In a further demonstration of the interest the British Government has always shown in British tourism in Spain, and particularly in the Balearic Islands, yesterday the senior British diplomat in Spain visited the headquarters of Meliá Hotels International, one of the largest Spanish travel companies with a longstanding presence in popular destinations for British tourists such as Palmanova or Magaluf.
Meliá is seventeenth in the ranking of Spanish companies in all industries for Corporate Governance and Responsibility commitments and performance, a key area in company strategy.
ASG, which targets special investment opportunities in German and Spanish real estate, has checked Hampton by Hilton in to a new 242-room hotel that will be built in Barcelona. It is the third investment to date in Spain's dynamic hotel sector by ASG funds.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) has announced today that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into franchise agreements with an affiliate of Hesperia Hotels & Resorts to open Hyatt Regency Hesperia Madrid and Hyatt Regency Barcelona Fira. The hotels mark the entry of the Hyatt Regency brand into Spain and signify Hyatt's continued growth in the country.
Cushman & Wakefield's EMEA Hospitality team continues its strategic expansion across Europe by entering the Spanish market with the recruitment of the entire senior team of Magma Hospitality Consulting, a leading independent advisor to the hotel sector in Spain.
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the Basque Culinary Center (BCC) are co-organizing the 5th UNWTO World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism, on 2-3 May 2019 in San Sebastián, Spain. The Forum is supported by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism of Spain, the Basque Government, the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa and the City Council of San Sebastián, a city that has hosted the Forum every other year since its first edition, in 2015.
The Ritz-Carlton, Abama has announced the appointment of Gregory de Clerck as its new General Manager, effective 18th February 2019. De Clerck will oversee strategic direction and daily operations across the 459-key resort, whilst strengthening reputation across its exceptional leisure facilities, from the property's Michelin stable, world-renowned sports academies, award-winning spa and market-wide revered family facilities.Gregory de Clerck is a passionate global hotelier with over 20 years of luxury hospitality experience and eight property launches in his portfolio. He brings progressive methods in leadership and a pragmatic approach to client relationships with strong and proven results operating international luxury resorts across Europe, Indian Ocean and UAE. The new appointment brings Gregory de Clerck back to Tenerife where in 2006 he launched Sheraton La Caleta in his tenure as GM.De Clerck joins The Ritz-Carlton, Abama from Al Manara Hotel, Marriott International's first Luxury Collection property in Jordan, where as Complex General Manager, he led impactful operations from December 2016 through pre-launch, and an exceptional launch transition to the current day. Establishing impressive results for the 207-key property, De Clerck managed all pre-opening activities in addition to the development and execution of distinctive initiatives to ensure the hotel's unique positioning. During this time De Clerck also managed the "The Westin Saraya Aqaba" hotel's 300 keys, leading, developing and executing distinctive programs, establishing sales and marketing strategies, F&B concepts, architectural and design activities, branding and guest satisfaction.De Clerck's portfolio of experience includes six years in Mauritius where for four years he held the position of Area Manager and Complex General Manger for Marriott International's Le Meridien Ile Maurice, The Grand Mauritius Resort and Spa and the sought-after and highly acclaimed St. Regis Mauritius, and two years as the Corporate General Manager and Director of Operations and Innovation for Sun Resorts Ltd in Mauritius and Maldives. Having earned a Bachelors in Hotel Management from Erasmus Hogeschool in Belgium, de Clerck's early years took him to Astir Palace Beach Resort in Athens and Sheraton Grand Park Lane Hotel in the UK. A Belgian national, de Clerck is fluent in English, French, Spa nish, Creol, Dutch with conversational German. He is currently a certified Six Sigma Black Belt holder, a Blue Ocean specialist and a certified liquor and innkeeper license holder.
Hilton signed a franchise agreement with Center Coruña Hoteles S.L. to bring DoubleTree by Hilton to the Galicia region of Spain. The 59-guest-room property, including a number of suites, is set to open next year in the historical city centre of La Coruña, and will feature design-led interiors.
Comfort yourself in nature within the 40-hectares (100 acre) estate of Finca Serena. Here, nature of the Mediterranean grows uninhibited: ancient olive groves and lemon trees, cypresses and pines share the land with fields of lavender, several varieties of fruit trees and 10-hectares of newly planted indigenous grapes. The estate is home to 25 luxurious rooms and suites nestled into the countryside and scattered throughout the property. Many are formerly outbuildings of the original farm, which are now entirely refurbished to suit the modern-day traveler. The beautiful landscape includes 834 olive trees and three vegetable gardens for the kitchen of Restaurant Jacaranda.
Runtriz™, a leading developer of innovative technology solutions for hotels, resorts, and casinos announced the addition of Riccardo Galanti as Senior Director Sales, EMEA. In his role, Riccardo will expand Runtriz' growth in the EMEA market. He will also work closely with the leadership team to position Runtriz as the leader in guest engagement services.
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the Basque Culinary Center (BCC) have signed the Agreement for the holding of the 5th UNWTO World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism (San Sebastian, Spain 2-3 May 2019). The new edition of this global forum is supported by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism of Spain, the Basque Government, the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa and the City of San Sebastián.
Amadeus today announces the key strategic appointment of senior business and technology heavyweight Stefan Ropers to lead its Strategic Growth Businesses, effective February 1 2019.
The party is just getting started in paradise. W Hotels Worldwide, part of Marriott International, today announced plans to debut its newest hotel in Spain with the opening of W Ibiza in Summer 2019. Owned by Inversions Hoteleres Ebza S.L., W Ibiza will be located in Santa Eulalia del Río, a buzzing beachside neighborhood centrally located to Ibiza's famous beaches, nightclubs and rural-chic inland attractions. Scheduled to open in 2019, the hotel's beachfront location will provide guests with direct access to the sparkling Mediterranean Sea.
Almanac Barcelona announces the appointment of Alexandre de Noronha Dzelme as Director of Sales & Marketing for the 91-room hotel located at Gran Via de los Corte Catalunes in the heart of the Catalan capital. In his new position, Mr. Dzelme is responsible for the hotel's annual marketing strategy, sales initiatives for transient and corporate business, as well as the development of the M.I.C.E (Meetings and Incentives) market.
Hotel SOFIA Barcelona officially opens today as part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, following the brands recent additions which include the iconicHôtel Martinez, in Cannesand Nish Palas in Istanbul.
At the 2018 Barcelona Hospitality Forum, IH&RA, the global association of hotels and restaurants, was the co-organizer, with ASCAME, of a special hospitality symposium at MedaWeek, during which the organization's President Dr. Ghassan AIDI addressed several issues that concern the industry.
Meeting Professionals International (MPI), the world's largest meeting and event industry association, today launched its European Road Show with its first stop in Barcelona at IBTM World, November 2018. As part of the Road Show, MPI leadership will travel throughout Europe to meet with industry leaders and influencers to share industry trends, research, tips and the value of MPI member networking and educational opportunities. The goal of the Road Show is to increase European membership participation at MPI educational and networking events and promote awareness and advocacy of the community's impact on the worldwide stage.
Four-star property set to open July 2019 after a complete renovation, offering 330 rooms with spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea, and operated under the Palladium Hotels brand.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE:H) announced today plans for Hotel Sofia Barcelona to join The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, a global collection of unique and story-worthy stay experiences. A Hyatt affiliate has entered into a franchise agreement with Selenta Group for the hotel to join The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand in January 2019. The 465-room property is located in central Barcelona and owned and managed by Selenta Group.