News

Kempinski Hotels S.A. in Geneva has appointed Bernold Schroeder as chairman of the management board and CEO ad interim. The news follows the decision of the Kempinski supervisory board to part ways with former CEO Martin R. Smura.

Accor has signed two European properties under its residential Movenpick Living brand. The extended stay brand offers stays of up to 120 days, and aims to combine “the comfort and privacy of home, with hotel services on top”.

The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the world’s largest business travel association, has completed its acquisition of key assets of the Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE), continuing its pledge to unify the industry and help lead business travel out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is appealing to world leaders to create a globally-accepted COVID-19 health-tracking system to enable the resumption of trade and travel.

British Airways is selling off surplus inflight crockery, glassware and blankets, as well as trolleys from retired B747 aircraft, in an attempt to raise much needed funds.

Plans have been unveiled for the first London hotel by German-based Amano Group. Drury House on the corner of Russell Street and Drury Lane is set to be converted into the Amano Covent Garden.

Accor has announced plans for its first property under the luxury SO/ brand in Moscow. SO/ Moscow will form part of the Poklonnaya 9 complex, a 32-storey tower located close to Kutuzovsky Prospect and the Triumphal Arch of Moscow, which will also comprise residential apartments.

The Asia Pacific hotel industry has reported continued performance improvement from COVID-19 low points, thanks to strong domestic demand and holidays, according to STR's Jesper Palmqvist, area director for the region. In September, 70% or better occupancy levels were registered in key China markets such as Sanya, Shenzhen, Chengdu and Xian.

“The local administrations will need to actively disburse the awarded grants and provide us with the list of recipients to ensure the program’s success,” Hengky said at a virtual discussion on Oct. 23. “We expect the grant disbursements to be finished by November.”

The Expedia Group arm Expedia Partner Solutions (EPS) will provide Expedia partners access to tens of millions of traveler reviews and ratings, in an effort to boost consumer confidence during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Chinese government is to keep the current ban on inbound and outbound tour groups, amid fears that the winter months could bring a resurgence of Covid-19. The Bangkok Post reports that the country’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism has confirmed on its website that the ban remains in place. After several months with very low case numbers, officials are wary of the virus surging back this winter.

Hyatt has announced plans for its second hotel in the Portuguese capital Lisbon.

Newly-appointed British Airways CEO Sean Doyle has made his first public appearance at the Airlines 2050 summit, in which he called for the introduction of pre-departure Covid-19 testing . Doyle took over as BA’s chief executive last week, replacing Alex Cruz, and gave a keynote address aT the virtual aviation summit.

Wyndham, Prism and Advantage Hotels are all strengthening their roster of leaders with recent appointments: Wyndham Appoints Several Regional Directors in Europe, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has appointed four regional leadership roles across Europe. The new hires are part of the company’s strategic plans to place regional resources closer to the business in the local markets, and provide closer enhanced support to its hotels partners across Europe, Middle East, Eurasia and Africa (EMEA).

Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts is gearing up to reopen its Carlton Towers property in London’s Knightsbridge later this year. The hotel was closed in September 2019 for “significant remodelling”, and is now advertising a reopening date of December 2020.

The Lux Collective, a luxury hotel management operator headquartered in Singapore, has signed an agreement with Mingshi Yijing Tourism, to manage its first international five-star resort in Chongzuo, Guangxi which will open in January 2021.

Former "Top Chef" contestant Aaron Grissom has died after a traffic accident, authorities said Friday night. He was 34.

Steigenberger Hotels and Resorts will finally open its Berlin airport property next month, coinciding with the much delayed unveiling of Berlin Brandenburg airport.

The Beverly Hills Hotel has seen its fair share of famous faces come and go. But none left a mark quite like Marilyn Monroe. And now, the famed Los Angeles hotel is honoring their favorite starlet with a new package called “Live Like Marilyn.”

Wednesday the 16th of September at 3 PM CEST

Realstar Hospitality is thrilled to announce that Motel 6 has been named the Best Budget-Friendly Hotel Brand by USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards. As founders of economy lodging, Motel 6 has been best known for cleanliness, affordability, friendliness and dependability over the past 58 years.

Crowne Plaza Greater Noida announced that the hotel has signed a long-term lease agreement with RIG Institute, a leading hospitality educational institution in India, in collaboration with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) to set up an exclusive educational facility in their premises. This off-site campus is being developed as a world class space to offer 18-month Diploma courses by Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne, Switzerland (EHL).

Yesterday, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages announced the appointment of Marsha Walden as Destination Canada’s president and Chief Executive Officer.

Country house hotel Beaverbrook is to open its first outpost in London, housed within two Georgian townhouses on Sloane Street. A partnership with property manager, investor and developer Cadogan – which owns 93 acres of Chelsea and Kensington – will see a 14-suite boutique hotel open in summer 2021 opposite Cadogan Place Gardens.