Hotels

Tehran Novotel Hotel (an Iranian hotel) is "cooperating" with the French Accor hotels Group.

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"Accor opened an Ibis and a Novotel hotel in Tehran in 2015, becoming the first international hotel chain in the country since the Iranian Revolution in the late 1970s. Now that the JCPOA has seemingly fallen apart, Accor declined to comment on whether its hotels would stay open despite Washington’s sanctions, or if its outlook on the country had changed." (CNBC, "Iran had big plans for its tourism industry, then the US reintroduced economic sanctions," 9/19/2018). 

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Both the Accor hotels, Novotel Tehran Imam Khomeini and the Ibis Khomeini International are fully operational.

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The announcement from Accor to manage two properties in Iran came towards the end of 2015, and operations have kicked off “positively” according to Christophe Landais who is heading the development of AccorHotels in Iran.

“We soft opened the Ibis and Novotel hotels in January 2016, and we still have some work to be completed. Out of 500, we have about 300 rooms to be completed. We have also the spas for the ladies and one for the men. Yes, it is taking some time, but hopefully within the next few weeks it should be ready,” Landais told Hotelier Middle Eastexclusively.

“Delays are never expected as such, but especially the spas required a lot of work, which we expected to be slightly delayed but not to this extent... We are about four weeks behind, but it’s not a big deal,” Landais added. (May 15, 2016)

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"Christophe Landais, the chief executive of French multinational hotel operator Accor Hotels Group, says the company is pursuing a special mission in Iran and plans to implement various projects around the country within the next 10 years and perhaps build 100 hotels during this time. In an interview with ISNA, as translated by IFP, Landais said the Accor Hotels is serious in making investment in Iran." (Iran Front Page, "Giant French Company to Build 100 Hotels in Iran," 10/14/2016).

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"All economic activities related to... tourism will enjoy 100 percent tax holidays between five to 13 years depending on the region," deputy economy minister Mohammad Khazaei told hoteliers from 18 countries who had gathered in Tehran, many from Europe... "We are working actively on 10 to 15 projects in Iran," Christophe Landais, chief operating officer for France's Accor Hotels in Iran, told AFP... " (AFP, "Iran offers hotel tax breaks in bid to boost tourism," 10/3/2016).

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AccorHotels Group as one of the most prestigious hotel groups, and 1st Hotel Operator across the world has entered into a memorandum of understanding with HEGTAinTehranHOMA Hotel.

This memorandum of understanding signed after several rounds of talks, includes long-term cooperation to develop hotel, to renovate existing HOMA hotelsto the highest standards, to promote the newly rebranded HOMAhotels across the world as well as a special focus on training and humanresourcesdevelopment. (March 8, 2016)

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"Executives are looking to other markets to diversify its offering. A 3 July deal to open 50 managed hotels in Angola is one example, while another, mentioned during a 30 July news conference outlining the French company’s H1 2015 earnings, is Iran, where CEO Sébastien Bazin said AccorHotels had 'true ambition.' Bazin said talks are in progress to open two hotels under the Novotel and Ibis brands in Tehran. Iran has been in talks with the United States, European Union and other allies concerning its nuclear program and to begin closer bilateral relations." (Hotel News Now, "Accor drives performance via diversification," 7/31/15)

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"French operator AccorHotels is in advanced negotiations for two properties in Tehran under its ibis and Novotel brands. Christophe Landais, managing director Accor Middle East told Hotelier: 'We expect the recent agreements to potentially open up tremendous opportunities and rapid growth for the hospitality and tourism industry in Iran. AccorHotels is well positioned to play a leading role in the development of the hospitality and tourism industry throughout Iran. AccorHotels does not at present have any management agreements in place in Iran, however we are considering a number of potential opportunities across a broad range of segments.'" (Hotelier, "Hoteliers enter Iran race following nuclear deal," 7/16/15)

