Hotels and Recipients to be Honored at the 2017 Historic Hotels Annual Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner on September 28 at The Omni Homestead Resort

WASHINGTON, D.C.—August 4, 2017—Historic Hotels of America® and Historic Hotels Worldwide® are pleased to announce the nominee finalists for the 2017 Historic Hotels Awards of Excellence. These Historic Hotels Awards of Excellence recognize and celebrate the finest historic hotels and hoteliers across the nation and around the world.

The 2017 Historic Hotels Annual Awards of Excellence and Gala Dinner will take place at The Omni Homestead Resort (1766) in Hot Springs, Virginia on Thursday, September 28, 2017 at 6 pm. The final award winners will be announced to recipients before an audience of owners, senior management, industry leaders, and representatives from the finest historic hotels around the world.

Award recipients are selected from nominees received from historic hotels, historic preservation supporters, prior award recipients, community leaders, and leadership from Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide. As official programs of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide provide the recognition to travelers, civic leaders, and the global cultural, heritage, and historic travel market that member hotels are among the finest historic hotels across America and around the world. The Historic Hotels Annual Awards of Excellence program recognizes the pinnacle of this distinct group of nominees in a range of categories.

From over 200 nominations, the awards committee evaluated, and after careful consideration selected the following 2017 award nominee finalists:

Historic Hotels of America New Member of the Year
· Inn at Willow Grove (1778) Orange, Virginia
· The Georges (1789) Lexington, Virginia
· Penn Wells Hotel (1869) Wellsboro, Pennsylvania
· Marriott Syracuse Downtown (1924) Syracuse, New York
· Hotel Saranac, Curio Collection by Hilton (1927) Saranac Lake, New York
· Silver Birches (1929) Hawley, Pennsylvania

Best Social Media of a Historic Hotel
· The Willard InterContinental, Washington DC (1847) Washington, DC
· The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa (1876) Riverside, California
· Grand Hotel (1887) Mackinac Island, Michigan
· The Otesaga Hotel and the Cooper Inn (1909) Cooperstown, New York
· Hotel Blackhawk, Autograph Collection (1915) Davenport, Iowa
· The Don CeSar (1928) St. Petersburg, Florida

Sustainability Champion
· Hotel El Convento (1651) San Juan, Puerto Rico
· Mohonk Mountain House (1869) New Paltz, New York
· Ledges Hotel (1890) Hawley, Pennsylvania
· The Lenox (1900) Boston, Massachusetts
· Inn at the Presidio (1903) San Francisco, California
· The Brown Hotel (1923) Louisville, Kentucky

Best Small Historic Inn/Hotel (Under 75 Guestrooms)
· The Georges (1789) Lexington, Virginia
· The Inn at Montchanin Village & Spa (1799) Montchanin, Delaware
· Napa River Inn (1884) Napa, California
· OHEKA CASTLE (1919) Huntington, New York
· The Lord Jeffery Inn (1926) Amherst, Massachusetts
· The Dunhill Hotel (1929) Charlotte, North Carolina

Best Historic Hotel (76-200 Guestrooms)
· The Jefferson Hotel (1895) Richmond, Virginia
· Union Station Hotel Nashville, Autograph Collection (1900) Nashville, Tennessee
· Hotel Boulderado (1909) Boulder, Colorado
· The Gasparilla Inn & Club (1913) Boca Grande, Florida
· Historic Hotel Bethlehem (1922) Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
· Mayflower Park Hotel (1927) Seattle, Washington

Best Historic Hotel (201-400 Guestrooms)
· The Willard InterContinental, Washington DC (1847) Washington, DC
· The Pfister Hotel (1893) Milwaukee, Wisconsin
· West Baden Springs Hotel (1902) West Baden, Indiana
· The Hollywood Roosevelt (1927) Los Angeles, California
· Hotel Phillips Kansas City, Curio Collection by Hilton (1931) Kansas City, Missouri
· The Hotel Hershey® (1933) Hershey, Pennsylvania

Best Historic Hotel (Over 400 Guestrooms)
· Omni Parker House, Boston (1855) Boston, Massachusetts
· St. Louis Union Station Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton (1894) St. Louis, Missouri
· Amway Grand Plaza (1913) Grand Rapids, Michigan
· The Mayflower Hotel, Autograph Collection (1925) Washington, DC
· Lord Baltimore Hotel (1928) Baltimore, Maryland
· InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile (1929) Chicago, Illinois

Best City Center Historic Hotel
· The Willard InterContinental, Washington DC (1847) Washington, DC
· Fairmont Hotel San Francisco (1907) San Francisco, California
· Marriott Syracuse Downtown (1924) Syracuse, New York
· The Lancaster Hotel (1926) Houston, Texas
· Mayflower Park Hotel (1927) Seattle, Washington
· The Edgewater (1948) Madison, Wisconsin

Best Historic Resort
· Mohonk Mountain House (1869) New Paltz, New York
· Basin Harbor Club (1886) Vergennes, Vermont
· White Stallion Ranch (1900) Tucson, Arizona
· The Broadmoor (1918) Colorado Springs, Colorado
· The American Club (1918) Kohler, Wisconsin
· The Hotel Hershey® (1933) Hershey, Pennsylvania

Hotel Historian of the Year
· Jim Hewes at The Willard InterContinental, Washington DC (1847) Washington, DC
· Susan Wilson at the Omni Parker House, Boston (1855) Boston, Massachusetts
· Keith Scales at the 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa (1886) Eureka Springs, Arkansas
· Elaine R. Normile at The Vinoy® Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club (1925) in St. Petersburg, Florida
· Teresa Porter at the Benbow Inn (1926) Garberville, California
· Jacquelyn Jenke at the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile (1929) Chicago, Illinois

Best Historic Restaurant in Conjunction with a Historic Hotel
· Woods Restaurant at Grand Hotel (1887) Mackinac Island, Michigan
· Lemaire at The Jefferson Hotel (1895) Richmond, Virginia
· Murray Circle at Cavallo Point (1901) Sausalito, California
· Penrose Room at The Broadmoor (1918) Colorado Springs, Colorado
· The Wisconsin Room at The American Club (1918) Kohler, Wisconsin
· The Circular at The Hotel Hershey® (1933) Hershey, Pennsylvania

Legendary Family Historic Hoteliers of the Year
· The Smiley Family at Mohonk Mountain House (1869) New Paltz, New York
· Duane and Kelly Roberts at The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa (1876) Riverside, California
· The Beach Family at Basin Harbor Club (1886) Vergennes, Vermont
· The Kohler Family at The American Club (1918) Kohler, Wisconsin
· The Melius Family at OHEKA CASTLE (1919) Huntington, New York
· The Korman Family at AKA.

Historic Hotelier of the Year
· John “Rusty” Wallace at the Omni La Mansion del Rio, San Antonio (1852) San Antonio, Texas
· Bob Beach Jr. at Basin Harbor Club (1886) Vergennes, Vermont
· Philip Wood at The Jefferson, Washington, DC (1923) Washington, DC
· Gayle Karolczyk at the Francis Marion Hotel (1924) Charleston, South Carolina
· John Beatty at The Dunhill Hotel (1929) Charlotte, North Carolina
· John Dewberry at The Dewberry Charleston (1965) Charleston, South Carolina

Stewards of History and Historic Preservation Award
· Oliver T. Carr at The Willard InterContinental, Washington DC (1847) Washington, DC
· Duane and Kelly Roberts at The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa (1876) Riverside, California
· R.D. (Dan) Musser III at Grand Hotel (1887) Mackinac Island, Michigan
· Ed Riley at the Marriott Syracuse Downtown (1924) Syracuse, New York
· Birney and Marie Dempcy at the Mayflower Park Hotel (1927) Seattle, Washington
· Larry Korman at AKA.

