Starwood Plans to Open 80 New Hotels in 2012

　　Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (HOT) said Monday that it plans to open an additional 80 new hotels in 2012, following last year"s addition of 81 new hotels around the globe.

　　Starwood said it opened 21,000 new hotel rooms around the world in 2011 - the largest organic growth in its history. Importantly, the company also signed 112 new hotel deals, the highest number of new deals since before the global economic crisis.

　　Turning to 2012, more than 60% of Starwood said its new hotels will be in the luxury and upper upscale segment including the 30th St. Regis hotel, the 80th Luxury Collection hotel and the 45th W hotel. In just four years Starwood has grown its luxury room count by 75% and will celebrate its 150th luxury hotel milestone this year under its St. Regis, Luxury Collection and W Hotels brands.

　　Starwood said it will open nearly 60% of its new hotels in Asia Pacific in 2012, driven by phenomenal demand. The addition of nearly 50 new Starwood hotels will increase the company"s portfolio in the region to 250 hotels by year"s end.

　　The company noted that China continues to lead its growth in Asia Pacific, accounting for nearly 35 of the company"s new hotel openings this year.

　　Additionally, Starwood said it is laying the groundwork for future hotel development in Brazil, which is poised for a surge in tourism in the run-up to the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics.

　　Starwood is also eyeing Africa as one of its next growth markets.