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HILTON HOTELS & RESORTS retained its title as the world's most valuable hotel brand for the ninth consecutive year, while Hyatt Hotels Corp. secured the second spot again, according to the latest data from Brand Finance. Meanwhile, India's Taj Hotels is the world's second-fastest-growing brand, primarily due to revenue growth and improved brand strength. Hilton's brand value is estimated at $11.6 billion in the Brand Finance Global 500 2024 ranking. Hyatt holds a value of $6 billion, and Taj increased its brand value by 45 percent to $545 million, Brand Finance said in a statement. "Many top hotel brands have struggled to grow their brand value as robustly as in the years leading up to 2020, and the Brand Finance Hotels 2024 ranking shows that these challenges are ongoing as the industry recovers," said Henry Farr, Brand Finance's associate director. "Despite an uptick in travel and hotel demand, the actual growth hasn't matched expectations, resulting in slight declines or minimal brand value growth for the world's leading hotel brands."

HILTON WORDLWIDE HOLDINGS aims to double its 350 lifestyle hotels by 2028, planning to add 350 more within four years, including 100 this year. Also, the company appointed Kevin Osterhaus as president of global lifestyle brands to oversee the growth, design, and development of Canopy by Hilton, Curio Collection by Hilton, Graduate by Hilton, Motto by Hilton, Tapestry Collection by Hilton and Tempo by Hilton. The growth will be supported by the addition of the Graduate and NoMad brands, Hilton said in a statement. The company added more than 50 new lifestyle hotels and approved another 100 in 2023. Additionally, this year will mark the debut of Hilton's 400th property in this category. "As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of Hilton's entry into the lifestyle segment, we look ahead to even more rapid growth with a powerhouse lineup of brands that will meet the needs of developers and guests alike in some of the world's most desirable locations," said Kevin Jacobs, Hilton's chief financial officer and president, global development. "The recent addition of the Graduate and NoMad brands to our lifestyle and luxury lifestyle portfolio will accelerate our growth as we look for more opportunities to deliver the exceptional experiences guests want in the world's top hotel destinations."

Planning a wedding proposal? Why not do it at the world's largest oceanarium? See how hundreds of guests and thousands of marine animals played witness to this couple's engagement at S.E.A. Aquarium's Ocean Gallery.

Ready for a sneak peek of the Marine Life Park?

A brand new original theatrical magic spectacular, Incanto will feature Joe Laber, one of the world's top illusionists. It will also showcase an ensemble of 50 international performers in a high-energy combination of extraordinary illusion, acrobatics, vocals and dynamic dance moves.

Get ready to come face to face with some of the oceans' most fascinating creatures at the Marine Life Park, Resorts World Sentosa's latest offering. Here's a sneak peek at how you can choose to stay dry, or get soaking wet at two separate ticketed attractions, at the world's largest oceanarium!

Airports with unique topographies, difficult runways and unusual approaches make take-off and landing operations extremely hazardous. Airport-technology.com picks the airports with the world's most dangerous landing and take off conditions. Tenzing-Hillary Airport, Nepal Tenzing-Hillary Airport, also known as Lukla Airport, located in the town of Lukla, Nepal, has a tiny runway surrounded by precipitous mountains at an elevation of 2,860m.

EV HOTELS, A new technology-centric hotel brand founded by Ken Patel, is entering the "metaverse" by way of a partnership with "metavestor" club BAPESWORLD. Patel said his will be the first hotel company to play in the still fluidly defined metaverse, essentially a combination of online gaming, virtual reality, cyber meeting spaces and ecommerce. When completed, EV Hotels will include a "crypto trade floor" in partnership with EV Hotel has partnered with cryptocurrency and NFT exchange Chicago Digital Exchange where the crypto trading community can meet in person to share information and expertise. Individual traders and companies will be able to buy membership trading rights through CDX that will include discounted exchange fees and other exchange amenities at the EV Hotel trading floors. Under the new agreement, BAPES will be featured in the "non-fungible tokens" lobby where it will have NFTs for sale for in-person and in the metaverse. "Ventures like this are new to the hospitality and digital world, and that is why I am excited to announce the partnership between EV Hotel and BAPE," Patel said. "This sort of partnership usually does not come to market, and to have metaverse in the same sentence with hospitality is unheard of. The world's first hotel brand to hit the metaverse. What we are doing is to create an experience that brings hospitality back and gives it life again. Innovation is a team sport, and this venture merges the capabilities of our respective teams."

HILTON AND HILTON Global Foundation recently introduced Hilton Cares. The program providing $500,000 in scholarships and financial aid for employees and community members interested in pursuing careers in hospitality. Applications for the program open in early 2024, Hilton said in a statement. Hilton also was named the World's Best Workplace by Fortune magazine and Great Place to Work's latest rankings. The company also was named the Best Workplace for Women in the U.S. and maintained its No. 1 Best Workplace status in various countries in 2023, including Argentina, Austria, China, Dominican Republic, France, India, Italy, Peru, Portugal, Switzerland and Uruguay. "At Hilton, we are building a fully human experience at work, where our team members feel like they are seen, they are welcome, and they are part of something greater than themselves," said Laura Fuentes, Hilton's chief human resources officer. "This recognition reinforces what employees are looking for - a workplace culture that helps them reach their full potential."

