DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Hotels are leaning into their spookier sides to sell ‘rooms with a boo’
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-29 | by ( Blane Bachelor | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

Perhaps unsurprisingly, more and more hotels are happy to show off their spookier side as a result. “They ditched the [premise of], ‘Oh, people may be scared,’ and said, ‘Wow, people will come and I can market it, so we’re a haunted hotel,’” said Melchiorri. The inspiration for Stephen King’s novel-turned-film “The Shining,” the 420-room grande dame, whose imposing facade is nearly as dramatic as its Rocky Mountains backdrop, is arguably the world’s most famous haunted hotel. From a messaging and marketing perspective, hotels should share their ghost stories or spooky lore “in a way that they don’t surprise anyone,” Orr said. “My experience is, whether they will admit it or not, most hotels have something that goes bump in the night,” Hunnings said.

Persons: Brian Hunnings, you’re, “, Anthony Melchiorri, ”, Katherine Orr, Elizabeth Harlow, Stephen King's, Helen H, Richardson, ’ earshot, ’, ’ ”, Stephen King’s, Stephen King Suite, –, Steve Azar, Vincent Alban, Hunnings, ” Hunnings, ” Steven Azar, Gifford, Azar, Don’t, ” Azar, Kumar Sriskandan, ” Orr, chambermaid Sallie White, Orr Organizations: CNN, Red Cliffs, CNN Travel, Hotels of America, Hospitality, Hyatt, Marriott, Denver Post, National Retail Federation, Stanley Film Center, Boston Globe, Cliffs, of Film, Western Heritage, “ Cornell Hospitality Quarterly, Alamo Locations: Red, Moab , Utah, Colorado, Estes Park , Colorado, Gifford, Provincetown, Moab, Provincetown , Massachusetts, San Antonio , Texas

☆ These are the '50 best hotels' in the world for 2024
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-18 | by ( Chris Dwyer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

That's the collective view of 600 anonymous global voters, comprising travel journalists, hoteliers and seasoned travel specialists, which determined the results of " The World's 50 Best Hotels ," announced Tuesday in London's historic Guildhall. Capella Bangkok is the new "best hotel" in the world, according to the 50 Best organization. It has long produced rankings in the culinary world, releasing "The World's 50 Best Restaurants" since 2002, and 'The World's 50 Best Bars' since 2009. The Art of Hospitality Award went to Morocco's Royal Mansour, and the Best Beach Hotel Award went to Soneva Fushi in The Maldives. Members of the 50 Best organization "do not vote and do not control the composition of the list," Emma Sleight, head of content for The World's 50 Best Hotels told CNBC.

Persons: Mauro Colagreco, Bangkok's Chao, John Blanco, it's, Josephine Ping, It's, Hong Kong Cheval, Singapore Aman, Japan Soneva, France Chablé, Italy Borgo, São, Japan Mount, Carlyle, Eden, Royal Mansour, Lisciano, Italy Suján, India Singita –, Brando, Tetiaroa, Mount Nelson, Bulgari, Morocco's Royal Mansour, Soneva, Aman, Sonia Cheng, Emma, — Organizations: Michelin, Capella, CNBC, Italy Rosewood, Hong Kong Raffles, Maldives Atlantis, Thailand Raffles, UAE Rosewood, Hyatt Kyoto, Seasons Madrid, Spain Capella Singapore, Surf, Bel, Scotland, Kruger, Park, Australia Kokomo, Asia — Capella, America Rosewood, Oceania, Raffles London, Atlantis, Hospitality, Morocco's, Eco, luxe, Rosewood Hotel, Hotels Locations: London's, Capella Bangkok, Kings, Italy's Lake Como, Bangkok, Thailand, Lake Como, Italy, Italy Rosewood Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong Cheval Blanc , Paris, France, Hong Kong Raffles Singapore, Singapore, Singapore Aman Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan, Japan Soneva Fushi, Maldives, Dubai, UAE, Sumba, Sumba Island, Indonesia Claridge's, London, Thailand Raffles London, Chao Phraya, Crillon, Paris, Chocholá, Mexico, Antibes, Maya, Florence, Amalfi, Bali, Indonesia, Lana, Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil, Brisbane, Australia, Siam, Kyoto, Japan Mount Nelson, Cape Town , South Africa, Riviera Nayarit, Carlyle , New York, U.S, Mamounia, Marrakech, Morocco, Madrid, Spain, Surfside, Los Angeles , U.S, St, Barths, Caribbean Aman New York , New York, Galle, Sri Lanka, Bristol, Auchterarder, Lisciano Niccone, Italy Suján Jawai, Rajasthan, India, South, Zighy, Oman, Connaught, UK, Polynesia, Tulum, Tasman, Hobart, Yaukuve Levu, Fiji, Asia, Europe, North America, Africa, Oceania, South America, Asia — Capella Bangkok, America, Yucatan, America Rosewood Sao Paulo, New York, Bulgari Tokyo, Istanbul, The Maldives

