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International News

Damac tops out Paramount Tower Hotel and Residences

Property features one of Dubai’s highest infinity pools on the 64th level, at 235 metres high Damac Properties’ has topped out its Paramount Tower Hotel and Residences, a 64-storey mixed-use development property on Sheikh Zayed Road. The project, features one of Dubai’s highest infinity pools on the 64th level. Currently, more than 80% of the tower’s external façade and casting work of the infinity pool has been completed. The design and décor of the hotel rooms comprises features such as in-room home theatre systems and access to a library of Paramount films. The residences feature multiple bedrooms and spacious interiors with separate dining and living areas. Speaking about the topping out, Niall McLoughlin, senior vice president, DAMAC Properties, said, “The topping out of Paramount Tower Hotel and Residences with one of Dubai’s highest infinity pools overlooking Downtown Dubai is testament to our commitment to bringing the most differentiated living experiences to the region. We are thrilled with the progress on this project, which stands tall as a distinctive addition to Dubai’s iconic skyline. Our vision resonates with Dubai’s growing relevance as one of the world’s top tourist destinations.” In addition to the infinity pool, Paramount Tower Hotel and Residences features multiple floors of amenities such as restaurants and lounges, a rooftop terrace fitness and wellness centres, and a business centre, among others.

Create: Nov 3, 2019 Edit: Nov 3, 2019

Hilton achieves 100-hotel milestone in Africa

The recent signing of Hampton by Hilton Sandton Grayston also marks the African debut for Hampton by Hilton. Hilton recently announced the signing of Hampton by Hilton Sandton Grayston, which marks the first for the brand in Africa. That’s not all it marks, however, with the agreement also meaning that the company now has reached the 100-hotel-milestone as far as properties trading or under development on the African continent. It is truly a year of many 100s for Hilton, which is celebrating its 100th birthday. “With this being our 100th year, reaching the milestone of 100 hotels allows us to reflect on our rich legacy of pioneering tourism on the African continent but also to look to the future,” Patrick Fitzgibbon, Senior Vice President, Development, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Hilton said. “We continue to step up the pace of our growth, especially in the mid-market segment which presents a tremendous opportunity as evidenced by the rapid expansion of Hilton Garden Inn on the continent since its debut in 2016.” Hilton’s agreements in Africa Recently, Hilton signed a franchise agreement with Afrirent Pty through its Indalo Hotels & Leisure subsidiary, a level one Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) third party operating company. Indalo will be the operator of the 158-room Hampton by Hilton hotel in Sandton, which is the financial capital of South Africa. This mid-market property will join Hilton’s flagship upscale Hilton Sandton, offering additional choice for travellers to the district commonly known as ‘Africa’s richest Square Mile’. Construction is scheduled to begin at the site on Grayston Drive in early 2020 with first guests set to be welcomed by mid-2021. Hilton Garden Inn is crucial to the company’s footprint in Africa, with the brand having operational hotels in six African markets and a further ten under development. Hampton by Hilton is expected to compliment this growth and provide owners and customers with greater choice. Other noteworthy Hilton properties in Africa There is, of course, more to Hilton’s growth story in the African market. 2019 has seen Hilton open four properties in Africa, entering three new markets whilst also further strengthening its multi-brand pipeline. Highlights include: Bringing its lifestyle Canopy by Hilton brand to Africa, through the signing of Canopy by Hilton Cape Town Longkloof Confirming the signing of two landmark flagship Hilton Hotels & Resorts properties in Uganda and DR Congo, the Hilton Kampala and Hilton Kinshasa. Accelerating its growth in the focused service segment, opening Hilton Garden Inn hotels in three new countries: Hilton Garden Inn Gaborone, Botswana Hilton Garden Inn Kampala, Uganda Hilton Garden Inn Mbabane, Eswatini Continuing to establish its footprint in Morocco with the opening of Hilton Tanger Al Houara Golf Resort & Spa with the Hilton Taghazout Bay due to open in 2020

