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CHARLOTTE-BASED MAYA HOTELS has acquired two Hampton Inn hotels in North Carolina and South Carolina. The two Hampton Inns boast a total of 210 guest rooms and are Maya Hotels' second and third acquisitions over the last six months, the company said in a statement. The hotels are the 100-room Hampton Inn & Suites Charlotte-Arrowood Road in Charlotte, North Carolina, and the 110-room Hampton Inn Columbia Northeast-Fort Jackson in Columbia, South Carolina. Maya Hotels, led by JD Deva as CEO, acquired the hotels on March 11. The Charlotte property is near Carowinds Amusement Park and Charlotte Douglas International Airport. The Columbia hotel is near U.S. Army Fort Jackson the University of South Carolina and downtown Columbia. Amenities at each hotel include outdoor pools, fitness centers, meeting spaces, and business centers. "We are excited to acquire these two top-branded assets at a discount to replacement cost," said Krishna Deva, vice president of Maya Hotels. "Charlotte and Columbia have historically been top markets for us, and we are thrilled to grow our presence in these two cities with such a strong brand affiliation." The acquired hotels complement Maya Hotels' existing footprint and will increase the current operating synergies the company has across North Carolina and South Carolina regions. The hotels will be renovated and managed by Maya Hotels. "We are so happy to continue growing our relationships with the Charlotte and Columbia communities, as well as with Hilton. We are also thankful to each of our investors and banking partners," said Deva. "The success of this transaction is a testament to our track record in the hospitality industry and our ability to adapt quickly in a rapidly changing lending environment. We look forward to bringing out the full potential of each of these properties with our hands-on management approach and the completion of major renovations at each property."

Did you know that it's possible to be a citizen of the United States and a citizen of another country at the same time? Dual citizens can have two valid passports at one time, and have some special travel and passport considerations when holding passports from two different countries. Find out how to book trips using two different passports and the procedure of applying for or renewing a US passport and foreign passport.

The last two National Football League Offensive Rookie of the Year pursuits quickly turned into two-horse races between a quarterback who was drafted first overall and a running back. Last year, it was the QB, Kyler Murray of the Arizona Cardinals, who outdistanced running back Josh Jacobs of the then-Oakland Raiders. In 2018, QB Baker Mayfield of the Cleveland Browns staged a late rally in the chase for NFL OROY but couldn't run down the leader, running back Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants. Mayfield and Barkley were selected 1-2 in the 2018 NFL Draft. The NFL OROY is annually a popular prop wager with bettors at online sites like the Bovada sportsbook, because of its volatility and unpredictability. The betting odds on this wager tend to be fairly long. Once again this season, though, the battle has again rapidly taken on the look of a two-player showdown. The difference this year is that the two players are both QBs. Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals, like Murray (2019) and Mayfield, a QB selected first overall in the 2020 draft, was the early leader. Recently, though he's been overtaken by another first-year passer, Justin Herbert of the Los Angeles Chargers.

U.S. HOTEL PERFORMANCE was up in the second week of March from the week before, according to STR. ADR was up during the week compared to two years ago. Occupancy was 63.2 percent for the week ending March 12, up from 61.2 percent the week before and down 9.8 percent for the same period in 2019. ADR was $144.68 for the week, increased from $137.96 the week before and up7.7 percent from two years ago. RevPAR was $91.45 for the week, up from $84.39 the week before and down 2.8 percent from the same period two years ago. None of STR's top 25 markets showed an occupancy increase during the period when compared to two years ago. Miami came closest to its 2019 comparable, down 4.7 percent to 84.1 percent.

