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Starwood Hotels’ Managerial Endeavor to China

Published

13 years ago

June 11, 2011

Maldives Promotion House – Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 1051 properties in 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.

The company boasts one of the industry’s leading loyalty programs, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG), allowing members to earn and redeem points for room stays, room upgrades and flights, with no blackout dates. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts.

Starwood currently has two resorts under two brand names in Maldives, W Maldives Retreat & Spa, their W resort, and Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa, their Sheraton resort.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. recently announced an unprecedented managerial endeavor to move its Senior Leadership Team to China for one month. From June 8^th through July 11^th, Starwood President & CEO Frits van Paasschen and the company’s top executives will be headquartered in Shanghai, where they will conduct day-to-day business on a 12-hour time difference with their usual operations in White Plains, New York.

This unique relocation underscores Starwood’s game-changing growth in China, which recently became its second largest market outside of the U.S. and its fastest growing. The move also reflects Starwood’s innovative approach to cultivate a more global culture in a company that grew up largely in the United States.

“With properties in nearly 100 countries, Starwood is no longer an American company that happens to run some hotels overseas. Today, we’re a global company that happens to be based in New York,” Van Paasschen said.

“Eighty percent of our future pipeline is outside of North America, and nowhere is more emblematic of our global growth than China, where we will open one hotel every two weeks this year. China’s spectacular transformation is hard to grasp unless experienced firsthand – it’s the proverbial, ‘you can’t really understand a culture until you buy groceries there,’” Van Paasschen added.

From their home base in Shanghai, van Paasschen and seven members of his Senior Leadership Team will conduct daily business in an unconventional effort to understand, appreciate and ultimately leverage different cultural perspectives and approaches to business.

In addition, more than 20 Starwood executives from the U.S. and international locations will join the team throughout the course of the relocation. The group will delve into Starwood’s extensive business in China, meeting with local customers, partners and developers, while also touring new properties throughout the country.

During its month abroad, Starwood’s Senior Leadership Team will also bolster the company’s guest loyalty outreach among Chinese travelers. As one of the world’s fastest growing travel markets, with 100 million outbound travelers expected by 2015, China will play an outsized role in global travel within the next decade. The country continues to be the richest source of new loyal travelers for Starwood, with Chinese enrollment in Starwood Preferred Guest, Starwood’s loyalty program, jumping 71 percent in 2010.

Based on the anticipated success of Starwood’s managerial experiment in China, the company intends to implement a month-long global relocation annually. Its next high-growth target markets include Brazil, the United Arab Emirates and India.

“It is not just language that gets lost in translation, but also cultural nuances. The companies that will break away in an increasingly global world will be those that are most globally fluent,” van Paasschen said.

Starwood’s global relocation is also a symbolic trip, as the company reaches a new milestone: for the first time in its history, Starwood has more hotels outside the U.S. than inside. As the world’s most global hotel company with more hotels in emerging markets than its competitors, Starwood is on the frontlines of globalization, and is experiencing explosive growth in India, the Middle East, Africa and of course, China.

Starwood enjoys a first-mover advantage in China dating back to 1985 with the landmark debut of the Great Wall Sheraton Hotel in Beijing, which was the first international branded hotel in the People’s Republic of China. Today, Starwood has more than 70 hotels in China flying eight of its nine brands’ flags and another 90 properties in the pipeline.

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A blissful island Easter celebration at Alila Kothaifaru Maldives

Published

1 month ago

March 14, 2024

Maldives Insider

Experience unique and enriching getaways at Alila Kothaifaru Maldives, as the luxury resort unveils exciting benefits for family getaway packages launching this season. Guests are invited to immerse themselves in the ethereal charm of the Maldives.

Nestled in the pristine Raa Atoll, Alila Kothaifaru Maldives seamlessly blends eco-friendly architecture with contemporary sophistication, complemented by the untouched, rugged beauty of the Raa Atoll. Situated amidst miles of untouched marine life, Alila Kothaifaru invites guests to reconnect with nature in the most extraordinary ways. With spacious villas and private pools, guests can truly experience the essence of a getaway where luxury and adventure harmoniously coexist.

Surrounded by azure skies and the turquoise waters of the Raa Atoll, Alila Kothaifaru Maldives offers an idyllic setting for a family escape during the Easter break. Here, guests can unwind in luxurious, nature-immersed surroundings, embark on exciting adventures together, and indulge in unforgettable wellness and culinary experiences.

During Easter weekend, Play Alila will delight young guests with a diverse range of festive island-inspired activities, including Easter egg decorating, arts and crafts, face painting, and more. For those seeking relaxation, Spa Alila offers enticing packages for parents and children to enjoy quality bonding time.

For the adventurous souls, do not miss the chance to join our Sparkling Underwater Egg Hunt. Hidden throughout one of our nearby dive sites, these eggs hold a special surprise. The lucky diver who discovers the egg with a unique mark will win an exclusive clutch made of Swarovski crystal valued at EUR 1,800!

