Wyndham Hotels & Resorts continues its growth programme.....

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest hotel franchising company by number of properties with over 8,900 hotels across nearly 95 countries, continues to cement its presence across Europe, Middle East, Eurasia and Africa (EMEA) with a series of recent hotel launches and a strong line-up of openings for 2021.

In a year of historic challenges for the travel industry, in 2020 Wyndham achieved 38 new hotel signings in the region, a host of important openings, in addition to launching multi-faceted initiatives to support and empower hotel partners across EMEA to help re-build demand in response to changes and on-going travel restrictions.

Some of Wyndham’s key 2020 openings included the European expansion of Ramada by Wyndham in Madrid, Valencia, Leeds and Budapest and continued momentum in India and Pakistan. Other highlights included the expansion of La Quinta by Wyndham in Turkey, and the debut of the Super 8 by Wyndham brand in the UAE alongside more openings in Germany.

Hollywood Beach redevelopment gets top ranking.

A top 10 ranking in Conde Nast Traveler, AAA Four Diamond status and resilience through the pandemic have proven the Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort to be one of the best public/private redevelopment projects in the nation.

Margaritaville looking east from the Intracoastal. (Photo: Lojeta Group of Fla. Inc.)

Best Practice Cities (www.bestpracticecities.com) Founding principal Cathy Swanson-Rivenbark, while serving as City Manager for Hollywood Florida, steered the project through uncharted and difficult waters. Her leadership created not only the #7 resort among all Florida resorts ranked by Conde Nast readers but also an anchor for redevelopment and reinvestment that has kept hundreds of small businesses on Hollywood Beach alive even in unmatched challenges during COVID-19. The Margaritaville development created hundreds of jobs, a revenue stream for the city that will be worth hundreds of millions and an activity generator that has boosted tourism in the historic beach district between the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway.

Air Canada and AirTransat merger now off

Air Canada and Transat A.T. Inc. announced today that they have mutually agreed to terminate the Arrangement Agreement for the proposed acquisition of Transat by Air Canada.

Air Canada and Transat had originally agreed in June 2019 on the acquisition, the terms of which were subsequently amended in August 2019 and then revised in October 2020 as a result of the severe economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As previously disclosed, the acquisition was conditional on the approval of various regulatory authorities, including the European Commission ("EC"). In order to meet that key condition, Air Canada offered and enhanced a significant package of remedies, which went beyond the commercially reasonable efforts required of Air Canada under the Arrangement Agreement and what has been traditionally accepted by the EC in previous airline merger cases. Following recent discussions with the EC, it has become evident, however, that the EC will not approve the acquisition based on the currently offered remedy package.

Hyatt continues to expand brand presence of independent hotels in Canada with new hotel joining JdV by Hyatt brand this week and another slated to join later this year

Loft king at The Anndore House (Photo: Business Wire)

Hyatt Hotels announced the continued expansion of the JdV by Hyatt brand with The Anndore House joining the brand this week and plans for The Walper Hotel to join the brand later this year. This milestone signifies the JdV by Hyatt brand’s intentional growth in a new market while offering experiences in places that matter most to guests, members, customers and owners. While the brand has 14 properties across the United States and China, The Anndore House marks its debut in Toronto today, and The Walper Hotel is currently slated to join the JdV by Hyatt brand this May.

Hyatt Hotels expanding in India

Hyatt expects to grow its Indian brand portfolio by more than 70% through 2023, with six new hotels set to open in 2021 across the Hyatt Regency and Hyatt Place brands

Hyatt Hotels Corporation today announced plans to grow its brand footprint in India – one of Hyatt’s top three growth markets globally – by more than 70% by 2023. With over 20 executed managed and franchised agreements, Hyatt will add more than 3,600 keys to its existing portfolio of 32 Hyatt-branded hotels across eight distinct brands in the country, including the Andaz, Alila, Park Hyatt, Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Regency, Hyatt, Hyatt Centric, and Hyatt Place brands.

This ambitious growth in India is fueled by an ever-increasing demand from guests, World of Hyatt members, customers, and owners to offer unique and differentiated hotel experiences. This announcement signals significant intentional growth plans for Hyatt, bringing the number of Hyatt-branded hotels in India to more than 50 by the end of 2023, resulting in a more diverse portfolio of hotel offerings in new and existing markets.

