Hotels may see 20-40% fall in occupancy rates in Mar-May due to COVID-19

Hotels in India are staring at a steep 20 to 40 per cent fall in occupancy rates during the three months ending May as lockdowns due to COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

While the plunge in occupancy could be 30-40 per cent for mid-scale and two-star hotels, the same for four-star hotels and above categories could be 20-25 per cent for the next three months beginning March -- which is peak season due to summer holidays and weddings,citing the increasing number of cities going under full or partial lockdowns.

On revenue side, hotels under the four-star or above categories could see 65-70 per cent fall in revenue per available room, while for two-star hotels it could be 50-60 per cent.

During the global financial crisis, the average absolute occupancy rates fell by over 9 per cent, with the highest fall being 10.40 per cent for four-star and above hotels, followed by three-stars at 8.5 per cent.

Markets like Singapore, Indonesia and Hong Kong, where the outbreak began in January, have seen sharp decline in occupancy rates -- much higher than seen during the SARS outbreak in 2003 when it fell to sub-20 per cent from around 70 per cent in China.

COVID-19: Hospitality Industry Seeks PM's Help

The Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism and Hospitality (FAITH), the nodal agency and policy federation of all the national associations representing the tourism, travel and hospitality industry has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi stating the tourism industry is in dire straits because of the COVID-19 pandemic

With declining revenues almost all tourism businesses are running out of working capital

In the letter, FAITH has requested for a complete GST tax holiday for the tourism, travel and hospitality industry for twelve months.

"With almost nil revenues there is hardly going to be any GST collection,"

FAITH said as a result of this pandemic, the Indian tourism industry is looking at pan India bankruptcies, closure of businesses and mass unemployment. "It is believed that around 70% out of a total estimated workforce of 5.5 crore (direct and indirect) could get unemployed (3.8 crore).This effect of job losses and layoffs has already begun throughout the country," the letter stated.
The federation has also requested for a twelve months' moratorium on EMIs of principle and interest payments on loans and working capital from financial institutions besides a doubling of working capital limits on interest free and collateral free terms."This will prevent all our tourism businesses from going bankrupt,"

FAITH has also sought a support fund for 12 months on the lines of MNREGA to support basic salaries with direct transfers to affected tourism employees.

Setting up of a national tourism task force under PM's leadership to fast track all tourism investment proposals and to withhold the tax collected at source (TCS) on travel provision proposed in Finance Bill 2020 which is to be introduced from April 1.FAITH believes TCS on travel will displace business from India to overseas markets

A deferment of twelve months for all statutory dues

Release of SEIS and EPCG schemes on an urgent basis based on last year's submissions of foreign exchange earnings of companies at an enhanced rate of 10%, GST refunds on MICE cancelled events, a six to nine months' moratorium on all working capital principle, interest payments on loans and overdrafts bringing in liquidity

IHG Announces Senior Leadership Appointments in the Americas

IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) announces that it has named two versatile IHG leaders into new senior leadership positions – Jay Caiafa, Chief Operating Officer, Americas, and Brian Hicks, Senior Vice President, Commercial and Revenue Management, Americas

Caiafa has been with IHG since 2013 and has held multiple leadership roles with the company.  In his previous role as SVP, Hotel Lifecycle and Growth, he led multiple teams across all aspects of the hotel lifecycle, including architecture, design, construction, hotel openings, hotel ramp up, renovations and quality assurance, and also oversaw teams responsible for the delivery of the Americas growth strategy.

With his promotion to COO, Americas, he will lead the Americas Operations Leadership Team, with oversight of more than 4,000 IHG hotels across the U.S. and Canada, and will further strengthen and cultivate relationships with owners. In addition, he will continue his role as IHG’s representative on the Metro Atlanta Chamber Board of Directors, driving engagement with the broader business community in the home of the company’s Americas headquarters.

Prior to his time with IHG, Caiafa led teams at companies across multiple industries, including legal, commercial real estate finance, strategic consulting and biotechnology.

Hicks has more than 30 years of international hospitality experience – the majority of which has been with IHG, including more than ten years working in the Americas region. He was promoted from his previous role as VP, Global Revenue Management Strategy. In his new role, Hicks will lead the Revenue Management function and the Commercial team in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean, and will be responsible for overseeing and integrating all revenue-generating strategies, initiatives, programs and plans to drive competitive commercial performance across the region. In addition, he will lead the Americas Revenue Strategy Committee, working with Global and Regional Revenue leaders.

