February 12, 2015 
Latin Business Traveler: The weekly newsletter for the traveling executive
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In This Week's Issue:

IHG's Future in Latin America

How the company is trying to give travelers what they want in technology, food and beverage, loyalty perks and more. 

 

By Rochelle Broder-Singer

 

Services that reach tech-focused travelers, wellness-focused brands and amenities, properties that address the desires of both Gen-X and Millennials - all are an important part of InterContinental Hotels Group's near-term plans for Latin America. Latin American business travelers' expectations are changing rapidly and IHG is changing to meet those expectations. "We have a few markets that are traditional, but I would say most of our markets are really moving on different paths," Gerardo Murray, IHG's regional vice president for distribution and commercial marketing, Mexico, Latin America and Caribbean told Latin Business Traveler. "Consumers are a lot more savvy."

 

Holiday Inn Belo Horizonte bar

Digital in the Travel Experience

One of the most important changes Murray noted is the growing influence of digital in every aspect of hotel travel: from planning and booking to use in the hotel to post-stay feedback. "You're seeing the digital experience play an important role in the satisfaction with travel," Murray says. IHG is increasingly using digital media to communicate with customers. The company also plans to roll out mobile check-in and checkout via its app during the first half of this year, along with easier one-click booking through the app.

 

More Loyalty Program Perks

Last year, the company began offering free Internet access throughout its hotels for all IHG Rewards Club members. Murray adds that members get free access not only when they're staying at any IHG property, but also when visiting a hotel for a meeting, conference or other reason. "We will definitely provide you with a free Internet access code while you are visiting," he says.

 

In fact, IHG is looking for other ways to add to the Rewards Club program experience, something Murray says Latin American guests are now paying close attention to. One change aims to make it easier for elite-level members to maintain that status, even when they travel less frequently, by rolling over extra elite-qualifying nights from one year to the next, offering a perk that travelers have been requesting.

 

Catering to Gen-Xers and Millennials

Another important trend in the region is the growing importance of Generation-X and Millennial travelers. These two generations are often looking for different business travel experiences, Murray explains. "Millennials like to be in a place where they can meet with their colleagues in a work and social hub," he says. "And they [like to] can have a drink, order finger food where they are working." They like lobby, bar and other public spaces with space and power to work and socialize.

 

Holiday Inn Belo Horizonte guest room 

Older Gen-Xers, on the other hand, "Like to keep it quiet and order room service and probably work in their room," Murray says. He adds that they are looking for healthy and specialty menu options, such as low-fat and gluten-free meals. IHG is modifying its food and beverage offerings to cater to both types of travelers.

 

As for other IHG developments making their way into Latin America, Murray says the company's new brands - the health and wellness-focused Even Hotels and the boutique Kimpton properties IHG recently acquired - will probably expand into the region eventually, but nothing is currently planned. 

 

Holiday Inn Belo Horizonte bar, courtesy of Holiday Inn Belo Horizonte; Holiday Inn Belo Horizonte guest room, courtesy of Belo Horizonte
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Travel News

Weather and Volcano Updates

More than 1,800 flights have already been canceled in anticipation of another massive winter storm in

 and around the eastern U.S. city of Albany, New York and central and eastern Massachusetts.

Fuego Volcano

 

Guatemala City International Airport was closed for 24 hours last week after a volcanic eruption. Although the airport has reopened, flights may be disrupted as operations return to normal.

 

Carnival Advisories

Carnival celebrations taking place in several cities and countries this week may attract large crowds and disrupt ground travel:

  • Port au Prince, Haiti: February 15-17
  • Rio de Janeiro: February 13-18
  • Panama City, Panama: February 16-17
  • Trinidad & Tobago: February 16-17
  • Dominica: February 16-17
  • Martinique: February 16-17
  • St. Martin: February 16-17
  • New Orleans, Louisiana (U.S.): February 16-17

New Airline Routes and Route Changes

South America

TAM will increase service between Sao Paulo Guarulhos Airport and Miami International Airport to 20 weekly flights from March 29 through June 28.

 

Mexico and Central America

El Salvador-based VECA Airlines commenced passenger operations on January 23 with service between San Salvador and Guatemala City. The airline plans to add service to both San Jose, Costa Rica and Panama City.

 

Volaris will begin twice-weekly service between Tijuana International Airport and Oakland International Airport in California on March 4.

 

Volaris will begin nonstop service between Houston's (Texas) Bush Intercontinental Airport and Guadalajara International Airport in March.

 

Aeromexico will begin nonstop daily service between Monterrey International Airport and Miami International Airport on March 26.

 

VivaAerobus will begin thrice-weekly service from the Mexican cities of Guadalajara and Monterrey to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (Texas) on March 28.

