(Shanghai, July 18, 2013) - Worldhotels reports a successful first half of the year with 31 hotels and a total of almost 6,000 rooms joining the international hotel group. The new hotels are located in key destinations and represent some of the world's finest luxury hotels and resorts.

 

Within the first six months of 2013, a total of 186 hotels applied to join. The small percentage of acceptances underlines the group's commitment to quality growth. The new additions to make it to Worldhotels' portfolio include 17 hotels in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), three in North and South America and eleven in the Asia Pacific region.

 

"In 2013 our strategy remains to complement our portfolio of almost 500 hotels in 250 destinations worldwide with unique hotels in new destinations. We believe that no two places in the world are the same and we want our hotels to reflect this", comments Robert Hornman, Managing Director at Worldhotels.

 

The group is particularly proud to strategically expand its soft franchise solution with the addition of six branded hotels. Worldhotels introduced soft franchising in 2010 as an ideal alternative to standard franchise contracts and now counts 21 Worldhotels worldwide with an inventory of more than 5,000 rooms. Many of the new branded Worldhotels are located in the fast-growing market of the People's Republic of China.

 

"We have been strongly expanding in emerging markets - particularly in China - and are glad to see our efforts are paying off", explains Roland Jegge, the group's Executive Vice President Asia Pacific. "Having branded Worldhotels in key destinations such as Shanghai, Suzhou and Wuxi further strengthens our brand in this highly competitive market."

 

Worldhotels also reports a positive outlook for the rest of 2013 with an extensive pipeline of hotels in key destinations within Asia and Europe.

 

 [ends]

 

About Worldhotels:

 

• Worldhotels is a global brand that brings together some of the world's most unique independent hotels. With the tagline "Where Discovery Starts" it targets savvy travellers that seek an authentic and local experience when choosing a hotel. Worldhotels now offers 500 hotels in 250 destinations and 65 countries worldwide.
• With over 40 years of excellence in the industry, the company's mission is to provide access to luxury and upper upscale hotels of character and distinction. Each hotel in the Worldhotels portfolio has been carefully selected to ensure it meets the group's strict quality standards. Each hotel is measured against over 1,000 quality criteria every year.  
• Guests can also earn miles for each stay thanks to an extensive list of airline partnerships including 25 frequent flyer programmes by the world's premier international carriers such as Singapore Airlines, Air France, Cathay Pacific, Qantas, Lufthansa, and United Airlines, which are just some of the partners that make earning miles with Worldhotels easy.
• Through a comprehensive range of services that includes global marketing, sales, training, e-commerce and state-of-the-art distribution and technology, Worldhotels backs independent hotels with the power of a global brand while allowing them to retain their individual character and identity. In addition to its classic "affiliation model", the group offers independent hotels a "full licence" branding solution which is the perfect alternative to standard franchise contracts.   

 

ASIA PACIFIC Reservation Numbers:

Australia Toll free: 1-800-55 35 49 For groups:  61-2-8399 2210

China (North) Toll free: 10-800-650-8221 For groups: 10-800-6 50 00 87

China (South) Toll free: 10-800-2 65 82 21 For groups: 10-800-2 65 00 87

Hong Kong Toll free: 800-96 85 63 For groups: 800-90 85 95

India Toll free: 000-800-6 50 11 60 For groups: 65- 62 27 55 35

Indonesia Toll free: 001-803 657 325 For groups:  65- 62 27 55 35

Japan Toll free: 0120-55 75 37 For groups: +81 3 67 21 81 41

Malaysia Toll free: 1-800-80 11 84 For groups: 1-800-80 15 86

New Zealand Toll free: 0-800-44 75 55 For groups: 61-2-9006 1088

Philippines Toll free: 1-800-16 51 01 67 For groups: 65 62 27 55 35

Singapore Toll free: 1-800-2 27 66 26 For groups: 65- 62 27 55 35

Taiwan Toll free: 00801-65 10 95 For Groups: 00801 651 423

Thailand Toll free: 001-800-65 66 04 For groups: 65 62 27 55 35

 

For reservations or information, visit worldhotels.com. Images are available in the "news & press" section of worldhotels.com or from ebehringer@worldhotels.com.

 

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Issued on behalf of Worldhotels by Grebstad Hicks Communications.

 

For further information or hi-res images, please contact:

 

Grebstad Hicks Communications (Shanghai)

Ms. Esther Molina

Tel: 86 21 5213 3030

E-mail: esther.molina@ghcasia.com

Grebstad Hicks Communications (Singapore)

Ms. Shanthi Regupathy

Tel: 65 6438 4024

Email: shanthi.regupathy@ghcasia.com

Worldhotels

Mr. Roland Jegge

Tel: 65 6227 5535

E-mail: rjegge@worldhotels.com