Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis Expand in Asia, Contemplate Merger Structure | travelmarketreport.com
When Marriott's acquisition of Starwood is completed this summer, the combined group will significantly increase its luxury footprint in Asia, said executives speaking at two separate press events during ILTM Asia, being held now in Shanghai. Ritz-Carlton currently has 25 properties open across the region, including two Reserves and one Bulgari, while St. Regis has 15 properties online, and another 14 in the pipeline. Jim Petrus, global brand leader for the latter, noted a Maldives property will open later this year, Shanghai at the end of this year or Q1 2017, and Changsha in the same period.
