Latest news with #RadissonHotelGroup
Arab News
11-07-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Radisson Hotel Group strengthens presence in Middle East with strategic team expansion
Radisson Hotel Group has promoted Elie Milky to chief development officer for Middle East, Cyprus, and Greece, reinforcing its commitment to doubling the wider regional portfolio to over 150 hotels and 50,000 keys in operation and under development by 2030. Milky, who marked 15 years with the company last month, has steered many of the group's headline deals across Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf, helping make the Middle East one of Radisson's fastest-growing markets. Under Milky's leadership, Radisson is scaling its development and feasibility teams, adding specialist analysts and project managers to enhance deal sourcing, underwriting, and technical support. The team is based out of Dubai with regular visits to Riyadh, Cairo and across the region, ensuring on-the-ground support for owners as large-scale tourism investment accelerates. A key pillar of that team is Ayman Ezzeddine, who joined Radisson in early 2024 as director of development for the Middle East with special focus on Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Over the past 18 months, Ezzeddine's market analysis, owner relations and deal structuring have led to several deals and a strong pipeline for upcoming signings, reinforcing Radisson's owner-centric approach. Commenting on his new role, Milky said: 'The region is moving at record speed. With Ayman's effort and our expanded development and feasibility bench, we're ready to deliver high-quality hotels, resorts and serviced apartments that create jobs, diversify economies, and meet investor expectations across every segment.' In the last 12 months, Radisson has strengthened its footprint across the region. Two new Park Inn hotels, Makkah Thakher Alsharqi and Makkah Thakher Algharbi deepened the group's presence in the holy city along with a recent opening in Riyadh and Madinah as well, while November 2024 welcomed Park Inn by Radisson Hotel and Apartments Kuwait, the brand's second property in the country. Looking ahead, Radisson Collection Residence Riyadh, the brand's third address in the Saudi capital, is set to open in Q4 2025. Recent signings extend the pipeline even further: Radisson Collection Residence Amman Abdoun and Radisson RED Amman Downtown introduce both brands to Jordan, and two more Radisson RED hotels are slated for Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, and Ras Al-Khaimah, UAE. Altogether the Middle East portfolio now approaches 100 hotels in operation or development, keeping Radisson on course for its 2030 growth target of over 150 properties and 50,000 keys.
Time of India
07-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Bengaluru's heritage hotel checks into Radisson's global portfolio
Radisson Hotel Group has expanded its presence in Southern India by bringing St. Mark's Hotel Bengaluru into its portfolio under the Radisson Individuals brand. Located in the heart of the city, this long-standing landmark now combines its local heritage with Radisson's global hospitality standards. Situated in one of Bengaluru's most central and popular neighbourhoods, the hotel offers convenient access to key destinations like Vittal Mallya Road, Brigade Road, Residency Road, Richmond Road, and Cubbon Park. It is also close to various consulates and corporate offices, making it suitable for both international travellers and business visitors. With a legacy spanning more than 30 years, St. Mark's Hotel has been a recognised name in the city, and now takes on a new chapter under the Radisson Individuals label. 'St. Mark's Hotel Bengaluru, a member of Radisson Individuals, marks our seventh operational hotel in the city and our second under the Radisson Individuals brand. This soft brand allows us to partner with distinctive independent hotels that reflect the character of their location while benefiting from Radisson Hotel Group's global distribution, standards, and reach," Nikhil Sharma, Managing Director and COO, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group, said. Sharma said that Bengaluru remains a critical market for the group, describing it as a thriving metro with a strong mix of corporate, leisure, and international travel demand. He said that with its central location and established legacy, the hotel was well positioned to serve the city's diverse traveller base. He added that they were proud to welcome it into their portfolio as part of their ongoing strategic expansion across India. The property features 96 rooms. All rooms are soundproof and arranged to ensure a quiet and restful environment. Dining options include three venues: 4/1 Kitchen, an all-day global cuisine restaurant; Kohinoor, an Indian rooftop dining space; and Luscious, a relaxed restobar. For meetings and events, the hotel has spaces such as Hamilton, Lords, Dukes, and a private interview room. Guests can also access wellness facilities including a spa and a fitness centre. Live Events 'We are proud to partner with Radisson Hotel Group and enter a new chapter for St. Mark's Hotel Bengaluru. With a legacy of over 30 years, our hotel has earned a reputation for excellence in service, cuisine, and comfort,' Gautam Dadlani, Managing Director, St. Mark's Hotel Bengaluru, a member of Radisson Individuals, said.
