•   Competitive Set Analysis.
Assists clients in market positioning. LQA will inspect a client’s competitive set and the results are presented in a report form.
•   Consultancy Seminar.
Assists in improving quality standards. Provides an overview of the quality assurance process, highlighting the top ten areas for improvement within each department, and aiding with troubleshooting and prioritizing budgets.
•   Benchmarking.
All data collected during the quality audits is entered in a confidential database containing the most comprehensive benchmarking data in the luxury market segment. This data is available on (www.leadingquality.com) with password access, and allows clients to obtain average scores on a worldwide, regional and city specific need basis.

•   Interactive Booking Site
A special groups and meetings area within www.lhw.com highlights and promotes member hotels. This site offers customers the ability to submit meeting RFP's electronically for more efficient processing. To access the interactive booking site please visit www.lhw.com/groupsales.
•   Meetings & Incentives Guide
This guide promotes hotel services, meeting specifications, downloadable floor plans and other meeting highlights. The guide is updated on a regular basis to ensure that member hotel information is current. To access this guide, please visit www.lhw.com/groupsales.
•   Monthly eNewsletter
A monthly email newsletter, which is sent to existing and potential customers, highlights the services of Leading Group Sales and special group promotions from member hotels. To receive a copy please access www.lhw.com/groupsales.

•   Global Access
Offering access to facilities and services of over 400 luxurious hotels worldwide with just one telephone call.
•   24-hour Turn-around
Eliminating the need for group planners to fax around the globe and coordinate responses. A personal Group Account Executive handles all the details and manages the negotiation process for all your group bookings.
•   Inspired Site Selection
PProviding expert analysis and fulfillment of client requirements.
•   Innovative Program Development
Specializing in insightful planning, matching each group's needs to the right venues. Leading Group Sales staff serves as advisors to ensure all aspects are carefully considered to assure the complete success of the event.
•   Optimum Buying Power
Enabling planners to find exactly the level of luxury required at preferential rates.
•   Quality Assurance
Assuring satisfaction. Each hotel has undergone a rigorous inspection and approval process in order to become, and remain, a member of this exclusive organization. A recommendation to stay with a Leading Hotel is one comfortably made, even when today's business demands prevent a personal site inspection.

Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC)
Dynamic Currency Conversion offers an opportunity to generate incremental revenue through enhanced guest services. DCC offers the guests of member hotels the convenience of instant conversion to the currency of their credit card at the time of payment (i.e. check-out). Benefits of the Dynamic Currency Conversion include:

• No Risk. Simplefy absorbs the risk in the event of a currency exchange loss.
• Enhanced Guest Service. Guests benefit from knowing the cost of a hotel stay in their own currency upon check-out.
• Incremental Revenue. Based on the volume of hotel transactions, incremental revenue for members of The Leading Hotels of the World should average approximately EUR 25,000 per year, from the standard foreign exchange margin.

Fraud Prevention Training
Credit card fraud costs the hotel industry hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. Fraud Prevention Training provides member hotels the appropriate tools to protect themselves from possible credit card fraud.

• Cost Savings. Proper training can help your staff curb losses for your property by providing instruction in inspection for blocked card numbers, detection of stolen cards, and fraudulent shopper buying patterns.
• Immediate Protection. The service provides real-time detection and protection.

Preferred Credit Card Commission Rates
The Preferred Credit Card Commission Rates program gives member hotels the opportunity to stay abreast of the ever-changing world of credit card processing, by performing a complimentary audit of your current pricing structure, program placement and compliance, while also evaluating possible downgrading issues. Under the preferred contract with American Express hotels enjoy a very favorable discount rate. Benefits of the Preferred Credit Card Commission Rates include:

• Cost Savings. The results of the complimentary audit will outline various opportunities for member hotels to reduce costs. In addition, the implementation of the new Credit Card processing rates will result in significant savings.
• Convenience. The complimentary audit and preferred rate implementation will be done seamlessly, with no interruption or downtime in your daily business.

Debt Collection Services
Through a partnership with Allied National this global program assists member hotels in collecting outstanding debts. Some of the services included:

• Individual Account Manager. Each member hotel will be assigned an account manager in their region.
• Online Account Management. Member hotels will have online access to their account to place claims, view and monitor claims and review monthly status reports.

Processing of Travel Agency Commissions (Voyager Com)
Through an agreement with Voyager Com, member hotels have a cost-effective system to process travel agent commission payments. The purpose of this program is to increase business to the hotels, to eliminate losses to the customer due to fluctuating exchange rates, and to facilitate speedier payment of commissions to travel agencies. The cost of the system is $1 per transaction. Benefits of Voyager Com include:

• Global Service. Provides commission payments in virtually every traded currency in the world.
• Seamless PMS Interface. Interfaces with several property management systems, allowing member hotels to reallocate resources within their accounting departments.
• Effortless Payment. Offers the convenience and expediency of local payment service and outstanding customer service.

