Carlson Achieves Major Milestones during First Year of Ambition 2015 Growth Strategy

150 150 Daniel Fountain
  • 0

Carlson, a privately held, global hospitality and travel company, has reported a 12 percent increase of its system-wide sales in 2010 to USD 6.5 billion for its global hotel business. This announcement was made at the company’s global hotel business conference in Washington, D.C.“This strong sales performance is one of several key milestones that Carlson Hotels achieved in the first year of its Ambition 2015 strategy,” said Hubert Joly, president and chief executive officer, Carlson. “And, looking ahead, we have exciting plans to continue our momentum towards our Ambition 2015 objectives.”

Key accomplishments for Carlson Hotels in 2010 cover all of its strategic priorities.

Global Growth: Carlson signed 87 hotels and opened 66 hotels in 2010. The company’s total number of rooms in operations and development crossed the 200,000 room threshold. And the number of hotels in operation reached 1,071 hotels at the end of 2010, despite the exit of 42 hotels that were non-compliant with system standards.

Brand Strategies:
• Over USD 500 million has been committed so far to the Radisson® strategy in North America and 80 percent of the existing Radisson portfolio in North America has committed to Property Improvement Plans aligned with the new global brand standards. Also, Radisson continued its rapid expansion with 41 new hotels signed in 2010, a 52 percent increase over 2009, including two new-build flagship properties in North America.
• Country Inns & Suites By Carlsonsm successfully launched its Be Our Guest Breakfast and continued the rollout of Generation 3 interior design installations in its hotels in North America.
• Park Inn® continued its rapid growth with more than 110 hotels in operation and 50 hotels in development. It opened 20 hotels and had 23 signings, including three in North America.

Emerging Markets: The company continued its rapid expansion in key emerging markets which represented 60 percent of new signings in 2010, whereas they account for 18 percent of the hotels in operation. During the year, the company solidified its leadership positions in India, Russia/CIS and Africa in particular.
Revenue Generation: Carlson’s loyalty program reached 6.3 million members, a 24 percent increase over 2009.

Acquisitions: Carlson increased its ownership in The Rezidor Hotel Group to more than 50 percent, and the company acquired its key partner in India — RHW Hotel Management Services Ltd.

Looking ahead, Carlson Hotels, is focused on continuing the implementation of its Ambition 2015 strategy. Most notably:

• For Radisson, the main priorities are to implement the agreed upon Property Improvement Plans (more than 70 percent of them should be completed by 2013), and to continue the global expansion of the brand, with 44 openings expected in 2011, including the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, Chicago.

• Country Inns & Suites By Carlson will be the first midscale brand to introduce non-disposable tableware in its hotels in North America. The brand will also continue to progress its international expansion.

• Park Inn is being renamed Park Inn by Radissonsm. This bold, fresh midscale brand is positioned for growth in North America, Europe and key emerging markets.

• Revenue Generation will continue to be a key area of focus for Carlson in 2011. In particular, the company will launch its new loyalty program, Club Carlson®, on March 31, 2011. Its investment in marketing and sales will increase in 2011 by 31 percent versus 2009, across e-commerce, sales, revenue optimization and distribution.

Daniel Fountain / 27.03.2011

Editor, Hotel Designs

Share

  • 0

Fun fact: I’m usually the person friends rely on to organise trips, schedules, and group plans.

Workhighlights: Successfully coordinating events from planning through to delivery and seeing everything come together on the day.

Fun fact: I’m a keen cyclist and will happily bore people with copious amounts of cycling chat. My top cycling experience (so far) would have to be riding in the spectacular mountains of Crete.

Work highlights: Charles joined Forum Events in 2022. With a background in publishing, editorial media and events, Charles brings a wealth of experience to his role as Senior Production Manager. Having being involved with SPACE from the outset, he is excited to see the brand grow and develop.

Fun fact: People tell Sienna she gives off Bridget Jones vibes, and she loves to bake, always making sure there are shortbreads floating around the office

Work highlights: Sienna joined Forum Events & Media Group while studying Communications and Media, starting in the sales team where she managed and helped launch the first the PA Life Leading Venues of London SHOWCASE, where she built relationships with luxury venues across the capital. Drawn to the stories behind these spaces, she naturally transitioned into the editorial team, creating social media and editorial content. Upon graduating in June 2026, she is excited to be joining as Assistant Editor for Hotel Designs and SPACE.

Fun fact: When not working, Jess can usually be found tending to her kitchen garden in the Sussex countryside or foraging for herbs in the nearby woods. A keen grower, she recently studied a RHS Level 2 Diploma in the Principles of Horticulture during her spare time.

Work highlights: Jess joined SPACE magazine in 2022 and has since progressed from Assistant Editor to Editor. During this time, she has worked across many aspects of the publication – from shaping editorial strategy and overseeing operations to contributing to art direction and representing the brand on stage at industry events including Surface Design Show and WOW!house.

Alongside her role at SPACE, Jess has built a creative career spanning the arts, culture, design and travel sectors. Prior to joining the magazine, she spent more than a decade in the commercial art industry, in artist liaison, gallery management, and curating collections for the hospitality sector across hotels and cruise ships. During this time, she also worked on freelance projects as a writer, photographer, and creative content producer.
 
Jess studied photojournalism at London College of Communication and the Danish School of Media and Journalism and holds a first-class BA (Hons) in Culture, Criticism and Curation from Central Saint Martins.

Fun fact: Katy has spent years perfecting all kinds of accents and loves a good impersonation!

Work highlights: Katy has been with Hotel Designs since the beginning, way back in 2015 when Forum Events & Media Group acquired the brand.

During this time, she has fostered many meaningful relationships with clients from across the hospitality spectrum, as well as playing a pivotal role in the launch of The Brit List Awards, Hotel Designs MEET UPs, client-led roundtables and panel talks, brand and website redesigns, HD Wellness Sets, DESIGN POD podcast, Hotel Designs LIVE panel talk series, Accessible Design Talks and more. Katy is always on the lookout for the next opportunity to help grow the Hotel Designs brand even further.
 
Most recently Katy has stepped in to the role of Publisher at SPACE magazine, the printed bi-monthly publication focused on hotel design, architecture, and development.

Together these platforms offer a comprehensive 360-degree service encompassing digital media, print publishing, and live events – providing unparalleled value to advertisers, partners, and readers alike.