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m.carisetti

53 posts

Saudi Fund Completes $55 Billion Acquisition of Electronic Arts, Expanding Control Over European Gaming Studios

💰 In May 2025, Yasir Al-Rumayyan of the fund announced a $904.5 billion asset target. By 2026, international investment is set to reduce to 20%. Key holdings include a 15% stake in Heathrow acquired in December 2024 and an 85% stake in Newcastle United since July 2024. They purchased 49% of Rocco Forte Hotels for £590 million in December 2023. The fund also completed a $55 billion acquisition of Electronic Arts in August 2026.
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Emmy Stoel Named Europe's Best Hotel GM in 2023 Amidst Amsterdam's Rising Tourism Taxes and Market Challenges

📍 Emmy Stoel was named Europe's best hotel general manager by EHMA in 2023, as the second Dutch national and woman to achieve this. She led InterContinental Athénée Palace Bucharest since September 2025 and previously managed Okura Amsterdam from January 1, 2013, and Sofitel Legend The Grand until 2024. The Amsterdam tourist tax increased from 7% to 12.5% in 2024, with VAT rising to 21% in 2026. City-center RevPAR is 13% below 2019 levels, with a further decline expected.
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Hilton Frankfurt Gravenbruch Suspends Guest Services Amid Complex Sanctions and Insolvency Proceedings Affecting Ownership.

🏠 Hilton Frankfurt Gravenbruch, under 'Notbetrieb' since August 13, 2026, was taken over in October 2024 from Kempinski. Sanctions against owner Ali Ansari, linked to Mojtaba Khamenei, prompted Hilton to exit by August 9, 2026. The European Union sanctioned Ansari on July 30. Insolvency proceedings have frozen accounts, risking 140 jobs. Hilton planned exit was evident as bookings stopped by August's end. Future ownership of both Hilton Frankfurt hotels is unclear.
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Japan Sets Ambitious 2030 Tourism Goals with $97 Billion Revenue Target, Visa Fee Increases by July 2026

🗺 Japan's international tourism spending surged by 16.4% to $61 billion in 2025, with a 15.8% growth in visitors. The target is 60 million visitors and $97 billion by 2030. Visa fees increased on July 1, 2026, but focus remains on high-value travelers spending over $6,450 per trip. U.S. international arrivals fell 5.5% in 2025, with visa costs rising to $442. Italy earned $6.23 million from day trippers in Venice but faces RevPAR declines.
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French Riviera Hotel Rates Surge Nearly 66% in June 2026 Due to Rescheduled Monaco Grand Prix

📈 Between Menton and Monaco, June rates soared nearly two-thirds due to the shifted Monaco Grand Prix. With a RevPAR increase of 12% on 2025 and 30% on 2024, occupancy exceeded 90%. In Paris, the Esports World Cup boosted 15th arrondissement hotels' occupancy by 4.3 points, increasing RevPAR by over 10% in July. On 21 July, the Gros Bessillon fire in Pontevès burned 6,300 hectares, the largest in Var's history, affecting Gulf traveler sentiment.
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Channel Coast and Northern Alps See Significant RevPAR Gains, Up to 12.8% Year on Year, Amid Heatwave

🏖 Channel coast and Northern Alps saw significant RevPAR increases, up by 12.8% year-on-year, driven by budget-conscious families escaping heatwaves. Channel coast occupancy rose 3.6 points in June-July, reaching above 90% in August. Le Touquet's RevPAR grew by 25%, with Normandy reporting 12.2 million stays in July (60.1% French). Northern Alps' RevPAR rose by 12.8%, benefiting from its cool climate and structured offers, establishing it as a dual-season destination.
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Motel One Appoints Jérôme Lassara as Head of Development for Southern Europe, Targeting Italy, Spain, and Portugal

📈 Jérôme Lassara named Head of Development for Motel One in Southern Europe, focusing on Italy, Spain, and Portugal. In April 2024, Dieter Müller regained control of Motel One; PAI Partners acquired an 80% stake by Q2 2025. Revenue reached €980 million in 2024 with 99 hotels across 13 countries. Motel One's "The Cloud One," launched in 2022, expanded to several cities with a new Lisbon opening planned. Lassara's career spans roles at Accor and an MBA from Cornell/ESSEC.
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Christian Wildhaber Returns to Switzerland as General Manager of Mandarin Oriental, Geneva After Jakarta Tenure

📚 Christian Wildhaber, a Swiss hospitality expert born in Vevey, returns to Switzerland in 2026 after leading Mandarin Oriental, Jakarta since August 2025. With nearly 30 years of global luxury hotel experience, his career includes roles in China, Morocco, Hong Kong, Australia, Indonesia, and Switzerland. Notable achievements include transforming the Belle Époque palace in Lucerne, reopening as Mandarin Oriental Palace, Luzern in September 2022. Now, he manages Mandarin Oriental, Geneva, a competitive 178-room hotel.
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EIH Sees 10% Drop in International Arrivals, Increases Marketing Spend by $420,000 to Attract Domestic Guests

🗺 International arrivals to India dropped by 9.4% in 2025 to 9.02 million, mainly due to stricter visa rules for Bangladesh. Air India cut flights to several countries in response. EIH, facing a 10% drop in international guests, boosted domestic marketing by $420,000. Revenue rose 15% to $73 million. RevPAR for Trident and Oberoi brands grew by 13.8% and 8.2% respectively, with renovations underway. The BRICS summit in New Delhi may aid recovery.
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Stack of speckled ceramic bowls stacked on a white surface against a dark gray background.
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Siim Karu Appointed to Lead Revenue Management and Technology for Highgate's Expanding European Portfolio

📈 Siim Karu starts as head of revenue management, sales, and marketing for Highgate's European portfolio on August 10, 2026, based in London. With over 15 years in hospitality, he previously worked with Generator and Freehand Hotels. His role aims to enhance revenue growth and pricing strategy. This follows other governance changes at Highgate: Pete Sams became president in July 2025, and Pedro Braz was appointed finance director for Highgate Portugal in January 2026.
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