New Jumeirah Group CEO: Dubai Holding has appointed Katerina Giannouka as CEO of Jumeirah Group effective December. Giannouka has joined Jumeirah Group with over 20 years of expertise in business leadership, hotel development, operations, asset management and strategic advisory. Before joining Jumeirah, she served as president Asia Pacific of the Radisson Hotel Group since 2017 and before that, she led the Asia Pacific and China Development team at Rosewood Hotels & Resorts. Jumeirah Group, a member of Dubai Holding, operates a portfolio of 25 luxury properties totaling 6,500 keys across the Middle East, Europe and Asia.
ICG, Pro-invest to invest in UK: ICG Real Estate has partnered with hotel investor Pro-invest to invest up to £500 million (US$538 million) in assets in the U.K. Both the firms have created a joint venture which aims to acquire “high quality” hotel assets in London and other core markets across the U.K. Pro-invest said the U.K. is one of its high-conviction markets in Europe. The partners are looking to acquire and manage assets and future-proof them for sustainability requirements.
Wyndham grows all-inclusive: Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, in partnership with Playa Hotels & Resorts, has added the Wyndham Alltra Riviera Nayarit to the portfolio of its new, all-inclusive Wyndham Alltra brand. The 229-room family-friendly, all-inclusive resort is located in Mexico’s Nuevo Vallarta. Wyndham Alltra debuted with Wyndham Alltra Cancun and Wyndham Alltra Playa del Carmen. The brand is Wyndham’s first ever dedicated to the fast-growing all-inclusive segment.
Valor jv in Middle East: Valor Hospitality Partners, Atlanta, Georgia, has announced a strategic partnership between Valor Hospitality Partners Middle East and ICD Hospitality and Leisure LLC, a wholly owned unit of Investment Corporation of Dubai which manages a portfolio of commercial companies and investments. Under a long-term agreement, the joint venture, Valor Hospitality Partners DMCC, will grow operations in the Middle East by signing hotel management agreements with hotel owners. Valor launched in the Middle East region in 2018. The company has more than 85 hotels in its portfolio across the Americas, the U.K., Africa and the Middle East.
Accor, Katara to open in Morocco: Katara Hospitality, the Qatar-based hotel owner, developer and operator, has strengthened its partnership with Accor with the upcoming November opening of the new Fairmont Tazi Palace Tangier in Morocco. The historical palace, the former Tazi Palace, will offer 133 rooms, several restaurants, a Fairmont Spa and conference and banquet spaces. Accor currently operates 41 properties, totaling 6,215 keys in Morocco with a pipeline of four properties under development.
Champagne Bollinger estate to transform into hotel: Winemaker Champagne Bollinger will open its estate in the French village of Ay, which serves as the headquarters for the family-held business, and convert it to a 20-room luxury hotel. The home will also feature a wellness area and pool, along with meeting rooms and a large reception space to accommodate 200 persons. A new “cathedral-esque” cellar is expected to hold 5,000 228-liter wine barrels. There are plans of an extensive renovation and expansion of the cellar, an addition of tasting rooms and private dining space and shop. No tours to the cellar are planned as yet. The hotel is expected to open in 2026. Tourists will also be allowed to see the house’s two walled plots of “Vielles Vignes Francaises,” pinot noir vines that managed to stay unscathed by the outbreak caused by phylloxera, a microscopic insect, in the early 20th century.
Expedia Group launches program for startups: Expedia Group has launched Open World Accelerator, an initiative that builds on its Open World vision to provide technology support and supply to startups in the travel segment. Targeting global entrepreneurs, the initiative also aims to further innovation by supporting startups and small and medium-sized businesses to innovate on Expedia’s technology platform and speed up their growth. Each program will consist of a six-month curriculum for selected companies, including providing business and technology development support, access to Expedia Group and travel industry experts to mentor and coach, participation in industry networking events, a non-equity grant and access to Expedia Group’s products and platform.