NOBLE INVESTMENT GROUP recently acquired two hotels in Savannah, Georgia. The hotels are the Hampton Inn Savannah Historic District and Holiday Inn Express Savannah Historic District. Chattanooga, Tennessee-based Noble, led by Mit Shah as CEO, acquired the hotels because of their position in Savannah's historic district. The city recently was named Travel + Leisure magazine's No. 3 Top City in the U.S. and included on TIME's list of The World's Greatest Places of 2021. The 7-floor, 143-room Holiday Inn Express has 2,765 square feet of meeting space, a rooftop pool and the Port Royal Tavern in the lobby. The 147-room Hampton Inn has an outdoor pool, a fitness center and a business center. In the historic district, the hotels are near museums, historic landmarks, mansions, and monuments from the Revolutionary and Civil War eras. Both hotels are on East Bay Street across the Savannah River from the Savannah Convention Center and River Street shopping and entertainment area.

GEOFF BALLOTTI, PRESIDENT and CEO of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, is the second recipient of the Arne Sorenson Social Impact Leadership Award. The award is presented by the American Hotel & Lodging Association, the American Hotel & Lodging Foundation and the BHN Group. Ballotti will receive the award Jan. 22 AHLA Foundation's premier fundraising gala, Night of a Thousand Stars, and again during the 22nd Annual Americas Lodging Investment Summit in Los Angeles on Jan. 24, according to AHLA. The award is named after Arne Sorenson, the former president and CEO of Marriott International who passed away in 2021, and in December of that year David Kong, the recently retired president and CEO of Best Western Hotel Group, was the inaugural recipient. "Geoff - much like Arne - is a true embodiment of all the good that hospitality represents. His empathy, his accessibility and his commitment to doing the right thing is what makes him one of our industry's greatest leaders," said Chip Rogers, AHLA president and CEO. "The story of his success, from dishwasher to CEO of the world's largest hotel franchisor, is inspirational - as is his dedication to ensuring the success of future hotel leaders. I am lucky to call Geoff a colleague and friend, and it fills me with pride to honor him with this award."

AAHOA MEMBERS IN the U.S. will now have access to more workforce training opportunities and products from India under the new "Made in India" agreement made with that country. The agreement came about as a result of meetings between a delegation of AAHOA board members and Indian officials. Bharat Patel AAHOA chairman, Treasurer Kamalesh "KP" Patel and others met with the Chief Minister of Gujarat Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel to discuss the partnership, AAHOA said in a statement. It includes: Partnering with India-based educational institutions to implement training programs and skill-development initiatives that will equip young individuals to pursue successful and global careers in hospitality. Actively promoting, prioritizing and providing support for the sourcing of "Made in India" products, including textiles, furniture, and plumbing fixtures, for U.S.-based hospitality businesses. "With strong family ties and a significant footprint in the United States encompassing more than 36,000 properties, the AAHOA community is uniquely positioned to showcase the best of India to the world," said Bharat, who mentioned the program in June when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the U.S. "Our new initiatives aim to not only fuel economic and workforce development and progress, but to create a stronger platform for the exchange of ideas and innovation between the world's leading democracies."

THE U.S. REMAINS the world's top travel and tourism market, contributing a record $2.36 trillion to the economy last year, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council. Despite a slow recovery in international spending, the U.S. holds nearly double the economic contribution of its closest competitor. The council's 2024 Economic Impact Trends Report found that travel and tourism remain vital to many economies, supporting millions of jobs worldwide. "As we look forward to a record-breaking 2024, it's clear that travel and tourism are not only back on track but also set to achieve unprecedented growth," said Julia Simpson, WTTC's president and CEO. "We will continue to prioritize sustainability and inclusivity, ensuring that this growth benefits everyone and protects our planet for future generations. The sector's resilience and potential for innovation continue to drive us forward."

HYATT HOTELS CORP. recently selected the Oracle OPERA Cloud hospitality platform as the property management system for its global portfolio of more than 1,000 hotels and all-inclusive properties. The new PMS is expected to streamline operations, standardize data management and enhance guest experiences by enabling personalized service through a deeper understanding of guest preferences across stays. With OPERA Cloud's mobile capability, Hyatt employees can assist guests from anywhere, anytime, the companies said in a statement. "As one of the world's top hospitality companies, Hyatt is committed to caring for people so they can be their best," said Cameron Hammond, Hyatt's senior vice president of global field technology services. "In today's evolving environment, technology plays a critical role in empowering our colleagues to continue delivering unforgettable experiences to our guests. By moving to OPERA Cloud and extending our long-standing collaboration with Oracle, we will provide our operators and colleagues with a modern, secure platform to deliver better data insights and elevate their roles with greater ease and efficiency."

