International News

International News

World Tourism Organization Leads Discussion on “Tourism Financing for the 2030 Agenda” at Aid for Trade Conference in Geneva Geneva

Tourism’s unique potential as a tool for driving the global sustainable development agenda has taken center stage at a special event hosted by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in Geneva, Switzerland. The session, entitled “Tourism Financing for the 2030 Agenda” was held during the 2019 Global Review of Aid for Trade at the headquarters of the World Trade Organization (WTO). UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili began the discussions by highlighting the key role that the global tourism sector plays in economic growth and job creation. Ministers, development partners and financing institutions need to better understand and recognize how tourism can contribute to the 2030 Sustainable Agenda. Tourism is explicitly mentioned as a target in three of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (8, 12 and 14), though, as speakers at the Geneva session noted, for the sector to really realize its enormous potential, the amount of aid and development financing directed towards tourism needs to be increased significantly. Unlocking Tourism’s potential for realizing the 2030 Agenda requires a combination of effective and robust policy frameworks, enhanced private sector action, and an innovative approach to partnerships for development cooperation. “This is an important time for both the tourism and the international development sectors,” said Mr. Pololikashvili. “Strengthening and unlocking aid flows for tourism will help the sector be a driver of job creation, as well as of social and economic development and economic diversity. UNWTO welcomes the opportunity to join ministers, tourism leaders and our partners for these important talks here in Geneva. Working together we can harness the power of the new aid architecture and ensure that nobody gets left behind as tourism transforms lives around the world.” Also joining Mr Pololikashvili for the session were Ms. Arancha González, Executive Director, International Trade Centre (ITC), H.E Dr. Rania Al- Mashat, Minister of Tourism, The Arab Republic of Egypt, Mr. Toshiyuki Nakamura, Director General, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and Ms. Caroline Freund, Director of Trade, Regional Integration and Investment Climate, World Bank.

Create: Jul 15, 2019 Edit: Jul 17, 2019

Four Seasons ceases operations at Damascus property

Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts said it has ceased management of Four Seasons Hotel Damascus The announcement follows news that the United States had sanctioned Samer Foz for his alleged financial support of President Bashar Al-Assad. “Samer Foz, his relatives, and his business empire have leveraged the atrocities of the Syrian conflict into a profitgenerating enterprise,” US undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence Sigal Mandelker said in a statement at the time. A statement on Four Seasons’ website said the operator was “proud of the many employees who have provided outstanding service.

Create: Jul 13, 2019 Edit: Jul 17, 2019

Three D.C. Kimpton hotels are for sale

Pebblebrook Hotel Trust is looking to sell three of its D.C. hotels. The 82-room Hotel Madera, the 99-room Topaz Hotel and the 137-room Rouge Hotel, all Kimpton-managed properties, are being marketed for sale. Pebblebrook declined to comment for this story. All three hotels are in Dupont Circle — the Madera at 1310 New Hampshire Ave. NW, Rouge at 1315 16th St. NW and the Topaz at 1733 N St. NW. The properties can be acquired together or separately, according to the listing. It’s also possible they will not remain hotels. The listing notes that there is “multifamily optionality” for all of the properties. The three hotels are part of a large footprint Kimpton has in D.C. In all, the company manages 10 hotels in D.C. and one in Alexandria. If sold to someone who wants to keep them as hotels, they may not retain the Kimpton management, however; the listing notes that all three can be sold without the brand. It’s also possible they will not remain hotels. The listing notes that there is “multifamily optionality” for all of the properties. The three hotels are part of a large footprint Kimpton has in D.C. In all, the company manages 10 hotels in D.C. and one in Alexandria. If sold to someone who wants to keep them as hotels, they may not retain the Kimpton management, however; the listing notes that all three can be sold without the brand. The potential sales are not surprising. Pebblebrook’s acquisition of fellow real estate investment trust LaSalle Hotel Properties in 2018 gave the combined company a total of 10 hotels in D.C., more than Pebblebrook CEO Jon Bortz said he was willing to keep. Pebblebrook prefers to keep its portfolio more West Coast-heavy, Bortz said in an interview with WBJ back in December. Most of the D.C. hotels were part of LaSalle portfolio; the only two that Pebblebrook owned were the Hotel Monaco — also a Kimpton — and the Sofitel Washington D.C.