☆ Parisian Airbnb hosts are raking it in this summer as hotels suffer
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-25 | by ( Eliza Relman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Many will stay in the French capital's tens of thousands of hotel rooms, but many others are opting for short-term rentals, including Airbnbs. There are 44% more short-term rentals listed in Paris than there were last summer, according to AirDNA, a collector of industry data. The French capital had the fastest-growing short-term rental market in the EU over the last year, according to Lighthouse, a firm that analyzes the hotel market. National lawmakers are also poised to raise taxes on income from short-term rentals as a way to encourage homeowners to rent out their properties long-term. Airbnb, which dominates the short-term rental market in France, has leveraged the Olympics to expand its roster of hosts and guests in France.

Persons: —, Airbnb, Dave Stephenson, it's, AirDNA, RICCARDO MILANI, Blake Reiter, Reiter, they're, John van Hasselt, Anne Hidalgo, Hidalgo, wouldn't, " Reiter Organizations: Service, Olympic, Business, Games, City of, Getty, Time, Olympic Games Locations: Paris, That's, EU, France, City, Weeks

☆ Europe hoteliers say the frenzied 'revenge travel' of 2023 is leveling off this year
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-27 | by ( Monica Pitrelli | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailEurope hoteliers say the frenzied 'revenge travel' of 2023 is leveling off this yearThe European Accommodation Barometer released by Booking.com and Statista shows business sentiment among European hoteliers is high, but not as high as last year.

Persons: Booking.com

☆ Plaza de Espana: Seville to charge fee for visiting landmark square
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-27 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Tourists visiting the southern Spanish city of Seville may soon have to pay a fee to explore the wide, ornate Plaza de Espana square, the city hall said, as part of plans to control tourist overload in a public open space. Although Sanz made clear that local residents would still be allowed free access, many X users, including those from Seville, were quick to criticize the plan. “A tourism tax for ALL visitors provokes less debate and generates more income. Another added: “What people want from you is a tourism tax and general regulation of mass tourism which is destroying our city”. Italy’s lagoon city of Venice will introduce a trial fee from April to limit the number of day trippers.

Persons: Jose Luis Sanz, Sanz, ” Organizations: CNN — Tourists, de Espana, ”, Star Wars Locations: Spanish, Seville, Spain, Italy’s, Venice

☆ Aeternitas Tower: Dubai is building the world’s tallest residential clocktower
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Rebecca Cairns | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

The Aeternitas Tower, officially unveiled at a launch event last week, will be the world’s tallest residential clocktower at a staggering 450 meters (1,476 feet) tall — more than four times the height of London’s Big Ben, and just 22 meters (72 feet) short of the world’s tallest residential building, the Central Park Tower in New York City. Set to become the world’s second-tallest clock tower (after the Makkah Clock Royal Tower in Mecca, Saudi Arabia), Aeternitas Tower is the result of a partnership between Dubai-based real estate developer London Gate and Swiss luxury watch manufacturer Franck Muller. The Aeternitas Tower will have amenities for residents such as gym, yoga studio, cinema, and swimming pool, pictured in this digital rendering. London GateA booming marketThe Aeternitas Tower is part of a growing trend in Dubai. The design for Aeternitas Tower was officially unveiled at a launch event on January 9 2024, at the Ritz-Carlton Dubai (pictured).

