At the International Hotel Investment Forum in Berlin earlier this year, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group formalized its name change to Radisson Hotel Group, in hopes of leveraging and maximizing its most recognizable core brand.
But Radisson Hotel Group, has gone through much more than just a name change in recent years. In 2016, the company was acquired by Chinese travel conglomerate HNA Group. Just a year ago, John Kidd left his position as president and COO of HNA Hospitality to take over the reins at Rezidor from Wolfgang Neumann. The conference, then, introduced Kidd to the industry at large in his new role, and gave him a chance to share his plans for the shifting company. Kidd talked about competition, HNA’s plans for Radisson Hotel Group and what niches the renamed company can still fill in the industry.