Address Beach Resort general manager on opening a JBR icon

Expected to open this month, Address Beach Resort is set to be another showstopper in Emaar’s impressive portfolio, with a record-breaking infinity pool that seems to defy the laws of physics.

Entrusted to oversee that incredible top floor 310 m infinity pool, as well as the 76 luxurious floors below it, is Marianne Fitzgerald. The general manager has big plans to make the hotel a leisure hot spot. Her method? As the former GM of Emaar’s Palace Downtown, she’s looking to bring the atmosphere of Downtown Dubai to the sunny shores of JBR.

“The Address brand is well known in the emirate and the region. It’s very elegant, fashionable and chic, and draws in guests who embody all of those things. What makes this JBR resort so special is that it brings the urban feel you can find in Dubai Downtown, to this more leisure-orientated part of the city.

“It’s a combination of the high fashion culture in Downtown with the leisure component found across the emirate’s beach destinations. The resort has four pools, one of which is an amazing infinity pool with fabulous views.”

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IHG strengthens footprint in NCR with signing of Holiday Inn Greater Noida West

IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of world’s leading hotel companies has signed a management agreement with Regal Emporia Infratech (a subsidiary of Investors Clinic), for Holiday Inn Greater Noida West in Boulevard Walk, a mix use development by Home & Soul. The new-built hotel will have 140 keys and is expected to be operational by first quarter of 2023. The development will further strengthen brand’s presence in NCR and enable IHG to sustain growth momentum in the midscale segment within the Indian market.

Strategically located on a 100ft arterial road called Noida - Greater Noida Link Road that connects the site to the commercial and residential projects in the vicinity and to Delhi, Noida & Greater Noida, the hotel is expected to receive excellent visibility. Offering convenience to both leisure and corporate travellers, the hotel will be easily accessible through a 45-minute drive from Central Delhi and a 20-minute drive from the commercial area - Sector 65 of Noida. Further, the hotel will be at a 1-hour driving distance from the upcoming second airport for Delhi NCR at Jewar in Uttar Pradesh.

On opening, Holiday Inn Greater Noida West will feature well-appointed rooms and will provide an array of facilities including two F&B outlets, a bar, a lobby lounge, an outdoor pool and a gymnasium. Additionally, the hotel will have 10,000 sq.ft meeting and banqueting space to cater to the growing demand coming from MICE and corporate segments, with overall experience being enhanced through brand’s signature hospitality. The proposed hotel is also a part of Boulevard Walk, a mixed-use development spread over five acres that includes retail, office towers, and residential buildings, benefiting from an established hotel demand cluster with presence of multinational companies, industrial parks and commercial office space.

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Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi launches Emirati Cuisine Programme

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has launched the Emirati Cuisine Programme (ECP), a new initiative that will enhance Emirati food offerings in the capital's hotels, raise the profile of local cuisine, and promote Emirati culture and traditions.

The programme, being launched in line with UAE national day, aims to increase the number of local dishes being offered at top hotels through a series of incentives, training courses, and promotions. 

As part of the programme, DCT Abu Dhabi will oversee the training of hotel chefs through a series of virtual remote training videos, led by acclaimed Emirati chef Khulood Atiq, to ensure that the food meets the standards of authenticity and quality of true Emirati cuisine.

“Food is an intrinsic part of every culture,” said HE Ali Hassan Al Shaiba, Executive Director of Tourism and Marketing at DCT Abu Dhabi. “It can tell the story of a nation and express cultural identity in a way that transcends words. The inspiration to create the ‘Emirati Cuisine Programme’ came from DCT Abu Dhabi’s desire to give visitors the chance to experience the beauty and hospitality of Emirati culture through food.

“Hotels are a crucial consumer touchpoint for any destination, and by making more Emirati food available at hotels, we are aiming to make our cuisine more accessible to visitors, no matter how long or short their stay is.
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Paramount Hotel Dubai welcomes new executive producer of culinary

Paramount Hotel Dubai has rolled out the red carpet for chef Manuel Caicedo, bringing him in as the new executive producer of culinary.

