IHG grows in UK: IHG on Monday announced the signing of three Holiday Inn Express franchises in the UK: Holiday Inn Express London – Vauxhall Nine Elms; Holiday Inn Express Leigh – Sports Village; and Holiday Inn Express Wigan in Greater Manchester.
Fischer passes. Hotel F&B legend Kurt Fischer peacefully passed away at the age of 71 on July 15 while surrounded by his family members at the Mendocino Coast Hospital in California after a six-year battle with cancer. The president and founder of The International Food & Beverage Forum and The Hall of Fame Society is survivded by his wife, Ann, and two children.
Mexico deal: FibraHotel, Mexico, has closed the $125 million peso (US$9.7 million), all-cash acquisition of the 140-room select-service hotel Fiesta Inn San Luis Potosi Oriente. The hotel will continue to be branded under as Fiesta Inn and will be operated by Grupo Posadas.
Rockin’ Mexico: Hard Rock International on Monday announced Hard Rock Hotel Los Cabos, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, which will be completed in 2016. The 600-room property marks the brand’s fourth Mexican destination.
Israel tourism: The expected damage to Israel’s tourism industry in the third quarter of 2014, as a result of Operation Protective Edge, is estimated at US$500 million. The Israel Hotel Association estimated the damage based on tourist arrivals and revenue, and hotel occupancy, at US$100 million. Further damage totaling US$25 million is expected due to the drop in Israeli tourism.
Club hopping: Club Mediterranee’s board of directors will meet on Friday to decide whether to back a takeover offer for the holidays group from top shareholder Andrea Bonomi, according to a source. On Sunday his offer received the backing of Serge Trigano, the son of Club Mediterranee’s founder Gilbert Trigano.