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November 4th, 2024
Four Seasons to Expand Saudi Arabian Portfolio Alongside Dar Al Omran Company With New Hotel in Madinah
Four Seasons | May 7, 2024
Steps from the Prophet's Mosque, the Hotel will offer luxury accommodations to the city's tens of millions of annual visitors TORONTO, May 7, 2024 -- Leading luxury hospitality company Four Seasons and Saudi-based development firm Dar Al Omran Company announce plans for continued expansion in the Middle East with Four Seasons Hotel Madinah, anticipated to open in late 2024. The new-build hotel will be located at the heart of Madinah and steps from one of the most historic and significant sites in the region: Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, also known as the Prophet's Mosque. The city has a storied history, drawing millions of visitors eac...
Black Oak Casino Resort Reveals Details of Renovation and Expansion of THE HOTEL
Black Oak Casino Resort | May 7, 2024
48 New Suites, Children's Pool with Splash Pad, and Renovations to All Existing Suites Highlight Black Oak Casino Resort's Continued Dedication to Creating the Ultimate Family Destination in Central California TUOLUMNE, Calif., May 7, 2024 -- As part of a sustained effort to provide families in Tuolumne County and beyond with a vacation destination that offers memorable entertainment options to guests of all ages, Black Oak Casino Resort is pleased to announce the details of a major renovation and expansion project at THE HOTEL. On track for a summer 2025 completion date, this substantial update includes the addition of 48 brand-new sui...
IHG Hotels & Resorts Launches the First voco Hotel in India With voco Jim Corbett
IHG | May 7, 2024
National, 7th May 2024 - IHG® Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies with more than 6,300 hotels worldwide across 19 brands, announces the opening of voco Jim Corbett - India’s first voco hotel. This also marks the introduction of the 7th brand from IHG’s global portfolio to the Indian market. Spread across 13.5 acres of lush greenery along the majestic Kosi Riverside, the resort in Dhilkuli region of Jim Corbett emerges as a sanctuary of tranquility and serenity, amidst dense forests and a symphony of foliage. Nestled on the foothills of the Mailani range, the hotel immerses guests in the captivating n...
IHG Hotels & Resorts Introduces Vignette Collection to Kuwait With Opening of Arabella Beach Hotel
IHG | May 7, 2024
KUWAIT, GCC, May 2024: IHG Hotels & Resorts introduces its first collection brand to Kuwait as Arabella Beach Hotel Kuwait, Vignette Collection opened on 6th May 2024. Prominently positioned on the Arabian Gulf shoreline, the 195 room property joins IHG’s growing Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio – now the second largest in the world – to mark the GCC region’s second Vignette Collection, following Th8 Palm Dubai Beach Resort Vignette Collection’s opening in Summer this year. Central to Vignette Collection is the balance of individuality and belonging. A family of like-minded hotels, each Vignette Collection property is e...
Marriott International and KKR To Launch Midscale Hospitality Segment in Japan With Four Points Express by Sheraton
Marriott International | May 7, 2024
Marriott International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MAR) and KKR, a leading global investment firm today announced the launch of each company’s foray into the midscale hospitality space in Japan, which follows KKR’s completion of the acquisition of Unizo Hotel Company, Limited and a portfolio of 14 hotels in Japan from Unizo Holdings. The 14 hotels will be converted to Four Points Express by Sheraton. This marks Marriott’s entry into the affordable midscale segment in Japan and the brand’s debut in Asia Pacific following its global launch in this space in 2023. The portfolio of 14 hotels is located in major tourist destinations in 10 cities acr...
The Jeddah EDITION Opens in The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
EDITION HOTELS | May 7, 2024
As Saudi Arabia sets its sights on creating a modern, thriving society through the goals outlined in its Vision 2030 roadmap, EDITION Hotels debuts in Jeddah, serving as a testament to this commitment of transformation. As Saudi Arabia sets its sights on creating a modern, thriving society through the goals outlined in its Vision 2030 roadmap, EDITION Hotels debuts in Jeddah, serving as a testament to this commitment of transformation. By capturing the vibrant spirit and unique character of Jeddah, EDITION Hotels is not just opening its first property in the region but introducing a category-defining concept that aligns seamlessly with the a...