Caicedo will help lead operations at the seven F&B venues found within the glitzy Hollywood-themed hotels. Outlets include a hidden Speakeasy and Californian fine dining restaurant Pacific Groove where the chef will utilize his diverse culinary background to elevate standards and keep the venues popular within the busy Business Bay area.

Caicedo has a post-graduate degree in Cuisine and Kitchen Management from the University Culinary school of Girona, Spain, as well as a Level 4 award in HACCP management. His professional career dates back to 2002 where he was a line cook in Argentina.

Since that point, he has risen through the ranks, dealing with Spanish, Latin American, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern cuisines across a range of Michelin-Star restaurants.

He moved to Dubai in 2012 as an executive banquet chef for the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, a post where he had a hand in generating more than $6.6 million in revenue from banqueting. After several successful years with the group, he moved to the Jumeirah Group, working at the Jumeirah Zabeel Saray.

From 2018 to 2020 he was executive chef at the five-star beachfront hotel, before swapping his apron for one at the new Paramount Hotel Dubai instead.

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The Tummy Section opens first franchise outlet in Sonipat, Haryana

The Tummy Section recently opened their 1st franchise Outlet in Sonipat, Haryana. With the launch of this new outlet in Sonipat, the brand also opened up their first café: dine in model in Jail Road, West Delhi. The Tummy Section is eyeing to open another 15 outlets in North India by the end of 2021.

Team The Tummy Section has tastefully designed the Franchise based Sonipat outlet as a Delivery Outlet with outdoor seating of 16 covers and Jail Road as the first dine in café on the first floor with a spread of 45 covers. Brand serves food inspired from Middle East, Malaysia, America & other parts of the world with menu conceptualized around different version of Shawarma. The menu will be same across all the outlets.

"We are really grateful for the kind of response we are getting at every new outlet. Glad that customers are accepting this new touch of desi fusion of videshi food”, says Nikhil Arora, Co-Founder, The Tummy Section.

With the launch of this new outlet at Jail Road, the brand is all lit up to give their customers a safe and cosy environment to enjoy their meal at The Tummy Section. Interiors are designed in a very interactive way of sharing stories of different tummies keeping in mind, the color theme of the brand: orange and white with a touch of black to make it more vibrant and how different Tummies interact with the brand and its core essence.

The brand is gearing up for major expansion post December 2020 with more franchise owned outlets coming up across North India. Sonipat outlet gave astonishing numbers from day 1 by breaking all records of our openings by giving 150+ offline orders. On the other side our sales have also increased at our other outlets present in West Delhi.

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Accor Ambassador Korea expands its footprint across the country

Accor Ambassador Korea has announced the signing of four new hotels in South Korea. The latest addition of Mercure Ambassador Jeju, ibis Styles Ambassador Incheon Airport, Mercure Ambassador Pyeongtaek, and Mercure Ambassador Mokpo will see the group enter Pyeongtaek, Mokpo and Jeju for the very first time. With this expansion, Accor Ambassador Korea will operate 33 hotels and resorts across 10 destinations in South Korea by 2025.

“I am very proud to see the strong development of our footprint in South Korea with the recent signings of Mercure Ambassador Jeju, ibis Styles Ambassador Incheon Airport, Mercure Ambassador Pyeongtaek, and Mercure Ambassador Mokpo. These signings represent our commitment to South Korea, leveraging our global distribution network and extensive history as a world-leading hotel operator. We are so excited to launch our first resort in Jeju, the most visited island destination in the country, welcoming an average of 1.25 million people each month in 2019 or 41,000 tourists per day. I am also pleased to see the trendy and economical ibis Styles brand arrive at Incheon International Airport, which will serve as a great gateway hotel for visitors traveling through Seoul. With the destinations of Pyeongtaek and Mokpo added to our offering, we will provide even more opportunities for international and domestic travellers to explore Korea,” said Garth Simmons, Chief Executive Officer, Accor, Southeast Asia, Japan and South Korea.