Create: Oct 26, 2019 Edit: Nov 3, 2019

Accor’s milestone partnership with Global Premium Hotels

After inking a deal with Global Premium Hotels, Accor is pleased to unveil 13 new ibis budget hotels rebranded from existing Fragrance hotels. The conclusion of this partnership cements Accor’s position as the largest hotel operator in Singapore, bringing its total inventory to 7,625 rooms across 30 hotels (3,357 rooms in the luxury and premium space, 1,840 in midscale and 2,428 in economy). The two Parc Sovereign hotels will commence renovation plans towards the end of 2019 and will be rebranded to become one Mercure and one ibis Styles hotel by mid-2020. “With its nifty and modern design, these new ibis budget hotels spread across central and suburban locations in Singapore are perfect for savvy business or leisure travellers. Featuring cosy rooms for one, two or three people and conveniently located to leisure attractions such as Gardens by the Bay, Clarke Quay, Mount Faber and Sentosa Island, these new additions to our network in the city offer wider choices to guests looking for a short break or weekend getaway,” said Garth Simmons, Chief Operating Officer, Accor Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore & South Asia. GPHL CEO Ko Lee Meng, said, “We are excited to launch a new Accor brand in the market and deepen our relationship with Accor. Having provided quality accommodation and great value to visitors to Singapore these past 20 years, the rebranding and enhancement of our existing properties marks not just another milestone for our group, but an evolution in our business and a boost to our expansion strategy.” Ranging in size from 32 rooms to 168 rooms, selected hotels also feature a pool and/or gym. ibis budget Singapore Clarke Quay, located five minutes’ walk from Clarke Quay MRT Station and the Singapore River, features a fitness centre and a rooftop swimming pool. The ibis budget Singapore Selegie boasts a rooftop pool with great views of Singapore’s city skyline. Additionally, ibis budget Singapore Clarke Quay, ibis budget Singapore Imperial and ibis budget Singapore Selegie offer a casual dining café. The ibis budget Singapore Mount Faber and ibis budget Singapore West Coast are a short drive from VivoCity, Singapore’s largest mall and gateway to Sentosa Island and its many leisure attractions – Universal Studios, various theme parks, sandy beaches and lush rainforests. The cluster of hotels in the eastern suburbs of Joo Chiat and Geylang are a foodie’s haven, with famous local eateries and dining houses recommended by food bloggers and influencers within walking distance. Selected hotels offer assistance with sightseeing and guided tours to these hidden gems that are not commonly found on a tourist map.

Create: Oct 21, 2019 Edit: Nov 3, 2019

Accor, followed by Marriott lead hotel industry expansion in Africa

Accor’s portfolio covered 24,512 rooms as of 31 July 2019 Hospitality groups Accor and Marriott International account for the largest hotel supply and pipeline counts in Africa, according to data from STR. Accor’s portfolio covered 24,512 rooms as of 31 July 2019, while Marriott accounted for 24,508 rooms. The groups also lead the development pipeline with 19,745 and 15,219 rooms under contract (in construction, final planning and planning phases of the pipeline) respectively. “Over recent years, there has been increased investment interest across Africa with international groups leading the expansion,” said Thomas Emanuel, a director for STR. “There are now just seven countries in Africa with no internationally branded properties present, compared to 18 just six years ago. Accor and Marriott continue to lead the way in Africa, not just in terms of supply, but also pipeline. We look forward to seeing the continued development of the hotel industry across the continent as more supply goes into rapidly developing destinations,” he added. Protea Hotels by Marriott is the continent’s second-largest brand with 8,374 rooms, just behind Hilton that has 8,617 rooms.

Create: Oct 21, 2019 Edit: Nov 3, 2019

Kimpton Hotel Palomar South Beach to open in Miami

Kimpton Hotel Palomar South Beach is set to welcome its first guests in late 2019. The chic property will be located in the heart of South Beach, a popular international and local destination in Miami Beach. It will be the boutique hotel company’s fifth in the Sunshine State, complementing its existing hotels in Miami Beach, Downtown Miami and Vero Beach. Altamarea Group, the New York restaurant Hospitality Group, will run the hotel’s food and beverage program, and bring its highly popular Osteria Morini brand from Soho to the Kimpton Palomar. “We’re thrilled to be opening our doors in South Beach this fall, and excited to partner with the Altamarea Group,” said Fernando Rivera, the property’s newly appointed general manager. “At the Palomar, guests will not only be surrounded by world-class restaurants, shopping and other great amenities, but they will also enjoy state-of-the-art design, technology, luxury and the unparalleled service that embodies the Kimpton ethos.” Located at the gateway of the locally loved Sunset Harbour neighbourhood, Kimpton Hotel Palomar South Beach is a sophisticated retreat just steps away from the city’s newest and most exciting restaurants, shops, wellness experiences and nightlife. Featuring striking design by Miami architect and designer Kobi Karp, Kimpton Hotel Palomar South Beach is set to become an iconic addition to the South Beach scene. Karp’s design takes its cues from the waterfront. The hotel spans five stories with 96 rooms surrounding a spacious central atrium. Meant to resemble the hull of a private luxury yacht lilted on its side, the lobby excites the senses with its custom-built light installations and is peppered with art displays, including light panels, abstracted shapes, and large format fabrics meant to resemble the ripples of the Atlantic Ocean. Guest rooms feature private balconies available for nearly every guest and design that is inspired by the oceanic environs.

