The Rezidor Hotel Group announces the Radisson Hotel Cairo, Heliopolis – the new built property featuring 427 rooms and suites is scheduled to open in December 2008. “It is our 6th hotel in Egypt, and brings our portfolio in the country to almost 2,000 rooms”, comments Kurt Ritter, President & CEO of The Rezidor Hotel Group.

Hersha Hospitality Management, L.P. (HHM), a hotel management company of 60 nationally franchised, upper-upscale, upscale and mid-scale hotels in the Northeastern United States, today announced that it is opening and currently taking reservations for the newly built 107 room TownePlace Suites Harrisburg/Hershey. This is the first TownePlace Suites by Marriott opened and managed by HHM. The hotel is conveniently located between Downtown Harrisburg and nearby Hershey Attractions, just a short distance from Hershey Park and the Pennsylvania State Capital Complex.

The Caribbean Society of Hotel Association Executives (CSHAE) gathered for its annual Leadership Conference May 4-6 in Trinidad and agreed on a number of issues designed to strengthen the national associations and benefit the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA) membership throughout the region and re-elected Susan Springer, executive director of the Barbados Hotel & Tourism Association as president of CSHAE for another year.

The Lowell, New York announces Ashish Verma as General Manager. Consistently ranked among the top luxury hotels of the world, The Lowell, New York is centrally located on 63rd Street between Madison and Park Avenues in Manhattan, just steps from the city's world-class museums and designer boutiques. It offers 47 suites and 25 deluxe rooms, all of which are uniquely decorated with exquisite antique furnishings. Many of the guestrooms, including the recently renovated Penthouse Suite, Garden Suite, and Lowell Suites, feature private terraces as well as wood burning fireplaces. Mr. Verma will be responsible for all operations for this exquisite landmark property known for its residential ambience.

Smith Travel Research (STR) is the recognized leader in providing accurate, actionable information and analysis to the lodging industry. Since 1985, the company has served the industry operating on the key principals of integrity, confidentiality and customer service. STR provides timely information and analysis to all major North American hotel chains and a growing number of chains in Europe and Asia. Individual hotels, management companies, appraisers, consultants, lenders and other lodging industry analysts also rely on STR data for the accuracy they require.

Smith Travel Research (STR) is the recognized leader in providing accurate, actionable information and analysis to the lodging industry. Since 1985, the company has served the industry operating on the key principals of integrity, confidentiality and customer service. STR provides timely information and analysis to all major North American hotel chains and a growing number of chains in Europe and Asia. Individual hotels, management companies, appraisers, consultants, lenders and other lodging industry analysts also rely on STR data for the accuracy they require.

Shaza Hotels, the regional lifestyle hospitality brand based in Dubai today announced it has appointed Mr. Michel Novatin as the company’s new Chief Executive Officer to lead the company’s aggressive development plans across the region. With more than 40 years of hospitality experience across many countries, Novatin is a seasoned hotel executive, having worked with some of the most established global hotel brands, including Kempinski where he is presently Chief Operational Officer.

Accor chairman Serge Weinberg told shareholders the group has no plans to break up its activities and 'has the means' to develop both its hotel and services businesses in the medium term. Analysts have seen the shareholder pact announced earlier this month by investment companies Eurazeo and Colony Capital as creating pressure for Accor to carry out value-creation moves, including potential further property sales and the sale of its services division.

The Family Fun issue of Travel Alberta’s new Stay magazine helps families plan the perfect summer road trip. The colourful 52 page magazine features real holiday stories, major attraction listings, a full provincial map and budget-saving travel packages.

The International Association of Reservation Executives held their 23rd Annual Conference and Exhibition April 19-23, 2008 in San Diego. The conference was held at the Westin Gaslamp Quarter Hotel with 131 attendees.