4 travel industry takeaways from Mobile World Congress
In early March, 85,000 mobile executives from across the world gathered in Barcelona for a week of mobile innovation and merriment. EyeforTravel's Gina Baillie was there
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Billionaire Ortega’s Occidental Hotels Said to Get Offers | bloomberg.com
Occidental Hotels & Resorts, the hotelier owned by billionaire Amancio Ortega and Spain’s second-largest bank, has attracted interest from companies including AMResorts and Playa Hotels & Resorts, two people with knowledge of the matter said. The two U.S.-based hotel and leisure operators were among several first-round bidders, said the people, who asked not to be named because the process is private. Occidental, whose main shareholders are Ortega, owner of the Zara clothing-chain operator Inditex SA (ITX), and Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA (BBVA), may fetch as much as $700 million, they said.
Marriott Sells Interests in Renaissance Barcelona Hotel for €78 Million
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) today announced that it has sold its leasehold interests in the Renaissance Barcelona Hotel to an affiliate of the Qatar Armed Forces Investment Portfolio (QAFIP) for approximately €78 million including €45 million ($62 million) cash and the assumption of €33 million ($45 million) of related obligations. The hotel will continue to be operated by Marriott under a long-term management contract.
NH unveiled details of its strategy to transform the Company at FITUR 2014
Brand segmentation, repositioning and asset rotation, efficiency and IT systems transformation are the key elements of the new NH Hotel Group. NH has presented the new umbrella for its brands NH Collection, NH Hotels, nhow and Hesperia, clarifying its value proposition for each consumer. The company will invest more than 200 million euros over the next five years in refurbishing its hotels and maximising the average price of its main business segments
A walk around the hotel room of the future [IMAGES] | tnooz.com
A year ago at the FITUR hotel conference in Spain, delegates were shown some of the early work by a design studio to showcase the hotel room of the future. ITH Room Xperience is a project developed in conjunction with Spanish company SerranoBrothers to try and take the hotel experience to the next level, at least in terms of how guests interact with it and integrate their own technology into its systems. The prototype, supported by the likes of Microsoft, Toshiba, Bang & Olufsen, PayTouch, is full of apps, gadgets, high-tech furniture and more.
Ayre Hoteles of Spain Switch Remaining Portfolio to Pegasus Connect+
Ayre Hoteles have switched the rest of its portfolio of four-star hotels to Pegasus Connect+. All of the brand's 11 urban hotels in six Spanish cities are now available online, and in the global distribution systems (GDSs) under the "UI" chain code.
FITUR to witness TigerTime by eRevMax
eRevMax, the hotel online distribution specialist, will be hosting TigerTime sessions at FITUR 2014 following its success with such networking sessions at various industry events. The company has partnered with WIHP and Ostrovok to present in Madrid with an aim to provide hotels with new platforms for booking generation and gain meaningful distribution insights.
W Barcelona Unveils Innovative Design for New W Lounge Following 1 Million Euro Renovation Investment
The iconic W Barcelona today unveils W Lounge, an energetic lounge in the heart of the hotel, set to be the hottest place to see and be seen in the city, offering global jetsetters and local trendsetters a place to mix and mingle over stylish cocktails and pulsating music. Led by London-based studio, United Design Partnership, W Lounge features a cutting-edge design that infuses the vibrant colours of Barcelona with the cosmopolitan city’s dynamic energy and cool Mediterranean style.
Barcelona’s Hotel SB Plaza Europa Signs with Pegasus Solutions
Barcelona's four-star SB Plaza Hotel Europa has signed with Pegasus Solutions for global distribution and sales support. The newest hotel in SB Hotels' seven-hotel portfolio, which opened October 31, will be represented and marketed through the global distribution systems (GDS) under the UI chain code.
Spain - a 2013 market snapshot and the outlook for 2014 and beyond
Hotel transaction activity in Spain 2014 could be expected to rise, as confidence in the country’s performance is stronger. Increasing interest by international investors, together with lower investment risks, might lead to higher transaction activity in 2014.
Sheraton Hotels & Resorts Continues Global Revitalisation with the Re-Opening of the Sheraton Mallorca Arabella Golf Hotel
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) announced today that its global powerhouse, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, continues to enhance its portfolio with the re-opening of the Sheraton Mallorca Arabella Golf Hotel following a complete nine-month, multi-million Euro renovation. This renovation is part of a multi-year revitalisation of the Sheraton brand through which Starwood and its owner partners have invested more than US$6 billion.