Persons: Big Ben, Franck Muller, Tom Hill, ”, Franck Muller Aeternitas, Erol Baliyan, Franck Muller’s, Karl Lagerfeld, “ We’ve, Carlton Dubai Organizations: CNN, CNN —, London Gate, Marina, Research, Benz, London, Ritz, Carlton Locations: CNN — Dubai, New York City, Makkah, Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Dubai Marina, East, Africa, Swiss, London, Emirate, “

☆ Aeternitas Tower: Dubai is building the world’s tallest residential clock tower
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Rebecca Cairns | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

The Aeternitas Tower, officially unveiled at a launch event last week, will be the world’s tallest residential clock tower at a staggering 450 meters (1,476 feet) tall — more than four times the height of London’s Big Ben, and just 22 meters (72 feet) short of the world’s tallest residential building, the Central Park Tower in New York City. Set to become the world’s second-tallest clock tower (after the Makkah Clock Royal Tower in Mecca, Saudi Arabia), Aeternitas Tower is the result of a partnership between Dubai-based real estate developer London Gate and Swiss luxury watch manufacturer Franck Muller. The Aeternitas Tower will have amenities for residents such as gym, yoga studio, cinema, and swimming pool, pictured in this digital rendering. London GateA booming marketThe Aeternitas Tower is part of a growing trend in Dubai. The design for Aeternitas Tower was officially unveiled at a launch event on January 9 2024, at the Ritz-Carlton Dubai (pictured).

☆ Black Friday Travel Sales Are Here and Deals Abound
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Elaine Glusac | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

As inflation continues to sting, more travelers are expected to hunt for bargains this year, and the industry is responding by offering deals across the travel landscape, from hotels to cruises and tours. “Despite inflation and higher prices, we continue to see a strong preference for experiences with travel,” said Brett Keller, the chief executive of the online travel agency Priceline, which will hold one of its biggest sales this month, including 30 percent off select hotel stays and up to 50 percent off rental cars. Given strong demand, travel companies can usually hold fast on prices, but by offering seasonal sales, they can hedge against changes in the future. “There is a benefit to hoteliers in securing bookings with more lead time so they can more accurately understand demand,” said Christine Guadenzi, the director of sales and marketing for the Family Coppola Hideaways, a collection of small hotels that includes the coastal Turtle Inn in Belize, which will offer 20 percent off room rates booked Nov. 24 to Dec. 15 (discounted rates start at $335 a night, compared to the usual $419 price tag).

Persons: ”, Brett Keller, Christine Guadenzi, Coppola Hideaways Organizations: Priceline Locations: Belize

☆ These are the 50 best hotels in the world
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Monica Pitrelli | Isabella Lok | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

The best hotel in the world is Passalacqua, an 18th century villa on the edge of Italy's Lake Como. That's according to the 50 Best organization, which announced the results of "The World's 50 Best Hotels" in London on Tuesday. The villa hotel is the former home of composer Vincenzo Bellini and sits among seven acres of terraced gardens. Rates start at $1,300 per night, according to the 50 Best organization. The list marks the first time that 50 Best organization is delving into hotel rankings, though it's been ranking "The World's 50 Best Restaurants" and "The World's 50 Best Bars" for years.

Persons: Vincenzo Bellini, it's Locations: Italy's, Como, That's, London

☆ World’s 50 best hotels for 2023 revealed
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Tamara Hardingham-Gill | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

London CNN —It opened just over a year ago, but a luxurious 24-key Italian property has already been named the best hotel in the world. Passalacqua, which overlooks Lake Como, beat off stiff competition to receive the top spot on the first-ever edition of the World’s 50 Best Hotels list, which was announced at an awards ceremony in the UK on Tuesday night. The highly-anticipated list honored 50 hotels from 35 destinations across the world. “After seeing the devastating impact of Covid-19 on the hospitality industry, it’s been especially fulfilling to see so many hoteliers from around the world gather in London to celebrate each other’s achievements under one roof for the first-ever awards ceremony of The World’s 50 Best Hotels,” Tim Brooke-Webb, managing director for the World’s 50 Best Hotels, said in a statement. The World’s 50 Best Hotels: Full list1.

