Resorts
Lending A Helping Hand In The Bahamas
Following the destruction in the Bahamas by Hurricane Joaquin, the Sandals Foundation has sounded the call for support to help the people of the Bahamas. The southern islands of San Salvador, Cat Island and Rum Cay were most impacted by the category 4 storm, while Long Island was also experienced extensive damage. The Bahamas Relief Campaign has already seen many donations, which include both cash and in-kind support for the recovery team. Monetary donations are being managed through the Foundation's online portal at http://www.sandalsfoundation.org and are also being accepted on-site...
RIU Rewards Top Agents
RIU Hotels & Resorts has launched its first ever RIU awards in Canada for top retailers. The 25 top-producing agents based on 2015 sales will be whisked away to a “secret” RIU resort next June for a gala awards celebration and week of fun. To qualify, agents must be a RIU specialist, having completed the e-specialist program launched by the all-inclusive chain last fall, and register their bookings by the end of January, 2016. More than 1,600 Canadian agents have joined the course since it was introduced – a development that RIU VP of sales & business development...
Adam Stewart Named Caribbean Hotelier of the Year
Adam Stewart, CEO of Sandals Resorts International, has been named “Caribbean Hotelier of the Year” by The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) during the Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF), which took place Oct. 2-4 in Puerto Rico. “I am honoured to accept this award on behalf of the 14,000 team members and their leaders that make up Sandals Resorts, Beaches Resorts, Grand Pineapple Beach Resorts and Island Routes,” said Stewart. “They make me look good every day and have defined our brand as the only hospitality Super Brand to be born out of the...
Choice Hotels Canada Expands Portfolio
Choice Hotels Canada has opened five new hotels during the third quarter of this year – making it a total of 18 hotels so far this year, bringing the total number of properties in the system to 318. Third quarter openings include: Quattro Suites & Conference Centre, an Ascend Hotel Collection Member (157-room conversion); Comfort Inn & Suites, Edmonton International Airport, Nisku, AB (100-room new build); Quality Inn, Bracebridge, Ont. (54-room conversion); Clarion Hotel, Sudbury, Ont. (103-room conversion); Econo Lodge Inn & Suites, Red Deer, Alta. (62-room...
Casa de Campo Partners With Tennis Ace Jim Courier
Call it game, set, match! The Dominican Republic's Casa de Campo Resort & Villas has launched a partnership with Jim Courier Tennis. Created to enhance Casa de Campo’s robust sports and activities programing, Jim Courier Tennis at Casa de Campo will offer guests and its community of villa owners a full-service tennis program featuring some of the finest teaching professionals in the world. Spearheading Jim Courier Tennis at Casa de Campo is tennis professional Jose Vaca-Bustamante. He brings to the resort years of coaching experience in all skill levels and ages, most...
Club Med Revises Columbus Isle Reopening Date
Due to damage caused by Hurricane Joaquin, Club Med Columbus Isle on San Salvador Island – which was in its annual closure period during the storm – has revised its reopening date to Dec. 20 (it was originally scheduled to reopen Oct. 18). Officials are currently assessing the impact of the storm to the resort and the infrastructure on the island. Preliminary assessment indicates that the resort did not incur significant structural damage. However, there was damage to the exterior roofs, including lost shingles. Landscaping, including hundreds of palm trees, was also badly...
Chelsea Hotel Appoints New GM
Industry veteran Robert Housez has been appointed general manager of the Chelsea Hotel in Toronto. Housez is a graduate of McGill University and has also completed the Advanced Management Program for the Hospitality Industry at the University of Guelph. With more than 30 years experience in the industry, he has also held senior management positions with several hotel and resort brands such as Hilton Hotels, Delta Hotels, Four Seasons Hotels, as well as the InterContinental Hotels Group. Housez is no stranger to the Chelsea Hotel, having served as hotel manager/general manager from...
Sunwing Introduces New Sensimar Concept
Sunwing Vacations has launched a new Sensimar concept at Sensimar Seaside Suites, a Gourmet Inclusive Resort by Karisma offered exclusively by the tour operator. Located close to the area’s renowned ancient Mayan ruins, the newly expanded Sensimar Seaside Suites offers a blend of understated luxury with a focus on health and wellness in the heart of the Riviera Maya. Designed with couples in mind, guests can take advantage of a selection of signature experiences as part of their stay from unwinding with a hydrotherapy treatment at the Náay Spa, to learning new dance moves at a salsa...