Park Inn to enter Egypt and Czech Republic
The Rezidor Hotel Group has is to introduce its Park Inn brand into Egypt and the Czech Republic. From November 2007, the Golden Resort by Rezidor in Egypt will be renamed Park Inn Sharm el Sheikh Resort. The property will have an extension of 203 rooms, bringing the total number to 401. In 2009, Rezidor will launch two hotels in the Czech Republic, with the opening of the 209-room Park Inn Prague and the 186-room Park Inn Ostrava. Both properties will feature a restaurant and bar as well as leisure, conference and meeting facilities.

Doubletree enters Caribbean
Hilton is to launch its Doubletree brand in the Caribbean region with the opening of a new hotel in Puerto Rico. Currently the 184-room Hotel Pierre at Gallery Plaza, the property will undergo a year-long redevelopment and will reopen as the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel San Juan next year. The hotel will feature newly renovated guestrooms, leisure facilities, lobby, meeting rooms, and dining outlets. The hotel is owned by Swiss Chalet, and will continue to be managed by San Juan-based International Hospitality Enterprises.

Angola to get 40 new hotels by 2010
Angola is to get 40 new hotels in a move to boost the South West African country’s tourist market. The properties will range between four and five stars and will be completed by 2010. Tourism minister Eduardo Jonatão Tchingunji said that the initiative is part of efforts of the Hotels and Tourism Ministry to collaborate in the solving of the nation's poverty and unemployment problem.

Moscow most profitable city in Europe
Moscow has topped a survey of the hotel business profits in the largest European capitals in the first half of 2007. According to the data published by TRI Hospitality Consulting, the Russian capital earned €149 (£100) of net profit per available room, €36 (£24) more than London which was rated second. TRI believes Moscow became the leader due to low expenses on payment for labour. The European capitals were ranked according to the income before fixed charges index.

Worldhotels opens hotel in Prague
Worldhotels is to add the Prague Imperial Hotel to its portfolio later this month. The 126-room boutique hotel will reopen following a complete refurbishment, with facilities including two restaurants, a spa and  conference facilities including a glass roofed crystal ballroom and break out room. Worldhotels has more than 500 hotels in over 300 destinations, in 70 countries worldwide.

By Kerstin Kühn

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