SSG Hotels Breaks Ground on New Staybridge Suites by IHG in Greenwood, IN
SSG Hotels | May 7, 2024
Greenwood, IN — [5.7.24] — SSG Hotels, a leading hospitality management company, is thrilled to announce the groundbreaking of its newest project: an 86 room Staybridge Suites by IHG in Greenwood, IN. This marks the company's second Staybridge Suites endeavor, promising to combine the latest prototype with locally inspired aesthetics for an unparalleled guest experience. About the Property: Staybridge Suites is an all-suite extended stay hotel that provides elevated residential experience with hotel amenities including complimentary breakfast buffet, light bites & happy hour, pool, fitness center, outdoor patio area, and business...
Driftwood Capital Celebrates Rebranding of Its 245-Key Hotel Rumbao in Historic Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
Driftwood Capital | May 7, 2024
Following a $21.8M transformation, the repositioned asset has been launched under Marriott’s Tribute Portfolio of boutique hotels. San Juan, Puerto Rico (May 7, 2024) – Driftwood Capital (“Driftwood”), a vertically integrated commercial real estate hospitality sponsor, announces the grand opening of Hotel Rumbao, a 245-key hotel and Paseo Portuario, a parking and retail complex in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. Acquired by Driftwood Capital in 2021, the property has been repositioned to Marriott’s Tribute Portfolio of independent boutique hotels following a $21.8 million renovation of the property and its surroundings. Driftwood H...
The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort Unveils $45 Million Property-Wide Transformation
The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort | May 7, 2024
Timed to the 15th Anniversary of the Beloved Luxury Resort, the Completion of the Highly Anticipated Renovation Ushers in a New Era for St. Regis Punta Mita Riviera Nayarit, Mexico – (May 7, 2024) –The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort today announces the culmination of its $45 million property-wide transformation, completely reimagining the iconic resort while elevating the property to a new level. Timed to its 15th anniversary, the scope of the resort’s renovation spans all common areas and public spaces, the introduction of five beachfront villas, redesigned suites and guest rooms, enhancements to The St. Regis Spa, the launch of new ...
Accor Expands in Brisbane With Addition of Mercure Brisbane Spring Hill
ACCOR | May 7, 2024
Accor, Australia’s largest hotel operator, is excited to expand its network of Brisbane hotels with the addition of Mercure Brisbane Spring Hill in the heart of the River City. Formerly the independently operated Pacific Hotel Brisbane, Accor now operates the 179-room Mercure Brisbane Spring Hill under a hotel management agreement. The hotel, which boasts a commanding location overlooking the city skyline and Roma Street Parklands, will undergo a makeover to bring it in line with Mercure’s globally recognised brand standards, with the new-look property set to be unveiled later this year. Accor Pacific Chief Operating Officer PM&E,...
At U.S. Travel’s IPW, Leaders Say Government Must Increase Focus to Achieve Travel Growth
U.S. Travel Association | May 7, 2024
LOS ANGELES - At U.S. Travel’s IPW – the largest generator of international inbound travel to the United States – association President and CEO Geoff Freeman shared a vision to make travel a national priority, solve barriers to visitation growth, and become the most-visited nation in the world. “It should be our national goal to be nothing short of number one in terms of visitor arrivals, visitor spend and visitor experience,” Freeman said. “But our ambitions are constrained by excessively long wait times for visitor visas, often-lengthy waits at customs, and an air traffic control system that is challenged to meet demand. A...
Lodging Interactive Launches Subscription-Based Hotel Website Development and Marketing Services
Lodging Interactive | May 7, 2024
Company launches innovative 'Pay-As-You-Go' hotel website development and marketing service. Lodging Interactive, a leading digital marketing agency specializing in the hospitality industry since 2001, is excited to announce the launch of its innovative 'Pay-As-You-Go' hotel website development and marketing service. This service offers hotel operators the flexibility to minimize upfront costs while benefiting from comprehensive website development and marketing solutions. "At Lodging Interactive, we pride ourselves on crafting websites that not only captivate but convert," said DJ Vallauri, Founder and CEO of Lodging Intera...
