Mövenpick to make Australian debut in Hobart: Accor’s Swiss-born hospitality brand, Mövenpick, together with Singaporean-based global hospitality group, Global Premium Hotels, have signed a hotel management agreement to open the first Mövenpick hotel in Australia. Set to open in mid-January, the 221-room Mövenpick Hotel Hobart will have meeting space for up to 100 guests, along with a pre-event area and full bar. The hotel will also have an Italian restaurant, Tesoro Modern.
Sonesta’s new chief operating officer: Newton, Massachusetts-based Sonesta International Hotels Corp. appointed Vera Manoukian chief operating officer. Manoukian recently served as the global head of the Hilton brand at Hilton Worldwide Holdings, where she led the strategic direction, vision and growth for nearly 600 properties in 95 countries. Previously, she served as senior vice president of operations for Starwood Hotels & Resorts, where she was responsible for its largest geographic region, including seven brands, 68 full-service and luxury properties, and US$3.4 billion in annual revenue.
Dusit focuses on cultural experiences: Bangkok-based Dusit International has partnered with Local Alike, an online social enterprise dedicated to the sustainable development of Thai rural communities through responsible tourism, to offer educational tours aimed at young families. The partnership will expose guests to the lives, culture and cuisines of indigenous communities around Thailand under the banner of “Dusit Local Explorer.” Dusit plans to leverage its own resources to provide hospitality and service training for the various communities so they can enhance their skills and learn how to sustainably welcome visitors.