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495 Room Tower at Downtown Grand Hotel & Casino Las Vegas Celebrates Topping Out

CIM Group announced yesterday that it has reached a construction milestone at the Downtown Grand Hotel & Casino with the topping out of a new eight-story tower, marking a significant expansion of the centrally located property in downtown Las Vegas. The 250,000-square-foot tower will add 495 modern hotel guestrooms to the hotel’s existing 629 premier guestrooms located in two towers. Upon completion of the new tower anticipated in late summer, Downtown Grand will offer guests a total of 1,124 rooms in a variety of room configurations. CIM established Downtown Grand as a popular destination for locals and visitors with its variety of dining establishments, entertainment programming, and a gaming venue. The additional 495 rooms in the hotel expansion allows the Downtown Grand to meet its increased customer.

Create: Feb 28, 2020 Edit: Feb 28, 2020 International News

The government has not yet recovered the damage caused by the announcement of force majeure conditions in Nowruz last year

Jamshid Hamzadehzadeh, head of Iran's hoteliers assosiation, in an exclusive interview with Hotel News; We believe that the announcement of force majeure is not within the scope of the duties of the Deputy Minister of Tourism. If the force majeure conditions are declared in the country, the government and other organizations also have responsibilities to the hoteliers.

Create: Feb 26, 2020 Edit: Feb 28, 2020 Regional News

Former Grand Ayudhaya Hotel In Bangkok to Convert to Hilton Brand

Hilton today announced the signing of a management agreement for its largest hotel in Bangkok yet. Together with real estate company AP Prime Property Company Ltd., Hilton will convert the former Grand Ayudhaya Hotel into a 608-room hotel under the company’s flagship brand, with a target to open it as Hilton Bangkok Ratchada in 2022. No more than 27 kilometers from both the Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Mueang International Airport, the hotel will be located on one of Bangkok’s major arteries, Ratchadapisek Road, which sits in close proximity to landmarks. The hotel will feature an executive lounge and two restaurants including an all-day dining restaurant and a Chinese specialty restaurant, with other dining options available in the hotel’s café and bar. Guests can spend their downtime in the hotel’s fitness center or pool.

Create: Feb 23, 2020 Edit: Feb 23, 2020 International News

Hilton to Feature Three Brands at US$4.3 Billion Integrated Las Vegas Resort

Resorts World Las Vegas and Hilton have partnered to bring three of Hilton’s premium brands together for the first time when the US$4.3 billion integrated resort, which is currently being developed, opens in summer 2021. The 3,500-room resort will also be part of Hilton Honors, the guest-loyalty program for Hilton's 18 brands. Guests will have access to the resort’s premier facilities, including a 5,000-capacity state-of-the-art theater which is scalable to host A-list celebrity residencies and corporate events; 350,000 square feet of meeting and convention space; 220,000-square-foot pool complex with seven unique pool experiences; spa and fitness center; extensive collection of casual and fine-dining food and beverage concepts; and more.

Create: Feb 23, 2020 Edit: Feb 23, 2020 International News

Accor set to expand Ethiopia footprint with Ibis Styles hotel in 2023

Design-led economy 150-key property in Addis Ababa to grow the group’s presence to five properties countrywide. Accor is expanding its presence in Ethiopia after signing a management agreement to open a new property under its design-led economy brand, Ibis Styles. The Group has partnered with private conglomerate, Yuluch Elyano Trading plc, to operate the 150-key Ibis Styles Addis Ababa with a scheduled opening date of 2023. Conveniently situated just off the city’s main thoroughfare, Bole Road, 1km from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport and close to corporate institutions and embassies, the property will appeal to regional and international business travellers seeking stylish and affordable accommodation. Ibis Styles Addis Ababa will offer 150 rooms, each featuring the brand’s signature Sweet BedTM by ibis concept, which is unrivalled in the economy sector.

Create: Feb 23, 2020 Edit: Feb 23, 2020 International News

Apple Leisure Group breaks ground on 2 hotel resorts in Dominican Republic

Dominican Republic will welcome Secrets Playa Esmeralda Punta Cana and Dreams Playa Esmeralda Punta Cana. Two of the 18 management deals, Secrets Playa Esmeralda Punta Cana and Dreams Playa Esmeralda Punta Cana are the first AMResorts-branded properties in this region of the country, and bring its total number of properties in the Caribbean to 20. These two new resorts form the backbone of the $400-million Playa Esmeralda hospitality development. Once complete, Playa Esmeralda will encompass nearly 1,500 hotel units, as well as a shared promenade, where guests from all hotels can mingle and enjoy a convention center, a theatre for live entertainment, ample retail offerings, and a state-of-the-art fitness center and spa. The promenade will also serve as the property’s main culinary hub, featuring diverse gourmet restaurants and elevated buffets.

Create: Feb 23, 2020 Edit: Feb 23, 2020 International News

Marriott opens first Aloft Hotel in Puerto Rico’s capital San Juan

Aloft Hotels, Marriott International’s innovation incubator brand for global travelers, announced the opening of Aloft San Juan, the first Aloft hotel in the Caribbean. By mixing art, technology, and music, Aloft San Juan introduces a new social scene with a fresh approach that differentiates itself from the traditional hotel offering. Located only a few minutes away from El Viejo San Juan, a historic area renowned for its cultural and gastronomic offering, the hotel is one of the anchor properties of El Distrito and the first to open in the 50,000 square-foot central plaza that will serve as the hub of all things fun and entertainment in Puerto Rico

