Taiwan-based Regent Hotels & Resorts has signed a new deal with Rezidor, in an effort to boost its presence and portfolio in Europe and the Middle East.
The new strategic alliance will see Rezidor develop and operate Regent hotels in Russia, the CIS, the Baltic States, Middle East and Africa, as well as jointly operating properties elsewhere in Europe.
The luxury Regent brand was acquired by Taipei’s Formosa International Hotels (FIH) from Carlson and Rezidor in 2010, but the new tie-up is expected to help the brand to grow in key EMEA markets. Throughout its history, Regent has never had a portfolio of more than 20 hotels but the new alliance is expected to enable it to broaden its reach, developing new hotels in mixed use development projects combining luxury hotels with branded residences. Regent currently operates properties in Beijing, Berlin, Taipei, Turks & Caicos and Zagreb, and has others in the pipeline in Abu Dhabi, Bali, Doha, Kuala Lumpur, Montenegro and Phuket.
“Our cooperation will further strengthen our growth strategy while RHR (Regent Hotels & Resorts) continues to focus on luxury hotel residential mixed use projects in the region. Together we hope to significantly increase the Regent hotel portfolio and international network,” said Regent’s Chairman, Steven Pan.
“The acquisition of the Regent brand and business by Formosa in 2010 allowed us to focus on our core brands Radisson Blu and Park Inn by Radisson, and to strengthen our network in 70 countries across EMEA. A luxury brand was however never off our agenda, and we are delighted to complement our portfolio with Regent now,” added Kurt Ritter, Rezidor’s President & CEO.
Since it launched in 1970, Regent has been owned by Four Seasons, Carlson and FHI, as well as being an independent company.