Best Historic Hotels Worldwide hotel in Europe
· Hotel Taschenbergpalais Kempinski Dresden (18th Century) Dresden, Germany
· NH Collection Amsterdam Doelen (1815) Amsterdam, Netherlands
· Palais Hansen Kempinski Vienna (1873) Vienna, Austria
· Hotel Waldhaus Sils (1908) Sils Maria, Switzerland
· Grand Hotel Tremezzo (1910) Tremezzo, Italy

Best Historic Hotels Worldwide hotel in Asia/Pacific
· Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar (1780) Bataan, Philippines
· Alsisar Haveli (1892) Jaipur, India
· Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi (1901) Hanoi, Vietnam
· Laxmi Niwas Palace (1904) Bikaner, India
· Hotel New Grand (1927) Yokohama, Japan
· The Fullerton Hotel Singapore (1928) Singapore

Best Historic Hotels Worldwide hotel in the Americas
· Hacienda Uxmal Plantation & Museum (1673) Merida, Mexico
· Rosas & Xocolate Boutique Hotel (19th Century) Merida, Mexico
· Quinta Real Zacatecas (1866) Zacatecas, Mexico
· Fairmont Le Château Frontenac (1893) Québec City, Canada
· The Omni King Edward Hotel (1903) Toronto, Canada
· Alvear Palace Hotel (1932) Buenos Aires, Argentina

“It is an honor to congratulate all the 2017 award nominees,” said Lawrence Horwitz, Executive Director, Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide. “The nominee finalists exemplify the finest historic hotels and their hoteliers from across the United States of America and from around the world. The historic hotels nominated include small historic inns, boutique hotels, lifestyle hotels, and resorts. They represent small towns to large cities to UNESCO World Heritage destinations. We applaud the dedication and passion of the thousands of individuals working at these iconic hotels that keep the stories alive from the past and that make staying or celebrating a special occasion at these historic hotels a memorable experience. Keynote speakers will include recently named 2017 Historic Hotels of America Historian of the Year, Chef Walter Staib, culinary historian, author, ten-time Emmy® Award winning TV host of A Taste of History©. We will also recognize the recipient of the prestigious 2017 Historic Hotels of America Lifetime Achievement Award.”

Tickets for The Historic Hotels of America 2017 Annual Awards of Excellence and Gala Dinner are available. The awards ceremony and dinner will take place at The Omni Homestead Resort (1766) in Hot Springs, Virginia on Thursday, September 28, 2017 at 6 pm. Tickets for the awards ceremony and dinner are $350 for one seat and $2,800 per table (for 8 seats). Contact Historic Hotels of America at +1 202 772 8336 or scalhoun@historichotels.org to reserve tickets.

The 2016 Annual Awards of Excellence and Gala Dinner was held at the Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort (1927) in Honolulu, Hawaii on November 3, 2016 Please click here to view past award winners. 

HONG KONG, Aug. 4, 2017 -- Landing Jeju Development Co., Ltd. (LJDC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Landing International Development Limited (HKSE 582) and the developer and operator of Jeju Shinhwa World, and Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, the world's leading luxury hospitality company, today jointly announced plans to launch a luxury Four Seasons resort in the heart of Jeju Shinhwa World.

Conveniently located just one hour from Seoul by plane, Jeju Island is home to some of Korea's most spectacular natural wonders, including multiple UNESCO sites, an expansive network of underground lava caves, thundering waterfalls, lush coastal hiking trails and the highest mountain peak in all of Korea. A year-round destination for travel with friends and family, Jeju Island also hosts the world-class Jeju Food & Wine Festival and offers a colourful array of local cuisine.  

The first of its kind on the island, Jeju Shinhwa World will be one of Korea's most dynamic resort developments, encompassing high-end hotel facilities including the world-class Four Seasons Resort, upscale resort condominiums and villas, and retail space for international and K-fashion brands. The integrated development will also feature an array of entertainment options including a waterpark, theme park, international-style casino and K-pop entertainment centre.

"Jeju Shinhwa World is set to be one of the most popular leisure and entertainment destinations in north-east Asia. We are honoured to have Four Seasons as a luxury hotel brand in our accommodation offering. As a world-class luxury hospitality company, I am confident that Four Seasons will offer distinguished guests a premium hospitality experience at Jeju Shinhwa World." says Yang Zhihui, Chairman and Executive Director of Landing International Development Limited. "Jeju attracted close to 16 million visitors in 2016, and tourism is expected to continue to grow with a strong momentum for many years to come. We believe with its world-class products and service quality, Four Seasons will enhance the hospitality offerings in Jeju and further strengthen Jeju Shinhwa World's market position as a desired tourist destination in Jeju."

"Korea is an important market for luxury leisure and business travellers. We are pleased to be extending our presence with a new resort experience on Jeju Island to complement our urban property in Seoul," says J. Allen Smith, President and CEO, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. "Landing International has an incredible vision for Jeju Shinhwa World. We look forward to working in partnership with them to create a world-class Four Seasons resort on Jeju Island, offering yet another destination in Korea for local and international travellers to experience the personalized service and thoughtful attention to detail that define Four Seasons."  

Four Seasons Resort Jeju Island at Jeju Shinhwa World, South Korea will include approximately 240 lavishly furnished guest rooms, suites and exclusive villas, with a variety of tailor-made restaurants and bars from which to choose. The Resort will be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for intimate weddings and prestigious corporate events, as well as a luxurious spa, designed in the style of a traditional Korean tea house.

Jeju Shinhwa World is opening in phases since the beginning of 2017. It will be one of Korea's most exciting and prestigious world-class integrated leisure and entertainment resorts.

Teneo President Mike Schugt’s Tips for Success

Eden Prairie, MN, August 2017 … The diplomas are framed, the caps and gowns returned, and the gift of a tablet or good watch is a reminder that time is not standing still for the recent college grad. While many graduates have found jobs, many more are still searching and not always finding industries that are a good fit for their skills and interests. That first job search can be especially stressful and daunting and the competition for choice positions is fierce.

Mike Schugt, President of Teneo Hospitality Group, has an answer for Millennials new to the workforce and unsure of how to find a position in a field where they can learn, grow and achieve. Schugt, a veteran hotelier and prominent sales executive, has no regrets about his career choice and is excited and inspired by the scope of opportunities in the hotel industry today.

"This is a fantastic time to get into the hospitality business-there are so many choices," Schugt affirms, noting that the industry offers opportunities for people from a wide range of disciplines. “The hospitality industry needs people with backgrounds in technology, engineering, finance, law, sales, marketing, food and beverage services, conference management, communications, real estate, human resources, labor relations, graphic design, foreign languages and more,” he says. 

Most of all, the industry needs workers with strong interpersonal skills, an ability that benefits the guest, the company and the employee.

A graduate of the Pennsylvania State University’s Hotel Management School, Schugt has this advice for those starting out in the wide world of hospitality.

