Featured Post
Posted: July 1, 2009 3:08:53 PM
We all remember the media attention about the H1N1 flu strain earlier in the spring. Of course, much of the early attention was on Mexico, which had the first reported cases. The safety and health of our guests and associates is our number one priority at all times and we take great care to follow the appropriate hygiene and cleaning procedures. We were pleased that similar precautions allowed authorities to bring the situation rapidly under control in Mexico and elsewhere around the world.
However, the number of people traveling to Mexico dropped off significantly. In fact, we have lost over $6 million of business in Mexico due to this flu outbreak. That's really a shame as Mexico is one of my very favorite countries to travel. I've gone down there . . .
Recent Posts
Posted: June 25, 2009 3:26:40 PM
I was recently in Orlando, Florida, for a conference with owners and franchisees of our select service and extended stay brands. Those brands are Courtyard, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites, Residence Inn and TownePlace Suites. It's a great event where we build and strengthen relationships, align ourselves on company initiatives and share good business practices.
We also take the opportunity to recognize our top owner and franchise performers. We handed out over 60 awards and presented 11 owners and franchisees with the Partnership Circle Award, our highest honor given for hospitality excellence.
One of the things I noticed when presenting the awards was many of these companies are run by families. Out of the 11 Partnership Circle winners, more than half are run by families, many that span multiple generations.
One of these companies, JHM Hotels, has a great story. Their chairman and CEO, H.P. Rama founded . . .
Posted: June 19, 2009 2:19:11 PM
This Father's Day, Donna and I want to express our joy in the many accomplishments of our children. We have four kids - a girl and three boys. Our daughter Debbie is the oldest. At age five, she underwent open heart surgery and has survived to raise five beautiful children. She is a very nurturing mother, and is also senior vice president of government affairs at Marriott and doing a wonderful job in her new calling. Her only daughter Kim will be married in November, so Debbie is very busy planning the wedding.
Our second oldest child is Stephen. He is one of the most courageous people I know as he is legally blind and has lost most of his hearing. Yet he comes to work every day and, equipped with his white cane, travels the country teaching Marriott convention sales people how to sell. He also gives multiple PowerPoint presentations about our culture as a family business. He never complains and is always positive and upbeat.
Our son John is our third oldest and manages a family trust that owns 14 Marriott managed hotels. John has had a life long friend, David Fell. They grew up together and when Dave was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis almost 25 years ago, their . . .
Posted: June 17, 2009 3:14:09 PM
Back in March, the U.S. Travel Association launched a contest to find the face of the travel industry. They were looking for someone who embodied the character and hard working spirit of our industry. I'm proud to announce that this extremely prestigious honor went to one of our Ritz-Carlton associates, Paco Saldana.
Paco grew up in Mexico and came to the United States 13 years ago and has become an American citizen. After arriving in the U.S.A., he got a job at our Ritz-Carlton on Amelia Island in Florida, where he worked his way up to become a Guest Services Manager.
His wife also worked at the hotel, which has . . .
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