Steinberger Hotels & Resorts: New management structure in Berlin

Peter B. Mikkelsen has been appointed Area General Manager Berlin for Steigenberger Hotels & Resorts as of 1 March. This move means that Mr. Mikkelsen, who has just finished a successful stint as Managing Director of the Steigenberger Hotel Cologne, will be responsible in future for the Steigenberger Hotel Am Kanzleramt, the Steigenberger Hotel Berlin at Los Angeles Platz and the Steigenberger Airport Hotel in Berlin.

He will also head up the Steigenberger Hotel Am Kanzleramt in the capacity of General Manager. Richard Engelmayer will continue as General Manager of the Steigenberger Hotel Berlin.

Steffi Wisotzky will take up the reins at the Steigenberger Airport Hotel in Berlin, which is scheduled to open in October 2020. Her appointment becomes effective on 1 April 2020.

The General Managers of the Steigenberger Hotels in Dresden, Leipzig and Jena will now all report to Denis Hüttig, Vice President Steigenberger Operations. Katrin Schissler is to become General Manager of the IntercityHotel Hauptbahnhof Berlin, also from 1 April 2020.

Management transition in Oetker Collection - Dr. Timo Gruenert appointed new CEO

Dr. Timo Gruenert will take up CEO position on 1 May 2020. Since July 2009, Dr. Gruenert has held the position of Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer of the Oetker Collection. Based in Baden-Baden, he oversees the financial department and the business development of the company.

Before this , He spent four years in Dr. August Oetker KG, the holding company of the Oetker Collection.

In this function, he assisted the board of personally liable partners with a special focus on business development, the controlling of participating parties, internal consulting as well as mergers and acquisitions

Radisson Hotel Group Announces New Area Senior Vice President Appointments For Eastern Europe , Russia & Turkey AND UK, Ireland & Western Europe

 One of the most dynamic hotel groups in the world, is pleased to announce the new geographical responsibilities of Area Senior Vice President for Central & Southern Europe (CESE), Yilmaz Yildirimlar, and Area Senior Vice President for Northern Europe, Tom Flanagan Karttunen.

Further to their current roles, Yilmaz and Tom have now been appointed as Area Senior Vice Presidents for Eastern Europe, Russia & Turkey (EERUT) and UK, Ireland & Western Europe (UKIWE) respectively

Yilmaz started his career with the Group in Vienna in 1995 and has held several leadership positions at Radisson Blu Hotels in Amsterdam, Manchester and Bucharest. He has served as District Director for South Eastern Europe and Regional Director in Eastern Europe, based in Moscow, until his appointment in 2017 as Area Senior Vice President, Central & Southern Europe.

Originally from Turkey, Yilmaz Yildirimlar studied hotel management and holds an MBA in Finance. He has also achieved several degrees in the fields of leadership, real estate and asset management.

Tom joined Radisson Hotel Group more than 20 years ago and has grown within the company, holding different leadership positions in numerous business areas at Radisson Blu Hotels in Copenhagen, Beijing, Manama, Hamburg and Galway. He has served as District Director Turkey, Azerbaijan & China, based in Istanbul, before being appointed as Area Vice President Eastern Europe & Russia, based in Moscow in 2009, and then Area Senior Vice President, Northern Europe.He has a track record of success in leading Northern Europe, one of Radisson Hotel Group’s most mature markets, and is sure to have equal success in UKIWE

Born in Ireland, Tom holds a Diploma and B.A. Degree in Hotel Management.has played an integral role in ensuring the progression of business growth.

One&Only opens its first resort in Europe

One&Only’s hotly anticipated One & Only Portonovi in Montenegro will begin to welcome guests from 1 July 2020. The ultra-luxury resort will be One&Only’s first in Europe and is set to become the most fashionable destination on the Adriatic.

“The opening of One&Only Portonovi is a milestone in our history, as we continue to expand our ultra-luxury portfolio into new destinations around the world. We are thrilled to introduce the One&Only experience to Europe, in response to demand from our loyal guests,” commented Brett Armitage, Chief Commercial Officer, Kerzner International.

We are particularly excited about our exclusive partnership with Henri Chenot, which will revolutionise the resort wellbeing experience, offering 360-degree wellness programmes for our guests. And for those looking to be part of the One&Only lifestyle, we are thrilled to introduce Private Homes for guests who wish to make this stylish resort their home.

