International News

International News

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

Marriott expands in Tanzania with new Four Points property

Marriott International has announced the opening of its second Four Points by Sheraton hotel in Tanzania, Four Points by Sheraton Dar es Salaam, New Africa Hotel. The original New Africa Hotel was built as the official residence of Kaiser Wilhelm II in 1896. It was used as a hospital during World War I before being converted into a hotel during the British Empire. Sitting at the heart of the central business district of the city, overlooking the harbour, the hotel has since emerged as a landmark and an integral part of the burgeoning city. With the renovation and the rebrand the hotel continues to retain its unique charm, while delivering on the brand’s promise to provide what matters most to today’s independent travellers. “Four Points by Sheraton Dar es Salaam, New Africa Hotel, is a great addition to our rapidly growing footprint in Africa and further consolidates the brands presence in Tanzania. “We are confident that with its blend of stylish comfort and genuine service at a great value, the hotel will meet the rising demand for high-calibre lodging in this fast-growing market and soon emerge as a leading choice among business and leisure travellers,” said Alex Kyriakidis, president and managing director, Middle East and Africa, Marriott International. Designed for the modern traveller with an emphasis on approachable design, the 174 room Four Points by Sheraton Dar es Salaam, New Africa Hotel, features spacious and contemporary rooms including suites. Other facilities include an outdoor pool and a state-of-the-art fitness centre. With 1,000 square feet of indoor meeting and banquet space spread across 12 flexible meeting rooms, the hotel is an ideal venue for gatherings of any size including elaborate social events and weddings. “Our vision is to offer an uncomplicated travel experience for both business and leisure. “Perfectly situated in the heart of the city, the hotel is at the epicentre, steeped in history and surrounded by local attractions,” said Siddharth Chaudhry general manager, Four Points by Sheraton Dar es Salaam, New Africa Hotel. “We look forward to welcoming our guests with the brand’s signature warm and uncomplicated yet comfortable service.”

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

Hakkasan Group has added two executive chefs to its corporate roster

Hakkasan Group has added two executive chefs to its corporate roster:Andrew Yeo, corporate executive chef; and Chen-Wei Chan, executive chef special projects, U.S. Yeo, with more than 20 years of experience and training, will oversee the Cantonese brands in the group’s Asian Luxury collection, including Hakkasan, Yauatcha and Ling Ling. Chan, who has more than 15 years of experience, will support the execution of the company’s U.S. restaurants: Hakkasan New York, Hakkasan San Francisco, Hakkasan Miami, Hakkasan Las Vegas and Yauatcha Houston.

Create: Jul 2, 2019 Edit: Jul 3, 2019

Higueron Hotel Malaga, Curio Collection, opens doors in Spain

Hilton has unveiled its latest Spanish property, Higueron Hotel Malaga, Curio Collection. From the city that gave the world Picasso, the new hotel boasts 177 guest rooms, Malaga’s only sustainable Michelin-starred restaurant and jaw-dropping views of the Mediterranean Sea. Nestled behind the breath-taking Montes de Malaga, the hotel is conveniently located near Malaga’s vibrant city centre. Famously known as the heart of the Costa del Sol, the city offers something for guests of all ages, with its unique art districts, pristine sandy beaches and lively nightlife. “Malaga is one of Europe’s most popular destinations, with 12.5 million tourists flocking to its sunny shores last year,” said Simon Vincent, president, EMEA, Hilton. “With €1 in every €7 generated from travel and tourism in Spain, we are excited to expand our portfolio by 50 per cent in the next three to five years.” Each of the hotel’s elegant guest rooms feature unique Spanish touches, such as original lithography made with local materials. The hotel is set to add an additional 113 premium suites in 2020, bringing the total number of rooms available up to 290. With six different restaurants and bars, guests can savour fantastic farm-to-table produce and local dining. The Michelin-starred Sollo by Diego Gallegos serves innovative dishes based on river fish and caviar, all cultivated onsite at the hotel’s own hydroponic farm. “Higueron Hotel Malaga is the latest hotspot in the beautiful Costa del Sol, offering a truly unique experience to wind down and explore everything this remarkable location has to offer,” said Mark Nogal, global head, Curio Collection by Hilton.

