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1. Several Los Angeles hotels house fire evacuees
As wildfires continue to rage across Southern California, hotels have become increasingly important refuges for Los Angeles-area residents, the New York Times reports.
One of the properties highlighted by the newspaper was The Hotel June, a boutique hotel near Los Angeles International Airport.
“We were heading home to the Palisades from the airport when we found out about the evacuations,” Julia Morandi, a 73-year-old retired science educator who lives in Palisades Highlands, told the Times. “When we checked in, they could see we were stressed, so the manager gave us drinks tickets and told us, ‘We take care of our neighbors.’”
2. Trump Organization wants to repurchase DC hotel lease
The Wall Street Journal reports the Trump Organization is in talks to repurchase the hotel once known as The Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C., which now carries a Waldorf Astoria flag. The property, located at the Old Post Office building, was opened as a Trump hotel in 2016, but the lease rights were sold for $375 million in 2022.
"Hilton, which owns the Waldorf Astoria brand, has a long-term management agreement with the hotel," the newspaper reports. "That arrangement would continue under a new leaseholder. But the Trumps might be able to negotiate a new deal and resume operation of the property as a Trump hotel."
3. A look at India's new hotels-focused stock index
As tourism and hospitality become a larger focus across the Indian economy, the launch of the Nifty India Tourism Index by the National Stock Index of India is expected to elevate investment opportunities in that country, HNN contributor Chitra Balasubramaniam reports.
“The introduction of a Nifty 50 Index has significantly benefited the tourism industry in India by serving as a benchmark for tracking the performance of tourism-related businesses and fostering growth in the sector,” said Sunder Advani, chairman and managing director of Advani Hotels & Resorts India.
4. Colorado government closing in on buying historic hotel for more than $400 million
The state of Colorado has approved up to $475 million in bonds to potentially purchase and renovate The Stanley Hotel, a historic property in the town of Estes Park north of Denver, the Denver Post reports.
Funding for the project is expected to come in closer to $415 million, although a final price is not set.
"The [Colorado Educational and Cultural Facilities Authority] project will also help fund a $61 million addition to the hotel with 65 new guestrooms, along with a new covered entryway and lobby, and a new $66 million events center, which will be built near the existing Concert Hall and Carriage House," the newspaper reports.
5. Chinese exports jump ahead of Trump inauguration
The Associated Press reports exports from China spiked in December as many buyers looked to get ahead of potential tariffs promised by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.
The news agency reports: "Exports rose 10.7% from a year earlier, according to official customs data released Monday. Economists had forecast they would grow about 7%. Imports rose 1% year-on-year. Analysts had expected them to shrink about 1.5%. With exports outpacing imports, China’s trade surplus grew to $104.84 billion in December, and nearly $1 trillion for the year, at $992.2 billion."