3H Group plans new hotel after $10.25 million site purchase

3H Group shells out $10.25 million for the Brickell development site, where a Residence Inn by Marriott was being planned 3H Group has paid $10.25 million for property located in Miami’s Brickell, which the company plans to use as a new hotel development site. 3H Group, a US-based organization with its headquarters in Tennessee, paid approximately $200 per square foot for the site, which is located in Brickell at 1741 Southwest Second Avenue in Miami. BIG PLANS The site totals four properties and covers roughly 30,000 square feet, marking a significant investment for the company. The seller of the site was the Doral-based Hotelex Properties, which initially planned to build a 206-room Residence Inn by Marriott, property records show. The company paid $6.05 million for the assemblage in 2014. The Brickell site is in front of the Homewood Suites by Hilton Miami and near the Habitat Residence Condo Hotel.

Hotel News - Statement by Board of Directors of the Hoteliers Association in response to some comments on the assignment of the Fourth Factor of National Hotels Evaluation.

“We are surprised that some people consider the statements of the most responsible members of the Hoteliers Association to be irresponsible and unprofessional on hotel industry issues. The Iran Hoteliers Association has always been a good partner with Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization of Iran align with the growth and improvement of the hospitality industry in the country. Contrary to the statements made by these people, the Fourth Factor will not be left to hoteliers themselves, but Iran Hoteliers Association will be responsible. Iran Hoteliers Association is now carefully and rigorously focused on all aspects of the hospitality industry in the country, and has sufficient control over its sub-functions, and has proved its competence and qualification during this period. The decision to hand over the affairs is handled by the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization of Iran, and the head of the organization has identified the best option for Iran Hoteliers Association. The Board of Governors of the Iran Hoteliers Association, selected by all the industry's activists across the country, will strive to do his duty and what is best for all hoteliers in this country." Kamiar Eskandrian - Member of the Board of Directors and Secretary of the Iran Hoteliers Association in Iran

Red Planet Japan steps up Asian expansion with $59.5 million acquisition

Hotel News - Red Planet Japan announces the $59.5 million acquisition of the Thailand-based hotel arm of its parent company Red Planet Hotels Limited on the back of a series of expansion announcements in the Asia Pacific region. Red Planet Japan has announced that it is acquiring the Thailand-based hotel arm of its parent company Red Planet Hotels Limited. Industry experts say the acquisition is likely to be completed by the end of the first quarter of the financial year 2019. Red Planet Japan will acquire a half dozen hotel-owning companies in Thailand, all of them from its parent company. This will make for a total acquisition consideration of 6.5 billion Japanese yen or $59.5 million. The acquisition includes five operating hotels, located in Surawong (Bangkok), Patong (Phuket), Asoke (Bangkok), Pattaya, and Hat Yai. It also includes a sixth property that is currently under development in Sukhumvit Soi 8 (Bangkok). The operating hotels being acquired in Thailand have a recorded sales that totals 692 million Japanese yen ($6 million) in 2017 and 787 million Japanese yen ($7.1 million) in 2018. As a result of this acquisition, Red Planet Japan’s portfolio will increase to a total of 15 hotels in Japan, Thailand, and the Philippines, including five hotels under development. EXPANSION OF JAPANESE TOURISM Japan, like many markets with easy access to Southeast Asia, has undergone a tourism boom in recent years. Factors such as the expansion of low-cost carrier routes, the loosening of visa requirements, and a growing affinity for Japanese culture, has fueled a substantial increase in the number of tourists travelling from Southeast Asia to Japan in recent years, especially from Thailand.

World Tourism Organization Consultant services to Tourism companies

Regional project in Honduras, Integrated Central American Quality and Sustainability System, offers audits and advice to tourism companies requiring quality management. Companies passing the audit get a Quality Certification, signifying value and esteem in tourism market. These quality criteria encompass a range of requirements related to sustainability in order to enable tourism to act as a tool for sustainable development. SICCS benefits tourism companies with a long-term vision of sustainability as a criterion for action, promotes the voluntary commitment to sustainable devleopment criteria aqnd helps to maintain these standards through rigorous audits. The implementation of the project has increased the awareness of entrepreneurs of economic, environmental and social sustainability practices. Furthermore, it has improved their competitiveness. .

