From this month, Rezidor SAS Hospitality, one of the world's leading hospitality management companies, will begin managing the Golden Arch Hotels at Zurich Airport and Lully/Estavayer Le Lac.

Both establishments will be integrated into Rezidor SAS' Park Inn Group and operate in the near future under this brand. During the next few months, Rezidor SAS and Urs Hammer, 56, who was the creative force behind the idea of the Golden Arch Hotels, will explore the possibility of developing an international chain of Golden Arch Hotels positioned in the 'budget hotel' segment.

In Spring 2001, the Zurich-based Golden Arch Hotel became the world's first McDonald's hotel. This innovative hotel concept attracted worldwide public attention.

Initial experience gained with both prototypes - the second Golden Arch Hotel was opened in Lully, Fribourg in 2001 - has further demonstrated the attractive potential of this concept in the 'budget' hotel sector which is expected to have the greatest growth in the hotel industry in the next few years.

The Rezidor SAS Group and Urs Hammer are therefore exploring a business model for international development of the Golden Arch concept in this category of economically-priced budget hotels.