Record numbers visit the Maldives… and other International hotel news

Record numbers visit the Maldives
The Maldives saw the highest recorded number of tourist arrivals this April since the birth of its tourist market. This has lead to increased development and the opening of hotels and resorts around the island to accommodate the ever increasing visitor numbers. The next three years will see 35 new resorts opened, serviced by a new international airport at Gan.

InterContinental Hotels Group announces major Express by Holiday Inn development in France An agreement has been signed by InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) with Cofis Compagnie Fiduciaire, Geneva, to expand its Express by Holiday Inn brand in France. Eleven new Express by Holiday Inn hotels will be built over the next five years in key cities throughout France. The first property to be constructed will open in December 2007 near Nantes.

Rosewood Hotels & Resorts seeks global growth
Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, has announced the global expansion of its premier portfolio, which already includes luxurious properties in New York, California, Mexico, Japan and Antigua. The group recently added the Inn of the Anasazi, Santa Fe to its collection and further developments will include projects in Costa Rica, Tahiti, Barbados, Fiji and Telluride. Two new US projects are planned to be completed in the next few years, as well as international development in the Middle East.

Ski resort Le Melezin, Courchevel 1850, France sold for £192m Luxury ski resort, Le Mélézin, Courchevel 1850 has been bought by Canyon Group Companies. The company specialises in the development of luxury boutiques and hotels, with a portfolio valued at $350m (£192m). Hotel property agents Molinaro Koger handled the sale, which was financed by Bera Sterns. The resort, which has 31 bedrooms and suites, will continue to be managed by Amanresorts.

Hilton announces global expansion of Hilton Garden Inn in Germany
Hilton Hotels Corporation has announced the global expansion of its mid-priced Hilton Garden Inn brand. It will begin with the building of a Hilton Garden Inn in Frankfurt, Germany. There are more than 275 Hilton Garden Inn properties throughout the USA, Canada and Mexico.

Theme parks evolve as destination resorts
Venture Capitalist Investment is funding increasing numbers of new theme park and hotel developments throughout Europe. Hotels within parks are a crucial form of revenue, as they encourage longer stays and therefore increased spending. The Blackstone Group has agreed to develop hotels in Legoland sites in the UK and Germany, with the hope of turning them into more attractive holiday destinations. 2005 saw numbers in Europa Park, Germany increase by 19.7% to 3.95 million. Destination parks, where on-site accommodation is available, account for 27% of park attendance in the USA.

Hyatt International to open in Russia
Agreements have been signed by Hyatt International and Verh-Isetskaya Investment Construction to build a new 300-bedroom hotel in Yekaterinburg - Russia's fourth largest city. Construction has already begun on what will be Hyatt's second property in Russia. Parisian architects Valode and Pistre designed the hotel, which is located in the financial and industrial area of Russia and boasts 2,400sq m of conference space, a roof-top spa, six meeting rooms and two boardrooms.

By Emily Manson

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