According to Incentive Travel & Corporate Meetings, DoubleTree by Hilton announced a strategic franchise agreement marking Hilton Worldwide's return to the Las Vegas Strip after 14 years. Under the terms of the agreement, Tropicana Las Vegas will continue to own and operate all 1,600 guestrooms in the resort, which recently completed a $200 million renovation. The hotel's new name will be the Tropicana Las Vegas - a DoubleTree by Hilton, effective January 2013.

Villa Group Resorts has launched a new branding campaign titled, "Your story starts here." The goal of the campaign is to further advance its Villa del Palmar collection of luxury hotel properties with locations in Mexico's top resort destinations.

Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts are continuing to offer free exclusive promotions to its Certified Sandals Specialist travel agent partners as part of the new customizable "Your Wedding, Your Style, WeddingMoons.”

Azul Hotels by Karisma opened Azul Villa Esmeralda, a six-bedroom, six-bathroom event space facility for groups of up to 40 people in the Riviera Maya in Mexico. It is located on 54,000-square-feet of beachfront with two private pools, outdoor Jacuzzis, gym and spa. “We are excited to offer the ultimate in privacy and luxury with the introduction of Azul Villa Esmeralda,” said Mandy Chomat, vice president of sales and marketing for Premier Worldwide Marketing, the exclusive worldwide representatives for Azul Hotels by Karisma.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts continues its growth in Latin America with the debut of Le Meridien in the heart of Mexico City’s financial and cultural district. “The opening of Le Meridien Mexico City is part of Starwood’s aggressive expansion strategy in Latin America, marking the 71st Starwood hotel in the region and the seventh in Mexico City,” said Osvaldo Librizzi, co-president of the Americas of Starwood Hotels & Resorts.