Authenticity, Humanity Are Key

According to Schugt, too many jobs are performed online and sometimes in isolation. Communications is computer generated and calls to customer service centers are increasingly digitized and impersonal. “Opportunities for face-to-face interactions are shrinking, and the result is a lack of authenticity in our daily outreach,” says Schugt. 

“This is a serious challenge for any business, service or otherwise,” he asserts. When choosing a career, new graduates should look at the industry’s culture and ask questions beyond pay, benefits and promotions. “Ask what kind of interactions you will have with your colleagues, managers, suppliers, the public. Will your career choice offer you a paycheck as your sole compensation, or will you reap the rich rewards that come from exposure to many different people, cultures, and belief systems that can teach valuable life lessons in leadership and human relations?” Schugt asks.    

Schugt vividly remembers a lesson learned early in his career as a Front Desk Manager in a suburban Marriott hotel with a staff of 33 people reporting to him. “My first big, terrible idea was to make sure that my staff came back from their 30-minute breaks on time,” he recalls. “My boss explained that we are here for the guests and team members and not here to micro-manage the staff. That was a lesson in humanity that I never forgot.”

Work Harder – Get Luckier

Thomas Jefferson once said, “The harder I work the luckier I seem to get,” and Schugt believes in working harder - and smarter - with personal and professional goals always in mind. “Consistently ask what you need to do to get to the next step on your career path,” he advises.

“Don’t think that a task is beneath you,” Schugt cautions. “In the hotel business, crises big and small arise. “If you can’t help when there is a power failure, what are you going to do when there is a serious emergency such as an earthquake, storm, flood or a reservations system crash?” he asks.

Take on More, Learn More

“Accept as much responsibility as anyone will give you - take on more than what is expected of you,” Schugt advises. “Don’t just concentrate on finishing your current workload – raise the bar by resolving to do an exceptional job. Ask to take on new responsibilities, train in new areas and learn all you can about our complex, challenging and ever-evolving world. This is a form of leadership that will drive both personal and team performance,” Schugt asserts.

Think Big, Dream Big

According to Mike Schugt, everything is possible for those who think and dream big. “The only thing that is stopping you from doing exactly what you want is belief! Believe in yourself and believe that whatever it is that you do, you will do exceptionally well. The key is to Think Big, don’t let a self-imposed boundary get in the way.”

Seek and Meet Challenges

Meeting challenges, not avoiding them, is a key part of career development, in Schugt’s view. “It is important to put yourself in uncomfortable situations that stretch you beyond what you thought you could do.” Graduates who place themselves in challenging situations will learn a great deal about themselves and their industry. Schugt often quotes the German philosopher Friederick Nietzsche: “That what does not kill us makes us stronger”.

Question Yourself

For Schugt, a little introspection goes a long way in setting goals and building that all-important belief in oneself. “The questions that you must consistently ask are: Am I living up to my potential? Am I on the right career path, and what is missing in my life plan?”

He points to a time in his career when a weak economy appeared to block any hopes for advancement to the sales position and leadership role he had targeted. “I realized that I had to set my mind to doing what I aspired to do and anything would be possible. It’s so easy to get caught up in daily routines rather than focus on how to improve skills and live up to your potential. Discipline your mind to continually reach for new and higher goals and don’t accept the status quo.”

Learn a Foreign Language

Few industries demand more cultural sensitivity than hospitality and Schugt advises anyone with a serious career plan to learn a foreign language.  “In a global economy, fluency in a major language is essential to effective employee and customer relations,” says Schugt, who in addition to his native English speaks fluent German and Spanish.

Success in any job requires challenging work, self-examination and a willingness to take one’s career to the next level.  But Mike Schugt is convinced that the hospitality field will bring ample rewards to today’s graduates. “Few industries offer the variety of brands, locations, positions and types of properties in which to work. You may find yourself working for an upscale urban property, in a college town, at an all-inclusive resort, a historic hotel, at a large conference center or even in a hotel in exotic and remote parts of Asia, Africa or Latin America,” he says.

No one needs to fit into a specific mold in the hospitality field, according to Mike Schugt. “Some are leaders, some are entrepreneurs, others do best in support roles, some are highly guest focused, others thrive in accounting and finance. What matters is that you understand who you are and what you can do best, what motivates you and what drives you. Find your passion, set lofty goals and higher standards for yourself. Work hard to get there and believe that you can do it and then…make it happen.”

By Kristina M. D'Amico

Known for its iconic pink-sand beaches, the island of Bermuda is nestled in the North Atlantic Ocean, just 650 miles east off the coast of North Carolina. Most associate the island as part of the Caribbean, but Bermuda is actually located hundreds of miles to the north. Less than a two-hour flight from New York, Bermuda is an ideal tourist destination with mild temperatures and a unique culture, growing in popularity among younger, experiential travelers and hotel investors.

The following article provides an overview of economic drivers, market dynamics, and future hotel growth in Bermuda, where there is a surge of international hotel brands gaining representation, as the island springboards on positive momentum created by the 35th America’s Cup.

Growth as a Tourism Destination

A comprehensive review by the Bermuda Tourism Authority (BTA) verified that the island’s total air arrivals for 2016 increased to 244,491 travelers. When compared with the 219,814 travelers to arrive in 2015, the year-over-year increase is 11.2%. Among the 162,321 visitors who said their purpose of visit was vacation, that group spent an estimated $222.1 million on the island in 2016, a 23.2% jump (or $41.8 million) from the year before.

Vacationer arrival and spending data continue to show positive trends into 2017. In the first quarter of 2017, visitor spending was up an additional 30.5% to $26.3 million, representing an increase of $6.1 million. Through May 2017, vacation air arrivals increased 18.5%, compared to the same five-month period in 2016, with particularly robust growth from the United States and Canada. Bermuda has experienced 17 consecutive months of year-over-year growth in leisure air arrivals, dating back to January 2016. At the time of our research, June 2017 was expected to be the 18th consecutive growth month given increased visitation during the America’s Cup.

Air Arrivals by Purpose of Visit

Source: Bermuda Tourism Authority

Helping to fuel growth is a steady increase in airline-seat capacity over the past two years, particularly from New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport, where seat capacity forecasts indicate a further jump in capacity of 23% for 2017. Boston is following the same pathway as New York, expected to climb 18% in seat capacity for 2017, compared to 2016. American Airlines and JetBlue have been at the forefront of the increased capacity.

The U.S. generates 75% of Bermuda’s air travelers, with signs pointing to further growth in 2017 given the added seat capacity. Visitors from Canada and the United Kingdom are a distant second and third, generating 10% and 9%, respectively. The U.S.’s East Coast remains Bermuda’s top source market for vacation arrivals, specifically New York and Boston, which accounted for 52% of all U.S. vacation air arrivals in 2016.

The following chart illustrates visitor air-arrival statistics categorized by country of origin since 2010. 

Visitor Air Arrivals by Country

Source: Bermuda Tourism Authority

Another notable change in 2016 was the average age of the Bermuda leisure visitor, showing a younger demographic than in years past, which is a strong signal to the viability and sustainability of the island’s tourism industry. Seventy-six percent of the leisure visitor growth in 2016 represented travellers under the age of 45.

