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1. IHG Launches Luxury, Lifestyle Vignette Collection
Adding to IHG Hotels & Resorts growing luxury and lifestyle portfolio, the company today officially announced its new conversion soft brand, Vignette Collection, reports Hotel News Now's Terence Baker.
The brand will debut with Hotel X in Brisbane, Australia, and the Pattaya Aquatique in Pattaya, Thailand, owned by Thai firm Asset World Corporation. Vignette will have both urban and resort properties.
IHG now has a total of 17 brands, with Vignette being its first collection brand.
"Our new Vignette Collection gives IHG a compelling way to welcome world-class independent hotels into our brand family, combining each property’s distinctive identity with the power of our global scale," CEO Keith Barr said in a new release.
2. Travel Stocks Rise Following Vaccine Approval
On Monday, the Food and Drug Administration granted full approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which is a "key achievement for public health," NPR reports.
News of the approval also proved to be an achievement for travel and leisure stocks in the U.S. and Europe. CNBC reports Delta and American Airlines stocks rose 2.8% and 3.3%, respectively.
Overall, the S&P 500 added 0.8%, reaching 4,479.53, which is nearly a record close. The Nasdaq Composite increased approximately 1.5% to 14,942.65, hitting a record closing high.
The pan-European STOXX 600 index grew 0.1%, and "the list of gainers was topped by travel & leisure stocks, up 1.5%, followed by automakers and miners," Reuters reports.
3. Venice to Impose Entry Fee For Tourists
To prevent a throng of tourists flocking to Venice, Italy, and better control tourism, the city's government is working to impose an entry fee and require advanced bookings, CNBC reports.
Set to begin in the summer of 2022, the entry fee could be between 3 and 10 euros ($3.52 and $11.73). Those exempt include residents and their relatives, children under six years old and those staying in local hotels.
Lawmakers approved the restrictions last week, according to The Times newspaper. "However, the measures — originally intended to be launched in 2019 — have been repeatedly postponed, partially due to the COVID-19 pandemic," CNBC reports.
4. New Poll Shows Majority of Americans Want Vaccine Mandates
The Associated Press reports worries over COVID-19 in the U.S. are at a peak amid rising cases as a result of the Delta variant.
According to a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, a majority of American adults want vaccine mandates for people traveling by airplane, attending movies, sporting events and crowded events, as well as for workers in hospitals, restaurants, retail and government offices.
"The poll shows that 41% are 'extremely' or 'very' worried about themselves or their family becoming infected with the virus. That is up from 21% in June, and about the same as in January, during the country’s last major surge, when 43% were extremely or very worried," the news outlet writes.
5. Aimbridge Hospitality Founder Leaves Company
Third-party hotel management company Aimbridge Hospitality announced founder Dave Johnson will depart the company, after stepping aside from day-to-day operations and his role as CEO, HNN's Bryan Wroten reports.
In January, Johnson stepped aside as CEO to become the company's executive chairman, and Mike Deitemeyer took over as president and CEO. Johnson will "pursue other external opportunities" following his departure, according to an announcement the company.
"Dave has been an industry icon for as long as I can remember and leaves quite a legacy behind. I'm grateful for both his partnership and friendship over the years and look forward to driving continued growth and success for Aimbridge as Dave ventures on," Deitemeyer said in a release.