Worldwide briefing

Hoteliers Fearful

Luxury hoteliers are worried about their future despite the current boom, reveals a report by marketing company Hill Goodridge & Associates. Fears include the threat of higher taxation on luxury spending, and the consolidation of chains, which would mean increased competition.

Camp comfort

Kirawira Camp in the western Serengeti, part of Serena Hotels, has become a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World.

Tops down under

The Observatory hotel in Sydney, Australia, has scooped two titles in the Australian Hotels Association awards. The property was named hotel of the year and, for the second year, best five-star hotel accommodation.

Hilton in charge

Hilton Worldwide is to operate a new £40m hotel being developed by Copenhagen Airports. Hilton has signed a 20-year management contract to manage the 358-bedroom hotel, due to open in 2000.

Sound reasoning

The Radisson Hotel South & Plaza Tower, Bloomington, Minnesota, has installed a Marco audible signage system for visually impaired guests. The 580-bedroom hotel claims to be the first in the world to have the equipment.

Four join group

Holiday Hospitality has added four hotels in the Benelux countries and three in the Middle East to its portfolio. Included in the expansion are the Holiday Inn Garden Court Brussels-Expo and the Holiday Inn Resort Obhur in Saudi Arabia.