Create: Oct 16, 2019 Edit: Nov 3, 2019

Marriott International to debut St Regis hotel brand in Oman

The project is expected to bring 271 luxury rooms and 170 branded residences to Muscat Marriott International will debut the St Regis brand — St. Regis Al Mouj Muscat Resort — in Oman after it signed an agreement. The resort is expected to open in 2022. The 271-room resort will come up in Al Mouj Muscat and will include plans for 170 branded residential units, including a mix of apartments, penthouses and townhouses. The residences are also expected to be completed by 2022. “The signing of St. Regis in Oman is a natural progression for the brand’s portfolio, as the brand continues to become one of the most recognised and sought-after luxury hotel brands in the region,” said Alex Kyriakidis, president and managing director, Middle East & Africa for Marriott International. “We are thrilled to bring this significant project to Oman, especially to this strategic location in one of the most desired waterfront masterplans in the city of Muscat.” Guests are expected to have access to a portfolio of leisure amenities in the Al Mouj Muscat community, including a planned 360-berth marina with retail and dining options, as well as a clubhouse with watersport activities. Guests could be allowed to access the Al Mouj Golf – an 18-hole championship golf course, designed by Greg Norman. Plans for the resort also include a 1,100-square-metre ballroom for corporate gatherings, special events or weddings.

Create: Oct 13, 2019 Edit: Nov 3, 2019

Marriott to debut Luxury Collection in Saudi Arabia

The Assila Hotel features 210 guestrooms Hospitality giant Marriott International will be introducing its Luxury Collection in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia after it signed an agreement with Assila Investments to launch the Assila Hotel. The property is expected to join The Luxury Collection’s portfolio of more than 100 hotels and resorts in 2020. Assila Hotel features 210 guestrooms, including a royal suite, and 94 apartments. It comprises multiple food and beverage venues, including a Café Lounge and Argentinian and Mediterranean specialty restaurants. Speaking about the agreement, Bader Alissa, CEO, Assila Investments said: “We are thrilled to have Marriott International manage the beautiful Assila Hotel, under the Luxury Collection brand. This only affirms Assila Hotel’s position as a premier luxury hotel in Jeddah.” The hotel also includes a ballroom and nine meeting rooms, as well as full-service recreational facilities such as a spa, fitness centre and squash courts. “This deal signing supports our plans to further diversify our footprint in the Kingdom while enhancing our overall luxury portfolio in the region,” Alex Kyriakidis, president and managing director, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International said. The hotel is situated close to planned ‘New Jeddah Downtown’ development, a mixed-used project on Jeddah’s five million square metre waterfront anticipated to launch in 2022.