NEWCRESTIMAGE HAS SOLD most of its hotel portfolio, along with some other properties, in a $822 million transaction with Summit Hotel Properties. Dallas-based NewcrestImage will remain invested in Summit and will own and operate two historic hotels it recently acquired and plans to make new acquisitions in the future. The definitive contribution and purchase agreement includes 27 hotels with 3,709 guestrooms for $776.5 million, or $209,000 per key. It also includes $24.8 million for two parking structures and $20.7 million for the various financial incentives through Summit's joint venture with Singapore-based sovereign wealth fund GIC, made in 2019 to acquire hotels in the U.S. "NewcrestImage has assembled a collection of high-quality distinctive Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, and IHG hotel properties throughout the Sun Belt region, which will be a great addition to Summit's portfolio," said Mehul Patel, NewcrestImage's managing partner and CEO. "As we will become one of Summit's largest shareholders, we have confidence in Summit as one of the industry's leading owners with a highly regarded public platform. We believe the two portfolios create an excellent combination of hotels that have tremendous growth potential and are well-positioned to create long-term shareholder value as the lodging recovery continues."

ALL THE PERFORMANCE metrics of U.S. hotels improved in the first week of November, according to STR. However, it remains below the performance reported two years ago. Occupancy was 59.8 percent for the week ending Nov. 6, up from 58.9 percent the week before and a 13 percent drop from the same period in 2019. ADR for the first week of the month was $128.14, up from $127.70 the week before and down 3.2 percent for the same period in 2019. RevPAR increased to $76.61 from $75.28 the week before. It was reduced by 15.8 percent when compared to the same period two years ago. During the week under review, none of STR's top 25 markets recorded an occupancy increase over 2019. Norfolk/Virginia Beach came closest to its 2019 comparable, down only 5.2 percent to 59.9 percent. The largest ADR increase was reported in Miami, up 13.6 percent to $205.56, when compared to two years ago.

NOBLE INVESTMENT GROUP has acquired two hotels in National Landing, a mixed-use development in Arlington, Virginia, near Washington, D.C. The acquisitions come days after the Atlanta-based company, led by Mit Shah as CEO bought two hotels in Savannah, Georgia. The hotels are the 162-room Hampton Inn & Suites National Landing and the 248-room Hilton Garden Inn National Landing. The neighborhoods of Crystal City, Pentagon City and Potomac Yard comprise the National Landing development, which includes of offices, residential, dining, retail, parks, bike paths, and walking trails. "National Landing is home to more than seventeen million square feet of office, a highly skilled workforce of more than 50,000 people, and an affluent residential population. Virginia's largest walkable downtown, National Landing, further benefits from billions of dollars in private and public investments," Noble said in a press release. "Most notably are the $2.5 billion Amazon HQ2 under development, which will create 25,000 new jobs in National Landing, and Virginia Tech's Innovation Campus, which is expected to drive a new era of technology for the greater Washington D.C. area."

TWO BOUTIQUE HOTELS owned by Vision Hospitality Group, The Grady Louisville Downtown in Louisville, Kentucky, and the Kinley Cincinnati Downtown in Cincinnati, have won different categories of this year's StayBoutique Awards by the Boutique Lifestyle Leaders Association. Mitch Patel, the Chattanooga, Tennessee-based company's president and CEO, was a runner up for BLLA's Iconic Boutique Hotelier. The Grady, which opened in June 2021 and recently reopened after a renovation, took first place for two categories in the BLLA awards, Boutique Hotel Design Project and Boutique Hotel Under 100 Rooms. The Kinley, opened in October 2020, took second place for Boutique Hotel Design Project "We are honored to be recognized in this year's awards program, and we couldn't have done it without our interior design partners," Patel said. "For each of these hotels, we take pride in the historic renovations and thoughtful design work that has gone into making them what they are today."

WAYSIDE INVESTMENT GROUP of Houston and Iridescent Hotels of Dallas are partnering on the management of two hotels in San Antonio, Texas, and Houston. Both companies are relatively new ventures by established hoteliers. The hotels are the 126-room Hyatt Place San Antonio-Northwest/Medical Center and the 113-room Holiday Inn Houston West - Westway Park, and the hotels' new owners are also based in Houston. The Hyatt Place is near San Antonio International Airport, several company headquarters, medical centers and the University of Texas at San Antonio. The Holiday Inn is near USA Baseball, Memorial City Mall, Houston's Energy Corridor, the Galleria, Downtown Houston, Reliant Park and Minute Maid Park. "The addition of these two hotels is testimony to the continued steady growth and expansion of Iridescent Hotels' third-party management team and the collaboration with Wayside Investment Group," the companies said in a statement. "Several more additions are on the horizon for late first quarter and early second quarter."