Crowne Plaza - New General Manager to take on hotel duo

M&L, a Singapore-based hotel real estate investor, has appointed Gordon Fraser as Cluster General Manager at the Crowne Plaza Aberdeen Airport and Holiday Inn Express Aberdeen Airport. Managed by Tower Hotel Management, part of the Peel Group, the newly built hotels are located within a short walk of Aberdeen Airport terminal and were recently acquired by the new owners.

Bringing over 20 years of management experience, including eight years with Hilton Worldwide at the Hilton Edinburgh Grosvenor Hotel, Gordon has immersed himself in multi-site management, mid-market and up-market properties, new builds, distressed properties, change programmes and capital project management throughout his career.

Tower Hotel Management currently operates award-winning hotels under various international brands including Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Hampton by Hilton and Ramada Encore by Wyndham. The latest venture, Courtyard by Marriott at Keele University will open in late Autumn 2020.

Peter de la Perrelle, Managing Director at Tower Hotel Management, said: “We’re extremely pleased to welcome Gordon on board. He brings a wealth of hotel operating experience and we look forward to seeing his presence make a difference at the two hotels

Steigenberger Hotels & Resorts in Berlin presents new Area General Manager

The former General Manager of the Hotel Steigenberger in Koln since 2016, Peter B. Mikkelsen, now holds the position of General Manager of the Berlin region

In his new role, He will be responsible for the Steigenberger Hotel Am Kanzleramt, the Steigenberger Hotel Berlin in Los Angeles Platz and the Steigenberger Airport Hotel in Berlin. He will also manage the Steigenberger Hotel Am Kanzleramt as General Manager. The new manager has training as a hotel specialist and holds a degree in hotel management. He also held the position of General Manager at the Radisson Blu in Warsaw and has gathered further experience at business hotels operated by Sheraton, Hilton and Rezidor

Two new appointments at Palladium Hotel Group

Gabriel Rodriguez takes on the position of Director of Sales in Canada and Hugh Goodwin is appointed Director of Sales - Strategic Accounts for the Spanish hotel chain.

In his new position, Gabriel Rodriguez will strengthen the group's relations with Canadian travel agencies. He is a sales and marketing professional with more than nineteen years of experience in the travel industry, particularly in North American markets

Hugh Goodwin will be responsible for relationships and overall account management for strategic clients. He is also an established professional in the travel, airline and hospitality industries.

L+R Hotels announces that Petra Deuter has been promoted to 2 newly-created senior management roles

Petra Joined L+R Hotels in 2017 as Director of Operations,now she has been promoted to Executive Director Iconic Luxury Hotels – International & Head of Talent Development L+R Hotels

She is now responsible for developing L+R Hotels' Iconic Luxury Hotels international brand positioning and operational and commercial structures, with a mission to growing its portfolio.

She will be driving the development and international expansion plans for Iconic Luxury Hotels, part of the L+R Hotels portfolio, in the coming years.

She continues to lead the career development approaches for L+R Hotels and is ambassador for all L+R Hotels' programmes, overseeing their creation and implementation, fostering employer branding, development opportunities and succession planning.

Marriott International grows footprint in Bali

Aloft Hotels, Marriott International’s very trendy hotel brand, announced the opening of Aloft Bali Seminyak. Located in the heart of vibrant Seminyak, the brand-new, urban-inspired hotel features interactive social spaces and modern style, along with a fresh new social scene to Bali as the first Aloft hotel to open on the island.

It is set to own the stage as the hottest gathering hub for travelers visiting the well-known social scene of Seminyak.

Wynn Resorts to Temporarily Close Wynn Las Vegas

Wynn Resorts (Nasdaq: WYNN) has decided to temporarily close Wynn Las Vegas and Encore as part of its continuing effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus).

The Company has committed to pay all full-time Wynn and Encore employees during the closure.

The closure will be effective Tuesday, March 17 at 6 pm and is expected to be in effect for two weeks, after which time the Company will evaluate the situation. A limited number of employees and management will remain at the resort to secure and maintain the facility

For additional information and updates, please visit www.wynninfo.com.

Royal Park Hotel Iconic Osaka Midosuji Opens in Japan

On March 16th, 2020, Royal Park Hotels and Resorts Company, Ltd.  opened The Royal Park Hotel Iconic Osaka Midosuji, its second hotel in Osaka. Over the next 5 years, RPHS plans to open six more hotels in Kyoto, Kobe, Nagoya, and Tokyo.

The new hotel forms part of the ICONIC brand, the flagship line of RPHS’ “THE” series for premium limited service hotels. It is located in the brand-new OBIC Midosuji building in the city’s business district alongside the busy Midosuji street, one of Osaka’s main streets.