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"This year’s opening of a four-star Axis hotel in Tehran under the management of France’s Accor, with a five star Axis Prime set to open soon nearby, is an indication of how fast things could change. Not since the Islamic revolution has a western company managed a hotel in Iran... Still it is not clear how Accor — Europe’s largest hotel group by number of rooms — secured the contract given continued sanctions. While the sanctions do not directly target the tourism industry, they prohibit the transfer of money to or from Iran unless for basic commodities or medicine... Accor is now poised to benefit from the doors opening to one of the world’s biggest untapped tourist destinations, home to huge and historic attractions such as Persepolis and Isfahan. Rumours are rife that other French groups are negotiating with Iran about the construction and management of hotels. Bouygues, the French construction, media and telecoms conglomerate, declined to comment, as did the UAE-based Rotana hotel management group, understood to be planning hotels in Tehran and the holy city of Mashhad." (Financial Times, "Hotel groups eye Iran tourism potential as santions deal nears", 6/22/15)

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“Foreign visitors to Iran are the most visible effect of President Hassan Rouhani’s drive to mend ties with the U.S. and Europe, an influx that one his deputies said generated as much as $5 billion for the sanctions-hit economy over the past year. For the first time since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, international hotel chains are now plotting a return, while European airlines are adding or restoring links with Tehran…France’s Accor SA was aiming to build a hotel near Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Airport, according to Rahmani-Movahed, though the Paris-based company said that was premature.” (Bloomberg, “Iran Hotels Fill Up as Rouhani’s Rapprochement Lifts Tourism,” 5/21/14)

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"UANI also called on the Novotel Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont hotel of the Accor Hotels Group and the Hotel Praia Ipanema to reverse their decision to host Iran's delegation [during this week's meeting of the Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil] . . . Significantly, Accor North America operates more than 1,100 properties in the U.S. and Canada, including those of its brand chains Motel 6, Studio 6, Sofitel and Novotel. Accor has also received extensive lodging business from the U.S. government-in particular the U.S. Department of Defense." (UANI Press Release, "UANI Calls on Royal Tulip Hotel, Golden Tulip Hospitality, Accor Hotels to Reverse Decision to Host Iran's Ahmadinejad and Delegation this Week in Brazil," 6/19/12).

"On Tuesday, United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) called on Brazil's Royal Tulip Rio de Janeiro Hotel (Royal Tulip), of France-based Golden Tulip Hospitality Group (Golden Tulip), to reverse its decision to host Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his delegation during this week's meeting of the Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil . . . In a letter sent June 18, 2012 to Hans Kennedie, President & CEO of Golden Tulip, and George Durante, General Manager of the Royal Tulip, UANI Executive Director, David Ibsen, wrote: '. . . Ahmadinejad's trip also comes as the international community is working to economically and diplomatically isolate the Iranian regime for its illicit nuclear program, egregious human rights violations and state sponsorship of terrorism. The Golden Tulip is therefore exposing itself to serious reputational and financial harm by hosting the Iranian regime.'" (UANI Press Release, "UANI Calls on Royal Tulip Hotel, Golden Tulip Hospitality, Accor Hotels to Reverse Decision to Host Iran's Ahmadinejad and Delegation this Week in Brazil," 6/19/12)

According to its Annual Report filed with the SEC in 2016: "Under Section 13(r) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, an issuer is required to disclose in its annual or quarterly reports whether it or any of its affiliates knowingly engaged in certain activities, transactions or dealings related to the Government of Iran or with individuals or entities designated pursuant to certain Executive Orders, even if such activities, transactions or dealings were in compliance with U.S. law.  As part of its efforts to assess and understand the Iranian hotel market, in December 2015, representatives (who are not U.S. persons) of Booking.com, a subsidiary of the Company organized under the laws of The Netherlands, held exploratory, introductory meetings with a number of hotels in Iran, two of which identified themselves during the meetings as owned or controlled by the Government of Iran.  These meetings, including the meetings with the two hotels owned or controlled by the Government of Iran, were conducted in compliance with U.S. law.  There were no gross revenues or net profits associated with these activities for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015.  Booking.com, through non-U.S. person representatives, intends to continue these business activities and may enter into transactions with hotels in Iran as authorized under U.S. law."