Bermuda Hotel Supply

According to the BTA, as of December 2016, Bermuda offered 42 hotels, spanning 2,334 rooms, with most belonging to the upper-upscale and luxury classes. The two largest hotels are the 593-room Fairmont Southampton and the 400-room Fairmont Hamilton Princess. Per the STR Destination Report on Bermuda for May 2017, hotel occupancy reached nearly 55% year-to-date through May 2017, up an eighth of a percentage point from the prior year. 

Bermuda, like most island destinations, is subject to a level of seasonality, which is opposite the typical seasonality patterns in the Caribbean. Arrivals (and Bermuda hotel occupancy levels) decline significantly in the winter months given the large share of visitors from the U.S. who rank warm weather as an important vacation criterion and are more likely to choose the warmer Caribbean destinations in the winter. Bermuda’s occupancy peaks between May and August and benefits from a long shoulder season (averaging six months of the year). Average monthly annualized occupancies over the last four years are estimated in the following graph. 

Hotel Seasonality in Bermuda

Source: Bermuda Tourism Authority, HVS Research, STR, Inc.

Hotels are the most popular choice of accommodation among the majority of both leisure and business guests, having hosted nearly 75% of Bermuda’s travelers for an average length of stay at 4.69 days per the year-to-date May 2017 period. Although hotels are the first choice of tourists traveling to Bermuda, the vacation rental market is showing signs of strength in popularity, as well as longer lengths of stay, averaging 10 to 12 days. Per the BTA, the island has approximately 466 rental units available that can accommodate nearly 2,000 guests. The number of guests staying in vacation rentals increased 73% year-to-date through May 2017, compared to the same period in 2016. 

New Hotel Development

Hotel development activity indicates promise for the future of the island’s tourism product, as more hotel brands show interest in Bermuda. Most recently, The Loren at Pink Beach, a 37-room property that opened in April 2017, was the first new hotel in Bermuda in nearly a decade. While many projects are still under consideration or in the pre-development phase, several luxury hotel projects have broken ground or are close to that stage in Bermuda. Notably, international hotel brands are gaining representation.

• The independent Azura hotel is currently under construction along the south shore. Phase I of the development includes a boutique, luxury resort with 46 hotel rooms and 18 villa residences. The first phase of the project is slated for completion in early 2018.

• A Ritz-Carlton Reserve is under construction at Caroline Bay. Phase I, which will include an ultra-luxury hotel component and residences, is slated to open by April 2019. A superyacht marina on this site has already been completed.

• A 122-room St. Regis resort, comprising a hotel component and 28 luxury condominiums, has broken ground on the east end of Bermuda. This development is scheduled for completion in 2020.

• Plans to resurrect Ariel Sands with a hotel and residential component are currently in the works. Michael Douglas, owner of the site, is in the process of finding a partner to bring the project back to fruition. Though no timeline for development has been finalized, there has been great interest in the project. 

Bermuda is on pace to add 1,500 hotel rooms to its island-wide inventory over the next decade.

The Impact of the America’s Cup

Successfully hosting the 35th America’s Cup in 2017 and the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series in 2015 put Bermuda on the world stage as an international sailing destination. Bermuda was seen on television in more than 162 countries during 50 hours of sports programming, with an additional 159.5 million impressions on social media during the weeks-long event. The media exposure put Bermuda on a strong footing to attract new visitors, and the near flawless execution of the event elevated the small country into conversations about hosting future events. Now, Bermuda is working on new regulations and legislation to attract superyacht owners and superyacht events to Bermuda more regularly. Fueled by the America’s Cup, superyacht visits to Bermuda are up 106% thus far this year. Building on this reputation, Bermuda will host the ITU World Triathlon Series in April 2018, 2019, and 2020. PricewaterhouseCoopers is expected to release a comprehensive report in October of this year to illustrate the total impact of the America’s Cup on Bermuda, including on its tourism industry.

Looking Forward

Bermuda tourism is moving forward with a new brand identity and a bright future. The outlook for the island is optimistic for 2017 and beyond as the BTA continues its initiatives to promote Bermuda as a tourism, events, and meetings destination after the success of the America’s Cup. Further growth in airline capacity from the U.S. market is anticipated, and a new state-of-the-art airport terminal building is currently under construction, with a planned opening in 2020. In addition, the presence of several international hotel brands will only help raise Bermuda’s prominence as a tourism destination. A new law, expected to pass the Bermuda Parliament soon, will provide incentives to stimulate and reward investment in the island’s tourism infrastructure. 

About CHICOS
Caribbean Hotel Investment Conference & Operations Summit (CHICOS) is the annual event that brings together international investors and operators, as well as leading hotel investment decisionmakers, including governmental representatives and international industry and opinion leaders, to discuss the markets, developments, and opportunities for hotel growth in the Caribbean region. Now in its seventh year, CHICOS is the only investment conference of its kind held in the region.

The authors wish to thank the Bermuda Tourism Authority for its contributions to this market report.

Special Collaboration
Tara Tempesta is a Marketing Communications Coordinator at LHL Communications, a hospitality-focused marketing, branding, and media-relations advisory. Tara is a rising senior at Boston University’s School of Hospitality Administration, pursuing a concentration in Event Management. She is currently an Events Marketing intern at Discovery Communications, having previously interned with Legends Hospitality at One World Observatory in the Private Events department. tara@lhlcommunications.com

NEW YORK - August 04, 2017 - Hilton (NYSE: HLT) announced today that ONE UN New York will join the Hilton network as Millennium Hilton New York One UN Plaza on August 30 as Hilton Hotels & Resorts' seventh local property. The landmark hotel, situated alongside the United Nations headquarters, has long welcomed both leisure and business travelers, and the world's most esteemed leaders, diplomats and heads of state. The iconic property is now poised to deliver Hilton's flagship hospitality to visitors from across the globe. It has completed a $68 million phased renovation since 2012, which preserved the distinctive architecture and layout of the original Kevin Roche-designed building, while upgrading the hotel's 439 guest rooms and suites, meetings and event spaces, public areas and restaurant.

"At Hilton, we are always looking to be in the heart of the world's top destinations that matter most to our guests and Hilton Honors members, and no city embodies this more than New York," said David Marr, senior vice president and global head, full service brands, Hilton. "The addition of Millennium Hilton New York One UN Plaza brings our signature hospitality to the east side of Manhattan, and we look forward to providing exceptional guest experiences true to the Hilton brand."

Millennium Hilton New York One UN Plaza offers panoramic views across the Manhattan skyline to one side, with sweeping views of the East River to the other. Nearby attractions include Grand Central Terminal, Empire State Building, Fifth Avenue, Times Square and the Broadway Theatre district.  

Guest and locals alike can enjoy a variety of dining options on-property including:

• Ambassador Grill: a modern, all-day dining destination, which offers fresh, globally-inspired fare including classic dishes and all-time favorites
   
• Ambassador Lounge: set within the hotel's signature restaurant, the lounge features an extensive menu of wine, beer and spirits for guests looking to unwind in a chic and casual setting
   
• un café: perfect for the guest on the go, this venue serves freshly-brewed coffee complemented by a wide selection of pastries, salads and sandwiches
   

With approximately 7,500 square feet of meeting space, Millennium Hilton New York One UN Plaza is the perfect venue for meetings and events. The hotel offers six adaptable meeting, function and exhibit spaces with natural light and panoramic views of New York City, including the hotel's stunning ballroom, which can accommodate up to 300 guests. Each event space comes with dedicated audio-visual and production support, and the hotel has a specialized catering and events team on hand to provide expert advice for events of any size. Guests seeking exercise have a variety of options, including a 24-hour fitness center and a year-round tennis court.

