Louvre Hotels expanding: Louvre Hotels Group, Europe’s second-largest hotel group and a subsidiary of Jin Jiang International, is expanding in Europe by taking over ten 7 Days Premium hotels. Previously owned by Chinese hotel group Plateno, this transaction involves hotels in 2- and 3-star segments. Ranging in size from 95 to 200 rooms, these hotels are located in Austria (Vienna, Salzburg, Ansfelden), Germany (Munich, Leipzig, Berlin) and Italy (Venice).
Breaking the glass ceiling: Efforts to shatter the “glass ceiling” and promote women’s equality in the hospitality and tourism workplace must start in universities, according to professors of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. The researchers note that statistics paint a bleak picture of women’s involvement at the upper levels of the hospitality and tourism industry, both in Hong Kong and worldwide. Although progress is being made in closing the gender gap, social and institutional barriers continue to prevent talented female hospitality and tourism professionals from making a meaningful contribution to management and decision-making.
Court halts US$95M Cancún hotel project: Mexico’s Fifth District Court in Cancún has permanently dashed Riu Hotels & Resorts’ hopes to build a 530-room hotel in Cancún’s hotel zone. The court ordered the Spanish hotel chain, which has been trying to build the hotel for the past five years despite opposition, to halt permanently the construction of the US$95.6 million Hotel Riviera Cancún, saying the company reneged on promises it made to upgrade wastewater treatment facilities at a cost of 60 million pesos (US$2.8 million).
Crown drops Packer; shareholder vote: Australian casino giant Crown Resorts has terminated an agreement to share confidential information with its billionaire founder and largest shareholder James Packer. The move comes at a time when the casino magnate’s actions are being scrutinized amid an inquiry into whether Crown should be allowed to operate its A$2.2 billion (US$1.56 billion) casino tower in Sydney just months before its scheduled opening. Additionally, Crown shareholders voted against executive pay at the company’s annual general meeting Thursday, a step toward removing the board, following apologies from the Australian casino for corporate governance failings.
Pendry Chicago aims for spring opening: Orange County, California-based Pendry Hotels & Resorts will open the Pendry Chicago. The renovation and refurbishment of an Art Deco Chicago building, the Carbide & Carbon Building, is currently taking place. The 364-room hotel will have a restaurant and bar concept, designed by Studio Munge, and will be overseen by Clique Hospitality group. In addition, the hotel will have a lobby bar and lounge, a rooftop lounge, 12,000 square feet of meetings and event space, and an extensive art collection. The hotel plans to open in spring 2021.
Nashville Airport adds hotel: Tennessee’s Nashville International Airport is planning to add a 292-room hotel slated to open in late 2023. The on-site Hilton-branded hotel will be 14 stories and have a parking garage. Chartwell Hospitality, based in Franklin, Tennessee, will develop and operate. The public-private partnership will cost the developer about US$95 million for the hotel and for the airport authority, and US$82 million for the garage and plaza. Construction will begin in the fall of 2021.
Virgin says vote: Virgin Hotels launched a new campaign before the upcoming U.S. presidential election in partnership with hip hop magazine The Source. Designed to inspire voter participation, the nonpartisan campaign, “Don’t Sleep on Voting,” utilizes artists, performers and creatives to remind Americans to vote. Leading up to Election Day on November 3, both Virgin and The Source will debut video messages on social media from a diverse group of artists and creators.