Essential news from around the world...
Sol Meliá profits up
Spanish hotel group Sol Meliá saw net profits increase by 33% to €41.8m (£29m) during the first nine months of 2003. Sales increased by 2.9% to €761.6m (£528.6m). The European resorts division was the best performer, with revenue per available room (revpar) increasing by 3.5%. But in the European city division revpar fell by 4.7%. Revpar for the Americas division fell by 20.4%.
Hilton plans Australian retreat
Hilton International is to build a luxury resort in Western Australia. The resort will feature 115 one- and two-bedroom suites, 15 executive suites and 26 villas. It will be located in the Margaret River wine region, three hours south of Perth.
NH Hoteles expands in Mexico
Spanish hotel group NH Hoteles is expanding its presence in Mexico. It is to operate a new hotel in the old centre of Mexico City under a lease agreement. The hotel will be of four-star standard, with 106 bedrooms. NH will also run the NH Ecatepec, a four-star property with 108 bedrooms, and is opening 128 new bedrooms at the NH Krystal Puerto Vallarta, which currently has 405 bedrooms.
New additions for Small Luxury group
Small Luxury Hotels of the World has added a record 44 hotels for 2004, bringing the total membership to more than 300. The consortium now has 17,000 bedrooms across 50 countries.
NH buys remaining stake in Sotogrande hotel
NH Hoteles has bought the remaining 50% of the historic Sotogrande Hotel in the Cadiz region of Spain. The four-star property is currently being renovated and will reopen in mid-2004 with 112 bedrooms. NH already owned a 50% stake in the hotel.
Subway hits 20,000 sites
US sandwich chain Subway Restaurants has opened its 20,000th site. The landmark opening was actually the simultaneous opening of 20 restaurants around the world, from Tianjin in China to Chattanooga in Tennessee, USA.
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