Create: Jul 13, 2019 Edit: Jul 17, 2019

Hyatt Regency Chantilly opens in France

Hyatt Regency Chantilly has opened to become the ninth Hyatt branded hotel in France. Reminiscent of an 18th-century hamlet, the 211-room property is set along the Nonette River in the historic town of Chantilly. Situated in the tranquil town, only 20 minutes from Charles De Gaulle International Airport and 45 minutes from the centre of Paris, the hotel is able to accommodate both business and leisure guests alike. “We are thrilled to announce the opening of Hyatt Regency Chantilly,” said Charles Guyonnaud, general manager of Hyatt Regency Chantilly. “The hotel’s exquisite facilities combined with its peaceful setting provides the ultimate business retreat and relaxation getaway.” Comprised of eight buildings, the hotel offers a scenic setting among lush trees and serves as a venue for hosting a variety of events including weddings, social occasions, exhibitions, meetings, and conferences. Chantilly is home to many historic attractions including the Domaine de Chantilly, which features the Chateau de Chantilly, the Musée Condé and the intact treasures of the 19th century prince, Henri d’Orléans, Duke of Aumale. Also nearby are the prestigious Chantilly horseracing courses for those with a passion for equestrian sports. Golf lovers will also appreciate the numerous golf courses in the area. Guests will be also able to explore the historical and natural treasures of the region by bike or horseback, taking in the beautiful and tranquil setting of Chantilly. The hotel’s 211 modern and spacious guestrooms include 14 luxury suites, offering four different suite varieties including one royal garden suite, seven regency executive suites, one Chantilly suite, and five regency suites. Guests staying in suites and regency club rooms enjoy additional amenities such as complimentary breakfast, evening cocktails, and hors d’œuvres.

Create: Jul 13, 2019 Edit: Jul 17, 2019

Hilton Garden Inn opens at London Heathrow Terminal 2

Hilton Garden Inn London Heathrow Terminal 2 has opened its doors to guests. The 369-room hotel, located at Europe’s busiest airport, is the latest addition to the growing Hilton Garden Inn portfolio. Operating under a franchise agreement with Arora Group, the hotel becomes the eleventh property to be added to the Arora Group portfolio. Hilton Garden Inn London Heathrow Terminal 2 features runway views and is the first and only hotel at Heathrow Airport to provide guests with direct access to the Queen’s Terminal via a walkway, allowing them to reach departure gates in minutes. “More than 80 million people pass through Heathrow every year, and we are delighted to offer guests a great accommodation option to make their travel journey that much smoother,” said Simon Vincent, executive vice president and president, EMEA, Hilton. “Hilton pioneered the concept of the airport hotel back in 1959, so we are proud to be opening the doors to our second Hilton Garden Inn property at Heathrow as we celebrate our 100th anniversary.” The 14-floor property features 369 comfortable guest rooms, including 23 family rooms and ten suites offering an adjoining seating area with a sofa bed and a 55-inch HDTV. Arora Group founder and chairman, Surinder Arora, commented: “This hotel is special, not just for us but for the Heathrow market too. “We are delighted to be partnering with Hilton Garden Inn and delivering the service, excellence and passion of Arora Group, while based at the convenience of Heathrow’s Central terminal area.” Guests can indulge at the hotel’s main restaurant, the Apron, and enjoy a hearty breakfast, lunch or dinner. After a long flight, guests can visit the Runway Bar on the hotel’s rooftop (opening in August), and enjoy a range of cocktails and small plates while overlooking 360º views of Heathrow’s runway. The hotel is within proximity to frequent transport links, allowing guests to reach London in just 15-minutes using Heathrow Express. There are also several convenient and nearby attractions including, the picturesque Windsor Castle and Thorpe Park for thrill seekers.

