Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! by Marriott Hotel Opens in Durban

Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! by Marriott Durban uMhlanga Ridge officially opened this month, making it the first Fire & Ice! by Marriott hotel in KwaZulu-Natal and the fourth in South Africa. A highly anticipated addition to the brand’s fast-growing portfolio, it joins Fire & Ice! by Marriott hotels in Melrose Arch (Johannesburg), Cape Town and Menlyn (Pretoria). A short drive from King Shaka International Airport, Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! by Marriott Durban uMhlanga Ridge is nestled along the picturesque KwaZulu-Natal coastline in the sought-after seaside town of uMhlanga, just north of Durban. In close proximity to the breathtakingly beautiful uMhlanga Rocks Beach, the Gateway Theatre Mall and the Moses Mabhida Stadium, it provides easy access to the region’s resplendent natural beauty, rich cultural heritage as well as its burgeoning energy and vibe. Featuring the hallmarks of the Fire & Ice! by Marriott brand such as comedy and DJ nights, bold décor, and associates who go the extra mile, it is set to transform the hotel scene in uMhlanga and emerge as the new coolest hotspot. A Durban-inspired menu, a retro VW combi, DJ booth, and design elements linked to a beach and surf theme, lend the hotel its own unique flavour and twist. “Durban is a dynamic, cosmopolitan city with a need for a hotel brand that matches its spirit. We are thrilled to introduce Fire & Ice! by Marriott brand with its trend-setting aesthetic fused with local influence to the thriving town of uMhlanga. Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! by Marriott Durban uMhlanga Ridge will provide the quirky, modern vibe that guests and locals in this area are looking for. The property reflects our agility and adaptability to identify and transform a property to suit an evolving destination,” said Volker Heiden, Area Vice-President for Marriott International. Previously a Protea Hotel by Marriott, Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! by Marriott Durban uMhlanga Ridge has been rebranded after a complete transformation “This entailed heavy-duty renovations, an aesthetic metamorphosis, and a complete change in operations. Fire & Ice! by Marriott hotels dare to be different − they are progressive and fun, and while each hotel is individual in its personality, it is this edge that unites them under the brand.We had to balance that in creating this beautifully sassy hotel,” said the designer of Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! by Marriott Durban uMhlanga Ridge, Peter de Klerk. Guests are welcomed into a refreshed lobby that brings to life the vibe of the Fire & Ice! by Marriott brand, with mixed seating, a DJ booth and a TV wall. The new reception area features three pods and a dedicated guest relations desk. The outdoor deck features a retractable awning, three exterior pods for relaxing and dining, and a swimming pool. The VW combi completes the Fire & Ice! by Marriott atmosphere. 205 completely renovated chic and stylish guest rooms offer both comfort and thoughtful amenities including complimentary Wi-Fi. Guests can enjoy a sumptuous buffet breakfast at the Breakfast Room on the first floor and choose indoor seating, one of the two private dining rooms or the outdoor deck. Whether you’re swinging by for a crafted cocktail or looking for an indulgent delicious meal, the stylish restaurant, which features sophisticated neutral décor and delicious global cuisine prepared in an open kitchen offers the ideal venue with both indoor and a scenic outdoor patio seating option. The new menu reflects a strong African focus rooted in KwaZulu-Natal’s culinary specialties. Guests can expect a fresh take on the likes of bunny chow and curry, with a Fire & Ice! twist and elegance as well the brand’s signature (egg-ceptional) Fire & Ice! By Marriott breakfast options. No Fire & Ice! by Marriott hotel would be complete without a strong link to music. Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! by Marriott Durban uMhlanga Ridge will host Friday DJ nights, featuring top local and national DJs. The hotel will also share the brand’s renowned sense of humour, with regular co medy nights playing host to South Africa’s top comedians.