Andrew Langdon, Senior Vice President Development, Accor, Southeast Asia, Japan and South Korea added “2021 will be a milestone year for our group with two key luxury hotels opening in South Korea. The first Fairmont and Sofitel hotels will debut in Seoul next year offering an array of luxurious accommodation and facilities. We will also be unveiling the Grand Ambassador Seoul associated with Pullman following its extensive transformation. Despite the current economic climate, our partners remained committed to working with us and share our belief that the long term future of the tourism sector is very bright. Accor offers a collection of renowned brands and has a proven track record for operational excellence, which is recognised by owners and investors.”

Featuring 72 guest rooms, Mercure Ambassador Jeju is set to open in mid of 2021. Boasting an array of dining outlets, a pool, spa and indoor driving ranges, the resort is located 30 minutes’ drive from Jeju International Airport and 10 minutes’ by car to Jungmun Tourist Complex.

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JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru introduces UNO, The New Japanese Restaurant and Lounge Dec 04 2020

A dining hotspot and social haven, ‘UNO�� popularly known as Bar Uno earlier, has a new exciting identity with a fascinating twist to their overall offerings. UNO, brings an exquisite medley of Asian flavors under the craftsmanship of Chef Joel who aims to deliver more than just good food as he works with his artistic team to curate gastronomic experiences.

The new Japanese cuisine at UNO is an amalgamation of aesthetic interiors with lush green surroundings; the calm energy around the restaurant resonates through subtle colors, themes and lounge seating.

Chef Joel and his culinary team have carefully crafted a variety of Japanese offerings; the restaurant offers signature cocktails and beverages to go with the all-new Japanese menu.

UNO welcomes diners to indulge in decadent Japanese cuisine that creates authenticity with varied dishes mixed with warmth and friendliness. The menu is an ode to street style delicacies from Japan showcasing an array of Cold and Hot Appetizers, Soups, Tempura, Joel’s Makimuono, Sashimi/Nigiri, Sushi Platter, Sashimi Platter, Joel’s Platter and ending with desserts. Some of the must try dishes from the menu are Soft Tofu Carpaccio, Big Eye Tuna Pizza, Yasha Scallops, Edamame, Wasabi Prawn, Miso Black Cod, Yasai, Ebi Ae, Green California, Alexey Smirnov, Dyna Ebi Maki, Sake Salmon, Hotate Scallops, Tako, Sushi and Sashimi Platter and desserts like Matcha Green tea Mousse and Red Ruby.

Speaking on the occasion, Gaurav Sinha, Director of Operations, JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru says, “We are excited to launch UNO as the new destination in the city for Japanese Cuisine. The new menu at UNO by Chef Joel celebrates various culinary forms from the land of the rising sun. Chef Joel along with his skilled team of mixologists features a diverse range of mouth-watering Japanese cuisine and thirst quenching beverages for diners to devour”.

Sharing his excitement, Chef Joel, Jr. Sous Chef, JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru says, “The newly launched Japanese cuisine at UNO is inspired from the farm to plate concept with ingredients that are plated to showcase cuisine’s culinary creativity at its best. UNO is not just about creating an unforgettable dining experience but an ode to street-style food from Japan which has brilliant aromas, flavors and unique technique of cooking, celebrating connections and unity”.

RCI expands its presence in Karnataka, adds a new property to its portfolio

RCI, the global leader in holiday exchange and part of the Wyndham Worldwide family of brands has expanded its presence in Karnataka through an affiliation with Danta Estate, Madikeri. The property is surrounded by nature and offers its guests contemporary accommodation with 14 spacious and tastefully designed rooms with large balconies that open up to the scenic beauty of the place.

Situated in Kodagu district, The Danta Estate, Madikeri is 300 km from Bangalore and 150 km from Mysore making it a perfect weekend getaway for travelers wanting to steer away from the daily rigors of the city. The resort offers a multi cuisine restaurant and bar, swimming pool and a gymnasium and spa for guests to relax.