Create: Jul 10, 2019 Edit: Jul 17, 2019

Accor and meetago signed global partnership to meet MICE demand

In the context of IMEX, Accor and meetago® agreed on a strategic international partnership for its core meeting and events business today. This deeper level of cooperation was officially stamped and sealed on the basis of their already existing successful collaboration. meetago® provides booking and software solutions in the fields of meetings, incentives, conferences & exhibitions (“MICE”, for short) and is one of the biggest players in Central Europe. meetago®’s booking technology and services will be offered by Accor, not only in the DACH (Germany-Austria-Switzerland) region, but across Europe and in a few key source markets such as the US and China. With the launch of this partnership, the jointly developed Connectivity Solution will be available to more than 1,600 meeting hotels worldwide. The offer is focused on a comprehensive and attractive portfolio of meeting and conference hotels across all brands. The Accor and meetago® partnership aims to make booking and managing conferences, events and business meetings faster, more global and more efficient for hotels and event organisers. It will make meeting demand from corporate customers easier and will promote the continued international expansion of the meeting business of both partners. “Through the strategic partnership with meetago®, we are responding to growing demand from our corporate customers and we will be making our offer available centrally via one platform in the future. We also provide more comprehensive and efficient services with a higher level of digitalisation to the conference industry”, said Sabine Toplak, Accor Vice President Sales Central Europe. “We are very pleased to be expanding our collaboration with Accor, which will further advance our global growth. We want to use innovative ideas to provide an excellent user experience”, explained Udo Lülsdorf, CEO and founder of meetago®.

Create: Jul 9, 2019 Edit: Jul 10, 2019

Next Story Group Acquires Southbank Hotel for AUD45 Million in Melbourne, Australia

Singapore-based hospitality company, Next Story Group ("Next Story"), has acquired a newly built hotel in Melbournes Southbank for AUD45 million. Located at 167 city road and built on a 606-square-metre site, the 16-storey, 162-key property will become Next Story's first hotel under its upper mid-scale LinQ brand. This will also be Next Story's third hotel in Melbourne, complementing the 120-key Sage Hotel Melbourne in Ringwood and Next Hotel Melbourne which is slated to open in 80 Collins Street by Q2 2020. The soft opening is scheduled for 1 September 2019. The acquisition is part of Next Story's expansion plans, which focus on strategic growth in Australia, Southeast Asia, and South Asia. LinQ brand targets budget-conscious corporate travellers with limited amenities and room sizes ranging from 15 to 22 square metres. Next Story currently has 40 operating and pipeline properties in its portfolio, which includes four hotel brands: Next, Sage, LinQ and Kafnu.

Create: Jul 9, 2019 Edit: Jul 10, 2019

Blackstone acquires 3 Florida hotels from RLJ for $43.2M

Hospitality industry power-player Blackstone Group has acquired three Florida hotels from an affiliate of RLJ Lodging Trust for $43.2 million, according to The Real Deal. The purchased properties, all Marriott brands, are located in Broward County near Fort Lauderdale. Blackstone purchased the adjacent 125-room Courtyard by Marriott Fort Lauderdale SW/Miramar and 130-room Residence Inn by Marriott Fort Lauderdale SW/Miramar, as well as the 138-room Residence Inn by Marriott Fort Lauderdale Plantation. All three hotels include an outdoor pool, fitness center and meeting space. The transaction comes on the heels of another Florida sale by RLJ, that of the 385-room Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort and the 255-room Embassy Suites by Hilton Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Resort. The REIT sold the two hotels for $156 million to an undisclosed buyer. Based on the trailing 12 months ending in May, the sales price represented a 12.9x earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization multiple and 6.7 percent capitalization rate, inclusive of $44.5 million in planned capital expenditures, according to the report.

Create: Jul 8, 2019 Edit: Jul 8, 2019

Marriott opens 3 hotels in the South

Next Week, the South will see the debut of its third Marriott-branded hotel since mid-June. Two weeks ago, the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Memphis Collierville opened in Tennessee; today, the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Santee debuted in South Carolina; and, on July 9, the Residence Inn by Marriott Decatur will begin welcoming guests in Alabama. Southern Hospitality, LLC opened the 110-room Fairfield Inn & Suites Memphis Collierville on June 18. It includes a fitness center, outdoor swimming pool and 325 square feet of meeting space. The hotel is located within 30 minutes of the Memphis International Airport, Graceland and downtown. Memphis-based Hospitality Management Advisors operates the hotel. Santee Management owns and manages the 91-room Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Santee. Hotel amenities include a fitness center, outdoor swimming pool and 1,100 square feet of flexible meeting space. It is located near Lake Marion, Santee Cooper Golf Resort and numerous independent restaurants.

