Radisson Blu grows in Mexico: Sun-Star Group signed an agreement with Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group for the development and operation of a Radisson Blu Hotel at Mexico’s Lake Chapala, with an option for additional territories. Construction of The Radisson Blu Resort & Spa Ajijic is slated to begin during the fourth quarter of 2016.
Salt launches new website: Salt Hotels launched a new website for its four properties: Salt House Inn, Eben House, The Chequit and The Asbury. The website, StyleStyle.com, is designed to help guests to plot, plan and dream about their vacations.
Texas has largest U.S. pipeline: According to a recent U.S. Construction Pipeline Trend Report from Lodging Econometrics, Texas has the largest pipeline of any state with 673 projects/72,747 rooms. Houston, Dallas and Austin account for 55% of all hotel development in Texas with 369 projects/44,459 rooms. The franchise companies with most pipeline projects in Texas are: IHG with 141 projects/14,542 rooms, Hilton Worldwide with 133 projects/15,255 rooms, and Marriott International with 127 projects/14,631 rooms.
Expedia CEO: Facebook move into online travel: Expedia CEO Dara Khosrowshahi told Bloomberg that it expects Facebook to follow Google into the online travel business. Facebook is reportedly already working on e-commerce, allowing users to save their payment information on the site and purchase products that they see advertised there directly through “buy” buttons.
Inbound Saudi tourism increases: Data from MAS forecasts that there will be a 43% increase in the number of inbound tourist arrivals to Saudi Arabia by 2020. The number of international trips made to Saudi Arabia is estimated to increase from 18 million in 2015 to 25.8 million in 2020.
Fibra continues development: FibraHotel wil develop a 130-room select-service hotel in the Forum Buenavista shopping center in Mexico City. The Fiesta Inn Buenavista hotel will be operated by Grupo Posadas and is scheduled to open in the second half of 2017.
Elewana Collection to join GHA: Minor Hotel Group’s Elewana Collection will join the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA). Minor’s Avani, Per Aquum and Tiboli are also part of GHA.
Simon Baron acquires on West Coast: Simon Baron Development acquired the ground lease on the 600-room, Stay on Main Hotel in Los Angeles. This marks the New York City-based developer’s first West Coast property.
New Chinese hotel investment for Wynyard Quarter: Fu Wah International will develop an AUS$300 million (US$216.35 million) three to four-star hotel and apartment complex in the Wynyard Quarter in Auckland, Australia.
Read more at the New Zealand Herald
Name change for All Inclusive Collection: All Inclusive Collection changed its name to AIC Hotel Group. This name change aims to indicate the brand’s commitment to diversify and expand its current portfolio to include EP hotels, and reflects the evolution of the brand as a more “all-encompassing collection.”