Carlson Rezidor to open 16 hotels across India by end of 2017

New Delhi: Betting big on India, Global hospitality major Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group is planning to set up 16 more hotels across the country by the end of next year.

At present, Carlson Rezidor has 76 operational hotels in the country spanning from the midscale to upper upscale segments.

"We expect to open 16 hotels at a minimum by end of 2017 as part of our expansion plans in India," Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group President Asia Pacific Thorsten Kirschke told PTI.

India is most the important market and by far the biggest market for us in the Asia Pacific, he added.

"Going forward the company will see increased development pace in India for the Park Inn by Radisson and Country Inn and Suites brands," Kirschke said.

This would be mainly because the company sees stronger increase for these two brands in the secondary and tertiary markets across India, which are the next target markets. The company is already present in almost all state capitals in the country, he said.

The price point of "our midscale brands is probably the best match for investors, developers alike and on the other hand disposable income of emerging and growing middle class", Kirschke said.

Though the company will further cement its leadership position in the state capitals the focus will clearly be on the tier-II and tier-III cities as engines of growth, he added.

The upcoming 16 hotels will be in locations such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, Srinagar, Coimbatore, Pune, Kota, Delhi NCR, Chandigarh and Jammu among others.

The company will also be launching its Radisson Red hotel next year in Mohali, Kirschke said.

"India is primarily a domestic travel market, increase in household income and emerging middle class will naturally lead to increase in domestic travel and rise in demand for affordable accommodation as entire economy of India is becoming stronger", he added.

When asked the business model the company will follow in India, Kirschke said: "It will be mainly the management contract model. We follow the asset light model."

Carlson Rezidor's current portfolio includes more than 1,400 hotels in operation and under development with a footprint spanning over 115 countries and territories.

It owns global brands such as Quorvus Collection, Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson Red, Park Plaza, Park Inn by Radisson and Country Inns & Suites by Carlson.