Wynn Resorts announces plans for resort expansion

Steve Wynn and Wynn Resorts have discussed plans at an investor conference for a new entertainment destination built around a first-ever recreational lake concept. The development is subject to approval by the company’s Board of Directors and will include a 38 acre lagoon, surrounded by premium meetings and convention space, a 1,000 room hotel tower, a small casino and extensive dining and nightlife. The elaborate water attraction will include both daytime and nighttime entertainment elements.

“We have a chance to reinvent Las Vegas and make the whole venue an entertainment attraction…an idyllic beach paradise surrounded by white sand beaches,” said Steve Wynn chairman and CEO of Wynn Resorts. “People come to Las Vegas from all over the world to live large and have a good time and we can dish up an irresistible entertainment attraction.”

Tentatively called Wynn Paradise Park, the expansion will be constructed on approximately 130 acres of real estate that currently houses the Wynn Golf Club. The proposed lagoon will be lined by a pristine white sand beach and boardwalk and feature an array of daytime activities including water skiing, paddle boarding and parasailing. At night, the space will transform with an elaborate fireworks display that is launched from the 120 ft. center island and surrounding areas.

Wynn Paradise Park will add 260,000 square feet of premium meetings space with unobstructed views of the waterfront, spacious guest rooms with a separate bedroom, living room and balcony, and a variety of restaurants, including an expansion of the current Country Club restaurant.

In addition, the resort is also developing Wynn Plaza, an expansive retail complex featuring 75,518 square feet of luxury retail space. Debuting fall 2017, the uniquely designed complex will augment the existing luxury retail collection currently showcased at Wynn Las Vegas and Encore as well as bring the shopping experience to the high traffic area bordering Las Vegas Blvd.

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Karen Hana named General Manager of Alegria in St. Maarten

Veteran Caribbean hotel industry professional Karen Hana has been appointed General Manager of one the newest hotels in the Choice Hotels International Caribbean portfolio on the island of St. Maarten.

Hana, who was most recently Executive Director of the St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association, takes charge of the recently renovated Alegria, a distinctive 78-room resort on the southern coast of St. Maarten. Alegria joins Choice Hotels’ Ascend Hotel Collection, a global portfolio of independent boutique-style hotels and resorts.

A graduate of The Hague Hotel Management School in the Netherlands, with 22 years of experience working in the St. Maarten tourism sector, Hana – a Dutch native – grew up and worked in Mexico and the Caribbean. She has extensive experience working at resorts ranging from all-inclusive to timeshare, from boutique hotels to large chain hotels.

“Karen is a consummate professional and we expect her leadership to translate into the positioning of Alegria as a leading hotel and guest experience on the island,” said Fadi Salem, Chief Operations Officer of Alegria.

Hana welcomed the opportunity to make a difference in the island she now calls home. “We look forward to welcoming many more guests to Alegria,” she said, explaining that the hotel has benefited from a thorough refresh.

Hana reported that the response to the hotel has been encouraging. “With new bedding, new amenities and with the Ascend Hotel Collection, guests are just thrilled,” she said.

Overlooking the ocean at Sunset Beach and adjacent to Maho beach, Alegria is an oasis where guests can immerse themselves in world-famous white sand beaches or join the visitors from around the world who flock to Maho Beach to experience the close-up excitement of jets soaring overhead as they approach Princess Juliana International Airport. In contrast, the night skies remain clear, as the airport restricts flights after 9 p.m.

The hotel is a short taxi ride from Philipsburg, capital of the island’s Dutch side, and numerous beaches.

Nearby attractions include the Loterie Farm Nature Reserve nestled in the hillside of Pic Paradis on the French side of St. Martin which offers dining, hiking and zip-lining over the treetop canopy. Guests can also make day-trips to neighboring islands, visit Fort Amsterdam, a historic site that was built by Dutch settlers in 1631 and renowned for its architectural ruins and spectacular views, and enjoy the wide variety of culinary offerings. on an island dubbed the Gourmet Capital of the Caribbean.

Alegria offers several spacious room types that are fully equipped with upscale amenities and balcony views of the gardens or turquoise Caribbean waters. The two-bedroom penthouse features more than 2,000 square feet of space, king beds, two and a half baths, a lounge area with sofa bed, designer kitchen, and a washer and dryer.

The hotel also has two pools with a swim-up bar, and duty-free shopping is just a short walk away. Excellent dining options, casinos, nightclubs and an 18-hole championship golf course are also nearby.

The Choice Hotels International Caribbean portfolio currently includes hotels in the Caribbean destinations of Aruba, The Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Curaçao, Dominican Republic, Guyana, Puerto Rico and St. Maarten.

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Amy Delegal-Fox appointed Director of Sales & Marketing for Hotel Zelos

Benchmark Hospitality International, a U.S.-based hospitality management company, has named Amy Delegal-Fox director of sales & marketing for Hotel Zelos, a Personal Luxury property located in San Francisco, California. Sietse Nabben, general manager, made the announcement.

“It is with pleasure that I formally welcome Amy to Hotel Zelos,” said Mr. Nabben. “She has invested much of her hospitality career within our regional market and brings a vast customer sales network to our property. She is a wonderful addition to our leadership team.”

