Global hospitality major Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group is focusing on the south and north-east regions of India for growth, the company’s South Asia head said.
In the south, it is eyeing religious places where demand for quality hotel rooms is high. It is also looking at having first-mover advantage in Tier II and Tier III cities which either have an airport or are connected through good roads.
“Globally India, China and Indonesia offer a vast opportunity for growth. But India has the most potential,” said Raj Rana, Chief Executive Officer, South Asia, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group. “We are now focusing on the south and north-east India. We are also looking for opportunities at religious places in the South.”
He was here to open Radisson Blu Resort & Spa Karjat, near Mumbai, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group’s 77th hotel in India. With this, Carlson’s Radisson Blu brand has 29 hotels and five more of these upscale hotels are to open by the end of this year.
Out of Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group’s seven brands, Radisson Blu, which is its core brand, has the highest number of properties in India and the 102- key Karjat property is its first Resort & Spa in the country, aimed at attracting international and domestic leisure and MICE traffic.
With 77 operational hotels and 41 more at various stages of construction, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group has emerged as the largest international player in India in terms of a number of hotels in a matter of 15 years.
Its brands include Quorvus Collection, Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson RED, Park Plaza, Park Inn by Radisson and Country Inns & Suites By CarlsonSM which is targeted at different categories.
“In 15 years we have grown to this size in India and plan to have 170 hotels by 2020. We are signing 14 to 15 new deals every year and commissioning 6 to 7 new ones a year. We are growing fast because we are flexible while dealing with hotel owners and we go to places where others fear to go,” Mr. Rana said.
All of Carlson’s brands other than the luxury chain Quorvus Collection are present in India. A couple of Radisson REDs which are under construction are scheduled to open shortly.
Mr Rana said he is looking to bring the top of the line Quorvus Collection hotel brand to India within two years.
