Marriott reports first quarter results: Marriott International reported First quarter 2016 adjusted net income totaled $226 million, a 9 percent increase over 2015 first quarter net income totaled US$226 million, a 9% increase over Q1 2015 net income. More than 10,000 rooms were added during the first quarter, including 1,500 rooms converted from competitor brands and over 3,300 rooms in international markets. The Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide acquisition is also on track to close mid-2016.
Read more at Marriott’s website
Wyndham grows in Middle East, Africa: Wyndham Hotel Group announced its latest signings including the co-located Ramada Encore Muscat Al Ghubra and Ramada Hotel & Suites Muscat Al Ghubra; the TRYP by Wyndham Addis Ababa Bole Road, Wyndham Addis Ababa Bole Road and the Wyndham Garden Langano in Ethopia; and a dual-deal comprising of the Ramada Plaza Najaf and Ramada Hotel & Suites Najaf in Iraq.
Priceline CEO resigns: The Priceline Group CEP Darren Hustom resigned after an in-house investigation into a relationship with a company employee. Huston’s departure is effective immediately, and former CEO and current Chairman Jeffery Boyd will serve as Interim CEO and president while the board looks for a successor. Gillian Tans will become Booking.com’s CEO, another position Huston held. Huston has been Booking.com’s chief operating officer since September 2011 and its president since January 2015.
Starwood’s Tribute signs three: Tribute Portfolio, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide’s collection of independent properties, announced three new signings in Shanghai; Tampa; and Sarasota, Florida. The additions bring the brand’s footprint to 20 properties worldwide.
Read more at Starwood’s website
Coral Hospitality names president: Coral Hospitality appointed Christopher Schaeffer president. Previously, Schaeffer was chief financial officer and senior vice president of business development at the company.
Ascott to invest in London property: The Ascott Limited will acquire Citadines Islington London through a joint fund with Qatar Investment Authority. Ascott will invest a total of £52 million (US$75.78 million) in the 108-unit property.
Read more at Travel Daily News
YTL expands development in Japan: YTL Hotels’ Niseko Village in Hokkaido, Japan, will develop the first Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Japan, adding 32 additional townhouses to its Kasara Niseko Village Townhouse and building two new all-season lifts. The Ritz-Carlton Reserve is scheduled to open in 2020 and will include 50 guestrooms.
Hilton reports direct booking success: Hilton Worldwide reported growth in bookings through Hilton.com and its mobile app. The company launched a campaign three months ago intended to encourage guests to book direct with benefits including lower room rates and free Wi-Fi.
New development in Fort Collins: McWhinney and Sage Hospitality will open The Elizabeth Hotel in 2017 as part of a mixed-use development in Fort Collins, Colorado. The 164-room hotel will feature locally curated art, lobby bar, rooftop lounge, and meeting and event space.
Read more at Sage Hospitality’s website
Sahara Group update: SEBI reportedly tapped HDFC Realty and SBI Capital to help sell Sahara Group’s unencumbered properties. HDFC Reality and SBI Capital will help the markets regulator in valuation as well as the sale process.
CG Holdings plans four hotels: Chaudhary Group Holdings will develop four hotels in the next five years with the formal acquisition of Tigerland Safari Resort and Lodge in Chitwan, Nepal.
Read more at The Kathmandu Post