Asia
Carlson acquires rights to Park in Asia Pacific
Carlson Hotels Asia Pacific and parent company Carlson Hotels Worldwide have acquired the franchise rights for the Park Plaza and Park Inn hotel brands in the Asia Pacific region. The deal follows an agreement with Sydney-based Park Plaza Kemayan and is subject to shareholder consent.
Europe
GIH denies plans to merge with NH Hoteles
Spanish hotel company Grupo Inversor Hesperia denied last week that it plans to merge fully with Spanish hotel chain NH Hoteles. In May, Hesperia launched a €259m (£179m) bid for 26.1% of NH Hoteles. This was rejected, NH Hoteles saying that it did not accurately reflect the company's value.
Hilton's Trondheim opening builds on ancient wreck
Hilton International has opened the Scandic Nedre Elvehavn, in Trondheim, Norway. The hotel has 155 bedrooms. During the excavation of the site, the remains of a shipwreck were discovered. Artist Jorunn Draft-Moe was commissioned to create a drawing of the wreck, and this now hangs in the hotel's reception area.
Accor opens first of Hamburg trio
French hotel group Accor has opened a 157-bedroom Ibis hotel at Hamburg airport. It also plans to open a 144-bedroom Etap hotel in 2004 and a 210-bedroom Novotel in 2005 in Hamburg. Accor operates 283 hotels throughout Germany, including Sofitel and Formule 1 properties.
Starwood signs to manage Benidorm resorts
Starwood Hotels & Resorts and Xeresa Golf have signed a contract to manage the 236-bedroom Sheraton Real de Faula hotel and spa and the 224-bedroom Westin Real de Faula hotel and spa in Benidorm, Spain. Both are under construction and are expected to open in January 2005.
Accor on top step for athletics championships
Accor has been chosen as a national supplier for the 9th IAAF World Athletics Championships to be held at the Stade de France in Paris between 23 and 31 August. The event is expected to attract 2,000 athletes, 450,000 spectators, 20,000 professionals and 3,600 volunteers, and to be watched by 4.5 billion TV viewers around the world.
Africa
Marriott creates presence in Morocco
Marriott International has opened an office in Morocco. The US-based hotel chain will use it to promote its 2,600 Marriott hotels throughout the world to Moroccans. Marriott has 471,500 bedrooms in 2,600 hotels in the USA and 66 other countries.