

Holiday Inn Mumbai International Airport features new logo and brand standards as part of the global $1 billion relaunch

IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON: IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)], the world’s largest hotel group by number of rooms, has launched the first new-built Holiday Inn hotel in Mumbai, India. The 225-room property represents the new Holiday Inn brand, which is in the midst of the biggest relaunch in hospitality history, creating a more contemporary brand image including a new logo and driving consistency across the entire Holiday Inn estate worldwide.

Situated at Saki Naka junction in Andheri, Holiday Inn Mumbai International Airport offers a wide selection of food and beverage outlets such as Saptami – an all day dining restaurant with seven unique interactive live stations, 72 – the lobby bar, Saptami Express – Mumbai’s newest Deli. Guests staying at the Holiday Inn Mumbai International Airport can rejuvenate themselves through a wide variety of spa treatments and unwind at the hotel’s roof-top infinity pool. A fully-equipped business center along with conferencing facilities and expansive banqueting facilities make the Holiday Inn Mumbai International Airport an ideal business and leisure destination. The property is located in close proximity to both the international and domestic airports.

“We are extremely excited to welcome Holiday Inn Mumbai International Airport. The new-look hotel is a great product of the next generation hotels planned for India, with an additional 28 new-look hotels in the pipeline. Holiday Inn hotels are specifically designed for business and family oriented leisure travelers in need of a full-service lodging experience, and this property fits well in the Indian market. We are confident that the Holiday Inn Mumbai International Airport will address the increasing demand for internationally-branded hotels in India,” said Shaun Langdon, Regional General Manager, IHG

Harry Thaliwal, General Manager, Holiday Inn Mumbai International Airport, added “Holiday Inn Mumbai International Airport is the first new-built Holiday Inn in India, which is an important milestone for IHG. We are offering a business class product and a variety of services to our customers. We believe in “Stay Real”, a service commitment that recognizes our guests as individuals and our staff who understand their real needs while they are at the hotel and provide excellent service.”

The relaunch focuses on the things research shows matter most to guests – a modern, contemporary hotel with efficient, friendly service and a great night’s sleep. Holiday Inn Mumbai International Airport exemplifies the standards of the USD $1 billion Holiday Inn relaunch, featuring new signage, new exterior landscaping and design, an enhanced welcome experience with a redesigned lobby, de-cluttered reception desk and all-new signature scents and sounds.

Holiday Inn is in the midst of the biggest relaunch in hospitality history creating a more contemporary brand image including a new logo, and driving consistency in all 3,296 Holiday Inn brand family hotels around the world. With over 2,000 hotels already relaunched worldwide, the completion of the relaunch of the global estate is expected to be completed in 2010.

About IHG
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is the world’s largest hotel group by number of rooms.  IHG owns, manages, leases or franchises, through various subsidiaries, over 4,400 hotels and more than 645,000 guest rooms in 100 countries and territories around the world.  The Group owns a portfolio of well recognised and respected hotel brands including InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo®, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn® Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express®, Staybridge Suites® and Candlewood Suites® and also manages the world’s largest hotel loyalty programme, Priority Club® Rewards with 48 million members worldwide.

15 New Properties Further Starwood’s Position as the Country’s Largest US-Based Upper-Upscale and Luxury Hotel Operator

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today announced it is on track with plans to grow its existing portfolio of 26 hotels in India 60% by 2013. The news comes as Starwood’s President and CEO, Frits van Paasschen, and the company’s leadership team, embark on a two week tour of the country to meet with hotel owners, developers and team members.

“India is a key focus of our expansion efforts, in large part, because it is a market that today is relatively under-hoteled,” said van Paasschen. “As a point of perspective, consider that India with a population of one billion people has just 100,000 hotel rooms, while New York City alone has roughly 80,000 hotel rooms.”

Starwood’s legacy in India began in 1973, when its Sheraton brand debuted in Mumbai. The company has since grown the portfolio to 26 hotels under its Westin, Sheraton, Four Points by Sheraton, The Luxury Collection and Le Méridien brands – making Starwood the largest upper-upscale and luxury US-based hotel operator.

Looking ahead, Starwood and its partners have another 15 hotels under development in India – including six Aloft hotels – three of which are slated to open this year. In the process of opening these hotels, Starwood continues to help build infrastructure and create career opportunities. In fact, its new hotel openings from 2007 until the end of 2010 will have created more than 4,000 new jobs.

Notably, India trails only China in terms of future growth numbers for the company within Asia Pacific. And Asia Pacific represents the company’s largest growth market.

“Inviting comparisons between India and China can be dangerous, but we do see some commonalities,” added van Paasschen. “If you recall, the world believed that China was the place of the future for 20 years before it really saw an economic boom, and we feel the same way about India. All signs and trends we’re seeing show us that India in the next 10 years is where you want to be, and we are proud to have established our presence here almost 40 years ago.”

In terms of international visitors, India remains a relatively undeveloped travel market, with approximately five million inbound travelers each year, versus China’s more than 50 million. However, the rise of India’s middle class has led to a notable increase in domestic travel, while the influx of outsourcing contracts – including Starwood’s – is expected to create a surge in international tourism.