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Subsidiary of Booking Holdings.

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"The Securities and Exchange Commission requested details from Priceline.com Inc. about its activities in Iran, Syria, Sudan and Cuba, Dow Jones Newswires reported. The report, by Joan Solsman, cites a response letter from Priceline General Counsel Peter J. Millones, who said the company wasn’t aware of any Cuban business and that its activities with residents of Iran, Syria and Sudan are relatively insignificant and don’t violate U.S. laws or regulations... The SEC contacted Priceline on Nov. 30, saying the company’s annual report indicated it provided services where countries deemed state sponsors of terrorism reside and requested detail on its activities, asking whether it posed a risk to investors, Solsman reported." (Dow Jones, "SEC Requests Details Of Priceline Activities," 3/21/2012)

In November 2017, Iran discussed bilateral cooperation in the field of air industries with Antonov company CEO. Iran and Antonov company have been cooperating in the production and operation of aircrafts for two decades.

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"The Persian Gulf country will buy two Ukrainian-made Antonov-158s, after a test flight of the aircraft earlier this month, Mohammad-Ali Sirati, managing director of the Iranian aircraft company, was cited as saying by the official Islamic Republic News Agency. The countries then will start to jointly build the aircraft next year, Sirati, whose company will be in charge of the project, said in Tehran yesterday. Some 30 percent of each plane will be made in Iran, state-run media reported." (Business Week, "Iran Says Antonov-158 Built With Ukraine May Fly in 2013," 10/6/2011)

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Antonov lists on its website that their AN-24 turboprop aircraft is serially produced at HESA plant in Isfahan, Iran. (Antonov website)

"New York City’s Warwick Hotel will not count the Iranian delegation among its guests during this year’s United Nations General Assembly, breaking a controversial two-year run of playing host to the Islamic State’s official representatives. United Against a Nuclear Iran, an advocacy group that works to persuade companies against doing business with Iran in an effort to dissuade the country from pursuing its ambition to obtain nuclear weapons, has lobbied the hotel in past years to have the delegation refused accommodation, and said on Tuesday it was pleased by the news. 'This year, the Warwick made the right decision. Any hotel that hosts [Iranian President Hassan] Rouhani and the Iranian delegation will be putting profit above principle, and subjecting its guests and the New York community to great inconvenience,'  UANI CEO, Ambassador Mark D. Wallace said in a statement…Nathan Carleton, communications director for UANI, told The Algemeiner subsequently that his organization was still pleased, no matter the circumstances, that the Iranian delegation would not be accommodated at the hotel. 'Whatever the reason, we are pleased that the Warwick will not be hosting the Iranian delegation this year. We know that the Warwick’s guests will also be pleased to not have to endure repeated searches and pat downs, or be physically accosted in the lobby by aggressive Iranian security officers,' Carleton said. He added that UANI has lobbied the hotel since 2011 not to allow the Iranians to stay at the Warwick during the UNGA, but has only now received a response from the hotel as to the status of the Iranian delegation." (Algemeiner, "After Two Year Run, New York’s Warwick Hotel Will Not Host Iranian Delegation for September UN GA Visit," 8/28/13)

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"A city-based advocacy group today asked the Warwick hotel to reverse its decision to host Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his delegation during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) sent a letter to the hotel requesting it refuse to shelter the Iranian leader when he arrives September 19. 'By this letter, UANI requests that the Warwick immediately reconsider its decision and deny accommodation for and refuse to host President Ahmadinejad,' UANI President Mark D. Wallace, who was formerly the US Ambassador to the UN, wrote in the letter. The Warwick declined a NewsCore request for comment on the matter and would not confirm it had agreed to host Ahmadinejad during his stay. 'By choosing to host the Iranian delegation, the Warwick is accepting blood money from a regime that presents an overwhelming threat to global security,' Wallace wrote. 'By turning a blind eye to the regime's flagrant violations of human rights, support for al-Qaeda and its commitment to an illegal nuclear weapons program, the Warwick is once again facilitating Ahmadinejad's misuse of UNGA for the purposes of disseminating propaganda of an illegitimate and brutal dictatorship that flouts international law.'" (New York Post. "Advocacy group asks hotel to reconsider hosting Ahmadinejad," 9/15/11)

