SAO PAULO— HOTEL BUSINESS® has learned that Atlantica Hotels International, just days after inking a deal to franchise Radisson hotels in Brazil, expects to announce that it is acquiring a well-known Brazilian management company— a move that adds another 21 properties to the companys rapidly growing portfolio. According to Paul Sistare, Atlanticas president/CEO, several of the 21 properties will be rebranded as Radisson hotels. Of the 21 properties in the newly acquired portfolio, three are open and operating, eight are under construction and slated to open within the next year, while the remainder are in various stages of development. The first Radisson property, according to Sistare, will open in Brazil within the next 30 days, and the company is currently in active negotiations with approximately 10 other parties. As a result of these ongoing discussions, Sistare is confident that Brazil will see at least five Radisson hotels debuting in various cities— including Sao Paulo, Curitiba and Brasilia, the nations capitol— by the end of the year. “Radisson represents our final strategic alliance and completes our process of putting a viable offering of brands together for our franchisees. We can now focus on covering all segments from economy to upscale,” said Sistare. While Atlantica Hotels is in the process of introducing the Radisson name to the Brazilian hotel market, the company is also moving forward with development plans for properties flagged by its other two partners- Choice and Starwood. As previously reported by HOTEL BUSINESS®, Atlantica has 12 Starwood-flagged properties “on the drawing board”— the majority of which will carry the Four Points flag. Additionally, a few Sheraton-flagged hotels will be announced within the next few months. The company also has plans to add 65 Choice-branded properties to its portfolio over the next three years, specifically through the Comfort Suites and Sleep Inn brands. “In partnering with Choice, Starwood and now Radisson, we think we have chosen the three best companies offering the best brands in the hotel industry. Were not tied financially or physically to any of the three companies, are able to examine product and market on a case-by-case basis and pick which of these flags will maximize the bottom line for our franchisees,” Sistare explained. A common thread that runs through all three of Atlanticas hotel company partners, according to Sistare, is the strength of the loyalty program each offers to its frequent guests. Loyalty programs as they are known to travelers in the United States, do not yet exist in Brazil— leaving the market wide open for chains like Starwood, Choice and Radisson to build a presence and capture an untapped market of potentially loyal guests, said Sistare.
