BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Feb. 6, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- At a press conference at Le Meridien at Beverly Hills, Juergen Bartels, CEO of Le Meridien Hotels, explained what travel industry expert, Stephanie Abrams, referred to as, "his Cool Strategy for romancing the travel industry. All great projects are based on simple truths," Abrams stated, "and Bartels has focused clearly on the key: show travel agents and their clients that Le Meridien loves them and cultivate that relationship so that they love Le Meridien too! When a mission is so clearly stated, every action, activity, program and service becomes clearly focused on attaining the goal," Abrams noted.
"Cool" is now the name of the game for Le Meridien Hotels, which points to its French heritage for its elegance, charm and "joie de vivre." Bartels continued to implement his "Art and Tech" rooms worldwide, providing living and sleeping areas complete with in-room workstations for the tech-savvy traveler with data ports, voicemail, cordless phones, fax and enough work space area, with built in conference/dining table, 42" plasma screens built into in-room entertainment centers and "the kind of art you really want to see on the walls of your room!" Abrams added.
Bartels explained that making the truly personal connection with the travel agency community and with their valued clients is a major commitment on the part of every Le Meridien Hotel employee throughout the organization. The focus of every staff member is wrapped around the French phrase, "Oui, Avec plaisir." Abrams noted that, "once again the simplicity of the concept, of reacting to every travel agent need and every guest request, is part of the gracious French hospitality one can expect, 'with pleasure.'"
Abrams, attending the meeting on behalf of The Travel Authority and the CMA consortium of over 2000 travel agencies, expressed enthusiasm to Bartels for his not just agent-friendly, but agent-supportive programs including the newest travel agent programs called Le Guest Book. Travel agents can learn more about Le Guest Book at the chain's Website, www.lemeridien.com.
"Bartels has opened a door which allows a fresh breeze to blow through," Abrams explained. "He has focused on the essence of success and growth by aggressively bringing Le Meridien product to a new level into the world of 'cool boutique,' by training its global team to internalize the concept of service from the heart and 'with pleasure,' and by understanding and supporting the travel agency community. While we know that Le Meridien staffers soon will be sporting lapel buttons that say, 'Oui, Avec Plaisir,' I predict it won't be long before travel agents are wearing buttons that say, 'J'aime Le Meridien!'" Abrams concluded.
Stephanie Abrams, www.sabrams.com, with over twenty years in the travel industry, is recognized as an expert having been repeatedly named to "Travel Agent Magazine's" list of the "100 Most Powerful Women in Travel." Abrams has been honored for her work in the travel industry, receiving the prestigious Travel Achievement Awards given by Travel Weekly Magazine for Best Public Relations Campaign, Best Marketing Promotion and Best Radio Advertising. She has served on the Advisory Boards of Dollar Rent a Car, Amadeus Global Distribution System International and Domestic Advisory Boards, Hong Kong Tourism Authority, The American Society of Travel Agents Council of Travel Marketing Organizations, and the International Affairs Committee of the International Franchise Association.