IHG Hotels & Resorts has inked a partnership with Spain-based Iberostar Hotels & Resorts, with a new IHG resort and all-inclusive brand, Iberostar Beachfront Resorts, launching as part of the agreement.
Under what the two companies describe as a "long-term commercial alliance," an anticipated 70 Iberostar resorts, totaling just over 24,000 guestrooms, are expected to enter the IHG system under the Iberostar Beachfront Resorts flag.
Iberostar said it retains 100% ownership of its brand.
An initial wave of Iberostar Beachfront Resorts properties will enter the IHG system this December, with those inaugural resorts located across Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Brazil and Spain's Canary Islands. The remaining Iberostar Beachfront Resorts properties, spread across Southern Europe and North Africa, are scheduled to transition into the IHG system through 2024.
The Iberostar Beachfront Resorts collection will add to IHG's existing 260 resorts, which are flagged under the group's Six Senses, Regent, InterContinental, Kimpton, Hotel Indigo, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Club Vacations brands.
According to IHG, the company currently has less than 20 resorts in the countries where Iberostar Beachfront Resorts are located, with IHG touting the fact that the Iberostar tie-up "significantly increases and broadens IHG's resort footprint."
Iberostar Beachfront Resorts, which will be active within the IHG One Rewards loyalty program, is the 18th flag in IHG's brand portfolio. The concept will sit within a newly created IHG brand category called Exclusive Partners, which will exist alongside IHG's Suites, Essentials, Premium, and Luxury & Lifestyle categories.
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A passenger on the Viking Polaris expedition ship was killed when a wave struck the ship Nov. 29 as it sailed toward Ushuaia, Argentina, Viking said in a statement.
The line called it a "rogue wave incident." Viking said four other passengers sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were treated by the ship's doctor and medical staff.
Viking did not describe the incident in detail, but an Associated Press report said that according to authorities in Argentina, the woman was hit by glass when the wave broke cabin windows during a storm.
"We have notified the guest's family and shared our deepest sympathies," Viking said. "We will continue to offer our full support to the family in the hours and days ahead."
Viking said the ship sustained limited damage and arrived in port on Nov. 30.
The AP said that a court had opened a case to determine what happened. In its statement, Viking said it was investigating the incident and would "offer our support to the relevant authorities."
The Dec. 5 itinerary, a 13-day Antarctic Explorer cruise, has been canceled. Viking said impacted guests and advisors were notified.
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