Create: Oct 12, 2019 Edit: Nov 3, 2019

Airbnb introduces animal experiences Tuesday, 8th October 2019

Airbnb is unveiling Animal Experiences – a brand new category of Airbnb Experiences that allow people to better understand animals through caring, expert hosts and set a new standard for animal tourism. With 1,000 Experiences co-hosted by over 300 species and their human advocates, guests can now paddleboard with corgis, kayak with conservationists, learn alongside urban beekeepers or skateboard with a world record-winning bulldog! Airbnb Animal Experiences offers a fresh new way to connect with animals near and far, so that even busy urbanites can reconnect with the natural world through hiking with rescue dogs, chilling out with alpacas or cuddling cows. Guests will meet animals in places that allow for gentle observation and bring a sense of connection far beyond animal selfies or performances. For those seeking more adventure, guests can discover arctic foxes or even help rescue puppies lost within the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. At Airbnb, we envision a world where everyone can belong anywhere. Today, we extend our passion for belonging beyond humankind, committing to protect the welfare of animals across any Experience that features them. Joining more than 40,000 Airbnb Experiences available across 1,000 cities worldwide, Airbnb Animal Experiences are underpinned by a new, industry-leading animal welfare policy, created in collaboration with World Animal Protection. Animals should be appreciated for their intrinsic value and this new animal welfare policy has been designed to ensure their wellbeing at all times. Ranging from afternoon tea with naughty sheep to multi-day safaris, Airbnb Animal Experiences are hosted by caring experts as an antidote to typical tourist attractions that are notorious for ethical concerns. You will never find an Airbnb Experience where you can kiss a dolphin or ride an elephant. Beyond helping people get to better understand animals and meet them in a new way, over 100 Airbnb Animal Experiences are Social Impact Experiences, cementing our commitment to animals in the long-term by directing all proceeds from bookings to nonprofits. Supporting causes such as conservation, animal rescue, and veterinary care, these Experiences help scale impact, foster empathy and include caring for rescued horses, seeing released macaws and spending a day with donkeys. Other notable Airbnb Animal Experiences will come to life both on and offline through an exclusive partnership with The Dodo, the leading brand for mobile animal content in the U.S. and one of the world’s most-engaged media brands on social. Airbnb Animal Policy Highlights We are the first major booking platform to offer a dedicated category of animal experiences underpinned by a progressive new animal welfare policy, created in conjunction with World Animal Protection. New highlights include: Wild animals: there should be no direct contact including, but not limited to, petting, feeding, or riding animals Working animals: maximum one rider and never more than 20% of the animal’s weight, never to be overworked Marine mammals: should never be in captivity for entertainment Broader host business: should not feature elephant rides, big cat interactions, illegal wildlife trade, sporting events such as canned and trophy hunting, animals performing for entertainment Responsible travel: no wild animals as selfie props or any negative training techniques World Animal Protection will continue working with Airbnb on its approach to animal welfare based on the latest evidence and research. ANIMAL EXPERIENCES HIGHLIGHTS: Tea with Naughty Sheep (Loch Lomond, United Kingdom) Meet the Dogs of Chernobyl (Slavutych, Ukraine) Discover Arctic Foxes (Sudavik, Iceland) New Zealand Getaway and Horseplay (Auckland, New Zealand) Gibbon Research Assistant Experience (Phuket, Thailand) Urban Rooftop Beekeeping (Hamilton, Canada) Butterflies and Caterpillars Oh My! (Columbus, Ohio) Meet Life-Saving Animals (Siem Reap, Cambodia) See Released Macaws (Nosara, Costa Rica) Ultimate Cape Town Birding (Cape Town, South Africa) Wild Brooklyn Parrot Safari (Brooklyn, New York) Go on a Safari with a Maasai Guide (Nakuru, Kenya) Hike Runyon Canyon with a Rescue Dog (Los Angeles, CA) A Day in a Gaucho’s Life in the Andes (Mendoza, Argentina)

Create: Oct 12, 2019 Edit: Nov 3, 2019

Two International Hotel Brands Affected by Magecart Credit Card Skimming Attack

In a blog post from September 18, Security researchers at Trend Micro revealed that they discovered credit card stealing malware (Magecart) hiding in an online hotel reservation system. It found that two hotel websites – from two different hotel chains – had been compromised since August 9. WHAT HAPPENED? Two hotel websites were "injected" with a JavaScript code to load a remote script on their payment page when the payment page was requested from a mobile device. The script acted as a credit card skimmer and stole payment information. To make it seem even more legitimate, the attacker prepared credit card forms in eight languages: English, Spanish, Italian, French, German, Portuguese, Russian and Dutch which match the languages supported by the targeted hotel websites. WHO WAS AFFECTED? While TrendMicro isn't revealing the name of the two hotel companies affected, it did say that the hotel websites were developed by Roomleader, a company from Spain that helps hotels build online booking websites. TrendMicro also revealed the size of the hotel companies. One brand has 107 hotels in 14 countries and the other has 73 hotels in 14 countries. EXPERT COMMENTARY HT spoke to two security experts about what this attack could mean for hospitality as a whole. "This latest attack is an indicator that Magecart attacks are far from over," said Deepak Patel, security evangelist at PerimeterX. "The modern web application stack relies on third-party scripts obtained from a variety of providers, not all of whom have strong security practices. Website owners lack visibility into the third-party scripts running on the users’ browsers within the context of their site. Many website owners are also unaware of all the first-party scripts running on their site. “In addition to staying up to date with the latest versions of critical platform components, website owners need to take another step: get visibility and control of all the scripts running on their website, whether first- or third-party or another part of the supply chain," Patel added. Matan Or-El, Co-founder and CEO of Panorays agrees with Patel noting: “This latest attack on Roomleader shows that Magecart isn’t going away anytime soon. To avoid these attacks, organizations obviously need to do a better job securing their own servers. However, even organizations that look after their own servers' security can become exposed through third-parties. Clearly, organizations must make it a priority to assess and manage the risk associated with third-parties in their cyber supply chain.” Similarly, Usman Rahim, Digital Security and Operations Manager for The Media Trust says, “Managing the digital supply chain is difficult because it requires the right tools and expertise. When third party code suppliers deliver code to users through browser and not through a tool that the website publisher/owner uses, the owner has little control of what happens and can't monitor when something's afoot. If a third party provides or supports the web application, iframes will fall victim to attack. The only way to protect users is to know who’s providing what code and what that code does to users.”