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President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's six nights in New York featured a secret sit-down with militant minister Louis Farrakhan, heckling in a hotel bar, and a fear of being rubbed out that bordered on paranoia. The president shared a hush-hush meal with Farrakhan and members of the New Black Panther Party Tuesday at the Warwick Hotel on West 54th Street. The meeting of the podium smackers took place in a banquet room, where the fiery leaders presumably exchanged theories on what's wrong with the world. (New York Post. "A'Jad's monster's ball," 9/26/10)

"Marriott International, the US-listed hotel operator, said it was “very keen” to enter the Iranian market pending the removal of legal barriers, with a spokesman from the hotel chain saying there is strong demand in Iran for hotels. Alex Kyriakidis, president and managing director for the Middle East and Africa at Marriott, said that Iran represents a “substantial market” to be responded to in terms of demand for hotels. “Today, Marriott International, being a United States publicly-floated company, is precluded from doing business in Iran. Depending on what happens in the future and what agreements are reached between the United States and Iran, if the doors open legally to do business in Iran, we would be very keen to pursue that opportunity,” he said..." (Gulf News,  "Marriott 'very keen' to pursue opportunities in Iran," 12/7/2016).

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"A Hamburg hotel’s decision on Monday to hold a controversial conference with an alleged violator of human rights to promote German-Iranian trade prompted protest by New York–based United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) and the German chapter of Stop the Bomb.... The day-long event addressed 'investment possibilities in the northwestern provinces of Iran' and the program listed Iran’s ambassador to Germany, Ali Reza Sheikh Attar, as the keynote speaker. Iranian Kurds and human rights groups say Attar sanctioned a massacre of Iranian Kurds during his tenure as governor of the Kurdistan and West Azarbaijan provinces from 1980 to 1985. In a letter faxed to Marriott’s CEO, J.W. Marriott Jr., UANI President Mark D. Wallace wrote, 'Ambassador Attar represents a criminal regime that flouts international law in developing an illegal nuclear weapon, brutally represses its own people, and is the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism.' UANI called on Marriott to cancel the pro-Iran trade event. 'If the Marriott continues with its plans to serve as a host to the Iran Business Forum and Ambassador Attar, UANI will take action against the Marriott hotel chain worldwide. UANI will call on its activists to peacefully protest your properties, and will call for a general public boycott of all Marriott properties,' wrote Wallace." (Jerusalem Post, "NGOs slam Marriott for hosting German-Iranian event," 11/23/10)

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On November 22, 2010, the Marriott Courtyard Airport Hotel in Hamburg was scheduled to host the "Iran Business Forum." UANI released a letter on November 19, 2010, calling on Marriott not to host the Iranian trade delegation.

The Procaccianti Group (TPG) is the "owner and operator of Hilton Manhattan East." (Hilton Hotels, “Hilton Hotels Takes Another Bite Out Of The Big Apple With New Hotel In Midtown Manhattan”).

UANI has learned that the Hilton Manhattan East will host Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's for his stay during the 2010 UN General Assembly.

TPG Hospitality division "is a full accredited operator of InterContinental, Hyatt, Marriott, Westin, Hilton, Embassy Suites, DoubleTree, Crowne Plaza, Sheraton, Radisson and Holiday Inn." (TPG Website)

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"A security group is threatening to boycott the Hilton hotel chain for planning to host Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad<><> during next month's UN General Assembly meeting, The Post has learned. United Against Nuclear Iran said the Hilton Manhattan East should not be accepting 'blood money' from Ahmadinejad and the Iranian delegation.

