Freshfields has acted as international legal counsel for Carlson Hospitality Group Inc., the global hospitality and travel company, on the sale of Carlson Hotels Inc. to HNA Tourism Holding Co., Ltd.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP (Freshfields) has acted as international legal counsel for Carlson Hospitality Group Inc., the global hospitality and travel company, on the sale of Carlson Hotels Inc. (Carlson Hotels) to HNA Tourism Holding (Group) Co., Ltd (HNA Tourism).

Carlson Hotels currently owns the Quorvus Collection, Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson RED, Park Plaza, Park Inn by Radisson, Country Inns & Suites by Carlson brands and the Club Carlson global hotel rewards program.

The buyer, HNA Tourism, is a Chinese Fortune Global 500 company that has operations across the aviation, tourism, hospitality, finance and digital sectors, amongst others.

The deal includes the acquisition of Carlson Hotels’ 51.3 per cent majority stake in Rezidor Hotel Group AB, Carlson Hotels’ master licensee based in Brussels with properties across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions and is expected to be completed during the second half 2016.

The Freshfields team was led in New York by partner Peter Lyons and senior associate Justin Rosenberg, and in London by partner Stephen Hewes.