Brussels-based Rezidor Hotel Group, the hotel company that manages and develops Carlson Hotels' brands in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, this month announced a strategy designed to boost revenues and profits through 2015. Rezidor deputy president and CFO Knut Kleiven recently spoke with Business Travel News lodging editor Michael B. Baker about the specifics of the plan and the role business travel will play in it.

Carlson Wagonlit Travel claims to have recorded 40 percent growth in sales volume this year for its Meetings & Events division, including a doubling of business in France, Germany, Brazil, the United Kingdom and the United States. Hervé Joseph-Antoine, CWT vice president for meetings and events in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, said the company's meetings division hired 200 people this year as business improved "by two to three times the rate of GDP." He spoke to BTN contributing editor Amon Cohen about the reasons for improvement, indications of more cautious spending ahead and accelerating adoption of meetings technology in Europe.

Doha, Qatar - Marriott International this week celebrated the opening of its City Center project here, a two-tower hotel complex that includes a Renaissance, a Courtyard and a Marriott Executive Apartments property. Mark Satterfield, Marriott's COO for the Middle East and Africa, at the event spoke with Business Travel News hotel editor Michael B. Baker about the region's business travel projections and Marriott's plans to double its presence here by 2017.