 'The Hilton's short-term profit from hosting the Iranian delegation is far outweighed by the grave implications of supporting a terrorist state that is illegally developing nuclear weapons,' UANI President Mark Wallace said in letters to Hilton CEO Christopher Nassetta and Manhattan East GM Louis Lach" (New York Post, "A'jad Hotel Boycott," 8/4/10).

On July 11-12, the Hilton Beirut Metropolitan Palace Hotel hosted the Re-Build Syria Exhibition. Among the various keynote speakers was Hussein al-Hajj Hassan, a senior member of the Iranian-sponsored Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah.

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According to its Annual Report filed with the SEC for fiscal year 2018: "During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, as disclosed in Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.’s ("Hilton") Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2018, filed on July 25, 2018, Iranian government officials purchased a number of room nights at the Hilton Colombo, Sri Lanka, which is managed by an affiliate of Hilton. The hotel received approximately $6,600 for these stays and net profit to Hilton was approximately $400. Hilton believes that the hotel stays were exempt from the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations, 31 C.F.R. Part 560, pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act ("IEEPA"). The Hilton Colombo may engage in future similar transactions to the extent they remain permissible under IEEPA."

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"Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc. (a U.S. company), also noted the SEC’s broad interpretation of the term “affiliate,” stating that it may be deemed to be a controlled affiliate of the Blackstone Group. Because affiliates of the Blackstone Group may be deemed to be Hilton’s affiliates, Hilton Worldwide reported last year the Iran-related activity of Blackstone affiliate Travelport Worldwide Ltd. This is in addition to Hilton disclosing its own reportable activity under Section 219, which included the stay at a Hilton property by an Iranian governmental delegation." (2017)

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According to its Annual Report filed with the SEC for fiscal year 2015: "During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, an Iranian governmental delegation stayed at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja for one night. The stays were booked and paid for by the government of Nigeria. The hotel received revenues of approximately $5,320 from these dealings. Net profit to Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (“Hilton”) from these dealings was approximately $495. Hilton believes that the hotel stays were exempt from the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations, 31 C.F.R. Part 560, pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (“IEEPA”) and under 31 C.F.R. Section 560.210(d). The Transcorp Hilton Abuja intends to continue engaging in future similar transactions to the extent they remain permissible under applicable laws and regulations."

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According to its Annual Report filed with the SEC for fiscal year 2013: "During the reporting period, the Iranian Ministry of Youth and Sports purchased a number of room nights at the Hilton Ankara, Turkey, which is leased by a foreign affiliate of Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. ("Hilton"). Revenue received by us for these hotel stays was approximately $4,360 and net profit was approximately $1,700. Hilton believes that the hotel stays were exempt from the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations, 31 C.F.R. Part 560, pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act ("IEEPA"). The Hilton Ankara intends to continue engaging in future similar transactions to the extent they remain permissible under IEEPA.

Also during the reporting period, certain individual employees at two Hilton-branded hotels in the United Arab Emirates received routine wage payments as direct deposits to their personal accounts at Bank Melli, an entity identified on the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List ("SDN List") maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control in the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Both of these hotels are owned by a third party, staffed by employees of the third-party owner and operated pursuant to a management agreement between the owner and a Hilton affiliate. In each case, these payments originated from the third-party owner’s account to the personal accounts of the employees at their chosen bank. No revenues or net profits are associated with these transactions. Both hotels discontinued making direct deposits to accounts at Bank Melli.

During the reporting period, several individuals stayed at the DoubleTree Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, pursuant to a rate agreement between the hotel and Mahan Air, an entity identified on the SDN List. This hotel is staffed by employees of the third-party owner and operated pursuant to a management agreement between the owner and a Hilton affiliate. Under the agreement, which was entered into in the name of the owner, the hotel reserved a number of rooms for Mahan Air crew members at the DoubleTree Kuala Lumpur several times each week. Revenue received by Hilton attributable to Mahan Air crew hotel stays during the reporting period was approximately $1,980. Hilton considers its net profit on management fees to be approximately the same as its revenue. The DoubleTree Kuala Lumpur terminated the agreement and does not intend to engage in any future transactions with Mahan Air."