“India is one of the most promising markets within Asia Pacific, with GDP estimates topping seven percent for the next two years and a consumer market expected to rank as the world’s fifth largest by 2025,” said Miguel Ko, Chairman & President of Starwood’s Asia Pacific Division. “This relatively underdeveloped hotel market is fertile ground for our high-caliber lifestyle brands and we look forward to further establishing our presence here.”

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 1000 properties in nearly 100 countries and 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis(R), The Luxury Collection(R), W(R), Westin(R), Le Méridien(R), Sheraton(R), Four Points(R) by Sheraton, and the recently launched Aloft(R), and ElementSM. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.

Aloft, a Worldwide Hit, to Shake Up Mid-Market Hotel Landscape with Indian Debut; Popular Four Points by Sheraton to Gain Bigger Presence with New Builds

In a significant vote of confidence for India’s burgeoning travel market, Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:  HOT) – which already boasts the largest upper-upscale and luxury Indian footprint of any U.S.-based hotel company – is launching a major expansion of its mid-market brands in the country.

The news comes as Starwood president and CEO Frits van Paasschen and the company’s leadership team embarks on a two-week tour of India to meet with hotel owners, developers and team members.

Aloft, the sizzling tech-savvy brand that has rocked the U.S. hospitality industry will make its debut in India this year, with three properties planned for 2010 alone.  Aimed at Generation Y, Aloft is Starwood’s design-led, social-experience brand that has enjoyed the fastest ramp-up of any brand in hotel history.  As a young, tech-driven society, India will become a key market for Aloft’s development outside of the United States.

By 2012, Aloft expects to operate six hotels in India, more than any other country in the Asia-Pacific region.  Aloft Chennai-OMR-IT Expressway, Aloft Bengaluru-Whitefield, and Aloft Coimbatore Singanallur are all scheduled to debut in 2010.  Next year, Starwood will continue Aloft’s ambitious expansion with the opening of Aloft Ahmedabad, SG Road, Aloft Chandigarh Zirakpur, and a second Bangalore hotel, Aloft Bengaluru Cessna Business Park.

Four Points by Sheraton and its “uncomplicated comfort” positioning, which has proved a huge hit for Starwood worldwide, debuted in India in 2009 with the openings of Four Points by Sheraton Navi Mumbai, Vashi and Four Points by Sheraton, Jaipur City Square.  Because of the “halo” of the iconic Sheraton brand, Four Points by Sheraton is already a “developer darling” in India.

“All signs point to India as a place Starwood wants to grow, and our focus here reflects a real excitement about India’s future,” said Frits van Paasschen, Starwood’s CEO.  “While we’ve had a long and successful presence in India, and our brands enjoy loyal followings here, India’s potential presents new opportunities.”  As it grows in India,  Starwood’s investments will add thousands of new hotel rooms to India’s tourism infrastructure, and will add more than 4,000 jobs to the Indian economy, he said.

All Aloft and Four Points by Sheraton properties in India will be new builds, bringing a new generation of sleek, modern, and youthful mid-market hotels to the country.

Starwood’s legacy in India began in 1973, when its Sheraton brand debuted in Mumbai.  The company has since grown the portfolio to 26 hotels under its Westin, Sheraton, Four Points by Sheraton, The Luxury Collection and Le Méridien brands.  Starwood is on track with plans to grow its existing portfolio of 26 hotels 60 percent by 2012.

According to van Paasschen, India has actually been “under-hoteled”, with just 100,000 total hotel rooms; while New York City alone has 80,000 rooms.  “When you consider the growth of India’s middle class, the incredible expansion of outsourcing, the country’s rising affluence, and a plugged-in younger generation with a thirst for international brands, it’s easy to see why we’re eager to deepen our roots here.”

About Aloft Hotels
Created to shake up the staid, traditional select service segment of the hotel industry, the Aloft brand delivers style at a steal with urban-influenced, modern, open and vibrant design – and a social guest experience – at an affordable price point. In the same way that W Hotels broke through the clutter of conformity in the upscale hotel arena a decade ago, Aloft is shaking up the industry for the next generation of traveler. Aloft hotels are geared toward savvy, design-conscious consumers who grew up with the democratization of design. With 40 hotels open in the 18 months since Aloft first arrived on the scene and 10 more opening in 2010, Aloft can be found everywhere from Abu Dhabi and Baltimore to Dallas and Beijing and everywhere in between. For more information, please visit www.alofthotels.com.

About Four Points by Sheraton
With 147 properties in 24 countries, Four Points offers the self-sufficient traveler style and comfort combined with a spirited “can-do” service – all at the right price.  Four Points by Sheraton hotels are located in easy-to-reach areas – close to major airports, suburban centers, urban hot sports and resort and vacation destinations.   Four Points by Sheraton’s Simple Pleasures program celebrates the little things in life that make a big difference in guests’ travel such as free high-speed Internet access, complimentary bottled water and a great beer at the end of a long day.  Visit www.fourpoints.com for more.

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 1000 properties in nearly 100 countries and territories with 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, and the recently launched Aloft®, and Element SM.  Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.