Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group

The first SAS hotel was opened in Copenhagen in 1960. The hotel operations of the SAS airline was initially part of SAS catering, which was later renamed SAS Catering and Hotels. Re-organization in 1985 saw the creation of SAS International Hotels (SIH), a fully owned subsidiary of the SAS Group. Expansion of the hotel network was then a key objective, and in 1989, SAS bought 40 percent of Intercontinental Hotels and held its interest until selling in 1992.
In 1994, Brussels-based SIH concluded a marketing agreement with Radisson Hotels Worldwide, in which no equity exchange took place. The agreement actually placed SAS International Hotels in a new and strong position within the marketing, sales and distribution network of the US-based Carlson Companies, the parent company of Radisson. The American company, a major player in international travel and tourism, was founded by Curtis Carlson, a first generation Swedish-American. As a result of this arrangement, SIH became the sole franchisor for the Radisson brand in Europe, Middle East and Africa. On 1 October 2001, SAS International Hotels (SIH) was renamed Rezidor SAS Hospitality. The renaming of the parent company created the basis for further expansion with a variety of brands. The name Rezidor SAS is a distinctive word coinage suggesting the English “residence” and “door” and the French “or” (gold). The SAS addition rapidly provided the basis for global location in the travel industry. The vision of Rezidor SAS Hospitality was to become a leading company in the hospitality sector and offer a choice of top-quality hotel brands in a variety of market segments.

Another major step in this direction was taken in September 2002, when Kurt Ritter, President & CEO of Rezidor SAS Hospitality, signed a further strategic agreement with Carlson Hotels Worldwide. As a result, Rezidor also became a strong partner for the Park Inn, Country Inn and Regent brands in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. In June 2005, Rezidor SAS Hospitality completed the strategic agreement with US-based Carlson Hotels Worldwide, which resulted in an enhancement of their long-time franchise partnership into a shareholder agreement. Carlson Hotels acquired a 25 percent shareholding in Rezidor SAS from SAS Group in return for renegotiated commercial terms of the parties’ current Master Franchise Agreement. On November 28, 2006 Rezidor went public and changed its name into The Rezidor Hotel Group. The company is listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange. Carlson Companies is the biggest share holder. Rezidor has signed a worldwide license agreement with the Italian fashion house Missoni, to develop and operate a lifestyle hotel brand of the same name: Hotel Missoni.

Rezidor means a world of inovative hospitality.

The Rezidor Hotel Group is one of the fastest growing hotel companies in the world. Doing things differently from other companies in the hospitality sector is a key factor behind our success. We pride ourselves to be non-conformists and actively participate in driving change in our industry. Interacting with stakeholders is noexception to this, and communicating in non-traditional ways has become something of a tradition for us.

Understanding the operating environment and having the ability to adapt to new situations is always a prerequisite for success. Luckily for us our context is full of life – wonderful people, interesting challenges great ideas and exciting developments.