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A CHANGING OF the guard is taking place at Marriott International as chairmanship of the company transitions from J.W. "Bill" Marriott Jr. to his son David Marriott. The senior Marriott has led the company for more than 60 years. Marriott announced the change in February. J.W. spent his high school and college years working in a variety of positions in the family's Hot Shoppes restaurant chain. He became a full-time associate in 1956, and soon afterward began overseeing the first Marriott hotel. He became president of the company in 1964 and CEO in 1972, a role he held for 40 years before stepping down in 2012. He was elected chairman of the board in 1985. "On behalf of the board and the hundreds of thousands of people who wear a Marriott name badge around the world, I'd like to thank Mr. Marriott for his outstanding leadership throughout his tenure with the company. He is truly an industry icon," Anthony Capuano, Marriot's CEO.

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

Sudhakar Veluru is now the executive vice president and chief information technology officer at Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts. Prior to this role, he served as the chief technology officer at MGM Resorts International, spearheading digital transformation initiatives that enhanced access to e-commerce, customer loyalty programs, and casino games across mobile and online platforms, Four Seasons said in a statement. Before joining MGM, Veluru held various senior leadership positions at The Walt Disney Co. He will report to Alejandro Reynal, Four Seasons' president and CEO. "We are excited to welcome Sudhakar at this important time in Four Seasons information technology transformation," said Reynal. "Sudhakar's extensive experience in technology and IT innovation will be instrumental in shaping our digital-first future, further enhancing the guest, resident and employee experience across our growing global portfolio of luxury properties."

Eight new Hihotels by Hospitality International properties recently opened in five states: three in Texas, two in Pennsylvania, and one each in New York, Vancouver, and Ohio. The company provides franchising options across its five brands including Scottish Inns, Red Carpet Inn, Master Hosts Inns, Downtowner Inns, and Passport Inn. In Texas, the three properties include Scottish Inns - Eastex Freeway North in Houston, owned by 59 Little York, Inc. under Sandip Sindha's leadership; Scottish Inns in Decatur owned by Sunlight Partnership LLC led by Leena Patel; and Scottish Inns & Suites in Shenandoah/Woodland owned by Anjali Hospitality LLC under Mahesh Patel's guidance, Hihotels said. In Pennsylvania, two hotels have opened: Scottish Inns in Middletown, owned by Sky Hotels LLC led by Rajan Vesuwala; and Red Carpet Inn & Suites in Philadelphia, owned by Vrisha Lodging LLC led by Kiran Patel.

Sonesta International Hotels Corp.'s Red Lion Inn & Suites in Elk Grove, Illinois. The 47-room mid-scale property is owned by Mahesh Chaudhari. "The opening of the Red Lion Inn & Suites Elk Grove is a testament to the brand's renewed growth nationwide," said Keith Pierce, Sonesta's executive vice president and president of franchise and Development. "This is the third Red Lion Inn & Suites location to open in 2024, underscoring how Sonesta continues to meet consumer demand for midscale properties with openings in secondary and tertiary markets." Sonesta said that guests at Red Lion Inn & Suites Illinois can earn or redeem points through the Sonesta Travel Pass loyalty program. Sonesta is the 8th largest hotel company, with approximately 1,100 properties totaling 100,000 guest rooms across 15 brands in eight countries, according to STR.

CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL has named its eight nominees for the board of directors for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts to be voted on in Wyndham's 2024 shareholder meeting. The nominees, including Jay Shah, executive chairman at Hersha Hospitality Trust, are expected to support Choice's bid to acquire Wyndham despite multiple rejections by the latter. In response, Wyndham said it will evaluate the nominees as part of its due diligence, but it also said the nominees were "hand-picked to push through their offer." Along with Shah, Choice's nominees are: Barbara Bennett, founder and principal executive of business consulting firm Bennett West LLC. Emanuel Pearlman, founder, chairman and CEO of investment management and financial consulting firm Liberation Investment Group. Fiona Dias, digital commerce consultant who served as the chief strategy officer of online shopping service ShopRunner from 2011 to 2014. James Nelson, CEO of real estate investment trust Global Net Lease, Inc. Nana Mensah, founder, chairman and CEO of food packaging and processing equipment exporter 'XPORTS Inc. Susan Schnabel, founder and co-managing partner of buyout fund advisor aPriori Capital Partners. William Grounds, principal of his advisory business Burraneer Capital Advisors LLC. "These nominees are proven leaders with wide-ranging expertise across relevant industries, including deep proficiency in the hospitality and franchising sectors," said Stewart Bainum, chairman of Choice's board of directors. "We are confident the nominees' industry, finance, governance and board experience will greatly benefit Wyndham shareholders. Most importantly, if elected, the nominees will exercise their independent judgment to serve Wyndham shareholders' best interests, which Choice believes is to move with urgency to maximize the value that could be created for them through a combination with Choice."

CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL appears to be moving on from its failed attempt to acquire Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, according to statements from its executive team during the company's first quarter earnings call May 8. The quarter saw overall positive performance for the company, including record growth in its pipeline and $63.7 million adjusted net income, a 9 percent rise over the same period of last year. The main portion of the call was dedicated to reporting the highlights of the quarter. For example, Choice's EBITDA during the quarter grew to $124.3 million, a first quarter record and a 17 percent increase compared to the same period of 2023. Its global pipeline as of March 31 increased 10 percent to a company record of more than 115,000 rooms, including a 36 percent increase in the global pipeline for conversion rooms. Its domestic rooms pipeline increased by 11 percent since Dec. 31, highlighted by a 59 percent increase for conversion rooms.

SAVANNAH-BASED IMAGE Hotels recently acquired the Courtyard by Marriott North Charleston Airport/Coliseum in South Carolina. The hotel development and management company, which was founded in 1978, is led by Jay Patel as chairman and CEO and Kal Patel as president and COO. "We are thrilled to add the Courtyard by Marriott in North Charleston to our growing portfolio and to expand our footprint into South Carolina," said Kal Patel. "We expect the hotel to appeal to travelers coming to Charleston seeking a popular brand with modern amenities." The hotel, near Charleston International Airport, provides access to the North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center, Charleston Tanger Outlets, Charleston Area Convention Center, South Carolina Aquarium, and various shopping, dining, and entertainment options, Image Hotels said in a statement.

SONESTA INTERNATIONAL HOTELS Corp. executed approximately 15 franchise agreements, adding more than 1,900 keys in the first quarter of 2024. These new franchise hotels span Sonesta's brands, including The James, Sonesta ES Suites, Sonesta Essential, Americas Best Value Inn, Red Lion Hotels, Red Lion Inn & Suites, and Sonesta Hotels & Resorts, Sonesta said in a statement. "The 15 signed franchise agreements during the first quarter underscore Sonesta's momentum as we welcome new owners into our growing portfolio and expand our market presence," said Keith Pierce, Sonesta's executive vice president and the president of franchise and development. "With a fast, friendly, and flexible approach and a seamless conversion process for our franchisees, we expect continued growth throughout 2024." These agreements highlight Sonesta's appeal as a conversion option compared to larger competitors, the statement added. The company said hotel owners are attracted to the company's focus on maximizing ROI through property rebranding. It offers owners various options across upper upscale, lifestyle, upscale, midscale, extended-stay and premium economy segments.

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.

In the wake of a cyber attack which forced Tasmania's Hobart International Airport to shut down after an ISIS supporter group hacked into its servers and posted defacing images, Eva Grey spoke to Matt White, senior manager in KPMG's cyber security practice, about some of the virtual dangers faced by International airports

"Cairo Stopover & Transit Tours from Cairo international airport, A private tour tailored to give you the chance to Discover Egypt highlights and most famous attractions during some few hours, Any two sites of your own choice within your secure available time can be easily operated, read more for an example"

San Antonio International Airport is on a 1,200-acre site situated just north of the city near the northeast corner of the I-410/US 281 intersection

If You Want To Do Shopping In Dubai Then You Must Have Dubai Tourist Visa In Order To Go There And Save Money On International Brands.

