Our Heritage
Introduction
Radisson Hospitality AB's debut - The Royal Copenhagen in Denmark, created together with the legendary Arne Jacobsen, was hailed as the world’s first designer hotel. This auspicious start marked the beginning of a collection of landmark properties and innovative designs that would define Radisson Hospitality AB with its dynamic portfolio of brands and hotels.
Intro
1960
- First hotel - SAS Royal Hotel, Copenhagen: created by Arne Jacobsen, hailed as the world's original designer hotel
1960
1970
- Radisson Hospitality AB's debut - The Royal Copenhagen in Denmark, created together with the legendary Arne Jacobsen, was hailed as the world’s first designer hotel. This auspicious start marked the beginning of a collection of landmark properties and innovative designs that would define Radisson Hospitality AB with its dynamic portfolio of brands and hotels.
1970
1980
- First hotel outside Scandinavia - Radisson SAS Hotel, Kuwait
1980
1989
- Kurt Ritter appointed President & Chief Executive Officer of SAS International Hotels (SIH)
- Head Office moves from Oslo to Brussels
- Radisson Hospitality AB puts in place a detailed Environmental Policy for the group
1989
1993
- Project Win - a significant cost saving programme
1993
1994
- SIH SIH signs first Master Franchise Agreement with Carlson Hospitality Worldwide and creates Radisson SAS
1994
1995
- Launch of "Yes I Can!" service philosophy
1995
1996
- Launch of Radisson SAS Management School
1996
1997
- First hotel company to go asset-light, divesting real estate to focus on hotel management
1997
1999
- Entry into Africa with the opening of Radisson SAS Hotel Waterfront, Cape Town
1999
2000
- 100 hotels in successful operation - joining the big league!
- Joint Venture with MWB to operate Malmaison hotels: 6 hotels in operation and 3 under development in the UK
- Launch of Mentor Mentee Programme to develop future General Managers from within
2000
2001
- Launch of a complete, group-wide Responsible Business programme
2001
2002
- Another Master Franchise Agreement with Carlson to develop and operate Country Inn, Park Inn & Regent hotels in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA)
2002
2005
- Carlson buys 25% shares in Radisson Hospitality AB from SAS
2005
2006
- Radisson Hospitality AB is listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange. Carlson stake increases to 35%
- A new name, a new era - The Radisson Hospitality AB
2006
2007
- Carlson becomes the largest shareholder with 42%
- SAS divests all stakes in Radisson Hospitality AB
2007
2008
- 2nd largest pipeline in Europe
- Largest international hotel operator in Russia & CIS
2008
2009
- Radisson SAS becomes Radisson Blu
- Park Inn ranks highest on J.D. Power and Associates European Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study
- Radisson Hospitality AB opens Europe's largest Wine Tower at Radisson Blu Hotel, Zurich Airport
- First Hotel Missoni opens in Edinburgh to great acclaim
2009
2010
- Radisson Blu becomes the Largest Upscale Hotel Brand in Europe, as per MKG
- Park Inn becomes Park Inn by Radisson
- Radisson Hospitality AB celebrates 50 years Golden Jubilee together with Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Copenhagen
- Radisson Hospitality AB named one of the Most Ethical Companies of the World by Ethisphere Institute
2010
2012
- Launch of strategic partnership with Carlson Hotels to create the Carlson Radisson Hospitality AB
- Launch of Think Planet, designed to reduce our energy consumption by 25% over the next 5 years
- Creation of two new innovative Meetings & Events Concepts: Experience Meetings for Radisson Blu and Smart Meetings for Park Inn by Radisson
- After 36 years with the company, Radisson Hospitality AB's President and CEO, Kurt Ritter, announces his retirement, naming COO Wolfgang M. Neumann as his successor.
- The Carlson Radisson Hospitality AB named as Hotel Group of the Year at the Worldwide Hospitality Awards 2012 in Paris
- Radisson Hospitality AB's new corporate website is ranked the 2nd best in Europe Travel & Leisure sector, measured against 766 other major European companies by KWD Webranking
- Radisson Hospitality AB celebrates our most successful ever Responsible Business Month. 260 plus Carlson Radisson Hospitality AB raised more than 130,000 EUR cash and gave 310,000 EUR in kind for charity organisations
- Kurt Ritter receives an amazing third Lifetime Achievement Award at the European Hospitality Awards 2012. He is also made a member of the British Travel Industry Hall of Fame
- Launch of new Performance Management Process to help us ensure development from within and increase our organisational effectiveness
- Radisson Royal Hotel, Moscow is named as Europe's Leading Luxury Business Hotel for a second year at the highly prestigious World Travel Awards
2012
2013
- Wolfgang M Neumann takes over as Radisson Hospitality AB President and CEO
- Major announcement of a whole new, dynamic vision for Radisson Hospitality AB - 4D! DEVELOP talent; DELIGHT guests; DRIVE revenue, cost optimisation and profitable growth and DELIVER results!
- Club Carlson becomes the first hotel loyalty program to commit to global carbon offsetting initiative
2013
2014
- Together with Carlson, Radisson Hospitality AB introduces the new global brands Quorvus Collection (luxury) and Radisson RED (lifestyle select)
- Creation of Radisson Hospitality AB's first employee value proposition "Our Promise"
- Radisson Hospitality AB launches "Women in Leadership" initiative with the target to increase the percentage of female leaders to 30%
2014
2015
- Radisson Hospitality AB reaches the milestone of 100,000+ rooms in operation and under development across EMEA
- Wolfgang M. Neumann appointed Chairman of the International Tourism Partnership (ITP)
- Radisson Hospitality AB signs UN Women’s Empowerment Principles and partners with Girls20 in support of gender equality and women in leadership
- Park Inn by Radisson partners with renowned street artist Joel Bergner to protect youth at risk
2015
2016
- World’s first Radisson RED opens in Brussels, Belgium
- Radisson Hospitality AB enters economy segment with acquisition of 49 percent stake in prizeotel
- HNA Tourism Group Co., Ltd. Acquires Carlson Hotels and becomes Radisson Hospitality AB's majority shareholder
- HNA Tourism Group Co., Ltd. (“HNA”) announces a mandatory public offer to acquire all shares in Radisson Hospitality AB
2016
2017
- In May, Federico J. González takes over as Radisson Hospitality AB President and CEO.
2017
