Worldwide briefing
Exploitation claims
Irish trade union SIPTU has accused a number of hotels in Galway of exploiting foreign casual workers. Branch secretary Michael Kilcoyne said he had received complaints from overseas hotel staff who were being paid less than the IR£4.40 (£3.39) minimum wage and who were provided with substandard accommodation and meals.
Expansion in the east
International hotel chain Radisson SAS has two new ventures in the Middle East. It has taken over the 246-bedroom Diplomat hotel in Manama, Bahrain, previously run by Le Méridien. It is also opening a 320-bedroom hotel at Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt next March.
Benihana plans
Japanese restaurant group Benihana has signed an agreement to open several outlets in Turkey. The first is expected to open in Istanbul by the middle of next year.
A first for marriott
Marriott has opened its first hotel in Peru. The 300-bedroom Marriott Hotel & Stellaris Casino in Lima is its sixth in South America.
Trading kicks off
Shares in Orient Express Hotels, which runs 26 luxury hotels worldwide including the Cipriani in Venice, Italy, have begun trading on the New York Stock Exchange.
Italian choices
Choice Hotels has added three hotels in Italy, bringing its total to 17. They are the 126-bedroom Quality Hotel Saccardi in Verona; 57-bedroom Quality Hotel Pasteur in Milan; and 80-bedroom Comfort Hotel Amadeus in Milan.
