ORHMA launches new branch in Simcoe County

BARRIE—Those in the hotel and restaurant industry in the Barrie area now have a voice with the Ontario Restaurant, Hotel and Motel Association (ORHMA). The newly-created Simcoe County chapter is the first new branch in the province in 10 years. The branch board of directors, led by founder and Georgian College instructor John Cunningham, and made up of 10 active members in the restaurant and hotel business, held their first meeting in February.

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Marriott to bring TownePlace Suites to Canada

MISSISSAUGA, ON—Marriott is planning to bring some of its TownePlace Suites hotels to Canada, says Michael Beckley, the company’s senior vice-president, lodging development for Canada. Launched two and a half years ago in the U.S., TownePlace Suites is an extended stay brand, similar to the chain’s Residence Inn properties, but geared for secondary and suburban markets.  The capital cost is lower, and better suited to those markets, says Beckley.

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Feds' budget finally recognizes tourism

OTTAWA—It took the “carrot” of the 2010 Olympic Games, plus the “stick” of a major global recession to bring tourism to the attention of the federal government, but for the first time in recent memory, the budget contains significant stimulants for the Canadian industry. Hank Stackhouse, who is now both president and CEO at Delta Hotels, attributes the positive tourism measures to all the work done by groups such as the Hotel Association of Canada, Tourism Association Industry of Canada (TIAC), and the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC).

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Ideas that work for March 2009

When you are planning a conference, it’s a major hassle to arrive at the destination, only to find that you need a stapler, a calculator or scissors.  You have to traipse down to the venue’s front desk and ask for those supplies. It’s worse these days — you can’t even put these essential items in your carry-on briefcase if you come by plane. The Crowne Plaza chain has a solution — a classy wooden box of supplies in every meeting room. 

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Sparkes siblings honoured with prestigious Doug Wheeler Award

CORNER BROOK—The Doug Wheeler Award, one of the most prestigious awarded by Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador, went to not one, but three people this year.
The winners are siblings—Steve Sparkes, Bruce Sparkes and Judy Sparkes-Giannou. They have a family that goes back more than 25 years in areas that include hotels, tour companies and companies serving the tourism industry.

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