Marriott stops support of some Republicans
Marriott International on Sunday, calling the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday “destructive events,” reportedly became the first big corporation to suspend donations to Republican senators who voted against certifying U.S. President-elect Joe Biden. Later on Sunday, Bloomberg reported that Goldman Sachs Group, Citigroup and JP Morgan Chase & Co. plan to pause all political contributions. “We have taken the destructive events at the Capitol to undermine a legitimate and fair election into consideration and will be pausing political giving from our Political Action Committee to those who voted against certification of the election,” a Marriott spokesperson said.
OYO launches ‘equal partner policy’
Indian hospitality firm Oyo Homes & Hotels says it has launched an equal partner policy to strengthen trust and increase transparency with its asset owner community. Under the program, OYO said it has laid out seven guidelines — communication, respect, availability, transparency, recognition, technology and togetherness – to ensure , to ensure that the company creates a collaborative ecosystem with its owners for business improvements. According to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, Oyo has seen thousands of hoteliers leave its network amid complaints from many that they have been treated unfairly.
ASG acquires Nobu Hotel Barcelona
Real estate fund manager Activum SG (ASG) acquired the 259-room Nobu Hotel Barcelona from Catalan owner operator Selenta Group for a reported €80 million, or €309,000 per room (US$97.7 million/US$377,400), according to HVS’ Europe hotel transaction bulletin. The 23-story hotel, adjacent to Barcelona´s main railway station, reopened in September 2019 following its conversion from the former Gran Hotel Torre Catalunya. The property includes a Nobu restaurant and conference space. The acquisition represents ASG´s further investment into the Spanish lifestyle hotel market, which includes its Hard Rock hotel projects in Barcelona and Madrid.
Study: Corporate travel comfort levels
According to a recent global survey from BofA Global Research Media, Bank of America’s research arm, 49% of business travelers said corporate travel patterns would not change once a vaccine was more widely distributed. Some 14% of respondents said they would travel more for work. Additionally, while still about two-thirds of U.S. respondents primarily travel for leisure, 53% of respondents expect no change or an increase in business travel; 36% expect no change, less than the global average of 49%, with 17% expecting more business travel.
Japan declares emergency for Tokyo area as cases spike
Japan declared a state of emergency in Tokyo and three nearby areas on January 7 as coronavirus cases continue to surge, hitting a daily record of 2,447 in the capital. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga issued the declaration at the government task force for the coronavirus. It lasts from Friday until February 7, and centers around asking restaurants and bars to close at 8 p.m. and people to stay home and not mingle in crowds. The declaration carries no penalties, but it also works as a strong request while Japan attempts to keep its economy going.
Hotel slammed after video shows Trump supporters with no masks
Hyatt is facing backlash on social media after a video went viral on Twitter, showing Trump supporters mingling maskless in one of Hyatt’s Washington, D.C., hotels following the Capitol protests on January 6. The video, posted by a Bloomberg reporter, shows clusters of people with Trump paraphernalia drinking and socializing in the Grand Hyatt Washington lobby. In response to the viral Twitter video, a Hyatt spokesperson told Business Insider in an email that the “The Grand Hyatt Washington team worked to address the situation in an effort to ensure guests were following COVID-19 protocols – including by offering face coverings or requesting guests to return to guest rooms…We will continue to work to enforce protocols so that guests are aware of their responsibility in helping protect the health and safety of our colleagues and their fellow guests.”
Swiss group warns of business closures
The Swiss government is expected this week to extend the closure of bars, restaurants and leisure facilities across the country until the end of February to control COVID. But industry federation GastroSuisse warned in a statement that if done without providing significant financial support, around half of businesses in the restaurant and hospitality sector could go belly-up by the end of March.
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