TC last week revealed that the French hotel giant Accor would be bringing its luxury Sofitel brand to North America. However, all that could be gleaned about location was that it was going to be built somewhere in Canada. Though Accor is still being secretive about the location, one executive last week let slip that it would be built on Canada's west coast, "somewhere between Seattle and Alaska but closer to Seattle." That would seem to narrow it to either Victoria or Vancouver. Next week, TC will try to get you the exact latitude and longitude, followed seven days later by a construction site map.
Last year, TC reported that when Roberto Martinoli, who had been executive vice president of operations at Carnival Cruise Lines for seven years, had left to "consult" for Apollo Management in Monaco, he had an eye on a top spot at Norwegian Cruise Line once his one-year, noncompete clause expired. That year ends in March. And TC hears that Martinoli is headed back to Miami and that he could soon be appointed to a top executive position at NCL or Apollo-owned Prestige Cruise Holdings, parent company of Regent and Oceania.
Three serious suitors from three geographic regions appear to be eyeing Air Jamaica as a potential investment, which is good news for the government of Jamaica as it seeks to offload the cash-strapped airline by its self-imposed March 31 deadline. While purchase negotiations are top-secret, TC hears that the carrier's new business plan that chopped six routes and six aircraft is sitting well with both potential investors and their number-crunchers, who welcome any news that could provide an uptick in Air Jamaica revenue after years of financial losses.
London was brought to a standstill last weekend when heavy snow shut down the city and paralyzed its transport systems. Ryanair staff used bullhorns to inform passengers waiting at London's Stansted Airport that no seats were available and no planes were flying. The carrier asked travelers to be patient and said that abuse of staff would not be tolerated. That warning conjures up all sorts of vivid images. TC wonders if Ryanair has dealt with staff abuse issue in the past and, if so, what was the outcome?