Petronas Twin Tower (Menara Petronas) are two skyscrapers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is one of the tollest building in the world famous for travel, tourist destination among the international visitors.

At the start of this year, Australia's border authorities announced an ambitious plan to roll out biometric identification across all their international airports by 2020. In a "world first", international travellers entering the country will be processed via a completely unmanned system that uses fingerprints, iris and facial recognition.

IRIDESCENT HOTELS OF Dallas has been contracted to manage two more hotels in Texas and Ohio. Iridescent was founded last year by Ash Patel, past chairman of AAHHOA, who leads the company with partner Christopher Puntureri. In the recent contract, Iridescent will manage the 111-room Holiday Inn & Suites San Antonio North Stone Oak in San Antonio, Texas, and the 75-room Red Roof Inn Dayton-Moraine, in Dayton, Ohio, as a third party on behalf of the hotels' owners. The San Antonio Holiday Inn is near San Antonio International Airport and the University of Texas at San Antonio. Also nearby are Microsoft, Baker Hughes, Tesoro, Schlumberger as well as 3 Hospitals which include NE Baptist, Methodist Stone Oak and North Central Baptist. The Red Roof Inn is near the University of Dayton and the University of Dayton Arena with the Industrial Park within walking distance. Additional attractions nearby include the Dayton Mall, Indiana Wesleyan University and the Dayton Convention & Visitors Bureau.

NOBLE INVESTMENT GROUP has acquired the Homewood Suites by Hilton Salt Lake City | Downtown in Salt Lake City, Utah. The company, led by Mit Shah as CEO,said the city represents a fast-growing market. The 137-room hotel is in Salt Lake City's central business and entertainment district, according to Noble. The area contains more than 15 million square feet of office space and several corporate headquarters, including Zions Bancorporation, Questar Corporation, and Goldman Sachs. Also nearby are the Salt Palace Convention Center, Vivint Arena, Gallivan Center, Temple Square and the Utah State Capitol. More than 26 million passengers annually pass through the Salt Lake City International Airport, which is 4 miles west of downtown. "Salt Lake City has seen some of the highest in-migration trends leading up to and continuing through the global health crisis," Noble said in its statement. "The city boasts more than ten ski resorts within an hour's drive, as well as more than a dozen national parks and monuments. With its world-class outdoor lifestyle, Salt Lake City is one of the most dynamic leisure and corporate travel markets in the U.S."

The Chatwal New York, a luxury hotel in Manhattan owned by the Dream Hotel Group, has reopened after temporarily closing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The reopening comes in the wake of Broadway's return to production and the reopening of the U.S. border to vaccinated international travelers. Dream Hotel Group is led by chairman and founder Sant Singh Chatwal and Jay Stein as CEO. The 76-room hotel includes 29 suites, 14 of which have private, landscaped terraces. It also has specialty suites, such as the theater inspired Chatwal Suite with its 500-square-foot terrace. Also, the terrace of the Garden Suite includes fountains, sculptures and heat lamps and the Library Suite includes a curated book collection. "The Chatwal, New York's reopening marks the return of luxury boutique hospitality in the heart of Midtown Manhattan," said Ashish Verma, senior vice president for Dream Hotel Group's luxury division and general manager of The Chatwal New York. "Our team is committed to our guests' safety and satisfaction with superior services in a renewed world."

Isaac Collazo is the new vice president of analytics for STR. Previously, he was vice president of capacity at InterContinental Hotels Group. Previously, Collazo conducted performance analysis, predictive analytics, modeling and macroeconomic interpretation for Marriott International, Promus Hotel Corporation and La Quinta Inns & Suites. He also is a content committee member for STR's Hotel Data Conference. "Isaac will be an immediate voice in conversations around STR methodology as well as our ongoing product development in the CoStar platform," said Amanda Hite, STR president. "Long-term, he'll contribute to the evolution of the holistic solution we will deliver to the industry." Commercial real estate research company CoStar acquired STR in 2019. Collazo called the new position a "dream come true."