Maestro PMS Launches MezzoPay Embedded Payments; Excitement Abounds Among Clients to Install the Enhanced, Seamless, Secure Payment Offering
Maestro PMS | May 7, 2024
Hospitality’s premier all-in-one property-management system provider improves payment processing usability, security, and sophistication Markham, Ontario, May 7, 2024 — Maestro PMS, a Web Browser-based cloud and on-premises all-in-one property-management system, announced the addition of MezzoPay as its new embedded payment processing solution. Powered by Fullsteam, MezzoPay equips hoteliers with the ability to offer seamless and secure transaction capabilities directly embedded within the hotel PMS. Using MezzoPay, hotels partnered with Maestro PMS can eliminate the need for third-party payment processing gateways. MezzoPay is clo...
Hospitality Financial Leadership: $600,000 Trash Can
David Lund | May 6, 2024
David Lund is the Hotel Financial Coach, a thought leader and trainer on using financial data to drive your business decisions and your career. A 30-year hotel vet, David has seen everything, a lot of which he shares in his book, The Prosperous Hotelier. Susan and David talk about railroads, scams, and Russians. What you'll learn about in this episode: Why it is so important to ask questions How to get better at understanding the P&L What railroads have to do with luxury hotels How much time to spend on your expense checkbook What GMs and owners who don't share numbers are up to [00:00:00] Susan Barry: This is ...
The American Privacy Rights Act – What Does It Mean for Hotel Companies?
Bob Braun | May 6, 2024
By Robert Braun On April 7, 2024, the United States House Committee on Energy and Commerce released the American Privacy Rights Act (APRA). While every Congress for more than a decade has introduced multiple proposals to address privacy rights on a national scale, none have gained traction, and while there’s every reason to suspect that the APRA will meet the same fate – headwinds are coming from the states that have already adopted comprehensive privacy statutes, and it is notoriously difficult to adopt legislation in an election year, and especially now), the APRA is being taken seriously, and might be the basis for a long-awaited, a...
Travel & Tourism Injected €215BN Into Italy’s Economy
The World Travel & Tourism Council | May 6, 2024
Employment and international visitor spend breaks all records Milan, Italy: The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) 2024 Economic Impact Research (EIR) has revealed Italy’s Travel & Tourism sector contributed €215BN, representing 10.5% of Italy’s total economic output last year, underscoring the sector’s prominence as a backbone of the Italian economy. The sector also proved a significant source of employment in 2023, breaking all records generating nearly 185,000 new jobs, raising the total to 2.97MN nationwide, representing one in every eight jobs across the country. The resurgence of international visitors to It...
Group Led by Robert J. Guidry Acquires Dual-Branded Courtyard and SpringHill Suites New Orleans for $73 Million
HREC | May 6, 2024
First Major Hotel Sale Since Early 2023 Signals Rebound of Hotel Market Sales NEW ORLEANS, May 6, 2024-- Len Wormser, Senior Vice President and Scott Stephens, Senior Principal and Chief Operating Officer of Hospitality Real Estate Counselors (HREC), together with Cushman Wakefield Commercial Real Estate Services, are pleased to announce the sale of the 410 room Marriott dual branded New Orleans Courtyard and Spring Hill Suites Hotels located near the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center/Arts and Warehouse District of the Central Business District. The purchase price was $73 million. Robert J. Guidry along with Guidry Land Partners ...
Hospitality Ventures Management Group (HVMG) Names Linda Philp Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
Hospitality Ventures Management Group | May 6, 2024
ATLANTA--Hospitality Ventures Management Group (HVMG), an Atlanta-based third-party hotel operator and investor, today announced that the company has named Linda Philp, CPA, senior vice president & chief financial officer. In her role, she will be responsible for the company’s accounting, financial reporting, tax, systems optimization/technology and risk management functions. “Linda brings with her a wealth of finance and accounting expertise that will not only provide support for our property-level general managers and directors of finance/controllers but will also serve as a valued strategic partner for our owners and investors...
