NEWS IN BRIEF
Check-Inn unveils new business hotel concept
A new select-service brand called Check-Inn Hotels has launched in India with the opening of the first property, a 43-key hotel in New Delhi. Check-Inn’s business model includes the outsourcing of all back-of-house operations, including food and beverage production, housekeeping, and security.
Best Western targets 100 hotels in India by 2017
Best Western International expects to have 100 hotels in India by 2017, mainly in the budget segment. There are currently 18 Best Western- affiliated hotels open in the country, comprising about 1,000 guestrooms. Eleven additional properties are in the pipeline.
The Gateway signs new hotel in Shimla
The Gateway Hotel and Resorts has signed The Gateway Hotel Theog, Shimla in one of India’s most popular tourist destinations. The 70-room hotel is being developed in association with Messrs Mahamaya Infrastructure Private Limited.
Hilton Worldwide to triple operating assets by 2012
Hilton Worldwide and Eros Group have signed a management agreement for a Hilton Hotels & Resorts and a DoubleTree by Hilton in New Delhi, India. Says Christopher J. Nassetta, President and CEO, Hilton Worldwide: “We are focusing a significant amount of our development efforts in the Asia Pacific region – with 112 hotels and 32,916 rooms
in the pipeline. We foresee phenomenal opportunities in India. We are expanding rapidly and will more than triple our presence in the country in the next two years – from four trading hotels to a total of 14, including these two properties signed with Eros Resorts & Hotels.”
Name: Garrett Robbins Job Title: Senior Designer Company: Rockwell Group Europe
Current projects: Taj Mahal Palace – guestrooms, spa/gym, and three new restaurants
MGM breaks ground in India
MGM Resorts International will debut in India with a 480-key hotel in New Delhi, set to open in early 2014. The opening of MGM Grand and Skylofts New Delhi will be part of a multiple-hotel development that the group will roll out in partnership with Silver Resort
‘Ambition 2015’
Carlson has announced plans to open 19 hotels in India by the end of 2011 across its four brands: Radisson, Country Inns & Suites By Carlson, Park Inn and Park Plaza. Carlson’s India expansion is part of the company’s ‘Ambition 2015’ strategy to grow its global portfolio by at least 50% to more than 1,500 hotels by 2015.
Radisson
Properties in operation: 15 Contracted pipeline: 25
Country Inns & Suites
By Carlson Properties in operation: 10 Contracted pipeline: 13
Park Plaza
Properties in operation: 6 Contracted pipeline: 13
Park Inn
Properties in operation: 3 Contracted pipeline: 3
Park Inn: 6 Park Plaza: 19
Country Inns & Suites by Carlson: 23
Radisson: 40
Hotel India Private Limited – a company promoted by Blue Coast Hotels Limited. The property will be managed by the company’s nongaming MGM Hospitality division.
How do you see the hotel industry in India developing? Very fast, with standards raising the bar all the time. The Indian culture values good design, which can be a reinterpretation of colonial British, or more often, a new contemporary vision of India. Many Indian people are returning to their own country after years of living abroad and with that new alliances are possible between European and American firms who want to share their designs with India.
What is the biggest challenge to working in India? India is still working with a lack of infrastructure, and is very bureaucratic, so getting decisions made is difficult. Add to that the notion that Indians do not like to say ‘no’ and you have a real challenge on your hands. You also really have to follow every step of the process, and it helps to physically be there as often as possible during the construction. Otherwise, all sorts of surprises greet you when you arrive at the end of the project.
What tips can you offer others for success? Talk to the client face-to-face as much as possible, it’s the best way to get inside the Indian heart and mind. And have patience!
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