HNA Group Co. Ltd.'s hospitality arm, HNA Hospitality Group, is embarking on a global expansion initiative under which it plans to make Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group Inc., the hotel company it acquired in late 2016, the core of its plans, the South China Morning Post reported, citing Chairman Bai Haibo.
HNA's Carlson plan comes as the Chinese conglomerate is on the hunt for a buyer of its 29.5% stake in Spanish hotel operator NH Hotel Group, which amounts to about €632 million, a move that would make Carlson Rezidor the only hotel asset of HNA, according to the report.
Bai told the news outlet that HNA is planning to more than double Carlson's presence in China, which stands at 22 hotels, and added that the company will utilize its resources to help fast track the hotel's expansion in the country and in Asia.
On a global scale, the expansion will add 25% to the hotelier's 1,440-strong portfolio, comprising hotels in operation and in development under different brands that include Quorvus Collection, the Radisson label and Country Inns & Suites, the Jan. 24 report noted. This will bring the available rooms to more than 20,000 by 2020, from 18,000.
The executive said HNA's tourism businesses, which include airline, airport and travel agency operations, will be a big advantage for Carlson and will help it in its expansion plans for the hotel.
