Press Releases

Marriott International Inks Deal to Debut Tribute Portfolio™ in Latin America

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) today announced the upcoming debut of its aspirational independent hotels and resorts brand, Tribute Portfolio, in Latin America. By December 2016, the brand will add two independent hotels to its portfolio in Argentina's most sought-after regions. Arelauquen Lodge, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel, will be debut in Patagonia, near the world's end, with vast landscapes of lakes and mountains, while Auberge du Vin, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel, will be located in the heart of Argentina's wine country, where some of the world's best vino is produced. The signing of these properties is a significant step in the brand's expansion, not only reflecting the growing global traveler demand for independent travel experiences around the world, but also serving as a direct response to its loyalty reward members' desires for more hotel options in both adventure travel and wine country destinations.

Hyatt Place São José do Rio Preto Opens in the State of São Paulo, Brazil

Hyatt Place São José do Rio Preto opens today, marking the first Hyatt Place hotel to open in Brazil. Practical design aligned with comfort and technology are the leading characteristics of the new Hyatt Place hotel illustrating the success of Hyatt's select service brand as it continues to create value for guests and owners worldwide. Hyatt, in joint venture with Elandis, intends to open multiple Hyatt Place hotels in Brazil.

Elandis Set To Complete First Of Multiple Hyatt Place Hotels In Brazil Under Its Master Development Plan With Hyatt

Elandis, an international real estate group that develops, owns, and manages real estate assets throughout the Americas and in Europe, announces its on-schedule and on-budget completion of a newly built Hyatt Place hotel in São José do Rio Preto, Brazil, which was developed by a joint venture entity formed by Elandis and an affiliate of Hyatt in 2014. This is the first of multiple Hyatt Place hotels expected to be developed as part of the master development plan between Hyatt and Elandis.

Meliá Hotels International Announces Plans To Transform Meliá Cabo Real Into Paradisus Los Cabos

Meliá Hotels International, one of the largest hotel companies worldwide, with more than 370 hotels in more than 40 countries and four continents, announced today that it will transform Meliá Cabo Real into Paradisus Los Cabos, which is part of a US $35 million renovation to convert and upgrade the existing property. Set to open December 23, 2016, this property will be the ninth Paradisus resort in its portfolio and the fourth in Mexico, and will feature 28 unique ocean view swim-up suites, more than 90 Royal Service guest rooms, which is the brand's signature adult-only offering, providing personalized butler service that is an ideal option for both wedding parties and honeymooners. The resort will also feature a fine dining restaurant, Passion by Martin Berasategui, a brand standard, where guests will get to experience world-class cuisine by seven Michelin star-rated chef Martin Berasategui.

NH Hotel Group officially presents its NH Collection brand in America

Today, in Mexico City, NH Hotel Group officially celebrated the launch of its premium brand, NH Collection, in America, coinciding with the inauguration of the NH Collection Mexico City Reforma.

The ceremony organised to officially present the brand on the continent was attended by Enrique de la Madrid, Secretary of Tourism of the Mexican Federal Government, and Luis Fernández-Cid de las Alas Pumariño, Spanish Ambassador in Mexico. The event was also attended by NH Hotel Group´s Co-Chairmen Alfredo Fernández Agras and José Antonio Castro Sousa, and the Company's executives Ramón Aragonés, Global Managing Director, and Eduardo Bosch, Managing Director America.

STR: Mexico hotel performance for Q3 2016

The Mexican hotel industry recorded positive results in the three key performance metrics for the third quarter of 2016, according to data from STR.Compared with Q3 2015, the Mexican hotel industry's occupancy increased 2.1% to 63.5%. Average daily rate was up 14.0% to MXN2,067.44. Revenue per available room grew 16.3% to MXN1,312.17.With double-digit increases in ADR, all five key markets in the country posted double-digit growth in RevPAR, led by Central Mexico (+16.5% to MXN785.20) and Northwest Mexico (+16.0% to MXN1,141.79).The Yucatan Peninsula recorded the quarter's highest absolute values across the three key performance metrics: occupancy (68.9%), ADR (MXN3,170.60) and RevPAR (MXN2,183.72).A note to editors: As of 1 March 2016, all references to STR data and analysis should cite "STR" as the source. Please refrain from citing "STR, Inc." "Smith Travel Research" or "STR Global" in sourcing as those names no longer fit within the updated STR brand.