Introducing the new design of Airbus Airlines: Bird of Prey

Hilton to debut 100th hotel in Mexico by 2022

Few countries on the planet are as famous for their luxurious hotel experiences as Mexico, a country rich in both culture and beaches, and is easy to reach for tourists from the United States. EXPANDING THE PORTFOLIO IN MEXICO This is why most major hotel companies have a sizable stake in Mexico. One of them is Hilton, who recently announced that the company is on track to have 100 hotels in Mexico by the year 2022. To accomplish this, Hilton plans to open approximately 10 hotels each year between now and 2022, ultimately adding 30 new properties and more than 4,500 rooms to its existing portfolio of 70 hotels in Mexico. The country already features what is one of Hilton’s single largest portfolios. The first hotels to open as part of this growth spurt include Hotel Lafontaine, the Curio Collection’s debut in Mexico, Canopy by Hilton Cancun La Isla, another brand launch, and Conrad Playa Mita.

Ascott expands global presence with 26 new properties across 11 countries

Steady rise in recurring fee income and enlarged asset size strategically position lodging business as a growing contributor to CapitaLand’s earnings. CapitaLand’s wholly owned lodging business unit, The Ascott Limited (Ascott), is accelerating its growth globally with the signing of 26 properties with over 6,000 units across 22 cities and 11 countries. The properties, which will open in phases from 2019 to 2023, are mostly signed under management contracts, with three on franchise agreements. To date this year, Ascott has signed contracts for over 40 properties with more than 8,000 units, an increase of over 40% in units compared with the same period in 2018. Ascott has also opened 16 properties with over 2,000 units, a 70% increase in operational units compared with 2018. Mr Kevin Goh, Ascott’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are fast-expanding Ascott’s global network of properties as we continue to pursue an asset-light business model to boost our recurring fee income. While we achieve strong momentum in expanding our global lodging business through strategic alliances, management contracts, franchise and leases, we are also accelerating the number of new property openings. For the first quarter this year, our operational units have contributed S$59.7 million of fee income. We are targeting to open over 40 properties with about 8,500 units this year. For every 10,000 serviced residence units signed, we are expecting to earn approximately S$25 million in fee income annually as the properties progressively open and stabilise. Through these growth strategies, we are looking forward to the fee income boost when we achieve our target of 160,000 units worldwide by 2023.” With the recent completion of the Ascendas-Singbridge transaction, CapitaLand through Ascott has become the sponsor of both Ascott Residence Trust (Ascott Reit) and Ascendas Hospitality Trust (A-HTRUST). Including the assets held under these two hospitality trusts, lodging assets under CapitaLand are valued at S$31 billion, equivalent to 25% of the Group’s total assets under management. An announcement proposing to combine the two trusts has been made on 3 July 2019.

Accor to open first Raffles in Bahrain

Accor has announced plans to debut its luxury Raffles brand in the Kingdom of Bahrain. It will see the conversion of the luxury Al Areen Palace and Spa, pictured above, though a timeline has not been given. Accor and hotel operators GFH Financial Group said that property alterations would include the refurbishment of 56 one-bedroom Desert Pool Villas and 22 two-bedroom Royal Pool Villas. Two more dining options will be added to the current four and the 10,000 sqm spa will be renovated. Nearby venues include the Bahrain International F1 Circuit and the new Bahrain Exhibition and Convention Centre. Raffles currently has two properties in the Middle East, in Dubai and Mecca. Another is set to open in 2021, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Its other hotels are in the Cambodian cities of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap; the Chinese cities of Hainan and Shenzen; the Indonesian capital Jakarta; the Philippine capital Manila; Praslin in the Seychelles; Meradhoo Island in the Maldives; and Paris, Warsaw and Istanbul in Europe. The original Raffles hotel in Singapore, which opened in 1887, is set to reopen on August 1 following a two-year renovation. Eight new destinations are scheduled to join the brand’s portfolio in the coming years, including Udaipur in India and Boston in the US. “We are delighted to partner with GFH Financial Group, one of the leading investment houses in the Gulf region, to debut the Raffles brand in Bahrain, a destination which has emerged as a sophisticated option for discerning travellers from the Gulf and all over the world,” said Mark Willis, Accor’s CEO for the Middle East and Africa. “This continued growth signals a remarkable new chapter in the success story of Raffles, a revered global luxury brand with an illustrious history and a reputation for extraordinary properties in the world’s best cities and most sought after resort locales; the Kingdom is a natural fit for the exclusive Arabia-meets-Asia palatial retreat experience that we have planned.”