Commenting on the partnership, Rishi Verma, Head of India Subcontinent – RCI India shared, “Home-away-from-home has been the new trend amongst travelers in these current times. We have also identified a significant rise in the home stays and cottages where travelers prefer properties that provide an unconventional lifestyle while still feeling at home. Keeping up with these trends, we have strategically partnered with Danta Estate, Madikeri to help our members create memories in a home away from their home.” 

The Danta Estate, Madikeri is situated amidst many popular spots such as Talacauvery, which is the birthplace of the holy river Kaveri and is located 18 km from the property. Guests can also choose to visit the Kopatti Trekking Site which is situated 2 km from the property. Additionally, the Golden Temple and Bhagandeshwara Temple are also interesting places to visit.

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Accessible tourism identified as ‘game changer’ for destinations

A new set of  Inclusive Recovery Guides from the World Tourism Organization, produced in partnership with the European Network for Accessible Tourism (ENAT), the ONCE Foundation of Spain and Travability from Australia, makes clear the importance of placing inclusivity at the centre of recovery plans and provides key recommendations for achieving this.

Launched on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the UNWTO Inclusive Recovery Guide – Socio-Cultural Impacts of COVID-19: Issue I Persons with Disabilities, draws on the expertise of UNWTO’s Ethics Culture and Social Responsibility Department and its partners. While much progress has been made, the publication makes clear that persons with disabilities and seniors encounter barriers preventing them from fully enjoying tourism experiences, even more so during the pandemic. Now, as UNWTO leads the restart of tourism globally, this guide outlines steps that governments, destinations and companies should take to build back better, becoming more inclusive and competitive.

This can be a real game changer for destinations and businesses, helping them recover from the crisis and grow back in a more inclusive and resilient way

Accessibility as a priority

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “Tourism environments and services are often designed without considering the different access requirements that visitors and locals may have. The tourism sector must prioritize accessibility. This can be a real game changer for destinations and businesses, helping them recover from the crisis and grow back in a more inclusive and resilient way.”

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Rishi Puri of Lords Hotels wins Young Achiever Award 2020

Rishi Puri, Sr. Vice President, Lords Hotels and Resorts wins 'Young Achiever Award' by Association of Hospitality Professionals Welfare in Indian Hospitality Leadership Awards. 

Accepting the award, Rishi Puri said, “I would like to thank the organizers and my team for this award, truly honoured to receive. We at Lords always sought to create True Value experience for our guests and it is very satisfying to receive this recognition from the best in the industry.”

Lords Hotels and Resorts, with presence in 39 cities, 10 states and 2 countries, was recognised for its outstanding contribution to the hospitality industry.

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New F&B director appointed at Fairmont Bab Al Bahr in Abu Dhabi

airmont Bab Al Bahr has named Mohamed Abdallah its new director of F&B.

The Egyptian brings 16 years of know-how to the job, having started out in InterContinental Hotel Abu Dhabi, where he was quickly elevated to banquet operations manager. In 2011 he joined Fairmont Bab al Bahr as banquet operations director, later being promoted to conference services and catering director.

“I’m excited to be part of the team and to continue the ongoing success of this property and to lead the award-winning food and beverage team of Fairmont Bab Al Bahr,” explained Abdulla.

The Abu Dhabi hotel features nine F&B venues, including CuiScene, Café Sushi, Maison Beiruit, Chameleon Terrace, Bridges Bar and two Marco Pierre White venues. In his new capacity, Abdallah will lead them all.

As of last year, the beachfront hotel became home to a second Marco Pierre White restaurant – Marco’s New York Italian. A venue its eponymous creator was confident would be a success from the start.

Commenting on the venue, White said: “Marco’s New York Italian, is all about creating an environment where people can sit and enjoy some great food whatever the occasion and we’ve made sure that the menu and the ambience reflects just that.

