Category: Overseas

Jerry Colangelo looks at city Phoenix’s rise as a basketball city, after the confirmation that the city will be playing host to the Final Four in April.

Upon arriving in Phoenix practically 50 years ago, it was unthinkable to believe that one day the NCAA Final Four Competition would be held in the Valley.

And at that time, who would have even cared? Though ASU had a great run under famous coach Ned Wulk in the ’60s and ’70s, interest in basketball throughout the Valley was pretty limited. After the Phoenix Suns made their NBA debut in 1968, fan interest was marginal. The majority of people attending games at Veterans Memorial Coliseum were just there to enjoy and cheer and check out the team.

Arizona at peak of March Insanity

All these years later and Arizona signs up with just 21 other states to have ever hosted this renowned sporting spectacle. And today there are just nine locations in America that even fulfil the NCAA criteria for hosting this distinguished 87-year-old competition. Luckily for Phoenix, the University of Phoenix Arena is among them.

This year, “March Insanity” will culminate here in the Valley, and basketball fans from around the globe will be watching. Dateline Glendale– and the bigger urbane Phoenix area– will delight in hundreds of countless dollars in media exposure as 90-plus million fans watch on at home in front of their televisions. Lots of others will see the games online and all of this exposure will eventually be a huge boost for Arizona tourism. The immediate benefits are significant as, in 2015 more than 100,000 fans traveled to Houston for the game or weekend celebrations and the city benefited from $300 million in direct economic effect. Not to mention all the business and jobs that will open and add to the economic boost through the basketball frenzy. Tourists will want to get their hands on some merchandise such as basketball hoodies or other apparel to take home.

There are also substantial benefits for the neighbourhood as the NCAA will reconstruct Harmon Park in downtown Phoenix. For years this park has been a hotbed for expert and college gamers searching for a quick game. And the kids watching on ultimately become more than simply spectators as they eventually start to use the park and get into youth leagues… and off the streets.

Phoenix will in fact be the first western city to host a Final Four given that in 1995, and this is a testimony to the amazing success of all the previous major sporting occasions that have been staged in the Valley. 3 Super Bowls, several NBA and MLB All-Star Weekends; several NCAA National Championship games and numerous other sporting occasions have paved the way for Phoenix’s turn to host a Final 4. Our fantastic weather and a legion of experienced volunteers extending warm Arizona hospitality to  fans will ensure that the NCAA returns again and again.

Beyond the crucial financial advantages and significant media exposure that is generated by hosting “The Huge Dance,” is how it works to further validate the Valley as a sports mecca. Never would it had been thought that Phoenix would be among the country’s elite cities to host these signature sporting events.

It’s reasonable to say that Phoenix is today an indisputable basketball town with many sporting the iconic Phoenix Mercury basketball singlets and other merchandise.

Sealing our basketball capital status

Jerry Colangelo, chairman of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Popularity, speaks of the news.

Throughout my profession, I have been privileged to be associated with numerous other basketball companies, programs and activities and serve in a wide variety of leadership roles.

I have been most honoured to work as chairman of USA Men’s and Women’s Basketball the last few years and help orchestrate our nation’s return to world supremacy in the sport, winning three successive gold medals. One day, I am confident that the USA Olympic Basketball Headquarters will in fact transfer to the Valley, as that would just even more verify us as a basketball capital.

As chairman of the Board of Governors of Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and a 2004 inductee into the hall, I am also working to place a west coast museum here as that too would help us to attract future signature basketball occasions.

Since Airbnb entered the accommodation landscape in 2008, the hotel market has cast a careful eye, noticing its popularity with youthful travellers.

Airbnb, the most significant home sharing community with more than two million listings worldwide, is now targeting business travellers, the bread-and-butter clientele of resorts.

Guests would like a more real experience and a location that is more reflective of culture – the stay should reflect the experience – guests want a cabin in the woods equip with tree furniture that reflects the outdoors.

Hotel and resort owners say they’ve noted changes in customer tastes, leading to new social-oriented manufacturers, homier preferences and much more operational programs.

New Brands: Social and Local

Hotel companies have expanded their portfolios by adding manufacturers which are made to appeal to millennial travellers and people who desire less support and much more connectivity – think modern interior design – both technologically and with shared distance.

How a customer likes to journey is to not invest some time at the guest area but to get access to suburban spaces. There is far more character in a beach house with beach style furniture that has been loved and lived in as opposed to a faultless penthouse.

Moxy’s rooms (from $69) are streamlined, and entrance is keyless, attached by means of a smartphone program. The lobby includes a full-size bar, grab-and-go meals, games and tons of sockets for charging digital devices.

Hyatt Hotels & Resorts’ new brand Hyatt Centric is analysing fresh methods to things such as room service. At three trial resorts, guests can purchase from resort restaurants, a state menu of sandwiches and cakes delivered in 20 minutes, or by means of the shipping agency GrubHub and possess the dinner billed to the area.

Managers enable workers to get in touch with guests to a more casual basis, offering neighbourhood tips not unlike an Airbnb host.

Nowadays it is about more tangible interactions, which can be somewhat less rehearsed or checklist-oriented however accurate. Some Airbnb hosts are even present when they are hosting guests, perhaps living in the home extension while guests occupy the main living spaces. More and more travellers are beginning to opt for this as it enhances the experience and the connection to the people and the area.

Residential Design

If your next resort feels like home, you thank home sharing – many resorts are being forced to adapt to the new trends by trying to mirror a house design to create that homely feeling for gests.

Individuals who select Airbnb are looking for a romantic, non-manufactured experience. They are interested in being embedded into the fabric of a neighbourhood, where they could sense the uniqueness of location. They want to be able to picture themselves living there, growing old there, sitting on the outdoor furniture and watching the sunset together.

This need for authenticity is influencing today’s hospitality layout – every resort has to tell a story; it has to be an area of circumstance, reflective of its community and neighbourhood – consider tree wood furniture in a ski lodge.

The younger generation especially does not need staff to carry their bags to their rooms in return for a small tip.  They would rather be in a trendy area with larger rooms, larger area, possibly with a kitchen which makes them feel like, hey, this is exactly what it feels like to reside in San Francisco or Chicago.

Plugged into the Local

Airbnb suppliers are capitalising on the online encounter. It’s true that you have to devote a good deal of time seeking the ideal rooms, however its own destination and mapping of the town helps to sell the service.

Many hosts have information about the area, as well as recommendations for things to do and see and places to eat. This eliminates the need for guests to do extensive research because they have all relevant information in one space. Moreover, they are more likely to take advice from a local who knows the ins and outs, rather than a big hotel chain that is trying to make money from their recommendations to their guests.

However perhaps the most convenient part about staying with an Airbnb, is their affordability. There are of course many price variances, but you can guarantee that in most cities or towns around world there will be affordable options that will appeal to travellers wanting an authentic experience.

And on the other hand, want to make a few quick bucks? Consider turning your house extension into a spare living space and house some guests of your own.