Meliá Hotels International will continue to strengthen its international expansion and business model in 2013 and make progress in its adaptation to changing market conditions.

“Thanks to a consistent international growth plan, supported by strong brands and a model based on management contracts and variable leases, we added a hotel every three weeks in 2012, with 80 per cent of the rooms outside Spain,” said Gabriel Escarrer, chief executive of MHI.

“The company expects to keep up this rate of growth in 2013, and has managed to strengthen its position in international markets which already produce more than 80% of our operating profit.”

The Asia–Pacific area continues to be one the major priorities.

Meliá has intensified its growth in the region, managing to double its portfolio in just two years, thanks to new hotels in China, Indonesia and Vietnam scheduled to open in the near future.

The recent agreement with Greenland, one of China’s major real estate groups, help to leverage MHI’s growth in China, the largest emerging market.

The company also plans to consolidate its presence in South American capital cities, promote its Paradisus brand in the English-speaking Caribbean, open in new cities in the USA, widen its network in the Middle East and even start operations in sub-Saharan Africa.

In Europe, one of the company’s traditional markets, Meliá continues to strengthen its presence in Germany, UK, France and Italy; while expansion in Spain will be more selective, focused on innovative products which will add greater value to the company’s hotel portfolio, such as the Calvià Beach Resort project in Mallorca or the two recently incorporated Innside by Meliá hotels in Madrid, one of the brands with the highest growth potential for the company.

The Innside by Meliá growth Meliá Hotels International currently manages 27 hotels in Germany, 11 under the Innside by Meliá brand, one of the top rated hotel brands in Germany, which is part of the company portfolio since 2007.

Innside by Meliá has great potential for international growth, to be widely accepted all over the world.

Having already opened two new hotels in Spain (Madrid), the brand is currently preparing openings in countries such as Denmark (Innside Copenhagen) and the UK (Innside Manchester).

Innside by Meliá offers guests a lifestyle business experience, efficient and smart service, the latest technology and a unique design, both in classical buildings - as in the case in Madrid, Berlin or Essen- and contemporary, such as the hotels in Frankfurt, Dusseldorf and Munich.

Innside by Meliá has become an excellent choice for both business and leisure travellers, which has already captivated customers all along Germany.