Global hotel chains betting big on India
Global hotel chains betting big on India

NEW DELHI: 'Global, as well as domestic hotel chains, including Hilton, Carlson Rezidor, Starwood, Kempinski, Bharat Hotels and InterGlobe, are betting big on India's long term potential as a tourist destination,' says a PTI report.

Many of them apparently indicated that they are adding more properties and rooms.

As the new government has made it abundantly clear that tourism and hospiality sector are on their top agenda, a renewed sense of optisism is visible in this sector. In particular, liberal visa regime, e-visas and specific funds for developing tourist destination have immensely supported this sector for a rapid growth.

"With the volatile economic environment and the depreciating rupee in the first half of the year the ride for the Indian hospitality sector was indeed a bumpy one," Dilip Puri, MD Starwood Hotels & Resorts, told PTI.

"We are seeing great momentum in India and continue to believe in the opportunities that lie for us" he said.

Echoing same sentiments, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group has said that it would have over 50 operational Park Inn by Radisson properties in India by 2024.

Similarly, Starwood Hotels & Resorts also has plans to have up to 65 operational properties by end of 2015 in India, reported PTI.

Interestingly, Starwood is likely to shift its global headquarters from the US to India next year for a month as the company seeks to enhance operations here.

Kempinski is also in process to operate three new hotels in India by 2020 in Kolkata, Mumbai and Kerala. At present, they are in negotiation process for the same.

StayWell Hospitality Group of Australia is planning to add 18 hotels in India by 2017. The group is planning to target mid and up-scale segments.

InterGlobe Hotels has already announced the opening of ibis Hotel in Delhi. It is planning to operate 19 ibis Hotels in India by 2016. 

India chain Bharat Hotels has opened Eastern Hotel in Kolkata and it also runs Lalit chain. The company is aggressively following its expansion plans in India.

In the meanwhile, global brand Hilton also expanding rapidly in India as it has opened its upscale, full-service hotel Hilton Bangalore Residences and one hotel in Jaipur.

Lemon Tree Hotel has plans to invest approximately Rs 4,500 crore to add 5,200 rooms across India in next four years.

The Leela Group also announced foray to outside India with plans to open hotels in Nepal. Tata group firm Indian Hotels Company Ltd has sought to raise Rs 1,000 crore.

All these developments and trends clearly indicate how much optimistic hospitality sector is on India's growth story in the coming years.

 
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