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Hilton is a leading global hospitality with more than 3500 hotels in 81 countries and 130,000 employees. Hilton Worldwide encompasses 10 brands, including Hilton, Conrad, Doubletree, Embassy Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, Homewood Suites, Home2 Suites, and Hilton Grand Vacations ( Company Website). 

UANI has learned that the Hilton Manhattan East will host Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's for his stay during the 2010 UN General Assembly. 

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"A security group is threatening to boycott the Hilton hotel chain for planning to host Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad during next month's UN General Assembly meeting, The Post has learned. United Against Nuclear Iran said the Hilton Manhattan East should not be accepting "blood money" from Ahmadinejad and the Iranian delegation.

 'The Hilton's short-term profit from hosting the Iranian delegation is far outweighed by the grave implications of supporting a terrorist state that is illegally developing nuclear weapons,' UANI President Mark Wallace said in letters to Hilton CEO Christopher Nassetta and Manhattan East GM Louis Lach" (New York Post, "A'jad Hotel Boycott," 8/4/10) .

"Even now, in the era of happy Hassan Rouhani, questions about the recent prominent Iranian guest triggered palpable discomfort this week among staff at the four-star ONE UN hotel — located on 44th Street, right across from UN headquarters. It turns out Rouhani’s “smiling never hurts” tactic (as it was described by Netanyahu in his withering UN speech on Tuesday) had worked a charm not only with President Barack Obama but with staff at the ONE UN, as well...News that ONE UN would be hosting Rouhani had sparked protests back in August, when a group called United Against A Nuclear Iran (UANI) urged the hotel to turn the Iranians away. ;Certainly the ONE UN is aware that President Rouhani is the public face of a brutal regime that is a sworn enemy of the United States, and which is under strict sanctions by the US government and the international community,' the group’s CEO, Mark Wallace, wrote in a letter to the hotel. No American entity 'should be doing business with the Iranian regime and its delegation, until the regime has seriously and verifiably altered its dangerous and threatening behavior.' While UANI does not intend to 'harm legitimate businesses,' the group will 'publicly highlight' the hotel’s 'irresponsible decision' if it indeed hosts the Iranians, Wallace threatened. (Times of Israel, "A peek into Rouhani’s NY hotel room? No sir, we’d get in trouble," 10/4/13)

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"Iran has found a new home for its delegation during this month’s UN General Assembly in New York City. According to United Against a Nuclear Iran (UANI), which describes itself as a non-partisan, broad-based coalition committed to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, the ONE UN New York hotel (formerly known as the Millennium UN Plaza Hotel) plans to house Rouhani and other Iranian officials during their visit to New York City the week of September 22. In a letter to ONE UN General Manager Paul Wong and Wong Hong Ren, CEO of Millennium & Copthorne Hotels, which owns the hotel, UANI CEO, Ambassador Mark D. Wallace warned, 'UANI will publicly highlight [the]… irresponsible decision if you do not take action to refuse accommodation to the Iranian delegation'… This isn’t the first time the hotel has hosted an Iranian delegation. During the May 2010 Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference in New York, the Millennium UN Plaza, as it was known at the time, hosted Ahmadinejad and his entourage." (Algemeiner, "Iranian Delegation Finds New Home in New York for UN General Assembly at ONE UN Hotel," 9/15/13)

