The Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the fastest growing hotel companies worldwide, announces a new hotel in a new country: The Radisson Blu Hotel, Ulaanbaatar with 175 guest rooms is scheduled to open in Q1 2011. “We are delighted to enter Mongolia which is a fascinating destination and the 61st country where Rezidor is present”, comments Kurt Ritter, President & CEO of Rezidor. “Our co-operation will strengthen the business of both our companies, and bring a new clientele to Mongolia”, adds Jan Wigsten of “Nomadic Journeys”, owner of the hotel.

The Radisson Blu hotel, already under construction, is located in the heart of Mongolia’s capital city Ulaanbaatar, 200 meters from Sukhbaatar Square and Peace Avenue. Adjacent to the building (the rooms look down on it) is the 100-year old Choijin Lama Temple which features the 18th-century gold-covered statue of Buddha Shayaryamuni; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Opera House; and the Museum of Natural History. Besides 175 rooms, the hotel will feature 3 restaurants (including a Paulaner micro brewery), a wellness centre and 1,500 square meters of conference and meeting space.

Mongolia is known as the home of Genghis Khan and its beautiful, undulating steppe grasslands which extend into China and Russia. Virtually unknown to the outside world prior to the 1990s, the country is emerging as a travel destination. Considered remote and exotic with a rich history, Mongolia has a unique combination of attractions for visitors – annual tourist arrivals have been growing at a compound annual rate of 15%. Corporate travel also offers considerable opportunities as Mongolia’s economy will experience impressive growth. With its extensive mineral deposits it is a key exporter of commodities helping fuel the rapid economic advancement of neighbouring China. The country has made a successful transformation from a state-controlled to market-driven economy.