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1. Trump doubles down on proposed global tariffs
After the U.S. Supreme Court struck down his tariff policy Friday, U.S. president Donald Trump plans to impose a 15% tariff globally on imported goods, according to the BBC. That is 5% more than the previously announced 10% tariff that has been agreed to by countries such as the United Kingdom and Australia.
The BBC added that the new tariff rate is a “temporary solution under Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act” and Trump’s reaction to a legal decision that he added was “ridiculous, poorly written, and extraordinarily anti-American.”
2. Mexican violence places hoteliers, tourists on high alert
A wave of violence has engulfed at least 20 states in Mexico following the Mexican military's killing of cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes. CNN reports the violence has stranded tourists who have been unable to leave hotels or embark on planes to leave the country. The U.S. State Department has asked American nationals to “seek shelter and remain in residences or hotels.”
Puerto Vallarta is one popular destination caught up in the turmoil. According to Business Insider, the U.S. Mission to Mexico said “no airports have been closed, but most domestic and international flights were canceled in both Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta. All ride-sharing services are suspended in Puerto Vallarta.” Flights canceled included those going to Detroit, Denver, Houston and Toronto. The U.S. Mission has a web page dedicated to the ongoing situation, which can be accessed here.
3. London Grosvenor Marriott leasehold acquired in £1.1bn deal
The leasehold of the 237-room London Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square has been acquired by British Virgin Islands-based Evolution Investment Fund in a £1.1 billion investment deal that also includes the acquisition of two other Mayfair sites earmarked for luxury hotel developments.
According to CoStar, the Grosvenor hotel was in March 2014 when Hong Kong-based Joint Treasure International made an investment of more than £125 million ($168 million).
4. Aimbridge's plan to win back hotel owners
Following a couple of years of rebuilding, Plano, Texas-based Aimbridge Hospitality is confident of increasing its presence in third-party hotel management, despite inflation and wage increases, according to CoStar News Hotels’ Bryan Wroten's exclusive interview with Aimbridge CEO Craig Smith.
In the past year, Aimbridge restructured its debt, which relieved much of the financial pressure the company was facing, Smith said. Aimbridge is also making changes that its hotel owners want out of the hotel management relationship.
“We have a lot of focus on that top line, that commercial side. I know that’s one of our biggest key competitive strengths. And I think owners are seeing that, the above-property teams that we have going forward, and so there’s a lot of positive talk about what they’re seeing,” Smith said.
5. Taipei Grand Hotel compromised in Lunar Year crypto-attack
The Taipei Grand Hotel, in the capital of Taiwan, has been compromised in a crypto-attack that occurred across the Lunar New Year holiday, according to an internal news release issued Saturday.
“Parts of the [hotel’s] system were accessed without authorization, and the possibility that some customer data may have been compromised or exposed cannot be ruled out.” It added, “the actual scope and impact of the incident remain subject to final forensic verification.”
The Taipei Grand Hotel opened in 1952 as Taipei’s first luxury hotel and today it has 500 guest rooms. Travel in Taiwan is extremely busy before and during the Lunar New Year, its main holiday period.