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.

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.

These are just some of the ground rules for tourists visiting North Korea, probably the most secretive and highly controlled country in the world. South Korea’s Hyundai Asan company started running cruises six years ago to scenic Mount Kumgang, just across the heavily fortified border between the two Koreas, after the area was designated a special tourism zone by the communist North. Although around 700,000 people have been herded though Kumgang since tours opened, things haven’t always been smooth.

By Sustainable Business News: Until now it has been a challenge to compare hotels because they all measure their carbon footprint differently. Therefore, 23 global hotel companies put their competition aside to develop a standard way to measure this – the Hotel Carbon Measurement Initiative.

The Taj presents a collection of wonderful guest service stories to inspire.

By Matthew E. May: Most people will never give a TED talk, but everyone who gives a presentation can learn valuable skills from the world's brilliant innovators and thinkers who give sensational presentations on the TED stage.

Hotels.com and Columbus Internet have announced today the launch of their new Facebook app, ‘Hotels WithMe' in Asia Pacific.