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NEWCRESTIMAGE AND HOSPITALITY Capital Partners have acquired 11 hotels in seven states with a total of 1,551 rooms in a joint venture. Al Calhoun and Mark Fair at CBRE in Atlanta handled the transaction. The properties are 10 Courtyards and one Residence Inn in Georgia, Massachusetts, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia, according to NewcrestImage. Dallas-based NewcrestImage owns more than 70 hotels across the country with almost 8,000 rooms. Since its founding in 2013, the company has completed more than $3 billion in transactions involving almost 275 hotels with almost 30,000 hotel rooms in 130 communities across the country. "Our company has a strong appetite for solid investment opportunities," said Mehul Patel, NewcrestImage managing partner and CEO. "These properties and markets offer attractive potential for both profits and appreciation value." HCP and its principals Keith Mishkin and Primo Parmar have owned nearly 50 hotels in the western U.S., including The Saguaro Scottsdale in that Arizona city's historic Old Town area. Other projects include 25 golf courses through their associated company, Parks Legacy Project.

A NEW ENVIRONMENTAL, social and governance report released by Choice Hotels International highlights steps that would allow the company to reduce utility costs, save time for franchisees, and increase Choice's ESG commitments. Those steps include new energy- and water-saving technology, diversity goals for hotel ownership and more. The report entitled "Building a Better Tomorrow, Today" lays out the company's plan to being a good corporate citizen, according to a release. "Choice Hotels shares a uniting belief that tomorrow will be even better than today, and we are committed to building that better tomorrow," said Patrick Pacious, Choice's CEO, in the report. "As one of the largest lodging franchisors in the world, we are building on more than 80 years of success in developing a portfolio of diversified brands and creating a lasting, sustainable legacy for the future - one hotel, one family, one community at a time." Key findings The report further details measures being undertaken by Choice to integrate ESG standards and principles into its long-term decision-making and operations, including: Reporting Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions for the first time and aligning ESG disclosures with the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board standards and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Appointing an executive with knowledge of the business as vice president, sustainability and creating two new ESG governance forums to strengthen Choice's ESG strategy and execution. Joining the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, a global network that champions responsible hospitality, and becoming one of its largest members. Relaunching HERtels by Choice, driving a 53 percent year-over-year increase in the company's hotel franchise deals with woman owners. Committing $25 million in incentives for contracts with underrepresented minority and woman owners by 2025. Setting a goal to increase the representation of women in senior leadership roles to 50

PUNEET CHHATWAL, MANAGING director and CEO of Indian Hotels Company Limited, the owner of Taj Hotels, has been appointed as the new chairman of the Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism & Hospitality. He succeeds ITC executive director Nakul Anand, who retired this week, FAITH said in a statement. Several national tourism and hotel associations, including the National Associations of Tour Operators, travel agents, hotels, transport operators, conventions & exhibition operators, and restaurants and tourism attractions, are members of FAITH. "With the backing of all members, my commitment is to develop this into a focused policy advocacy organization addressing issues in the tourism and hospitality industry, continuing the legacy established by Anand," said Chhatwal.

SAI LLC, LED by president Rajesh "Raj" Bhagia, recently won the 2023 Hilton Americas Development Award for New Build - Tru by Hilton in Brooklyn, New York. The 101-room Tru by Hilton Brooklyn, which opened in March, marked the brand's debut in New York city. The Hilton Development team selected 52 winners based on criteria such as quality of hotels developed and in operation, commitment to quality of projects, impact on local community and early adoption of newer brands, Hilton said in a statement. Along with the Development Awards by Brand, categories included Lifetime Achievement Award, New Developer of the Year, Conversion Developer of the Year, Multi-Brand Developer of the Year, Multi-Brand Deal of the Year and Developer of the Year by Category. "We are thrilled to celebrate our owner and development partners who are the recipients of the 2023 Americas Development Award," said Danny Hughes, Hilton's president for the Americas. "Over the last year, we've seen travel continue to grow across the Americas, creating even more opportunities for our partners to welcome guests to their hotels in exciting destinations across every corner of the region. From our legacy properties to our new developments, we are excited to see this continued growth and add even more exceptional hotels to our portfolio."

