THE MEXICAN
GOVERNMENT agreed to sell its controlling stake in
Aeromexico for $249 million to an investment group headed by
Banamex, a Citigroup subsidiary, and some of the country's
wealthiest families, ending a monthlong bidding war for Mexico's
largest airline. The Citigroup unit said it planned to take the
airline private, trim expenses and spend $240 million to improve
operations at Aeromexico. Citigroup's bid was lower than one
offered by a local father-son businessmen-team that was rejected
after it arrived two minutes past the deadline set by the
government on Oct. 17. An offer by Grupo Mexicana, the country's
second-largest airline, was rejected by antitrust regulators last
week. Aeromexico, a member of the SkyTeam alliance, flies to more
than 40 cities in Mexico as well as to the U.S. and Europe.
HOMEWOOD
SUITES BY HILTON, the Hilton brand of all-suite,
residential-style hotels, opened its first property in Mexico. The
102-suite property opened in Torreon, in Coahuila state. The hotel
is part of a mixed-use entertainment and business complex called
Intermall Laguna, which includes dozens of retail shops, an Imax
theater and an ice rink. The five-story hotel offers 97 two-room
(one-bedroom) suites, four two-bedroom suites and one Presidential
suite; free Internet; a fitness center; a putting green; and
traditional Homewood Suites services and amenities. Call (800)
CALL-HOME or visit www.homewoodsuites.com.
GRUPO
POSADAS said it would open 10 properties in Mexico next
year and reopen Aqua Cancun (formerly the Fiesta Americana Aqua)
this December; the company is marketing the property as the debut
of its Aqua brand in Mexico. Aqua Cancun will feature 371 rooms (36
suites), three celebrity-chef restaurants, a spa and a fitness
center. Next year's openings will
include seven Fiesta Inns, the company's business hotels, in
Chetumal, Cuernavaca, Durango, Insurgentes, Morelia, Tepic and
Toluca as well as three One-brand hotels in Acapulco,
Aguascalientes and Culiacan.
THE
HACIENDA XCANATUN in Merida is promoting a package that
includes a free fourth night stay when customers book three nights
at the hacienda-turned-hotel from Oct. 28 to Dec. 15. Prices start
at $850, single or double, a savings of 33% compared to regular
prices. The package includes accommodations in a Deluxe Suite,
daily continental breakfast and a welcome cocktail. For information
or to book, call (888) 883-3633 or visit www.xcanatun.com.
Mexico
E-Letter Editor: Jorge Sidron
Phone: (973) 898-0011
[email protected]
For promotional
opportunities in the E-letters, contact [email protected].