News

Marriott ceo passes away

Marriott International CEO Arne Sorenson, who was undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer, has passed away at the age of 62. sorsensen

Sorenson, who was the first non-family member to head the hotel chain, took charge in March of 2012 and led the $13 billion acquisition of Starwood Hotels and Resorts in 2016, resulting in Marriott becoming the world's biggest hotel chain with over one million rooms.

"He had an uncanny ability to anticipate where the hospitality industry was headed and position Marriott for growth," executive chairman JW Marriott, Jr said in a statement.

During Sorenson's tenure, the company's shares have jumped 242%, despite the 15% dent over the past year due to the coronavirus crisis.

In his absence, Stephanie Linnartz, group president, consumer operations, is overseeing the company's lodging division, while Tony Capuano, group president for global development, is in charge of the US and Canada lodging business.

Marriott said that it will appoint a new CEO in the next two weeks.

Shannon chairman appointment cancelled

The Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan has announced that he will not be proceeding with the appointment of Aaron Forde as chairman of Shannon Group. aforde0221

Mr Ryan had announced his appointment earlier on Tuesday.

In a phone conversation later on Tuesday, Mr Ryan indicated that Mr Forde’s use of social media was “below the standard expected of the chair of a state board.”

The social media issue concerns a tweet which used a derogatory term in relation to the Traveller Community and another which was critical of the Green Party.

“This is an important time for Shannon Group, which has to chart a way through the crisis caused by the pandemic and plan for recovery. The Department of Transport will work to appoint a new chair as quickly as possible,” a spokeswoman said.

In his letter of resignation, Mr Forde said he wanted to “apologise unreservedly” for remarks he made on Twitter.

Donohue promises Staycation clarity

Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe has said that it is too early to say whether staycations will be possible this summer.

donohoe1019 He said the Government is hoping to give clarity on the issue of domestic summer travel within the next few weeks.

Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast, Mr Donohoe said any advice issued on staycations would be contingent on public health guidelines, and that the Government would give the Irish holiday sector “good notice” so they could plan and prepare, if necessary.

“With so many families, holiday plans at home and definitely abroad have been booked and rebooked and changed so many times over the last 12 months,” he said.

"Will we be able to travel across our country during the summer? It does depend on where we’re going to be with the disease, and we will do our best to give plenty of notice to those in our hospitality sector, and then of course to families and potential domestic tourists.

“I can’t answer that question for you today,” he said.

Aircoach numbers plummet

Passenger numbers on private bus operator Aircoach have plummeted by over 90 per cent in the past year due to the Covid-19 pandemic impact. DervlaMcKay

Managing director Dervla McKay (pictured), said that Aircoach, along with the majority of Ireland’s private coach and bus companies “ground to a halt in March 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic”.

“The current restrictions at Level 5 for passenger transport operators mean a carrying capacity of 25 per cent,” she said. “That, combined with stricter measures on international travel, puts the Aircoach business in a difficult position in the short term.”

Ms McKay made her comments after accounts just filed by the business show the Covid-19 pandemic contributed a 21.5 per cent slide in pre-tax profits at Aircoach to €3.7 million last year.

'Micro Sleeper' for Cork

A new €9.5 million hotel called REZz Cork is planned to open this year on the former Windsor Inn site on the corner of Cork city's MacCurtain Street and York Street. mccurtainst0221