Mall of America to get Radisson Blu
Carlson and its development partner completed financing arrangements for construction of a 500-room Radisson Blu Hotel at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn. Opening in 2013, the hotel will be the first to be connected to the mall via a skywalk. A groundbreaking event is set for May 26.
New Caesars unit to sally forth
Caesars created a new business unit, Caesars Global Life, to pursue licensing, franchising and management opportunities for nongaming luxury hotels, restaurants and other projects, mostly in Asia, Latin America and other overseas markets. The unit is also expected to develop boutique and lifestyle venues on company-owned real estate in Las Vegas and Atlantic City.
Orbitz gets nod for Eurostar site
European high-speed rail operator Eurostar International turned to Orbitz to provide private-label booking services at Eurostar.com for hotels, dynamic packaging, car rentals and destination activities.
Travel insurer cuts processing fee
Travel insurer Access America is eliminating processing fees and increasing the payout limit for commission protection. Previously, Access excluded processing fees when calculating agency commission. With their elimination, Access said agents get credit for the entire purchase. Access also doubled the limit on commission protection to up to 20% of the trip cost.
Westin brand flags its first inclusive
Starwood opened its first all-inclusive resort, the Westin Resort & Spa, Playa Conchal on Costa Rica's Pacific Coast. Formerly Sol Melia's Paradisus Playa Conchal, the 406-suite property is slated to undergo renovations to its guestrooms and public areas during the remainder of this year. The rebranding marks Starwood's return to Costa Rica after a 20-year absence.
Fairmont brand coming to Jakarta
Fairmont disclosed plans for its first hotel in Indonesia, a 380-room property opening in Jakarta in 2014 near the capital city's central business district. The hotel will also offer 108 branded "long-stay serviced suites" plus 38,000 square feet of meetings and function space.
London landmark to be luxury hotel
Developers plan a 120-room luxury hotel and residences for 10 Trinity Square, a landmark site next to the Tower of London formerly occupied by the Port of London Authority. A 2014 opening is planned. The project is a joint venture of Singapore-based KOP Properties and China's Reignwood Group.
Iceberg dents Westerdam hull
Holland America's 1,900-passenger Westerdam was damaged in Alaska's Yakutat Bay near Hubbard Glacier when it sustained a "mild indentation" in its hull while maneuvering through ice on May 10. The hull was not breached and the ship continued on its itinerary to Sitka and Ketchikan, the line said.
Friends & Colleagues
International Shipping Partners named Dietmar Wertanzl executive vice president for hotel and commercial operations. Wertanzl has previously served in executive-level positions at Royal Viking Line, Crystal Cruises, Celebrity Cruises and Tauck World Discovery. In 2008 he was named president and CEO of Cruise West. ISP, based in Miami, provides a variety of passenger ship management services. • • • Travel Leaders Group has hired Bert Rivero as vice president of strategic planning and implementation. Rivero, a 30-year travel industry veteran, was with IATA, where he had served as regional director for the Americas since October 2004. • • • Christopher Soder, Price-line.com's president for North American Travel, has been given the additional title of CEO, Priceline.com North America. Soder was promoted to president of North American Travel in February 2007 and has served in various executive roles within Priceline.com since 2000. The Priceline Group also announced the planned transition of Kees Koolen from CEO to chairman of Netherlands-based Booking.com. The company has initiated a search for Koolen's successor. • • • Worldhotels promoted Gregory Habeeb to regional vice president of hotel development for the Americas. Habeeb most recently served as Worldhotels' senior director of hotel development for the Americas.