Langham Hospitality recently announced plans to pump up its portfolio from 22 hotels to a whopping 500 hotels in the next 10 years

　　Recently, Robert Warman, new CEO of the Hong Kong-based group recently told HOTELS that Langham Hospitality recently announced plans to pump up its portfolio from 22 hotels to a whopping 500 hotels in the next 10 years.

　　The former president and CEO of the Capella Hotel Group and 18-year veteran of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co. said the ambitious expansion will be powered by a predominance of management deals in combination with opportunistic acquisitions. Perhaps most importantly, growth will be significantly powered by a new brand targeting Chinese business travelers, the name of which will be revealed in the near term. What Warman could disclose at this time was that one of the group’s existing Hong Kong properties would be rebranded into this new offering.

　　In fact, Langham sees China’s growing corporate sector as a big catalyst for growth opportunities in primary, secondary and even tertiary markets. “We already have partners lined up and ready to sign,” Warman said. “They’re just waiting for us to put all the details of the brand’s footprint together and for us to announce it. We will also reveal the list of properties in the chosen destinations when this happens.”

　　Langham Hospitality CEO Robert Warman

　　Designing an upscale accommodation product for Chinese travelers made sense with China’s increasing importance to the global economy and the tourism industry. “But first, we needed to offer a brand suited to the leisure and business customer within China,” Warman added. “Once we have established this strong footprint, we will launch the brand in Asian gateways, and then around the world.”

　　Eight additional Langham hotels now under construction are strict management contracts, including the first Langham resort in Dubai. The Langham Jakarta, an agreement with the Agung Sedayu Group, is expected to open in 2017.

　　Resorts will prove to be another significant growth driver for Langham. “We built our reputation as an owner and developer of city hotels. Our Dubai beach project shows we are really now a hotel and resort company,” Warman noted.

　　With Langham Hospitality’s stronger international presence, particularly in North America and China, Warman is optimistic the company won’t be sidetracked from achieving the goal of 500 hotels in 10 years. “China has exhibited that the need for more hotels will continue, even if other parts of the world may undergo an economic slowdown,” he said. “By having properties around the world, we can still move in areas that are not affected by a recession, and having established different infrastructure centers helps us to operate.”