“The idea is that the restaurant isn’t just about selling a meal. It’s a great place to share and socialise whether it’s a night out with friends, a family lunch, or somewhere for parents to take children out for a meal,” he added.

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Hyatt Announces Plans for Hyatt Regency London Olympia

Hyatt announced today that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a management agreement with an affiliate of Olympus Property Holding Limited to develop a new Hyatt Regency hotel in London. The 196-room hotel is slated to open in 2024 and will mark the eighth Hyatt-branded property and the second Hyatt Regency hotel in London. Hyatt Regency London Olympia will add to the current portfolio of Hyatt Regency hotels in the United Kingdom, joining Hyatt Regency Birmingham, Hyatt Regency Manchester and Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill.

Hyatt Regency London Olympia will deliver the personalized and energizing guest experiences as well as the stress-free environment that embodies the Hyatt Regency brand ethos. Business and leisure travelers alike will enjoy seamless, intuitive service alongside memorable dining experiences as well as flexible spaces to work, collaborate or relax.

“We are delighted to join forces with Olympus Property Holding Limited to be part of the exciting redevelopment of the Olympia exhibition center and bring the Hyatt Regency brand to life in this incredible new quarter of London,” said Felicity Black-Roberts, vice president of development Europe, Hyatt. “Expanding Hyatt’s brand footprint with these plans to add a second Hyatt Regency hotel in London contributes to our ambitious growth strategy for the U.K. and our embodies our focus on thoughtful growth in places that matter most to our guests, World of Hyatt members and customers. With its reputation as a place for people to connect, the Hyatt Regency brand will fit perfectly in this new development.”

Hyatt Regency London Olympia will be part of a new development that will see Olympia, London’s historic convention center built in 1873, redeveloped and transformed into an integrated convention, entertainment, and cultural district in West London. This redevelopment will include upgrades to the Olympia tube and rail station, additional bicycle routes and bus connectivity, allowing guests to access London’s Heathrow, Gatwick and City airports in under an hour by public transport.

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Accor appoints Patrick Mendes as Group Chief Commercial Officer

As part of its new organization, in line with its asset-light model and its strategic priorities "Focus, Simplify & Expand", the Sales, Marketing, Distribution and Loyalty expertise is the responsibility of Patrick Mendes, appointed to the role of Group Chief Commercial Officer.

He will be in charge of increasing revenues and accelerating the development of innovative services and powerful solutions.

After working in consultancy and the tourism industry in the United Kingdom and then Southern Europe, Patrick was involved in the development of Edenred before joining Accor Group in 2005 to head Global Sales. Promoted to COO Luxury and Midscale Brands in South America in 2011, he was promoted to CEO South America in 2015, and joined the Executive Committee in early 2017.

With his international experience in both operational and managerial roles, Patrick will also draw on his expertise in order to develop new services and ever more powerful solutions.

Patrick Mendes said, “Accor is continuing its transformation with the aim of becoming ever more agile, despite the disruption that our industry is currently experiencing. I am honored to be able to contribute to the Group’s growth targets and address the major challenges we are faced with. We will continue to develop our brands and innovative solutions to meet the new expectations of both consumers and our B2B clients. Focusing on the recovery, my teams and I are committed to guaranteeing exceptional quality of service to our hotels and our owners, while simultaneously developing our commercial activities globally.”

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Devina Thapliyal joins The St. Regis Mumbai as Director of Housekeeping

The St. Regis Mumbai has appointed Devina Thapliyal as Director of Housekeeping. Having commenced her career with one of the leading luxury hotel chains of India, Thapliyal brings with her a decade of housekeeping experience. She has ably led a large housekeeping taskforce in her past roles and will take on the mantle to lead the dynamic team of The St. Regis Mumbai.

Thapliyal’s skill and detail to attention over the years garnered through her roles with varied luxury properties has seen her rise through the ranks to her current leadership position. Her most recent role as part of the pre-opening team of one of the largest JW Marriott Hotels, JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar, added many feathers in her cap.

