Pan Pacific expands global presence: Pan Pacific Hotels Group, Singapore, has been expanding its global presence with 13 new hotels in the pipeline across 10 significant gateway cities by 2024. The group will be adding 3,300 rooms and increasing its portfolio to 48 hotels, resorts and serviced suites in 29 cities. The recent launches of ParkRoyal Monash Melbourne in April and the Pan Pacific London in September started the expansion. This will be followed by 13 more hotels in the next three years.
Handpicked buys Channel Islands hotels: U.K.-based Handpicked Hotels, Sevenoaks, Kent, announced the completion of three hotels — the 14-room Ziggurat Hotel and the 49-room Fermain Valley in Guernsey and the 27-room Braye Bach Hotel in Alderney — in the Channel Islands. The acquisitions will take the company’s portfolio to 22 hotels in the U.K. and Channel Islands.
Fairmont launches new brand campaign: Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Toronto, has launched a new global brand campaign — “Experience the Grandest of Feelings.” The campaign, which stars Susan Sarandon as the global brand ambassador and is directed by Nathalie Canguilhem, features Montreux, Switzerland/Fairmont Le Montreux Palace; British Columbia, Canada/Fairmont Hotel Vancouver; Alberta, Canada/ Fairmont Banff Springs; New York City/The Plaza, a Fairmont managed hotel. Fairmont also will soon launch “The Grandest of Escapes Exclusively by Fairmont” offer.
Pandemic alters tourist activities: Even as travel makes a recovery post-pandemic, the need for social distancing while exploring the outdoors has resulted in hiking emerging as one of the most popular tourist activities in the first half of 2021, according to an analysis of GlobalData’s Social Media Analytics Platform. Hiking (37%), camping (31%), cycling (15%), fishing (6%) and safari (4%) have been identified as the top five activities discussed among social media influencers in H1 2021. While hiking was more favored by Redditors, as compared to Twitter influencers, camping witnessed a 30% rise in discussions during H1 2021 as compared to H1 2020.
Hotelivate partners with AM Hotel Kollection: Gurugram, India-based hospitality consulting firm Hotelivate founders have entered into a partnership with AM Hotel Kollection, Gurugram, to offer marketing and hotel management services. The partnership will debut 20 independent and franchised hotels with more than 600 rooms under management and marketing contracts.
Castleforge acquires Crowne Plaza in Edinburgh: London-based investor Castleforge Partners has acquired the 97-room Crowne Plaza Royal Terrace in Edinburgh. The hotel will undergo refurbishments before it reopens in March 2022. This is Castleforge’s third hotel investment, following the purchase of the Bruntsfield Hotel in Edinburgh in May and the Hilton Hotel in Cardiff in June. Axiom Hospitality will be managing all three properties.
Pinehurst to acquire Magnolia Inn: Pinehurst Resort and Country Club, Pinehurst, North Carolina, has entered into an agreement to acquire The Magnolia Inn and Vilaggio Ristorante & Bar in Pinehurst from Ron and Julie Milton. The Miltons purchased The Magnolia in 2019 and opened Villagio Ristorante & Bar. The inn’s rooms and outdoor patio will soon undergo renovations and Ron Milton will be responsible for the operations of Magnolia and Villagio till the end of 2021. The existing hotel and culinary staff will continue in their roles, except general manager Pesefoni Nicolosi, who will be replaced by Ethan Gross.
Nobu launches app: Nobu Hospitality, Miami Beach, Florida, is launching a mobile app that will allow guests to explore and reserve the company’s portfolio of hotels and restaurants and available benefits. Besides features like virtual room keys, mobile check-in and check-out, and ability to chat across several platforms, guests can also directly connect with hotel team members for round the clock requests like in-room dining and special requests. Currently, the app is fully functional at Nobu Hotels in Palo Alto, London Portman Square and Warsaw, and will soon be supported in Miami Beach, Chicago and other locations.
Marriott aims to go net-zero: Committing to set a long-term target to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and set emissions reduction targets, Marriott International said it submitted a letter to the Science Based Targets Initiative. Marriott has officially signed on to the Race to Zero, a global campaign to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. In line with its current 2025 sustainability goals, Marriott’s properties have been trying to reduce its carbon footprint. In the future, initiatives may include increased usage of renewable energy, building electrification to utilize renewable electricity, and the installation of automation systems and energy efficiency upgrades.