U.S.-based Carlson Hotels
Worldwide and one of the leading European hotel management companies, Rezidor SAS Hospitality, are expanding their existing cooperation, setting the stage for significant new growth of Carlson Hotel brands in Europe, the Middle East and Africa to reach an expected total of more than 700 locations during the next 10 years.

    Caption: Kurt Ritter
President & CEO of Radisson SAS Hotels & Resorts

Rezidor SAS
, which has successfully grown the Radisson SAS brand in the European market under a master franchise agreement signed in 1994, from 29 hotels to 114, will now be offering an additional portfolio of Carlson brands, ranging from economy to luxury, including: Park Inn hotels, Country Inns & Suites By Carlson, and Regent International Hotels. The new agreement effectively positions the Carlson brands for extensive new growth in the important economic markets of Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

“This is a breakthrough agreement which significantly benefits both companies,” said Curtis Nelson, president and CEO of Carlson Hospitality Worldwide, the parent company of Carlson Hotels Worldwide and Kurt Ritter, president & CEO of Rezidor SAS Hospitality in a joint statement. “As the travel industry continues to consolidate, the power of global branding is a key element of future success in serving our customers. Partnership is power, and this agreement is a major advancement of that strategy in the hotel industry,” they added.

Under terms of the agreement, Rezidor SAS Hospitality will become the master franchisor for the EMEA region for four of Carlson`s hotel brands, with an initial goal of 700 total hotel locations within the next 10 years. Rezidor SAS will operate or license the hotels in the region under the names Radisson SAS Hotels & Resorts, Regent, Country Inn and Park Inn, reaching the major segments of the hospitality industry and take over existing management and franchise contracts for these brands in the region.

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