Embark on an Easter journey to remember at Alila Kothaifaru Maldives. Explore all of the Easter events and activities at Alila Kothaifaru Maldives here

Family Getaway Package

Booking Period: Until 30 October 2024
Stay Period: Until 25 December 2024

Experience a family holiday rich with memorable moments. From nature walks to energetic beach activities, Alila Kothaifaru Maldives’ offerings extend to the whole family. Indulge in a host of fun adventures together, or relax while your children participate in creative indoor and outdoor activities. Enjoy special family welcome amenities upon arrival, return seaplane transfers, daily full-board meals, and a special offer on wellness treatments. Experience the beauty of our island while creating lasting memories to be treasured!

Stay with us during the Easter period from 25-31 March 2024 and be treated to a wide range of festive island inspired activities such as Easter egg decorating, arts and crafts, egg hunting around the island and underwater, wellness offering, and many more!

For more information and reservations, please contact kothaifaru@alilahotels.com or visit alilahotels.com

News

Coca-Cola Maldives Celebrates the Samsung Galaxy S23 Smartphone Winners

Published

2 months ago

March 5, 2024

Maldives Insider

Coca-Cola Maldives is thrilled to announce the newest winners of its sensational promotional campaign. As we congratulate our lucky consumers, we also remind everyone that this incredible opportunity is only available until March 10, 2024. Don’t miss your chance to be the next big winner!

The latest to join the prestigious circle of winners are Aminath Shaheema from Thulusdhoo, Ranjith Kaanthal and Ahmed Afzal from Male. Each has won the coveted Samsung Galaxy S23 smartphone, a symbol of innovation and style, by simply enjoying their favourite Coca-Cola beverages.

Aminath, Ranjith, and Ahmed represent the joy and luck that Coca-Cola Maldives aims to bring to its loyal customers. Their success stories are not just about winning, but about the moments of happiness shared with every sip of our loved brands.

As we celebrate these winners, we invite you to join in the fun and excitement. Each purchase of Coca-Cola, Coke Zero, Sprite, Fanta Orange, or Fanta Strawberry comes with the potential to discover a golden cap, which could lead to winning the highly anticipated smartphone prize. These products can be found across a wide array of retail locations, supermarkets, and shops throughout the country.

To join the promotion, customers need to simply open the promotional pack, find the code inside the cap, and send it via text to 2626 from their mobile phones. Every code represents a single entry, and participants are encouraged to enter as many times as they like. Coca-Cola Maldives is merging the pleasure of enjoying our beverages with the excitement of potential rewards, transforming each sip into an exhilarating adventure.

For more information and latest updates on Coca-Cola Maldives and the consumer promotion, follow @CocacolaMaldives on Facebook and Instagram.

News

Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives nominated for two categories in Travel & Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2024

Published

2 months ago

March 2, 2024

Maldives Insider

Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives is thrilled to announce its nominations for the prestigious Travel & Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2024 under the “Maldives Resorts” and “Resort Pools” categories, reflecting its commitment to excellence in hospitality and leisure.

Kuda Villingili vividly depicts an idyllic tropical retreat nestled amid the turquoise waters of the North Malé Atoll. Impeccable service standards, spacious beach and water villas, and a distinctive culinary experience with seven different restaurants serving 11 different cuisines all contribute to its promise of being the ideal island getaway for making priceless memories. The resort’s convenient location, just a 30-minute speedboat ride from Male, adds to its charm.

Stretching an impressive 150 meters, the resort’s swimming pool is the largest swimming pool in the Maldives, a testament to the epitome of luxury and indulgence. Guests can bask in the serenity of lush nature while lounging on sunbeds, seeking refuge in private, shaded cabanas, or challenging themselves to a swimming marathon. This impressive pool also facilitates harnessing the healing powers of water through a range of aqua wellness activities, such as aqua zumba, water aerobics, and many more, under the expert guidance of the recreation team. Families visiting Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives will delight in the separate, child-friendly pool, where little ones can splash and play in a safe and enjoyable environment.

A renowned award in the travel industry, the Travel & Leisure Awards are known for their exclusive determination by the discerning votes of Travel & Leisure readers. In this way, the awards are a true reflection of the exceptional quality and unparalleled experiences that the winners deliver, which include spas, hotels, cities, airports, trains, and more.

The public can now vote in the Travel & Leisure Asia Pacific Awards 2024 until March 31, 2024. The reader-led approach allows travelers and enthusiasts to actively participate in recognizing and honoring excellence in the travel industry.

Kuda Villingili extends an invitation to all individuals to participate in its pursuit of industry recognition. Your votes will help the resort be recognized for its commitment to providing unparalleled luxury experiences in the heart of the Maldives.

Please take a moment to visit the official voting pages and cast your votes to support Kuda Villingili in achieving these remarkable milestones.