The signing of the Abraham Accords by Bahrain, Israel and the United Arab Emirates last August and September has created excitement among hoteliers, and it will open up huge hotel inventory to Israeli travelers, HNN's Terence Baker writes.

Speaking during a webinar hosted by HVS London titled “Israel and the United Arab Emirates: Opportunity for Investment," Mark Maurice, executive director and founder of wealth-management firm Ameera Group, said the accords create a great deal of potential and hoteliers should seek out local partners.

“Take a breath and do due diligence. There are consistent changes of laws, rules and procedures that require eminent planning before you step in the right direction … and then it is down to eye-to-eye relationships,” he said. “This is not just an opportunity for the UAE, but also for the [Gulf Cooperation Council] countries. We can expand our horizons now."

Federal health agencies recommended pausing the use of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine after six people developed a rare disorder involving blood clots after receiving the vaccine, Reuters reports. The vaccine has been administered to more than 6.8 million in the U.S.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will have a panel of outside experts review the matter, the newspaper reports. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration will also investigate.

Johnson & Johnson said it is aware of the rare disorder involving people with blood clots in combination with low platelets who received the vaccine. The company is working with health authorities and medical experts. It has also delayed rolling out the vaccine in Europe.

Airlines could start checking European Union COVID-19 certificates for information on vaccinations, tests and recovery before onboarding passengers traveling this summer, Reuters reports.

EU Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders told lawmakers the proposed certificates would be valid until the World Health Organization says the pandemic is over.

“What we want is to give to citizens and member states a tool that provides the necessary trust and confidence. A tool that competent authorities can rely on wherever needed to facilitate free movement,” he said.

Bally's Corp. today announced that it has agreed to acquire the Tropicana Las Vegas from Gaming & Leisure Properties for approximately $308 million, according to a news release.

The purchase price for the hotel's non-land assets is $150 million. Bally's will also lease the underlying land at the Tropicana for 50 years from the seller at an annual rent of $10.5 million, which could increase over time.

Bally's and GLPI will also will enter into a sale-and-leaseback transaction for Bally's Black Hawk, Colorado, and Rock Island, Illinois, casino properties for a cash deal of $150 million payable by GLPI. The lease will have an initial annual fixed rent of $12 million, which could increase over time.

Sage Hospitality Group has joined Curator Hotels & Resorts Collection as a founding member, according to a news release.

Sage will bring 10 member hotels to the collection of small brand and independent lifestyle hotels, and those properties will have access to operating agreements, services and technology "without having to conform to rigorous standards," the release states.

“Before the creation of Curator, accessing cost efficiencies and boosting bottom lines for many hotels meant compromising a property’s vision or changing the guest experience,” said Daniel del Olmo, president and chief operating officer of Sage Hotel Management, a Sage Hospitality Group company, in the release. “Through Curator, we realized there was a new, innovative way for our properties to gain significant competitive advantages without changing the way our teams enrich lives, one experience at a time."

Compiled by Danielle Hess.