Hotel, tourism and airport news from the USA.
North America arrivals surge 11%
International arrivals to North America surged 11% in March 2012, according to the latest data from PATA. The strong result was supported by the continued growth of arrivals to Canada (+9%) and the US (+14%). While tourism was largely driven by strong intra-regional travel flows, arrivals from Germany and the UK jumped 30% during the month after several years of sluggish growth. Arrivals from Japan set new monthly arrivals records to the US and Mexico.
Meanwhile, the San Francisco Travel Association has revealed its visitor arrivals were up to more than 2.8 million during 2011, up 10% year-on-year. The UK remains the city’s top market with more than 300,000 Brits heading to the city last year (up 9%). Its figures for June 2012 are also up.
RIU to open in NYC
RIU Hotels & Resorts has announced it will open a hotel on New York’s Time Square in three years. Located where 8th Avenue meets 46th Street, the Riu Plaza New York Times Square will be the hotel chain’s first in the city, close to Broadway and ‘Restaurant Row’. It is slated to open mid-2015 adopting the modern, city ‘Plaza’ brand with 600 rooms. Luis Riu, CEO of RIU said the opening is “a dream come true”.
Rosen to provide free WiFi
Rosen Hotels & Resorts is to mark this year’s Independence Day by launching its free WiFi service in some of its properties. The free service will be available in rooms and public areas of the Orlando- based Rosen Shingle Creek, Rosen Centre and Rosen Plaza from tomorrow.
Vegas Airport expansion opens
Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport opened its new Terminal 3 last week to accommodate for more passengers. The 14-gate terminal has a large ticketing lobby and seven gates for international arrivals with the city expected to see a record 40 million visitors this year. Virgin Atlantic’s refitted 747-400 from Gatwick was the first aircraft to land at the new terminal, which has taken five years to bulid at a £1.53bn pricetag.