Yotel to debut in Australia

Yotel has announced plans for its first property in Australia, located within walking distance of Melbourne’s central business district. The 244-room Yotel Melbourne is scheduled to open in 2022, on City Road in the city’s Southbank district. Facilities will include the group’s signature Komyuniti public space for co-working, informal meetings and relaxing, as well as an outdoor terrace, gym, and viewing deck with restaurant and bar. Commenting on the news Hubert Viriot, CEO of Yotel said: “Over the past two years, we have been actively searching for the right locations and partners to roll out our brands in Australia, a key market for our global expansion and a key feeder market for our hotels in the US, Singapore and the UK. “With solid market fundamentals and global appeal, Melbourne is the perfect gateway to launch our first property in the country. Moreover, we are delighted to enter the market with (owner and developer) Cornerstone Partners Group, an international leader in hospitality and real estate investments.” “Australia is a very sophisticated hotel market with strong stakeholders; however, we believe the affordable luxury segment has been underserved and that’s what Yotel intends to solve. “Yotel Melbourne will serve as a launching pad for our brand across the country, following a similar strategy as what we did in the USA, where we first opened a property in New York in 2011 and now have ten hotels under management with extensive operational synergies and strong distribution channels. “We are already exploring development opportunities in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth and we are confident we will soon have a robust hotel pipeline in place, targeting both our international customer base as well as the domestic market.” The Yotel brand launched in 2007 at Gatwick airport, and there are currently 30 properties either operating or under development, with plans to increase this to 60 by 2023. The group’s first Yotelpad is set to open in Switzerland next year, and Yotelair properties recently opened at Istanbul and Singapore Changi’s airports.

Sword Dance; The Voice of Hirmand

Airlines spokesman's response to the increase in the prices of Airlines' tickets

Hotel Monitoring: The most powerful online hotel management tool

Radisson Blu to open hotel within Stuttgart’s Porsche Design Tower

Radisson Hotel Group has announced plans for a Stuggart property under its Radisson Blu brand. The 168-room hotel will be housed within the forthcoming Porsche Design Tower, which will also feature an adjacent building housing a new Porsche Centre with showroom, gallery and workshop. The Radisson Blu Hotel at Porsche Design Tower Stuttgart will occupy floors nine to 23 of the tower, and will offer 550sqm of meeting and events space across ten rooms, as well as a 10th floor restaurant and bar with views overlooking the city, two rooftop terraces, and a fitness centre and sauna. According to a press release from Porsche (released in December 2018), the group said it “could move into its new home at the end of 2021”, although the tower is not expected to be completed until a year later. Stuttgart-based Porsche opened its first Design Tower in Miami in 2017, and a residential tower is also under development in Frankfurt. Commenting on the news Elie Younes, executive vice president and chief development officer, Radisson Hotel Group, said: “This project represents everything Radisson Blu associates with and further cements our position as the largest upper upscale brand in Europe. The timeless architecture of the 90-metre Porsche Design Tower Stuttgart is the ideal locale for our guests to stay. “We are excited about the cooperation between Radisson Hotel Group and the projects developer and investor, Bülow AG and Porsche Design, and thank them for their trust.”

Answer Key of HotelQuiz Questions: the First, Second and Third Stages

TV News report on the inauguration of the Western Hospitality and Tourism Training Center