Global update
The GosTelow reporT
South Africa-based Sun
International is focusing on expansion in Latin America . It already operates the Monticello integrated resort in Chile , and it will run the casino at Trump Panama City . Is Cartagena , Colombia , also in its pipeline ?
There is opportunity on an island off Venice , according to the Italian government . As it sells off state assets , one of the lots being auctioned is the 17-acre ( 7-hectare ) Poveglia island , a few minutes ’ boat ride from St Mark ’ s Square . It housed a hospital for the elderly from 1922 to 1968 , but it has since been uninhabited . The government is offering a 99-year lease and
Mary GOSTELOw
hopes enterprising hotel developers will leap at the opportunity .
The Philippines will see its largest developer , Ayala Land , double its hotel inventory by 2016 . Ayala currently owns just over 2,000 rooms . Its luxury portfolio is headed by the conjoined Manila Fairmont and Raffles , but according to Jose Emmanuel Jalandoni , group head of hotels and resorts , primary expansion will be for its own Seda midmarket brand .
Greenland Holdings Group , Shanghai , plans a US $ 1 billion injection into Australia . It has bought the heritage-listed Sydney Water Board site in the city ’ s central business district , and the conversion will include a boutique hotel . It is further thought that Greenland Chairman Zhang Yuliang wants hotels in each of Australia ’ s main cities . In Korea , there is already a popular Greenland Spa at Gyeonggi-do Yeongdong-ri , and now Zhang is proceeding with a US $ 983.6 million mixed-use investment on Jeju Island , which will include a luxury hotel .
Back in China , Greenland owns more than 60 operating hotels and projects . It has two of its own brands , the boutique Primus and the business Qube , augmented by the 177-room Qube Hotel in Frankfurt , a joint venture with Meliá Hotels International .
The many ways of wellness
Westin Hotels & Resorts has launched the Westin Well-being Movement , a US $ 15 million campaign designed to enhance the well-being of guests and associates . The year-long global initiative introduces programs across Westin ’ s six brand pillars : Sleep Well , Eat Well , Move Well , Feel Well , Work Well and Play Well . Westin kicked off the program with a well-being open house where guests , associates and consumers experienced scenic guided runs , Heavenly Spa appointments , SuperfoodsRx Juice Bars , group yoga sessions and more .
The program also includes a wellbeing council . For example , Arianna Huffington will serve as the expert for the Work Well pillar , contributing content to the brand ’ s social channels aimed at helping guests and associates achieve their definition of career-related well-being .
The council also will be featured on the brand ’ s new well-being digital hub — an online portal for exchanging new ideas about well-being .
18 HOTELS June 2014 www . hotelsmag . com