"We are very pleased that our unique property located on the grounds of the United Nations headquarters will be managed by Hilton as Millennium Hilton New York One UN Plaza," said Mr. Kwek Leng Beng, Chairman of Millennium & Copthorne, Plc. "With the availability of premier accommodation and event space in midtown Manhattan, Millennium Hilton New York One UN Plaza will be an ideal choice for many of the Hilton loyal guests. It is a win-win situation for both Hilton and Millennium Group. We look forward to this expanded relationship with Hilton in North America and internationally."

"With stunning skyline views, modern accommodations and amenities and a location in one of the world's most sought-after destinations, we are confident we will exceed our guests' expectations and further establish Millennium Hilton New York One UN Plaza as one of the city's top hotels. The hotel will join its sister property, Millennium Hilton New York Downtown, which is currently celebrating its 25^th anniversary this year, in welcoming many of the Hilton brand's valued guests to this dignified residential area of Midtown East," added Mr. Kwek.

Millennium Hilton New York One UN Plaza is located at One United Nations Plaza, New York, NY, conveniently situated 10 miles from La Guardia Airport, 15 miles from John F. Kennedy Airport and less than a ten-minute walk to the Grand Central 42 St. Subway station. The hotel is owned by Millennium Hotels and Resorts and will be managed by Hilton. For more information, or to make a reservation, please call +1 212-758-1234 or visit the hotel's website at http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/new-york/millennium-hilton-new-york-one-un-plaza-NYCUPHH/index.html  

Marriott International (NASDAQ: MAR) announced today that construction will begin in the fourth quarter on the 16-story, $282 million JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort, which will provide Orlando visitors a new option for luxury accommodations.

The 516-room hotel will be built on the last available site zoned for hotel use in Bonnet Creek, a 482-acre, mixed-use resort community near Orlando’s popular theme parks. Marriott International’s turnkey management solution, Managed by Marriott (MxM), will operate the hotel when it opens in first quarter 2020.

“We are thrilled to work with our partners to create an exciting JW Marriott hotel near Orlando’s world-class theme parks,” said Noah Silverman, Chief Development Officer, North America Full Service Hotels at Marriott International. “This project is a testament to the strength of our brands, loyalty platform, best-in-class associates and relationships with visionary development partners.”

The JW Marriott at Bonnet Creek is owned and developed by DCS Investment Holdings, a private equity group based in West Palm Beach, Florida. DCS Investment Holdings is recognized as a leading developer of residential and commercial real estate, including residential towers, master-planned communities and millions of square feet in retail and office space. The company is owned by Dwight C. Schar, co-owner of the Washington Redskins and founding chairman of NVR Inc., one of America’s largest homebuilders.

“JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek will combine luxury service and accommodations with the warm atmosphere for which the brand is beloved,” said Mitzi Gaskins, Global Brand Leader, JW Marriott and The Luxury Collection. “Through thoughtful design, enhanced culinary offerings, and family-friendly programming, this hotel is sure to become an enticing home away from home for our guests visiting the Sunshine State.”

When it opens, the JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek will offer visitors luxuriously decorated accommodations including 80 suites. In addition to two presidential suites, guests will be able to choose from 16, two-bedroom suites with optional connections to create four-bedroom family units, making the hotel an excellent choice for small groups or multi-generational family vacations.

The JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek will have multiple food and beverage outlets, including an indoor/outdoor restaurant and a 9^thstory rooftop bar with panoramic views of local evening fireworks. The resort will include an expansive pool with decks and terraces and a pool area for younger guests. The hotel will offer outdoor activities on a special amenity deck that will give guests the option of playing tennis, basketball and shuffleboard.

The hotel will also feature a spa with 10 treatment rooms, fitness center, children’s playroom, teen center and meeting space. Event organizers will be able to utilize more than 50,000 square feet of meeting space, including a 23,000-square-foot ballroom, to accommodate a variety of social and business events.

Saratoga Springs, N.Y. – August 4, 2017 – The Saratoga Hilton – Saratoga Springs’ largest hotel, with 242 guestrooms – today announced the completion of its first phase of renovations.  The seven-million-dollar project included a full transformation of all guestrooms, the hotel’s restaurant and all public spaces.  The hotel will undergo a second phase of renovations beginning in Q4 2017.

“Saratoga Springs is one of upstate New York’s most popular destinations and our property puts guests within reach of many local attractions, charming boutique shops and fine restaurants,” said Mik Mahdavi, general manager of The Saratoga Hilton.  “Our contemporary style and residential feel gives travelers a sense of home, as they prepare for a day of golf, skiing, business meetings or a trip to the Saratoga Race Course. We are excited to welcome guests with a fresh look and feel at their home away from home.”

Managed by Driftwood Hospitality Management (DHM) since 2016, The Saratoga Hilton began renovations in November of last year and has refurbished all 242 guestrooms and incorporated HVAC units, updated its on-site restaurant – The Springs Restaurant serving modern American fare – transformed the public areas and added a Starbucks Café – where guests can enjoy any Starbucks drink.   As part of phase two, sliding doors and new patio areas will be added to the front and rear of the hotel.  Additionally, The Saratoga Hilton – connected to the city’s Convention Center and host to all citywide conventions – will enhance the property’s 58,000 sq. ft. of meeting space.

“We purchased the property last year and immediately had the vision that this could be one of the premier hotels in the area,” said Carlos Rodriguez Sr., CEO of Driftwood Acquisitions & Development (DAD).  “Today is a very exciting day, as we can now set our sights on the second phase of renovations.  This is such a vibrant destination filled with entertainment and dynamic areas.  We’re thrilled that guests can enjoy the town and have a comfortable place to rest at night.”

Purchased by DHM’s sister company, DAD, the Saratoga Hilton is located just six miles from the Saratoga County Airport and 30 miles from Albany International Airport.  Additional hotel amenities include a heated indoor pool, a fitness center, free high-speed internet and room service. 

Boston, Mass. – August 4, 2017 – Four Points by Sheraton Boston Logan Airport today announced the completion of renovations to its 180 guestrooms, lobby and all function spaces.  Ideally situated near Boston’s Logan Airport and just five miles from TD Banknorth Garden and Fenway Park, the hotel now offers fully updated guestrooms and bathrooms, an expanded lobby with a large concierge space and redesigned function spaces.  

“It’s a very exciting time for this hotel, and for our entire team, and we are eager to share our new look with travelers,” said Michael Buddemeyer, general manager, Four Points by Sheraton Boston Logan Airport.  “The redesign here will provide a more welcoming atmosphere for our business and leisure travel guests, with guestrooms fit for maximum comfort and an enlarged lobby to encourage social gatherings. We’re confident that returning and first-time guests alike will find the updates intriguing, and look forward to coming back again in the future.”

Managed by Driftwood Hospitality Management (DHM) since March 2016, Four Points by Sheraton Boston Logan Airport now features five function spaces – the largest at more than 1,700 sq. ft. – an on-site breakfast room seating more than 120 and the new Landing Café, serving Seattle’s Best Coffee^® and teas, as well as sandwiches and pastries.

The hotel features a heated indoor pool with an adjacent deck perfect for sunbathing; a multi-functional fitness center with treadmills, free weights, elliptical machines, yoga mats and core fitness yoga balls; and an on-site restaurant, Bisuteki Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar, which offers a hibachi-style dinner and hand-rolled a la carte sushi.

