Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) today announced plans for scaled growth of the Hyatt Regency brand on the Balkan Peninsula. Following the brand’s market entries in Croatia and Albania, the latest project in Romania further strengthens the brand’s momentum in the region with five new Hyatt Regency hotels and resorts expected to open by 2027.

Hyatt Regency Aro Palace Brașov, which is being developed by Aro Palace S.A., will mark the brand’s entry into Romania. Brașov, located in the heart of the country, is a major economic hub and the base for various touristic attractions in the region. Originally opened in 1939 as the most luxurious hotel in the Transylvanian city, the iconic property will be fully refurbished and is expected to welcome guests, members and customers with up to 250 guestrooms in 2027.

“We are thrilled to bring the Hyatt Regency brand experience to this property in collaboration with Aro Palace S.A. The hotel has been an important part of Brașov’s history, and we look forward to the hotel serving the local community and foreign guests alike at this truly unique place,” said Takuya Aoyama, Vice President Development, Hyatt.

“We are confident that the stunning medieval towns and breathtaking nature of Romania will capture the interest of our World of Hyatt members and lead to further growth for Hyatt brands in the country.”

“Joining the Hyatt network will provide Aro Palace Brașov with access to world-class expertise and resources, connecting us with millions of travellers globally. Working with Hyatt offers significant benefits for our guests, our team, and the Brașov community. Together with Hyatt, we are excited to build on our tradition of hospitality and achieve new levels of excellence,” said Attila Joós, CEO Aro Palace.

The Hyatt Regency brand extends an open invitation to guests and members worldwide, offering a diverse portfolio from expansive resorts to dynamic urban centres. Rooted in an evolutionary spirit and committed to fostering community, Hyatt Regency hotels cater to leisure and business travellers, creating spaces inviting connection, inspiring relaxation, and delivering enriching experiences. Alongside Hyatt Regency Aro Palace Brașov (2027), Hyatt expects to add Hyatt Regency Zadar in Croatia (2025), Hyatt Regency Tirana in Albania (2026), Hyatt Regency Palase Resort & Spa in Albania (2027) and Hyatt Regency Novi Sad in Serbia (2027) strengthening Hyatt’s positioning in the region.

The anticipated growth builds on the brand’s EAME-wide portfolio, which includes recent openings such as Hyatt Regency Pravets Resort in Bulgaria and Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort in Montenegro, the first Hyatt Regency resort property in Europe, which opened in 2023.

Michel Morauw, the newly appointed Managing Director North, EAME, Hyatt said: “The pipeline in these markets is a core component of Hyatt’s growth ambitions in EAME. The expansion in this region with five Hyatt Regency properties in the next few years indicates our ambitious approach. Last year´s opening of the first Hyatt Regency resort and the successful rollout of our Inclusive Collection brands in Bulgaria demonstrate the future growth potential of our leisure and resort brand footprint along the Balkan Peninsula.” 

The announcement reflects Hyatt’s broader growth ambitions in EAME, building on a record year of deal signings in 2023 and the recently announced global acquisition of the brands and most of the affiliates of pioneering lifestyle company Standard International, the parent company of The Standard and Bunkhouse Hotels brands. Hyatt’s global pipeline stands at more than 135,000 rooms as of September 30, 2024, and is supported by a strong regional pipeline, spanning Hyatt’s distinct brand collections.

Global bathroom leaders have signed a landmark agreement to reduce billions of litres of waste water from toilets, taps, and showers worldwide.

At the same time they pledged to innovate and design new products to reduce the risk of potentially deadly bacteria like c.diff and ecoli spreading through using bathrooms.

The impact of both commitments will impact billions of lives around the world and minimise significant and existential threats to humanity.

Up to 400 million litres of water are wasted each day in the UK alone through leaky toilets, which adds up to a staggering 1.46 billion litres of water a year. Switching to a lower-flow shower can save up to 60 per cent of the water used.

And while one in five people don’t wash their hands after going to the loo, simply washing hands can hugely reduce the risk of bacterial infection.

Global Research on Antimicrobial Resistance states that more than 360 million lives have been lost to AMR since 1990.

The world’s top ten bathroom businesses discussed these issues and signed the declaration after a historic two-day summit at Windsor Castle, the private residence of the UK Royal Family.

They are calling on the global bathroom industry to follow their lead.

Bosses pledged to invest in research and development to develop more efficient toilets and showers, to clearly label products so homeowners can choose options which conserve water, and to lobby governments around the world for support to save water.

They have agreed to design and develop new products that reduce infection risks. This pledge will entail improving hand hygiene and reducing toilet plumes and biofilm growth. Examples include further development of touchless technologies, improvement of flushing systems, and surfaces that inhibit microbial growth.

Owners and executives of global bathroom giants Kohler, Fortune Brands Innovations, Hansgrohe SE, Ideal Standard/Villeroy & Boch, GWA Group, Norcros UK & Ireland, Kohler Mira, Roca Group, Thomas Dudley, Bristan, Sato and LIXIL and Lecico joined the summit.

The historic gathering was organised by the UK-based Bathroom Manufacturers Association.

BMA chief executive Tom Reynolds said the historic summit was so significant because it enabled the global industry to make a landmark commitment to address the critical issues which are existential threats to humanity.

He said: “Water is life. It’s needed by every living thing on the planet, yet climate change means that water scarcity is a growing problem even in wet countries like the UK.

“The situation becomes more complex and potentially more deadly because of the growing threat of bacteria which are not affected by antibiotics.

“Three years ago, we suffered a global pandemic. These resistant microbes represent a significant threat to humanity… without water, we can’t be hygienic, and here’s where our summit all comes together.

“The humble bathroom’s contribution to sanitation, hygiene and public health has saved millions of lives throughout history.

“This is the first time the world’s biggest manufacturers have come together, stepping up as a sector to agree to innovate, invest, research and develop products which deliver our mission.

“We’re taking water preservation and AMR to the next level, and as a sector, we will be following up regularly to measure the impact of this declaration.”