In 2014 the economies of the source markets for visitors to Mexico will enjoy better performance than in 2013, so optimistic projections are expected for international tourist arrivals and the revenues they generate.
Strategic Hotels & Resorts, Inc. announced today that the Company has signed an agreement with Cascade Investment, L.L.C. to sell the Four Seasons Punta Mita resort and the adjacent La Solana land parcel for gross consideration of $200 million, or approximately $1.1 million per key. Adjusting for the allocation of the land value, the sale represents approximately $980,000 per key.
Home2 Suites by Hilton, the award-winning mid-tier, all-suite hotel brand designed for modern business travelers and extended stay guests, today announced the opening of its 24th hotel, Home2 Suites by Hilton Queretaro, Mexico. This is the first Home2 Suites by Hilton to open outside of the United States.
Marriott International (NASDAQ: MAR) announced plans to operate 20 hotels expected to be developed by FibraHotel, the largest and first publicly traded Mexican lodging REIT (BMV: FIHO12), across key Mexican cities by 2016. The first six hotels, whose development contracts were signed this week, will add approximately 800 rooms to the Mexican market and create well over 400 jobs for Mexican nationals.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation and Playa Hotels & Resorts B.V. today announce the opening of Hyatt Zilara Cancun, the first Hyatt-branded adult-only all-inclusive resort. Located in the heart of Cancun’s Hotel Zone and along the sparkling turquoise Caribbean beachfront, Hyatt Zilara Cancun is a AAA Four Diamond Resort that offers adults an all-inclusive resort experience that creates opportunities to live in the moment.
Viceroy Hotel Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Martin Kipping as the General Manager of Viceroy Zihuatanejo, the exclusive beachfront resort in Zihuatanejo, Mexico. Mr. Kipping comes to Zihuatanejo from the Viceroy Hotel Anguilla, in Anguilla, BWI, where he was the resort manager. Mr. Kipping has more than 16 years of luxury hospitality management experience. He began his hotel career in Washington D.C. and went on to serve in various positions at Four Seasons properties in Nevis, Boston, Costa Rica, and Las Vegas. A native of Germany, he attended Les Roche International School of Hotel Management in Bluche, Switzerland, earning a degree in Hospitality Management. He is a member of the Epicurean Charitable Foundation Las Vegas, a non-profit organization committed to enriching the lives of deserving and talented local students who are passionate about a career in hospitality or the culinary arts and to making a difference in the community.
Last week Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) introduced its Hyatt Ziva and Hyatt Zilara all inclusive resort brands and unveiled the brand logos and signature elements of the guest experience. The launch marks Hyatt's entry into the fast growing all inclusive segment and offers Hyatt an opportunity to redefine the category using its distinctive approach to guest listening and innovation.
From his new position, Mr. Gonzalez will coordinate the Group’s current Business Units in the region - Mercosur & Mexico and Central & Caribbean – with a view to promote the brand’s development in Latin America, hand-in-hand with local partners, and positioning NH as a benchmark in this market’s hotel sector. Boasting an extensive record in the hotel sector, Gilles Gonzalez has spent most of his career at Accor, a global hotel group with a leading presence in Europe. In his more than 20 years working for the French group, he has held several positions, most notably Senior Vice President of Franchising, as well as other strategic posts within the general management, business development and operations departments. Gonzalez knows the South American market extremely well, having lived between Colombia, Peru, Argentina and Brazil for 12 years, as well as other European markets such as France, where he has also lived for long periods of time.
Avila joins the team in Villahermosa after managing the successful opening of Hilton Baku in Azerbaijan. As general manager of Hilton Baku, Avila oversaw all preopening activities and opened the hotel ahead of schedule in 2011. He then led the team in exceeding the financial forecast for the hotel's first quarter in operation.
Luciani most recently served as general manager, Hilton Villahermosa & Conference Center. During his nearly three years as general manager of this 220-room conference hotel, Luciani led the team in successfully improving results and securing a number of Hilton Worldwide awards, including the 2011 Americas Full-Service Hotel of the Year Award.
Regatta Travel Solutions announced today Visit Tucson has chosen the Regatta booking engine to power their official destination website for the Mexico market, VamosaTucson.com.