At The St. Regis Mumbai, Thapliyal will helm the department with one of the largest workforces of her career to offer exemplary and exceptional service standards to the discerning guests. She will continue her prowess of offering the highest standards of guest experience and service befitting a luxury brand. Her focus will be ensuring high Guest Voice scores which will surely keep her and her team on their toes.

She led her team to be among the top 5 in Guest Voice, achieved 82% in cleanliness - placing her hotel among the top 10 J W Hotels over the last 4 years, contributed to Marriott’s Spirit to serve by providing employment for the specially abled and doing her bit for the carbon footprint by ably recycling waste.

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Hyatt Debuts New Office for the Day Package, Offering Remote Workers a Much-Deserved Change of Scenery

CHICAGO (December 3, 2020) – Driven by its commitment to continuously listen to guests, customers and members, Hyatt announces an extension of its popular Work from Hyatt extended-stay package to include a new Office for the Day option now available daily through May 31, 2021, at more than 400 Hyatt hotels in the Americas. Offering a much-deserved change of scenery to people still working remotely and the opportunity for guests to incorporate more wellbeing experiences into their work day, the Work from Hyatt: Office for the Day package starts at $65 per day and includes a private guestroom with the conveniences of an office combined with the comforts and amenities of a premium hotel experience.

With this new offer, guests may choose from more than 400 participating full-service and select-service Hyatt hotels in the Americas, across more than 100 markets in Canada, the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean and South America. Top destinations include Austin, Buenos Aires, Chicago, Dallas, Miami, Mexico City, New York, San Diego, San Francisco, Phoenix/Scottsdale, Seattle, Vancouver and more. Guests are invited to check in as early as 7:00 a.m. and depart as late as 7:00 p.m., and enjoy emailing poolside, lunching with a view, taking an in-room mindful meditation session with Hyatt’s exclusive collaboration with Headspace and working out at the gym or in-room with Exhale on Demand during the work day.

“By continuously listening to our members and guests, we understand what’s most important them; they are prioritizing wellbeing now more than ever and want more flexibility and creative new ways to avoid burnout,” said Asad Ahmed, SVP commercial services, Americas, Hyatt. “Work from Hyatt: Office for the Day is perfect for guests who are looking for a convenient change of scenery with access to premium hotel amenities, more ways to experience wellbeing during the work day, and the opportunity to earn bonus World of Hyatt points and elite Tier-Qualifying Night credits.”

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Dusit International Singapore debuts with Dusit Thani Laguna Singapore

Dusit International, one of Thailand's leading hotel and property development companies, has officially expanded into Singapore with the opening of Dusit Thani Laguna Singapore in the heart of the renowned Laguna National Golf & Country Club, one of the island nation's premier golf and country clubs.

Comprising 198 tastefully-decorated contemporary rooms and suites, plus eight pavilions with private pools, and located just 10 minutes by car from Jewel Changi Airport and 15 minutes from Downtown, the resort is the first in Singapore to offer direct access to award-winning golfing facilities.

It is also the first resort in the country to feature Dusit's unique brand of Thai-inspired gracious hospitality, and it serves as a showcase of the company's new strategic direction for the new normal, which includes enhancing its brand DNA in four key areas - Personalised Service, Well-being, Local Connections, and Sustainability.

Opening initially to domestic guests on 4 December 2020, the elegant resort has been thoughtfully designed to cater to avid golfers, local families, and business and leisure travellers, and meet their needs from a wellness and destination getaway perspective.

The main building, whose sleek, contemporary design includes a curvilinear roof and impressive facade of floor-to-ceiling glass windows, signals a modern new direction for Dusit's 50-year-old Dusit Thani brand. High-tech amenities and thoughtfully curated spaces combine to offer understated luxury which subtly references the old-world opulence of Dusit's more traditional hotel offerings.

Current dining facilities include Greenhouse all-day dining; Tee Deck alfresco pool bar and grill; Legends Bar; and Dusit Gourmet.

