Worldwide briefing

NH lifts turnover

Spanish hotel group NH Hoteles said turnover in the first five months of 2002 increased by 15% to €325m (£210m) compared with the same period last year. Occupancy was 66%, with revenue per available room at almost €63 (£40.50).

Starbucks target

Coffee shop company Starbucks has set itself a target of having 1,000 shops in Japan in five years. The group plans to open about 120 coffee shops a year. It now has 368 shops in Japan.

Egyptian openings

Six Continents has appointed Magdy Takla as regional director of operations for the Red Sea region and as general manager of the 450-bedroom Hotel Sharm El Sheikh Inter-Continental when it opens at the end of October. Also in Egypt, Six Continents will open the 452-bedroom Inter-Continental Resort Soma Bay later this year, the 792-bedroom Hotel Inter-Continental Heliopolis in Cairo early next year, and the Holiday Inn Heliopolis, also in Cairo, by summer 2003.

Olympic lows

Greek in-flight caterer Olympic Catering expects to post a loss of between €1.05m and €1.32m (£679,000-£853,000) in 2002. The caterer, part of Olympic Airways, said it would start making a profit again in 2003.

Ritz-Carlton plans

Ritz-Carlton Hotels & Resorts plans to add 30 more luxury hotels to its portfolio of 49 over the next few years. The group will begin its expansion plans in the Far East before moving on to Russia and the Middle East.