New partnership: Manchester United & Marriott launch joint loyalty initiative

A multi-year marketing partnership will give members of the Marriott Bonvoy travel programme a chance to have a once-in-a-lifetime football experience with Manchester United F.C. Marriott International, the world’s largest hotel company, and Manchester United, one of the most popular football clubs in the world, have announced a new multi-year, global marketing partnership. The deal will see the two entities teaming up on a new programme that will give members of Marriott’s vaunted Marriott Bonvoy programme a chance to have what are being billed as once-in-a-lifetime football experiences with Manchester United. Those experiences include—but are not limited to—the chance to be the club’s stadium announcer or kit manager, if only for a day. The new partnership has now officially launched via a film featuring the faces of the team and management, and the involved stakeholders are excited to talk about it.    Manchester United’s group managing director, Richard Arnold, had this to say, “Marriott International is the leader in its field and we’re excited to be partnering with them as Marriott launches its new travel programme, Marriott Bonvoy. Together we look forward to creating some unforgettable moments for Marriott Bonvoy members, inspired by the thrill and excitement that only Manchester United can create for fans around the world.” Marriott International global marketing officer Karin Timpone added, “We are thrilled to offer compelling benefits to Marriott Bonvoy members, now expanded to include unique Manchester United experiences. This marketing partnership enables our members to access special VIP game experiences by using the points they’ve accumulated during hotel stays for unprecedented, exclusive experiences.” UNIQUE EXPERIENCES UNLOCKED There are, of course, many more details of note about the new programme, as well as about Marriott Bonvoy. With the Marriott Bonvoy travel programme, members have access to its extraordinary portfolio of global brands and properties in 130 countries and territories, as well as unmatched member benefits and exclusive Marriott Bonvoy Moments’ experiences. Marriott Bonvoy Moments enables members to redeem points to purchase any of 8,000 lifestyle, entertainment, sport and culinary experiences globally. Exclusive Manchester United Moments members can bid points for include: ‘Stadium Announcer’ Experience – Marriott Bonvoy members will have the chance to go behind the scenes at the iconic ‘Theatre of Dreams,’ shadowing the stadium announcer during their pre-match preparations. Prior to the game, the member and a guest will soak up the atmosphere pitchside, before enjoying VIP hospitality, including match tickets and a meet and greet with a former player. Welcome the Team on arrival at Old Trafford – Members and their guest will head pitchside at Old Trafford on matchday to meet a Manchester United legend before making their way to the player’s tunnel to be in prime position to welcome the team as they step off the coach and head into the dressing room to prepare for the game. ‘Kit Manager’ Experience – Members will be able to add a final finesse to the home dressing room at Old Trafford pre-game as they shadow the first team Kit Manager. The member and a guest will help prepare the match kit ahead of the players’ arrival before heading pitchside to be met by a Manchester United legend.

InterContinental Hotel Group (IHG) acquires Six Senses for $300 million

IHG buys luxury hotel operator Six Senses Hotels Resorts & Spas from Pegasus Capital Advisors for $300 million. Revealing a move which increases IHG’s global presence and adds a hefty number of luxurious properties in some of the world’s most desirable and exotic destinations, the purchase of Six Senses by the hospitality goliath has been announced. Huge acquisitions are always a hot topic in the hospitality industry, and the latest news that industry giant InterContinental Hotel Group has bought luxury hotel group Six Senses from  Pegasus Capital Advisors certainly falls into that category. For the cool price of $300m, IHG now takes control of all of Six Senses’ 16 hotels, 18 management contracts in the pipeline and more than 50 deals currently in negotiation. The move reflects IHG’s ambition to expand further into the luxury market, and Six Senses’ portfolio of idyllic properties in the Maldives, Thailand, Oman and Portugal, to name but a few, fully cements this intention. Six Senses will sit above IHG’s other luxury acquisitions of late, including Regent Hotels and Kimpton Hotels. Keith Barr, Chief Executive Officer of IHG, said, “Six Senses is an outstanding brand in the top-tier of luxury and one we’ve admired for some time. You only have to look at its iconic hotels and resorts to see how this acquisition will further round out our luxury offer. With a focus on wellness and sustainability, Six Senses has been voted the world’s top hotel brand for the past two years, which is a testament to its impressive management team who bring deep experience to IHG’s luxury operations.” The acquisition was conducted for $300m in cash and involves the sale of the Six Senses brand and its management business. While Six Senses has been operating as an asset-light business, IHG intends to grow Six Senses substantially over the next 10 years to reach a total of approximately 60 properties. The purchase does not include any real estate assets, but focuses on incorporating Six Senses spas, which total 37 under the Six Senses and LivNordic brands. The process of acquisition is a complex one, further complicated by the spa element, so no doubt both IHG and Six Senses were grateful that consultancy firm Horwath HTL Health and Wellness were on hand to advise. The company’s experience in wellness undoubtedly proved invaluable, and Ingo Schweder, Managing Director of Horwath HTL Health and Wellness, spoke of the trajectory of the wellness industry, saying, “With IHG’s acquisition of Six Senses, we see yet another major hospitality group making a large, strategic investment in wellness, signalling that wellness is not a fad but, in fact, the new reality and a necessary component of the hospitality business. People are becoming increasingly concerned about their health and wellbeing and investing in themselves to ensure an optimal status of health whether at home or while traveling.”

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Unauthorized production of minced meat

A visit by the Vice president of Iran Hoteliers Association from Hamedan Hotels & Resorts

Deputy Director of Tourism organization and Chief of Staff of the Travel Services reports about the provision of services to tourists

Invitation of Iran Hoteliers Association’s vice president to use the official hotels, resort or residential center.

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