Asia Pacific travel to grow: The number of international visitors to the Asia Pacific region is forecast to grow at an average rate of 4.6% each year to reach top 657 million by 2020, according to a report by the Pacific Asia Travel Association. Southeast Asia is forecast to grow at a 20% clip.
L.E. adds in Spain, Miami: L.E. Hotels announced a partnership with OD Hotels that brings three Spanish properties into the Luxe Collection: the OD Ocean Drive and OD Talamanca in Ibiza, and the OD Port Portals in Majorca. A fourth OD in Barcelona will join the Luxe Collection when it is completed next year. L.E. also added the Palmeiras Beach Club Hotel off the coast of Miami.
U.S. “mostly positive”: U.S. hotel occupancy dipped 0.5% to 60.7% in Q1 2016 compared with Q1 2015, according to STR. But average daily rate rose 3.2% to US$120.92, and RevPAR increased 2.7% to US$73.34.
Second Element in Toronto: Starwood Hotels & Resorts is partnering with Easton’s Group of Hotels to open a second Element in the Toronto area and to renovate Four Points by Sheraton Toronto Airport. The eight-story Element will open in 2018; the renovation will be complete by December 2017, and the hotel will remain open throughout.
Carson Wagonlit CEO out: Carlson Wagonlit Travel’s CEO, Douglas Anderson, left the company after eight years at the helm “to pursue other opportunities.” He is replaced by Kurt Ekert, who most recently was chief commercial officer at travel technology firm Travelport.
Kenya resort: Swiss International Hotels & Resorts signed a deal with Mount Kenya Holiday Homes Ltd. to co-develop a US$70 million resort. The resort, in Naromoru, will have 281 villas, apartments, townhouses and an 75-suite hotel. It’s expected to start operating next year.
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Charleston hotels sold: The Charleston Capitol Hotel and Best Western Plaza Hotel in Charleston, South Carolina, were both sold at a trustee sale after owners, Silver Creek Charleston A LLC and Silver Creek Charleston B LLC, defaulted. They were purchased by the State Bank of Texas for US$3.5 million and US$3.9 million, respectively.
TownePlace Suites: OHM Hotels broke ground on a TownePlace Suites by Marriott hotel in Fort Mill, South Carolina. The 105-room hotel is slated to open in March 2017.