The 2006 edition of the ranking of the top-10 hotel groups worldwide marks a turnaround in the development of the supply of the biggest hotel companies. While the top 10 groups showed 1.2 percent growth in their supplies at the beginning of 2005, this growth is up by 6.9 percent at the beginning of 2006.

Hotel Punta Islita in Costa Rica has been named the winner of the 2006 Investor in People Award sponsored by the World Travel & Tourism Council. As part of the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, this accolade celebrates industry initiatives that have resulted in tangible benefits to local communities.

Mexico Boutique Hotels announced the addition of a dozen new hotels, as well as offerings in six new cities throughout the Mexican Republic. Mexico Boutique Hotels now boasts a collection of 45 properties, each with its own individuality and charm.

Sunsail Club´s Club Colonna is opening the doors of its new spa in June. The Serenity Spa will re-emerge with four new air conditioned treatment rooms, a hair salon, sauna, steam rooms and relaxation area and the introduction of the award-winning Elemis product range. Curtain Bluff will also be opening a new spa in October 2006 with a beauty salon and five treatment rooms, one of which will be a couple´s room with twin whirlpool tubs for wet treatments. The spa will be located on the side of the bluff with unobstructed views of the calm beach.

InterContinental Hotels Group, announced the opening of its latest Crowne Plaza hotel in Jacksonville, Fla. The hotel, which is the brand´s first in the Jacksonville market, underwent a renovation prior to opening as a Crowne Plaza. With the addition of the Crowne Plaza Jacksonville-Riverfront, there are now eleven Crowne Plaza hotels with more than 2,800 guestrooms in the state of Florida.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has closed on a sale of 28 hotels, including hotels under the Sheraton, W, Westin, St. Regis and Luxury Collection brands, to Host Marriott Corporation. The hotels will remain in the Starwood system and continue to be managed by Starwood under long-term management agreements, according to Starwood.