MORE WEALTH AMONG 1.5 billion people in India is driving a surge in new travelers with increased disposable income, creating significant demand for hotel rooms across the subcontinent, according to HotStats. This demand spans all asset classes, making it both easier and more challenging for developers and operators to determine what to build and operate. HotStats' latest blog reveals that India's hospitality sector is poised for growth due to its expanding economy, population and market performance. "India mirrors China's growth from 20 years ago, but a key difference emerged when India recently surpassed China as the world's most populous nation," wrote Tareq Bagaeen, HotStats' senior consultant. "While China's population is set to drop below one billion in the coming decades, India will continue growing, reaching 1.7 billion in 30 years. With a growing economy and strong market performance, India's hospitality sector is primed for growth."

APPROXIMATELY 53 PERCENT of Americans plan not to use all their vacation time this year, despite receiving 12 days annually, the fewest of any country, according to a recent study by travel platform Expedia. Vacation deprivation in the U.S., defined as the feeling of not having enough time off, reached an 11-year high at 65 percent, even as rates have decreased in many other parts of the world. Expedia's 24th annual Vacation Deprivation Report 2024, which surveyed 11,580 people across 11 countries in March and April, found that American and Japanese workers take a similar number of days off each year, 11 and 12 respectively. However, Japan has the world's lowest vacation deprivation level at 53 percent. This may be due to Japanese workers taking more frequent short vacations and prioritizing relaxation during their getaways, Expedia said.

Courtyard by Marriott Reno Sparks is now open in the Reno-Sparks area of northern Nevada. The four-story hotel, with 127 rooms and suites, is owned by Galaxy Hotels Group, led by CEO Jagmohan "Jag" Dhillon. The opening marks Galaxy's sixth hotel in Nevada, expanding its portfolio to 900 keys statewide. "Northern Nevada is experiencing impressive economic growth," said Dhillon. "To support the area's growing demand, we're excited to welcome guests to our brand-new Courtyard by Marriott Reno Sparks, where they can experience elevated accommodations and hospitality." The hotel includes an indoor pool, a 1,700-square-foot fitness center, an outdoor courtyard with a firepit, one meeting room and a collaboration room. It is located near Tesla's Gigafactory Nevada in the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center, the world's largest industrial complex.

INDIAN PRIME MINISTER Narendra Modi declared victory as his coalition secured more than half of the parliamentary seats, setting him on course for a third consecutive term - the first in over 60 years. This follows a six-week-long election in which nearly 1 billion people were eligible to vote. "The National Democratic Alliance is going to form the government for the third time," Modi said in a speech at the Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters in New Delhi. "We are grateful to the people. This is a victory for the world's largest democracy." However, BJP's celebrations seem relatively muted. Modi's alliance had set a bullish target of winning 400 out of 543 parliamentary seats. While the BJP secured 240 seats, the NDA alliance's total is approximately 292, according to India's election commission. The I.N.D.I.A coalition of opposition parties picked up 234 seats, defying exit polls that predicted a much lower tally.

HOSPITALITY SOFTWARE PROVIDER Canary Technologies recently closed a $50 million Series C funding round to research AI guest technology in the hospitality sector, bringing its total fundraising to nearly $100 million. The company's software includes mobile check-in and checkout, tablet registration, upsells, guest messaging, Canary AI and digital tipping. The recent investment round was led by global software investor Insight Partners, who also led the company's Series B, with participation from existing investors F-Prime Capital, Thayer Ventures, Y-Combinator and Commerce Ventures, Canary said in a statement. California-based Canary is led by CEO Harman Singh Narula and President SJ Sawhney. "AI is transforming the way we live, work and travel," said Narula. "Canary is at the forefront of delivering enterprise-grade hospitality AI solutions that empower hoteliers to streamline operations, boost efficiency and elevate the guest experience, This funding milestone is a reflection of the team's hard work and the immense impact that Canary is making for hoteliers, including many of the world's largest enterprise hotel brands. We continue to see significant demand in the market for our products and are excited to extend our partnership with existing investors."

G6 HOSPITALITY, PARENT of Motel 6 and Studio 6, recently signed with Los Angeles-based S.R.E Enterprises LLC to develop a 295-room Motel 6 near the Las Vegas Strip. The property is expected to open in May. The hotel will be one of the largest properties in the company's history, G6 said in a statement. "This new addition to our portfolio, which is strategically located in one of the world's most visited destinations, is an exciting milestone," said Sonal Sinha, G6 Hospitality's CEO. "We are grateful to our franchise partners and S.R.E Enterprises LLC for their collaboration and trust, and to the G6 team for their support in bringing this project to life."