USA: Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group Re-branded As Radisson Hotel Group (RHG)

Following months of speculation, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group re-branded as Radisson Hotel Group (RHG).

The new-look company was unveiled at an event during the International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF) in Berlin, Germany and is part of what the company says is about leveraging Radisson’s global brand awareness.

The change to RHG was first revealed at Radisson’s Investors Day in Frankfurt, Germany, during January.

The new RHG brand, the brand architecture, and the new brand experience will enable us to capture the full potential of the portfolio globally, the company said in a presentation at the Investors Day.

The company said it would re-launch brands behind the Radisson Hotel Group name to leverage brand equity, drive awareness and increase marketing efficiency.

The company also said it wants to define a brand architecture that brings clarity to the value proposition and that allows us to harness the full ADR potential of every hotel.

The change of name was officially confirmed in a statement.

Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group changed its name to Radisson Hotel Group on 5 March 2018, a spokesperson said.

This included the launch of a new global loyalty program replacing Club Carlson.

We look forward to sharing more information on our new vision, new global brand architecture and loyalty program at the International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF) in Berlin, Germany.


Tourism Observer

SAUDI ARABIA: Carlson Rezidor Inks New Radisson Blu In Riyadh Openining 2019

The Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the fastest growing hotel companies in the world, has announced the signing of the Radisson Blu Hotel, Riyadh Al-Sahafa in the Kingdom.

This takes the group’s portfolio in Saudi Arabia to 36 hotels in operation and under development, with six hotels in Riyadh alone.

Radisson Blu Hotel, Riyadh Al-Sahafa will open in Q1 2019.

The hotel’s location in the North Business District of Riyadh offers first-class accessibility to King Khalid International Airport and is at the intersection of major highways, Olaya Street and King Fahd Road.

It is located close to Riyadh’s new King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), which is also scheduled to open later this year to become one of the region’s major financial hubs.

Elie Younes, executive vice president & chief development officer of Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, said: “We are pleased to continue boosting our presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and we appreciate and thank our respected partner, Abdulaziz bin Abdullah bin Sulaiman bin Akrash for the commitment and contributions ... toward the Saudi Vision 2030 in promoting tourism.”

He added: We are confident that the business fundamentals, and the major infrastructure projects being developed in line with the Kingdom’s future vision, will help accelerate further economic growth for the country and create more opportunities for Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group to make several valuable contributions to the economy and communities where we operate.

The hotel will have 163 rooms and suites, a restaurant and an executive lounge.

The meeting and events space spreads over more than 900 square meters and includes a ballroom. The leisure facilities will include a gym and male and female spas.

Sulaiman bin Akrash said: We are pleased to enter into an agreement with Carlson Rezidor, one of the world’s leading hotel operators.

We are excited about our project in the key commercial and financial hub of Riyadh. We look forward to working with one of the world’s most ethical hotel companies to bring international expertise and knowledge of the upper upscale hospitality industry.



Tourism Observer
www.tourismobserver.com

UAE: Hilton Takes DoubleTree To Sharjah

Hilton has signed a management agreement with Sharjah’s Al Marwan Group to open the emirate’s debut DoubleTree by Hilton property opposite Al Majaz Waterfront in the centre of the city.

The US$43 million (AED 158m) development will be called the DoubleTree by Hilton Sharjah Waterfront Hotel & Suites and will offer 254 suites and serviced apartments.

The new hotel, which is expected to open in 2020, will be Hilton’s second property in the emirate after the Hilton Sharjah on the nearby Corniche Road.

Sharjah offers visitors more than 100 hotels and hotel apartment properties and occupancy rates recently beat regional averages, growing by 5.5 percent during January compared to the same month in 2016 (according to global analyst STR).

Some of the leading hotel groups in the world operate properties in Sharjah, including Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, GHM, Louvre Hotels Group, Premier Inn Hotels, Rotana Hotels and Resorts, Sheraton Hotels and Resorts, and Wyndham Worldwide

Sharjah currently has a variety of of new hotel and resort developments under development, including the construction of a new US$100 million (AED 367m) art and culture themed 5-star luxury beachfront hotel and resort; a 4-star, 200 room Novotel located adjacent to Sharjah Expo; a 4-star Sheraton Four Points hotel; and an Aloft boutique hotel.

In addition, Al Bait Hotel, a new 5-star hotel being built by Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) in the Heart of Sharjah, is expected to open later in 2017.

