After finishing 2015 with 10 new hotels and 23 signings in Asia Pacific, Carlson Rezidor will continue its growth into 2016, with focus on Thailand, where the tourism industry has shown a recent surge in demand. Currently, Carlson Rezidor operates four hotels in Thailand under the Radisson Blue, Radisson and Park Plaza brands with a new property opening later in the year, Radisson Blu Resort Hua Hin.

Thailand received more than 29 million visitors last year, many responding to new visa regulations in the country. It is projected this increase will only continue, with estimates of a further 6.7 per cent increase by the year 2025, accounting for what could be as many as 3.4 million jobs by that time.

“Carlson Rezidor has been operating in Thailand for more than eight years and we are proud to be contributing to its growth story. On the back of our strong growth momentum from 2015, we are planning to add six more hotels across key destinations including Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket within the next 18 months, which will more than double our presence in Thailand,” said Thorsten Kirschke, president, Asia Pacific, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group.

In Asia Pacific overall, Carlson Rezidor currently operates 108 hotels with another 91 in development.