Ritz-Carlton has announced a major expansion and development initiative in which it plans to add 36 hotels and residential projects from Morocco to Mexico, through 2016.

The hotel chain expects to bring the total number of properties in its portfolio to over 100 around the world by 2016.

This strategic plan will expand the brand to urban capitals and emerging tourist destinations, and represents an investment of more than $2 billion by owners.

“Throughout the world, especially in Asia and the Middle East, we expect to be the leading top tier luxury hospitality and lifestyle brand by 2016,” said Herve Humler, president and chief operations officer.

In the first quarter of 2011, The Ritz-Carlton opened three properties, including The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong - the world’s highest hotel, The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto and The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre.

By the end of the year, hotels including The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh, The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi Grand Canal, and The Ritz-Carlton Residences in Toronto and Singapore are scheduled to debut. 

This will be followed in 2012 by a number of anticipated new openings including Chengdu (China); Rancho Mirage (California); and an expansion of The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai. Two more residential projects are scheduled be added in Chicago and Montreal.

Also in 2012, The Ritz-Carlton, Montreal - an historic landmark in the city’s downtown - plans to become a “partner hotel.” Under this agreement, The Ritz-Carlton will provide sales and marketing support for the iconic, independent hotel.

The third Bulgari branded hotel is slated to open in London, joining two other locations in Milan and Bali.

By 2013, The Ritz-Carlton plans to be on the map at destinations including Aruba; Dorado Beach (Puerto Rico); Quy Nhon (Vietnam); Panama City (Panama) and Cairo. Branded residences are scheduled to open at North Hills, Nassau County (Long Island, New York); and Dorado Beach (Puerto Rico).

In 2014, The Ritz-Carlton plans to once again return to the island of Bali, with a resort at Sawangan. The Residences are slated to open in Bangkok (Thailand) and Similan Beach (Thailand). Four Reserve properties will open in Muscat, Similan Beach, (Thailand); San Jose del Cabo, (Mexico) and Tamuda Bay (Morocco). A third Japanese property is scheduled to open in the resort town of Kyoto (Japan.) A Ritz-Carlton hotel is slated to be built in Rabat (Morocco).

The next year, 2015, includes plans for a second location in Cairo at Palm Hills and Residences in Kuala Lumpur are also under development. This will be followed in 2016 with the anticipated opening of The Ritz-Carlton, Qingdao Green Town (China).

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company currently operates 75 hotels in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Caribbean. More than 30 hotel and residential projects are under development around the globe.-TradeArabia News Service