Day 2 of IHIF 2014 commences with news on acquisitions and openings
Recognised throughout the hotel investment world as the place where deals get done, the conference is also viewed as an ideal arena to share breaking news on acquisitions, openings, appointments and launches, as the majority of the hotel community are gathered in one place.
The latest breaking news from day two of IHIF 2014 includes Choice Hotels Europe. The company behind the Comfort, Quality and Clarion brands in Europe and part of Choice Hotels International, announced at IHIF Berlin 2014 that it has opened 12 European properties since October 2013 in the UK, Ireland, France, Germany and Italy.
A new European Affiliate of the Hospitality Asset Managers Association (HAMA) launched at IHIF Berlin 2014. The new HAMA affiliate will bring together the leading professionals within the field of hotel asset management from organisations such as Starwood Capital Group, JJW Hotels, Union Investment Real Estate, UBM, Cedar Capital, Blackstone, KSL Capital, London and Regional and ADIA. Within Europe alone, these companies represent in excess of 300 hotels and 55,000 hotel rooms.
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group announced they have signed two Radisson Blu hotels in Sousse, Tunisia; the 217-room Radisson Blu Resort & Spa and the 130-room Radisson Blu Pearl Resort Sousse. The two existing properties will undergo full renovations and are planned to open in 2016.
Meanwhile, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) announced the signing of two more hotels in Russia and the CIS; InterContinental Tbilisi and Holiday Inn Express Moscow – Sheremetyevo Airport. The 200-room InterContinental Tbilisi will operate under a management agreement with Adjara Group and is set to open in 2016. The signing of this luxury hotel marks the InterContinental Hotels & Resorts brand’s debut in Georgia. IHG also announced the signing of two more hotels in Germany under two existing multiple development agreements in place with long standing partners. Holiday Inn Express Siegen will operate under a franchise agreement with Tristar Hotel & Management GmbH and Holiday Inn Düsseldorf – Toulouser Allee will operate under a franchise agreement with Arcadia Hotelbetriebs GmbH.
In relation to growth, Hilton Worldwide has announced expansion plans in Qatar with the signing of a management agreement with First Qatar Real Estate Development Company to open Hilton Doha The Pearl Residences, Qatar. The new 445-room hotel will be located in Qatar’s capital Doha at the upscale and exclusive man-made island, Pearl-Qatar.
Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) launched its first European Hotel Market Survey at IHIF Berlin 2014. The report said that London will be the city of M&A growth in the hotel sector in 2014 and presents the views of over 400 hotel industry professionals. The report suggests that confidence is returning to the sector. This comes as HVS London reported total hotel transactions across Europe had reached a value of €7.7 billion (US $10.6 billion) in 2013.
Elsewhere, Christie + Co appointed a new International Managing Director; Andreas Scriven. Scriven is currently Head of Consultancy at the company and will be combining both roles. Jones Land LaSalle has also announced that it is now using the name JLL and introducing a refreshed logo.
IHIF 2015 will take place from 2-4 March.
