DIARY: Loved your party; next time I really must go

Here’s a wheeze for when press conference attendance is a tad thin -

virtual guests.

European travel editor Henry Sutton was bemused to receive a letter last

week from Josef Kral, general manager of the Hyatt Regency Dubai.

After revealing that he had returned safely to Dubai, Kral went on to

thank Sutton for his company at dinner.

So far, so good. Problem? Sutton wasn’t there.

‘It’s bizarre,’ he says. ‘I can’t say if I replied to the invitation or

not, but I certainly didn’t go.’

Still, think of the advantages for PR people - save on those costly

lunches, avoid horrid journalists, and keep the client happy. Sounds

like a winner.