Here’s all the latest news from the world of hospitality. For added effect, Travel Weekly recommends reading this wrap while wearing a bathrobe and disposable slippers.

Club Med invites agents to share their ‘good news’

In an ever-changing world and with the travel industry at the forefront of the impact of COVID-19, Club Med has elected Tuesdays as a ‘good news’ day for newsfeeds.

The hospitality company is encouraging communities, organisations and teams in and around the travel industry to jump on the bandwagon and do the same.

So, if your agency, company or team has any happy news, no matter the size, from a little win to a big development, share your news each Tuesday with the hashtag #tuesyourgoodnews.

Keep your eyes peeled on the ‘Club Med for Travel Agents’ Facebook page every Tuesday for good news stories from now on.

Ovolo Australia makes masks compulsory for guest-facing staff

Ovolo Hotels has made it compulsory for all of its front-line, guest-facing employees to wear masks to help to stop the spread of the coronavirus, in a move the company said is an Australian first.

The company said it has become “abundantly clear” that the wearing of masks drastically helps in slowing the spread of COVID-19.

“It is important to everyone at Ovolo that guests and the team are kept safe, happy, and healthy – let’s face it, this Ovolo’s number one priority,” Ovolo said.

The news comes after Ovolo Hotels launched its OC/DC (Obsessive Commitment to Deep Cleaning) initiative all in the name of “good clean fun”.

Ovolo will provide OC/DC kits on request, which contain useful information on the initiative and how the company is helping stop the spread, with a mask for those guests who need extra reassurance.

Radisson Hotel Group announces six new hotels in Africa

Radisson Hotel Group has announced the addition of six new hotels to its African portfolio, bringing the total to almost 100 hotels across 32 African markets.

The six new hotel deals include:

• Radisson Collection Hotel Bamako, Mali
• Radisson Blu Hotel Abuja City Centre, Nigeria
• Radisson Hotel & Convention Centre Johannesburg, O.R. Tambo
• Radisson Hotel, Addis Ababa
• Radisson Hotel & Apartments Accra, Ghana, and
• Park Inn by Radisson, Durban Intl. Airport, Dube, South Africa.

Building on the recent announcement of its reinforced African development team structure, Radisson said the announcement of the six new hotels further demonstrates its commitment to the continent.

Wilpena Pound Resort welcomes SA state ministers

Pictured (L to R): Clare Carroll, Pauline McKenzie, Jacqualine Hobbs, SA Premier Steve Marshall, Guy Marinucci, Carmel Edwards, Satyendra Rana

The team at Wilpena Pound Resort in the Flinders Ranges, South Australia, this week welcomed a visit from Premier Steven Marshall along with Minister for Environment and Water, David Spiers.

In a sign of the Marshall government’s commitment to regional tourism, an investment of $10 million was announced for the region’s development.

Known as the ‘Remarkable Southern Flinders Ranges’ program, the aim of the initiative is to establish the region as a world-class adventure tourism destination.

The resort’s Chair Darren Godwell said the announcement by Premier Marshall was encouraging news for Wilpena Pound Resort as the largest employer in the Flinders Ranges and also as a leader in the employment of Aboriginal people.

“We’re lucky to have our employees back on board after a challenging three months and like fellow South Australian businesses, we also look forward to welcoming visitors once again,” Godwell said.

“Our cultural experiences are designed, developed and operated by local Adnyamathanha people who also hold positions right across the accommodation and retail arms of the resort.”

Peppers, Mantra and BreakFree launch holiday sale

Peppers Salt Resort & Spa Kingscliff (source: Real Visuals Media)

Your clients can extend their getaway with Accor and save with the company’s three and seven-night stay deals at a selection of Peppers, Mantra and BreakFree properties across coastal Queensland and NSW.

Queensland

Tropical North Queensland

Stay three nights in a one-bedroom apartment at Mantra Amphora, Palm Cove from $399 for two people.

Or, stay seven nights in a two-bedroom resort apartment at Peppers Beach Club & Spa, Palm Cove from $2,093 for four people.

Sunshine Coast

Stay three nights in a one-bedroom apartment at Mantra Mooloolaba Beach from $399 (Sun–Fri) for two people.

Or, stay seven nights in a two-bedroom pool view apartment at BreakFree Alexandra Headland Beach from $875 for four people.

Gold Coast

Stay three nights in a two-bedroom apartment at BreakFree Moroccan, Surfers Paradise from $399 (Sun­–Fri) for four people.

Or, stay seven nights in a two-bedroom apartment at Mantra Crown Towers, Surfers Paradise from $945 for four people.

NSW

Kingscliff

Stay three nights in a one-bedroom spa suite at Mantra on Salt Beach, Kingscliff from $420 (Sun–Fri) for two people.

