AA, Priceline churn out EMDs
ARC processed 2,087 Electronic Miscellaneous Documents(EMD) for American and Priceline between July 31 and Aug. 16. The online site began using AA's direct connect technology last year, and added the ability to sell Preferred Seats upgrades at the end of July. The EMD is an e-document that the airlines devised for reporting ancillary sales through ARC. ARC President Mike Premo praised the AA/Priceline move as "the first significant EMD implementation in the U.S."
Virgin, US Airways expand codeshare
Virgin Atlantic and US Airways are expanding their codeshare to offer connections at Virgin's Boston gateway to US Airways points such as Pittsburgh and Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse, N.Y. Virgin will also market US Airways' Philadelphia-London service.
Qatar Airways adds Chicago route
Qatar Airways named Chicago as its fourth U.S. gateway, disclosing plans to begin Chicago-Doha service on April 10, with daily flights using 777-300 aircraft. The airline also serves New York, Washington and Houston.
Hilton doubles up at U.K. soccer site
Hilton opened its first dual-branded hotel in the U.K., at St. George's Park in Burton Upon Trent, where the governing body of English soccer, the Football Association, operates a training center. The property includes a 146-room Hilton and an 86-room Hampton, plus a 500-seat conference room, 250-seat education center and 90-seat lecture theater.
Maryland casinos to be ballot issue
Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley signed a measure that would expand casino gaming in the state by allowing the addition of a casino at the National Harbor riverside development just south of Washington, which is anchored by a Gaylord hotel and convention center. The measure, which is subject to a voter referendum in November, would also allow the new facility and other Maryland casinos to add table games. MGM Resorts is widely seen as having the inside track for the National Harbor casino license.
Moscow next stop for Delano brand
Morgans Hotel Group will bring its Delano brand to Moscow in 2015 with the opening of a 160-room Delano Moscow in Moscow City, a mixed-use project also known as the International Business Center. Moscow will be the brand's third international site.
El Dorado resort adds Generations
The 30-suite, all-inclusive El Dorado Generations Maroma opened on Mexico's Riviera Maya, adjacent to the adults-only El Dorado Maroma. The resort is open to all ages and includes a kids' club and in-room gaming consoles. Guests 16 and older may also use facilities at El Dorado Maroma.
There's an app for Jamaica
Go Destination Marketing created Jamaica Inside Track, a 99-cent iPhone app with information on hotels, restaurants and sightseeing. Similar apps are planned for other destinations in the Caribbean and Latin America.
Friends & Colleagues
Mark Grundy has been promoted to president of Wendy Wu Tours, North America. Grundy had served as senior vice president since joining the operator last August. He has spent three decades in the travel industry, and in 1990 founded Destination America, a company that was eventually acquired by the Travel Corp. • • • Tropicana Las Vegas appointed Daniel Wade president and COO of the New Tropicana Las Vegas. A 37-year veteran of the gaming industry, Wade primarily built his reputation with the MGM Grand organization, where he held several leadership positions, most notably as president and COO of the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas. He most recently served as COO for Elad IDB Las Vegas, where he led the design and development efforts for the Plaza Hotel Las Vegas. • • • Kevin Smith has resigned as executive vice president and CFO of Whistler Blackcomb Holdings for personal reasons, effective Sept. 10. On that date, Dave Brownlie will take over as interim CFO as the company conducts a search for Smith's permanent replacement. Brownlie will continue to be responsible for the day-to-day management and operations of Whistler Blackcomb as president and COO. • • • Choice Hotels International has named C.A. Anderson vice president of development for Cambria Suites, the company's upscale all-suites brand. Anderson has spent more than three decades in the hospitality industry. Most recently, he served as president and COO of the Dow Hotel Co., a hotel ownership, investment and management firm headquartered in Seattle.