NSW Tourism Big Winner In "Visionary" Convention Centre Announcement

The $1.5billion plan to transform Darling Harbour into a tourism and convention mecca has been welcomed by the local tourism and accommodation industry.
NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell has announced the "Destination Sydney" consortium would deliver a new convention complex featuring a new 900-room hotel and 40,000 square metres of convention space.
Tourism Accommodation Australia NSW) director Carol Giuseppi said the plan was exactly what Sydney needed.
"We welcome the visionary nature of the project which moves beyond simply a convention and exhibition centre to a design which encompasses the total visitor experience," she said.
"The new facilities will ensure that Sydney attracts more of the lucrative business events market.
"Up to 10% of activity in Sydney hotels is generated from business events, therefore, a modern, state of the art competitive facility is vital.
"In particular we welcome the planning for additional 3.5 star hotel rooms on the site."
Ms Giuseppi said she was also pleased with plans for the redevelopment of the Haymarket area.
"For too long this has been the neglected part of the city," she said.
"This proposal includes a much-needed creative quarter in that area with a mix of boutiques, special-interest retail and cafes and restaurants.
"This makes it even more important that we improve connectivity between this area and the rest of the CBD via light rail. Together with the revitalisation of Chinatown this area will become magnet for visitors."

(Source: Travmedia 11/12/12)

Metro Hotels Hammers Out a Great Idea for Trade Shows

What started as a simple idea for a low cost give-away has turned into a piece of marketing magic for Metro Hotels.

The sales department at Metro Hotels were looking for a low cost item that they could give-away to delegates who attended the many business trade shows the company exhibited at. "We looked at the usual stress balls and similar sorts of things and then we came across the stress hammer," according Metro Hotels Business Development Manager Richard Amour. "It was quirky, unique and had a certain attraction that we couldn't pass up," he explained.

The stress hammers have proven so popular that the sales staff receive emails from trade show delegates months after attending a particular event, requesting if they could be sent more hammers for their colleagues, children, nieces and nephews etc.

According to Mr. Amour the stress hammers are a great conversation starter and everyone and anyone who works in the travel, tourism and hospitality industry can relate to stress.

"We have had a few politically correct people try to tell us that they are de-stress hammers but we are sticking with the majority opinion and therefore they will always be referred to as stress hammers." he explained.

But what does a hammer have to do with hotel or serviced apartment accommodation?

"Absolutely nothing," said Mr Amour, "and we think that is part of the attraction."

In fact, Metro Hotels staff were getting asked so often what a hammer had to do with their business that they started to ask their clients the exact same question - and listed below are just some of the answers/ideas that they could safely publish:-

* Hammer out a deal at Metro Hotels

* Get hammered at Metro Hotels

* Metro Hotels - building relationships

* I nailed a great deal with Metro Hotels

* Metro Hotels are hammering down prices

The only problem the sales team at Metro Hotels have now is ........... what do they come up with next?

"The success of the Stress Hammers has been so huge that we are really scratching our heads to find something that will surpass the success of the Stress Hammers." Said Mr Amour.