Create: Jul 2, 2019 Edit: Jul 3, 2019

The UAE’s first Waldorf Astoria city hotel gears up for opening

Waldorf Astoria DIFC’s main entrance Waldorf Astoria Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a 275-room property, is getting ready for a summer 2019 opening. The first Waldorf Astoria city hotel to open in the UAE comprises of 201 guest rooms, 46 suites and 28 residential apartments, and features views of the Dubai skyline through floor-to-ceiling windows in every room. Evoking an early 1960’s New York jet-set era style, Waldorf Astoria DIFC promises an urban retreat. Moreover, culinary experiences to be found within Waldorf Astoria DIFC will include three distinct dining options and bars. Bull and Bear restaurant is the hotel’s signature dining destination, while the rooftop lounge, St. Trop and the brand’s iconic Peacock Alley Lounge and Bar, will serve as meeting points for different occasions. In addition to a state-of-the-art spa and fitness centre facilities, the hotel offers meeting spaces, connected at lobby level for guest convenience. The hotel also features a dedicated business centre, ballroom and library. Waldorf Astoria DIFC is located at Burj Daman on Happiness Street, a stone’s throw from The Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa, and 12 minutes from Dubai International Airport.

Create: Jun 30, 2019 Edit: Jul 3, 2019

IHG to Open InterContinental Hayman Island Resort After AUD100 Million Renovation

UK-based hospitality company, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), will open InterContinental Hayman Island Resort on 1 July 2019. Hayman Island is the most northerly of the Whitsunday Islands, right on the Great Barrier Reef and part of the Cumberland Islands, which are located off the coast of Central Queensland, Australia. Located on a 988-acre private island, the 166-key luxury resort is the only property on the island and has undergone an AUD100 million-dollar refurbishment. Offering rooms, suites, and eight villas located right on the beach front, it also features five food and beverage outlets, a spa with 13 treatment rooms, a resort boutique, kids club, a fitness centre, meeting facilities for groups of up to 300, a variety of water sports, cruises to the Great Barrier Reef and a PADI SCUBA dive centre. The newly built Beach House, a new collection of luxury private residences, offers three more suites and multiple private pools. IHG owns, manages, leases or franchises, through various subsidiaries, over 3,650 hotels and 543,775 guest rooms in nearly 100 countries and territories around the world.

Create: Jun 15, 2019 Edit: Jun 22, 2019

Air Europa joins forces with Expedia to offer global accommodation deals

Air Europa, the airline of Globalia, the largest Spanish tourism conglomerate, is today announcing an exclusive agreement with Expedia Partner Solutions (EPS), the B2B brand within Expedia Group, to offer its travelers hotel bookings for the first time. Air Europa is now powered by EPS’s online template, Hotels.com for Partners, providing travelers with access to 500,000 accommodations in more than 25,000 destinations worldwide. Air Europa travelers who book flights via the co-branded website www.aireuropa.com also benefit from more than 650,000 promotional rates, saving an average of 15% when a hotel is bundled with a flight. Through the agreement, those travelers can also collect Air Europa SUMA loyalty ‘Miles’, with points for every euro spent on accommodation. For Air Europa, Expedia Partner Solutions has been the perfect travel partner to work with on this great project; it has enabled us to offer a more complete customer experience”.

Create: Jun 1, 2019 Edit: Jun 22, 2019

Marriott plans to grow the Fairfield brand even further in 2019 and beyond

Expansion is set to take place China, Mexico, India and the U.S., and there are further plans to become a presence in Japan, Colombia, Costa Rica, Peru and Chile. To celebrate their 1000th property, as well as the brand’s future, Fairfield will be giving guests surprise treats upon arrival. Marriott said, “To celebrate our 1,000th hotel milestone, every Fairfield in the U.S. and Canada is offering guests complimentary brownies at check-in during the month of May, inspired by my mom’s famous brownie recipe.”

Create: May 29, 2019 Edit: Jun 22, 2019

Booking.com ready to buy more companies

High-growth companies slow down as they expand. Booking.com is hoping to defy that by investing into new markets like alternative accommodations. But progress has been slow. During the first-quarter, Booking Holdings saw its total revenues decline 3 percent, year-over-year, to $2.8 billion. One path to new growth could be more acquisitions, CEO Glenn Fogel suggested on an earnings call last week. During the call, Fogel said three times that he was considering opportunistic mergers and acquisitions. It wasn’t clear what size company or sector he had in mind. The inferred context was that the conglomerate has several opportunities to knit together an interlocking set of travel services to do a better job of cross-selling and upselling customers on an array of products throughout the life of a trip.

