Worldwide briefing
Thai rise
Hotel occupancy in Thailand increased marginally in 2001 compared with the previous year. Occupancy rose to 70.1%, from 69.8% in 2000, according to figures from the Thailand Hotel Association. The industry had predicted a fall of 10% in occupancy after the terrorist attacks on the USA.
Laplaya reopens
Noble House Hotels has reopened its 189-bedroom LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort on the Gulf of Mexico. The $45m (£31.3m) renovation added four swimming pools, two lagoons and an outdoor whirlpool to the property, as well as a 234-seat restaurant and bar overlooking the Gulf, 11,500sq ft of meeting space and an 18-hole golf course.
Portugal picks up
Portuguese tourism revenue increased by 6.2% in 2001, compared with 2000, to €6.09b (£3.8b), according to figures from the General Directorate of Tourism. The number of visitors to Portugal increased by 0.3% to 28.1 million.
Canadian Radisson
Radisson Hotels & Resorts has opened the 127-bedroom Radisson Hotel Kingston Harbourfront in Ontario, Canada.
US occupancy down
Occupancy in US hotels was better than expected over Christmas and New Year, says consultant PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC). But it was still 7.7% below the previous Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and 4.8% below the previous New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. PWC forecasts further falls in occupancy for 2002.
