Carlson Hotels Worldwide announced that it has signed franchise or management agreements for more than 50 new properties in the first quarter of 2008. The new hotels and resorts span 19 countries, including one Regent hotel; 14 Radisson properties; two Rezidor managed Radisson hotels; 18 Country Inn & Suites By Carlsonsm properties; six Park Plaza hotels; and ten Park Inn locations. Carlson's worldwide portfolio currently totals 990 hotels with nearly 149,500 rooms in 71 countries. 

"We're seeing heightened engagement with our brands from developers and owners around the world which is a strong reinforcement of our global growth strategy of building solid relationships with key development partners to expand our brand presence in each global theater," said Jay Witzel, president and CEO of Carlson Hotels Worldwide.  "As we continue with this aggressive expansion throughout the year, we remain focused on providing our guests with the highest quality hotels and resorts in a wide variety of both leading and emerging destinations."

The following hotels have signed franchise or management agreements with Carlson Hotels Worldwide and are scheduled to open by 2010:

Regent Hotels & Resorts

Regent Hotels & Resorts signed one property in early 2008 with the Regent Manila Bay, Philippines. Opening fall 2009, The Regent Manila Bay will be part of a hotel-within-a-hotel development, offering five-star luxury accommodations within the Radisson Hotel Manila Bay.

Radisson Hotels & Resorts

Radisson Hotels & Resorts signed 14 properties in 10 countries including Thailand, Libya, Kenya, Canada and India.

Rezidor Managed Radisson Hotels & Resorts

Rezidor signed two new Radisson SAS Hotels & Resorts properties in the first quarter of 2008, including the Radisson SAS Olympic Hotel, Minsk, Belarus and Radisson SAS Hotel, Madrid Prado.

Country Inns & Suites By Carlson

Country Inns & Suites By Carlson signed 18 new properties, with ten in the U.S., seven in India and one in Canada.

Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts

Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts signed six new properties with two in India, two in China, one hotel in London and one hotel in Qatar.

Park Inn

Park Inn signed ten new properties in eight countries including Russia, Senegal, India and Germany.