Hard Rock International Proudly Announces its First Hard Rock Hotel to Enter Europe
Hard Rock International– owner of one of the world's most iconic and recognized brands – announces theHard Rock Hotel Ibiza, anticipated to open inMay 2014. Continuing Hard Rock's earned 'Best in Class' recognition in the Americas, Hard Rock Hotel Ibiza will represent the first Hard Rock Hotel to open inEurope. Palladium Hotel Group, pursuant to a license agreement from Hard Rock, will transform two former Fiesta Hotels, Club Don Toni and Hotel Don Toni, into the Hard Rock Hotel Ibiza, slated to feature the brand's legendary music-inspired style.
Sol Wave House (Mallorca), the first ever "Twitter Experience" hotel
The increasing customer diversity and demands are changing the landscape of the beach hotels, and the leading hotel chain in Spain, Meliá Hotels International, launches a new program, which makes its innovative@SolWaveHouseHotel, located in the beach of Magaluf (Mallorca) become the first ever "twitter experience hotel" in the world.
Jumbo Tours experiences higher sales through advanced XML connectivity
Leading B2B International wholesaler Jumbo Tours, part of Alpitourworld, has enhanced its distribution technologies following a two-way direct XML integration with eRevMax for its brands Jumbonline and Jumbobeds. The advanced connectivity has already provided measurable business benefits to Jumbo Tours Group bookings from leading hotel chains that distribute inventory through RateTiger and the Connect enterprise distribution platform.
IHG’s Holiday Inn Hotel Expands in Spain
Holiday Inn Madrid – Las Tablas due to open at the beginning of quarter three this year will operate under a franchise agreement with Gestion T3 Hotels who operate four other IHG hotels in Spain. The 133 room hotel is a conversion from an existing hotel, where a renovation project is already under way and is set to provide improved facilities for its guests.
Luxury Hotels in Barcelona and Madrid - an optimistic outlook | JLLH Reports
Hotel investment volumes in 2012 registered a total value of approximately €400 million, half of the €800 million registered in 2011. This ends the year-on-year growth that started in 2009. Over 65% of 2012 investment originated from domestic sources and 35% from European investors. The most important transactions registered this year are the sale of Rafael Barcelona Port and the sale of Barceló Raval, as well as the sale of Holiday Inn Madrid, advised by Jones Lang LaSalle.
Hostel Industry Evolves with Launch of Generator’s Flagship Urban Design Property in Barcelona
Generator has this week officially opened the doors of its first venture in Spain. The new Barcelona property brings the brand's range of urban design hostels to eight across Europe, with significant further growth planned. The latest opening signals a period of expansive growth for the industry's largest freehold hostel group, which is backed by Patron Capital. As the only design-led hostel company with multiple locations, Generator also plans to extend its portfolio beyond its current European reach.
Apogee Investors and Mobilona Announce Planned €1.5 Billion Hotel Investment to Build ‘Barcelona Island’
Apogee Investors has signed an agreement with Mobilona LLC to manage the financing of Europe's tallest hotel on a man-made island off the coast of Catalonia, Spain. With an initial investment projected at €1.5 billion, Mobilona plans to construct the first of its kind 'Space Hotel' on Barcelona Island which will offer guests an out of this world experience through immersive building technology and the integration of the Internet of Things (IoT). All suites and residences will be equipped with immersive wall and surface displays that provide panoramic impressions of the universe.
Meliá Hotels & Resorts opens the Meliá Atlántico - Isla Canela hotel on the coast of Andalusia (Spain)
Meliá Hotels & Resorts has opened its first resort on the Andalusian province of Huelva (Atlantic coast), in Spain. The Meliá Atlantico - Isla Canela is a large holiday resort located on the beachfront in Isla Canela, one of the most privileged tourist destinations and residential areas in Andalusia, a new destination for Meliá Hotels International which will also strengthen its brand portfolio in Spain.
Cornell is Exclusive Academic Partner of IESE for 3rd International Tourism Summit
The Cornell University School of Hotel Administration is the exclusive academic partner of the IESE Business School for the third International Tourism Summit being held Friday, May 17, 2013, in Barcelona, Spain. At the summit, Steve Carvell, associate dean for academic affairs, Rohit Verma, professor of services operations management, Chris Anderson, associate professor of services operations management, will be moderating panel discussions. The summit is organized by the IESE Business School and will analyze driving forces and emerging trends in travel, tourism, and hospitality. Key topics will include competition in a crowded market, the impact of new technologies and social media, sustainability, and finance and real estate.