Create: Jul 8, 2019 Edit: Jul 8, 2019

KMA Group and Centara Signs MoU for Six Hotels in Myanmar

Thailand-based hotel chain, Centara Hotels & Resorts (Centara), will soon make its debut in Myanmar with six new upscale and upper-upscale hotels in major cities. Following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Centaras subsidiary, Centara International Management Co. Ltd., and Thai conglomerate, Kaung Myanmar Association Group of Companies (KMA Group), KMA group is investing USD63 million to revamp and rebrand three of its existing hotels with Centara brands and to build three new hotels in Bagan and Than Daung. Works at one of the existing hotels, the Centara Paradise Inle Resort & Spa in Inle, Nyaungshwe Township, Shan state, has been completed and is slated to open by the end of 2019. Meanwhile construction of the new hotels, namely Centara Bagan River Resort & Spa Kaytumadi Dynasty Bagan Resort, Centara Boutique Collection, and Shwe Than Daung Resort, as well as the refurbishment of Centara Royal Naypyitaw Hotel in Nay Pyi Taw and Centara Royal Kaytumadi Resort & Spa in Taungoo, Kayin State, will begin in the next few months. Centaras current portfolio comprises 63 properties spanning across major destinations in Thailand, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Oman, and Qatar.

Create: Jul 7, 2019 Edit: Jul 8, 2019

SEG Plans to Accelerate the Development of a New Fourth Hotel in Gold Coast, Australia

Australia-based Star Entertainment Group Limited (SEG) has announced plans to accelerate the development of a fourth tower within The Star Gold Coasts multi-billion-dollar precinct. The 215-metre tower includes a five-star mixed-use hotel with residential properties, lagoon pools, a nightlife venue, plus additional restaurants and bars, a luxury day spa and wellness centre, as well as outdoor spaces for the local community and visitors. The construction will begin in 2020, with pre-sales for apartments set to launch this month. The new hotel at The Star Gold Coast would complement the existing The Star Grand hotel, The Darling hotel, and the first Dorsett hotel in Australia, which is slated to open in 2022. SEG has revealed plans for a new dining precinct to connect The Star Grand hotel, restaurant, and gaming complex to The Dorsett, once it has been completed.

Create: Jul 7, 2019 Edit: Jul 8, 2019

Airbnb recently had a victory in Europe, after the court of justice there ruled the company be considered a digital service provider.

Made by Maciej Szpunar, one of the European Court of Justice’s advocates general, the ruling essentially gives the digital travel company the ability to operate freely across the European Union. Szpunar found that Airbnb was what Brussels would consider an information society service. This ruling came with a rejection for those who felt otherwise. A French tourism association had argued that Airbnb should face the same accounting, insurance and other financial obligations of traditional providers of real estate. Airbnb, which is registered in the EU nation of Ireland, argued that its commercial activities involve matching property owners with people who are looking for a place to stay, a role which falls outside of traditional real estate brokerage. Part of the legal decision involved the way Airbnb’s assertion was challenged. Szpunar said the French government had not properly notified the European Commission as well as authorities in Ireland that it intended to apply French law to Airbnb. Furthermore, he determined that Airbnb was an online service which connected potential guests with hosts for short-term stays, which was essentially what the company argued. It was unclear whether a proper notification would have changed this judgement. THIS DECISION’S AFTERMATH A natural next question is what happens now? It’s important to note that this decision is non-binding, although the court takes the advice of its advocates general in 80% of cases. Airbnb, unsurprisingly, said it welcomed the opinion as a “clear overview of what rules apply.” This decision could be a telling one. France is not the only market in which Airbnb has faced forces advocating for a crackdown on the way it operates. Other cities in which Airbnb has caused civic issues include Amsterdam and Barcelona, both of which are also in the EU. Challengers criticize the company for changing the face of the neighbourhoods in which it operates, basically removing their personalities and turning them primarily into locales for short-term guests and hordes of out-of-town tourists. This ruling is already significant given that France is the company’s single largest market outside of the United States. Paris, meanwhile, is its biggest single city market, with 65,000 homes there listed on the site. A spokesman for the company said: “We welcome the opinion of the advocate general, which provides a clear overview of what rules apply to collaborative economy platforms like Airbnb and how these rules help create opportunities for consumers.” “We also want to be good partners and already we have worked with more than 500 governments around the world on measures to help hosts share their homes, follow the rules and pay their fair share of tax,” the spokeswoman went on to say. “As we move forward, we want to continue working with everyone to put locals at the heart of sustainable 21st-century travel.

Create: Jul 6, 2019 Edit: Jul 8, 2019