Voco will focus primarily on hotel conversion opportunities.
The roll-out of voco will begin in IHG’s Europe, Middle East, Asia & Africa (EMEAA) region, with plans to take it to the Americas and Greater China over time.
The new brand is expected to drive significant incremental growth for IHG, with the group hoping to open more than 200 voco hotels in attractive urban and leisure locations over the next 10 years.
In Britain the first hotels to be rebranded could be some of the twelve former Principal Hotels for which IHG has recently agreed a long-term managed lease. This could include the keenly awaited Grand Hotel currently under refurbishment in the centre of Birmingham.
The first signing for the voco brand outside of Europe will be the Watermark Hotel & Spa Gold Coast, Surfers Paradise, Australia.
The word voco is inspired by the meaning ‘to invite’ or to ‘come together’ in Latin. By using the voco as a brand name, IHG are aiming to 'combine the informality and charm of an individual hotel, with the quality and reassurance of a global and respected brand'.
The voco brand will offer a bold, distinctive identity and informal service style. IHG have identified three critical issues where they feel voco can create a compelling guest experience that will differentiate the brand. These are:
Come on in – a signature welcome experience, swift and simple check-in with an unexpected, locally-influenced treat to kick-off a guest’s stay.
Me time – encouraging guests to take a moment for themselves with extra cosy beds and bedding, quality bathroom amenities, rejuvenating aerated showers, a variety of viewing content on Smart TVs and excellent connectivity in every room.
voco life – vibrant and sociable bar and lounge spaces that work for different moments of the day, so that guests always have space to relax and enjoy themselves – from offering a great coffee to start the day or shareable and classic dishes in the evening that provide something to talk about afterwards.
More details about voco: https://www.vocohotels.com/
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- Published: 13 June 2018
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This follows the formation of a new partnership with US investor Gencom and Benchmark, a global hospitality company.
The collaboration will spur the global expansion of etc.venues in urban and destination sites in both Europe and the US.
Alastair Stewart, Managing Director of etc.venues, says: “In just 10 years we’ve grown almost five-fold and with the backing of UK private equity funds far exceeded our own expectations. It’s given us the confidence to now take our venue model to a broader stage. We’ve long been planning expansion into the US and this new partnership with Gencom and Benchmark will now make that happen”.
Meanwhile back home, etc.venues continues to expand in London.
Plans are underway for new locations in the group’s London portfolio. “Our continued mission to create memorable, talking-point corporate events is well and truly alive and flourishing. We remain committed to offering a new style of niche venue positioned between the established hotels and co-working office groups” says Alastair Stewart.
Details: https://www.etcvenues.co.uk/news/2018/06/04/etcvenues-goes-global
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- Published: 06 June 2018
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Aurora Station will be in orbit 200 miles above the Earth which should guarantee some spectacular views from the lounge.
A stay on the Aurora Station will last for 12-day.
Experiences will include living with zero gravity, watching the aurora borealis and growing food in space. Weightlessness will be part of the experience.
The luxurious accommodation will include a private suite for two with windows.
The Aurora Station will accommodate paying guests and two crew members who will most likely be former astronauts. Guests are expected to include private space tourists and government space agencies.
The Aurora Station is currently under construction in Houston, Texas. It will be about the size of a large private jet’s cabin – 43.5ft x 14.1ft wide. Launch details await publication.
Start saving - the cost of the 12-day journey will be around US$9.5 million with a fully refundable US$80,000 deposit for trips starting in 2022. Pack light - resort wear will be restricted to a surf-blue spacesuit.
Details: https://www.orionspan.com/
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- Published: 09 April 2018
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The deal is expected to completed by the second half of 2018.
Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts operate in 27 countries. The group has 84 hotels and more than 20,000 guest rooms.
The group is particularly strong in Europe and the Middle East but has no properties in the UK, although it did open a ‘new development’ office in London at the end of last year.
At the time of the acquisition Movenpick had plans to open 42 new hotels by the year 2021 expanding the group’s footprint particularly in the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific.
Accor, on the other hand, currently operate in 100 countries worldwide.
The group has a wide portfolio of properties with brands such as Raffles and Sofitel at the luxury end, Novotel and Mercure in the mid-market, through to the Ibis chain at the budget end of the market.
AccorHotels also recently bought a 50% stake in South Africa-based Mantis Group, which has 28 boutique hotels and game reserves.
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- Published: 03 May 2018
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This is according to the latest UK Hotels Market Index by Colliers International.
A total of 2,073 will be added to the 17,894 already available in Manchester.
An additional 1,170 bedrooms will join Liverpool's current total of 8,205.
Various reasons have been advanced for the marked increase including the weakness of the pound, the strengthening of global and Eurozone economies and the increasing frequency of direct flights between Asia and Manchester.
Both Manchester and Liverpool continue to benefit from their ongoing renaissance with both cities offering diverse culture, an increasing services sector, a wide range of tourist attractions – not to mention ‘top-draw’ football teams.
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- Published: 22 March 2018
- Hits: 4414
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