Patrick Fernandes Named Executive Managing Director for Carillon Miami Wellness Resort

Carillon Miami Wellness Resort announced the appointment of Patrick Fernandes as Executive Managing Director and member of the Board of Managers, effective immediately. In this newly created role ,He will work closely with the leadership at the resort to further enhance the world-class wellness and luxury destination.

He has more than 20 years of hospitality experience across a number of leading brands and brings a proven track record of creativity and innovation in delivering five-star service. Most recently, He served as Hotel Manager of Faena Hotel Miami Beach and was instrumental in helping it become the first independent hotel to achieve a Forbes Five Star rating in its inaugural year, as well as being named a Leading Hotel of the World and #1 Hotel in the USA by Condé Nast. Earlier in his career, He held various roles across the hospitality industry, serving as Director of Training and Quality at The Setai, a luxury hotel in South Beach; Senior Consultant at F&G Hospitality Consulting, a premiere hospitality consulting firm; and General Manager at InterContinental Hotels Group, a British multinational hospitality company

DiamondRock Hospitality Company Provides Update And Announces Steps To Mitigate COVID-19 Impact

DiamondRock Hospitality Company (NYSE: DRH), a lodging-focused real estate investment trust that owns a portfolio of 31 premium hotels in the United States, provided an update today on the impact of COVID-19 on its operations and announced the proactive steps management is taking to mitigate the financial impact.

The Company is withdrawing the guidance it issued on February 20, 2020, due to the uncertainty surrounding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.  As of March 14, 2020, the Company's total revenues have been negatively impacted by approximately $23 million of cancelled group business, excluding potential cancellation fees. Other highlights:

• Nearly 85% of the group cancellations are concentrated in March (55%) and April (30%).

• At this time, less than 3% of group business cancellations extend beyond June 2020.

• Cancellation fees are expected to mitigate a portion of the expected losses.

• Geographically, nearly 41% of the group business cancellations are in Boston, 8.5% are in Chicago, 8.0% are in Fort Worth and less than 3% are in New York.

  In coordination with its hotel operators, the Company has developed actions plans to significantly reduce costs at each of its hotels:

  • The Company has suspended operations at hotel restaurants and outlets where demand is insufficient or local prohibitions do not permit social gatherings.

  • The Company is proactively "right-sizing" hotels to current demand levels in order to aggressively reduce costs and maximize efficiency.

  • The Company has cancelled or deferred the vast majority of its capital expenditures.

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.

Tribute Portfolio Continues to Grow Its Global Family of Hotels. First Outpost in Frankfurt, Germany

Tribute Portfolio, Marriott International’s newest collection of characterful independent hotels, continues to expand its European footprint with the opening of Gekko House, the brand’s second hotel in Germany and first in Frankfurt. The 128-room urban-designed hotel is situated in the heart of Frankfurt’s up-and-coming Gallus district known for its converted warehouses and factories, which is now home to eclectic music venues and theatres. Frankfurt-based Morgen Interiors led the design, creating a captivating urban aesthetic reflective of Frankfurt’s open-minded culture whilst inviting spontaneity and fun, inspired by the hotel’s motto, ‘life is crazy.’

It is set to be a hot spot for both guests and locals alike with its characterful and cosmopolitan design, sincere service, and lively ambiance at their Chicago Williams restaurant and bar

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

Radisson Hotel Group To Open The First Radisson-Branded Hotel, Radisson Hotel Gorizont Rostov-On-Don In Russia

Radisson Hotel Group is proud to announce a new 173-room hotel, the Radisson Hotel Gorizont Rostov-on-Don, set to open in 2020.

Radisson is an upscale hotel brand that delivers Scandinavian-inspired hospitality and enables guests to focus on a work/life balance and find more harmony in their travel experience. Based on building meaningful relationships with guests, it features the famous Yes I Can! service attitude designed to deliver satisfaction to every guest.

Rostov-on-Don is the 10th largest city in Russia with 1.2 million inhabitants. This will be the second hotel opening for Radisson Hotel Group in the city, in addition to the prestigious Radisson Blu that opened in 2017 on the river front.

The hotel, located in the north-west area of the city, will be part of a significant mixed-use development complex, including Gorizont Mall – the largest shopping mall in Rostov-On-Don that showcases more than 350 shops and a multiplex cinema center that can be accessed directly from the hotel.

