Sol Melia rebrands as Melia Hotels International

Spanish hotel chain Sol Melia has changed its name to Melia Hotels International, marking the start of a new era for the company.

Now in its 55th year, the hotel group plans to focus on globalisation in 2012 and beyond, expanding with new properties in regions such as Asia Pacific.

Gabriel Escarrer, CEO and founder of Sol Melia, said the aim in changing the brand was to ensure it more accurately reflected the company’s “actual structure and diverse portfolio.”

In addition, he said, it will provide “coherence and competitiveness” to the hotel group’s future strategy for global growth.

According to Escarrer, global expansion between 2008 and 2010 had been the hotel group’s “main lifeline” in lasting through the recession.

During the three-year period, it added or signed 78 new hotels, growing its profits from outside Spain from 57% to 77% of the total.

Melia Hotels International aims to “earn a position amongst the world's leading hotel companies and be seen as a world leader in excellence, responsibility and sustainability,” said Escarrer.

For more information visit meliahotelsinternational.com

Report by Sara Turner