All roads lead to Nashville: The nation’s fourth-largest hotel owner-operator welcomes NASCAR fans to its newly acquired properties..........

Tru and Home2 Suites by Hilton Near the Nashville Superspeedway

The ultimate pit-stop! MCR, the fourth-largest hotel owner-operator in the United States, has acquired the 167-room dual-branded Tru by Hilton Smyrna Nashville and Home2 Suites by Hilton Smyrna Nashville in Tennessee.

The hotels are located less than 10 miles from the Nashville Superspeedway, the internationally renowned motor racing complex with the oldest continually operating track in the United States. On Saturday, June 19, the track hosts the NASCAR Xfinity Series race, its first NASCAR event since 2011. And for the first time in 40 years, the NASCAR Cup Series comes to Middle Tennessee with the Ally 400 race on Sunday, June 20. (It’s Father’s Day weekend — hint, hint.)

The first Trademark Collection by Wyndham hotel in Belgium set to open.

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts celebrates the opening of Hotel Avenue Louise Brussels, its first Trademark Collection by Wyndham hotel in Belgium. The new property is situated in the heart of Brussels, close to many of the capital’s landmarks and attractions, making it the ideal destination for travellers looking to explore the history and culture of the city. 

Christian Michel, Vice President for Development Europe, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts said: “This new opening marks an exciting step in expanding our Trademark Collection by Wyndham portfolio in Europe and around the world. Our Trademark brand is an important part of our conversion strategy. It brings our powerful scale and world-class capabilities to independent hoteliers seeking the competitive advantage of a global hospitality company.”

Hotel Avenue Louise Brussels, Trademark Collection by Wyndham is situated in one of the city’s most popular areas, meters away from the trendy shopping district of Avenue Louise, and within walking distance of many iconic attractions including the historic Grand-Place, the Horta Museum, as well as the famous Manneken Pis statue. The local area offers guests bars, restaurants and traditional bistros, all within walking distance from the hotel.

Massive growth for Hyatt Hotels

The milestone debut of Alila Napa Valley demonstrates Hyatt’s ongoing commitment to growing with intent in places that matter most to travellers.

Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced the official opening of Hyatt’s 1,000th hotel worldwide, Alila Napa Valley in St. Helena, Calif. Founder Jay Pritzker purchased the first Hyatt hotel in 1957 with a new vision for hospitality, built around people. Since then, Hyatt’s purpose to care for people so they can be their best has driven groundbreaking hotel designs, the award-winning World of Hyatt guest loyalty program and strategic brand acquisitions. Today, this milestone reinforces Hyatt’s continued commitment to intentional growth in places that matter most to guests, members, customers, and owners.

Marking the expansion of Hyatt’s luxury lifestyle Alila brand portfolio with the brand’s second property in the Americas, Alila Napa Valley offers guests crafted luxury, innovative design, and bespoke experiences in one of the world’s most famous wine regions. The 68-room adults-only restorative retreat is surrounded by the pristine Home Vineyards of the Beringer Estate and features an outdoor pool overlooking adjacent vineyards and distant mountains, a seasonally driven restaurant and bar with a local, sustainable menu and Spa Alila and Fitness Center with transformative, customized treatments.

Pioneering new immersive lifestyle destination at the convergence of travel, fitness and wellbeing....... say hello to SIRO

Kerzner International, the owner of the iconic Atlantis Resort & Residences and ultra-luxury One&Only Resorts worldwide, continues to innovate with the introduction of a new hospitality experience, SIRO. Conceived with fitness and wellbeing at the core, SIRO will be an immersive lifestyle destination, blending the boundaries between hospitality, fitness, and wellness through a fresh perspective and energizing experiences. SIRO will create a collective global community of like-minded individuals who live a high-performance lifestyle passionate about driving achievement and living their fullest potential.

