Scandic to open conference hotel: Scandic Hotels signed a lease agreement with ATP to take over the operation of the existing Radisson Blu Falconer in Copenhagen. Starting in early 2017, the hotel will be closed to undergo a renovation and extension of about 140 rooms with meeting and event space. The conference hotel will reopen in 2018.
Hilton grows across Australasia: Hilton Worldwide signed a franchise agreement with Société de Développement des îles Loyautés to open the Hilton Lifou Wadra Bay Resort in New Caledonia. The 50-room resort is scheduled to open in 2019 and will be managed by GLP Hotels New Caledonia.
AMResorts signs in Puerto Rico: Apple Leisure Group subsidiary AMResorts signed its first resort brand management deal in Puerto Rice. The new-build Dreams Puerto Rico Resort & Spa will open in 2018 and will include 250 rooms.
Egyptian tourism plan: Egyptian Minister of Tourism Yehia Rashed announced the “6×6 Tourism Impact Plan” aimed to enhance and revive the Egyptian tourism sector. The plan focuses on six priorities to “deliver real and impactful results” within six months.
Minor expands in India: Minor Hotel Group will open Oaks Bodhgaya in India later in 2016. The 78-key property is being developed in partnershp with GP Group and Top Travel & Tours Pvt. Ltd.
Read more at Travel and Tour World
InterContinental Lusaka sold: Kingdom Hotel Investments, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Saudi Arabian conglomerate Kingdom Holding Co., sold its 100% interest in the InterContinental Lusaka, Zambia, to OG Africa Hotel, a Mauritius-based fund managed by QG Investments Africa Management, for US$35.9 million. The transaction closed on March 31.
TripAdvisor lead in mobile traffic: TripAdvisor.com leads the way in mobile traffic among its fellow travel sites. The site reported 629 million U.S. mobile site visits in 2015, which accounts for 55% of its total US traffic. Expedia.com totaled nearly 338 million mobile site visits, which makes up 50% of its total traffic, and Southwest.com reported almost 276 million mobile site visits, which makes up 51% of its total traffic.
Dubai Parks and Resorts secures loan: Dubai Parks and Resorts secured Dhs 993 million (US$270 milion) of debt financing to fund part of its proposed Six Flags-branded theme park.The company is looking to raise Dhs 2.67 billion (US$727 million) to finance the development with the remainder expected to come through a proposed Dhs 1.68 billion (US$457 million) rights issue put to shareholders at a general assembly meeting on April 18. Dubai Parks signed a deal with Six flags Entertainment for the project two years ago.