Felix joins Las Ventanas following nine years with One & Only Palmilla in Los Cabos, Mexico, where she served as the resort’s Director of Sales for four years and Director of Transient Sales for five years. Previously, she spent seven years with The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey, where she held positions including Director of Business Travel, Manager of Business Travel and Administrative Assistant in the business travel division. Felix holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with an emphasis in Management from Loyola Marymount University. She will office out of Rosewood’s Los Angeles Regional Sales Office.
Occidental Hotels & Resorts is proud to announce the appointment of Lorenzo Chan as the General Manager of the original adults-only all-inclusive luxury resort Royal Hideaway Playacar, located in Riviera Maya, Mexico. Mr. Chan has been a valued member of the Occidental Hotels & Resorts team for the past 11 years, previously managing a variety of esteemed properties throughout Mexico.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation today announced the first two Hyatt-branded all-inclusive resorts, currently THE ROYAL Cancún and Barceló Los Cabos, will be rebranded as Hyatt Zilara Cancún and Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos in Q4 2013. Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall, Jamaica, formerly the Ritz Carlton Golf Resort & Spa, Rose Hall, Jamaica will open in early 2014. Each resort will undergo a multimillion dollar renovation as part of its rebranding.
Las Ventanas al Paraíso, A Rosewood Resort, is pleased to announce the appointment of Maxime Cormier as Spa Director of the resort’s renowned Spa at Las Ventanas. In his new role, Cormier will be responsible for overseeing the overall spa vision, creating and developing innovative treatments and services, product selection and the management of staff members.
Grand Velas Riviera Maya's signature restaurant, Cocina De Autor was awarded American Automobile Association's (AAA) Five Diamond award for restaurants, making it the first restaurant of an all-inclusive resort to ever receive the distinction. Cocina De Autor, serving gourmet Spanish and Basque cuisine since 2008, is also the first restaurant in the Riviera Maya to earn Five Diamonds in such a short time after opening. Cocina De Autor Chefs Bruno Oteiza and Mike Alonso are disciples of the famed Chef Arzak of Northern Spain.
Marriott International announced the opening of the 140-room Courtyard by Marriott Leon at the Poliforum, expanding the brand’s roster of Mexico properties to nine and solidifying the country’s position as the most important Latin American market for Marriott’s leading mid-tier hotel brand. The stunning hotel is located conveniently near the Poliforum Leon Convention and Exhibition Center, Leon Airport, Leon Stadium, Explora Science Center, Centro Max Shopping Center and the city’s main industrial parks. Recreational amenities at the hotel include an outdoor pool.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) announced today plans to expand its hotel portfolio in Mexico by 30 percent, emphasizing the important role the country plays in Starwood’s Americas growth strategy and its prominence in the global travel market. Starwood continues to lengthen its lead as the largest operator in the upper-upscale hotel segment in Mexico with eight new hotels in its development pipeline that will add nearly 1,100 rooms.
Prior to joining The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort, Hemmerich honed her sales experience within the luxury hospitality industry. After receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Kent State University in Ohio, Hemmerich began her foray into sales and marketing. In 2002, Hemmerich joined the Los Angeles-based sales and marketing team for Las Ventanas al Para'so, A Rosewood Resort, in Los Cabos, Mexico. During her nine-year tenure at Las Ventanas, Hemmerich held the positions of sales and marketing coordinator and sales manager before serving as the associate director of sales for six years, where she developed new business and maintained existing clients, created a new sales territory structure, and supported the director of sales and marketing.
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) and Selfi Grupo Operador de Estacionamientos, S.A. de C.V., recently celebrated the ground break on April 22nd of the Holiday Inn Express® Hotel Xalapa. Prominent personalities who attended the ground-breaking ceremony included José Antonio Mansur Beltrán, Federal Delegate of the Economy Ministry, (SE), Carlos Canales Freeman, Chairman State of the Association of Industrial of the State of Veracruz A.C. (Aievac), members of Congress of State and executives, and members of the construction company GILCA among others. Slated to open summer 2014, the construction of this hotel is expected to generate at least 150 direct and 300 indirect jobs.