2001 was the seventh consecutive year of strong growth, in number of hotels and business volume for Radisson SAS, the Annual report 2001 of the chain shows. By the end of the year 152 hotels were in operation or under construction under the Radisson SAS brand in 38 countries. During 2001 system-wide Radisson SAS revenues – including owned, leased, managed and franchised hotels – reached TEUR 1 058 000, an increase of 5% over 2000. During the year Radisson SAS strengthened its market position further, with 20 new hotels branded or signed to be branded Radisson SAS. Expanding its home markets from the Scandinavian base to the rest of Europe, Middle East and selected resorts in Africa is the basic market strategy for Radisson SAS.
The good results came in a year, when travel-related business was hampered by the events of September 11 and the smaller proportion of US related business in general. Another quite important feature is the change in the name of SAS International Hotels to Rezidor SAS Hospitality. The change is driven by the fact that a new brand was added in 2001 – The Malmaison. Thus, Rezidor SAS consists of Radisson SAS and Malmaison. Radisson SAS Hotels & Resorts currently includes 110 hotels in operation and 37 hotels under development in 37 countries and is the sole franchisor in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa for Radisson Hotels & Resorts.