Create: Oct 12, 2019 Edit: Nov 3, 2019

Accor, GFH partner to open Mama Shelter hotel in Bahrain The property will comprise 160 rooms

Hospitality group Accor and GFH Financial Group have signed a partnership to manage a Mama Shelter brand hotel in Manama, Bahrain. According to the partnership, the project will also comprise a restaurant and a sea view rooftop pool. Set to open in 2020 in Manama, Mama Shelter Bahrain will be part of the waterfront location at GFH’s Harbour Row development within the US$1.5 billion Bahrain Financial Harbour project, as one of the Kingdom’s most prominent mixed-used projects. “Mama Shelter Bahrain is the first MAMA which will face the sea. The design has been thought out in two ways. Firstly, the relationship with the sea as it is a waterfront hotel. The second is to propose a lifestyle experience which refers to the nomadic aesthetic and the hospitality from the inner part of the region,” explained Benjamin El Doghaïli, head of MAMA’s Design Studio. The property will house 160 rooms, with design elements by MAMA’s Design Studio, led by Benjamin El Doghaïli. Each room features complimentary films and WiFi as well as a selection of products from the MAMA SKIN range of organic amenities. MAMA’s CEO, Jérémie Trigano said: “We discovered a beautiful site in the city of Manama on the banks of the Arabian Gulf and a modern, forward-thinking partner, GFH properties, brought to us by the Accor team. The chemistry was there and we therefore decided to bring the MAMA magic to the country, with the hope of opening in 2020”. Commenting on the project, Mark Willis, CEO Accor Middle East & Africa said: “Our partnership with GFH continues to flourish with the signing of Mama Shelter Bahrain as well the debut of the Raffles brand, which was announced earlier in the month. Accor believes that Mama Shelter marks a definitive first in lifestyle hotels in Manama and has the potential to be a global showcase for this dynamic brand.”

Create: Oct 8, 2019 Edit: Nov 3, 2019

Doubletree by Hilton Ras Al Khaimah completes renovation

Rooms, restaurants and other amenities were renovated DoubleTree by Hilton Ras Al Khaimah has completed a major refurbishment of its rooms, restaurants, pools and other amenities. The property’s 154 rooms are now designed with new furnishings, including carpets, mirrors, upholstery, door handles, energy-saving LED lights and more. The hotel has also added new touches to the Podium restaurant and the Tree Top bar pool with sun lounges, chairs and floor refurbishments. John Riad, hotel manager at the property, said: “Our guests are our priority, which is why we are constantly re-inventing ourselves to stay relevant for them. Our refreshed facilities will give guests even more reason to visit the hotel and enjoy our wonderful hospitality.” To mark the renovations, the hotel is running an offer for AED 250, including stay and breakfast for two adults, with two kids under 12 years going free, this offer is valid until 31st October 2019.

Create: Oct 2, 2019 Edit: Nov 3, 2019

You can now perform Umrah on a Saudi tourist visa

The cost of applying for an e-visa or a visa on arrival is 440 saudi riyals (around $117) plus VAT. People visiting Saudi Arabia on a tourism visa can now perform Umrah in the kingdom. In addition to that, women will not need to be accompanied by a male relative other than during the Haj season, according to a report by Saudi Gazette. The report also added that through this visa there won’t be a need for a sponsor. On Friday September 27, Saudi Arabia made history with the announcement that tourist visas will be available to citizens from 49 countries. The development is expected to create one million new jobs for the country by 2030. The tourist visa allows for a stay of up to three months per entry, with visitors able to spend up to 90 days per year in the country. The visa is valid for one year with multiple entries.

Create: Oct 1, 2019 Edit: Nov 3, 2019