WorldHotels adds 31 properties in first half

 

Within the first six months of the year, a total of 186 hotels applied to join. The group says the small percentage of acceptances underlines its commitment to quality growth. 

 

The new additions include 17 hotels in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), three in North and South America, and 11 in the Asia-Pacific region.

 

“In 2013 our strategy remains to complement our portfolio of almost 500 hotels in 250 destinations worldwide with unique hotels in new destinations. We believe that no two places in the world are the same and we want our hotels to reflect this,” said managing director Robert Hornman.

 

The group has strategically expanded its soft franchise solution with the addition of six branded hotels. WorldHotels introduced soft franchising in 2010 as an alternative to standard franchise contracts and now counts 21 WorldHotels worldwide with an inventory of more than 5,000 rooms. Many of the new branded WorldHotels are in the fast-growing Chinese market.

 

 

Roland Jegge, the group’s executive vice president for the Asia-Pacific region, said: “We have been strongly expanding in emerging markets – particularly in China – and are glad to see our efforts are paying off. Having branded WorldHotels in key destinations such as Shanghai, Suzhou and Wuxi further strengthens our brand in this highly competitive market.”

 

WorldHotels says it has a positive outlook for the rest of year with an extensive pipeline of hotels in key destinations within Asia and Europe.