NEWCRESTIMAGE RECENTLY ACQUIRED the TownePlace Suites by Marriott Dallas Las Colinas in Irving, Texas. It is the most recent acquisition for the Dallas-based investment firm led by Mehul Patel as managing partner and CEO, and the company plans to fully renovate the property, which opened in 1998 and was last renovated in 2014. The 3-floor, 135-suite property offers three types of guestroom: studio, one-bedroom, and two bedroom, according to NewcrestImage. It is near two major airports, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and Love Field, and two major convention centers, the Irving Convention Center and the Gaylord Texan Convention Center. Amenities at the hotel include a fitness center and an outdoor pool. "This extended-stay property is in the heart of a high-traffic corridor that's a popular destination for both corporate and leisure travelers," Patel said. The acquisition of the TownePlace Suites is important to Marriott, said Loren Nalewanski, the company's vice president franchising for the Element, Residence Inn, Fairfield, TownePlace and SpringHill Suites brands. "Our industry is built on strong partnerships between brands and owners," Nalewanski said. "This acquisition enhances the long, valued, and successful partnership between Marriott and NewcrestImage, which has owned and operated 30 Marriott-branded properties since 2013."

U.S. HOTEL PERFORMANCE remained relatively flat during the third week of January, according to STR. Tampa, Florida, led the top 25 markets in terms of occupancy. Occupancy was 48.7 percent for the week ending Jan. 22, and it was 48.8 percent the week before. It was down 15.9 percent from the comparable week in 2019. ADR was $122.17 for the week, almost same as the week before at $122.12 and down 1.4 percent from two years ago. RevPAR reached $59.52, it was $59.57 the prior week and down 17.1 percent from the same period two years ago. None of STR's to 25 markets recorded an occupancy increase during the period compared to two years ago. Tampa came closest to its pre-pandemic comparable in the third week, down just 1.7 percent to 72.1 percent. It also posted the largest ADR rise, up 14 percent to $151.74. The only RevPAR increase was also registered at Tampa, up 12 percent to $109.39.

ATLANTA-BASED HOSPITALITY Lodging Systems has added two Budgetel Inn & Suites and two Haven Hotel properties to its portfolio, according to HLS. Currently, there are 37 Budgetel hotels with 3,813 rooms operating in 10 states plus China and 12 Haven Hotels with 698 rooms in nine states. Both the Budgetel hotels are in metro Atlanta, a 218-room conversion former Clarion, located on the north side of the city and a 121-room property in suburban Lilburn. The new Haven Hotels are 50-all suites, boutique property in the Atlanta suburb of Marietta and a 130-room property in Hazelwood, Missouri, a statement said. "Our brands are attracting owners who want to lower costs and boost profits, especially as our industry struggles to recover from two years of pandemic slowdown," said Doug Collins, chairman and CEO of HLS. "Among the most popular features of our contract are unlimited free online reservations, fewer mandated amenities, and an annual exit opportunity."

Giri Bar Harbor Kebo Inc. and Giri Peabody 57 LLC, doing business as Giri Hotel Management led by Ash Sangani, recently acquired Hampton Inn and Homewood Suites Boston Peabody hotels in Peabody, Massachusetts, respectively. The two properties offer a total of 205 rooms. The hotels are within a 10-mile radius of Salem and 13 miles south of Boston. The properties are near the headquarters of Analogic Corp., Neurological, Lahey Medical, North Shore Medical, and Boston Children's Hospital Peabody. "With the acquisition of these two hotels, we're thrilled to announce the expansion of our portfolio to include eight Hilton-branded hotels," said Sagar Malavia, GHM's partner. "Situated along Route 1, these locations offer prime positioning for an exceptional guest experience for short- and long-term guests. We're dedicated to fostering a welcoming, family atmosphere for our new hotel team members and look forward to fostering excellent relationships with the community for mutual economic success."

