Hilton has largest global pipeline: According to Lodging Econometrics, Hilton Worldwide has the largest brand presence by both project and room count in the global hotel construction pipeline with 1,536 projects and 246,358 rooms. Marriott International comes in second at 1,431 projects/231,517 rooms and IHG follows with 1,281 projects/203,430 rooms.
Hilton grows in Vietnam: Hilton Worldwide signed a management agreement with Saigon Cuu Long Corp. to manage Hilton Saigon in Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City. The new-build, 350-room hotel will open in the fourth quarter of 2019.
Meliá to build in Cabo Verde: Meliá Hotels International will build a new resort in Cabo Verde off the coast of Africa. The Meliá Salamansa is scheduled to open in 2018 and will include 262 rooms, a water sports center, a spa with six swimming pools, four restaurants, shops, and a leisure and entertainment area.
U.S. timeshares continue growth: The U.S. timeshare industry experienced steady growth in 2015, according to the State of the Vacation Timeshare Industry: United States Study 2016 Edition, conducted by Ernst & Young for the ARDA International Foundation. Compared to 2014, sales volume increased by more than 9% and occupancy was up by over 2%.
The Greenbrier to reopen: The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, will reopen on July 12 after closing for more than two weeks from flood waters that significantly damaged parts of the resort.
Witness forms from merger: Alliance Hospitality and KB Hotel Group finalized a merger agreement, forming an entity called Witness. The new company work to grow their existing hotel development and management portfolio, which now consists of 27 hotels and 13 new hotels in the pipeline.
Graham Georgetown sold: The 57-room Graham Hotel Georgetown was sold to Legacy Hotel Group for US$37 million (US$649,000 per key). The sale marks one of the highest per key prices ever in Washington, D.C. Mast Capital originally purchased the property in 2011 as Hotel Monticello for US$16.4 million (US$431,000 per key).
Duxton Hotel Saigon sold: Low Keng Huat Limited sold Duxton Hotel Saigon in Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City to an undisclosed investor for US$49 million.