Amy Delegal-Fox was most recently area director of sales and marketing for Evolution Hospitality, responsible for the Hyatt Fisherman’s Wharf and Hotel Adagio, both of San Francisco, California. Previous to this, Ms. Delegal-Fox was director of sales and marketing for the San Mateo Marriott of San Mateo, California. Earlier in her career, she was senior convention sales manager for the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Ms. Delegal-Fox is a graduate of the University of South western Louisiana, located in Lafayette, Louisiana, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. She resides in Berkeley, California.

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The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa appoints Julie Tainter as Director of Sales and Marketing

Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa is proud to announce the appointment of Julie Tainter as director of sales and marketing. With more than 30 years of experience, Tainter will collaborate with the resort’s sales, marketing, and public relations teams to drive sales and exceed revenue goals for the 487 room desert property.

Spearheading The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa’s sales and marketing efforts, Tainter will work with the Starwood field marketing team alongside a national and local public relations firm to oversee creative design, marketing, social media, and PR efforts. Additionally, Tainter will direct and supervise day-to-day sales operations encompassing groups, leisure, catering, convention services, and business development.

“Julie’s multitude of experience coupled with a hunger for results will inevitably propel our meetings and leisure business,” said General Manager, Glenn Sampert. “With Julie at the helm, I am certain our resort will continue to thrive as we celebrate our 30th anniversary.”

Most recently, Tainter served as director of sales and marketing for Tucson-based Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort & Spa where she was recognized as the 2014 Woman of Influence – Hotel Champion by Inside Tucson Business. During her time at the resort, Tainter’s responsibilities included overseeing sales, marketing, convention services, and media while directing the creative design process and marketing efforts. Prior to that role, Tainter oversaw a portfolio of hotels and resorts as corporate director of sales and marketing for River Hospitality Management LLC and American Property Management Corporation, in addition to her own hospitality consulting firm – J. Tainter & Company.

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NEW RESTAURANTS FROM SARABETH’S, TAILLEVENT — AND JESSICA BIEL

Jessica Biel is going into the restaurant business. The actress and her business partner Estee Stanley are opening the child-friendly, all-day eatery Au Fudge in West Hollywood, Calif., this month. Children will have a spacious area for activities like fingerprinting T-shirts, and adults can choose from a menu that includes coffees, a full range of alcoholic drinks and salads. Fudge, as the name suggests, will also be served.

Sarabeth’s, the New York-based brand of casual American restaurants and bakeries, is in the midst of an international expansion. Sarabeth Levine, the company’s founder, started the growth in 2012 with a location in Tokyo. She has since opened four more restaurants in Tokyo and Osaka, Japan. Last fall, she opened a restaurant and bakery in Pangyo, South Korea, just outside of Seoul, and in mid-March, she’s set to open in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, at City Walk 2, a new mall in the city center. More Sarabeth’s restaurants are planned for Japan and Taiwan.

Three new restaurants are opening this year at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas: Beauty & Essex, the popular small plates eatery on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, will have a location within the next few months; Eggslut, an all-day restaurant in Los Angeles emphasizing eggs, will open in the spring; and later in the year, the contemporary Japanese spot Zuma will open at the resort.

Taillevent Paris, the family-owned hospitality group behind Le Taillevent in Paris, which has earned two Michelin stars, recently introduced Les 110 de Taillevent London, a wine bar and brasserie in Cavendish Square in London. The casual eatery is open from breakfast through dinner, and serves contemporary and seasonal French dishes and 110 wines by the glass.

Post copied from: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/06/travel/hotel-and-restaurant-news-an-ace-is-opening-in-new-orleans.html?_r=0

Indian Hotel Industry revenue to grow 9-10 % in FY 17

MUMBAI: The country's hotel industry revenues are likely to improve by 9-10 per cent in 2016-17, mainly aided by improved occupancy, rating agency ICRABSE 2.75 % said.

It estimates the topline growth for the industry to be 8 per cent during 2015-16.

The pan-India average room rate (ARR) will be flat for 2015-16, but occupancy improvements of 6-7 per cent supports revenue per available room (Rev Par) growth of 7 percent it said in the report.

Room inventory in the premium category is estimated to increase by 8 per cent for 2015-16, compared to 4 per cent during 2014-15.

With deferment in construction, supply addition would be lower than earlier estimates at 7.7-8 per cent for 2016-17.

Domestic travel, going by domestic airline Revenue Passenger Kilometre ( RPKM) trends exhibited strong growth during the past 12 months indicating improving consumer confidence, it said.

However, given the muted global economic outlook, Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) growth for CY2016 is expected to be subdued.

Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) slowed down to 4.4 per cent during Calendar year 2015 (7.1 per cent during 2014). FTA segment continues to remain far below its true potential, ICRA report pointed out.

Further, it said, the per capita dollar spend by tourists declined shaply in 2015 after remaining stagnant in three years.

Read more at:

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/50745617.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

 

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Charles Loop appointed CFO at DHISCO

Charles Loop, an industry distribution veteran has today been appointed CFO at DHISCO, the largest single processor of electronic hotel transactions.

