It has been recently announced that the chain of hotels and resorts RIU will open its first hotel in Brazil. The new 5-start RIU Enotel will be located in Porto Galinhas and it will be ready to receive guests as of April 2010.

The Hotel will feature 348 rooms that include double rooms, junior suites, superior junior suites and suites. It will be 24-hour All-Inclusive services and guests will be able to enjoy from Brazilian to Italian food.

“The Riu Enotel will be offering a wide-ranging activities and entertainment programme. An activities programme for children ages 4 to 12 will be offered every day and there will be another programme for adults. Guests will be able to enjoy shows and live music several times a week.”

The Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals have recently announced that the HITEC conference will be held in Austin, Texas during the month of June in 2011.

Frank Wolfe, CAE, CEO of HFTP said: “Austin is the headquarters of HFTP and it is our honor to share this vibrant city with the hospitality technology industry. We heard a lot of great feedback about Austin when it hosted HITEC 2008 and I believe attendees will enjoy how close hotels, restaurants and entertainment options are to the convention center.”

This year’s conference will be held June 21-24 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. For more information, visit www.hitec.org or contact the HFTP Meetings & Special Events Department at education@hftp.org, (800) 646-4387 or +1 (512) 249-5333.

The Verdanza Hotel in San Juan has officially opened its doors to customers. This will be the first hotel with full-service in San Juan.

It is located close to the beach in the Isla Verde district. The hotel has 222 rooms with 20 suites and more than 15,000 square feet of meeting and banquet space.

Ricky Newman, general manager said: “The new Verdanza Hotel is all about personalized service, attention to the small details and an overall experience that allows our guests to feel one with the true vibe of San Juan.”

The Four Palace Resorts in Mexico has joined Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, which means that Beach Palace(R), Cancun; Isla Mujeres Palace(R), Isla Mujeres; and Playacar Palace(R) and Xpu-Ha Palace(R), both in Riviera Maya, will be part of the Wyndham Hotels and Resorts.

Jeff Wagoner, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts president said: “The marriage of our global brand and distribution system with the outstanding Palace Resorts brand and these four all-inclusive properties in Mexico will be mutually beneficial for both companies and our guests.”

He also said: “‘We take pride in welcoming these resorts, known for their exceptional service and luxurious all-inclusive amenities, to the Wyndham family.”

Country Inns & Suites by Carlson is oficially opened in Washington, Pa. The 81-room hotel is located in a nice business area of Washington.

Steve Mogck, executive vice president and CEO for Country Inns & Suites By Carlson commented: “We’re very excited to bring another Country Inns & Suites By Carlson to this region. All employees will participate in our ‘Be Our Guest’ service training program, to ensure consistent delivery of quality customer service at our hotels.”

He also said:”This hotel is a wonderful addition to our community. We are confident that this recognized brand and lodging concept will help us grow and prosper in the future.”

Hilton Worldwide and U.S. Airline Virgin American have announced their partnership to provide travelers more ways to earn free flights.

The U.S. Airline is based in California and the airline is reinventing domestic travel. Now, travelers from the Virgin America’s Elevate Frequent Flyer can earn points to fly for free when they stay at any of the 3,400 Hilton Hotels around the world.

Jeff Diskin, Senior Vice President, Global Customer Marketing, Hilton Worldwide commented: “Hilton Worldwide is always looking for new and compelling ways to reward our Hilton HHonors members. By partnering with one of the most innovative airlines in the U.S., we’re offering members a new way to explore the country in style.”

The famous and prestigious chain of hotels Ritz-Carlton has recently announced its intention to have its first property in Israel.

The property will be located at the marina in Herzliya, a coastal suburb just north of Tel Aviv. The building will be a 110-room hotel and it will include 85 Ritz-Carlton Residential Suites.

Herzliya, Simon F. Cooper, president and chief operating officer commented:”For a number of years, the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company has recognized the strategic potential of extending our brand to Israel. Having spent several years in Israel earlier in my career as a hotelier, I know the country very well.”

They are planning to have the hotel opened by March 2012.

Brazil emerged from the global crisis and it offers great investment opportunities for the hospitality industry.

Brazil is the biggest country in South America and it has a variety of climates due to the Amazon forest and the Atlantic Ocean. The Economy is emerging after the global financial crisis, however, Brazil is not an easy country to do business with.

Brazil will host the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics which it does make the hospitality industry to be attracted to the idea of being part of these big events.

The famous newspaper, USA Today has published a report about the best places to visit in 2010. They are promoting Germany as the first place to visit as there’s been an increased air service from the U.S.

The USA Today posted:”Germany will be easier to get to in 2010. Starting on March 27, Continental will begin daily nonstop service between Newark and Munich. And in May, Air Berlin, Germany’s second largest airline, will begin nonstop service between San Francisco and Dusseldorf.”

The article also refers to the amount of festivals that this country offers every year and specially during the holidays.

According to a recent report by Hotel Price Index, European hotel prices are 8% less than December 2008 compared to December 2009.

In the U.K hotel prices have been decreasing significantly, 21% in Manchester and 15% in Edinburgh. This year, European countries are targeting travelers from all over the world to celebrate the holidays in their countries.

Hotels have been lowering their prices per room and managers have commented that they hope this strategy works to attract tourists.