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Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. today announces plans to expand its portfolio throughout Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Over the next three years, Starwood will more than double its portfolio in the region with seven new hotels, including the debut of the Aloft brand in Russia with the new Aloft St. Petersburg, a deal that was announced today. Emphasizing the importance of the region as one of the world's fastest-growing hotel and travel markets, CEO Frits van Paasschen and members of Starwood's senior executive team visited Russia this week, travelling to key growth markets, including Moscow, St. Petersburg, Sochi and Rostov-on-Don.
"As one of the world's fastest-growing outbound travel markets, Russia represents a great opportunity for us," said Frits van Paasschen, President and CEO, Starwood Hotels & Resorts. "With a rising middle class, growing disposable income, an affinity for luxury brands and huge pent-up demand for foreign travel, Russia is emblematicof the growth we are seeing in regions around the world and key to our global growth plans."
Last year, Starwood opened three new hotels in Russia and CIS, marking a number of key milestones, including the highly successful debut of the W brand in Russia with the opening of W St. Petersburg and the entrance of Starwood into Ukraine and Azerbaijan.
"Moscow has more billionaires than any other city in the world and yet Russia is seriously under-hoteled, with only 28 high-end hotels," said Simon Turner, President of Global Development & Acquisition, Starwood Hotels & Resorts. "Russia and CIS offer tremendous growth opportunities, especially within markets that do not have major internationally-branded hotels. We plan to expand our brands throughout the region in the years to come with development partners who have a proven track record of success and are looking for a new and exciting growth vehicle."
Fonte: CS della Società
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