Ramada International Dramatically Expands Portfolio In One Year
LONDON - Ramada International, a division of Marriott International, Inc.
"Despite the tragic events of September and the downturn in the travel market, we remain optimistic about international and regional travel. We plan to continue to expand throughout the world, and we believe that there are significant opportunities for the growth of the Ramada brand," said Reas Kondraschow, senior vice president and managing director, Ramada International Hotels & Resorts
"It was important for us to make in-roads in Germany, United Kingdom and China over the last year. Now that we have done this, we will focus on other areas of the world as well as expanding to other cities in countries where we already have properties," added Mr. Kondraschow.
Ramada International continues to develop its select-service Encore hotels, with the first one expected to open in York, England, and its high-end Plaza hotels, which are now located in China, the United Kingdom and Germany.
"Asia remains a priority for us. We opened our eighth hotel in China last month and reflagged a second Ramada resort in Bali earlier this fall," said Mr. Kondraschow.
He said they are putting an emphasis on Eastern Europe, particularly Poland as a result of a franchise and development agreement with Odra Tourist Hotels Sp.z.o.o., a branch of Dexpol S.A. of Wroclaw, Poland. The opening of the Ramada Resort Pinamar in Argentina on December 1 marked Ramada International's first property in South America.
Additionally, Mr. Kondraschow said he expects to sign several major development agreements and open hotels in the Middle East, Australia and Italy over the next 12 to 18 months.
Last year, Ramada signed a co-branding and development agreement with Treff Hotels of Germany, which resulted in the conversion of approximately 50 hotels. These hotels appear under the names Ramada-Treff hotels and Ramada Plaza hotels. The conversion is on-going with additional properties still to be rebranded.
In June, Ramada International and Jarvis hotels announced that Ramada would be returning to the United Kingdom as part of an agreement between the two companies to rebrand 56 properties either as Ramada-Jarvis hotels, Ramada Hotel & Resort or Ramada Plaza hotels.
Ramada International increased its presence in China over the last year with the addition of four new Ramada Plaza hotels. The hotels are located in Wuhan, Shanghai, Nanjing and Suzhou. In addition, two Ramada hotels were added to the portfolio in Dalian and Urumqi earlier this fall.
All of the hotels maintain Ramada International's five pillars, which are: a restful sleep, an invigorating shower, a well-trained staff, an exceptional level of cleanliness and the "Ramada Mornings Breakfast" - a selection that is hot, delicious and easy.
There are currently more 130 Ramada International hotels in 19 countries and territories.
MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC. MAR is a leading worldwide hospitality company with nearly 2,400 operating units in the United States and 63 other countries and territories. Marriott International operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites and Ramada International brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott Vacation Club, Horizons, The Ritz-Carlton Club and Marriott Grand Residence Club brands; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its ExecuStay by Marriott division; and operates conference centers. Other Marriott businesses include senior living communities and services, and wholesale food distribution. The company is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and has approximately 152,000 employees. In fiscal year 2000, Marriott International reported systemwide sales of $19.8 billion. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com.
Cynthia Mable
(301) 380-7868
Marriott