Persons: –, Aman Tokyo, ’ Capello, Aman, Rosewood São, ” Valentina De Santis, Passalacqua, Silvio Vettorello, Vincenzo Bellini, ”, De Santis, it’s, Tim Brooke, Webb, Soneva, Chablé, Aman Venice, Le Sirenuse, Borgo, Royal Mansour, São, Cheval Blanc, Soneva Jani, Eden, Oberoi, Hôtel de Crillon Organizations: CNN, London CNN, Firenze, Rosewood, ’ Capello Bangkok, Capella, Hudson Yards, NoMad, CNN Travel, Somerset, Park, Eco, Hospitality, Lodges, Hotel Academy, Singita, Raffles, Madrid, Capella Singapore, Le Bristol Paris, Hyatt Kyoto, Hoshinoya, Atlantis, Equinox Locations: London, Lake Como, Europe, Florence, Asia, Rosewood Hong Kong, Bangkok, Chao Phraya, Hong Kong, Capella Bangkok, Aman New York, York, Hudson, Connaught, Rosewood São Paulo, Brisbane, South Africa, Scotland, Bruton , Somerset, Utah, Italy, Aman Tokyo, Mamounia, Marrakech, Morocco, Soneva Fushi, Maldives, Puerto Vallarta , Mexico, Australia, Chocholá, Mexico, Claridge’s, Raffles Singapore, Wanokaka, Indonesia, Tulum, France, São Paulo, Brazil, Kyoto, Japan, Réserve, Paris, Auchterarder, Du, Antibes, Somerset, Bruton, United Kingdom, Sri Lanka, Hoshinoya Tokyo, Bali, Barths, Siam, Badrutt’s, Moritz, Switzerland, Dubai, Agra, India, Spain

Before the tourists came to marvel at the valley cradled in Morocco’s Atlas Mountains, with its arid red slopes splashed with lush green and its deep-blue lake, the only living to be made was in olive farming, and not much of a living at that. Then came the modest little hiking lodge and the luxury resort, and the quasi-palace owned by Richard Branson and the inns set up by the people of the Ouirgane Valley, many of whom are members of the Amazigh ethnic group, more commonly known as Berbers. As more and more tourists discovered over the last few decades that the area was only an hour’s drive from the city of Marrakesh, the residents of villages like Ouirgane got jobs as guides for mule riding and hiking, drivers, waiters, hoteliers, restaurateurs and more. Many were able to move back home from Moroccan cities like Marrakesh and Essaouira, where they had taken jobs to support families in their villages.

Persons: Richard Branson, Ouirgane Locations: Atlas, Marrakesh, Moroccan, Essaouira

☆ Why you might need to start booking your 2024 summer vacation now
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( Blane Bachelor | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

But according to some industry experts, it’s not too early to start thinking about – and perhaps even booking – next year’s trip. But Keyes generally advises travelers not to necessarily hit that purchase button as soon as an airline opens up a flight for booking. “While it’s relatively common knowledge that last-minute fares are expensive, what’s far less known is that it’s also possible to book flights too early,” he says. From the hospitality industry perspective, advance booking can help hoteliers and other businesses adjust staffing, pricing and other factors to offer a better experience. While Cabutti of JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa acknowledges that “the early booking trend results in higher room rates,” it also enables businesses to better meet guests’ needs.

Persons: it’s, they’ve, ” Dino Triantafillou, Triantafillou, ” Triantafillou, Cristiano Cabutti, “ We’re, ” Cabutti, “, Stephanie Bias, Camp Aramoni, ”, ‘, Scott Keyes, ” Keyes, Keyes, Sally French, you’re Organizations: CNN, Labor, CNN Travel, Global, JW Marriott, Marriott, SDI, US State Department, Centers for Disease Control Locations: Italy, Tonica , Illinois, United States, Madrid, Santorini, Europe, Asia, Hopper’s, Saharan Africa, JW, Venice

☆ Historic war office used by Winston Churchill is transformed into luxury Raffles London hotel
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( Tamara Hardingham-Gill | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

But in a few weeks time, the former Old War Office in London, Whitehall will finally open its doors after a multi-million-dollar transformation. Previously home to the operations of military leaders like Winston Churchill, the property has been reinvented as the UK’s first Raffles hotel, with luxurious rooms starting at £1,100 (around $1,392) per night. Monumental buildingA rendering of luxury hotel Raffles London at The OWO, located at the former home to the war offices of military leaders such as Winston Churchill. And according to Jill O’Hare, director of sales and marketing for Raffles London, there was as much restoration as there was construction during the extensive process of transforming the historic building into a luxury hotel. Steeped in historyThis grand staircase is one of the standout features at Raffles London at The OWO, which is scheduled to open in late September.

