Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group reinforced its position as the leading and fastest-growing international hotel company in India following an exceptional year of rapid development. With 16 new deals and five hotel openings in India in 2013, Carlson Rezidor remains the number one international hotel operator in this market by number of hotels. Carlson Rezidor begins 2014 with 65 hotels in operation and 36 under development in India.
“We have established our leadership in this market over the last 15 years. By focusing on building strategic partnerships with hotel owners, we have accelerated our growth to deliver a record number of hotel signings in 2013. Our sustained growth in India will ensure our continued leadership in this important market,” said Simon C. Barlow, president, Asia Pacific, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group.
Carlson Rezidor anticipates the addition of new hotels as a result of its partnership with Bestech Hospitalities Pvt Ltd (Bestech). In fact, six hotel management agreements were executed in 2013, and the partnership is expected to deliver an additional 43 new-generation Park Inn® by Radisson hotels in north and central India during 2014.
At the same time, India is also the focal point for the roll-out of the next generation Country Inns & Suites By CarlsonSM brand. This growth is managed through Country Development and Management Services Private Limited (CDMS); a joint venture between Carlson and Chanakya Hotels Private Limited, which has successfully pioneered the brand in India.
The Carlson Rezidor team in India is led by Raj Rana, chief executive officer of Carlson Hotels (South Asia) Private Limited, and K.B. Kachru, chairman and the founder of Carlson Rezidor’s hotel business in India. Together, they have more than 40 years of hospitality experience.
“Our partnerships have put us on a path of phenomenal growth and we will continue to invest in our relationships with hotel owners and in our people, to ensure that we leverage our momentum and capture the emerging opportunities in this market. We have a strong India team in place, with more than 50 local professionals who have excellent networks and an in-depth understanding of the operating environment to take us to the next stage of growth. I am confident that the progress we have made over the last three years will allow us to further broaden our footprint in India,” added Simon.