Subway to expand in Ireland and other international news

Subway to expand in Ireland
Sandwich chain Subway plans to double the number of outlets in Ireland, both in the Republic and Northern Ireland over the next three years. The group aims to aim to have 250 stores in the region by the end of 2010. The growth in outlet numbers would be split, with around 38 added in Northern Ireland and 100 in the Republic of Ireland. The rate of expansion is expected to quicken in Ireland following on from the merger of two of Subway's largest franchise holders in the country, a step that saw the formation of the Fresh4U Group. The Fresh4U Group said that it would be targeting towns with a population of more than 14,000, with sites in food courts and shopping centres likely to provide particularly attractive opportunities for the company.

Marriott launches Courtyard by Marriott in Hong KongMarriott International is to launch its Courtyard by Marriott brand in Hong Kong this year with the opening of the Courtyard by Marriott Hong Kong. The 245-room will be located on a harbour-front site in the Sai Ying Pan district on Hong Kong Island. It will feature 49 executive-level guest rooms with access to an exclusive executive lounge and conference room as well as an all-day casual restaurant. Additional amenities will include a fitness and a business centre. The Marriott International portfolio in Hong Kong currently includes the JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong, the Renaissance Harbour View Hotel, the Renaissance Kowloon Hotel, and The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Hong Kong.

Rosewood to open hotel in DubaiRosewood Hotels & Resorts is to launch a new hotel in Dubai with the opening of the Rosewood Dubai in 2009. Housed within the Dubai International Finance Centre, the 157-room property will include two fine-dining venues, a ballroom, business centre and a spa with a rooftop pool and fitness centre. Rosewood Hotels & Resorts president and chief executive officer John M. Scott said: "We are delighted to announce our first project in Dubai and we are excited to be working with Daman and JMJ Hospitality on this stunning project The location of Rosewood Dubai itself within Dubai International Financial Centre aligns well with our strategy of placing Rosewood hotels and resorts in key business and leisure destinations."

Rezidor enters Spain The Rezidor Hotel Group launched its first property in Spain with the opening of the Radisson SAS El Marques Resort & Spa in Mijas. The property is located in an urban development between Marbella and Málaga on the country's Costa del Sol. The hotel features 105 luxury suites with one, two or three bedrooms (55 to 156sq m), a fully equipped kitchenette and a private terrace or balcony. The property also features a number of dining outlets as well as three swimming pools, a 600sq m spa, and a gym. The hotel also offers a fully equipped business centre including two meeting rooms which can also be booked for private lunches or dinners.

By Kerstin Kühn

E-mail your comments to Kerstin Kühn](mailto:kerstin.kuhn@rbi.co.uk?subject=Worldwide briefing) here.