What the Easter weekend papers say

A round-up of the Easter weekend's news affecting the hospitality industry…

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Pizza Hut is planning to more than double the number of restaurants in the greater Glasgow area to 19 in the belief that the Scots' appetite for its take on the Italian classic can support plenty more outlets. Scotland is one of four areas of the UK in which Pizza Hut sees scope for significant expansion. It is also eyeing sites in the South-west, Midlands and North-east of England. - Glasgow Herald, 18 April

Americans scared of flying

Destinations which rely on US tourists are likely to face a tough summer as the number of American holidaymakers going overseas hits historic lows, according to the Travel Industry Association of America. More than two thirds of Americans do not want to travel overseas this year. - The Business, 20 April

RBOS gets tough with Le Méridien

A get-tough attitude by bankers is threatening Le Méridien's hopes of a crucial restructuring of its finances. It has been trying to renegotiate the terms of a £1.25b sale-and-leaseback deal with Royal Bank of Scotland, but the bank is reluctant to change the terms. - Mail on Sunday, 20 April

S&N may sell pubs this week

Scottish & Newcastle will this week finalise plans to offload almost half its 1,450-strong pub estate in a deal that has taken nearly a year. Japanese bank Nomura is considered the front-runner to acquire the 600 to 700 pubs in what is expected to be structured as a sale-and-manageback. - Daily Telegraph, 21 April

Guernsey to get first five-star hotel

CI Traders, the Channel Islands conglomerate, is planning a £20m revamp of its St Pierre Park hotel in Guernsey as part of its plans to apply for a casino licence. The AIM-listed company is planning to lodge an application for a licence by the end of this month. If the application is successful,it will turn St Pierre Park into the first five-star hotel in the Channel Islands. - The Times, 21 April