
The Spanish hotel group, Barcelo Hotels & Resorts, announced the signature of a franchise agreement with the Chinese operator Plateno. The aim is to develop about 100 units within 10 years in China.
The Barcelo-Plateno agreement enables the Spanish company to take advantage of Plateno's 80 million-member loyalty program and Plateno to operate in China under Barcelo's name.
"Our aim is to reach a minimum of 100 properties within 10 years, in tourist areas and urban areas alike. Negotiation procedures are underway and agreements with the first franchisee could be confirmed during the second half of 2016," said Raul Gonzalez, Chief Executive EMOA at Barcelo Hotels, regarding the group's ambitions in China.
As of January 1, 2016, Barcelo Hotels & Resorts operated 105 hotels, representing 32,547 rooms. Plateno was created on 2005 and is known for 7 Days Inn, its flagship brand. The operator has undertaken a merger absorption procedure with the Chinese group Jin Jiang International, which would make the resulting company the fifth hotel group worldwide according to data published by Hospitality-On.
Plateno Group already signed a similar agreement with the French group, Paris Inn, to guarantee the development of the boutique-hotel brand, Maison Albar, with an even more ambitious aim consisting in the creation of about one hundred hotels in China and another hundred in the rest of the world.
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