Worldwide briefing
Essential news from around the world…
Marriott agrees settlement
US hotel chain, Marriott International has agreed to resolve a three-year legal battle with investors with a tentative $434m ( £271.2m) settlement. A group of investors alleged they were charged in excess of $100m (£62.5m) in unjustified management fees and $265m more than they should have been to purchase 120 Courtyard hotels. It was also alleged that returns were below that of Marriott's projections.
Bass expands in Tunisia
Bass has agreed to manage three hotels in Tunisia. Under the deal, Bass will operate three new-build properties to be developed and owned by property firm Poulina Group.
The hotels will operate under the Crowne Plaza name in Tunis and Holiday Inn and Inter-Continental brands in the Yasmine Hammamet resort. All three are scheduled to open by the end of this year.
Sodexho predicts sales boost
Contractor Sodexho Alliance upgraded its forecast for consolidated sales for 2000 to EUR10b (£6.25b) representing an 11% rise on last year. At the group's AGM this week, the group also announced the appointment of Albert George as president, a new position within the company. George has worked for Sodexho for 30 years, most recently as chief operating officer of its vouchers division.
Infants at risk
Over 80% of cribs inspected in US hotels and motels were found unsafe, according to a new poll. Inspectors found that adult sheets, which can suffocate infants were used on more than half the cribs. Loose screws and soft bedding were also found to be dangerous and over half of playpens inspected had at least one hazard. The findings have prompted the Consumer Product Safety Commission to launch a safety initiative with Bass Hotels & Resorts. The commission claimed that 23 other chains chose not to join the campaign.
Kempinski in the Baltic
Kempinski Hotels & Resorts have signed a management contract for a newly built hotel in Binz on the island of Rügen, in the Baltic Sea. Opening of the 124-bedroom hotel is scheduled for April.
