Nickelodeon to launch kid-friendly hotels

US global mass media company Viacom is expanding its hotel licensing business to leverage its kid-friendly brand Nickelodeon to attract families.

The company will license the Nickelodean brand to Miami developer Karisma Hotels & Resorts for a collection of properties called Nickelodeon Hotels, as reported by USA Today.

The properties will feature popular Nickelodeon characters, including SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

The first property in the collection, scheduled to open in 2016, will be Nickelodeon Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, with a Mexico hotel to follow.

Viacom has already licensed the Nickelodeon brand to Azul Hotels, also run by Karisma. The hotels will unveil the Nickelodeon Experience later this year.

Marriott International also licensed the Nickelodeon brand for a similar project in 2007, however the companies parked these plans during the global economic downturn.

Viacom also has hospitality licensing deals with Norwegian Cruise Line and Nickelodeon Suites Resort in Orlando.

Shares of Viacom rose 1.4% to $70.70 Monday.