Hyatt Signs Agreement With Knowledge Economic City for Two New Hotels in The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Hyatt Hotels Corporation | May 6, 2024
Two Hyatt-branded hotels set to debut in Madinah as Hyatt House CHICAGO (MAY 6, 2024) – Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into management agreements with Knowledge Economic City (KEC) for two new Hyatt-branded hotels, Hyatt House Madinah KEC and Hyatt Centric Madinah KEC. Set to open in a highly anticipated development, Knowledge Economic City in Madinah, the properties will add a combined 576 keys to Hyatt’s portfolio in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Further signaling Hyatt's commitment to the strategic growth of its portfolio in key markets that matter to guests and owners, Hy...
IHG Hotels & Resorts Shares Q1 2024 Trading Update
IHG | May 6, 2024
Highlights Q1 global RevPAR +2.6% YOY, with Americas -0.3%, EMEAA +8.9% and Greater China +2.5% Average daily rate +2.3%, occupancy +0.2%pts Gross system size growth +5.0% YOY, +0.7% YTD; opened 6.3k rooms (46 hotels) in Q1, +11.1% more YOY adjusting for Iberostar Net system size growth +3.4% YOY, +0.0% YTD; adjusting for Iberostar +3.2% YOY, +0.0% YTD Global system of 946k rooms (6,368 hotels); 66% across midscale segments, 34% across upscale and luxury Signed 17.7k rooms (129 hotels) in Q1, +7.1% YOY; global pipeline of 305k rooms (2,079 hotels), +6.6% YOY $239m of 2024’s $800m share buyback programme completed to d...
AC Hotels by Marriott Celebrates Its Brand Debut in Southwest China With the Opening of AC Hotel Chengdu North
AC Hotels by Marriott® | May 6, 2024
Doors open to a curated guest experience in thriving and dynamic Jinniu District of Chengdu AC Hotels by Marriott®, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of over 30 extraordinary brands, today announced the opening of AC Hotel Chengdu North, which marks the lifestyle brand’s debut in Southwest China. Situated at the junction of Chengdu’s Jinniu District and Xindu District, the new hotel has been expertly refined and crafted to deliver The Perfectly Precise Hotel™ experience. "The addition of the AC Hotels by Marriott brand to Chengdu underscores our dedication to expanding our global footprint, particularly in coveted leisure desti...
Pendry Park City Welcomes John Rolfs as New General Manager
Pendry Park City | May 6, 2024
Global hospitality leader joins Pendry Park City executive team PARK CITY, UTAH (May 6, 2024) – Pendry Hotels & Resorts is pleased to announce the appointment of John Rolfs to the role of general manager of Pendry Park City, the contemporary resort and residences located in the heart of Canyons Village. Rolfs joins the Pendry Hotels & Resorts family with more than 28 years of experience in hospitality, including over two decades with The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, most recently as general manager of St. Regis Bal Harbour Hotel. In his new role as general manager, Rolfs will oversee all aspects of resort operations for Pendry Par...
Whitestone Capital Acquires Pennsylvania Holiday Inn in Partnership With PJD Capital
Whitestone Capital | May 6, 2024
Columbus, OH (May 6, 2024) - Whitestone Capital, a division of Whitestone Companies, joined forces with PJD Capital to purchase the 152 room Holiday Inn East Mountain in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. This acquisition marks the first joint venture between the two real estate companies. “We are excited about our new partnership with PJD Capital to reposition this property into a product the Wilkes Barre community has been craving,” said Jay Batra, Chief Executive Officer of Whitestone Companies. “We expect the transformation to happen in two phases with the first phase starting later this year.” Phase one of the transformation will ...
Canada’s Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge Appoints Benjamin Godin as New Executive Chef
Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge | May 6, 2024
The celebrated luxury wilderness lodge refreshes its culinary staff with esteemed, Tofino-born Chef Vancouver, British Columbia (May 6, 2023) – Baillie Lodges’ Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge, nestled in the remote wilderness of Canada’s Vancouver Island, officially announces its recent appointment of Executive Chef Benjamin Godin. With an illustrious career spanning 13 years, Chef Godin brings a wealth of culinary expertise to further enhance and elevate the guest experience at Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge. In his new role, Godin will oversee the lodge’s culinary operations across the lodge’s restaurant, The Cookhouse, and lounge, The I...