It is a city full of life and in 2019 Rough Guides named it one of the eight best places to visit. It is also known as the gourmet city of Japan, often sparking new trends.

It is one of Japan’s most vibrant cities with a unique mix of business and tourism and in 2025 will host the World Expo for the second time. It is the fastest-growing inbound tourism destination in Japan with more than 11 million foreign visitors in 2017, a five-fold increase from 2012

Radisson Hotel Group Announces Global Plan For A Future With Reduced Single-Use Plastics

Radisson Hotel Group will implement bulk amenity dispensers across all brands by the beginning of 2022, replacing small bottles for common bathroom products. This action will remove 57 million miniature amenities from circulation, avoiding the use of almost 500 tons of plastic annually and has a global commitment to #refusethestraw, ensuring plastic straws and plastic stirrers are no longer used in its hotels by 2021 and eco-friendly alternatives will be offered to guests upon request.

Radisson Hotel Group’s initiatives demonstrate the commitment and solidify its participation in the International Tourism Plastic Pledge

The Group is also running a series of innovative pilot projects in various locations, with the aim of finding new ways to drive plastic reduction globally. These include:

• In all the Group’s properties in India, a roll out of Commercial Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration systems to provide in-house bottled water and avoid the use of PET water bottles.  

• In Bangladesh, Radisson Blu Chattogram Bay View is piloting a similar installation and is replacing PET water bottles by in-house filtered and bottled quality water.

• To cut down on the use of 39,000 plastic water bottles in the average hotel each year the Group offers unlimited filtered water to guests. This is already in place in selected hotels such at the Radisson Blu Hotel Manchester Airport, UK, and the Radisson RED hotel Brussels and Belgium, additionally, guests are offered reusable Radisson Rewards water bottles

• In addition to making Radisson Meetings 100% carbon neutral, the Group is constantly striving to phase out single-use plastics in meetings and events across its portfolio and has already achieved this in over 200 of its hotels, with the aim to roll-out this initiative to other properties.

Stéphane Gras Appointed General Manager at Four Seasons Megéve & Les Chalets du Mont D'Arbois

Stéphane began his career at the Waldorf Astoria in New York before joining Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts in 1999 as Assistant Room Service Manager at Four Seasons Hotel New York.

He hold a Bachelor's degree in International Hotel Management from the Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne, Switzerland.

His career in the Group has taken him to the four corners of the world: the United States, Egypt, Azerbaijan, the Czech Republic, and more. After 20 years abroad and a series of extremely enriching experiences on a professional, human and cultural level, He took up his position in Megève on February 3, 2020. He now manages the destination's two hotels (Four Seasons Hotel Megève and Les Chalets du Mont d'Arbois, Megève, A Four Seasons Hotel) as well as the Golf du Mont d'Arbois and the mountain restaurants in the Edmond de Rothschild Heritage Group (Le Club du Mont d'Arbois, La Taverne du Mont d'Arbois, La Pizzeria de la Taverne, L'Idéal 1850, L'Auberge de la Côte 2000).

Hilton's Response to Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

As it has always been, the safety and security of our guests and team members remains our highest priority. We are doing everything we can to ensure your travel safety and provide maximum flexibility as the situation around novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to evolve

Your Travel Safety

We take great pride in maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness and hygiene. In response to the coronavirus, we have taken additional measures developed in consultation with global and local public health authorities (including the WHO and CDC) to make our cleaning and hygiene protocols even more rigorous:

• Our hotel teams are receiving ongoing briefings and enhanced operating protocols.

• We have increased the frequency of cleaning our public areas (including lobbies, elevators, door handles, public bathrooms, etc.) and have continued the use of hospital-grade disinfectant.

• We will continue to adjust food and beverage service in accordance with current food safety recommendations.

• We have increased the deployment of antibacterial hand sanitizers.

We have activated our regional and global response teams to provide around-the-clock assistance to our hotels and are prepared to act swiftly should we be alerted to a case of coronavirus at one of our properties.

Your Travel Flexibility

We remain committed to offering you flexible booking options. Given these unique circumstances we are making additional adjustments to our individual booking policies to give you extra peace of mind:

• Government Restrictions. In regions affected by government-issued travel restrictions, we will continue to waive change fees or offer full refunds. Please see below for the latest information on region specific travel waivers.

• Existing Reservations. All reservations – even those described as non-cancellable (“Advanced Purchase”) – that are scheduled for arrival before April 30, 2020 can be changed or cancelled at no charge up to 24 hours before your scheduled arrival.

