Wyndham aims to boost brands with name change: Executives at the Wyndham Hotel Group brand conference in Las Vegas this week announced that the addition of “By Wyndham” to the name of 12 of its brands is expected to boost the success of the business, HNN’s Robert McCune writes.
The “By Wyndham” endorsement will be added to the names of Super 8, Days Inn, Howard Johnson, Travelodge, AmericInn, Baymont, Ramada, Ramada Encore, Dolce, Dazzler, Esplendor and Trademark.
“We did a lot of research, an awful lot of research,” said Geoff Ballotti, president and CEO of Wyndham Hotel Group. “We talked to over 5,000 consumers … and here’s what (they) told us: that (with) a ‘By Wyndham’ affiliation … you’d be more likely to stay. You’d be more likely to book direct because not everybody knows that our brands are connected. You’d be more likely to believe in our brand quality and be willing to pay more, and you would be instantly aware that you could earn your Wyndham Rewards points.”
Choice plans to grow footprint with Spain hotel alliance: Choice Hotels International officials announced today that the company is partnering with Spain-based hotel operator and franchisor Sercotel Hotels to grow Choice’s global footprint, according to a news release.
“Through this alliance, Choice Hotels' brands will leverage the hotel management arm of Sercotel Hotels to provide hotel owners with a comprehensive solution and strong value proposition in international markets, specifically the force of Choice's brand awareness and distribution channels, supported by its leading digital platform, united with the proven hotel management expertise of Sercotel Hotels,” the release states.
Trump Organization turns to Panama president for help: The Trump Organization reached out to Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela Rodríguez asking him to intervene in the fight over the Trump hotel in Panama City, The Associated Press reports, and the attempt was unsuccessful.
Lawyers for the Trump Organization reached out directly by letter to Panama’s president on 22 March with an urgent requesting the “Panamanian leader’s influence to help reverse the company’s acrimonious eviction as managers of the 70-story luxury high-rise once known as the Trump Ocean Club International Hotel & Tower,” AP reports.
Ethics experts said this letter is proof of “blatant mingling of Trump’s business and government interests,” according to the news outlet.
“This could be the clearest example we’ve seen of a conflict of interest stemming from the president’s role as head of state in connection with other countries and his business interests,” Danielle Brian, executive director of The Project on Government Oversight, a Washington ethics and good government organization, told AP.
M&C Hotels appoints new CEO Jennifer Fox: London-based Millennium & Copthorne Hotels announced industry veteran Jennifer Fox will replace Aloysius Lee as CEO of the company, Reuters reports. Lee resigned last January.
Fox most recently served as president of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, and previously held senior positions at InterContinental Hotels Group. She’ll take over at CEO of M&C Hotels on 19 June.
Boracay might open sooner than expected: Philippines vacation destination Boracay might reopen in four months rather than the previously expected six months, Reuters reports.
The area might open sooner than expected, but Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo said the number of visitors allowed on the island will be scaled back.
Boracay was closed because it was turned into a “cesspool,” according to Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, and is being rehabilitated into a more livable, environmentally friendly community, according to Reuters.
Compiled by Danielle Hess.