The new DoubleTree by Hilton Sharjah Waterfront Hotel & Suites will be built in a prime location opposite one of the city’s most popular tourism and leisure destinations, Al Majaz Waterfront. The area is one of the Sharjah city’s busiest tourism locations and boasts a wide range of activities, from a splash park and mini golf course for families to quality dining, retail outlets and fountain displays.

Sharjah has become increasingly popular with overseas visitors with Sharjah International Airport handling 11 million passengers during 2016.

A number of large scale leisure and tourism developments are also underway including the restoration of Heart of Sharjah heritage area, a mixed-use development on Maryam Island and the upcoming five-star Al Khan Village Resort.

UAE: Sharjah Hotel Occupancy More Than January Averages

Sharjah hotel occupancy grew by 5.5 percent during January compared to the same month in 2016, according to the latest report from STR, a firm that provides global data and analysis for the hotel industry.

Average occupancy levels across the United Arab Emirates increased by 0.5 percent during January to reach 81 percent, although average room rates at hotels across the UAE fell 8 percent in January to reach AED 712 (US$ 195) due to strong market growth in room supply.

The UAE’s hotel occupancy rates are among the highest in the world.

STR has also reported that the overall hotel occupancy across the Middle East region decreased 2.7 percent to an average occupancy level of 68.4 percent during January, while the average daily room rate fell by 8.4 percent to USD 177.81.

Meanwhile, hotels in Europe reported a 5.1 percent increase in occupancy to an average of 57.1 percent, hotels in Africa saw a 4.5 percent increase in occupancy to reach an average of 50.6 percent, and hotels in Asia Pacific reported a 0.8 percent decrease in occupancy to an average of 64.8 percent.

According to the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), Sharjah hotels and hotel apartments registered a 19 percent increase in room nights booked during the first nine months of 2016, totaling 2.94 million room nights.

Sharjah offers more than 100 hotels and hotel apartments, including properties managed by some of the leading hotel groups in the world including Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, Louvre Hotels Group, Premier Inn Hotels, Rotana Hotels and Resorts, Sheraton Hotels and Resorts, and Wyndham Worldwide

A number of new hotel and resort developments are currently underway in Sharjah, including the construction of a new US$100 million (AED 367m) art and culture themed 5-star luxury beachfront hotel and resort; a 4-star, 200 room Novotel located adjacent to Sharjah Expo; a 4-star Sheraton Four Points hotel; and an Aloft boutique hotel.

In addition, Al Bait Hotel, a new 5-star hotel being built by Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) in the Heart of Sharjah, is expected to open later in 2017.

The SCTDA has been executing a strategic marketing plan aiming to draw visitors to Sharjah from key global markets in order to attract 10 million tourists a year by 2021.

UGANDA: The Pearl Of Africa Hotel Kampala Joins Quorvus Collection

The Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the fastest growing hotel companies in the world and a member of Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, is very pleased to announce the addition of a new member to its luxury Quorvus Collection: The Pearl of Africa Hotel Kampala, Uganda. The 296-room property will welcome its first guests in Q2 2017.

“We are delighted to add our second Quorvus Collection hotel in Africa and thankful to our partners AYA Investment Group for bringing the Pearl of Africa to life with Rezidor,” says Elie Younes,Executive Vice President & Chief Development Officer of The Rezidor Hotel Group.

“Uganda is an important hub in Eastern Africa. Its central location in the region, rich natural resources and improved infrastructure will create further economic opportunities. We look forward to a successful journey with our partners and to make our social contributions by creating local employment opportunities and establishing our hotel as the social anchor of Kampala,” ended Younes.


The Pearl of Africa Hotel Kampala hotel will be ideally located in the city center, on top of Nakasero Hill and will offer guests great visibility and views from surrounding areas. The property will feature a spacious 740m2 ballroom, nine meeting rooms, two boardrooms and a business center.

The extensive conference and meeting facilities reflect the hotel's strong focus on the business travel market and event tourism. Guests will have a large choice of food and drink options, including an allday dining restaurant, a sports bar and a pool bar.

Other attractions will include a private membership gym; a wellness spa; two outdoor swimming pools; one indoor swimming pool; a
children’s club; several retail shops; tennis, squash and volleyball courts; and a grill steak house.

Mohammed M. Hamid, Chairman of the AYA Investment Group, commented, “We are extremely pleased to partner with The Rezidor Hotel Group and add this pearl to Uganda’s hospitality scene.

