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Starwood Preferred Guest’s ‘GO-TO’ App Launches in Chinese Language

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Maldives Promotion House – Starwood Preferred Guest, the award-winning loyalty program from Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., today announced its popular application for iPhone and iPod Touch devices is now available in Mandarin Chinese. The ‘go-to’ app from Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) debuted in English earlier this year, providing a guest-centric approach using new state-aware technology, localized content and customer service, and personalized social networking platforms for a seamless experience across Starwood’s nine distinct brands.

“We built the SPG app to be an all-in-one travel tool that connects our guests with the information they need to enhance the experience during their journey with us,” said Chris Holdren, Senior Vice President of Starwood Preferred Guest and Digital.  “Mobile continues to be a vital part of our business’s future, and nowhere is this more evident than China, already the world’s largest mobile market, where we have also seen significant SPG enrollment increases.”

More than 100 million Chinese are expected to travel outside of China by 2015, and these travel trends are already playing out at Starwood. China is now Starwood’s second largest market, and in 2011, SPG saw Chinese enrollment jump more than 60 percent over the previous year. To date, more than half of Starwood’s guests in China are Chinese nationals, a figure that is expected to rise as the loyalty base of SPG continues to grow.

“Technology has changed the way people relate to brands and the same goes for our Chinese guests,” said Qian Jin, President, Greater China, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. “As they continue to travel outside of China, they want more and expect more out of their experience. The localized Chinese SPG app allows our guests to arrange their travel plans in their native language and share their stories through social platforms that are relevant to them.”

Meeting the Needs of China’s Mobile Traveler
In China, hotel reservations via mobile platforms have grown rapidly over the past few years. To date, Starwood has recorded a 221 percent year-on-year increase in Chinese mobile hotel bookings, greater than the 200 percent growth trend across Asia Pacific. To better understand these travelers, Starwood partnered with Chinese mobile ad agency, Guohead, to conduct in-depth research to identify key mobile functions that are popular with and expected from Chinese guests. For instance, the study found the need to integrate locally relevant social media platforms, such as Sina Weibo and Jiepang, to allow Chinese travelers to share their experiences and stay connected to family and friends while on the road.

The survey also found that while the company continues to experience a growing trend in mobile bookings, some Chinese travelers still prefer personal booking methods. As a result, the Chinese SPG iPhone app offers a ‘call-to-book’ function that allows users to make hotel reservations directly through the Starwood customer contact center at the touch of a button. This functionality has also been integrated into the English version of the app.

Users of the Chinese language app can still employ all the same functionalities as the English version, including state-aware technology for a more personalized experience. When the latest app from SPG launched, Starwood was the first in the hospitality industry to feature a state-aware interface, allowing the app’s look, language and content to shift by brand and destination based on a guest’s upcoming or current stay. The location-based services also connect users to the closest customer contact center to ensure immediate assistance when needed. The app also stores extensive content that is easily filtered and customized, providing members with all the details of their SPG profile as well as information on upcoming and past Starwood stays.

Ahead in China’s Digital Platforms
Starwood has upped the game across its digital platforms in China in order to create personalized guest experiences and locally relevant content for Chinese guests. Last year, SPG launched a partnership campaign with Jiepang, China’s leading location-based social mobile app, similar to Foursquare. The campaign offered SPG members opportunities to earn bonus Starpoints by checking in via Jiepang with a confirmed reservation at more than 200 Starwood hotels and resorts across Asia Pacific. Also, those who checked in and synchronized at least two of their different social networks unlocked a virtual badge from one of Starwood’s nine brands. Collecting badges led to more rewards, including the chance to win free weekend stays and exclusive getaways at various Starwood hotels and resorts in Asia Pacific.

“The Jiepang campaign attracted more than 8,000 participants with over 27,000 badges unlocked,” added Qian. “While we only asked participants to check-in via Jiepang, our guests went beyond expectations and uploaded nearly 3000 photos with their check-ins – something we did not ask them to do. This user-generated content demonstrates how engaged our guests are as they travel and stay with Starwood.”

The SPG app, currently available for free download in both English and Chinese from the Apple App Store, is the latest development in SPG’s evolution into a hyper-personalized guest services platform.  For more information, please visit www.spg.com/iphoneapp.

Starwood Hotels currently manages two luxury hotels in Maldives, Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa and W Retreat & Spa Maldives.

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Constance Hotels & Resorts Honors Manjoola Dowlutrao’s 20-Year Career Journey

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Constance Hotels & Resorts celebrates the dedication and excellence of Manjoola Dowlutrao, recognizing her remarkable 20-year journey within the group.

Dowlutrao’s story began in 2001 as part of the inaugural class of the Constance Academy’s Management Training Program. This experience launched an exceptional career within the prestigious hotel group.

