Group Travel Scoop - Groople.com

Group Travel To Green Hotels

Two green hotels to spend your travel dollar at.

I know that many of you are concerned about environmentally sustainable travel. You want to support businesses trying to be environmentally conscience. I have two hotel chains for you to consider that are trying to clean up their environmental act.

To my judgmental mind (full disclosure!) this first one is a surprise – Harrah’s Entertainment. Harrah’s has been doing a lot to reduce it’s environmental impact. In fact, they have recently won the highest recognition given by the Environmental Protection Agency Region Two. The EPA Region Two (New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, etc) gave the award to Harrah’s for demonstrating an outstanding commitment to protecting and enhancing environmental quality in the region.

What Harrah’s has done…

Since 2002 Harrah’s has taken on the challenge of becoming "green." With the direct involvement of its 16,000 employees, Harrah’s has eliminated from 2002 levels, 94 million pounds of carbon dioxide use. Harrah’s also recycles 50,000 gallons of cooking oil waste each year from its kitchens, uses waterless urinals, and recycles 1.6 million pounds of cardboard.

The second Hotel chain to make big strides in going Green are those under the "Starwood" label (Sheraton, Four points, Westin and more). Starwood’s new "Element" Brand will be some of the greenest hotels in the business. They pledge to build this brand to industry leading environmental standards. The "test" Element brand hotel featuring these green "elements" is the new 124 room property in Lexington, MA. This entire chain will feature building design recommendations from the US Green Building Council.

If you want to see more hotels incorporate these changes, vote with your feet and support these chains.

American Airlines to offer in-flight internet

The Group Scoop has been a bit hard on American Airlines in the recent past. We haven’t been happy with the trend of increasing piece-meal fees for things like the first piece of checked baggage. We see how charging for checked bags effects group travel much more than the average travel public.

American Airlines has been quite the pioneer lately. They’ve been the first to announce fees that were soon followed by most other major carriers. Now I am happy to report they are pioneering a major new benefit to flying groups – Internet!

It’s about time. We’ve heard of other carriers like Jet Blue starting pilot programs (nice pun huh) providing simple email service, now American Airlines is soon to offer full blown internet. The program is now in the testing phase, but American expects many flights to be offering in-flight internet access in the next few weeks.

Price for internet on flights is expected to run between $9.95 to $12.95 depending on the length of the flight. A full plane load of websurfers can be accommodated. With internet speeds capable of downloading video, in-flight entertainment looks to be taking the biggest step forwards since the in-flight movie was first rolled out decades ago.

Congrats to American Airlines for brining us some positive news from the airline business. Hopefully, more will follow suit.

Senior Group Travel - Golden Years on the go

A group type near and dear to the Groop Scoop is Seniors. Active traveling Seniors are simply an inspiration. Traveling Seniors show us that all stages of life can be just as full as the next. I’ve consulted with some of our customers and resident group travel experts about Senior travel and have come away with some tips and advice for those planning Senior Travel 

Preferred Senior Activities

Seniors often enjoy nature-centric activities when they travel. They enjoy bird watching, leisurely paced hikes to breathtaking views, walking around in the "nature" of a top-notch golf course. At night, refined activities like opera, a jazz house, or a museum are always hits. It is important for Seniors to remember to resist a "been there done that" position on some locations because with just a little digging there will always be a hidden gem that can captivate. An idea you might not have thought of is visiting a locale with a distinct cooking style and taking a cooking class taught by a homegrown expert.

Preferred Senior Accommodation

Seniors often prefer luxurious accommodations with amenities like fine dining and a day spa. Ideal accommodations will be in a beautiful or interesting location. Accommodations in a warm climate are preferred. Many Seniors love to be outdoors, and who doesn’t want to be comfortable while they’re out there? A great idea is accommodations near a winery- a chance to learn the history of the vineyard and taste fine wine! Many Seniors also travel on fixed incomes and value is most important. With the right help, finding great travel values is very possible.

Family Reunions

We often get reports that some of the most fulfilling travel is multi-generational family reunions. Seniors absolutely love the chance to share in the wide-eyed wonder of grand children experiencing a grand adventure by traveling. With this type of travel, it is important to make sure the location has kid-friendly amenities and activities.

Groople’s travel experts are experienced and ready to serve your Senior travel plans. When planning Senior travel, they will keep a keen eye to the needs of Seniors: budget, activities, climate, especially accommodating Seniors with special needs. They’ll even take care of touches like planning travel and arrangements to occur at a leisurely pace…

Three cheers for traveling Seniors!

More Indications Group Travel May be Getting Cheaper Soon

My fellow watchers all of group travel news, listen up.

Group Hotel Demand in the United States is weaker than expected. We get this information from a very reliable source, Mr Marriott himself.

Speaking at engagements associated with New York University International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference, J. W. Marriott Jr. (of Marriott Hotel fame) told his audience that he expects demand in the United States market to be softer than expected.

This was not a conference for the layman so he was using hotel marketing jargon like a decrease in growth of Marriott’s "RevPAR" to describe the weakening hotel demand. RevPAR just means revenue per room, or more simply how much money Marriott makes off all the rooms they have to sell. You know when these guys start talking about "softening RevPAR" they’re serious.

Mr. Marriott attributes the weakening demand to less weekend leisure demand and less last minute Group travel business.

Last minute Group travel business is good for hotels because they can charge more for them.

The bottom line on this story is to look for more group incentives in Marriott’s and elsewhere in the coming months. Also, book ahead to get the best rates! You heard it from Mr. Marriott himself…

Summer Group Travel Discounts in Las Vegas

Las Vegas is the number one destination for group travel, so it behooves me to keep you up-to-date with the latest on Vegas.

Bad news for Vegas is good news for travelers. Las Vegas is losing some of it’s growth – revenues are down about 3% from last year. Some are saying this will be the slowest year in Vegas in six or seven years.

This means discounts!

We spoke with the director of sales at a major Las Vegas resort for his perspective on consumer prospects in Vegas. He told us that all the major hotels are lowering hotel rates and developing more discounting programs. Some of the best deals are on the hotel websites themselves (so sign up for mailing lists).

Groups can expect great values on off-peak days this summer, especially Sunday through Thursday.

Note: Not off peak = July 4^th

The best deals are found at places like Harrah’s, the Luxor, and Excalibur – find rates for under $80. These hotels are also a good value because they offer affordable dining and entertainment.

On a personal note, I suggest at least visiting the Luxor. It has diagonal elevators, which are fascinating. Think about it, it could be the only time you take time to notice, "gee, this is a cool elevator".

Stay just a bit off the strip starting at $40 at places like Circus, Circus, Riviera, and Stratosphere.

Look for the mega-resorts like the Wynn, Palazzo, Venetian, and the Bellagio to be offering discounts of $100 or more. But watch out for your other expenses at these locations. The $300+ ultra-fancy restaurants surrounding these resorts will not be offering similar discounts.

For a change of pace Las Vegas experience, you can take your group to downtown Las Vegas. Hotels like the Four Queens and Golden Nugget can be had for rates of $30-60. Downtown Vegas even has free entertainment within walking distance of many of the hotels. Downtown Vegas hotels are the best value of all…low room rates, dining, and inexpensive entertainment.

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