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Briefs: Radisson lofty goal in Asia Pac; NewcrestImage buys in Dallas

Radisson targets 400% growth in APAC: Radisson Hotel Group has announced its APAC Expansion Plan, an initiative to power the company’s expansion in Asia Pacific and drive 400% growth in the region by 2025. Radisson aims to add 1,700 properties to its current portfolio of more than 400 by 2025 through a combination of organic growth, master license agreements, mergers and acquisitions and leases in key destinations. The plan targets five strategic growth markets — India, Thailand, Australia and New Zealand — and will build on its current initiatives to harness the potential of China with Jin Jiang and its subsidiaries. With an existing portfolio of over 100 properties in more than 60 locations in India, Radisson will seek new strategic partnerships. In Vietnam, Thailand, Australia and Indonesia, the creation of dedicated business units across Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok, Sydney and Jakarta will help the group build local development and operations team in core markets. Radisson has a nine-brand portfolio and recently announced a brand extension, Radisson Individuals Retreats, for the Indian market. The APAC Expansion Plan is Radisson’s last phase of the five-year transformation strategy.

Cambria Hotel Southlake DFW in Southlake, Texas

NewcrestImage acquires in Dallas: NewcrestImage, Dallas, Texas, has acquired the 175-key Cambria Hotel Southlake DFW in Southlake, Texas. The company will take over operations of the hotel effective immediately with Aimbridge Hospitality in charge of managing the property. The hotel was built in 2016 and features an outdoor pool and game area, business and fitness centers and a fine dining restaurant.

US RevPAR peaks: RevPAR in the U.S. touched an all-time weekly high on a nominal and inflation-adjusted basis, as per STR’s data through June 18.

  • Occupancy: 71.8% (-4.8%)
  • ADR: US$155.02 (+14.9%)
  • RevPAR: US$111.29 (+9.4%)

The occupancy level was the highest during the pandemic, as a result of the country’s highest weekly demand (28 million room nights sold) since August 2019. While occupancy increased, occupancy comparison with 2019 fell marginally from the previous week. ADR dipped slightly from the week prior, along with the ADR comparison to 2019. Among the Top 25 Markets, San Diego posted the only occupancy increase compared to 2019 (+0.5% to 86.0%). New York City (86.6%), San Diego and Seattle (85.0%) led the major markets in absolute occupancy. Minneapolis recorded the largest fall in occupancy (-18.9% to 70.6%). Miami saw the largest ADR increase (+32.9% to US$203.14), while the steepest RevPAR deficits were reported in Minneapolis (-23.1% to US$94.15) and San Francisco (-20.7% to US$167.90).

Detroit hotel acquired: Cloudland Capital, through one of its affiliates, has acquired the 33-key Inn on Ferry Street in Detroit, Michigan. On reopening, the collection of Victorian mansions will be managed by Life House. The acquisition marks Cloudland Capital’s and Life House’s first property in the Detroit market. Comprising five buildings, including four restored Victorian homes and one carriage house, the property was developed into a hotel by Midtown Detroit Inc., which also managed the property for the last 20 years.

Business travel recovery study: Although the business travel industry is poised for a strong recovery, current affairs and economic concerns have been impacting travel programs, revealed the June 2022 GBTA Business Travel Recovery Poll. While 88% of the survey respondents said they were more optimistic compared to last month, 84% of travel suppliers and travel management companies said their bookings have risen compared to the previous month. Corporate travel buyers have cited government policies/restrictions (43%), COVID-19 rates (38%) and labor shortages (33%) as causing major impact on their travel programs. Travel suppliers said programs were most affected by the labor crisis (51%), inflation (37%), government restrictions and COVID rates and variants (tying at 36%). About 46% of respondents said their employees were somewhat or very concerned about the pandemic when it comes to returning to travel, while 38% when it comes to returning to office.

Accor launches digital mobility service: ALL – Accor Live Limitless – has launched a digital mobility service to reserve taxis and private hire vehicles, developed with Karhoo, a unit of Mobilize. Members of the loyalty program can reserve taxis or vehicles on the ALL App or from the website and earn extra points when paying by credit card. Members can also pay their fare using their accumulated points. Users can compare available taxi and private hire vehicle offers and make their choice as per the rate, waiting time, category of vehicle and other extra amenities. The service is available in 490 European cities, as well as New York City and Dubai. The service is part of the strategic and technological partnership between ALL and Mobilize, the Renault Group brand.

Hilton’s new digital art and NFT program: Hilton has announced a new digital art and NFT pilot program that will showcase seasonally rotating, curated global art collections in select properties in New York. In partnership with Nilo Art, Hilton will install digital artwork in guest rooms and public spaces at its New York Hilton Midtown and Conrad New York Midtown properties. Guests will be able to take home certain artworks through an app-based art streaming subscription service or NFT giveaway. The art program will include a selection of kinetic art pieces experienced on digital screens from artists and specially commissioned NFT works.

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