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1. Storm Bert unleashes flooding, kills three in UK
Storm Bert, the second named storm of the autumn-winter season in the United Kingdom, swept across much of the country over the weekend, killing three people and leaving a notable trail of destruction. The U.K. government warned rivers across the country are liable to flood as recovery and repair efforts began Monday.
Wind gusts of up to 70 miles an hour brought snow and rain to many regions, some of which have warned against unnecessary travel. Great Western Railway is among the rail companies advising customers not to travel on Monday, according to the BBC. Some destinations received a month’s worth of rain across the weekend, with Libanus, Wales, getting 132.8 millimeters (5.23 inches) and Okehampton, England, getting 113.6 millimeters (4.47 inches).
2. Cape Verde government seeks to terminate Macau Legend hotel-casino
The government of the Cape Verde Islands — the African island nation in the Atlantic Ocean opposite Senegal — has moved to terminate the agreement for a hotel-casino being developed on the islands by Macau Legend Development. According to a Nov. 22 release on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, the Cape Verde government said the Macau-based company has “not met the deadlines set for the investment project under the convention and [has] not completed the investment project as agreed.”
MacauBusiness.com said the project dates to 2015 when “businessman David Chow signed an agreement for a €250 million ($260 million) investment.” It added the hotel-casino was initially due to open in 2021. Macau Legend Development said it is “currently, actively seeking legal advice in Cape Verde on the appropriate course of action and intends to vigorously contest these allegations to safeguard the interest of the company and its shareholders.” It added that the “carrying value of the assets as at 30 June 2024, was approximately 47 million Hong Kong dollars ($6.04 million) … [which] is not expected to materially deteriorate the financial position of the group.”
3. Franchising to further sweep across Europe, Wyndham exec says
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is investing in growing its franchising presence throughout Europe.
“Franchises are sweeping Europe,” said Dimitris Manikis, president, Europe, Middle East and Africa, in the latest podcast episode of Hotel News Now’s “The Upgrade: EMEA Hospitality News.” Franchising has grown as family businesses in Italy are selling their hotels, something that already is happening in Spain, Portugal, Greece and Turkey. In Manikis' native Greece, initiatives such as airport operator Fraport reopening 14 regional airports that have restored Tier 2 and Tier 3 destinations and previously ignored islands.
Manikis said Wyndham's brands prioritize creating value for owners and remaining relevant to guests. He predicted more change in the hotel industry in Europe, with franchising becoming ever more relevant, boosted by the rise of white-label management companies.
4. Partners Group acquires majority stake in Spain’s Bluesea Hotels
Swiss investment firm Partners Group has acquired a majority stake in Palma de Mallorca-based hotel firm Bluesea Hotels, according to a news release. The acquisition price was not announced, but the deal is a “partnership with Portobello Capital, a leading independent mid-market private equity firm.” Partners Group will have a seat on Bluesea's board of directors as part of the arrangement.
Bluesea has 25 hotels, all but one of which are in Spain — in the destinations of Costa Brava, Costa del Sol, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, Madrid, Mallorca, Tenerife. The brand also has one in Morocco, in the city of Marrakesh. All properties are branded Bluesea. The total room count of its portfolio is approximately 5,100 rooms.
5. Las Vegas’ Rio officially becomes part of Hyatt
Following the completion of a $340 million renovation, the 2,500-room Rio Hotel & Casino officially became last weekend the Rio Hotel & Casino, a Destination by Hyatt Hotel. According to a Hyatt news release, phase one of the property’s renovation included a redesign to all 1,500 rooms in its Ipanema Tower, six new restaurants and more than 220,000 square feet of revamped events and meeting space.
Hyatt said the hotel, which is owned by Dreamscape Companies, is now its largest by room count and the first for the Destination by Hyatt soft brand in Nevada.