Persons: London CNN — It’s, Winston Churchill, London’s, Thierry Despont, Ian Fleming, James Bond, Armenian hoteliers, Sir Stamford Raffles, ” Philippe Leboeuf, Jill O’Hare, ”, Churchill, Granville, Christine Granville, Krystyna Skarbek, Raffles, “, Mauro Colagreco, Endo Kazutoshi, Leboeuf Organizations: London CNN, Raffles, British Naval Intelligence, CNN Travel, Raffles London, Army, Horse Locations: London, Whitehall, Raffles London, French, Armenian, Singapore, Polish, Argentine, Mayfair, Buckingham

☆ Russian tourism in Crimea is down, but many still shrug off risks
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Summary This content was produced in Russian-annexed Crimea, where the law restricts coverage of Russian military operations in Ukraine. They said it was all calm here with no problems on the Crimea Bridge. Fewer visitors to Crimea have meant more for Kaliningrad on the Baltic Sea and Dagestan in Russia's north Caucasus region, he said. FATAL CROSSINGFor one Russian couple, the choice of Crimea as a holiday destination proved fatal. "The goal of our trip is, of course, to have a rest, and support Russian tour operators, hoteliers, and Russian tourism, no doubt."

Persons: Siberian Viktor Motorin, Olga Morskova, Alexei Volkov, Volkov, Vasyl Maliuk, Alexander Semashko, Sergei Lenkov, Mark Trevelyan, Alexander Marrow, Gareth Jones, Sharon Singleton Organizations: National Union of Hospitality Industries, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Russian, Crimea, Ukraine, YALTA, Siberian, Moscow, Russia, Khanty, Siberia, Turkey, Thailand, Rybinsk, Sochi, Novorossiysk, Kaliningrad, Dagestan, Russia's, Caucasus, Stavropol, Vologda

☆ Portugal's new housing law threatens its tourism industry, say hostel owners
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Julia Buckley | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

The law – proposed and approved by Portugal’s ruling PS party – seeks to address the housing crisis in Portugal. The new law’s resolutions could potentially have far-reaching effects on those running alojamento local (AL) properties – including Portugal’s world-renowned hostels. AL properties outside of low-density areas will also see their current property taxes increase, and be subject to a new tax starting at 15%, known as CEAL. The new legislation threatens the future of all hostels in Portugal, says Miguel Santos, board member at the Associação Hostels de Portugal (AHdP) and owner of a Lisbon hostel. Pedro Nunes/ReutersOne hostel owner fearing for the future is Benedita Vasconcellos, who owns Lisbon’s Goodmorning Solo Traveller Hostel, voted Portugal’s best hostel in 2020.

Persons: Mais Habitação, –, “, hospedagem, ”, Eduardo Miranda, Valerio Berdini, Miguel Santos, ” Santos, AHdP, Richard Cummins, Kash Bhattacharya, ” Bhattacharya, Pedro Nunes, Vasconcellos, I’m, ” Vasconcellos, won’t, Filipa Aguiar, we’ll, Marco Bottigelli, Airbnb, ALEP’s Eduardo Miranda, Miranda, ” “ We’re, ALEP, Miguel Torres Marques, Marina Gonçalves Organizations: CNN, de, Alamy, Portugal, Artists, Reuters, Getty Locations: Portugal, Lisbon, Western Europe, Porto, Spain, Ericeira, ” Lisbon

☆ Investors still see blue sky ahead for Europe travel stocks as boom abates
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( Danilo Masoni | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"For many people, the pandemic is now over, and this is time now for travelling far from home," said Corinne Martin, fund manager at Ofi Invest in Paris. The point at which China announced the end of health restrictions in 2022 was probably the best moment to jump into travel stocks. They remain buyers, noting how at 11 times 2024 earnings, the stock displays an unjustified discount and prices no growth. "Now, vacation budget is no more a variable families adjust," said Jerome Schupp, fund manager at Prime Partners in Geneva. European travel and leisure earnings are seen rising 63% this year and 23% in 2024, according to Refinitiv Datastream.

