World briefings

Prince takes stake

Saudi investor Prince al-Waleed bin Talal is expanding his hotel interests with the purchase of a 30% stake in the Swiss company Movenpick Hotels and Resorts. The group owns 40 hotels with more than 7,000 rooms in 10 countries.

Kiwi spread

Copthorne Hotels opens seven properties this month in New Zealand, with plans for a further two next February.

Mexican summits

Summit International Hotels has signed up five new properties in Mexico, all part of the Quinta Real Hotels group, increasing the number of hotels in its collection to 98.

Tourism Thai-in

In a drive to attract more Asians to Britain, tourism minister Tom Clarke is taking part in a British Tourist Authority promotion, Showcase Britain, in Phuket, Thailand.

Lodge at Vail sale

Sea Containers, the ship and ferry group, has sold the 60-bedroom Lodge at Vail hotel, Colorado, to Vail Associates for $30m (£19m). Work is under way to add a further 21 bedrooms to the Lodge.

Regent spark

Regent International Hotels has appointed Martin Armistead vice-president of development. He was development director for Conrad International Hotels, the international division of the Hilton Hotel Corporation.

Paw on the move

Sunny Paw has moved as general manager of the Golden Flower hotel, Xian, China, to manage Traders Hotel, Beijing.