WSJ : Carlson Exploring Strategic Options for its Hotel Company and Radisson Bra Carlson Exploring Strategic Options for its Hotel Company and Radisson Brands http://on.wsj.com/20hsJP2 Options could include a partnership, merger or sale of the company Carlson, the owner of Radisson and other hotel brands that are part of Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, is exploring strategic alternatives for the hotel company that could include a partnership, merger or sale of the company, according to people familiar with the matter. The parent, a privately held hospitality and travel company based in Minnetonka, Minn., has asked its regular banker, Morgan Stanley, to run this process, these people said. Part of the hotel company, known as Rezidor Hotel Group, has shares that trade in Stockholm. That is a reflection of its Swedish roots when it was part of the SAS Group, owner of Scandinavian Airlines. Carlson Rezidor has more than 1,100 hotels and nearly 174,000 rooms world-wide, according to data tracker STR Inc., making it one of the world’s largest hotel companies. Its brands include the flagship Radisson business hotels, and its offshoots, Radisson Blu and Radisson Red, which are more design-oriented hotels. Carlson Rezidor also owns Country Inns and Suites. The parent also owns Carlson Wagonlit Travel, a business travel management firm. After a long dormant period, merger and acquisition activity has been heating up in the hospitality industry. Last year, hotel deals had a total value of $25.7 billion, the most since 2007. The year was highlighted by Marriott International Inc.’s $12.2 billion agreement to buy Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. The deal, which would create a company with more than one million rooms and 30 brands, is expected to close at midyear. Large hotel companies turn to deals as the quickest way to plug a hole in their brand portfolios. Many also view scale as critical to competing globally and for negotiating the best terms with online travel agents. So far this year, M&A activity has been relatively muted given wild swings in the stock market.