Hampton Inn by Hilton Announces the Opening of New hotel in Irapuato, Mexico

IRAPUATO, Mexico and MCLEAN, Va. -- Hilton (NYSE: HLT) announced today the opening of the new 112- room Hampton Inn by Hilton Irapuato, strategically located approximately nine miles of the city's thriving industrial and automotive center, as well as near cultural and tourist attractions. This new build hotel is the latest addition to the global brand of more than 2,100 Hampton Inn by Hilton, Hampton Inn & Suites and Hampton by Hilton hotels.

Hyatt Place Celaya Opens in Mexico’s Bajío Region

Hyatt Place Celaya opens today, marking the fifth Hyatt Place hotel to open in Mexico. The brand's global growth throughout Mexico and Latin America illustrates the success of the select service model as Hyatt Place hotels continue to create value for guests and owners. Hyatt Place Celaya is owned by a joint venture between affiliates of Hyatt and Grupo Hermosillo. Other joint ventures formed by affiliates of Hyatt and Grupo Hermosillo also own Hyatt Place Los Cabos and Hyatt Place Tijuana.

STR: Rio hotels see larger Olympics boost than London and Beijing

Rio de Janeiro's hotel industry saw a substantially larger impact as host of the 2016 Summer Olympics than London in 2012 and Beijing in 2008, according to data from STR.During the month of August, Rio de Janeiro hotels posted a 199.2% surge in average daily rate (ADR) to BRL1,250.26. That rate spike, coupled with a 26.6% increase in occupancy to 76.0%, led to a 278.6% increase in revenue per available room (RevPAR) to BRL949.84.Beijing experienced a 184.2% RevPAR increase in 2008, which was mainly due to a 250.1% boost in ADR as occupancy actually declined 18.8%. In London, RevPAR increased 44.4% due solely to an increase in ADR, as the market's occupancy was nearly flat during the 2012 Olympics.Prior to the 2016 games, Rio de Janeiro hotels struggled to maintain occupancy levels, affected by considerable supply growth, fear over the Zika virus and ongoing political issues. The market's 47.0% absolute occupancy level during the second quarter of 2016 was the lowest Q2 occupancy level for the market since 2002.The year-over-year performance increases for Rio de Janeiro during the Olympics also came off of a low comparison base in 2015."The real challenge for Rio lies ahead now that there are 23% more rooms in the market than a year ago," said Patricia Boo, STR's area director for Central and South America­­­ "This is a much different and less stable market than London and Beijing. While the Olympics performance lift for Rio was higher, the post- Olympics challenges will also be greater. The year after the 2012 Olympics, London experienced a 6% increase in demand, likely in part due to the attention the city received during the Olympics. Rio will need that and more to counteract the spike in supply."

Hilton And Parque Arauco Announce Signing Of Anticipated Hilton Hotel in Santiago, Chile

Hilton (NYSE: HLT) and Parque Arauco S.A. today announced the signing of a management agreement to operate a new build 401-room Hilton hotel in Santiago, Chile - bringing the company's flagship brand to the country. Hilton Santiago Las Condes will form part of the Parque Arauco Kennedy Shopping Mall complex expansion project scheduled to begin construction next year and debut in 2021. The project, owned and developed by Parque Arauco S.A., will include a Convention Center, new retail outlets, 700 parking spaces and the Hilton managed hotel.

Grupo Hotusa arrives in Panama with the launch of Eurostars Panama City 5*

Eurostars Hotel Company, the hotel division of Grupo Hotusa, has arrived in Panama with the launch of Eurostars Panamá City 5*. The iconic building, which up until now had been run as the Hotel&Casino Royal Sonesta, will become the fourteenth premises operated by the company in Latin America. Of the other projects run by the group in the region, the most notable is the Eurostars Torre Bacatá 5* in the Colombian capital.

Atix Hotel to open in La Paz, Bolivia

As one of the highest cities in the world, La Paz demands its fair share of high style. Opening mid-October in the vibrant Calacoto neighborhood, the 53-room Atix Hotel is not only decked out with artworks by acclaimed Bolivian artistGastón Ugalde, it also plays host to a fine dining restaurant and a rooftop bar with an infinity pool overlooking a dramatic backdrop of city and mountain views. The world-class gastronomy celebrates the best of Bolivian culinary traditions and to prolong the tastes of authenticity, this first Bolivian Design Hotels™ member has created an in-house market exclusively offering organic produce from local farmers.

