Global Hotel Groups Chart Strategic Expansion and Sustainability Focus

The worldwide hospitality sector is currently navigating a period of vigorous strategic expansion. Major operators, including Radisson Hotel Group and Continental Hotels Group, are signaling ambitious portfolio growth and transformation plans across key global markets.

Building on the momentum generated during a record-breaking 2024, Radisson Hotel Group is setting its sights high. The company aims to secure and open more than 210 new properties across the EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) and APAC (Asia-Pacific) regions by the close of 2025. According to Elie Younes, Executive Vice President and Global Chief Development Officer, this aggressive trajectory is designed to cultivate a portfolio perfectly attuned to the needs of contemporary business and leisure travelers.

In Europe, the Radisson Blu brand is actively solidifying its presence in the upscale segment by adding landmark properties. A notable example is The Medlock, situated at the Etihad Stadium campus of Manchester City Football Club in Manchester. Its debut is slated for late 2026, forming part of a substantial 300 million pound sterling campus expansion. Furthermore, the Radisson Blu CDG Airport Terminal Hotel in Paris is also scheduled for an imminent opening. France remains a strategically vital territory for the luxury Radisson Collection brand, evidenced by the recent opening of Cour des Loges Lyon and the forthcoming launch of the Banke Opera Paris hotel, expected in the third quarter of 2026.

The Radisson RED brand is also experiencing notable global uptake. Oslo recently welcomed the group's second hotel to achieve certified Net Zero status. The Radisson RED Oslo City Centre, which was repurposed from a former Park Inn by Radisson, has received certification from the independent body TÜV Rheinland, confirming its compliance with the 2040 Net Zero Methodology for Hotels. This property, housed in a building dating back to 1939, now operates entirely on renewable energy sources, including municipal district heating, effectively eliminating Scope 1 and 2 emissions. This marks the second such hotel in the group's portfolio, following the initial one opened in Manchester. Overall, Radisson Hotel Group has committed to achieving net-zero operations across its entire portfolio by 2050.

Simultaneously, Continental Hotels Group is undertaking a significant revitalization of its flagship assets in Nigeria. This includes major overhauls at the Lagos Continental Hotel (formerly the InterContinental) and the Abuja Continental Hotel (formerly the Sheraton). In a November 2025 interview with Forbes Africa, the group's General Manager, Karl Hala, expressed a clear ambition to "create African hospitality at its finest," blending world-class luxury with authentic local character.

The renovation at the Abuja Continental involves a substantial upgrade to its massive 2,500-seat conference center, alongside the introduction of a modern sports village featuring courts for tennis and pickleball, and a state-of-the-art fitness facility. Both Nigerian hotels are set to integrate cutting-edge technology, including WiFi 7 infrastructure—a first for the Nigerian hotel sector. This technological leap is designed to enhance guest connectivity significantly.

A cornerstone of the Nigerian group's strategy involves cultivating opportunities for young talent through its dedicated Continental Hotels Hospitality Academy. This initiative is bolstered by crucial partnerships with organizations such as UNICEF, GIZ, and the Ministry of Communications, ensuring structured career pathways for local residents. These comprehensive projects in Lagos and Abuja are clearly aimed at cementing Nigeria's standing as a primary hub for business and MICE tourism across West Africa. Collectively, these developments underscore a broader industry trend: leading hotel conglomerates are aggressively expanding their footprint while simultaneously embedding sustainability principles and local economic empowerment into their core operational frameworks.