The Ritz-Carlton has announced a major expansion and development initiative, which will aim to bring the total number of properties in its portfolio to 100 hotels and resorts around the world by 2016. Ranging from Morocco to Japan and Israel to India, this plan will expand the brand to urban capitals and emerging tourist destinations – some of which are a first for the JD Powers luxury hospitality firm.
“The robust pipeline of hotel projects indicates a continued strong demand for Ritz-Carlton products and services,” says Herve Humler, president and chief operations officer. “We are delighted at the company’s continued positive growth. Across the globe, and especially in Asia and the Middle East, we will be the undisputed top-tier luxury hospitality brand by 2016.”
In the last 12 months, The Ritz-Carlton has opened three iconic properties – including Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Puerto Rico; The Ritz-Carlton, Abu Dhabi, a beach-front resort in the capital city of the United Arab Emirates; and the brand’s first hotel in the European city of Vienna, Austria.
Six new Ritz-Carlton hotels are scheduled to open in the last quarter of this year, including two properties in China – The Ritz-Carlton, Chengdu and The Ritz-Carlton, Tianjin. The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba will add to the company’s Caribbean portfolio. Furthermore, the luxury brand is scheduled to open in three new countries with The Ritz-Carlton, Herzliya in Israel, The Ritz-Carlton, Almaty in Kazakhstan and The Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore in India.
The 2014 schedule follows with a record number of new openings including Kyoto in Japan, Nanjing in China, Rabat in Morocco, Cairo in Egypt, Manesar in India and Bali in Indonesia. By 2015, The Ritz-Carlton anticipates that it will open luxury hotels and resorts in Cabo San Lucas in Oman, Bali in Indonesia, Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam, Tunis in Tunisia and Haikou in China.
Residences are also set to open in Montreal in Canada, Herzliya in Israel and Almaty in Kazakhstan. “The growth of Residences by The Ritz-Carlton has been impressive,” says Herve. “Affluent customers are choosing these lifestyle options because they know that their condominiums and estate homes will be managed in the same exceptional way as our hotels. Whether as a second or third home, or a primary residence, it is a great testimony to the affinity our customers have for The Ritz-Carlton.”
