Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. announced it will open a new Customer Contact Center (CCC) in Wichita, Kan. in late 2013. The new CCC's associates will help Starwood guests book reservations and provide Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) member services. Starwood is adding jobs in North America to support innovative customer programs, including the Ambassador Program, and to support industry-leading work to personalize guest experiences. The center's inaugural class will include approximately 30 new positions with 150 additional associates anticipated this year to supplement Starwood's current needs.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. announced that it will increase its operating hotel footprint in Latin America by 50% during the next five years, opening an average of seven new hotels per year in the region. Emphasizing Latin American's growth potential as one of the fastest growing hotel and travel markets.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. announced the debut of Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran, the latest newly built Le Méridien resort to open during a year of substantial growth for the Paris-born brand. Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran, combines chic, modern design with a passion for the arts, culture and creative cuisine to offer travellers an enriching escape on Bali, Indonesia's famed Island of the Gods. Complementing its idyllic location, Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran juxtaposes rich elements of traditional Jimbaran heritage with sleek contemporary elements, inspiring art, and a relaxed, understated style. The resort features the newly developed Le Méridien Hub experience, which re-interprets the traditional lobby into a social gathering place for creative people to converse, debate and exchange views. Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran offers four distinct dining venues in a three-story complex, including the signature restaurant Bamboo Chic, featuring Pan-Asian flavours fused with an authentic Balinese palate and made with organic ingredients sourced from the local Bedugul Mountain area; Smoqee Lounge & Sky Bar with hand-crafted cocktails, unparalleled sunset views, and soothing tunes from resident DJs; Latitude 8, offering coffee by day and wines and tapas by night in the hotel's Hub; and WALA, an casual spot for handcrafted gelato and perfect cups of coffee. Surrounded by serene and refreshing water features, the hotel's 118 guest rooms and suites feature modern batik motifs and striking liquid art imagery by German artist Markus Reugels. Ground floor guest rooms open directly onto a uniquely designed 1,300 square meter organic form saltwater lagoon pool. Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran provides the perfect backdrop for a range of events, from weddings to corporate functions. Located on the rooftop level, the glass encased Celebration Pavilion and Bale Banjar Ballroom affords panoramic views of Jimbaran Bay and its famous sunsets. A modern conference center provides 600 square meters of multi-purpose space, audio-visual technology, a business center, and creative event staff.