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"United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) today called on the Millennium hotel to immediately clarify and reconsider its decision to serve as the official host hotel to President Ahmadinejad during his stay in New York and instead decline to host President Ahmadinejad. In a letter to the Richard Hartman, the CEO of Millennium & Copthorne Hotels Plc and Wanda Chan the General Manager to the Millennium, UANI President Ambassador Mark D. Wallace wrote: 'President Ahmadinejad is the leader of a criminal regime that flouts international law in developing an illegal nuclear weapon, and brutally represses its own people. President Ahmadinejad leads a regime that is the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism. Just recently President Ahmadinejad called the tragic events of September 11, 2001 a 'big lie'. Simply put it is an outrageous affront to the people of New York City that you would host this man and his delegation. All New Yorkers should reject your hotel if you host this illegitimate 9/11 denying regime...The Millennium’s decision to potentially host President Ahmadinejad is directly contrary to the other New York Hotels and venues that have refused to host this regime including The Helmsley Hotel, Gotham Hall, and The Essex House. If it continues with its decision to host the Iranian regime, the Millennium Hotel will be putting its short-term profit ahead of its responsible role in the New York hotel community." (Business Wire, "UANI Calls on The Millennium Hotel to Refuse to Host President Ahmadinejad," 5/2/10)

Hyatt Hotels is one of the companies listed as a speaker at the HR Trends Summit taking place from October 18-19, 2016 in Tehran, Iran. (Speakers).

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According to its Annual Report filed with the SEC for fiscal year 2012: "Several individuals stayed at the Park Hyatt Hamburg, a property leased by a foreign subsidiary of the Registrant, during 2012, for a total of 33 room nights pursuant to a pre-negotiated standard preferred rate agreement with Europaeisch-Iranische Handelsbank AG, an entity included on the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control in the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The aggregate revenues received by the hotel for such stays were approximately $9,300 (including F&B and other revenue). The EAME/SW Asia management segment EBITDA profit margin for the year ended December 31, 2012 was 28.3%. Based on this information, the aggregate net profits received by the hotel for such stays were approximately $2,600. The rates for such room nights were paid in accordance with the standard preferred rate agreement with Europaeisch-Iranische Handelsbank AG. The agreement with Europaerisch-Iranische Handelsbank AG was terminated in September 2012, and the Registrant does not intend to continue such activity. The individuals stayed at the Park Hyatt Hamburg before it became subject to the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations, 31 C.F.R. Part 560 (“ITSR”), on October 9, 2012. Even if the foreign subsidiary had been subject to the ITSR at the time of the stays, the Registrant believes that such hotel stays were exempt from the ITSR and the Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferators Sanctions Regulations, 31 C.F.R. Part 544, pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act."

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"When it comes to U.S. sanctions on Iran, no detail is too small to overlook these days. Since February, publicly traded companies have filed nearly 500 disclosure forms about their business ties to Iran…The Hyatt hotel chain said that this year, an individual whom the Treasury Department identified as working for one of the National Iranian Oil Co.’s front companies stayed for five nights at the Grand Hyatt in Malaysia’s capital of Kuala Lumpur, a franchise not owned by the chain. The hotel netted about $400. But Hyatt said there was nothing wrong with that because no American people or products were involved." (Washington Post, "Under new law, companies disclosing even tiniest dealings with Iran," 12/4/13)

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"Billed as a dialogue between American church leaders and President Ahmadinejad of Iran, the Religions for Peace event at the Grand Hyatt Hotel on Thursday is shaping up as the focal point of this week's gathering of world leaders in New York City." (New York Sun, "Ahmadinejad Prepares To Steal the Scene," 9/22/08)

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"The banquet hall of the Grand Hyatt Hotel in mid-town Manhattan had the feel of an extravagant Persian wedding on Wednesday night. A crowd of over one thousand guests, dressed in formal attire, sat around tightly packed tables munching on Iranian delicacies and chit-chatting casually in Farsi. But the occasion was a dinner hosted by Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The guest list, all Iranian-Americans living in the tri-state area, had been drawn up from the database of Iran's mission to the United Nations and consulate in Washington D.C." (Wall Street Journal, "My Dinner with Ahmadinejad," 9/27/08)