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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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