Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. (HOT) recently revealed that it remains on track to unveil 10 new Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts globally in the near term. The company has properties coming up in countries like China, India, Indonesia and Thailand. We view the White Plains, New York-based company’s focus on enhancing luxury as quite strategic. Of its total pipeline of 95,000 rooms, 80% occupies the upper upscale and luxury segments. According to management, the extremely high net worth individuals were less affected by the global recession and increased by almost 30% since 2006. Hence, management plans to attract those guests. Moreover, increased room rates lead to higher fees and eventually to a monetarily enriched portfolio. Management stated that, at the current level, its luxury brands comprise 10% of
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