Checking In: Loews Appoints First Vice President Of Global Sales

Loews Hotels has established a new position to oversee its national sales team as it aims to strengthen its position in marketing to the meetings industry. As its first vice president of global sales, Loews tapped Michael Dominguez, who joined the company in 2005 as director of marketing at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, Ariz. "Loews is very excited about this role as part of our overall brand strategy within the meetings market," Felicia Fisher, Loews senior vice president of sales and strategic planning, said in a statement. "We know that Michael's energy and enthusiasm will be a welcomed addition to our global efforts." The New York-based Loews owns or operates 18 hotels and resorts in North America.

Rudnitsky Exits As Wyndham Hotel Group CEO
Wyndham Hotel Group is searching for a new chief executive following the announced departure of president and CEO Steven Rudnitsky earlier this month. Rudnitsky, who led Wyndham since 2002, is leaving to pursue other interests, according to the company. A Wyndham spokesman said there is no set timeline to find a new CEO, and Wyndham Worldwide chairman Stephen Holmes will handle the associated duties in the interim. Wyndham Worldwide, in addition to the hotels unit, encompasses Wyndham's vacation ownership and rentals businesses. Among his accomplishments at Wyndham, Rudnitsky oversaw growth with the acquisitions of the Baymont brand in 2006, the flagship brand in 2005 and Ramada International in 2004. He also launched Wyndham's TripRewards program and established a management subsidiary, changing the company's focus on franchised properties alone to a global franchise and management company, said Holmes.

Taj Group Launches Gateway Hotel Brand
Indian hospitality group Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces has reflagged several of its properties to create a new upscale hotel brand that it plans to develop into a pan-Indian presence. Hotels in Agra, Bangalore, Calicut, Chikmagalur, Coonoor, Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Mandurai, Mangalore, Nasik, Surat, Vadodara, Varanasi, Vijayawada and Vishakhapatnam earlier this month were reflagged to the Gateway Hotel brand. In addition, it has signed with 10 additional hotels and is in active negotiations with another 10 for conversion. Taj hopes to have 50 operating and signed hotels in the near future. The brand also will explore new formats including those specific to business and extended stay travel.

Hilton Garden Inn Debuts In Russia
Hilton Hotels Corp. has opened its first midprice Hilton Garden Inn property in Russia, a 102-room property now doing business in the growing city of Perm, about 700 miles east of Moscow. Hilton's flagship brand in August opened a property in Moscow, and Hilton expects to open a Doubletree property in Novosibirsk, Siberia, next year. Hilton expects to open 70 properties in Russia in the next 10 years.