Marriott on Zika: Marriott International issued a statement saying it was taking precautions at its hotels to limit the Zika virus, which the World Health Organization has warned is spreading via mosquito “exponentially” across the Americas from Argentina to the southern US.
Read more at Marriott’s website
Dude’s an investor now: Snowboard phenom Shaun White took an ownership stake in Mammoth Resorts, a California mountain ski resorts operator whose holdings include Bear Mountain, where White practiced as a child. The amount of his stake was not disclosed.
Shangri-La in China: Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts signed an agreement with Golden Concord Holdings Ltd. to manage Jinji Lake Shangri-La in Suzhou, China, near Shanghai. The high-rise hotel, set to open at the end of 2017, will have 328 guestrooms and serviced apartments.
Expedia goes 3-D: Expedia is integrating 3D Touch into its app. The technology streamlines browsing by allowing users to search hotels, request directions and share flight status from the brand’s icon to their home screens.
Happier—but fewer?—biz travelers: Business travelers have a “brightening” attitude toward their trip experiences, according to the Global Business Travel Association and American Express’ Traveler Sentiment Index—mostly due to increased satisfaction in clearing airport security. TravelClick’s January 2016 North American Hospitality Review, meanwhile, says properties in major North American markets are seeing increases in bookings, although that’s more from leisure and wholesale travel, not business.
Rebranding to Radisson: First Hospitality Group Inc. of Rosemont, Illinois, took over management of a hotel in Romulus, Michigan, that will reopen as Radisson Hotel Detroit Metro Airport in mid-year. The 274-room hotel, which had been closed since mid-2012, will be renovated.
TJM takes Tunica: TJM Properties of Clearwater, Florida, bought Harrah’s Tunica, a 2,000-acre resort in Mississippi, from Caesar’s Entertainment Corp. TJM says it plans to sell all or part of the property, which consists of 600 rooms, a convention center, hunting lodge and RV park, among other amenities.
Savannah Holiday Inn: LBA Hospitality took over management of the 127-room Holiday Inn in Savannah, Georgia’s historic district on January 1, its second agreement with Miami, Florida-based ownership group Key Hospitality. Alabama-based LBA, a hotel operator and developer, has more than 61 properties in the Southeast US.