Carlson companies bolters commitment to luxury with launch of global Regent brand for hotels and cruises
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Carlson companies bolters commitment to luxury with launch of global Regent brand for hotels and cruises
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Category: Worldwide
This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2006-03-08
"Personalized Luxury" Reflected In Seamless Ship-To-Shore Operations With Regent Hotels and Re-Named Cruise Line
New York, NY, March 7, 2006 – Signaling its enduring commitment to the luxury business and its Regent brand, Carlson Companies, one of the world's leading hospitality, travel and marketing companies, today announced an evolutionary step: the merger of Regent Hotels and Radisson Seven Seas Cruises under its global Regent banner.
The move embodies the acclaim of both Regent Hotels and Radisson Seven Seas Cruises in delivering the highest levels of luxury and service through personalized experiences including immersion in local cultures based on the interests of their guests.
The new global Regent brand will encompass Regent Hotels and Radisson Seven Seas Cruises, which will change its name to Regent Seven Seas Cruises with immediate effect, reflecting its alignment with Regent Hotels, born in Asia and legendary for service.
The re-branding of the cruise line – which has earned a well-deserved reputation for distinguished luxury cruising since its inception in 1992 – also signals the continued upgrading of amenities throughout the fleet. Regent Hotels, with its growing portfolio of luxury properties around the world, was acquired by the Carlson Companies in 1997.
Joining in this announcement at the Asia Society in New York today were Marilyn Carlson Nelson, chairman and CEO of Carlson, Curtis Nelson, president and COO, Jay Witzel, president and CEO of Carlson Hotels Worldwide and CEO of Carlson Cruises Worldwide plus other top Carlson executives. "We're delighted to unveil our exciting new vision for – in fact, our ongoing commitment to – luxury under the global Regent brand," Marilyn Carlson Nelson said.
She added, "We've achieved a lasting reputation for luxury with Radisson Seven Seas, whose ships are consistently ranked in the very top tier of the world's best ships by authorities on luxury travel and by our own guests, who are experts in their own right. Having earned their praise, we feel the time is right to align our renowned vessels with our Regent International Hotels, which are universally acclaimed for ultra luxury."
"Like any brand builders seeking to delight our guests, we started by asking them what they want in a luxury experience," added Jay Witzel. "Our conversations with this passionate group of affluent travelers have guided our development of The Regent ExperienceSM, whose signature is luxury that appeals to all the senses, and the high degree of customization we afford our guests based on their passions and interests.
"We expect the global Regent brand to play a significant role in Carlson's future growth. And in keeping our guests at the heart of this strategy of creating handcrafted luxury experiences, we're staying true to the rich heritage of Regent," he said.
An Integrated Regent Experience, From Ship to Shore
"By aligning our ships and hotels, we're able to create a seamless integration of ship-to-shore experiences, giving our guests such options as pre- and post-cruise hotel stays in Regent Hotels around the world and special benefits across brands to reward their loyalty," he continued.
"We're excited to open up this new horizon of personalized luxury. In providing our guests with the settings and the means to explore and experience the world's destinations their own way, we're engaging more deeply in one of the most vibrant segments in hospitality and travel. We're committed globally to the ultra luxury segment as potentially one of the most rewarding opportunities for growth," he added.
Witzel also noted that brand governance for Regent will operate out of the existing cruise company headquarters in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The management team – supported by Carlson headquarters in Minneapolis – will work in tandem with Carlson's partners in the global theater.
Personalized Luxury Rooted In Asia
With its ownership of the Regent hotel brand since 1997, Carlson is expanding the luxury brand all over the world. With eight properties now in the Regent portfolio – from the Regent Beverly Wilshire in the U.S. to the new Regent in Shanghai – nine additional Regent properties are in development around the world, including South Beach, Bal Harbour, Winter Park, Boston, Beijing, Bangkok, Ningbo, Kuwait and Budapest.
Regent traces its history to Asia, with the brand's original flagship property in Hong Kong earning global acclaim for its personal touch and unmatched standards of luxury and service in the finest traditions of Asian hospitality. Regent was the first luxury hotel chain to showcase a sumptuous bathroom oasis in every one of its guest rooms – a touch mirrored in the suite design décor of the Regent Seven Seas fleet.
World class hospitality, personalized service and immersion in local cultures continue to be key components of The Regent Experience today and will be incorporated as central motifs in the products and services offered by the global Regent brand on ship and shore.
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