Top hotel groups saw 12.4% rise in turnover and other international news

Top hotel groups saw 12.4% increase in turnover in 2006
French company MGK Consulting has found that the world's top 200 hotel groups reported record total turnover of £155b in 2006. This marked a 12.4% increase compared with the year before. In its Worldwide Hotel Activity Report, MKG said that as at 1 January 2007, there were 43,000 corporate-operated hotels worldwide, with 5.5 million rooms. Nearly 150,000 rooms were added during 2006, representing year-on-year growth of 2.7%, the highest ever recorded. Global revenue per available room (revpar) increased by 9.4% year-on-year in 2006, largely driven by a 7.9% rise in rates, as occupancy was just one percentage point higher. Revpar in the upscale sector improved by 9.6% and in the "upper upscale" by 12.5%.

Burger King returns to Japan
US fast-food giant Burger King opened its first restaurant in six years in Japan in the shopping and entertainment district of Tokyo's Shinjuku. The company exited the Japanese market in 2001 after a price war with rival chain McDonald's but returning to the market as Japanese consumers are spending more money and Western food is becoming more popular. The US chain said it plans to open several more restaurants in Tokyo in the coming months and is eyeing 50 outlets in the area within the next three years under a franchise with confectioner Lotte Co and consulting firm Revamp Corp.

Rezidor to expand Park Inn brand in Germany
The Rezidor Hotel Group plans to increase its mid market Park Inn portfolio in Germany to 18 hotels. Three former Novotel and two Dormotel properties will be rebranded as Park Inn hotels over the coming months. In total, Rezidor will add 657 rooms to its portfolio which now features more than 300 hotels in operation and under development. The 180-room Park Inn Mannheim will join the portfolio in July with the 118-room Park Inn Düsseldorf Süd being rebranded in September. In October the 118-room Park Inn Bielefeld will be added and in early 2008, the 120-room Park Inn Hamburg Nord and the 121-room Park Inn Mainz will complete the deal.

Mandarin Oriental to launch luxury resort in Costa Rica
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is to manage a new luxurious beach resort and branded residences at Playa Manzanillo, in Guanacaste province, on Costa Rica's northern Pacific coast. The 130-room resort, which will open in 2009, will offer a range of dining experiences, including three restaurants, a lounge and three bars. Banquet and conference facilities will be suited for both meetings and private functions. Leisure facilities will include an 18-hole golf course, a natural beach, offering a range of watersports and a 20,000sq ft spa. Mandarin Oriental group chief executive Edouard Ettedgui said: "We are delighted to be bringing Mandarin Oriental's legendary hospitality to one of the world's most naturally beautiful destinations. We look forward to creating Costa Rica's most luxurious retreat that will fit harmoniously into the environment and offer guests an unparalleled leisure experience."

By Kerstin Kühn

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