Starwood Hotels and Resorts plans to open 14 new hotels this year, throughout the world in countries including Canada and Mexico.Other 2010 openings include The Westin Mumbai Garden City in India, The Westin Nanjing in Shanghai, China, The Westin Resort, Costa Navarino in Messinia, Greece, The Westin Austin at the Domain in Austin, Texas, and The Westin Sendai in Sendai, Japan.
In 2010, Starwood will debut the Westin brand in Peru with The Westin Libertador, Lima and expand the brand’s footprint in Latin and South America with its fifth hotel in Mexico and its first in Mexico City, The Westin Santa Fe. In the next three years, Westin will open two additional hotels in Mexico and its first in Panama.
Starwood, president of global development, Simon Turner said: “The Westin brand has significant new-build opportunities in numerous emerging and fast developing economies. Within more mature markets like North America and Europe, however, we are seeing – and expect to continue to see – more, quality conversion opportunities realized as transaction activity increases. Westin is a high value-add conversion brand, and many owners and investors seek opportunities to enhance a property’s performance by upgrading to the Westin brand. Starwood is taking a pragmatic approach to conversions, but will of course be vigilant in preserving the brand integrity that has been a key driver of its success.”