“We have always been pioneers, true disruptors within the hospitality space. We have built destinations through the personalities of our brands and understanding our guests’ journey, creating a meaningful legacy,” commented Philippe Zuber, Chief Executive Officer, Kerzner International. “We look forward to continuing the improvement of people’s lives with the introduction of SIRO. We recognize that holistic health is more important than ever, and the primary focus of SIRO will be exceptional fitness and wellness to support a modern and balanced global lifestyle, delivered with our renowned service in a transformative and nurturing urban environment. As innovators, we are always looking to revolutionize the guest experience and anticipate travellers’ needs. We felt the time was right to introduce the SIRO concept to the world as we continue the strategic growth of the Company. We look forward to SIRO becoming part of key cities around the world.”

SIRO (pronounced Sigh-Row) represents the pillars of Strength, Inclusive, Reflection and Original:

Strength

to always be resilient and committed to become the best version of yourself

Inclusive

to always celebrate the diversity of people and their passions

Reflection

to always nurture harmony, balance, and wellbeing

Original

to always challenge convention and elevate experiences

Hilton to offer COVID-19 testing and screening options for event attendees

After booking a meeting or event at any U.S. property, planners gain access to third-party providers with COVID-19 tests and health screening options

Event planners continue to look to hospitality industry leaders for solutions that help simplify the complex task of organizing in-person or hybrid events in the current environment – particularly as it relates to COVID-19 testing and health screenings. Throughout the pandemic, Hilton has been listening and responding to the needs of its customers, and now the world’s most hospitable company is providing event planners with COVID-19 testing and health screening resources for their event attendees.

“As more customers book in-person meetings and events, there has been a steady increase in requests and questions around COVID-19 testing and screening options for event attendees,” said Frank Passanante, senior vice president, Hilton Worldwide Sales, Americas. “In response, we expanded the resources within our Hilton EventReady Playbook to include third-party providers that can deliver a seamless experience and offer preferential pricing to our event planners.”

Wyndham developments

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts the world’s largest hotel franchising company with over 8,900 hotels across nearly 95 countries and territories – announced today the first groundbreaking of its new La Quinta and Hawthorn Suites dual-brand hotel concept in Pflugerville, Texas. This marks the first-ever pairing of these two flags under the same roof and enables owners to target both the business transient and extended-stay demand within any given market. The company has 36 La Quinta and Hawthorn dual-branded hotels in its development pipeline in markets such as San Antonio and El Paso, Texas; Yuma, Ariz.; Wichita, Kan.; Charlotte, N.C.

The property is slated to open in March 2022 with a combined 100 guestrooms – 30 of which will feature the recently updated Hawthorn room design that includes modern, well-equipped kitchens for extended-stay guests. This hotel will also feature the newly refreshed room design from La Quinta’s sought-after Del Sol prototype in 70 rooms.  This new dual-brand hotel concept is designed to streamline development and operational costs. The concept includes a shared lobby, spacious modern great room, fitness centre, bar, amenities, and back of the house all while appealing to the multiple types of travellers that have an affinity for these brands. The combination enhances Wyndham’s suite of offerings for developers by coupling its leading upper-midscale brand, La Quinta, with its benchmark, extended-stay Hawthorn Suites brand that reported a 44 percent year-over-year increase in domestic contract executions during 2020.

Massive global development for Hyatt Hotels

Intentional growth of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, Destination by Hyatt and JdV by Hyatt brands demonstrates Hyatt’s commitment to expanding these brands to key global destinations

-Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced the global growth of its independent collection brands, including recent openings and development plans through 2025 across The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, Destination by Hyatt and JdV by Hyatt brands. This growth reinforces Hyatt’s focus on continuing to immerse guests, members and customers into cultures and destinations that matter most to them.

Hyatt’s independent collection brands encompass diverse properties, each true to its destination and offering the modern traveller enriching experiences in new and exciting ways. Whether it’s a luxury hotel in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand with a rich history, a boutique JdV by Hyatt hotel inspired by its vibrant neighbourhood, or an immersive resort retreat within the Destination by Hyatt brand, each hotel delivers one-of-a-kind guest experiences for every occasion.

“With each new hotel opening under Hyatt’s three independent collection brands, we are encouraging unique discovery of the local culture or history of the hotel’s location, truly illustrating the spirit of these three distinct brands,” said Katie Johnson, global brand leader, independent collection, Hyatt. “Learning from our guests, members, and customers is key to Hyatt. Each of these hotels accelerates our efforts to expand our independent collections in markets that reach travellers and surprise locals with captivating experiences.”