Radisson Hotel Group driving plastic reduction

Radisson Hotel Group is launching a global roll-out plan of plastic reduction. This includes the introduction of bulk amenities in all hotels across the group’s portfolio by 2022.

Radisson Hotel Group will implement bulk amenity dispensers across all brands by the beginning of 2022, replacing small bottles for common bathroom products.

This action will remove 57 million miniature amenities from circulation, avoiding the use of almost 500 tons of plastic annually.

In addition, Radisson Hotel Group has a global commitment to #refusethestraw. This ensures plastic straws and plastic stirrers are no longer used in its hotels by 2021. Eco-friendly alternatives will be offered to guests upon request.

Federico González Tejera, chief executive, Radisson Hospitality, said: “Plastic pollution is one of the current major global issues and our Group is proud to play a leading role in driving plastic reduction across the travel and tourism industry.”

The group is running a series of innovative pilot projects aiming to find new ways to drive plastic reduction globally.

Find out more about the Radisson commitment here.

Radisson Riyadh Airport set to open in late 2020

The Radisson Riyadh Airport is the newest addition to the Radisson Hotel Group portfolio. It brings the group’s portfolio to over 45 hotels, resorts and serviced apartments in operation/ under development.

Riyadh is the largest city and capital of Saudi Arabia. King Khalid International Airport is about 35 kilometres to the north of Riyadh city and home to Radisson’s newest hotel.

As the economic capital of Saudi Arabia, the number of passengers through King Khalid International Airport exceeded 26m in 2019.

Located within close proximity, the hotel will be conveniently accessible from the airport. The city centre can be reached via Riyadh’s new metro system, making it an ideal location for business travellers.

Elie Younes, chief development officer, Radisson Hotel Group, said: “Saudi Arabia is one of the eight key focus countries in EMEA.

“We align our plans along those of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 which aims to significantly increase the contribution of tourism to the country’s economy.

“We thank our partners for their trust and look forward to opening the hotel later this year and to an exciting and rewarding journey.”

Opening late 2020, the hotel will complement Radisson Hotel Group’s array of city and leisure hotels across Riyadh.

The hotel will consist of 471 keys across various room types including serviced apartments and villas. Enabling them to cater to guests that require larger units or long stay units.

The property will feature an all-day dining restaurant and two speciality restaurants.

Guests will be able to enjoy an outdoor swimming pool and various leisure facilities. Including separated ladies and men fitness studio, indoor pool and a spa.

Check back for updates on opening later this year.

Radisson Hotel Group launches incentives offering for event industry

The hotel group’s five-year plan includes the ambition of becoming the market leaders in the meetings and events industry.

An important components is Radisson Rewards for Business, the group’s loyalty program for event planners. Members can earn points toward rewards for all bookings at all Radisson Hotel Group brands.

Eric De Neef, Radisson Hotel Group’s executive vice president and global chief commercial officer stated that the offering was in response to changing market trends and expectations.

“We are investing in our meeting venues at our 1,100+ hotels worldwide, in training of our teams, and in technology. A state-of-the-art IT infrastructure and distribution platform are core elements helping us to deliver our brand promise. Finally, all Radisson Meetings are carbon neutral – we are the only hotel group worldwide to automatically offset any carbon footprint at no cost to our customers.”

Excellent customer service is one of the factors that matters most to event planners when selecting a venue.

To this end, the hotel group to making a multi-million investment across its portfolio in new audio-visual technology and improved facilities. Implementation has already been completed in 55 properties across 11 countries in EMEA and will be progressively rolled out globally across the group’s portfolio by the end of the five-year operating plan in 2021.

Sustainability is also a key area, and Radisson Hotel Group has teamed up with FirstClimate, one of the largest carbon offsetting organisations in the world.

For each meeting, the carbon footprint is calculated and then offset through First Climate by supporting projects that combat climate change and have a positive sustainable development contribution in Peru, Kenya, and India or invest in wind energy in Turkey and the USA.

Radisson currently has 500 hotels in their portfolio, across 80 countries in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Half of the portfolio is in emerging markets such as Africa, the Middle East and Russia, whilst the other half is in mature markets such as the UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy and Scandinavia.

New Park Plaza brand identity unveiled

Radisson Hotel Group (‘RHG’) and PPHE Hotel Group (‘PPHE’), which is RHG’s exclusive partner for its wholly owned Park Plaza brand in Europe, Middle East & Africa, has unveiled the first phase of the rollout of a new Park Plaza brand identity.

Following a significant investment programme that has seen the Park Plaza portfolio bolstered by four new openings since 2015, the extensive repositioning of two hotels in 2018 and several additional repositioning programmes at final stages, PPHE has truly elevated the Park Plaza portfolio to be a stylish hospitality product, with reimagined spaces and critically acclaimed destination restaurants and bars. Now firmly positioned as an upper upscale international brand, the new brand identity is fully aligned with the contemporary and high-quality product.

The brand identity redesign exudes style and sophistication, reflecting the brand’s deep understanding of its guests and the locale in which each property inhabits. Underpinned by three key pillars – authentic service, contemporary spirit and local hotspots – the update cements its commitment to giving each guest a real and genuine experience through elegantly appointed and distinctively designed hotels with vibrant restaurants and bars that exude a buzzing social atmosphere. The new brand identity, which is now live across all digital platforms including the website and social media channels, is supported by a new logo inspired by the authentic and sophisticated spaces embodied by properties within the Park Plaza portfolio.

RHG and PPHE continue to develop the brand’s hallmarks, with recently introduced guest experience initiatives such as the introduction of a heightened sleep experience through luxury bedding and linen, a dedicated scent programme, the creation of social destinations and hotspots where the local community and guests mix in lively environments with a compelling entertainment offering. Additional features of the brand include its progressive approach to design, lighting and ambiance.

Park Plaza is one of the largest international upper upscale brands within central London, with 3,200 rooms in operation and some of the capital’s largest meeting and event facilities. In addition, the brand is represented in capital cities and regional centres such as Amsterdam, Berlin, Bangkok, Beijing, Nuremberg, Cardiff, Leeds and Nottingham – as well as various resort destinations in Croatia.

Federico J. Gonzalez Tejera, President & CEO of Radisson Hospitality AB and Chairman of Radisson Hotel Group Global Steering Committee, added: “We are very proud to be unveiling the new Park Plaza brand repositioning and logo as part of the comprehensive restructure of our brand architecture – a process we began last year with the launch of Radisson Hotel Group. Park Plaza is a strong and recognised name within the London market especially and its new brand position aligns with our ambition to deliver memorable moments to our guests, owners, investors and talent – while offering a clear and attractive proposition within our overall brand portfolio. This brand repositioning will help us add value and continue being the best partner to our stakeholders.”

Boris Ivesha, President & Chief Executive Officer at PPHE Hotel Group, commented: “Following the full transformation and repositioning of our portfolio in recent years, we are excited to unveil an enhanced brand identity for Park Plaza that further enables us to create unique experiences for guests and offer asset value to our investors. The new visual identity and logo complement the brand’s growth and represents the contemporary and sophisticated properties that are part of the estate.

“We are currently finalising plans on the roll-out process for the brand relaunch across all properties in Europe with Radisson Hotel Group.’’