Outrigger Revamps, Refurbishes With Corporate Emphasis

<B> Outrigger Revamps, Refurbishes With Corporate Emphasis</B>

By Judy Jacobs

Outrigger Hotels & Resorts is revamping its sales operations to put more emphasis on several of its individual properties. The move will allow the company to pay closer attention to the corporate market, boosted by a major renovation at the Prince Kuhio.

Installing a dedicated sales manager at Prince Kuhio earlier this year was one of the company's first efforts. "Although we have people in headquarters working with the corporate market, now corporate travel managers will have someone on property geared to that business," said Peter Jenkins, senior vice president of sales.

The Prince Kuhio--the company's primary property for business travelers--is in the midst of a major renovation. It is refurbishing all 625 guest rooms and also is adding six new junior suites.

Every guest room at the Prince Kuhio has a data-link phone jack for fax and e-mail transmission. The Voyagers Club offers secured keycard access, continental breakfast, a lounge and express checkin. The hotel also has meeting facilities for up to 1,000. Its 1998 Group Special giving one free room for every ten paid. Its business center is equipped with computers, printers, a scanner, copiers and fax machines.

Outrigger soon will expand its marketing efforts to other hotels. "We're looking for someone to handle the Reef and Waikiki, and at what we need to do to cater to business travelers at the Waikiki Surf East," Jenkins said.