In line with Dusit's focus on well-being and sustainability, the restaurants are supported by an onsite garden planted with a selection of herbs, vegetables and fruits. A series of wellness menus are also offered featuring nutritious and balanced dishes for those seeking to maintain a healthy diet.

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Sheraton Hong Kong Tung Chung Hotel Opens in Picturesque Lantau Island

Sheraton Hong Kong Tung Chung Hotel, situated in picturesque Tung Chung, Lantau, opens its doors today. The new hotel will serve as the neighborhood hotspot for locals and travelers to enjoy meaningful connections and elevated guest experiences and adventures within and beyond the hotel.

Conveniently located atop T-Bay in Tung Chung, the newest community hub of restaurants, bars and shops, the hotel is only a 10-minute drive from Hong Kong International Airport and Asia-World Expo. It also enjoys close proximity to the Hong Kong Macau-Zhuhai Bridge, the Shenzhen border with China and local attractions which include designer shopping in Citygate Malls, The Big Buddha, Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car and Hong Kong Disneyland. Nature explorers can also have easy access to some of the city’s best hiking trails and beaches on Lantau Island.

“We are thrilled to celebrate the opening of our second Sheraton Hotel in Hong Kong. Sheraton is Marriott International’s most global brand, and this opening marks another exciting milestone for the brand’s continued expansion in the region.” said Henry Lee, President of Greater China, Marriott International. “We look forward to offering travellers more choices and flexibility through tailored services and inviting spaces that provide them chances to connect with the community as they visit this metropolitan city.”

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Marriott International Named One of the Top 10 Companies for Executive Women

Marriott International’s founders, J.W. and Alice S. Marriott, were partners in every sense, with Alice Marriott being a force behind every major decision and a “woman of firsts,” as the company’s first woman vice president and board director. She set a high standard for the role women would play in company leadership. “As a leader, I am proud of our long-standing commitment to carry on that legacy by building a workplace with opportunity, community and purpose where women hold many of the most senior and influential roles in our company,” said David Rodriguez, executive vice president and chief human resources officer.

As a leader in diversity, equity and inclusion, Marriott has firmly established its commitment to women’s advancement:

• Nearly two decades ago, Marriott established a board of directors’ committee focused on accountability and advancing inclusive opportunities for women, people of color and other stakeholders. The committee is chaired by Debra Lee, Marriott board of directors’ member and former CEO BET Networks and comprised of other board members and Marriott senior executives.

• Marriott’s Women’s Leadership Development Initiative, established over 20 years ago, focuses on increasing the presence of women at the highest level of management and in other decision-making positions. Core components of the initiative include leadership development, networking and mentoring, and responsive workplace policies that promote work-life integration.

• The Emerging Leader Program is Marriott’s 12-month program launched in 2014 to ensure the development of high-performing front-line leaders, senior leaders and other managers who demonstrate the ability to excel to higher levels. The program has been instrumental in increasing the number of women and people of color in leadership roles with 100 percent of program participants promoted or selected for strategic developmental roles.

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AMS Hospitality Group & Black Salmon Announce Joint Venture to Acquire $300 Million in Hospitality Assets Across the U.S.

AMS Hospitality, comprised of The Allen Morris Company and Stormont Hospitality Group, and Miami-based national commercial real estate investment firm Black Salmon today announced a joint venture with plans to acquire $300 million in hospitality assets across the U.S. within the next 18 months.

The December acquisition of The Pelham Hotel in New Orleans, a 65-key boutique hotel in the heart of New Orleans, marks the JV's first acquisition. The Pelham Hotel is designated a historic landmark and ideally set adjacent to the vaunted French Quarter, within the city's Central Business District.

The property will undergo a complete, multi-million dollar renovation of the ground-floor lobby, public areas, and guestrooms in order to modernize its design and enhance the guest experience.

The partnership between AMS Hospitality and Black Salmon leverages the key strengths and expertise of both firms across the disciplines of acquisitions, asset management, and capital raising. The JV will seek hotel properties that have undergone a price reduction from pre-pandemic values.