Best Western completes acquisition of WorldHotels

Hotel News - Best Western Hotels & Resorts announced today it has acquired global hotel brand WorldHotels representing a collection of approximately 300 unique and special hotels and resorts in premier destinations around the world. “There is tremendous synergy between Best Western and WorldHotels. By joining forces in this new partnership, we will create competitive advantages for both companies,” said David Kong, President and CEO of Best Western Hotels & Resorts. “I have the utmost respect for WorldHotels and believe in its vast potential.” The acquisition of WorldHotels was completed last week. The WorldHotels brand will play a critical role in enhancing Best Western’s portfolio of offerings to include the upper-upscale and luxury segments. WorldHotels will maintain its distinctive personality and individuality while benefiting from Best Western’s robust and scalable e-commerce platform, strong partnerships, sales and marketing support and powerful revenue engines. WorldHotels _Collection“Best Western is one of the largest, most respected and trusted hotel brands,” said Geoff Andrew, CEO, WorldHotels. “As we join forces, the combined power of our brands sets the stage for a bright future for both Best Western and WorldHotels. Through its established senior leadership team and regional presence in each market, Best Western brings a new level of expertise that will undoubtedly help grow both Best Western and WorldHotels in key markets.” Best Western has been on a journey of transformation over the past several years. In the last year alone, Best Western was named one of the world’s Most Innovative Companies by Fast Company, expanded its portfolio to 13 dynamic brands reaching new guests in new segments, and won a record number of industry awards and accolades. The acquisition is a testament to Best Western’s commitment to growth, modernization and continued progression, bolstering the company’s position as a trusted leader in the global hospitality industry. “In the coming months, our focus will be to unlock WorldHotels’ potential by improving revenue delivery to its hotels while protecting its independent identity. We truly believe our platform will build the WorldHotels brand and attract many more independence–minded, quality hotels to join.  We are very pleased that Geoff Andrew will continue as CEO of WorldHotels for the foreseeable future.” concluded Kong.

Campbell Gray Hotels makes its debut in the GCC with the opening of its much-anticipated boutique hotel,The Merchant House.

Hotel News - The property is the first boutique hotel in Bahrain to be awarded a five star rating. The luxurious, 46-suite hotel located at 150 Government Avenue, Manama is an exciting newcomer to the bustling Bab al-Bahrain Souk area and a unique addition to Bahrain’s hotel scene. As usual, being a Campbell Gray Hotel, the design is original and exciting with many pieces having been specially designed and commissioned for the hotel. It also benefits from a striking art collection and a beautiful library, which has been curated especially for The Merchant House.

All-inclusive support of hoteliers on the issue of Nowruz tourists settlement by Deputy of Tourism

Hotel News - The thirty-seventh meeting of the members of the Chief of Staff of the Travel Services Coordination was held on Feb. 19, 2019, with the presence of Tourism Deputy Chairman Vali Thaimori and other members of related Organizations. According to the Hotel News, the Deputy Director of Tourism of the Cultural Heritage Organization, referring to the ministry of education, said: "The form of accommodation for travelers in schools, is not worthy for tourists.” He criticized the resettlement of tourists in school classes and continues: "This action is not good because we are not in crisis situation that we need to accommodate tourists in school classes!” “The private sector is investing in construction of residential properties and hotels, and they need Nowruz holidays to see their properties fully booked. These occasions are considered "high season" for hoteliers which cannot be ignored." He added that “some government agencies with some kinds of residential properties and facilities are doing some kind of parallel activity in hospitality area, while surveys shows that the cost of staying in state residential centers and schools is the same as the cost of resorts or hotels in the same city.”