Rezidor has already proven their capacity to successfully operate international hotel brands across Africa and has a very good understanding of the continent’s opportunities and challenges in the travel and tourism industry.

We are keen on benefitting from Rezidor’s knowledge and showcasing an outstanding luxury hotel experience in Kampala.”

Uganda is called the Pearl of Africa as a result of Winston Churchill's reference to the East African country in his 1908 book "My African Journey." Churchill's use of the descriptive metaphor was inspired by his impression of the country as an example of magnificence in its "variety of form and color" and its "profusion of brilliant life."

This was the inspiration behind the Pearl of Africa hotel that will reflect the local culture to its guests and the magnificence of the country – a true Quorvus Collection Hotel.

For further media information, please contact:
Saadiyah Hendricks, Area Communication & PR Manager for Africa & Indian Ocean
saadiyah.hendricks@carlsonrezidor.com +27 21 431 2390
Lucie Cardona, Corporate Communications & PR Leader
lucie.cardona@carlsonrezidor.com +32 2 730 7832

About The Rezidor Hotel Group
The Rezidor Hotel Group is one of the most dynamic hotel companies in the world and a member of the
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group.

The group features a portfolio of approximately 475 hotels in operation or under
development with 104,000 rooms in more than 80 countries.

Rezidor operates the core brands Radisson Blu and Park Inn by Radisson in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), along with the Club Carlson loyalty program for frequent hotel guests. In early 2014, and together with Carlson, Rezidor launched the Radisson RED (lifestyle select) and Quorvus Collection (luxury)brands.

Since 2016, Rezidor has owned 49% of prizeotel. Rezidor has an industry-leading Responsible Business Program and was awarded one the World's Most Ethical Companies by the US think-tank Ethisphere.

In November 2006, Rezidor was listed on the Nasdaq Stockholm, Sweden. HNA Tourism Group Co., Ltd.—a
division of HNA Group Co., Ltd., a Fortune Global 500 company with operations across aviation, tourism,
hospitality, finance, and online services among other sectors—became the majority shareholder in December
2016.

The corporate office of The Rezidor Hotel Group is based in Brussels, Belgium.

For more information, visit www.rezidor.com
Twitter @carlsonrezidor
LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/company/2364
Instagram www.instagram.com/rezidor_ourpromise

About Quorvus Collection
Quorvus Collection is a new generation of expertly curated luxury hotels inspired by the lifestyle and
sensibilities of the contemporary global traveler. Individual and inspiring, each property within the collection
offers a distinguished guest experience and an invitation to immerse oneself in the best a location can offer.

The collection currently includes G & V Royal Mile Hotel Edinburgh, Hormuz Grand Hotel, Muscat and Symphony Style Hotel Kuwait. Each hotel is unique and has different architecture, ambiance and design.

Quorvus Collection plans to grow to include an array of historic landmark properties, contemporary
residences, classic boutiques and urban retreats.

Quorvus Collection is a part of Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group which also includes Radisson Blu®, Radisson®,
Radisson RED, Park Plaza®, Park Inn® by Radisson and Country Inns & Suites By CarlsonSM.

For more information visit www.quorvuscollection.com

UGANDA: Pearl Of Africa Hotel Kampala By Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group

Quorvus Collection, a subsidiary of The Rezidor Hotel Group, has taken over management of Aya Hilton Hotel.
The five star hotel has been renamed Pearl of Africa Hotel, the group has announced.
“The Rezidor Hotel Group, one the fastest growing hotel companies in the world and a member of Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, is very pleased to announce the addition of a new member to its luxury Quorvus Collection: The Pearl of Africa Hotel Kampala, Uganda,” read a statement from Hotel management.

The 296-room property will welcome its first guests in Q2 2017.”

“We are delighted to add our second Quorvus Collection hotel in Africa and thankful to our partners AYA Investment Group for bringing the Pearl of Africa to life with Rezidor,” said Elie Younes, Executive Vice President & Chief Development Officer of The Rezidor Hotel Group on Friday.
“Uganda is an important hub in Eastern Africa. Its central location in the region, rich natural resources and improved infrastructure will create further economic opportunities. We look forward to a successful journey with our partners and to make our social contributions by creating local employment opportunities and establishing our hotel as the social anchor of Kampala,” added Younes

The Pearl of Africa Hotel Kampala is located in the city center, on top of Nakasero Hill and will offer guests great visibility and views from surrounding areas.

