Sol Melia SA, the largest hotelier of Spain headquartered on Palma de Mallorca, has changed its name. From now the company will be named Melia Hotels International. Basically, the hotelier got rid of the word “Sol” and added “International” to its name. This is done to underline the growing international activity of the company and make it sound closer to the main brand of Sol Melia – Melia Hotels & Resorts.
The company’s CEO Gabrial Escarrer states the new name combines the heritage of the old name and its years of experience, staff and service culture with prospects of the company and its ambitions concerning the global outlook and international expansion.
Together with the renewed name the company has presented its strategic plan for 2012-2014. The core strategic areas and internal structure of the company have not changed. However, Melia Hotels has slightly changed its main targets, paying more attention to Asia Pacific and real estate areas.
Melia Hotels International executive vice president of marketing Luis del Olmo states this is just the first step of the revitalization of the company. Melia Hotels has ambitious plans of becoming one of the largest hotels’ chains in the world and this name will increase recognition on the global basis.
Sol Melia was founded in Palma de Mallorca in 1956. Currently the hotelier has over 350 accommodations in its portfolio with the total number of guestrooms reaching 87,000. The company runs business in 35 countries under such brands as Melia, Sol and Paradisus, Gran Melia, ME, Tryp by Wyndham, and Innside.