HYATT HOTELS CORPORATION plans to expand its brand portfolio in India and Southwest Asia, with eight new hotels set to open across various leisure and city destinations in 2024. The expansion will focus on Hyatt Regency, Hyatt Place and Hyatt Centric brands and is timed to coincide with an expected rebound of travel in the country and sub-continent, Hyatt said in a statement. "Southwest Asia continues to demonstrate high growth potential and is among the top global growth markets for Hyatt, said Sunjae Sharma, Hyatt's managing director for India and Southwest Asia. "We have strong expansion plans for 2024 across our portfolio encompassing our legacy brands like Hyatt Regency, Hyatt Place and Hyatt Centric across destinations that will strengthen our brand presence in key markets. This expansion represents our strong commitment and confidence in the Southwest Asia region." Hyatt is also expanding its luxury and lifestyle brands in India, including the recent launch of JdV by Hyatt with the opening of Ronil Goa, the statement said. JdV by Hyatt is the ninth brand introduced by Hyatt in India, reaffirming its commitment to expanding its presence in the country.

HILTON RECENTLY INTRODUCED a new North American prototype and refreshed global brand identity for its Hampton Inn and Hampton Inn & Suites brands. The prototype is scheduled for its inaugural hotel opening in early 2025, Hilton said in a statement. "With a legacy of leadership and performance spanning four decades, Hampton by Hilton continues to stand as a beacon of humanity, connecting people from around the globe and delivering a reliable and friendly stay in each one of our hotels," said Shruti Gandhi Buckley, Hampton by Hilton's senior vice president and brand leader. "As we unveil our new North American prototype and refreshed visual identity, we embark on an exciting new chapter for Hampton. This is a celebration of our core values and signifies a renewed commitment to our owners, guests and team members." The prototype is designed to adapt to various market conditions and site restrictions while improving the guest experience, the statement said. Informed by guest and owner insights, as well as design trends, these updates aim to enhance guest functionality and comfort while optimizing costs for owners in terms of building, operating, and renovating.

AAHOA OFFICERS RECENTLY participated in a White House reception for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. AAHOA Chairman Miraj Patel and Laura Lee Blake, the association's president and CEO, represented the association. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris made remarks at the reception held in the Rose Garden, recognizing the AANHPI community, AAHOA said in a statement. "We were honored and privileged to represent AAHOA and our 20,000 members at the historic White House celebration," said Patel. "This event highlights the AA and NHPI communities' remarkable contributions to the U.S., mirroring AAHOA's representation of Asian American entrepreneurship in hospitality for the past 35 years. As we reflect on our rich heritage during AANHPI Month, we honor the incredible legacy of Asian American hoteliers and entrepreneurs who have shaped, and continue to shape, our industry and nation."

Christmas is round the corner and the year is about to fade away, this part of the calendar year is meant for jubilation, fun and frolic. A part of the year that is attached to vacations and festivity. Each part of the globe has its own ways and cultures, different methods of celebrating.

The historical city of Madhya Pradesh, Gwalior is all about spectacular palaces, old temples and the medieval fort. The city makes many jaws drop with its finest exemplars of architecture belonging to the bygone era.

India Tours -India's debt-laden national carrier Air India makes a loss of nearly 100 million rupees ($1.9 million) every day, the country's civil aviation minister told parliament on Wednesday. The country's fourth-largest airline by market share has been hit hard by rising fuel prices and fierce competition which have added to its legacy of labour problems, crushing debts and a costly merger in 2007.

Prithvi Raj Singh Oberoi, also known as 'Biki,' a stalwart of Indian hospitality and chairman emeritus of the Oberoi Group, passed away on Nov. 14 at the age of 94. Oberoi served as the executive chairman of EIH Limited, the flagship company of The Oberoi Group, and as the chairman of Oberoi Hotels Private Limited, the major shareholder of EIH Limited. "It is with profound grief and sorrow that we wish to inform you of the peaceful passing of our beloved leader, P.R.S. Oberoi, chairman emeritus earlier today," The Oberoi Group said in a statement. "His passing is a significant loss for The Oberoi Group and the hospitality industry in India and overseas." Oberoi is acknowledged as a key figure in the Indian hotel industry, contributing to the globalization of Oberoi hotels by establishing a presence in major cities. He received notable accolades, including the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian honor, awarded in January 2008 for exceptional service to the country.

Discover Greece's charms through its cinematic hotels! Explore the top 10 hotels in Greece that have appeared in movies and television shows; each offers distinctive experiences and stunning vistas. These hotels, which capture the spirit of Greece's captivating landscapes and rich cultural legacy, have been featured in well-known films and music videos. From the picturesque coasts of Mykonos to the historic elegance of Athens. These hotels are ideal for both tourists and movie buffs, offering an amazing stay drenched in glamorous movies.