UK raises minimum wage: In April 2016, the United Kingdom will introduce a National Living Wage starting at £7.20 (US$11.09) and rising to £9 (US$13.96) an hour by 2020. The current minimum wage is £6.50 (US$10.08).
IHG launches Spire Elite: IHG Rewards Club is now offering a new top membership level, Spire Elite, to recognize its most loyal guests. To obstain Spire Elite status, members must earn 75,000 qualifying reward points or stay at an IHG hotel for 75 qualifying nights over the course of a calendar year.
Hostmark grows in Chicago: Hostmark Hospitality Group was selected to operate and provide pre-opening technical services for a new Hilton dual-brand hotel in Chicago scheduled to open in 2016. The 210-room Hampton Inn and 126-room Homewood Suites are being developed by Jupiter Realty Co. and Intercontinental Real Estate Corp.
Fibra Inn acquires in Guadalajara: Fibra Inn entered into a binding agreement to purchase the Staybridge Suites Guadalajara Expo and Arriva Express Guadalajara Plaza del Sol Expo hotels. The acquisition price will be 133.6 million pesos (US$8.49 million), plus 4.7 million pesos (US$300,000) that will be used for taxes and acquisition-related expenses.
Liberty buys three Marriott hotels: Liberty Group acquired Fairfield Inn & Suites – Golfport, Mississippi, Fairfield Inn & Suites – Hattiesburg, Mississippi and Fairfield Inn & Suites – Louisville, Kentucky.