Deloitte's October 2007 Travel survey found that in the past twelve months, 83% of respondents say they used the Internet to research and/or purchase travel primarily because they found it easier and more convenient or felt that they got better prices. According to other publications, by 2010 50(!)% of the travelers will book their hotel stay via internet.

We, of course, offer rooms over the internet – that’s the way to go these days! We can showcase our rooms and offer the best deals or packages and even last minute discounted rates (which rarely happens thank God!). You can book via our website www.cosmotoronto.com. Check it out!

This is the reason that we have recently contracted an e-marketing company to design and program for us a completely new web site, that will take us directly to the next era technology. I promise it would be slick, attractive and very friendly! Wait and see…..

At the Cosmopolitan we also know that technology is important to our guests. This is why we have wireless internet in all of our guestrooms, meeting rooms, lobby, spa and restaurant. Most of our rooms also have two phones, one is mobile. This way you can multi-task and conduct business from your room with efficiency.

So book a room and try us out, if you already stayed with us come again and let us know in advance how we can make your stay even better than the last one!

Another advice to you, my guests, and you may already know about this, now you can do all sorts of searches from your cell phone and get the results back in seconds via a text message. For example, try to text “weather 05403″ and get the latest forecast for the city you visit.

All you have to do is set up a new contact for Google in your mobile phone. You do this by entering “Google” in your address book and then lock in this mobile number 466-453. Let’s say you want to know the sushi restaurants in the Hollywood: text “sushi restaurants 90210″ then send the text message to “Google” in your address book. But if you would like to try fine food and best selection of wine, don’t Goggle; Eight Wine Bar www.eightwinebar.com is located at the lobby of the cosmopolitan.

Need to look up a word, text “define __word_” and get back the definition.

From your computer go here and you’ll see all the commands you can use. You can even test them out in the box they give you.

Try it!

See you soon.

David

Another travel trend for 2008 is safety and security. According to a global survey conducted by Synovate, 17% of air travelers across the globe said that the new security requirements will actually deter them from traveling by plane for leisure, and 10% said the measures would deter them from traveling by plane for business.

We are seeing many more travelers coming in by train and by car from neighboring provinces and states. Toronto’s main train station is only about a 7 minute walk to our welcoming hotel. For drivers, we offer valet parking service 24 hours a day.

We take security seriously at the Cosmopolitan and we have taken one extra step. Our elevators run on a key card system. Upon check in, your room key will be given to you. The key will only allow you to access your floor. This way, not only is your floor quieter, due to reduced unnecessary traffic – but you can also feel safer. We have in room safes in all of our rooms also for your valuables. Our lifestyle specialists are at your service in the hotel 24 hours a day. So should you require assistance with anything, we are at your service.

Thank you to our devoted Director of Operations Sabine J. Smith,

Info source: www.travelindustrywire.com

It is with great pride that I announce that the Cosmopolitan Hotel Toronto has just been named to be amongst the top 1% of hotels worldwide, that are promoted through Expedia.  This is a great honour, as there are over 80,000 hotels to contend with.  What an achievment! Expedia, Inc. is the world¹s leading online travel company, empowering business and leisure travelers with the tools and information they need to easily research, plan, book and experience travel.  The Cosmopolitan hotel has taken great strides over the three years since it opened its doors.  We have many repeat guests whom we know and who know us.  It's like a family.  We strive to make each of our guests feel comfortable.  Our hotel does not promote a great stay, we deliver a great experience.  This is what keeps our guests coming back and telling their friends and family about our jewel in the heart of the city.
It's the little details that count and that set us apart.  We have had so many guest fill out comment cards.  What they recognize the most, is our friendly staff.  Personally, I have never worked with such a wonderful team!

Without their dedication and passion, we would have never won this award!

Our staff are sincere and truly want to make everyone's stay the best it can be. We look forward to welcoming you to our hotel, whether it be for the first time, or for the twentieth.

The introduction of Las Vegas-style resort casinos will likely continue to drive significant revenue growth in Asia Pacific, where casinos and other regulated gaming are projected to grow from $14.6 billion in 2006 to $30.3 billion in 2011.
 
Gaming is also big here in Ontario. It’s entertainment after all (well, to most of us...)!  The Cosmopolitan Hotel and Spa in Toronto is about more than only an hour from Casino Niagara and Casino Rama.  And talking about resorts, our parent company – Skyline Boutique Hotels and Resorts is just in the end stages of acquiring the renowned Horseshoe Valley Resort just north of Toronto (see http://www.horseshoeresort.com) <http://www.horseshoeresort.com/> ). It just made sense to have an amazing golf and ski resort in our family.  And if you haven’t yet heard, the company has also starting building residences and Yacht Club at Port McNicoll on Georgian Bay (see <http://www.portmcnicoll.ca> www.portmcnicoll.ca). This will expand into the construction of a luxury resort and club activities such as boating, fishing, spa, fine dining and all with a very interesting real estate investment.  And who knows….maybe a casino too?

It is my great pleasure to announce that Sabine Smith, our devoted front office manager, has promoted and is now serving as Director of Operations at the Cosmopolitan. It is a very demanding position but with her wisdom and high managerial skills Sabine will enjoy the pleasure of serving our loyal and first time guests aside to the duty of supervising our wonderful staff.

Good luck to Sabine and until next time - enjoy!

Yours
David

In Deloitte’s 2008 Travel Industry Trends Report, five key trends were noted to have a significant impact on industry expectations, strategies and brands this year.

Over the next few weeks, I will be happy to share with you on this blog some high-lighting each trend and how it relates to the Cosmopolitan Toronto Hotel and Spa.



THE CHANGING CUSTOMER: Niche Travel and Mini Vacations
Today more and more people are bypassing the traditional, two-week getaway in favor of mini-vacations of a week or less. According to Deloitte's October 2007 Travel Survey, 47% of respondents said they take more short vacations and fewer long ones than they used to.



On a professional and personal level, there is no doubt that the 2 week vacation has nearly vanished. Not that we wouldn’t mind having that time off (or more!), however, with the level of responsibility that comes with most jobs these days, we just cringe at the thought of the amount of work that would be waiting for us once we returned from a fortnight away from work! Also, a longer vacation means a larger investment. There means more involved planning, more time and more money. It’s just easier to get up and go! (it can also be more fun!). At the Cosmopolitan Toronto, we often have great weekend rates just for this purpose. Many of our guests live in the city and just want to get away – see different wallpaper and be pampered with our services, led by our Lifestyle specialists who know not only how to exceed our guests’ expectations but know what is the hottest spot in the city. Others come in from more rural areas, wanting to be city slickers for a few days – taking in shopping and cultural events. So, when will you join us for the weekend?



Special thanks to Sabine J. Smith, Front Office Manager.

Info source: www.travelindustrywire.com