“This hotel sees thousands of guests traveling in and out each year and we felt it was time for a refresh,” said Michael Diaz, chief operating officer for DHM.  “We revamped the most important aspects of the hotel.  The renovations enhance the look and feel of the property and we believe the changes will position the hotel for long-term success.”  

Guests visiting Four Points by Sheraton Boston Logan Airport will enjoy the hotel’s proximity to the subway, allowing travelers quick and easy access to downtown Boston’s shopping and city attractions – including the 50,000 sq. ft. Boston Convention Center. The hotel provides complimentary 24-hour airport shuttle service, as well, and parking is free of charge.

MIAMI (August 4, 2017) – Barceló Hotel Group today announced the opening of Barceló México Reforma, a new 500-room, 5-star flagship hotel in the heart of Mexico City, located on the iconic Paseo de la Reforma.

“With 21 hotels, we already have a strong presence in Mexico, but it has taken us some time to reach the capital,” says Juan Perez Sosa, Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing in the United States. “We are proud to establish our presence in Mexico City with such a superb hotel. It will be a pleasure to demonstrate our extensive expertise in the urban hospitality industry, which we have been developing over the course of many years in major Latin American and European cities.”

The Barceló México Reforma, Barceló Hotel Group’s first urban hotel in Mexico, will serve as a perfect addition to Paseo de la Reforma, which is one of Mexico City’s most dynamic destinations for shopping, culture, tourism, and business. The area has experienced a real estate boom in recent years thanks to the construction of large skyscrapers and the restoration of classic buildings that blend modernism with contemporary architectural styles. The establishment, which was completely renovated in 2015, features a buffet restaurant, a steakhouse, lobby bar, wellness offerings, a sports bar and lounge, and modern events facilities that can accommodate groups of up to 800 people. The Barceló Mexico Reforma allows both business, cultural and leisure travelers to make the most of a unique city, in a setting that reflects the spirit of the Mexican people and their traditions.

“We’re using our classic Barceló brand principles for this new property,” Sosa says. “This will enable us to transform Barceló México Reforma into an example of quality and exclusiveness, where guests can enjoy exciting and unforgettable experiences.”

Jackson, M.S. – (August 4, 2017) – Westin Hotels & Resorts in partnership with Wischermann Partners, Inc. today announced the official opening of the brand’s debut hotel in Mississippi, The Westin Jackson. Bringing a new level of luxury and well-being to the state’s capital city, The Westin Jackson boasts 203 thoughtfully-designed guestrooms and suites, a wine bar & bistro, a resort-style spa, as well as the brand’s signature fitness studio and saltwater pool.

Specifically designed to celebrate the history and culture of Jackson, Mississippi as “the birthplace of American music,” The Westin Jackson is part of the $60-million public-private development that incorporates rhythmic architectural features and custom artwork, including custom figurines designed by local and renowned artist Anne Robin Luckett, representing various Mississippi cultural icons ranging from esteemed athletes to beloved musicians.  The anticipated hotel is poised to support travel and tourism in downtown Jackson – ideally located in the downtown arts and cultural district and steps from the Jackson Convention Complex.

“Around the world, travelers are realigning their priorities to put their well-being first, which continues to fuel Westin’s growth in both established cities like Jackson, Mississippi and emerging destinations like Jordan,” said George Fleck, Vice President, Global Brand Marketing & Management, Westin Hotels & Resorts. “With the revival of downtown Jackson and new energy in the city, we are thrilled to introduce a unique wellness proposition for business and leisure travelers, as only Westin can – empowering guests to be their best selves while on the road.”

“We are excited to be a part of the resurgence of downtown Jackson; The Westin Jackson will set the bar for the city’s hospitality industry and become an important part of the community,” says Mike Burton, General Manager, The Westin Jackson. “From our iconic Heavenly Bed to our Gear Lending partnership with New Balance, we look forward to delivering a memorable experience to visitors and locals alike.”

The Westin Jackson is located at 407 South Congress Street Jackson, in the heart of downtown Jackson and within walking distance of the Mississippi Museum of Art, Federal Courthouse, Planetarium and Thalia Mara Hall, the historic music and arts theatre. Also within one block from the hotel, the Jackson Convention Complex features over 300,000 square feet of flexible meeting and exhibit space for convention attendees. 

For more information on The Westin Jackson, visit www.westin.com/jackson or call (601) 968-8200. 

PARSIPPANY, NJ - August 8, 2017  Lodging Interactive, an award winning digital marketing and social media engagement agency exclusively serving the hospitality industry, today announced the launch of its localized Stay.Play.Explore micro website services for hotels.  Stay.Play.Explore provides hotels with fully curated local destination content and lifestyle activity based information for hotel guests.

“Hotel websites rarely provide deep localized content to inform and inspire guests when they’re in the travel planning phase,” said DJ Vallauri, Founder & President of Lodging Interactive.  “Our Stay.Play.Explore micro websites provide curated local content tailored around things to do near the hotel and differentiates the property against its competitive set.  This kind of localized, human curated content helps to drive direct bookings.”

Stay.Play.Explore adds value to any property seeking to drive more direct bookings and minimize its dependence on OTA’s. By providing deep, local information that is designed to complement the local destination, hotels are playing a more involved role in the guest’s travel planning process. Lodging Interactive copywriters curate and create unique content to appeal to all travel demographics. 

“Stay.Play.Explore for branded properties, is the perfect content addition to brand.com property  pages,” added Mr. Vallauri.  “Providing potential guests with recommended  weekend sightseeing itineraries and helpful local hints communicates to all demographics, business travelers, leisure travelers and family vacationers.”

Facebook integration of the Stay.Play.Explore micro website also extends the value to the hotel’s social media network. 

“Inspiring travelers throughout the travel journey is critical in closing more direct bookings. Anytime you can enable travelers to ‘Live Like a Local’ in a foreign destination, you win,” stated DJ Vallauri.

For more information on how to add Stay.Play.Explore localized content your hotel’s brand.com website pages, visit Lodging Interactive or call 877-291-4411 ext. 704. 

Launching with Leonardo Hotels, Splitit Promises Increased Revenue, Higher Conversion and Lower Cart Abandonment for Online Travel Providers

NEW YORK, August 8, 2017 – Splitit, a New York - based fintech start up, announced an agreement to bring no interest payments to travelers who book at more than 115 Leonardo Hotels across Europe and the Middle East.

Splitit allows consumers to use their existing credit cards to divide the cost of a high-ticket travel purchase into as many as 12 payments, making travel more accessible for consumers – and helping travel providers increase conversion, generate revenue and reduce cart abandonment.  Beginning in October, travelers will be able to book no interest split-payment stays exclusively at https://www.leonardo-hotels.com/leonardo-hotels-destinations and www.fattal-hotels.com

“We are delighted to announce this partnership with Leonardo Hotels, a pioneer in online travel and an unmatched guest service provider,” said Gil Don, Splitit’s CEO & Co – Founder

“Now for the first time, guests around the world can enjoy the benefits of travel, with payments spread across a number of months – without onerous interest charges. By using the Splitit solution, online merchants can increase online order values and decrease cart abandonment dramatically. We are already serving dozens of fine retailers around the world, and are excited to launch our service in the travel space, where it is badly needed.”

