IHG luxury brand returns to Russia
InterContinental Hotels & Resorts is re-entering the luxury market in Russia with the planned 2010 opening of the 203-room InterContinental Moscow Tverskaya. The hotel is being built on the site of the former Minsk Hotel and will be the centerpiece of a new office and retail development. InterContinental's parent, IHG, has seven properties in Russia.
Giza project gets MGM Grand Hotel
MGM Mirage plans to put the MGM Grand name on a 550-room resort hotel being developed by an Egyptian firm near the pyramids. The hotel is expected to open in 2013 as part of the New Giza development with a residential area, three hotels, restaurants, shopping and a golf course.
Court taps trustee in Joystar case
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Fort Lauderdale set a July 20 creditors' meeting and appointed a trustee, Soneet Kapila, to oversee the liquidation of Joystar, the bankrupt host agency. Creditors have until Oct. 19 to file claims. Forms are available at any federal bankruptcy court or from the link here.
Cruise Holidays expands in Canada
Cruise Holidays will start recruiting in July for Canadian home-based franchisees, who will have the option of being an independent contractor for a storefront Cruise Holidays. The firm's franchise program for U.S.-based home agents, SeaMaster Cruises is being rebranded as Cruise Holidays.
EasyCruise signs with Amadeus
EasyCruise arranged its first GDS distribution deal, agreeing to display content to U.S. and U.K. agents through Amadeus Cruise. The cruise line, which offers cruises through the Greek islands and Turkey, said it plans to "actively target the travel agency distribution channel" to reduce its dependence on direct bookings.
Travel legislation advances on Hill
Backers of the Travel Promotion Act reintroduced the bill in the House with some 20 co-sponsors. In the Senate, the bill moved to the floor for debate and the consideration of amendments, setting the stage for a final vote within days. Passage is considered likely, as the bill has 46 Senate co-sponsors.
Shangri-La to add new Moscow hotel
Shangri-La signed an agreement with China Huaming International Investment Corp. to manage a hotel in Moscow, which will be the group's first property in Russia. Set to open in 2012, the 400-room hotel will occupy the top floors of a 42-story tower in the Park Huaming Business Centre, a new, multipurpose development.
Biz travel groups are talking merger
The National Business Travel Association said its board unanimously voted to "continue pursuing" a merger with the Association of Corporate Travel Executives, confirming industry speculation about a possible link-up of the two groups. The NBTA said its Board supported the outline of a potential structure for a merger process "previously drafted by members of the ACTE Board."
Friends & Colleagues
Thomas McAlpin has been named president and CEO of ResidenSea, the management company responsible for operations, administration, sales and marketing for the only residential community at sea, the World. McAlpin spent 14 years at Disney Cruise Line, most recently as its president; he has more than 20 years of experience in ship management and operations. • • • American Express named Claire Bennett senior vice president of the American Express U.S. Consumer Travel Network. She succeeds Lynne Biggar, who has been named senior vice president of membership rewards for Amex. For the last three years, Bennett has been Amex's senior vice president of global advertising and brand management. • • • Jimmy Murphy has retired from Brendan Worldwide Vacations, the tour company he founded 40 years ago. Murphy has been serving as a consultant since stepping down as president in 2000, when he turned the reins over to his son, Gary. Murphy will focus full-time on AMA Waterways, the river cruise company where he serves as chairman. • • • Felix Laboy has been named president and general manager of Sabre Hospitality Solutions, and Stephen Fitzgerald has been named COO. Laboy's experience in the industry includes co-founding E-site Marketing, which was acquired by Sabre in 2007. Fitzgerald has been with Sabre for nearly four years, where he has served as Sabre Travel Network vice president of global hotel, car, rail and cruise distribution.