Hotels simply log on to the Voyager Com web site to receive a listing of their commissionable arrivals for the preceding month. The information is provided in a format that includes all the relevant information on the arrival report currently received from The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd. All approvals, changes etc. are completed on line via the Voyager Com web site.

In addition to the payment processing system, Voyager Com's Customer Service Center will reply to all travel agent inquiries. Those that cannot be answered by Customer Service will be sent to the hotel for documentation to be provided by the hotel. This process will be managed entirely by Voyager Com, therefore the hotel will not need to liaise with the agents.

•   Customization.
Strategies are developed according to a hotel’s individual priorities and budgetary considerations.
•   Revenue Maximization.
Implementation of tailor-made programs to deliver results by maximizing revenue generating opportunities.
•   Cost Efficiencies.
Preferential rates and value-added programs offered to member hotels.
•   Flexibility.
Hotels have the ability to work with industry experts without a long-term commitment and on a project-by-project basis.
•   Reliability.
The members of the Leading Services and Products Network are regarded as a leader within their region, cater specifically to the luxury market and have a proven track record with Leading Hotels members.

•   Advertising
•   Branding
•   Communications and E-marketing
•   Crisis Management
•   Direct Mail Services
•   Event Planning
•   Graphic Design
•   Marketing Support
•   Photography
•   Printing
•   Public Relations
•   Retail Consulting
•   Spa Consulting
•   Strategic Planning
•   Training
•   Web Support
•   Yield Management

•   A total on-line solutions provider by maximizing member hotel online distribution and marketing opportunities
•   Serving as an Internet channel and distribution partner for hotels
•   Promotes individual hotels and booking capabilities online
•   Cross-promotes hotels via a variety of travel websites, as well as through other distribution partners

•   Leading Link.
This booking engine product connects member hotels websites to The Leading Hotels of the World CRS, for instantaneous online reservations capability. Hotels market their own sites, while simplifying the online reservations functions.
•   Leading Merchant Distribution.
Leading Interactive Reservations enables hotels to participate in appropriate online wholesale programs by carefully selecting merchant partners.
•   Online Advertising Opportunities.
By leveraging the relationship with Leading Interactive Reservations partner websites (e.g. Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast, etc.), significant savings can be obtained for hotels to advertise on these sites.
•   Leading Link Marketing Services.
A variety of services has been designed to assist hotels in enhancing their online presence, and increasing production from their own Websites. Services include Search Engine Optimization, E-mail Marketing Campaigns, website Evaluations, Website Design and Development, and Leading Link Plus, an enhanced booking engine with PMS interface.

•   To assist member hotels in maintaining their assets at luxury levels
•   To provide member hotels with a source of investment capital enabling them to maintain their memberships within The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd.
•   To provide a solution to member hotels that are faced with succession planning, partnership issues and estate planning challenges.

•   Outright Purchase
•   Partnership Options
•   Asset Management
•   Capital Advisory Services

•   Experience.
Leading By Design companies have experience working in the luxury hotel market and have proven track records with members of The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd.
•   Reliability and Convenience.
Through Leading By Design, members of The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd. can review pre-qualified companies in order to select those that best suit their needs.
•   Standards.
Members and aspiring members of The Leading Hotels of the World have the unique ability to work with firms already familiar with The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd. standards.

•   Building Design
•   Construction Management
•   Interior Design
•   Landscape Architecture
•   Project Management
•   Refurbishment
•   Renovation
•   Restoration

•   Operates a dedicated hotel program
•   Offers an accredited bachelor’s degree program
•   Is recognized as a reputable hotel management institution within its country/region
•   Is an industry preference when seeking hotel school graduates
•   Has the hotel industry represented in an advisory board
•   Has at least 70% of graduates whose first job is within the industry
•   Has graduates within the industry for at least two years
•   Offers a curriculum that includes lecturers given by visiting authorities in the industry and/or part-time industry lecturers

•   Global standards of excellence training (i.e. management training, “train the trainer”, etc.) delivered through a local platform in a local language
•   Allows hotels to train key personnel on-site in a cost-effective manner
•   Provides continuing education opportunities for industry managers enabling them to remain competitive
•   Enables hotels to train and retain qualified management personnel
•   Complimentary internship postings
•   Permanent job placement

•   Customized private-label training programs for hotels and hotel companies
•   Continuing education opportunities for hotels and hotel companies through on-site property seminars and on-campus professional development programs
•   A resource for internship and permanent employee placements

•   Hotelschool The Hague (partner)– The Hague, Netherlands
•   Niagara University (partner) – Niagara Falls, New York
•   Haaga Institute Polytechnic – Helsinki, Finland
•   International University of Applied Sciences Bad Honnef – Bad Honnef, Germany
•   Manchester Metropolitan University – Manchester, England, United Kingdom
•   Northern Arizona University – Flagstaff, Arizona
•   The Institute of Hotel Management – Aurangabad, India
•   Universidad de Este – Carolina, Puerto Rico
•   Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola – Lima, Peru