Worldhotels, the Germany-based hotel sales, marketing and distribution company, has been sold to a company in the US.
The deal will significantly expand the international portfolio of Florida-based Associated Luxury Hotels, which currently operates the Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI) brand – an independent sales and marketing representation company that mainly focuses on the North American MICE market.
Following the acquisition, Worldhotels will remain headquartered in Frankfurt. Its global portfolio, especially in Europe and Asia Pacific, will complement ALHI’s strong North American presence. Combined, the two companies will feature a collection of approximately 600 hotels comprising more than 200,000 rooms.
<div class="cls-under-content"></a> Tom Santora, Worldhotels’ new executive chairman
The financial terms of the agreement have not been disclosed.
“Bringing together these two highly respected and established companies enables us to better serve the evolving needs of our member hotels, resorts and emerging brands, plus their management and ownership groups,” said Associated Luxury Hotels’ chairman, David Gabri. “This combination will eventually greatly benefit the broad base of customers we serve in the meetings, convention and incentive, as well as the business travel and leisure travel sectors.”
ALHI and Worldhotels are now exploring ways of expanding their geographic reach, talent pool and market penetration, whilst remaining separate divisions. Associated Luxury Hotels’ chief commercial officer, Tom Santora, has also now become executive chairman of Worldhotels, while Geoff Andrew will continue as CEO.