Create: May 28, 2019 Edit: Jun 22, 2019

Canopy by Hilton Venice City Centre Announced for 2021

Hilton is set to introduce its upscale lifestyle brand, Canopy by Hilton, to Italy with the arrival of a new hotel planned in Venice. The news follows a management agreement between Hilton and Marseglia Group, owners of Hilton Molino Stucky Venice. Patrick Fitzgibbon, Senior Vice President, Development, EMEA, Hilton, said, "Hilton has enjoyed a presence in Venice for more than a decade with Hilton Molino Stucky Venice. During that time, we have been focused on delivering exceptional guest experiences, creating meaningful employment and making a sustainable contribution to the local economy - a legacy that is set to continue with the arrival of Canopy by Hilton. The new hotel will contribute to the ongoing urban regeneration of the local neighbourhood of Cannaregio and create a vibrant meeting place for guests and local residents alike." Gary Steffen, Global Head, Canopy by Hilton, Hilton, said, "Canopy by Hilton is rooted in the local neighbourhood, and we're particularly excited to incorporate and celebrate the unique cultural, culinary and artistic influences of Cannaregio area in Venice. Canopy by Hilton Venice City Centre will be a stunning addition to our growing lifestyle portfolio in Europe, which already includes trading hotels in Reykjavik and Zagreb." Leonardo Marseglia, President of Marseglia Group said, "This is an important project for the relaunch of the historical city centre of Venice, revitalising a part of the city currently in a state of neglect and degradation and unlocking a new and vibrant neighbourhood where local residents and visitors can enjoy the best of Venetian hospitality in the new Botanical Gardens. We are proud to be continuing our partnership with Hilton on this spectacular new project." Canopy by Hilton Venice City Centre will join more than 30 Hilton hotels trading or under development across Italy when it opens in 2021. The hotel will be incorporated within the redevelopment of the existing buildings of the Venetian Botanical Gardens which date back to the 19th century. Canopy by Hilton hotels are thoughtfully curated to appeal to travellers seeking a locally inspired experience, with unique interiors that are influenced by the culture and history of the neighbourhood. Guests are welcomed by friendly Enthusiasts with expert local knowledge and recommendations and are invited to immerse themselves with local food and drink tastings and use of the complimentary Canopy by Hilton bicycles to explore the city. The introduction of Canopy by Hilton in Italy follows plans announced earlier this year to welcome guests at two new hotels in France, in Bordeaux and Paris. The new Canopy hotels join spectacular European properties in Reykjavik and Zagreb, with a further hotel under construction in London.

Create: May 13, 2019 Edit: May 14, 2019

New DACH-focused conglomerate makes maiden hotel purchase in Hamburg

In a bid to create solid long-term investments, the Bayerische Versorgungskammer (BVK) has partnered with GBI AG, a German project development company, to invest in and manage hotel properties in Europe’s Germany (D), Austria (A), and Switzerland (CH) — or DACH — region via a fund created by Frankfurt-based Universal-Investment. The new fund’s strategy is to build a high-value, long-term portfolio. An initial investment of €500 million ($560 million) will go towards this goal. With about €77 billion ($98 billion) of managed funds, the BVK is one of Germany’s most important institutional investors. BUILDING A NEW PORTFOLIO The collaboration between GBI and BVK officially began in early 2019 when the purchase of the fund’s first hotel property, the Lindner Hotel Am Michel in Hamburg, was decided. “Set in a perfect downtown location in one of Germany’s most dynamic hospitality markets, this 4-star hotel is a fitting first step for the fund,” says Simon Behr, Director of Fund Management & Transaction at GBI AG. Opened in 2008, the 4-star hotel set in Neanderstreet has 259 modern rooms and comes with a large events and conference space with seven meeting rooms. After being run by Lloyd Fonds AG for over 10 years, it has now been sold to BVK’s new fund.

Create: May 12, 2019 Edit: May 14, 2019