Create: Feb 23, 2020 Edit: Feb 23, 2020 International News

Japan, Austria downgrade Iran travel warning

TEHRAN – Japan and Austria have significantly downgraded their travel warnings on Iran, a caution they, amongst some other countries, issued following the deadly crash of a Ukrainian plane near Tehran last month. The jetliner, with 176 people onboard, was mistakenly downed on January 8 by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) air defense system, a few hours after Iran fired dozens of missiles at a U.S. airbase inside Iraq in retaliation to the assassination of Iranian Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad on January 3. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan has eliminated its travel warning on Iran [asking its citizens to avoid ‘non-essential’ travel to the country] and it has also terminated depicting Iran’s security map with a warning sign,” ISNA reported on Tuesday. An advisory, which warned about traveling to Iran, is now deleted from the website of the ministry, the report added. Austrian ambassador to Tehran Stefan Scholz on Monday wrote on his Instagram account that his country has lowered its travel warning for Iran. “Austria has downgraded its travel warning for Iran, repealing its general advice against non-essential travels following a thorough reassessment of the security situation.” “We believe that the risk to Austrian nationals except for some specific border areas has changed. This decision will also further contribute to civil society contacts and commerce,” the envoy added. Late in January, the EU Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) approved that European airlines can return to parts of Iranian and Iraqi airspace. Germany’s Lufthansa was among airlines that canceled flights over the affected airspace. Inbound tours started to severely drop following the crash, triggering a major setback to Iran’s budding tourism industry. The blow, however, is being hoped to be amended as soon as possible by a comprehensive action plan Iran’s tourism ministry has put into practice since January 25. In the same time, Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Ali-Asghar Mounesan issued a statement, inviting all travelers and holidaymakers to visit the ancient land, saying that the country-size guesthouse is wholeheartedly ready to receive tourists from around the world. The official emphasized that the Iranian government is trying its best to host incoming tourists by improving tourism infrastructure, offering attractive and pocket-friendly packages, as well as incentives such as visa waivers or 90-day visas on arrival. The 2019 Travel Risk Map, which shows the risk level around the world, put Iran among countries with “insignificant risk”, a category where the UK, Denmark, Switzerland, Norway, and Finland are placed in.

Create: Feb 19, 2020 Edit: Feb 19, 2020 Regional News

The wait is over: “Simurgh” named Iran’s national brand for tourism

TEHRAN – Finally the wait is over for many tourism lovers in Iran as the country has introduced “Simurgh” - a huge mythical bird of Persian legend credited with possessing great wisdom – as its national brand for tourism. The national brand was unveiled by tourism minister Ali-Asghar Mounesan on Wednesday during the opening ceremony of the 13th Tehran International Tourism Exhibition, CHTN reported. Iran was ranked the third fastest-growing tourism destination in the globe in 2019, with 27.9 percent growth year on year, according to the latest statistics released by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). The Islamic Republic expects to reap a bonanza from its numerous tourist spots, including 22 ones that have been placed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Under the 2025 Tourism Vision Plan, the country aims to increase the number of tourist arrivals from 4.8 million in 2014 to 20 million in 2025.

Create: Feb 19, 2020 Edit: Feb 19, 2020 Regional News

MGP and BREIT Complete MGM Grand and Mandalay Bay Acquisition

MGM Resorts International, MGM Growth Properties (MGP), and Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust (BREIT) announced the closing of the previously announced transaction for a joint venture formed between MGP and BREIT to acquire the Las Vegas real estate assets of the MGM Grand and Mandalay Bay for $4.6 billion. In addition, BREIT has purchased approximately 4.9 million MGP Class A shares at a price of $30.67 per share. In connection with the completion of the transaction, MGM Resorts has entered into a long-term, triple-net master lease for both properties. MGM has also provided a full corporate guarantee of rent payments. Together, the MGM Grand and Mandalay Bay comprise 9,743 rooms, approximately three million square feet of meeting space, and approximately 300,000 square feet of casino space across 226 acres on the Las Vegas Strip.

Create: Feb 19, 2020 Edit: Feb 19, 2020 International News

University Fulfills Vision of Opening a Hotel on Campus

In January, The Inn at Elon in Elon, N.C., opened its doors to host its first guests. Managed by Charlestowne Hotels, the $31 million, 80-room hotel is the first on Elon University’s campus. The Inn at Elon, LLC, and all of its revenue beyond operating costs will be directed to fund scholarships for the university’s students. The inn’s conference facilities, which include a 5,200-square-foot ballroom that accommodates up to 340 people and outdoor lawn space for 440 people, are open to the public and available for business meetings and retreats as well as local celebrations and events. Additionally, the hotel has 10 suites and 70 rooms with king- and queen-sized beds; an upscale restaurant and lounge; a fitness center; dedicated on-site parking; valet and bell service; and complimentary bicycle rentals for guests to explore the campus.

Create: Feb 19, 2020 Edit: Feb 19, 2020 International News

World’s Largest Comfort Hotel Opens at Stockholm Arlanda Airport in Sweden

Nordic Choice Hotels opened the doors to the Comfort Hotel Arlanda Airport in Stockholm, Sweden on January 30. The 503-room hotel is the largest in the Comfort brand system worldwide. A select-service brand, Comfort hotels are environmentally conscious and challenge the traditional image of what hotels offer to guests. Hotels are situated in central locations and offer a welcoming environment and amenities that make for a good night's rest, all at the best possible price in their segment. The hotel is actively trying to counter food waste by using smaller plates, fruits and berries are made into smoothies, palm oil is banned and there is no beef on the menu. Last year, the hotel removed all disposable plastic and the goal is for only 1% of everything consumed to go to incineration.

Create: Feb 19, 2020 Edit: Feb 19, 2020 International News