The property will feature a spacious 740m2 ballroom, nine meeting rooms, two boardrooms and a business center.

The extensive conference and meeting facilities reflect the hotel’s strong focus on the business travel market and event tourism.
Guests will have a large choice of food and drink options, including an all-day dining restaurant, a sports bar and a pool bar.

Other attractions will include a private membership gym; a wellness spa; two outdoor swimming pools; one indoor swimming pool; a children’s club; several retail shops; tennis, squash and volleyball courts; and a grill steak house.

Upon signing the deal, Mohammed M. Hamid, Chairman of the AYA Investment Group, commented, “We are extremely pleased to partner with the Rezidor Hotel Group and add this pearl to Uganda’s hospitality scene. Rezidor has already proven their capacity to successfully operate international hotel brands across Africa and has a very good understanding of the continent’s opportunities and challenges in the travel and tourism industry.

We are keen on benefitting from Rezidor’s knowledge and showcasing an outstanding luxury hotel experience in Kampala.”
Uganda is called the Pearl of Africa as a result of Winston Churchill’s reference to the East African country in his 1908 book “My African Journey.” Churchill’s use of the descriptive metaphor was inspired by his impression of the country as an example of magnificence in its “variety of form and color” and its “profusion of brilliant life.”

This was the inspiration behind the Pearl of Africa hotel that will reflect the local culture to its guests and the magnificence of the country – a true Quorvus Collection hotel.

Speaking about the new addition, Rob Kucera – General Manager of the Pearl of Africa Hotel – Quorvus Collection by Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group said “This is a new generation of expertly curated luxury hotels inspired by the lifestyle and sensibilities of the contemporary global traveler.”

About The Rezidor Hotel Group

The Rezidor Hotel Group is one of the most dynamic hotel companies in the world and a member of the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group.

The group features a portfolio of approximately 475 hotels in operation or under development with 104,000 rooms in more than 80 countries.

Rezidor operates the core brands Radisson Blu and Park Inn by Radisson in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), along with the Club Carlson loyalty program for frequent hotel guests.

In early 2014, and together with Carlson, Rezidor launched the Radisson RED (lifestyle select) and Quorvus Collection (luxury) brands.

Since 2016, Rezidor has owned 49% of prizeotel. Rezidor has an industry-leading Responsible Business Program and was awarded one the World’s Most Ethical Companies by the US think-tank Ethisphere.

In November 2006, Rezidor was listed on the Nasdaq Stockholm, Sweden. HNA Tourism Group Co., Ltd.—a division of HNA Group Co., Ltd., a Fortune Global 500 company with operations across aviation, tourism, hospitality, finance, and online services among other sectors—became the majority shareholder in December 2016. The corporate office of The Rezidor Hotel Group is a Danish company based in Brussels, Belgium.

About Quorvus Collection

Quorvus Collection is a new generation of expertly curated luxury hotels inspired by the lifestyle and sensibilities of the contemporary global traveler.

Individual and inspiring, each property within the collection offers a distinguished guest experience and an invitation to immerse oneself in the best a location can offer.

The collection currently includes G & V Royal Mile Hotel Edinburgh, Hormuz Grand Hotel,

Muscat and Symphony Style Hotel Kuwait.

Each hotel is unique and has different architecture, ambiance and design. Quorvus Collection plans to grow to include an array of historic landmark properties, contemporary residences, classic boutiques and urban retreats. Quorvus Collection is a part of Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group.

TURKEY: Rezidor Introduces Radisson Blu To Trabzon

The Rezidor Hotel Group is proud to announce the signing of the first Radisson RED in Georgia. The new build city center stand-alone hotel will be located in the heart of the city on Chavchavadze Street. The Radisson RED Chavchavadze, Tbilisi is expected to open its doors in mid-2019, and will feature 100 rooms.

The hotel will open in Q2 2018 featuring 162 rooms, meeting rooms and a spa equipped with a swimming pool. The Radisson Blu Hotel, Trabzon will also have a large rooftop bar and café with panoramic views over the city and Boztepe Park, adjacent to the hotel.

Elie Younes, Executive Vice President & Chief Development Officer of Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group said: “This signing is in line with our growth strategy in Turkey where we are a leading player. We are pleased to enter the Trabzon market which is lacking internationally branded hotels and offers great opportunities. We look forward to further supporting travel & tourism in the city and the country together with our experienced partners”.