At a time when hotels, wholesalers and others are seeking ways to optimize revenue and provide frictionless, personalized purchase options for consumers, Splitit offers a simple, easy to integrate solution. Via a Splitit button placed on the merchant’s final purchase page,  travelers can easily charge any purchase on their existing credit card and pay it back in monthly interest free installments.

Splitit operates in the credit card path: unlike consumer financing solutions, the core of Splitit is the ability to optimize a card holder’s unused credit line as security for an installment plan. The company has helped many online retailers increase conversion by more than 20%,  bump up online revenues by more than 15%, and decrease cart abandonment by more than 10%.

Splitit anticipates announcing partnerships with additional global travel providers in the weeks ahead.

For more information, visit www.splitit.com.

Market-leading hospitality technology innovator identifies key traits of the best and worst hotel technology suppliers

Bethesda, MD  (August 8, 2017) –StayNTouch®, the leading innovator in mobile technology and Property Management Systems (PMS) for the hospitality industry, today released a list of the 7 most important things hoteliers should evaluate in their current technology service providers or when going through the process of selecting a new one.

The free checklist is available for free download at here.

These days, technology partners have become extensions of the hotel itself, and just like hotel companies, all suppliers are not created equal. Often the pricing model is the same, but the service and support delivery varies significantly. Who better to shine a spotlight on some of the most common pitfalls that hotel companies should be aware of than one of the industry’s most trusted hotel systems provider. StayNTouch, recognized as a technology pioneer and thought leader, gets to the heart of what matters most - decoding the nuances and pitfalls that every hotel should be aware of.

“Hoteliers need to realize that they set the service standard, not the technology provider,” explains Jos Schaap, CEO of StayNTouch. “A true partner will strive to exceed expectations, not just meet them. We want to hotels to step back and take a good look at their current tech partners and consider the costs of the status quo if there are better options available.”

Identifying the service deliverables and levers that drive realizable value to your hotel business, and then thoughtfully committing to the right technology service providers will help hotels operate at optimal levels on all levels. The keys are setting service expectations, holding vendors accountable, and making a move to a more suitable provider if needed because sometimes the cost of change is a lot less than the cost of staying the same.

Click here to download How to Best Evaluate if Your Tech Provider is Delivering on Service or visit http://go.stayntouch.com/EvaluatingyourTechProvider_ContentLandingpage.html.

DALLAS--August 8, 2017--Omni Hotels & Resorts today announced Daniel Surette’s appointment as vice president of sales. With more than 30 years in the industry and 20 years of senior-level sales leadership experience, Surette will be responsible for creating and implementing revenue-generating strategies across the entire luxury hotel brand. Surette will oversee Omni’s global sales team as well as its field area and regional directors of sales and marketing to set budgets and reach business plan objectives. He will report to Peter Strebel, chief marketing officer and senior vice president of sales. 

“Dan has earned a well-deserved reputation for harnessing the industry’s talents and tools to maximize revenue, unlock sales growth potential and drive market share,” said Strebel. “He has a true passion for setting and achieving ambitious business goals, which will make him a tremendous addition to the Omni family for many years to come.”

Prior to joining Omni, Surette worked at Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. for more than 15 years. He most recently served as the vice president of North America sales and field marketing where he oversaw a large team of regional digital marketing experts handling sales and marketing for 400 Starwood properties. Surette previously worked with Hyatt Hotels Corporation for more than a decade, serving in sales and marketing roles of increasing responsibility.

Surette attended Johnson & Wales University where he earned a degree in hospitality management. He has been a member of several leading professional organizations over the years, including Meeting Professionals International (MPI), Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) and Hotel Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI).

For more information, visit omnihotels.com, call 1-800-The-Omni, or follow Omni Hotels & Resorts at www.Facebook.com/OmniHotels and Twitter.com/OmniHotels. 

Partners to announce plan for major renovation in the coming months

SINGAPORE (August 8, 2017) -- Louis T Collection and H&M Capital Pty Ltd have announced the signing of a management agreement pursuant to which Louis T Collection will oversee the operation of the New Esplanade Hotel. The hotel is located in Elizabeth Quay, Perth’s vibrant, newly developed mixed-use zone along the Swan River.

In addition to providing full management services, Louis T Collection, drawing upon extensive building solutions and architectural design expertise, will oversee the renovation of the 80-room property that will reposition the hotel in the market by returning it to its leading place among Perth’s top-tier hotels.

The original Esplanade Hotel, that opened on the site in the early 1900s, was for many years one of the city’s most prominent hotels.

“Given the changing face of the city with the new waterfront development surrounding the hotel, coupled with extremely favorable tourism numbers, the time couldn’t be better to bring the New Esplanade back to its former glory”, said Grant Healy, CEO and co-founder of Louis T Collection. “Our goal for the hotel is that it become Perth’s most desirable home for visitors, and, at the same time, becomes an important social and entertainment hub for the local community”.

According to Healy, details of the hotel’s renovation and launch of the repositioned hotel will be forthcoming over the next few months.

“With the refurbishment, we want to resurrect and retain the soul of the original Esplanade Hotel while introducing a fresh, innovative living experience, allowing the Esplanade Hotel to serve as one of the catalysts for the revitalization of the city of Perth,” said Jun Hao Tan, Director of H&M Capital Pty Ltd. “I have utmost confidence in Louis T Collection’s focus on maintaining the integrity and bringing forth the unique nature of each hotel in the collection. That´s exactly what we intend to achieve with the hotel.”

The relationship with H&M Capital is Louis T Collection’s first move in the Australian market and a special one for co-founder Healy who was born and raised in the Western Australian city.

International visitor count to the region increased by 12% in 2016, with nearly a million tourists touching down in Western Australia, according to Tourism Western Australia. 95% of those inbound travellers visited Perth. The number of travellers from neighboring Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore, all increased as well as visitors from further afield such as those from China, India, and the USA.

Mantra Group today announced it has entered into an agreement with the Deague Group to acquire the Australian-owned Art Series Hotel Group for approximately $52.5 million (excluding transaction costs), subject to customary completion conditions.

The acquisition will see seven luxury hotels (representing more than 1,000 guest rooms and including a number of conference and event facilities, restaurants and luxury hotel-style amenities) added to Mantra Group's ever-expanding portfolio of 128 properties and more than 21,500 rooms in properties under management across Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia and Hawaii.

The seven hotels are:

• The Cullen, Prahran, Melbourne VIC
• The Larwill Studio, North Melbourne VIC
• The Olsen, South Yarra, Melbourne VIC
• The Blackman, St Kilda Road, Melbourne VIC
• The Chen, Box Hill, Melbourne VIC (which is currently in the final stages of construction and is set to open in November 2017)
• The Johnson, Spring Hill, Brisbane QLD
• The Watson, Walkerville, Adelaide SA
   

Each hotel is inspired and dedicated to Australian contemporary artists, infusing the namesake artist's works and personality throughout the hotel to create unique art-inspired experiences.

Recognising the strength of the brand in the market, each business will continue to operate under the Art Series brand.

These boutique properties are well suited to both leisure and corporate travellers and are located in some of Australia's hottest art and cultural hubs, most of which Mantra Group already has a long-standing and high performing presence.

Mantra Group Chief Executive Officer Bob East said the deal represents a sizeable addition to Mantra Group's already expansive Australian portfolio.