• New Reservations. Any reservation you make – even those described as “non-cancellable” (“Advanced Purchase”) – that are booked between today and April 30, 2020 for any future arrival date, can be changed or cancelled at no charge up to 24 hours before your scheduled arrival.

If you need to adjust reservations made via the Hilton website, app or call center, please contact the Hilton Guest Assistance team. If you need to adjust reservations made through another travel site, please contact them for assistance.

Your Points and Status

We know that earning Hilton Honors Points and Status is an important way we show appreciation. We also know the current travel environment may limit your ability to stay with us.

• We will pause the expiration of all points scheduled to expire between now and May 31, 2020.

• We will make updates to the requirements for earning tier status for 2021. Since the situation is still evolving, it is too early to make and announce specific changes. We are committed to sharing details as soon as possible.

.

Hilton Welcomes New Executive Committee Members

Noelle Eder, EVP & Chief Information and Digital Officer, and Martin Rinck, newly appointed EVP & Chief Brand Officer, join Hilton Executive Committee .They assumed their new roles on March 9, 2020.

Innovation and technology have kept Hilton at the forefront of the hospitality industry. Eder’s expanded role will deliver technology alignment across the business and continue the ongoing digital transformation benefiting Hilton’s guests, owners and team members. She joined Hilton three years ago, bringing with her more than two decades of cross-industry business and technology experience. She has successfully led the consolidation of Hilton’s technology architecture, creating a foundation that supports the company’s continued global growth.

Rinck brings more than 30 years of international hospitality experience and has been with Hilton for nearly 12 years, previously serving for 10 years on the Executive Committee as the Area President for Asia Pacific (APAC). He has served as the Global Head for Hilton’s Luxury & Lifestyle group for the last two years. In his new role, he will oversee and lead the strategy for Hilton’s portfolio of 18 world-class brands.

Chris Silcock, who has been a member of Hilton’s Executive Committee for the last four years, has expanded his role overseeing the Global Commercial Organization. His new role will include the Marketing and Loyalty & Partnerships organizations.

Chris Nassetta , President and Chief Executive Officer of Hilton

Noelle Eder, EVP & Chief Information and Digital Officer

EVP & Chief Brand Officer

Anil Chadha takes charge of ITC Hotels as their Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Anil Chadha has been named as the new chief operating officer (COO) at ITC Hotels

Before being appointed as the COO, He was Vice President, Operations at Hotels Division. Besides, in his previous tenure he was appointed as Vice President, Southern Region ITC Hotels and General Manager – ITC Grand Chola. As Vice President – South and General Manager, He was responsible for the growth and expansion in the Southern region in both the WelcomHotel and Luxury Collection brands such as WelcomHotel Coimbatore and Welcom Hotel Kences Palm Beach, Mahabalipuram which were opened under his aegis.

In his expansive career span, He has been accustomed with markets such as New Delhi, Agra, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Chennai which has facilitated his in-depth experience and understanding of the business dynamics of micro-markets within India.

His exemplary leadership distinguished by excellent people management and team building skills drives the result-oriented, passionate and ethical work culture that he has imbibed over the years.

800 Room Grand Hyatt Hotel Coming to Miami Beach

Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE:H), Terra Group and Turnberry announced plans for a new 800-room Grand Hyatt hotel in Miami Beach, Fla that will be managed by Hyatt. Slated to open in 2023, It will offer elevated experiences for leisure and business travelers alike. Its prime location adjacent to the Miami Beach Convention Center, which completed a $600 million renovation last year, offers visitors convenient access to the city’s most anticipated tradeshows and events.

The 17-story hotel will be situated at the intersection of 17th Street and Convention Center Drive, within walking distance of the Atlantic Ocean beachfront, Lincoln Road Mall, New World Symphony, The Bass Museum and The Fillmore Miami Beach. The hotel development is being led by David Martin of Terra and Jackie Soffer of Turnberry and will be a joint venture between the two development companies.

The new hotel will become only the second Grand Hyatt property in Florida, joining Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay.

Hotel features are expected to include 12 floors of guest rooms offering expansive views of Miami Beach, two floors of meeting spaces and ballrooms that will complement the Convention Center, a resort-style pool deck with panoramic views, and limited retail space that will activate the district at street level. An elevated skybridge will enable event attendees to move freely between the hotel and Convention Center in a climate-controlled, art-filled corridor.

The project’s resiliency and sustainability measures include storm water management and reuse, flood risk mitigation, and the use of solar power – all of which are designed to ensure operational continuity during weather events.