The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company To Expand Global Portfolio To 100 Hotels By 2016 With 15 New Additions

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company will open 15 new hotels by 2016, growing its global footprint to 100 hotels and resorts. With new openings ranging from an iconic city property in Cairo to a beachfront resort in Bali, the pipeline of upcoming openings offers travelers unique experiences in both established and emerging destinations.

"This prolific period of growth underscores the rising demand for The Ritz-Carlton in additional locations around the world. Travelers are increasingly curious and venturing beyond their traditional vacation spots to explore cultural and life-style capitals in Asia, Europe, Middle East and the Americas. In tandem, we have also earmarked the Middle East, Asia, Australasia and the Indian Sub-continent as key development regions in the post-2016 period to maintain our growth momentum. Given the rising number of visitors and exciting developments in infrastructure, we anticipate strong business and leisure tourism potential in these markets and look forward to keeping up the momentum," said Bob Kharazmi, global operations officer during a press conference in Dubai today.

Over the next 30 months, The Ritz-Carlton has new luxury properties scheduled to open in Egypt, Tunisia,Morocco, Indonesia, and the People's Republic of China and Panama. This is propelled by the growth of Asiaas a tourism powerhouse; The Ritz-Carlton will add five new hotels in the Asia-Pacific region with further development planned in Malaysia and India.

The brand is making a formidable return to Bali with two much-anticipated properties - The Ritz-Carlton, Bali, uniquely situated with a combination of white beach front and elevated cliff top settings, as well as Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Ubud, Mandapa will be the third global Ritz-Carlton Reserve property and its second inAsia, following Phulay Bay. "Asia is in top form as a tourism and business hub attracting investment and visitors from around the globe. Established destinations such as Bali as well as emerging destinations likeBangalore, are both of immense interest to Ritz-Carlton as we look to fill the gap in the market for a luxury hospitality proposition flawless, personalized service and exceptional properties all with a sense of place," added Kharazmi.

Adding to its existing portfolio of eight properties will also expand The Ritz-Carlton footprint in the Middle East & Africa market with The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo (Egypt); The Ritz-Carlton, Tunis (Tunisia) as well as The Ritz-Carlton, Marrakech; The Ritz-Carlton, Rabat and the Tamuda Bay Reserve in Morocco.

The luxury hotel brand has been on an aggressive growth trajectory with nine new hotels opened within the last 20 months. Destinations include Kyoto, Japan; Herzliya, Israel; Tianjin and Chengdu in China, Bangalore, India; Almaty, Kazakhstan; Aruba; Dorado Beach, Puerto Rico and Vienna, Austria.