Dr Alice Hon: Having creative employees might be critical in today's business environment, but in China, it should be approached in just the right way.

By Kelly Spors: US restaurants both famous and small are raising their menu prices and asking customers not to tip their waiters.

Nearly 3,000 guests at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans had a frightening evening Sunday as Hurricane Katrina blew out more than 175 windows in the high-rise hotel.

Taj Hotels has reported that there was no casualty or injury to any of the guests or staff members at any of the groups hotels in India, Sri Lanka or the Maldives.

Former Pierre Manager Returns to Lead Historic Hotel into its 75th Year. Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces has named Heiko Kuenstle general manager of The Pierre New York, a Taj Hotel. The Pierre is delighted to welcome back an old friend, as Kuenstle spent four years earlier in his hospitality career at the landmark hotel on New York’s Fifth Avenue.

Marriott International announced that it has begun testing mobile wireless check-in for Microsoft’s Windows Mobile®-powered devices on end-to-end Intel Architecture for a select group of travelers to Redmond (Wash.) Marriott Town Center.

This week’s PATA news and update….

Maritz Loyalty Marketing Reveals Top Reasons Customers Leave and Recommends Strategies to Keep Them. 

When consumers leave a loyalty/rewards program, most (70 percent) cite the length of time it takes to build up points as the primary reason, according to a Maritz Poll commissioned by Maritz Loyalty Marketing.  The number jumps to 79 percent in the critical 18 – 24 age group. “Marketers need to provide consumers with realistic and achievable goals,” said Gail Sneed, market development director at Maritz Loyalty Marketing.  “Particularly with the crucial college-age demographic, it’s the chance to win or lose a lifelong customer.”  

Taj Hotels has reported that there was no casualty or injury to any of the guests or staff members at any of the groups hotels in India, Sri Lanka or the Maldives.

Marriott International announced that it has begun testing mobile wireless check-in for Microsoft’s Windows Mobile®-powered devices on end-to-end Intel Architecture for a select group of travelers to Redmond (Wash.) Marriott Town Center.