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International News

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

Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Resort and Spa launches eco-friendly golf balls

This is the first time a resort is doing so in the emirate Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Resort and Spa has launched 100% biodegradable golf balls at the property. According to officials, the balls are ecological and made from renewable, non-toxic materials. They are also filled with fish food. Once the ball hits the water, the external layer biodegrades in less than 48 hours and releases the fish food. As part of Hilton’s ‘Travel with Purpose’ programme, the launch, which is a resort first in Ras Al Khaimah, is part of an ongoing initiative to preserve the environment.

Create: Sep 14, 2019 Edit: Sep 14, 2019

Intercontinental Hotels Group to develop fourth Holiday Inn in Al Khobar, Saudi

The hospitality group has signed an agreement with real estate company RIKAZ Properties Intercontinental Hotels Group will be developing its fourth Holiday Inn hotel in Al Khobar — Holiday Inn Al Khobar King Fahd Road — after signing a management agreement with real estate company RIKAZ Properties. Expected to open in January 2021, the 140-key property will feature an outdoor pool, a lobby lounge, food & beverage outlets and a gymnasium. Speaking about the new property Pascal Gauvin, MD, India, Middle East & Africa, IHG said, “We are delighted to sign an agreement with RIKAZ Properties for Holiday Inn Al Khobar King Fahd Road and strengthen our mainstream offering in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We have a strong legacy in the Kingdom and are committed to leveraging the growth opportunities that Vision 2030 presents by expanding our presence across the country through our portfolio of global brands. With a number of recent signings in Saudi Arabia, across our brands such as Holiday Inn, voco and Crowne Plaza, we are growing our presence in key cities and gearing up to cater to the needs of diverse guest profiles expected to visit the country in the coming years.”Earlier this year the hospitality group signed two Holiday Inn properties in Madinah and Jeddah. “We are delighted to be partnering with IHG for our new venture. We have witnessed strong tourism figures and hotel occupancy rates in Saudi Arabia. Tourism is a focal point under the government’s vision 2030 - according to MAS (Tourism Research & Information Centre), the number of international trips made to Saudi Arabia is estimated to increase from 18 million in 2015 to 25.8 million in 2020. The Holiday Inn brand has an international appeal and we are confident that this latest hotel will perform successfully and cater to the increasing demand for midscale accommodation in the country,” said Khalid Al Gahtani, Chairman, RIKAZ Properties. IHG currently operates 92 hotels across 7 brands in the Middle East, including: InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge Suites, voco and Six Senses Hotels Resorts with a further 41 in the development pipeline due to open within the next three to five years.

Create: Sep 8, 2019 Edit: Sep 14, 2019

Oyo Hotels & Homes to invest in machine learning intelligence technology

Through the acquisition the company is aiming to drive “top-line growth by leveraging dynamic pricing across all its brands” ndia’s Oyo Hotels & Homes has acquired Danamica, a Copenhagen-based data science company, with machine learning and business intelligence capabilities, specialising in dynamic pricing. With this acquisition Oyo is aiming to drive “top-line growth by leveraging dynamic pricing across all its brands”. Commenting on the development, Maninder Gulati, global head, oyo vacation and urban homes, & chief strategy officer, Oyo Hotels & Homes, said, “Danamica, a Europe based, machine learning and business intelligence company specialised in dynamic pricing will help us be more accurate with pricing, leading to higher efficiencies and yield for our real estate owners and value for money for our millions of global guests, both everyday travellers and city dwellers, that choose an Oyo Vacation Homes as their abode.” Last month, the company said it would invest €300 million in the vacation homes business in Europe. The company also signed a partnership valued at Dh18 billion (US$5 billion) with UAE-based IBC Group’s Gallery Suites Vacation Rentals to manage 10,000 premier holiday homes in Dubai.

Create: Sep 8, 2019 Edit: Sep 14, 2019