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1. Grand Canyon Lodge destroyed by fire
The Grand Canyon Lodge, the only hotel located within Grand Canyon National Park, has been “consumed by fire,” the Arizona Republic reports. The Dragon Bravo fire started on July 4 from a lightning strike.
The hotel is operated by Phoenix-based Aramark Destinations on behalf of the National Park Service. The Grand Canyon Lodge sits on the North Rim of the canyon and has 205 rooms in the lodge itself and in a series of bungalows. The lodge first opened in June 1928, according to CoStar. The Arizona Republic added the hotel was rebuilt after a fire closed the original property in 1932.
2. More men than women are returning to the office
A report from the Wall Street Journal shows more American men are returning to their jobs in the office than women, who are juggling both their careers and their families.
According to a survey by the U.S. Labor Department, the WSJ said that “among employed men, 29% said they spent time working from home in 2024, down from 34% the prior year. For women, that figure stayed largely flat at 36%.” The Journal added that “economists think remote-work flexibility has helped more women join the labor force. But they also risk steep costs, including fewer promotion opportunities or chances to get hands-on guidance from colleagues.”
3. UK government to ban new upward-only rent reviews
The United Kingdom government has outlined legislation that will ban upward-only rent reviews of commercial properties, including hotels, in England and Wales. The legislation is part of its English Devolution & Community Empowerment Bill that was introduced to Parliament on July 11.
CoStar News’ Paul Norman reports the government believes UORRs “pit landlords against businesses and can make rents unaffordable and cause [businesses] to shut.” Neil Seager, managing partner at Haslams Chartered Surveyors, said the proposal has “sent shockwaves through the commercial property sector. The lack of consultation with industry stakeholders is concerning at best, and at worst, a sign of governmental mismanagement. While the principle of UORRs aligns with free market dynamics, the real issue lies in the uncertainty this move introduces. The commercial property investment market is fundamentally underpinned by the predictability of upward-only rent reviews.”
4. Wyndham signs Cygnett Hotels alliance deal in Asia
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and Delhi-based hotel operator Cygnett Hotels & Resorts have signed a 10-year development agreement to introduce Wyndham’s La Quinta by Wyndham and Registry Collection Hotels brands to India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Cygnett Hotels & Resorts' portfolio has 18 operating hotels, all in India, and a pipeline of 21 hotels in development.
In a news release, Wyndham and Cygnett said the deal initially will add “60 hotels … over the next 10 years.”
“Teaming up with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts gives us the scale, global recognition and brand strength to expand rapidly and deliver outstanding value to our owners and guests,” Sarbendra Sarkar, Cygnett’s founder and managing director, said in a statement.
5. Hilton signs its first 'cave' hotel in Turkey
Hilton has announced it has signed eight new hotels in Turkey, one of which, the 36-room Elika Cave Suites Cappadocia, Curio Collection by Hilton, will be its first “cave” hotel. Cappadocia is well-known for its eroded volcanic landscape of rocks pinnacles, called hoodoos, some of which have resulted in stone cave houses that date to the mid-19th century.
Due to open by the end of the year, the Elika Cave Suites Cappadocia will be directly below the historic Ortahisar Castle, known colloquially as the “fairy chimney.” Much of the area is a UNESCO-protected destination.