Or, stay seven nights in a two-bedroom spa suite at Peppers Salt Resort & Spa, Kingscliff from $1,890 for four people.

Coastal NSW

Stay three nights in a one-bedroom spa suite – town/hinterland view at Mantra Ettalong Beach from $447 (Sun–Fri) for two people.

Or, stay seven nights in a two-bedroom spa villa at BreakFree Aanuka Beach Resort, Coffs Harbour from $1,400 for four people.

All deals are on sale until 20 September 2020, for travel up until mid-2021. To book any of these offers and more, visit the Mantra website or call 1300 987 603.

Next phase of growth for SKYE Suites by Crown Group

SKYE Suites, a division of the Crown Group, has taken the next step to cement its position within the luxury hotel market, announcing Ari Foo (pictured) as its sales director.

Foo will lead all hotel-based sales activities and will be responsible for developing sales strategies and operations for the SKYE Suites’ portfolio of luxury boutique hotels, including SKYE Suites Sydney, Parramatta and Green Square.

His extensive 25-year career within the property and hotel sector extends across high profile sales, strategy and operational roles.

Prior to joining SKYE Suites, Foo was director of global sales at Hyatt Sales Force for five years managing a US$30 million portfolio, and was awarded top producer – global account teams.

Joining the SKYE Suites team, the company said, was an obvious next step for Foo who has worked with some of the most well-known names in the industry.

Bawah Reserve showcases philosophy during ‘Plastic Free July’

Image source: Bawah Reserve

In recognition of ‘Plastic Free July’, a global movement that encourages millions of people around the world to be part of the solution to limit plastic pollution, Bawah Reserve, Indonesia has highlighted its earth-focused philosophy and its sustainable approach to the environment.

In 2018, Bawah Reserve founded the Anambas Foundation, an independent non-profit organisation that helps conserve and expand the biodiversity in the Anambas Islands.

One of its primary projects is the solid waste management community outreach program, which aims to elevate locals’ skill sets and improve the economy in the Anambas, all while helping to eliminate plastic waste from the beautiful natural surroundings of the archipelago.

Indonesia is the second-largest plastic waste contributor in the world, with less than 10 per cent of the country’s total waste recycled, according to Bawah Reserve.

The Anambas Foundation introduced a circular economy model –aimed at eliminating waste and the continual use of resources – to the people of the Anambas Islands in 2019, with those who resided in the region’s Kiabu village taught how to make recycled and up-cycled products.

This came as part of the organisation’s integrated waste management program, introduced in a bid to fight Indonesia’s enormous plastic pollution problem.

Dorsett Hospitality International partners with Prenetics to provide COVID-19 testing

Hong Kong-based Dorsett Hospitality International has partnered with leading global genetic testing and digital health company Prenetics to offer the local community, associates and hotels guests in Hong Kong 24-hour access to the ‘Project Screen by Circle’ COVID-19 test.

The test has been officially recognised by the Hong Kong government, and comes as the territory fights to contain a third wave of coronavirus infections.

Marriott’s Fiji resorts to hold golf tournament fundraiser in support of ‘Solia Lesu’

Marriott International’s Fiji resorts are set to host a fundraising golf tournament in support of ‘Solia Lesu’ (which means ‘giving back’ in iTaukei) on 25 July 2020.

The charity golf event will be held at Denarau Golf and Racquet Club, which is home to the South Pacific’s premier 18-hole golf course, located on Denarau Island.

It comes in a bid to give back to local communities across Fiji hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.

Proceedings and registrations for the golf tournament, sponsored by the Denarau Golf and Racquet Club, will go towards the Solia Lesu by Marriott Foundation and its community initiatives.

BIG4 Easts Beach Holiday Park adopts Vertel and Purple to improve guest experience

Vertel, a wholly-owned Australian national telecommunications carrier, has announced that BIG4 Easts Beach Holiday Park has chosen it and Purple to upgrade the quality of wireless internet connection and improve guest experience at the park.

BIG4 Easts Beach Holiday Park is located on the beachfront of Sydney’s Kiama, and features a pool complex, Sunny’s Aquaventure Park, games room, jumping pillow, multiple children’s playgrounds, café and massage studio.

Vertel, in combination with Purple, provided a solution to meet the needs of the growing park by establishing a dedicated network with enterprise-grade services, analytics tools to understand guests’ needs better, and robust security.

This solution includes an NBN Enterprise Ethernet service for the park, which will work as a base platform to enhance streaming speeds as the park expands; Purple for analytics on how Wi-Fi is used by guests; the installation of CCTV cameras to enhance park security; and long-term support for the park.

Featured image source: Facebook/Club Med for Travel Agents