In postwar Europe and the Middle East, Hilton hotels were quite literally "little Americas." For American businessmen and tourists, a Hilton Hotel—with the comfortable familiarity of an English-speaking staff, a restaurant that served cheeseburgers and milkshakes, trans-Atlantic telephone lines, and, most important, air-conditioned modernity—offered a respite from the disturbingly alien. For impoverished local populations, these same features lent the Hilton a utopian aura. The Hilton was a space of luxury and desire, a space that realized, permanently and prominently, the new and powerful presence of the United States. Building the Cold War examines the architectural means by which the Hilton was written into the urban topographies of the major cities of Europe and the Middle East as an effective representation of the United States. Between 1953 and 1966, Hilton International built sixteen luxury hotels abroad. Often the Hilton was the first significant modern structure in the host city, as well as its finest hotel. The Hiltons introduced a striking visual contrast to the traditional architectural forms of such cities as Istanbul, Cairo, Athens, and Jerusalem, where the impact of its new architecture was amplified by the hotel's unprecedented siting and scale. Even in cities familiar with the Modern, the new Hilton often dominated the urban landscape with its height, changing the look of the city. The London Hilton on Park Lane, for example, was the first structure in London that was higher than St. Paul's cathedral. In his autobiography, Conrad N. Hilton claimed that these hotels were constructed for profit and for political impact: "an integral part of my dream was to show the countries most exposed to Communism the other side of the coin—the fruits of the free world." Exploring everything the carefully drafted contracts for the buildings to the remarkable visual and social impact on their host cities, Wharton offers a theoretically sophisticated critique of one of the Cold War's first international businesses and demonstrates that the Hilton's role in the struggle against Communism was, as Conrad Hilton declared, significant, though in ways that he could not have imagined. Many of these postwar Hiltons still flourish. Those who stay in them will learn a great deal about their experience from this new assessment of hotel space.

Introduce students to the exciting world of international hospitality with this extensively-revised textbook that explores key issues in global hotel development and management. Students will learn about new trends and developments that have changed the context of international hotel operations and management and explore international policies affecting travel, tourism, and hospitality development. Topics include: Trends in global distribution systems, sustainable development,new hotel products, and consumer demographics Growth and importance of China, India, and the Middle East as destinations for hotel development and management Country-specific policies regarding investment regulations, visa programs, hotel classification systems, and travel advisories

This book tries to examine the complex global phenomenon of international tourism, exploring its various concepts in their different manifestations. The book offers comprehensive information on various concepts, methods and frameworks giving a systematic overview of the subject on a global basis. Key elements of the book include: nature and components of the tourism industry; destination planning and management; marketing strategies and communication; economic dimensions and international co-operation.

Never before has it been more important for hotel operators and designers to understand the concept of what makes for a comfortable stay. Hotels of today have to cater to ever-increasing numbers of travel-savvy customers that emanate from all corners of the globe. These are customers with a wide range of demands and expectations, particularly in relation to the level of comfort they seek. Iconic Design Hotels is packed with innovative designs that are guaranteed to redefine the concept of what a hotel should be. Concepts range from the Plush and lush to minimalist and they are presented in a way that illuminates the design perspective as well as the criteria used for gauging the comfort of customers. Thorough documentation is provided in the form of floor plans, the architects' personal sketches and notes, and gorgeous, full-color photographs.

This book provides comprehensive coverage of cross-cultural issues and behavior in tourism, and illustrates how international cultural differences influence travel decision-making --publisher's description.

Yu (tourism and hospitality management, George Washington University) examines the social, cultural, political, and economic environment within which international hospitality operations compete. He covers a broad range of policy issues in operating hotels and restaurants in foreign countries, including development strategies and organizational structures. He also discusses managerial functions, such as accounting, finance, tax, law, marketing, and human resources. The book is intended for both students and managers. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Two New York Times–bestselling authors unveil new research showing what meditation can really do for the brain. In the last twenty years, meditation and mindfulness have gone from being kind of cool to becoming an omnipresent Band-Aid for fixing everything from your weight to your relationship to your achievement level. Unveiling here the kind of cutting-edge research that has made them giants in their fields, Daniel Goleman and Richard Davidson show us the truth about what meditation can really do for us, as well as exactly how to get the most out of it. Sweeping away common misconceptions and neuromythology to open readers’ eyes to the ways data has been distorted to sell mind-training methods, the authors demonstrate that beyond the pleasant states mental exercises can produce, the real payoffs are the lasting personality traits that can result. But short daily doses will not get us to the highest level of lasting positive change—even if we continue for years—without specific additions. More than sheer hours, we need smart practice, including crucial ingredients such as targeted feedback from a master teacher and a more spacious, less attached view of the self, all of which are missing in widespread versions of mind training. The authors also reveal the latest data from Davidson’s own lab that point to a new methodology for developing a broader array of mind-training methods with larger implications for how we can derive the greatest benefits from the practice. Exciting, compelling, and grounded in new research, this is one of those rare books that has the power to change us at the deepest level.

Modern hotels are expected to offer more than a bed for the night. The hotels featured in this colour-illustrated volume reflect the best in modern design and cater to the demands of rich people with an eye for something distinct and different.

The author gives readers an intimate portrait of the life of a billionaire and business titan and shares his definition of success. This biography tells the remarkable story of a man who had the vision to create a multibillion-dollar business, who understood the power of giving, and lived the creed that hard work will pay off, but success is never final.