Worldhotels announced it added 73 hotels and 20,000 guestrooms in 2010. These results represented a 35 percent increase on the number of hotels and rooms added in 2009, making 2010 the strongest year of growth in the company's 40-year history. The new affiliate members, many of which were located in new destinations for the portfolio, brought the total number of hotels to more than 450 in 65 countries. The company's development plans for 2011 include the addition of 80 properties worldwide.
In total, 363 hotels around the globe applied for affiliation in 2010, yet only a small percentage were accepted, according to the company. Tom Griffiths, vice president of Worldhotels' Americas division, said he believed the company received a record number of applications for several reasons.
"First, independent hotels continue to grow in popularity as travelers are looking for unique experiences that standardized chain hotels rarely offer," Griffiths said. "Also, independent hoteliers need a partner that provides not only sales and marketing activities, but also leading technologies and sales databases; preferred partnerships with the top consortia, corporations and airlines, employee training; revenue management services; and the best global footprint."
Of the affiliate properties to join Worldhotels in 2010, 19 are in the Americas; 35 are located in Europe, the Middle East and Africa; and 19 are in the Asia Pacific region.
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