Radisson Hotels & Resorts, along with its regional development and operations group, Carlson Hotels Asia Pacific, has announced that it has signed an agreement to manage a new 168-room Radisson resort in French Polynesia. The newly signed Radisson Plaza Resort Tahiti is part of Asia Pacific expansion for Carlson Hotels Worldwide.

Currently under construction, four miles from the central business district of the Tahiti capital, Papeete, the Radisson Plaza Resort Tahiti is scheduled to open by the end of March 2004. The five-star beachfront development is Radisson`s first property in the South Pacific and an important step forward in the major hotel expansion programme being undertaken across the region by Carlson Hotels Worldwide.

This is the third major new hotel announcement about development in the region since October last year when Carlson Hotels, Asia Pacific unveiled its plans to expand aggressively across its three hotel brands - Regent International Hotels, Radisson Hotels & Resorts and Country Inns & Suites By Carlson.

The Tahiti hotel deal for Radisson follows the signing of agreements to manage a new Regent International Hotel currently under construction in Beijing, China and the Radisson Water Garden Hotel being built in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Radisson Executive Vice President and Brand Leader Bj¿rn Gullaksen, said, “The Radisson Plaza Resort Tahiti is the first five-star property to be built in Tahiti since 1997 and will grow the number of Radisson hotels in Asia Pacific to 30 across 11 countries.
“The Radisson Plaza Resort Tahiti is an important resort for Carlson Hotels Worldwide,” said Gullaksen.
“We are very familiar with this market since our sister company, Radisson Seven Seas Cruises, operates the m/s Paul Gauguin luxury ship in French Polynesia. The Gauguin was the first luxury ship to be based year-round in Tahiti.”

Over the past 10 years, French Polynesia has enjoyed positive growth, seeing visitor numbers increase to 240,000. Paul Kirwin, president and managing director of Carlson Hotels Asia Pacific, said further development plans for the Radisson brand in the region include such important gateway cities as Hong Kong, Singapore, Taipei, Beijing, Mumbai, Kuala Lumpur, capital cities in Australia and New Zealand, plus resorts in Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia.

The Radisson resort is being developed by Lafayette Beach Resort and Spa, a local company registered in Papeete. “We are delighted to be partnering with Carlson Hotels in this important project to build a luxury five-star resort with world-class facilities, expert management capability and a resounding commitment to quality,” said Thierry Barbion, Managing Director of Lafayette Beach Resort and Spa.

The Radisson Plaza Resort Tahiti is adjacent to Lafayette Beach, a unique black sand beach spanning 2,624 ft. The 168-room resort consists of 87 ocean view rooms, 57 suites and 24 duplex suites. All rooms overlook the water with stunning views and large balconies. The property will have an all-day dining restaurant, a pool bar and grill, terrace bar, large conference and function facilities, an array of watersports and a spectacular state-of-the-art spa and health club.

Radisson Hotels & Resorts is part of Carlson Hospitality Worldwide, a Minneapolis based global leader in hospitality services encompassing more than 1,660 hotel, resort, restaurant and cruise ship operations in 82 countries. Singapore-based Carlson Hotels Asia Pacific is the regional headquarters for Carlson Hotels Worldwide in the Asia-Pacific region.

 

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Article Date - 26/03/03

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