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Radisson Hotel Groups signs new Radisson Blu Resort in Ostroda Mazury Lakes, Poland

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Radisson Hotel Group has announced an agreement with Polish hotel investor Europlan for a new Radisson Blu resort in Poland. Located in Mazury Lakes, a district known as the ‘land of a thousand lakes’, the Radisson Blu Resort, Ostroda Mazury Lakes offers a resort experience with its own marina and water park. The new property brings the group´s portfolio in Poland to 19 properties across five brands – including Radisson Collection, Radisson Blu, Radisson RED, Radisson and Park Inn by Radisson. Elie Younes, Executive Vice President & Chief Development Officer, Radisson Hotel Group, said: “Radisson Blu remains the largest upper upscale brand in Europe. We thank our partners for their trust and confidence and look forward to accelerating our expansion journey in Poland; creating opportunities to our guests, owners and employees.”  “We’re very happy to be able to revive the construction of this great hotel project located amongst the picturesque scenery of Mazury Lakes. We’re looking forward to successfully cooperating with Radisson Hotel Group, which is both an experienced hotel operator in Poland and a …

Cambria Hotels debuts in Massachusetts with South Boston Opening

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Cambria Hotels an upscale brand franchised by Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), announced its official entry into Massachusetts with the opening of the Cambria Hotel Boston, Downtown-South Boston. The hotel is the eighth Cambria location to open its doors this year — together representing over 1,100 upscale rooms. Up to five more Cambria hotels are expected to open in top-tier markets across the country by the end of the year. A visible addition to the South Boston skyline at 6 West Broadway, the Cambria Hotel Boston, Downtown-South Boston is located within walking distance of the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center and the city’s rapidly developing Seaport District — which, in addition to offering numerous shopping, dining, and cultural attractions, is home to major corporations including General Electric, Gillette, and Amazon’s regional technology office. The hotel sits directly across from the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Red Line T station, providing easy access to all points in the city, Cambridge, as well as Boston Logan International Airport. “We couldn’t think of a more fitting place to welcome the Bay State’s first Cambria hotel and continue a busy period for the brand than South Boston — one of the …

Marriott International expects to add 40 new properties across Africa by 2023

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Company announces four new deals including entry into Cape Verde; Development pipeline expected to drive owner investment of over $2 billion and generate 12,000 new jobs. From the Africa Hotel Investment Forum in Addis, Marriott International reinforced its commitment to Africa by announcing it expects to add 40 properties and over 8,000 rooms across the continent by the end of 2023. The company also announced signed agreements to open its first property in Cape Verde and further expand its presence in Ethiopia, Kenya and Nigeria. Marriott’s development pipeline through 2023 is estimated to drive investment of over $2 billion from property owners and is expected to generate over 12,000 new jobs in Africa. Marriott International’s current portfolio in Africa encompasses close to 140 properties with more than 24,000 rooms across 14 brands and 20 countries and territories. “Africa is a land of opportunity with untapped potential and remains core to our strategy,” said Alex Kyriakidis, President and Managing Director, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International. “The economic growth the region is witnessing, along with the …

New General Manager Announced at JA Manafaru Maldives

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JA Resorts & Hotels announces the appointment of Karen Merrick as General Manager at multi award-winning island resort, JA Manafaru. JA Resorts & Hotels recently announced the appointment of Scottish National, Karen Merrick to take over the operation of multi award-winning JA Manafaru, the private island resort in the Maldives. Karen is the second female General Manager in the JA Resorts & Hotels portfolio of 8 properties, and currently one of few female General Manager in the Maldives. She joins the JA Manafaru team to maintain the islands longstanding popularity with international guests and to communicate the unique soul of the island with her innate understanding of Maldivian culture and heritage. Karen’s career spans 30 years across a variety of boutique hotels in the Indian Ocean and Europe. This will be Karen’s fifth leadership role in the Maldives, as she has a personal connection to the area with a home on Addu island with her Maldivian husband, Alim. Prior to joining JA Resorts & Hotels, Karen has spent the last three years running the Song …

Choice Hotels Appoints Vikas Bhalla as Chief Transformation Officer

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Newly created role to advance company’s data-driven culture Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), has announced it has appointed Vikas Bhalla to the newly created role of chief transformation officer. As a key member of Choice Hotels’ senior executive leadership team reporting directly to President and Chief Executive Officer Patrick Pacious, Bhalla will advance the company’s data-driven culture and lead the corporate strategy, business transformation, and data analytics teams. In addition to identifying new business opportunities, Bhalla will work closely with Pacious to develop strategies that fuel the company’s long-range growth. “After an extensive search, we’re confident Vikas is the right leader to help position our brands and offerings to appeal to the customer of the future, while expanding the profitability driven by Choice’s platform business,” said Pacious. “As the chief transformation officer, Vikas will further advance our culture of data-informed decision-making, which is core to our business strategy and will remain so in the years ahead.”  Bhalla has more than 20 years of experience shaping business strategies for large corporations. He joins Choice Hotels from CVS Health, one …

Success is on the menu for innovative, eco-friendly disposable plate firm The Good Plate Company

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The war on single-use plastics has found a new ally – The Good Plate Company. Especially when it comes to tackling the colossal amount of rubbish generated by takeaway food outlets, events and festivals. According to WRAP – the national waste reduction charity – the hospitality sector produces two million tonnes of waste every year. The Good Plate Company has found a way to manufacture 100% organic, compostable tableware, including eco-friendly disposable plates, bowls and cutlery. The firm’s ambitious plans to roll out its product line has been given a boost through receiving a start up loan and mentoring from Virgin Start Up and the government Start Up Loans fund This ethical, sustainable tableware is the brainchild of friends Hersh Thaker and Raghav Chandegra. Company Co-Founder Hersh Thaker said: “We’re pleased to have secured the funding and it acts as further validation that we have a real opportunity to grow in this market. “Consumers and businesses are increasingly looking for an alternative choice to single-use plastics and are becoming more conscious about their waste. This …

DoubleTree by Hilton Debuts New Hotels in Southeast Asia’s Booming Travel Hubs

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Newly opened hotels in Bangkok and Phuket amplify the brand’s growth in two of the most visited cities in the world and across the broader Asia Pacific region With new hotels in Thailand’s premiere travel destinations, DoubleTree by Hilton maintained the brand’s rapid development across Asia Pacific, bolstering the Hilton footprint as the fastest growing hospitality company in the region. Worldwide, DoubleTree by Hilton opened 15 hotels in the first half of the year. This month, DoubleTree will celebrate the openings of new properties in two of the world’s most visited cities according to Business Insider – No. 1 ranked Bangkok and No. 12 ranked Phuket. Since opening its first property in Thailand with DoubleTree by Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok in 2013, the brand eyes additional development this year as the country continues to see healthy year-over-year growth in both tourism and business travel. Accommodating business travelers visiting Embassy Row or leisure travellers looking to immerse themselves in Thai culture, DoubleTree by Hilton Ploenchit will open its doors in Bangkok’s city centre with close access to one of the area’s vibrant neighbourhoods. The hotel …