IHG Increases Its Presence in the Greater Mexico City Area

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), one of the world's leading hotel companies, announces the opening of the 108- room Holiday Inn Express® Mexico Toreo hotel located in Naucalpan in greater Mexico City's northwestern area. This hotel opens following an investment made by its franchisee of more than US $2 million dollars.

President of the Academie Culinaire de France Completes Visit to Grand Velas Riviera Maya In Preparation of North American Joint Congress with Maitres Cuisiniers de France in 2017

Chef Fabrice Prochasson, president of the Académie Culinaire de France, recently visited the AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Maya in preparation for the North American conference of the Maitres Cuisiniers de France (Master Chefs of France) and Academie Culinaire de France (AFC) in 2017. During the visit, Prochasson met with Michel Mustiere, Executive Chef of Grand Velas Riviera Maya, among other event organizers to plan for the event, which will be held for the first time in Mexico. The Congress will bring together more than 100 of the most prestigious chefs from the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 17 to 21.

JLL: What's next for hotel investment in Brazil?

A new report from JLL indicates that Brazil is still a long-term investment option, attracting a significant amount of foreign investors in spite of deteriorating economic conditions and weak hotel performance. The negative impact on performance is the result of deteriorating national economic conditions, the report claims, with the GDP shrinking by 4 percent. The growth in hotel supply hasn't helped, leading to low occupancy rates in formerly strong markets.

Amazonas State to Set a New Standard for Brazil with Presentation of Carbon Emissions Certificate to Marriott International

Brazil made history today when the State Secretary of Environment for Amazonas (SEMA), on behalf of the State Government of Amazonas, and the Amazonas Sustainable Foundation (FAS), delivered its first-ever certificate of carbon emissions reduction to the US-headquartered hospitality company Marriott International. The presentation will take place during the Climate Summit of the Americas in Guadalajara, Mexico. This is the first time in Brazil that a certificate has been issued by a partnership between state government, a private institution and a non-governmental organization. The document is not transferable.

AC Hotels by Marriott® Opens First Mexico Hotel

AC Hotel Guadalajara, Jalisco, has opened its doors, inviting guests and locals alike to experience A New Way to Hotel in Mexico, catering to the creativity, passion, and entrepreneurial spirit of a new generation of travelers. The launch of the 188-room AC Hotel Guadalajara, developed and owned by FibraHotel and operated by Marriott International, marks the arrival of the design-driven brand in Mexico.

Surf Beat, Tribal Heat: Paradise Found at W Punta de Mita

W Hotels Worldwide, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT), expands its Latin American portfolio with the opening of W Punta de Mita in Mexico's Riviera Nayarit. Owned by Fideicomiso Los Veneros, the new hotel is part of the multi-use oceanfront development, Los Veneros, on Mexico's magnificent Pacific Coast which is known as one of the world's most desirable vacation destinations.

Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Opens in Salamanca, Mexico

Hilton Worldwide (NYSE: HLT) continues its expansion in Mexico by announcing the opening of its newest property, Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Salamanca. The 128-room hotel joins the Hampton by Hilton family which also includes Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton and Hampton by Hilton hotels. The property is owned and managed by Aptiva S.A. de C.V.

Juan Licerio Alcala Named Executive Chef of New Grand Velas Los Cabos, Opening Late 2016

Juan Licerio Alcala has been named Executive Chef of the new Grand Velas Los Cabos, the fifth property of the family owned and operated Velas Resorts opening in late 2016. In his new position he is responsible for the "Beyond All-Inclusive, Beyond All Compare" resort's highly anticipated gourmet specialty restaurants with food, creativity and presentation comparable to that of top restaurants in world capitals. These include Cocina de Autor, the resort's signature restaurant; Frida, offering Mexican fine dining; Piaf, which serves gourmet French specialties; and Lucca, with a menu of traditional Italian cuisine. In all he will oversee six restaurants, multiple bars, and the catering operation of the 306 all suite, uber luxury resort. The appointment is effective immediately.