Charles brings more than 20 years of experience at Sabre Corp., a major travel distribution company, including the position of chief financial officer of Sabre Travel Network. His appointment completes DHISCO’s senior leadership team and underscores its investors’ commitment to the company.

“Charles Loop’s vast experience and knowledge of the travel distribution business will help DHISCO and its new leadership team deliver intelligent booking systems that drive our partners’ success,” said Toni Portmann, DHISCO chief executive officer, adding that Loop will be able to “hit the ground running with a focus on profitability, costs, margins and ROI.”

In addition to providing financial oversight, he will play a key role in the company’s strategic product positioning and pricing.

Loop joined Sabre in 1994 as a senior analyst, moving up to vice president of Sabre Travel Network sales and operations. In 2004, he joined Sabre’s Travelocity subsidiary as financial operations controller and led the post-acquisition financial integration of Travelocity Europe and lastminute.com. He was CFO of Travelocity in Europe from 2005 until 2006 and appointed CFO of Sabre Travel Network in 2013.

For more information on DHISCO visit http://www.dhisco.com/

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Arantxa Balson is appointed Chief Human Resources Officer

Arantxa Balson will join Accor as Chief Human Resources Officer. She will be a member of the Group’s Executive Committee and her appointment will be effective as of May 4th 2015.

Evelyne Chabrot, Accor’s current Chief Human Resources Officer, has decided in full agreement with the Group’s senior executives, that after over forty years with Accor, she will now devote her time to personal projects in active retirement. Evelyne Chabrot will accompany this transition to ensure a smooth handover.

Referring to this appointment, Sébastien Bazin, Chairman and CEO of Accor declared: “We have been working with Evelyne and the Executive Committee for several months to prepare this change in our organization. Evelyne has played an essential role in accompanying the Group’s transformation, but I would also especially like to pay tribute to her commitment, integrity, thoughtfulness and unfailing attachment to Accor. I know that this transition will be a very emotional one for her. It will also be charged with emotion for the 170,000 Accor employees who I will represent in honoring her. I am very happy that Arantxa has agreed to join Accor, to take up the torch and continue the work undertaken by the Human Resources teams. Her international experience, knowledge of the challenges facing an increasingly digital world, and enthusiasm, will be essential qualities in ensuring that the transformation of our Group is a complete success”.

Arantxa Balson is Spanish and 50 years old. She has a degree in Educational Psychology from the Universidad de Comillas and an MBA from ICADE’s School of Management and Economic Sciences in Madrid. She also has a postgraduate diploma in Human Resources Management and Social Relations from Université Paris IX Dauphine.

Arantxa Balson started her career in 1994 at France Télécom where she was in charge of international training. In 1998, she joined Lucent Technologies (now Alcatel-Lucent) where she held various positions as Human Resources Director in Western Europe, then in Spain and Portugal. Then she joined Lucent Worldwide Services EMEA as HR Director, a position she combined with another role as HR support for the transformation of the Supply Chain and Corporate Centers in the region. In 2004, she joined Endesa, the leading electricity utility in Spain and Latin America, as Director of Development and HR Innovation.

Ever since 2010, she has been Director of Human Resources at Adeo, Europe’s leading DIY and home improvement retailer. In this capacity, she notably accompanied the digital transformation and equipped the group’s companies with learning and open innovation platforms.

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Matt Taylor appointed as General Manager Marketing for Choice Hotels Australasia

Choice Hotels Australasia has appointed Matt Taylor as General Manager Marketing following his significant contribution to the company during a period of growth.

Trent Fraser, Choice’s CEO, said Taylor has been integral in leading the strategic marketing direction for Choice Hotels across Australasia, and as a result of his management and marketing initiatives, the company has experienced significant increases in brand awareness, consumer engagement and bottom line growth.

“Matt has done a terrific job in leading the business, achieving strong results and implementing innovative initiatives for our franchisee network over the last few years but especially over the past 12 months,” said Fraser.

Having built a career in retail and tourism, Taylor’s experience has provided a solid foundation for Choice Hotels since he joined in 2012.

In his time at Choice, Taylor has led the implementation of many digital, online and social strategies for the brand.  In 2015, the Choice Hotels’ Marketing team launched the local area marketing kit (LAMkit), a cloud-based platform which allows franchisees to create their own marketing collateral and stationery remotely. The portal then links directly to printers and digital advertising systems to make the process easy for franchisees.

Sponsorship has been a significant focus for Taylor, including establishing partnerships with the PGA of Australia, New Zealand Golf, Australian Cricketers Association, New Zealand Cricket Players Association and charity partners Cystic Fibrosis New Zealand and Kids Under Cover.

Before commencing his role with Choice Hotels, Taylor began his career with PETstock, where over a seven year period he built his way up to General Manager Marketing, before holding positions with Crazy Johns as the National Marketing and Communications Manager and Global Retail Brands as the National Marketing Manager.

Choice Hotels Australasia has more than 270 hotels across Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. For more information go to www.choicehotels.com.au

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