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Wyndham Goes High Impact, Low Contact with New Mobile App: Introduces Lightning Book and In-Stay Features

LONDON - Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the world's largest hotel franchising company with approximately 9,000 hotels across 90 countries, has announced the arrival of its new mobile app for iOS and Android, combining best-in-class design with personal experiences, account management, gamification and more.

Available in both platforms' app stores, the new Wyndham app provides travellers with a reimagined user experience to inspire upcoming getaways and 2021 travel plans.

The app, which prioritises low-contact in-stay features, comes at a critical time as both travellers and hoteliers look for innovative, digital solutions to help navigate the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.

"More than ever, travellers are seeking drive-to accommodations and Wyndham offers the power of established brands that they know and trust—brands like La Quinta® by Wyndham, Days Inn® by Wyndham and Super 8® by Wyndham," said Jessica Davidson, senior vice president, Digital, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. "For everyday travellers, especially those travelling during the pandemic, this app is a game changer, delivering the features guests expect today alongside a robust foundation for the future."

Chief among the key offerings in the new Wyndham mobile app are features and functionality that simplify the hotel booking process.

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· Mobile Check-In / Checkout - Available at nearly 300 hotels throughout the U.S., with plans to expand more broadly, guests can leverage mobile check-in and checkout to reduce contact between themselves and hotel staff.

· Lightning BookSM - Designed for road trippers and road warriors, guests can search for and book the nearest Wyndham hotel for the night in as a few as three taps. They can also see in real time their proximity from the hotel and book using Wyndham Rewards® points, should they prefer to do so.

· Digital Room Key - Coming later this year to select U.S. resorts like the Wyndham Grand Bonnet Creek in Orlando, Fla. and Wyndham Grand Rio Mar in Rio Grande, P.R., guests may choose to receive their room key digitally via their mobile phone and use throughout the duration of their stay. Expansion to other hotels and resorts is anticipated over the next 12 months as additional locations choose to leverage and implement.

Creating an Immersive Experience
Building on the app's core features is a fully reimagined user experience that is filled with personal touches while anticipating and adapting to users' real-time needs based on where they are and what they want to do.

· In-Stay Mode - Open the mobile app within three days of a stay and the home screen defaults to prioritise and display information that's of the most relevance to the guest, such as important stay details, local attractions, mobile check-in availability and more.

· My App Passport - Guests can track their engagements with memorable stamps, animations and more when they achieve select in-app accomplishments such as booking a stay or redeeming points. New stamps and achievements are expected to be added over time.

· Special Offers - Open the mobile app without an immediate, upcoming or current stay and guests are greeted by name along with their current Wyndham Rewards point balance, search functionality and the latest promotional offers. Guests can learn more with a single tap and register for offers just as easily.

· Account Management - Guests can make the most of their travels with simple and intuitive account management, including the ability to easily update their Wyndham Rewards member profiles and stay preferences, add preferred methods of payment, view previous and upcoming stays, check their personalized offers, purchase points and more.

Added Davidson, "Our new app could not have arrived at a more critical time. The pandemic has propelled digital adoption and travellers now expect streamlined, low-contact experiences. This app allows our thousands of franchisees to help deliver upon those expectations, while providing the easiest and fastest possible path to booking direct. It's a win-win both for our guests and for our franchisees."

About Wyndham Hotels & Resorts

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) is the world's largest hotel franchising company by the number of properties, with over 9,000 hotels across approximately 90 countries on six continents. Through its network of 813,000 rooms appealing to the everyday traveller, Wyndham commands a leading presence in the economy and midscale segments of the lodging industry. The Company operates a portfolio of 20 hotel brands, including Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Microtel®, La Quinta®, Baymont®, Wingate®, AmericInn®, Hawthorn Suites®, Trademark Collection® and Wyndham®. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is also a leading provider of hotel management services. The Company's award-winning Wyndham Rewards loyalty programme offers 84 million enrolled members the opportunity to redeem points at thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally. For more information, visit www.wyndhamhotels.com.

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