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Briefs: Hyatt’s new lifestyle division | Mixed April for EMEA

Lifestyle division for Hyatt: Hyatt Hotels Corp. has launched its first cross-functional division, a dedicated lifestyle division for Hyatt’s and former Two Roads Hospitality’s lifestyle brands, including Andaz, Alila, Hyatt Centric, Joie de Vivre Hotels, Thompson Hotels and tommie. Announced as global head of lifestyle operations, Frederic Flageat-Simon, former CEO of Two Roads Hospitality Asia, is responsible for developing the operations strategy, working in partnership with the Global Commercial Services organization. Additionally, Heather Geisler, vice president of global brands, will focus on driving global brand awareness of lifestyle brands. The first of its kind for Hyatt, this new cross-functional division centers on the development, positioning, and execution of Hyatt’s lifestyle portfolio.

Cambria for Vermont: Cambria Hotels will be expanding to Vermont, following Choice Hotels International, Inc.’s agreement with Hospitality Funding Inc. and TQP Capital Partners to develop a 142-room hotel, slated to open in 2021 a few blocks from the University of Vermont.

Vienna, Amman shine in April: Europe hotel performance for April 2019 showed special events helping Vienna break April performance records and EU council events lifting sales in Bucharest. Overall, occupancy was off 0.3% to 72%; ADR increased 3.3% to €110.09; and RevPAR jumped 3% to €79.29. In the Middle East and Africa, Cape Town performance was up from weak April in 2018 and demand in Amman was boosted by multiple festivals with occupancy up 7.7% to 72.7%, the best since 2014. Overall performance was mixed with Middle East occupancy up 4.1% to 74.6%; ADR down 7.1% to US$148.28; and RevPAR -3.3% to US$110.62. In Africa, occupancy was up 0.8% to 62.1%; ADR jumped 8.1% to US$116.18; and RevPAR increased 9% to US$72.15.

IHCL signs new Vivanta: The Indian Hotels Co. Ltd. has signed a management deal with owner AD Estate Developers for a new Vivanta hotel in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India. Vivanta Gorakhpur will be part of a mixed-use development project. The hotel will comprise 110 guest rooms and other features including multi-cuisine restaurants, recreation facilities and modern meeting spaces. It is slated to open in 2022.

Benchmark growth: Benchmark has announced that Skamania Lodge, Stevenson, Washington, has joined its Benchmark Resorts & Hotels portfolio. The 258-guest room Skamania Lodge is set on 175 densely forested acres overlooking the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. The resort is owned by Pebblebrook Hotel Trust.

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