Ritz-Carlton Plans Aggressive Global Expansion

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Ritz-Carlton is planning to add 20 hotels around the world by 2016 as part of an aggressive global expansion plan. 

The development initiative will bring the company's global portfolio to 100 hotels in the next three years by launching locations in a range of destinations, including Morocco, Japan, Israel and India, according to a company announcement.

"The robust pipeline of hotel projects indicates a continued strong demand for Ritz-Carlton products and services," Herve Humler, president and chief operations officer, said in the release. 

Last month, the company announced its entry into Israel with the property expected to open by the end of this year. In May, Ritz-Carlton announced two new properties in Morocco as the company expands its footprint in North Africa. 

In the last 12 months, the company has opened three properties; Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Puerto Rico; The Ritz-Carlton, Abu Dhabi; and the brand's first hotel in Vienna.  

The company expects at least six new properties will open by the end of the year, including two locations in China -- The Ritz-Carlton, Chengdu and The Ritz-Carlton, Tianjin. Other locations include The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba; The Ritz-Carlton, Herzliya, Israel; The Ritz-Carlton, Almaty in Kazakhstan; and The Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore in India.  

In 2014, there is a record number of openings scheduled, including Kyoto, Japan; Nanjing, China; Rabat, Morocco; Cairo, Egypt; Manesar, India and Bali, Indonesia, the company stated. The company anticipates additional hotels and resorts in Cabo San Lucas; Oman, Muscat; Bali, Indonesia; Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam; Tunis, Tunisia and Haikou, China by 2015.