Starting at Constance Lemuria Seychelles as a Reservations Supervisor, Dowlutrao has consistently demonstrated exceptional growth and leadership. Her path led her to Constance Prince Maurice in Mauritius, where she spent two decades honing her skills. She rose from Sales/Guest Relations Manager to Executive Assistant Manager, embodying a true commitment to providing exceptional hospitality experiences.

Dowlutrao’s recent appointment as Executive Assistant Manager in the Maldives signifies both her valuable contributions and the confidence Constance Hotels & Resorts holds in her abilities. Her career trajectory exemplifies the supportive and empowering environment the group fosters, encouraging individuals to excel and assume leadership roles within the luxury hospitality industry.

Manjoola’s remarkable journey across Constance’s esteemed properties in Seychelles, Mauritius, and now the Maldives, stands as a testament to her vast knowledge and her dedication to enhancing the guest experience over the years.

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Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas Welcomes Award-Winning Joachim Textor as New Executive Chef

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Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas has announced the appointment of Joachim Textor as the luxury resort’s new executive chef. With over 40 years of experience in delivering premium culinary services around the world, Chef Joachim is now ready to bring his exciting new variety of innovative dining experiences to the resort’s discerning guests.

A native of Germany, Chef Joachim Textor began his illustrious career as a cook at various world-class hotels in Switzerland. After honing his skills at the Hilton in Basel, the Park Hotel in Vitznau and the Hyatt Hotel in Montreux, he decided to expand his culinary repertoire by exploring the tastes and cuisines of the world. Across 42 years of travelling, his amazing culinary journey has taken him to 93 countries and countless five-star kitchens across the planet.

Chef Joachim’s incredible journey of gastronomic discovery has led him to gain invaluable experience as an executive chef in some of the world’s most prestigious hotel chains, including The Peninsula Hotels, InterContinental, Hilton, Mandarin Oriental, Shangri-La, and Hyatt. He has received critically acclaimed awards and was also the Opening Executive Chef of Anantara Dubai Palm where he spearheaded the opening of the resort’s signature restaurants and dining experiences back in 2013.

Regarded as one of the most pioneering chefs in the industry, Chef Joachim has also opened multiple award-winning hotels and dozens of restaurants in both the Middle East and the Far East, while he has also cooked for a number of famous politicians, Hollywood celebrities, and royalty all over the world. His past assignments include the G12 Asian Summit Conference in Busan, where he cooked for such prestigious world leaders as George W. Bush, Angela Merkel and Li Peng.

A positive and cheerful personality with an energetic passion for innovation in his creations, Chef Joachim is now set for the next adventure in his culinary journey. Still as hungry to learn and explore as ever, Chef Joachim will bring phenomenal dining experiences for gastronomes at Anantara Kihavah with a number of new innovations already planned. Sharing the knowledge he has accumulated through his travels across six continents, Chef Joachim will also act as a mentor for budding young cooks, introducing his repertoire of world cuisines to the next generation of aspiring gastronomic innovators. In Chef Joachim’s own words, “The best is yet to come. Life is a journey and not a destination; travel it safe and well.”

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JOALI Appoints Özgür Cengiz as Global Wellness Development Director

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JOALI, the luxury hospitality and lifestyle brand, has announced the appointment of Özgür Cengiz as its Tourism Group Global Wellness Development Director, effective February 15th, 2024.

Cengiz brings over 20 years of experience in the hospitality and wellness industry. His career began with the opening team of Turkey’s first wellness resort, Richmond Nua Wellness, followed by leadership roles at Jumeirah in Azerbaijan and One&Only Reethi Rah in the Maldives.

In 2016, Cengiz joined JOALI as the Resort Manager for JOALI Maldives, the brand’s first art-immersive resort. He then played a pivotal role in establishing JOALI BEING, the Maldives’ first wellbeing island, as its General Manager.

Under Cengiz’s leadership, JOALI BEING garnered global recognition as a leading wellness destination. He is credited with creating the unique concept, curating a team of specialists, and introducing a diverse range of treatments – solidifying JOALI’s position as a wellness powerhouse.

Cengiz’s dedication extends beyond JOALI. He served as the Maldivian ambassador for Global Wellness Day for seven years, is a respected speaker in international wellness forums, and judges the Global Spa & Wellness Awards. His innovative approach and solution-oriented mindset have earned him widespread respect within the industry.

Hakan Öztürk, Tourism Group Managing Director of Gürok Group (JOALI’s parent company), commented on the appointment, stating that Cengiz’s “extensive knowledge and passion will truly redefine the wellness offerings for the brand from a broader perspective” as JOALI expands its portfolio.

In his new role, Cengiz will oversee the wellness strategy for the entire Gürok Tourism Group, encompassing innovative activations, expansion plans, and strategic development for both JOALI BEING and JOALI BEING Cure.

Cengiz’s appointment strengthens JOALI’s commitment to providing exceptional wellness experiences and signifies their continued dedication to pushing boundaries within the industry.

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