March 23, 2010
Currently, the Indian hospitality industry is emerging as an enticing investment prospect for many global hospitality companies. Numerous international hotel chains are setting their sights on India, drawn by the limited availability of hotel rooms, which presents substantial opportunities for growth.
Among the companies planning to enter the Indian market are Thailand’s Amari, Fairmont Raffles Hotels, US-based MGM Mirage Hospitality, Golden Tulip Hotels, Europe’s Corinthia Hotels group, and Movenpick Hotels and Resorts.
Industry estimates suggest that around 40 international hotels are expected to become operational in India over the next three years, encompassing upper-scale, middle-scale, economy, and budget options.
Amari, hailing from Thailand, is set to launch Amari India through a joint venture with Mandeep S. Lamba. With its inaugural property deal in Delhi scheduled for April 2010—anticipated to be operational by 2011—Amari is targeting Indian metros and tier-II cities for expansion. The company aims to establish seven hotels and resorts within the next 5-7 years, focusing on locations and developers in Delhi, Mumbai, and Goa.
MGM is also gearing up to unveil multiple hotels in Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kerala, Kolkata, NCR, Rajasthan, and Goa. Their plans involve introducing brands such as Bellagio, Skylofts, and MGM Grand into the Indian market.
Continuing to strengthen its presence in the subcontinent, Accor, alongside Four Seasons, is also expanding its footprint. Accor, which currently operates five hotels, intends to grow its network to 50 hotels with a total of 10,000 rooms across 15 cities by 2012.