TWO PROMINENT AAHOA members recently came out in support of Choice Hotels International's continuing efforts to merge with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, including one who is among Choice's nominations for Wyndham's board of directors. However, AAHOA said it remains concerned about the impact of the deal and released results of a survey of its members that found most opposed the merger. Since Choice first made its offer for Wyndham public in October after Wyndham's initial rejection the two companies have traded barbs trying to convince Wyndham shareholders to support or reject the deal. When Choice earlier this week named its eight nominees for Wyndham's board, among them was Jay Shah, executive chairman at Hersha Hospitality Trust. While Hersha has not replied to two efforts to solicit a comment from Shah about his opinion on Choice's offer, the candidates are expected to support it if elected in Wyndham's 2024 shareholder meeting. Also, in an article in Reuters about the takeover attempt, Mike Leven, who co-founded AAHOA, spoke in favor of the deal.

U.S. EXTENDED-STAY HOTELS showed positive growth in April after a difficult first quarter, according to The Highland Group. Monthly room revenue growth was the highest in nearly a year, demand saw its strongest increase in 16 months, and ADR and RevPAR turned positive after two and four months of decline, respectively. "The performance of extended-stay hotels in April re-established the segment's long-term trend of increasing its market share of total hotel supply, demand and room revenues," said Mark Skinner, partner at The Highland Group. The extended-stay room supply grew 2.8 percent in April, slightly above the average monthly increase over the last two years, the report said. However, April marked 31 consecutive months of 4 percent or less supply growth, with annual supply change under 2 percent for two years-both metrics well below the long-term average.

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Embark on a captivating journey through the heart of India's cultural tapestry with "India Unveiled: A Tale of Two Adventures." Immerse yourself in the vibrant heritage, majestic landmarks, and spiritual sanctuaries of North India, contrasting with the serene landscapes, tropical allure, and ancient marvels of South India. This exploration promises a thrilling odyssey, allowing you to unravel the mystique of two distinct worlds within one extraordinary nation. Choose your path wisely as you navigate The Great Indian Dilemma, discovering which region beckons you for the ultimate adventure.

Sri Lanka is a beautiful tiny island located in the Indian Ocean in Southern Asia, Sri Lanka is a land faced with many environmental challenges, including deforestation and the erosion of coasts due to mining. In addition to these issues, the CIA World Factbook reports that the wildlife is threatened by poachers, pollution and the expansion of urban areas. Slender Loris The slender Loris has extremely thin arms and legs. Its face is dominated by huge round eyes which give it excellent night vision and enable it to hunt for insects during the night. Populations of this small primate are declining because their forest habitats are being destroyed for logging, agriculture and development. The Lorisidae comprises the African angwantibos and pottos and the Asian lorises. These species are thought to share a common ancestor with the bushbabies of Africa (the Galagidae) and the lemurs of Madagascar. The fossil record of the lorids extends back to the Early Miocene (20 million years ago). In the past there has been considerable confusion over slender loris classification. Most authorities now recognize two species of slender loris: Loris tardigradus (with 2 subspecies, both occurring in Sri Lanka) and Loris lydekkerianus (with 4 subspecies, occurring in both India and Sri Lanka). The name slender loris derived from its slender arms and legs. L. tardigradus is smaller than its relative the grey slender loris (L. lydekkerianus). Its small face is dominated by huge round eyes and prominent ears, which are thin, rounded and hairless at the edges. The soft dense fur is a grey or reddish-brown color on the back, depending on the subspecies. The underside is whitish-grey. The species has no tail. The highland slender loris (L. t. nycticeboides) has shorter, thicker limbs relative to body length, a larger head, and thicker fur which completely cover the ears. It superficially resembles the Asian slow loris (Nycticebus coucang). This species is among the most social

Travellers from Odisha will get two more opportunities to book a flight ticket for domestic travelling from Biju Patnaik International Airport. Popular low-cost carrier (LCC) IndiGo has secured the green signal to initiate two flights from Bangalore and Delhi via Visakhapatnam to Bhubaneswar.