Persons: Corinne Martin, Ofi's Martin, Martin, Goldman Sachs, Jerome Schupp, Schupp, Cristina Matti, Andrea Scauri, Lastminute, Refinitiv, Lucy Raitano, Conor Humphries Organizations: MILAN, Ofi Invest, Paris . Airlines, Royce, World Tourism Organization, China, Traders, Paris Olympics, UEFA European Football, Ryanair, Europe's, Prime Partners, Visa, Air, Thomson Locations: Paris, Europe, Germany, Geneva, Air France, Lemanik, London

☆ Greece sees some wildfire respite, though stubborn blazes rage on
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"Wildfires across Greece have abated but firefighters are still operating at different spots," a fire brigade official said. Greece is heavily reliant on tourism and Rhodes, one of its biggest islands, is among its top summer destinations, attracting about 1.5 million foreign tourists in the summer months. [1/4]Flames and smoke rise as a wildfire burns near the village of Gennadi, on the island of Rhodes, Greece, July 25, 2023. REUTERS/Nicolas Economou/File PhotoTourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni said that wildfires have affected only a small part of the island. On the island of Corfu, where a wildfire rekindled overnight without threatening homes, a local governor said he suspected arson.

Persons: Rhodes, Nicolas Economou, Olga Kefalogianni, Nikos Mouzakitis, Angeliki Koutantou, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Firefighters, Canadair CL, Rhodes, REUTERS, ERT, Thomson Locations: ATHENS, Greece, Evia, Rhodes, Gennadi, Corfu, Athens

☆ Encountering the Infuriating, Overwhelming and Unwanted Smart Tech in My Hotel Room
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( Amy Tara Koch | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

“Smart TV QR codes get me what I need on my phone, from hotel gym classes to valet parking,” she said, adding that she wishes that rooms had QR codes to leave staff tips. These “guest enhancements,” touted as in-demand by hoteliers and the tech companies that make them, are not in demand by me. Holocaust Memorial Museum, and like me, a frustrated hotel guest. “Here is an entirely new system to waste mental energy upon every single time I travel.”Another quibble with “personalized” hotel rooms? I could care less if a room “knows” that I like Pilates and the thermostat set to a nippy 69 degrees.

Persons: ”, Kara Heermans, Juliana Colangelo, “, Jill Weinberg Organizations: Inc, Hyatt, Marriott, ESPN, Colangelo, Partners, “ Smart, hoteliers, U.S . Holocaust Memorial Museum Locations: Miami

☆ Rize: Turkey’s hidden mountain hideaways
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-03 | by ( Feride Yalav-Heckeroth | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

CNN —Rize province, on the Black Sea coast near Turkey’s northeast border with Georgia, is still largely unknown to many international travelers. Away from Rize itself – the seaside city which lends its name to the province – the area’s valleys and plateaus, surrounded by high-altitude mountain ridges, have remained largely rural. With high rates of rainfall, Rize’s mountain villages (yayla) become a point of escape from summer temperatures. “The state of tourism in Rize is not very pleasant because visitors often arrive without much knowledge about the local culture or the nature. “I think the purpose of coming to Rize shouldn’t be to rush through everything and take a few selfies.

Persons: Orhan Eskiva, café, hamsili, Rize’s, Zeyne, Ahmet Şişman, İbrahim Birben, it’s, Dağ Evi, Trebizond, Emre Corbaci, Taşkın, ”, Elif, Peri, Deniz Demirci Tarakçı, Çinçiva, “, Işık Güner, Feride, Conde Nast Organizations: CNN, Ottomans, Apo, Rize Zua Coffee Locations: Rize, Turkey’s, Georgia, Rize province, Çamlıhemşin, Forestry, Karadeniz, Russia, Senyuva, Çamlıhemşin’s, Mola, Sümela, Trabzon, Zilkale, Armenian, Şenyuva, Istanbul, Pokutsal, Peri, Rize Zua, Yasemin, Barcelona, Fırtına, “, Lake Constance, Kinfolk

June 5 (Reuters) - Tighter lending standards from regional banks are making it harder for U.S. hotel developers to secure funding, slowing construction of new hotels at a time Americans' appetite for travel is ripe. Analysts say slower hotel development will also limit profits of blue-chip manufacturers like Caterpillar Inc. , whose commercial real estate customers account for around 75% of construction sales. Overexposed regional banks are now offloading commercial real estate loans at a discount. Troubled regional lender PacWest Bancorp (PACW.O) announced in May it would sell $2.6 billion worth of real estate construction loans. Banks started to reduce their hotel loan portfolios in the first quarter of 2023, an analysis by S&P Global Market Intelligence found.