Hyatt, Terra Group and Turnberry Announce Plans for the First Grand Hyatt Hotel in Miami Beach

Grand Hyatt Miami Beach set to open in 2023 and enhance Miami Beach’s Convention Center District with new public spaces, improved connectivity, and privately funded infrastructure and resiliency upgrades

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. Grand Hyatt hotels are designed to connect guests with iconic experiences, landmarks and cultural touchstones in captivating destinations around the world. Hallmarks of the brand include bold and vibrant design and architecture, elevated amenities and welcoming service that creates moments of more.

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.

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.

Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants Announces First Project in Fort Worth

Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants will open a boutique hotel in downtown Fort Worth, an adaptive reuse of the historic XTO Energy Headquarters building and it is set to open in the spring of 2021 and will mark the third property for the boutique hotel company in Texas, joining Kimpton hotels in Austin and a Dallas project slated to open this summer.

Fort Worth’s Bennet Benner Partners Architects and Los Angeles based Forcheilli Glynn interior designers will oversee the project, alongside Kimpton’s Global Senior Vice President of Design Ave Bradley. 

Mike DeFrino, Chief Executive Officer, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, said: “Texas is a natural place to expand our brand. Adding Fort Worth to our portfolio, alongside Austin and Dallas is vital to our growth in the Southwest. Development Services Group is the ideal partner to help bring Kimpton to this part of the state and to the historically rich, energetic and exciting community of Fort Worth.”

BWH Hotel Group starts 2020 with 15 new hotels and projects in Central Europe

BWH Hotel Group Central Europe, is now present in ten countries in the region: Germany, Luxembourg, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Croatia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Czech Republic and Hungary. The forthcoming properties will target different groups and will operate under one of the BWH Hotel Group's brands: four city hotels in Cottbus, Essen, Frankfurt and Prague, two hotels with a more leisure-oriented profile in Ottobeuren in the German Allgaeu region and Zell am See in Austria, a design hotel in Einbeck in Germany and a 351-room hotel in Hanover.

 The Group also highlighted the potential of soft brands such as BW Signature Collection, BW Premier Collection and Sure Hotel Collection, as well as the new lifestyle brand Aiden by Best Western, which debuted on the German market in January 2020 with the opening of a 109-room hotel.

Best Western Hotels & Resorts added 3 midscale brands from the WorldHotels Group to its portfolio and recently opened Fleming's Express Hotel Wuppertal was welcomed as a new member of the brand.

In 2020, Best Western Hotels & Resorts is consolidating its position as the 5th largest hotel group in Europe and France with 85,435 and 14,826 rooms respectively. More recently, Best Western France announced a positive balance sheet of activities in 2019, particularly in terms of development and growth in turnover volume.

IHG opens second Indigo Hotel in Madrid

The brand's third address in Spain and second in Madrid is located in Calle Princesa, one of the capital's most dynamic shopping districts.

After Barcelona and then Madrid in 2014, IHG's lifestyle brand is moving to the Spanish capital with the Hotel Indigo Madrid Princesa. The hotel has 101 rooms that stand out for their design based on the nature and vegetation of the Parque del Oeste. The design of the rooms is inspired by the seasons: gold and red for autumn, green and blue for spring. The property also has a fitness area and a meeting room for up to 80 people. The Best Kitchen and Bar focuses on traditional Spanish cuisine with a modern twist. The hotel's location is ideal for exploring the area and the famous Parque del Oeste.

Radisson Hotel Group Expands Further In Riyadh

Radisson Hotel Group is proud to announce the signing of Radisson Riyadh Airport in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. As one of the fastest growing companies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the newest addition brings the group’s portfolio to over 45 hotels, resorts and serviced apartments in operation and under development, accelerating Radisson Hotel Group’s expansion across the country.

Riyadh is the largest city and capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. King Khalid International Aiport is about 35 kilometers to the north of Riyadh city and home to Radisson’s newest hotel. As the economic and commercial capital of Saudi Arabia, the total number of passengers departing and arriving at King Khalid International Airport exceeded 26 million passengers in 2019. Located within close proximity, the hotel will be conveniently accessible from the airport and the city center can be reached via Riyadh’s new metro system, making it an ideal location for both business and leisure travellers

. The hotel will consist of 471 keys across various room types including serviced apartments and villas to be able to cater to guests that require larger units or long stay units. The property will feature an all-day dining restaurant and two specialty restaurants