"This acquisition enhances our existing portfolio and presents a unique opportunity for Mantra Group to increase its footprint across three key locations (Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide) in a single transaction." said Mr East.

"This is a rare opportunity to acquire a collection of exceptional hotels and one which is expected to make a significant contribution to Mantra Group's business."

"These hotels have been operated to the highest standards by a passionate and dedicated team, and we are delighted to welcome such iconic and favoured properties to our growing network of hotels and resorts."

"We look forward to working with the owners, team members and guests to ensure a smooth transition."

Settlement of the Art Series Acquisition is expected to be completed in late 2017, subject to closing conditions customary for an acquisition of this nature.

By Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group®
Hotel Lawyers | Authors of www.HotelLawBlog.com

29 July 2017

EB-5 is a proven means of financing for development projects.

EB-5 financing is an important and viable source of construction financing for hotels, hotel enhanced mixed-use, and other development projects. Eight years ago, when JMBM started helping hotel developers with EB-5 financing, many worried about whether this is a legitimate and reliable financing source.

Now, after billions of dollars of development have been funded with EB-5, this type of financing is regarded as mainstream. It is used by many institutional players, including government entities such as port authorities, major hotel brands like Marriott and Hilton, and some of America’s most successful and respected companies, such as Great Wolf Resorts, the Related Companies and Silverstein Properties.

As an active source of EB-5 funding for select developers, JMBM’s Global Hospitality Group® team has been busy too. We caught up with Jim Butler and David Sudeck for an update on recent developments in this area as summarized in the Q & A below.

Q: How much EB-5 financing has JMBM provided to its clients?

By mid-2017, the JMBM Team has closed more than $1.5 billion in EB-5 financing for our clients’ development projects, and we sourced more than half of that amount.

Over the last 8 years, we have worked on more than 100 EB-5 projects, primarily representing developers in securing and closing their EB-5 financing projects all over the country; this includes high profile locations in California, Florida, New York, and Texas, but also in more bread-and-butter locations including Georgia, Nebraska and Maryland.

Q: That is more than $1.5 billion in EB-5 financings closed and more than half of that sourced by JMBM. What do you mean by “sourced”?

The “sourcing” is a process. What we do depends on the client. Typically, we help the client position and structure itself and the project for optimal EB-5 financing — presenting the best profile to get the fastest and most certain funding of the largest amount feasible. It includes identifying and introducing our client to one or more appropriate funding sources, negotiating a term sheet, and taking the deal through to funding.

Q: Who is the ideal client for JMBM in EB-5 financing?

We are looking for quality, not quantity. We only want to work with a small number of top developers — great developers with superior track records and solid projects. We do not accept any engagement to work on an EB-5 project unless we believe there is a very great probability that we can close the deal. We still have a 100% track record of success.

Q: How much money can you help source for a project?

Most of the financings we have arranged to date have been in a sweet spot ranging from $20 million to $125 million. But we are working with lenders who can do some smaller deals–closing one recently in the $10 million range, and we closed one project for more than $450 million.

Of course, there are other critical factors in sizing the EB-5 financing. For example, the total loan-to-cost ratio generally should not be more than 80% to 85%, and the EB-5 loan should not be more than 25% to 35% of total project costs. But there is a big range of projects we work on.

We have closed five EB-5 financings for one client! After the first closing, subsequent financings tend to be much faster and more efficient.

How to get help evaluating and executing on EB-5 financing.

We have a lot of practical experience in helping our developer clients raise EB-5 funding. If you would like some help to evaluate whether EB-5 could work for you, or what strategy is best for you, then give us a call. There is no cost for an initial discussion.

Jim Butler, +1-310-201-3526 or jbutler@jmbm.com

David Sudeck, +1-310-201-3518 or dsudeck@jmbm.com

For more information about EB-5 financing, including the latest updates, go to www.HotelLawBlog.com, scroll down the right-hand side under LEARN MORE ABOUT and click on “EB-5 Financing” where you will find all the articles on the subject.

For your convenience, here are a few popular EB-5 articles that may be of interest:

EB-5 extended without change: President Donald Trump signs bill
FAQs: Essentials of EB-5 construction financing for developers
EB-5 construction financing term sheet for top developers”
JMBM has closed more than $1.5 billion of EB-5 financing for development projects
Are hotels still the darling of EB-5 financing?
The 5 questions every developer is asking about EB-5 financing
Tips to avoid the 6 most common mistakes developers make with EB-5
Why you do NOT want to form your own regional center
How JMBM helps developers with EB-5 financing?

This is Jim Butler, author of www.HotelLawBlog.com and hotel lawyer, signing off. Please contact us if you would like to discuss any issues that affect your hotel interests or see how our experience might help you create value and avoid unnecessary pitfalls. Who’s your hotel lawyer?

CHICAGO--August 8, 2017--Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE:H) today announced that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a franchise agreement with Talbot Hotels S.A. for two Hyatt Centric hotels in Lima, Peru and Santiago, Chile. Expected to open in early 2018, the two hotels will mark the introduction of the Hyatt Centric brand to Peru and Chile. 

“Santiago and Lima are two of the main gateway cities in Latin America, and we are confident Hyatt Centric San Isidro Lima and Hyatt Centric Las Condes Santiago will deliver on the brand’s commitment to put guests in the middle of the action and inspire them to explore these dynamic capital cities,” said George Vizer, vice president of franchise operations, Hyatt. “We are excited about this growth momentum as the Hyatt Centric brand continues to expand its brand presence in Latin America.”

Hyatt Centric San Isidro Lima will be strategically located on Avenida Basadre in the heart of the San Isidro municipality, one the most upscale areas of Lima. Expected to open in January 2018, the hotel will offer 254 guestrooms, and will be surrounded by numerous art galleries and high-end retail boutiques, as well as some of Lima’s top-rated restaurants and bars that will inspire guests to explore. Lush landscaping and wide-open plazas are also prominent in this area adding to the charm of this vibrant neighborhood.

Expected to open in February 2018, Hyatt Centric Las Condes Santiago will offer 166 guestrooms and will boast an unbeatable location right in the center of Las Condes. The hotel will be located in Santiago’s financial district, locally known as “Sanhattan.” Apoquindo Avenue will also be nearby, which is home to restaurants, shopping centers and banks.

“The Hyatt Centric brand is a globally-recognized and has great potential in Lima and Santiago. At Talbot Hotels S.A., we consider this alliance a great contribution to our brand portfolio as we continue expanding into other countries, and we are especially excited to be part of the introduction of the Hyatt Centric brand in Peru and Chile,” said Eduardo Ariztía, chief executive officer, Talbot Hotels S.A.

These new additions further demonstrate the strong potential for growth of the Hyatt Centric brand and follows the recent openings of Hyatt Centric Guatemala City in Guatemala and Hyatt Centric Montevideo in Uruguay.

Launched in 2015, the Hyatt Centric brand includes hotels in Chicago, Houston, New York City, New Orleans, Waikiki, Hawaii, Arlington, Virginia, Park City, Utah, Miami, Key West, Long Beach, Santa Barbara and San Francisco, and even more in the pipeline with previously announced hotels planned for Barbados, Doha, Dubai, Madrid, French Alps and Ginza Tokyo.

For more information, please visit centric.hyatt.com.

The term “Hyatt” is used in this release for convenience to refer to Hyatt Hotels Corporation and/or one or more of its affiliates.