Persons: Joseph Delli Santi, James Hansen, Andy Ingraham, Ingraham, Evens Charles, Banks, Mitchell Hochberg, Bianca Flowers, Caroline Stauffer, Deepa Babington Organizations: U.S, Silicon Valley Bank, Shopoff, Reuters, Build Central Inc, Hilton, Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc, Marriott International, Caterpillar Inc, Signature Bank, First Republic Bank, National Association of Black, Developers, Frontier Development, Hospitality Group, Washington D.C, PacWest Bancorp, P Global Market Intelligence, Lightstone, Thomson Locations: Silicon, California, Florida , Texas, Washington, Arizona, New York, Chicago, Bengaluru

Persons: Joseph Delli Santi, James Hansen, Andy Ingraham, Ingraham, Evens Charles, Banks, Mitchell Hochberg, Bianca Flowers, Caroline Stauffer, Deepa Babington Organizations: U.S, Silicon Valley Bank, Shopoff, Reuters, Build Central Inc, Hilton, Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc, Marriott International, Caterpillar Inc, Signature Bank, First Republic Bank, National Association of Black, Developers, Frontier Development, Hospitality Group, Washington D.C, PacWest Bancorp, P Global Market Intelligence, Western Alliance, Lightstone, Thomson Locations: Silicon, California, Florida , Texas, Washington, Arizona, New York, Chicago, Bengaluru

☆ Mexico's Pemex positioned to meet 2023 debt obligations, govt to help if needed -official
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( Anthony Esposito | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MEXICO CITY, May 31 (Reuters) - Mexican state oil firm Pemex is in a position to meet its remaining 2023 debt obligations and is looking at refinancing strategies for next year, said Deputy Finance Minister Gabriel Yorio, who added the government could also help if needed. Pemex had financial debt of $107.4 billion at the end of the first quarter, according to company data. Mexico, a popular travel destination, ranks in the top 10 globally in terms of international tourists and business generated through tourism. They're making big investments in infrastructure," said Yorio, adding that Mexican hoteliers were eyeing investments there. "Mexico is looking to diversify the markets where we buy fertilizer because 60% of the fertilizer imports used to come from Russia before the conflict," Yorio said.

Persons: Gabriel Yorio, Yorio, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Pemex, Anthony Esposito, Jamie Freed Organizations: MEXICO CITY, Reuters, NATIONS, United Arab, Thomson Locations: MEXICO, Gulf, Mexican, Pemex, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Mexico, Ukraine, Russia

☆ Elizabeth Holmes ‘giggles’ about the infamously deep voice she once used — and even her partner mocks it
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( Lakshmi Varanasi | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Elizabeth Holmes recently opened up to The New York Times in her first interview since 2016. The profile noted that Holmes had ditched her famously low voice for an "unremarkable" one. Holmes' partner, entrepreneur Billy Evans, also agreed the voice was weird. I'm Elizabeth Holmes," Evans told the Times, imitating Holmes's old voice. A representative for Elizabeth Holmes did not immediately respond to Insider's request for a comment.

Saatcioglu, the coordinator of Limak International Hotels & Resorts, is one of many in hospitality expecting to see Turkey's economically vital tourism sector recover from a quake that dragged down bookings and hotel stays. The quake has caused tourists to think twice before booking a trip to Turkey, a major Mediterranean holiday destination. "After months of excellent performance, when the country was leading the travel recovery in Europe (after the COVID pandemic), international tourism to Turkey is clearly taking a nosedive," he told Reuters. Despite strong bookings recently across the travel sector in Europe as a whole, Turkey has not been able to regain momentum. On the back of these auspicious March figures, the Turkish government expects to generate $56 billion in tourism revenues this year.

☆ Franchisers, Facing Challenges to Business Model, Punch Back
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( Lydia Depillis | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Matthew Haller, chief executive of the International Franchise Association, cited a 2021 survey by the market research firm Franchise Business Review in which 82 percent of franchisees said they supported their corporate leadership. Hotel franchisees, squeezed by lost revenue during pandemic lockdowns, say they have also been hurt by the hotel brands’ loyalty programs, which require the hotelier to rent rooms at a reduced rate. “There comes a point when you’ve tried and tried to meet with the franchisers to ask for changes, and they refuse to listen,” she said. In Arizona, legislation introduced to enhance franchisees’ ability to sell their businesses and prevent retaliation from franchisers if they band together in associations has also faced resistance. The bill was approved by two committees in February and March, but the International Franchise Association hired two lobbying firms to fight it.

Search resuls for: "hoteliers"

25 mentions found