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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.

Create: Apr 9, 2019 Edit: Apr 10, 2019 International News

Jin Jiang completes acquisition of Radisson Hotel Group

Hotel News - Jin Jiang is the fifth-largest hotel company in the world A consortium led by Shanghai’s Jin Jiang and Sino-CEE Fund a private equity fund incorporated in Luxembourg—entered into an agreement with Radisson Hospitality and HNA Sweden Hospitality Management AB to acquire 50.21% of Radisson’s shares. Carlton Rezidor was officially re-branded to Radisson Hotel Group in March 2018. The announcement came at the International Hotel Investment Forum, Berlin. It is currently the eleventh-largest hotel group in the world, with eight hotel brands and more than 1,400 hotels in operation and under development.

Create: Dec 25, 2018 Edit: Dec 26, 2018 International News

Wanda Hotels Launches New Brand - Wanda Moments

Hotel News - On 30 November, 2018, Wanda Hotels & Resorts held a launch ceremony and gala dinner to unveil Wanda Moments, a premium mid-scale hotel brand, and announced the newly upgraded guest loyalty program – Wanda Club at the conference center on the Star Island of Qingdao Movie Metropolis. The conference brought together representatives of Wanda Club members, guests of Wanda Moments and media guests to witness the launch of Wanda Moments and the new development strategy of Wanda Hotels & Resorts. At the conference, Dr. Ning Qifeng, Executive President of Wanda Cultural Tourism Creativity Co., Ltd. and President of Wanda Hotels & Resorts, introduced the group's latest development strategy during its transformation to asset-light development and Wanda Moments, the new premium mid-end hotel brand. He announced that Wanda Moments plans to develop 700 hotels around China in the next 5 years, and shared the comprehensive upgrade of Wanda Club program with the guests. Dr. Ning signed contracts with the first 6 Wanda Moments hotels' owners, which marks an official beginning of the development of the new brand, Wanda Moments. Mr. Chen Mengchao, Vice President of Wanda Hotels & Resorts, introduced Wanda's resource strength in developing hotel industry. He also described the brand positioning, product characteristics, development plan and cooperation models of Wanda Moments. As the fifth hotel brand of Wanda Hotels & Resorts after Wanda Reign, Wanda Vista, Wanda Realm and Wanda Jin, Wanda Moments is a premium mid-scale hotel brand that is committed to providing high-quality selected service to business travelers with unique taste, enjoy life attitude and pursuing different experiences. The new brand continues the diversity and inclusivity of Wanda hotel brands, and the artistic design, attentive services as well as interactive staying experience. With the brand concept of "Better for tomorrow" and the 4S core values (Sweet+Social+Style+Smart), Wanda Moments aims to create a new lifestyle that integrates art, culture, intelligence and fashion. Mr. Liu Yingwu, Vice President of Wanda Hotels & Resorts and President of Wanda Hotel Design Institute, introduced Wanda's integrated services from hotel design to construction and to project management. "The asset-light transformation we are pursuing is not just providing hotel management and design services, but a integrated project management services. It is an innovative service model and a mature and completed management system that based on the investment, construction and operation experience of more than 100 hotels. This enables us to assist and serve our owners with extensive ownership experience and systems." Wanda Hotels & Resorts attributes the brand development to the support of the brand's loyal customers, and pays close attention on rewarding program. During the event, Ms. Adeline Yong, Deputy General Manager of Sales & Marketing Department of Wanda Hotels & Resorts, officially announced the launch of upgraded Wanda Club program which was comprehensively enhanced in the points accumulation mechanism, membership system and points redemption system.

Create: Dec 18, 2018 Edit: Dec 19, 2018 International News