Time of India
29-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Radisson Group looking at doubling hotel portfolio in India: South Asia MD Nikhil Sharma
Belgium-headquartered Radisson Hotel Group is eyeing to double its portfolio in India in the next few years, from over 200 operational hotels at present, with a focus on a sustainable and inclusive growth model, according to a senior company official. In an interview to PTI, Radisson Hotel Group Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer for South Asia Nikhil Sharma said its hotel in Pahalgam is currently operating at an occupancy rate of 20-30 per cent of what the occupancies were last year, in the aftermath of the recent terror attack on tourists that shook the nation. Notably, Radisson is the largest luxury hotel chain in Jammu and Kashmir , with seven hotels in operation, including five in the valley, and 2-3 hotels in the pipeline. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Gentle Japanese hair growth method for men and women's scalp Hair's Rich Learn More Undo "We are, I would say, operating between 20 to 30 per cent in cities like Pahalgam. So in Srinagar, we are about 50 per cent of what the occupancies were last year. Last year, about 35 lakh tourists came into the valley. "This year, we are not seeing those numbers. But I truly believe that Kashmir is an all-weather destination, and we are going to be working with the government, making sure that we promote tourism in all seasons," Nikhil shared. Live Events He asserted that Radisson Hotels Group will require an additional workforce of 16,000 in India, as it ramps up its presence in the country with 8,000 keys in the pipeline, and growth centred around Tier-II, Tier-III and Tier-IV cities. Radisson Hotels Group's currently has around 19,000 employees. "This year we will open 20 hotels. In the last five years, we've signed 51 hotels, which has been the highest signings ever. Last year itself, we did 36 signings. ...Our growth will be in Tier-II, Tier-III, Tier-IV, cities, or even destinations that we want to be flag planters," he said. Nikhil shared that Radisson is looking at eventually doubling its portfolio in India in the next few years, because it's a "golden era" for the company, while underscoring the need for sustainable and inclusive growth and ensuring that the local community gets hired and works in its hotels. "We have close to 19,000 employees at the moment and every room takes 1.2 to 1.9 team members. We have a pipeline of about 8,000 more keys that we are going to be developing. So another 16,000 team members at any given point of time will be joining us in the near future," Sharma said.
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Business Standard
29-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Radisson Group looking at doubling hotel portfolio in India: South Asia MD
Belgium-headquartered Radisson Hotel Group is eyeing to double its portfolio in India in the next few years, from over 200 operational hotels at present, with a focus on a sustainable and inclusive growth model, according to a senior company official. In an interview to PTI, Radisson Hotel Group Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer for South Asia Nikhil Sharma said its hotel in Pahalgam is currently operating at an occupancy rate of 20-30 per cent of what the occupancies were last year, in the aftermath of the recent terror attack on tourists that shook the nation. Notably, Radisson is the largest luxury hotel chain in Jammu and Kashmir, with seven hotels in operation, including five in the valley, and 2-3 hotels in the pipeline. "We are, I would say, operating between 20 to 30 per cent in cities like Pahalgam. So in Srinagar, we are about 50 per cent of what the occupancies were last year. Last year, about 35 lakh tourists came into the valley. "This year, we are not seeing those numbers. But I truly believe that Kashmir is an all-weather destination, and we are going to be working with the government, making sure that we promote tourism in all seasons," Nikhil shared. He asserted that Radisson Hotels Group will require an additional workforce of 16,000 in India, as it ramps up its presence in the country with 8,000 keys in the pipeline, and growth centred around Tier-II, Tier-III and Tier-IV cities. Radisson Hotels Group's currently has around 19,000 employees. "This year we will open 20 hotels. In the last five years, we've signed 51 hotels, which has been the highest signings ever. Last year itself, we did 36 signings. ...Our growth will be in Tier-II, Tier-III, Tier-IV, cities, or even destinations that we want to be flag planters," he said. Nikhil shared that Radisson is looking at eventually doubling its portfolio in India in the next few years, because it's a "golden era" for the company, while underscoring the need for sustainable and inclusive growth and ensuring that the local community gets hired and works in its hotels. "We have close to 19,000 employees at the moment and every room takes 1.2 to 1.9 team members. We have a pipeline of about 8,000 more keys that we are going to be developing. So another 16,000 team members at any given point of time will be joining us in the near future," Sharma said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Zawya
25-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Radisson's Ramsay Rankoussi on hotel growth trends and Africa's rising cities
