Following the established tradition of exchanges between Rezidor and Carlson, Martin Rinck, EVP & Chief Development Officer -  The Rezidor Hotel Group, has been appointed President and MD of Carlson Hotels Worldwide Asia Pacific.

His successor is Puneet Chhatwal, Vice President Business Development. "Martin Rinck is progressing his career to take on new challenges", says Kurt Ritter, President & CEO of The Rezidor Hotel Group, "I'm delighted that he will work in such an exciting market. Martin is a leading contributor to our success story, and we wish him all the best."

Rinck joined Rezidor in 2003 and has been in charge of the Business Development team responsible for the group's strategic growth across EMEA. In emerging markets such as Russia and the CIS he established Rezidor as the most successful pioneer of the industry.

Under Puneet Chhatwal's management, Rezidor's development team will continue this aggressive growth. Following Rinck's tenure as Chief Development Officer, the group - which today features 300 hotels in operation and under development with more than 61.000 rooms - will open 20.000 additional rooms between 2007 and 2009. Chhatwal succeeds Rinck as Senior Vice President & Chief Development Officer.

The 43-year old German of Indian origin has been an integral part of Rezidor's Business Development since 2002. As Vice President Business Development he has been the driving force behind numerous projects – i.e. Rezidor's growth in the UK and Ireland from eight to 60 hotels in just four years.

Prior to his engagement for Rezidor he was Director of Development for Carlson Hotels Worldwide in Germany. "Puneet Chhatwal knows our company from the inside – and the direction we want to go", comments Kurt Ritter. "Rezidor is known for its strategy to promote excellent and promising people from within, and Puneet is a very good example."