AMResorts unveils Now Resorts brand
AMResorts launched Now Resorts & Spas, an all-inclusive luxury brand, with the rebranding of the NH Riviera Cancun as the Now Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa. The brand is the latest addition to AMResorts' portfolio in Mexico and the Dominican Republic, which includes Zoetry Wellness & Spa Resorts, the Zoetry Collection, Secrets Resorts & Spas and Dreams Resorts & Spas.
Intrawest sells off a Canadian asset
Financially ailing Intrawest agreed to sell one of its smaller Canadian ski areas, Panorama, to a group of area home and business owners. The transaction is expected to close in February, pending approvals. Current reservations, passes and card products will be honored for the 2009-2010 winter season. Intrawest, whose assets include the Whistler Blackcomb Olympic venue, has been threatened with foreclosure actions by creditors.
Blackstone boosts its stake in Orbitz
Travelport completed the acquisition of over 9 million shares of Orbitz stock for $50 million, giving it a 48% stake. The Blackstone Group, which controls Travelport, also holds some Orbitz shares, which, when combined with Travelport's stake, exceed 50% of the shares outstanding, Orbitz said.
Air Canada to add U.S.-Toronto routes
Air Canada plans to add seven more transborder routes at its Toronto hub this year, slotting nonstops for Orange County (Santa Ana) and San Diego, Calif.; Portland, Ore.; Portland, Maine; Syracuse, N.Y.; and SkyTeam hubs Memphis and Cincinnati.
Dulles terminals finally get rail link
The operator of Washington's Dulles Airport opened a four-mile, underground railway linking the main terminal with the airport's two midfield terminals. The AeroTrain will eliminate the need for "mobile lounges" to bring passengers to and from their aircraft, though the vehicles will remain in use for international arrivals, which are not served directly by the train.
'AIG effect' resort is giving it away
The St. Regis Monarch in Dana Point, Calif., the resort that hosted an infamous AIG meeting in 2008, is allowing nonprofit groups to use its function space at no cost, with discounts for food and beverage service. Michael Mustafa, director of sales and marketing, said, "We wanted to find a way to give back to organizations who may not have the means and are delighted to be able to offer them available meeting space at no charge." The hotel found itself in the midst of a controversy when the press reported that AIG held a $400,000 meeting there just days after taking a government bailout.
National Archives to ban photography
The National Archives will prohibit photographing or videotaping of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and other documents beginning Feb. 24. The Archives said it is acting to prevent damage from the cumulative effects of photographic flash. Flash photography is already prohibited, but the government estimates there are 50,000 flash discharges annually in the facility, "either accidental or intentional." Professional photographers and media will still be permitted to work in available light.
Friends & Colleagues
Hertz appointed Michel Taride president of Hertz International. Taride, currently an executive vice president at Hertz, had formerly served as president of Hertz Europe. In his new role, that will be expanded to heading up the company's Asia and Pacific car rental and leasing businesses in addition to those in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. • • • InterContinental Hotels and Resorts has named Jim Veil regional director of operations for Baltimore and Washington and general manager of the Willard InterContinental in the nation's capital. Veil comes from Twelve Hotels & Residences, a boutique brand in Atlanta, where he was president. Before that he spent 18 years with the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co. • • • Red Lion Hotels Corp. named Jon Eliassen interim president and CEO, effective immediately, replacing Anupam Narayan. Eliassen is the lead independent director for Red Lion and has served on the board since 2003. • • • Kate Ashton has been appointed vice president of global operations at Dolce Hotels and Resorts. The 26-year industry veteran previously served Starwood Hotels & Resorts as senior director, operations support team, North American division operations, and senior director, sales strategy and operations. • • • Carlson Hotels Worldwide has appointed Kaaren Hamilton vice president of global sales for North America. Hamilton will oversee the company's new global sales office, based in New Jersey. Hamilton has been with Carlson since 2007, when she was named director of national sales.