International. The increase in management and franchise contracts was key to the growth of the Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide hotel chain during 2014. To the 74 new properties in 26 different countries that the company added to its portfolio, 175 new management and franchise contracts were added.
The above figure represents an increase in this area of 15% for the company and the fifth consecutive year in which they report an increase in this type of contracts.
Emerging markets performed best, according to Simon Turner, starwood's president of global development. "The growth focus was maintained last year across the company's nine brands and looking ahead, emerging markets remain the main focus," he said.
As for future plans, the chain said it expects to open more than 25 hotels of its luxury brands, St. Regis, The Luxury Collection and W Hotels, in the next two years, of which 10 will be opened during 2015.
