Answer Key of HotelQuiz Questions: the First, Second and Third Stages

Taliban attack on a hotel in Badghis, Afghanistan

Bangkok Food, Drink and Hospitality Exhibition

Introducing "Thr Harmony" a Giant Cruise Ship

Introduction of Intercontinental Hotels Group

Workshop on "Ethics in Tourism Industry" with Jalal Nasirian

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

Introducing Cubilis Hotel Management Software

Hyatt Place Tokyo Bay First Hyatt Place Hotel To Open In Japan

Hyatt announced today the opening of Hyatt Place Tokyo Bay, marking the debut of the Hyatt Place brand in Japan. Hyatt Place Tokyo Bay features the Hyatt Place brand's intuitive design, cozy atmosphere and practical amenities such as free Wi-Fi and 24-hour food offerings. "We are especially excited about this hotel opening as it marks the debut of the Hyatt Place brand in Japan, as well as the twenty-fourth Hyatt-branded hotel in Asia," said Sam Sakamura, vice president - Japan and Micronesia. "The first Hyatt-branded property opened in Japan in 1980 and Hyatt has since grown its brand presence to thirteen hotels across seven Hyatt brands in Japan, now including Hyatt Place Tokyo Bay. The Hyatt Place brand is founded on extensive consumer insights indicating that guests seek stylish, comfortable and seamless experiences that accommodate their lifestyles and routines. Hyatt Place Tokyo Bay offers the brand's distinctive casual hospitality and purposeful service in a smartly designed, high-tech and contemporary environment. Located in Urayasu City in Chiba Prefecture, Hyatt Place Tokyo Bay is just 30 minutes by train or car from central Tokyo, offering a resort-like atmosphere with breathtaking views of Tokyo Bay. The hotel is also conveniently located between both of Tokyo's airports, 21 miles (34 kilometers) from Haneda Airport and 34 miles (55 kilometers) from Narita Airport. The property is also less than 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) from Tokyo Disney Resort®, one of Tokyo's premier destinations.

Marriott International introduces female leadership initiative in MENA

The initiative helps women through a series of networking and mentorship programmes Marriott International in the MENA region has introduced a Female Leadership Initiative (FLI) to support female leaders, the property has announced. The programme helps women through a “series of initiatives including a networking programme for existing leaders, a mentorship programme for future leaders and more focused learning and development initiatives”. Speaking about the initiative, Alex Kyriakidis, president & MD, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International said: “Marriott established a Women’s Leadership Development Initiative in 1999 that is intended to increase the presence of women in the highest levels of management and in other key decision-making positions. “By forming FLI we aim to increase female leadership presence in the Middle East and Africa. Hotelier Middle East recognised nine female leaders at Marriott International Middle East and Africa in its top 25 women in hospitality power list 2019. This is a great testament to the calibre of female leaders in the region and our commitment to develop and grow more future leaders.” Currently, seven women lead Marriott International divisions globally with revenue greater than $100 million, and women comprise nearly 50% of the company’s executive leadership team.

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.