Carson Rezidor Hotel Group has announced that it plans to open 77 new hotels in 2013, as it continues with its ‘Ambition 2015’ growth strategy.
At its annual business conference at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel in Chicago, the company revealed that its global portfolio now stands at 1,305 hotels both in operation and under development, comprising more than 207,000 rooms. This marks an increase of 2.5% from the end of 2010, despite the removal of more than 15,000 rooms over the last two years. This year’s openings are set to add 13,000 rooms to the group’s operational inventory.
The company’s growth in 2013 will mainly be driven by three brands; Park Inn by Radisson (23 new hotel openings in 2013), Radisson Blu (20) and Country Inns & Suites (20). This follows a similar pattern to 2012, when the Radisson Blu and Park Inn brands both added 21 hotels, and Country Inns & Suite saw 16 extra properties. The midscale Country Inns & Suites brand, which is mainly found in the US and India, will also embark on a major revamp this year, encompassing the brand’s identity, hotel architecture and interiors.
“As we begin the fourth year of our Ambition 2015 journey, I am encouraged at the progress we have made in achieving the goals we set out to accomplish in 2010,” said Trudy Rautio, Carlson’s president and chief executive officer. “We ended 2012 with 1,077 hotels under our brands in operation globally with a strong pipeline. We have strengthened our sales and revenue generation activities to enhance performance, and we have improved the guest experience through brand innovations. Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group remains committed to its ambitious and multi-faceted program of growth and development.”
Asia Pacific is a key region for Carlson Rezidor’s development. The company increased its regional portfolio 17% last year, and now operates 13,400 rooms in Asia Pacific. And with almost 13,900 more rooms in the pipeline, Carlson Rezidor’s total Asian hotel inventory is set to more than double in the coming years.
