Mumbai: Sofitel, the esteemed French luxury hotel brand managed by the Accor Group in India, is poised to make significant strides by acquiring 10 or more prime luxury destinations across the country.
The strategic move involves Sofitel collaborating with the Accor Group to form a joint venture for this ambitious property acquisition.
Globally, Sofitel boasts a portfolio of 120 hotels, with 40 of its properties situated in the Asia Pacific region. In Mumbai, the firm has already established one upscale property, alongside two additional hotels slated to commence operations by 2017.
Currently employing a workforce of 5,000 in India, Sofitel anticipates that this number could potentially double following the acquisition of new properties.
The luxury brand is strategically targeting over 10 properties in India to bolster its presence in this rapidly growing economy within the next few years. Cities that are earmarked for expansion include major metropolitan areas like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Goa, and Bangalore.
With a brand ethos rooted in luxury, Sofitel prides itself on elegance and sophistication in its premier hotels and resorts. The brand's aspiration to acquire land is matched by a commitment to initiate construction projects as expeditiously as possible.
However, the company faces considerable challenges in India, particularly with the complex licensing requirements for its operations and the pervasive shortage of skilled labor, which have posed significant hurdles to its business endeavors.