 

Sunwing Airlines has added seven new routes between Canada and cities in Cuba, with service lasting through May 15 for most routes. It will fly weekly between Moncton, New Brunswick and Cayo Coco, Cuba; between St. John, New Brunswick and Varadero, Cuba; and between Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island and Holguín, Cuba.

Sunwing Airlines

 

Sunwing will also add weekly service between Manzanillo, Colima (Mexico) and Toronto, Ontario,through April 25, and between Manzanillo and Edmonton, Alberta through March 31.

 

International Connections

Parisian carrier La Compagnie will add four weekly flights between London's Luton Airport and New Jersey's Newark Liberty International Airport beginning April 24.

 

United Airlines will cancel service between Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Dallas Love Field (both in Texas) after March 16.

 

 Airline Alliance News

JetBlue and Icelandair have entered into a codeshare partnership offering connections between the airlines' networks in Boston, New York - JFK and Reykjavik, Iceland.

 

Other Airline News

Delta Airlines has extended its existing service of Starbucks coffee to every Delta and Delta Connection flight around the globe.

 

Airport News

Nassau's Lynden Pindling International Airport has launched Automated Passport Control, allowing U.S.-bound travelers to be processed up to four times faster.

 

More than 150 restaurants in and around the terminals at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (Texas, U.S.) are offering at least one low-calorie, low-fat or otherwise healthy menu option as part of the airport's "Healthy + Happy" promotion. The airport will also highlight naps in its Minute Suites, massages at Xpress Spa and yoga classes and will hand out free fruit on Tuesdays during February.

 

Loyalty Program News

British Airways' Executive Club program has made changes to earning rates, including dropping credit for restricted coach tickets from 100% of flown miles to 25%. The changes will take effect April 28.

 

United Airlines released new mileage-earning charts for MileagePlus partner airlines, which will take effect March 1.

 

Marriott Rewards members can buy back lapsed status now through April 1. Silver will cost 7,500 points, Gold 25,000 points and Platinum 40,000 points.

 

Between now and March 15, Best Western Rewards members can earn gift cards from iTunes, Amazon, Best Buy, Dunkin' Donuts or Best Western after two qualifying stays.

Holiday Inn Express Marilia

 

Wyndham Rewards will allow members to earn double points for weekday stays at participating hotels through April 30.

 

Hotel News

NH Hotel Group will acquire Colombian hotel group Hoteles Royal by the end of 2015 for US$74 million. As a result, NH will end its master franchise agreement with Radisson in Latin America.

 

Wyndham Hotel Group acquired Dolce Hotels and Resorts for $57 million, gaining management contracts for 24 properties and upping Wyndham's portfolio by nearly 40%.

 

The Holiday Inn Express Marilia opened in Sao Paulo State, Brazil. The property is located near the city's industrial district and main shopping center. The 102-room property includes a 24-hour fitness center, complimentary high-speed Internet access, a business center, meeting space for up to 40 people and complimentary parking.

 

Radisson will open a 199-room hotel in central Santo Domingo in April, its first property in the Dominican Republic. The hotel had been the Hotel Plaza Naco, and amenities include a pool, spa, complimentary Internet, two restaurants and access to the nearby Body Shop Athletic Club.

 

The Resort at Pedregal in Los Cabos (formerly Capella Pedregal) reopened January 31 following damage in Hurricane Odile.

 

The Grand Luxxe resort in Riviera Maya unveiled a new lobby with air conditioning, a large terrace and ocean views. There are also new wooden walkways connecting the entire Vida Vacations complex, including Grand Bliss, the Grand Mayan, the Mayan Palace and the Bliss.

Holiday Inn Express Pachuca

 

The 118-room Holiday Inn Express Pachuca opened in Pachuca, Hidalgo state, Mexico near one of the most important silver and gold mining areas in the country. The property includes an indoor swimming pool, three meeting rooms that can hold up to 70 people, fitness center and business center.
 

The Residence Inn New York Manhattan/World Trade Center Area opened in the heart of the financial district, with 243 studio-style rooms that include workspace, kitchenette, flat screen TVs and free Wi-Fi.

 

Hotel Pipeline

The Four Seasons will reflag both the Hotel Casa Medina and Hotel Charleston Bogota in Bogota, Colombia as Four Seasons properties later this year.

 

Ground Transportation

The Mexican government has shelved a $3.75 billion project to build a high-speed train between Mexico City and Queretaro.

 

Travel Services

Novamar Insurance Mexico has added insurance programs for people travelling in Mexico, as well as for expatriates living in the country. Available lines include auto insurance for Mexican, U.S. and Canadian vehicles, travel medical coverage and medical tourism coverage. 


Fuego Volcano by Kevin Sebold via Wikimedia Commons; Sunwing Airlines by "Fast" Eddie Maloney; Holiday Inn Express Marilia, courtesy of Holiday Inn Express Marilia; Holiday Inn Express Pachuca, courtesy of Holiday Inn Express Pachuca 
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