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Virginia lawmakers delay human trafficking training for short-term rentals
Lawmakers did not advance measures to implement human trafficking awareness training for short-term rental properties, with one patron saying they need to get the language right first. Del. Dan Helmer, D-Fairfax, sponsored House Bill 1654, and Sen. Angelia Williams, D-Norfolk, introduced Senate Bill 985. The bills would require property owners and their employees to complete awareness training[...]
Playa Hotels & Resorts to be acquired in $2.6B deal with Hyatt
Resorts owner, operator and developer Playa Hotels & Resorts has entered into an agreement to be acquired by an indirect subsidiary of Hyatt Hotels for approximately $2.6 billion, including approximately $900 million in debt, the hospitality companies announced Monday. Playa Hotels & Resorts is a Dutch public limited liability company headquartered in Amsterdam with an […]
Norfolk focuses on cruise and entertainment tourism
The “city surrounded by water” — Norfolk — is going through “an evolution, putting in necessary investments to stay on top of the times” as a tourism destination, says Sean Washington, the city’s director of economic development. The city is expanding its cruise center to accommodate an influx of passengers year-round, has broken ground on […]
Omni Homestead GM receives lifetime achievement award
The American Hotel & Lodging Association presented Mark Spadoni, managing director of The Omni Homestead Resort in Bath County, with the association’s General Manager Lifetime Achievement Award on Oct. 28. The association honored Spadoni in San Antonio at its second annual The Hospitality Show conference, cosponsored by Questex’s Hotel Management brand. “I am deeply honored […]
Opening doors
The Hard Rock entertainment, gaming, and hospitality brand is solidifying its place in Bristol on Nov. 14 with the formal opening of its Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol, a $515 million resort and casino. The company has had a presence in the city for the last two years via a temporary casino facility, but […]
Fed’s Fifth District economy grows modestly
Economic activity in the Federal Reserve’s Fifth District (a multistate region including Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia and Maryland) grew modestly from early September, according to the latest edition of the Fed’s Beige Book, released Wednesday. Published eight times per year, the Beige Book is based on anecdotal information about economic conditions gathered [&hellip[...]
Va. tourism generated $33.3B for 2023
Virginia’s tourism industry generated $33.3 billion in visitor spending in 2023, an increase of nearly 10% over 2022, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Monday. “The commonwealth’s record-breaking visitor spending numbers are a testament to our abundance of attractions and unique destinations,” Gov. Youngkin stated in a news release. Virginia’s tourism industry supported over 224,000 jobs[...]
Retro Hospitality adds three hotels to portfolio
Richmond-based boutique hotel advisory and management firm Retro Hospitality has added three Virginia hotels to its portfolio, the firm announced Wednesday. The company now operates The Bee and The Holbrook Hotel in Danville and The Lofts at Downtown Salem in Salem. Other hotels in its portfolio include the Blackburn Inn and Conference Center in Staunton, […]
Va. casinos report almost $53M in January revenue
January gaming revenues from Virginia’s three casinos totaled $52.86 million, according to Virginia Lottery data released Thursday. Virginia’s first casino, the Bristol Casino: Future Home of Hard Rock temporary facility, opened July 2022. The Virginia Lottery Board approved HR Bristol’s casino license in April 2022. Last month, the Bristol casino generated about $9.9 million from […]
Va. hotel revenues continue to recover from pandemic
Almost all Virginia hotel markets have fully recovered financially from the COVID-19 pandemic, and Hampton Roads continues to outpace Virginia and the U.S. in improvement based on hotel revenue. Virginia hotel revenues through November were 12.7% higher than they were in 2019, according to a report released Tuesday by Old Dominion University’s Dragas Center for […]