Karadeniz Orme Sanayi Ve Dis Ticaret A.S, owner of the Radisson Blu Hotel, Trabzon added: “With the successful opening of the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ordu, and addition of the new Radisson Blu Hotel, Trabzon, we are pleased to expand our portfolio with Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group.

As the main city on the coastline of the Black Sea, Trabzon offers enormous potential as a business and leisure destination. The city is a major trade center as well as the capital of the Trabzon province, and thus a perfect fit for a global upper upscale hotel brand like Radisson Blu.”

Trabzon offers a number of cultural highlights including several museums, the famous Trabzon Castle as well as the home of the first Turkish president that are all open for visitors. There are also several monasteries of interest in the local area and the hotel will be located very close to the city center for guests, hosting a hub of shops and restaurants around the main square.

Turkey, the 6th most popular tourist destination in the world, is an increasingly important region to Carlson Rezidor. There are development plans in Trabzon, including building an artificial island to further attract tourism to the Black Sea.

TURKEY: Rezidor Hotel Group Acquires Radisson Blu Hotel Trabzon

The Rezidor Hotel Group, a member of the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, has signed the Radisson Blu Hotel, Trabzon in Turkey.

The newly built hotel is the latest addition to the group’s Turkish portfolio of 22 hotels in operation and under development.

The hotel will open in Q2 2018 featuring 162 rooms, meeting rooms and a spa equipped with a swimming pool. The Radisson Blu Hotel, Trabzon will also have a large rooftop bar and café with views over the city and Boztepe Park, adjacent to the hotel.

Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group executive vice president and chief development officer Elie Younes said in the statement: "This signing is in line with our growth strategy in Turkey where we are a leading player. We are pleased to enter the Trabzon market which is lacking internationally branded hotels and offers great opportunities. We look forward to further supporting travel & tourism in the city and the country together with our experienced partners."

Karadeniz Orme Sanayi Ve Dis Ticaret A.S, owner of the Radisson Blu Hotel, Trabzon added: “With the successful opening of the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ordu, and addition of the new Radisson Blu Hotel, Trabzon, we are pleased to expand our portfolio with Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group. As the main city on the coastline of the Black Sea, Trabzon offers enormous potential as a business and leisure destination. The city is a major trade centre as well as the capital of the Trabzon province, and thus a perfect fit for a global upper upscale hotel brand like Radisson Blu.”

Trabzon's cultural highlights include several museums, the Trabzon Castle as well as the home of the first Turkish president - all open for visitors. There are also several monasteries of interest in the local area and the hotel is located very close to the city centre. There are development plans in Trabzon, including building an artificial island to further attract tourism to the Black Sea.

KENYA: Why Radisson Blu Is In Kenya

Global hotel chain Radisson Blu officially opened the doors to its first East African establishment last month. This has set into motion the hotel’s advance across the region.

The hotel is managed by the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, which already has 31 hotels across the continent, and is planning on doubling this number. At least three of these are set to be operational in Kenya by next year.

According to Jens Brandin, Radisson Blu’s general manager for Kenya, the country’s relatively developed hospitality sector and rapidly growing consumer class provides great opportunities for growth.

“Kenya has a big safari attraction and leisure is a big market in tourism, but our main offerings are to business travellers. The growing number of multinationals in the country and an expanding consumer base make this the right time and place for us to be,” he told Business Beat.

Kenya is ranked the fifth-most competitive tourism and travel market in sub-Saharan Africa, but it lags far behind regional leaders South Africa, Mauritius and Seychelles.

According to a recent report from the World Economic Forum, Kenya ranks 78th in the global tourism market out of 141 countries, with its strengths being natural resources (11th globally), brand visibility online (10th globally), and it leads Africa in the number of known species of mammals, birds and amphibians.

The country is also home to one of the largest diplomatic communities in Africa.
However, growth has been slow, and according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), Kenya’s bed capacity in 2010 stood at 17,161. By 2014, this number had only grown marginally to 19,877.

Of this capacity, 20 per cent is in Nairobi, 46 per cent at the beach and hinterland areas of the Coast, 11 per cent in Central Kenya, and the rest distributed almost equally in the Rift Valley, Western and Nyanza.

However, Kenya has one of the highest ticket taxes, a factor that dampens prospective visitors’ interest, giving Tanzania, Ethiopia and Rwanda the upper hand.

But Mr Brandin says the business travel segment of the industry has not been fully exploited and could reap big returns for the economy.