Africa's hospitality sector is accelerating its post-pandemic recovery, with secondary cities and adaptive conversions emerging as key drivers of hotel growth. Ramsay Rankoussi, Vice President of Development for Africa and Turkey, Radisson Hotel Group. During the Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) Africa, held from 17 to 19 June at The Westin Cape Town, Bizcommunity caught up with Ramsay Rankoussi, vice president of development for Africa and Turkey at Radisson Hotel Group. He shared insights into the group's evolving Africa strategy, investor appetite, and the importance of credible local partnerships in unlocking regional potential. How would you describe investor sentiment around Africa's hospitality sector in 2025, and where are you seeing the strongest pockets of growth? I think it's important to define Africa not as one market but as 54 countries, each with its own opportunity and potential. For us, priority markets include South Africa, where we currently have 15 hotels and aim to nearly double that in the next five years. Morocco is also showing strong potential, driven by its Vision 2030, major events like the World Cup, and infrastructure reforms. Egypt continues to grow steadily, and Nigeria benefits from macroeconomic factors linked to oil and gas, driving business demand. The key fundamentals for investment remain infrastructure and accessibility — countries that can attract both international and regional/domestic demand post-Covid. Once these factors are in place, it becomes a question of construction costs, cost of capital, access to financing, and facilitating investment through licensing, permits, and streamlined bureaucracy. We're seeing growing interest in secondary and emerging cities across the continent. How is Radisson positioning itself in these markets, and what makes them attractive investment destinations? Secondary cities are growing economic and industrial zones, with lower land barriers and costs compared to prime locations. For example, in South Africa's Middleburg, an economic zone is developing, and we plan to open a hotel there this year. These areas offer untapped demand, lower development costs, and potentially better yields. Since many of these cities currently lack hotels, there is a clear opportunity to capture new markets at lower investment levels. Conversions have become a bigger part of many groups' growth strategies. How is Radisson leveraging property conversions in Africa, and what benefits do they offer owners and local economies? With the challenges we face around cost of capital, inflation, funding delays, and material shortages, we've mitigated risk by focusing on conversions — taking existing or nearly completed properties and rebranding them. This approach lowers the risk of non-completion and allows quicker market entry. Last year, we opened nearly 1,000 rooms across Africa through conversions. For investors, conversions reduce risk while offering brand benefits. For Radisson, it mitigates delays caused by financing or cost pressures. We still do new builds with strategic partners, but conversions remain a priority to reduce execution risk. Partnerships remain critical when operating across Africa's diverse markets. What qualities do you look for in local partners, and how does this contribute to long-term success? In every country, we operate with a local partner who understands the real estate side, often institutional investors or high-net-worth individuals. Radisson provides brand management and operational expertise, while the partner facilitates development by managing permits, building codes, funding, and construction relationships. Success depends on a shared vision — creating employment during and after construction, and delivering benefits for owners, employees, and the local community. That long-term partnership approach is what ensures both economic impact and operational success in these markets. Workforce development and local empowerment are often overlooked in discussions about hotel expansion. How is Radisson investing in skills development and inclusive hiring as part of its growth strategy? We're proud that across Africa, 99.9% of our employees are locals. We take this responsibility seriously and fast-track local talent into executive and general manager roles as part of our diversity efforts. Temporary expatriates may come in where talent gaps exist, but only to mentor and groom local staff. Talent creation requires both private and public investment. Radisson offers training through its academy and career pathways, but many countries still lack the necessary institutions and facilities for the hospitality sector; this remains a challenge. Finally, what excites you most about the future of African hospitality over the next five years? The continent is vast, young, dynamic, and growing rapidly. Economies and domestic demand continue to expand alongside improving connectivity and infrastructure. While Africa has been underrepresented on the global map due to limited airline connectivity and infrastructure, that is changing. Local and regional players are now promoting Africa worldwide, highlighting its diversity of business, convention, and leisure offerings — from coastal resorts to urban hotels. The cultural diversity across countries is a beauty of the continent. Most importantly, the young talent emerging today will be the future leaders of African hospitality.
