Carlson Hotels has announced its global growth strategy ‘Ambition 2015.’ The company wants to be known for its innovative and vibrant spirit reflected in the quality of its segment leading brands around the world through this strategy. It aims to expand its portfolio by at least 50 per cent by 2015 to more than 1,500 hotels in operation.

Ambition 2015 will focus on four priority growth initiatives including:

Expanding Radisson as a powerful, globally consistent first-class brand

Accelerating the growth of Country Inns & Suites, the mid-market brand of Carlson in four key markets: the US, Canada, India and Mexico
Growing Park Inn as a winning mid-scale brand across theatres in key countries

Continuing to grow in key emerging markets, with greater emphasis on mid-scale

Carlson wants to expand Radisson as a powerful, globally consistent, first-class brand. The strategy for Radisson will entail an investment programme of up to USD 1.5 billion in North America alone, focused on establishing flagship hotels in key US cities and on upgrading the existing portfolio. With 422 hotels in operation globally and 90 hotels currently in the pipeline, the brand is poised for significant growth around the world. Carlson plans to grow the portfolio to at least 600 hotels by 2015.

Carlson’s mid-market brand Country Inn & Suites currently operates 485 hotels throughout the world and has 80 properties currently contracted under development. Today, this homegrown brand celebrated the forthcoming opening of its 500th hotel and announced plans to expand by an additional 250 hotels globally by 2015 primarily in the US, Canada, India and Mexico. Among the many distinctive product and service innovations offered by Country Inns & Suites, the ‘Friends Hosting Friends’ recognition programme has generated tremendous employee engagement scores and high overall guest satisfaction. Other key programmes that will roll out in 2010 include personal care amenities, a new breakfast programme and new employee uniforms.

Carlson’s mid-scale brand Park Inn has 100 hotels in operation throughout the world and 54 hotels in the contracted pipeline. The strategy entails continuing the growth in key emerging economies such as Brazil, Russia, India and China, where it has gained significant strength. These strategies will be supported by investments in marketing, sales, distribution and technology. As part of its Ambition 2015 strategy, Carlson Hotels expects to increase the contribution from brand websites to 30 per cent of revenue and to double the number of members in its goldpointsplus(SM) loyalty programme.