HYATT opens first branded hotel in Ethiopia

Hotel News - The Hyatt Regency brand is coming to Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. This is Hyatt’s seventh property on the African continent, but the first in Ethiopia, and is located in the city’s centre on Meskel Square near many of the capital’s main attractions. Guest can choose from 188 rooms, including 12 luxury regency suites, two executive suites, one presidential suite and one royal presidential suite. Guests can also enjoy some of the private members clubs available in the hotel, as well as six incredible dining options, including a cafe, cocktail bar and some casual dining offerings. 1,700 sqm of meeting and conference facilities will cater to business travelers, and the regency ballroom can be used for functions or events. A state-of-the-art gym and spa will allow guests to relax and rejuvenate, and for those wishing to explore the city, some of the biggest attractions are located close to the hotel, including the National Palace, the Holy Trinity Church and Africa’s biggest open air market in the Mercato district.

Hyatt making big moves in Middle East & Africa - HYATT continues expansion in Kuwait

HYATT CONTINUES EXPANSION IN KUWAIT Hyatt Regency makes a comeback in Kuwait with the opening of the Hyatt Regency Al Kout Mall. The property will be emblematic of Hyatt´s Regency brand, which aims to offer guests the convenience and ease of having all of the amenities they require under one roof. The Al Kout Mall will boast 200 guestrooms, which includes 53 junior suites, 67 regency suites and 14 premium suites, as well as 2,400 sqm of meeting and conference space which includes a regency ballroom for events and functions. One of the highlights of the hotel is the rooftop fitness centre, Club Olympus, which offers guests panoramic views out over sea and city. Here, guests can relax in the pool or keep fit in the gym. The hotel is also conveniently located close to the international airport and to the border with Saudi Arabia. Some of the most exciting sights in Kuwait are right at the hotel’s doorstep, including the Al Kout Mall, Souq Al Kout, Al Kout Marina, Al Kout Fisherman’s Wharf and the Al Kout promenade. “We are excited to welcome the Hyatt Regency brand back to Kuwait,” said Mohammed Jassim Khalid Al Marzouq, chairman of Tamdeen Group, Hyatt’s partner in the opening of the Regency Al Kout Mall, as well as the planned Grand Hyatt Kuwait. “We are certain that the Hyatt Regency brand, known for its superior facilities and seamless service, will resonate with business and leisure travelers visiting Kuwait, and look forward to our continued collaboration and future openings in this dynamic city,” he added.

Intour Summit comes to Azerbaijan in June

Hotel News - Azerbaijan will host the Intour Summit on June 4 and 5 this year, which is the region’s foremost travel summit, drawing attendees from all corners of the hospitality industry. Over the course of two days, delegates will network with over 1,000 other industry professionals, and listen to over 70 speakers dive deep into the current market trends. We find out more. AZERBAIJAN MAKES ITS MARK Azerbaijan is one of the most important countries in Central Asia, and boasts the frontier of the meeting of East and West, making it a melting pot of different cultures. It is an ideal place, then, for the Intour Summit, the country’s and the region’s most prominent hospitality conference. Delegates and industry professionals will make their way from all corners of the globe to attend this two-day event, which promises to be full of inspiring and engaging talks, presentations and networking sessions. It will also gives attendees the chance to discover the amazing city of Baku, the country’s historic city and capital, which has be central to Azerbaijan’s strategy to make the country a player on the world commercial stage. RICH IN CONTENT The Intour Summit will guide participants through developments and opportunities in the region. Some of the confirmed speakers at the event include Adrian D`Amico, VP of Booking.com EMEA; Alexis Feuillat, Director of Development IHG for Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, CIS and Baltics; David Jenkins, Vice President Business Development for Russia, CIS, Georgia, Ukraine, Baltics, Balkans and Israel at Radisson Hotel Group; and Sergey Egorov, Director of Development for Russia and CIS at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. Speakers will present information, research and data around current developments in the industry as well as future trends and projections. A diverse array of sectors will be in attendance, from tech startups, media groups, hotels, airlines, investors and tour operators, and networking will be encouraged in the B2B meeting zone, as well as through pre-arranged meetings, coffee breaks and drinks receptions. With the Central Asian market growing quickly, the Intour Summit promises to be a great opportunity to find out about the region’s pipeline and meet potential partners in the area. More information available here.

Hotel News - Exclusive interview with "Ali Akhlaghi", GM of Mizban hotel in Babolsar

Hotel News - Exclusive interview with Amir Hossein Parvizi, GM of Parsian Azadi Hotel in Tehran