Prince Resorts Hawaii has closed the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel to
employees and guests for an indefinite period of time, as of Dec.
2. The decision to close came after a report by engineering
consultants identified new structural damage resulting from the Big
Island’s Oct. 15 earthquake.
Following the 6.7 magnitude quake, immediate damage was visible
in the collapse of a precast concrete trellis at the south end of
the Beach Front Wing, and to the top (8th) floor of the Main
Building. The hotel remained operational but more than 140 rooms
were removed from service as a precaution while engineering
observations continued.
Upon further inspection, engineers discovered damage to the
lateral bracing system in sections of the roof. Their report
described the condition as a significant safety hazard that should
be addressed as soon as possible. “There is nothing more important
to us than the safety of our guests and employees and after
reviewing our consultant’s report, we immediately decided to close
the hotel,” said Donn Takahashi, president of Prince Resorts
Hawaii. Takahashi added: “Our initial assessment is that it will
take many months to repair and restore Mauna Kea Beach Hotel to its
original luster and prominence.” Mauna Kea Beach Hotel will not
accept any new reservations. Guests holding future bookings are
being contacted and every effort is being made to find them
alternate hotel accommodations.
Most of the hotel’s 420 hourly and salaried employees with the
exception of those deemed essential to the hotel will be laid off
early in 2007. Tourism officials from the Big Island note, however,
that the displaced workers are readily being absorbed by
neighboring hotels, including the Mauna Kea’s sister property,
Hapuna Beach Hotel, which remains open.
Another bit of good news: The Mauna Kea Golf Course and Tennis
Club, as well as oceanfront Luau and Clambake are open and
available.
808-882-7222
www.maunakeabeachhotel.com
Sold: Sabre Goes Private
Publicly traded Sabre Holdings Corp., has agreed to a $5 billion
deal that will take it private. Under the agreement announced Dec.
12 between Sabre and private equity groups Silver Lake Partners and
Texas Pacific Group, the latter will pay $32.75 per share of Sabre,
in a total cash purchase of about $4.45 billion. Silver Lake and
Texas Pacific will also assume approximately $550 billion of
Sabre’s debt.
Texas Pacific has previously invested in the airline industry
and other travel-related concerns. Silver Lake has primarily
invested in technology companies. “After a thorough assessment, we
concluded that this transaction represents a compelling outcome for
our shareholders, customers and employees,” said Sabre’s chairman
and CEO, Sam Gilliland.
In addition to its GDS operations through the Sabre Travel
Network, Sabre also owns Travelocity.com and Sabre Airline
Solutions.
www.sabre.com
Free Nights at Fairmont
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts’ new promotion will help agents
quickly earn free nights at Fairmont properties. With the
“Refer-A-Colleague” incentive, Fairmont Famous agents refer as many
colleagues as they choose by Dec. 31, and for each colleague who
successfully enrolls, the referring agent will earn 10 bonus
credits toward free hotel nights. Agents who are not currently
enrolled can join Fairmont Famous now, and then refer colleagues
once they complete their registration process.
Fairmont Famous is Fairmont’s travel agent recognition and
education program. Revamped in late 2005, it is a fully accredited
education program whose members can earn free nights faster, as
well as benefit from exclusive savings. 800-441-1414
www.fairmontfamous.com
