Brand: AMARI
About the brand: The Amari group is from Thailand and has been in the business of hospitality since 1965. The theme of the group is ‘celebrating the colours and rhythms of modern Asia’ and thus, it concentrates on capturing the essence and culture of Asia within its brand.
The group currently operates 11-properties in Thailand and has expansion plans for its portfolio in countries such as China, Vietnam, Japan, Australia, the Middle East and India. The long-term plan is to operate over 50-hotels and resorts across Asia by 2018.
India Plan: Amari plans to enter India in a joint venture with Ten Hotels Pvt Ltd. The strategy is to launch the brand in Tier I and Tier II cities under management contracts, for at least seven hotels and resorts in the next five-to-seven years.
Brand: KEYS
About the brand: Berggruen Hotels is a global hospitality venture by a group of young and experienced professionals from India, backed by Berggruen Holdings. The Keys brand was launched in India by Berggruen Holdings Inc. in January 2007.
The company will focus on upscale, value-for-money and mid-market hotels, resorts and serviced apartments. Besides owning hotels, the company will leverage the operational and marketing capabilities of its team to run management and franchise contracts for hotel owners. The Keys brand targets the budget and mid-market hotel segment; these will be contemporary business products with a touch of local ethnic flavour in their services.
India Plan: Keys started operations in 2009 in Khandala, Thiruvanathapuram and Ludhiana, with scheduled openings shortly in Mahabaleshwar and Bengaluru. The group plans to open 38-new properties across 25-locations including Chennai, Hyderabad, Delhi and the NCR region, in the next five years.
Brand: CITRUS
About the brand: Citrus is India’s newest chain of smart and sophisticated hotels. Citrus Hotels are owned by the Mirah Group, one of India’s leading business houses with a footprint stretching over a diversified range of industries, including real estate development, travel, computer education, wind energy generation, textiles and international trading. Since its inception in 1986, the group has continuously evolved and grown, keeping pace with fast changing business needs and environment.
India Plan: Citrus Hotels and Resorts plans to focus in the mid-market segment, tourist circuits and gateway cities. Currently, Citrus Hotels and Resorts operate hotels in Pune, Sriperumbudur, Mahabaleshwar, Goa and Lonavala.
Alleppey, Kerala is slated for the next opening later this year. In addition, six projects are in the development stage in Kerala, Rajasthan and Maharashtra. The group is also looking at adventure tourism and is coming up with jungle resorts at Tadoba in Maharashtra and Pench in Madhya Pradesh.
As far as business locations are concerned, cities including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, National Capital Region (NCR) and Chennai are being considered. Citrus hotels and resorts plan to operate 800-rooms in the next 12-to-18 months.
Brand: MGM MIRAGE HOSPITALITY
About the brand: MGM MIRAGE Hospitality was formed as a non-gaming subsidiary of ITS parent company MGM MIRAGE. Their focus is on establishing world-class, non-gaming hotels by leveraging the incredible array of entertainment, dining, spa, nightlife, retail and other non-gaming attributes of their gaming properties.
The group operates 16-properties across locations like Nevada, Mississippi, New Jersey, Illinois and Macau. The brand is now also expanding in other destinations like Vietnam and India.
India Plan: MGM truly believes that India is one of the fastest growing regions for both business and leisure travel and the Indian market is well suited to the dynamic, luxury brands of MGM MIRAGE Hospitality.
They specialise in developing destination properties that become a centre for retail, entertainment, dining and business gatherings for the city in which they are located.
They believe their brand portfolio of Bellagio, MGM Grand and Skylofts fits in perfectly with the increasingly sophisticated needs of the Indian hospitality market.
The group is looking at opportunities in the National Capital Region, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kerala, Goa and Rajasthan.
Brand: LE SUTRA
About the brand: Le Sutra – This property, which claims to be the world’s first Indian art hotel, is owned by the Bajaj Group of Hotels. It is a boutique product and is based on the concept of Indian art and hospitality. The brand is inspired by Indian mythology and intends to cater to both business travellers and foreign leisure tourists.
India Plan: The first 16-room Le Sutra property opened in Mumbai. Another property is under construction at Dehradun, which will be a 116-room hotel. The Palm Beach Hotel at Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh is also planned to be converted to a Le Sutra.
Brand: SWISSOTEL
About the brand: Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts is a distinctive group of deluxe hotels for today’s discerning modern business and leisure travellers, combining the renowned Swiss touch with a fresh, modern and contemporary design. Each Swissôtel offers personalised service with charm and efficiency.
Located in the main gateway destinations and city centres, Swissôtel hotels have convenient access to business and shopping districts, and local attractions. The group has a portfolio of upscale hotels with 28-properties in 25-countries globally.
India Plan: The first Swissotel is expected to open a 147-room product in Kolkata by next month. The brand intends to enter the major markets in the country including Bengaluru and Mumbai in the next four years.
Brand: ALILA HOTELS & RESORTS
About the brand: Alila manages unique city hotels and resorts in the Asia Pacific region. The hallmark of Alila is stylish, relaxing environments and superb hospitality that creates a unique guest experience, continuously redefined to reflect the very best of a contemporary lifestyle. With a presence in Thailand, Indonesia, Bali, Laos, Maldives, Jakarta and Luang Prabang, Alila is a popular chain in South East Asia.
India Plan: The brand entered the Indian market with its first property in Goa – Alila Diwa Goa. The group plans to open hotels within the next three years in Bengaluru, Jaipur, Calicut and Cochin. The brand will launch both upscale and mid-market hotels in the country.
Brand: MOVENPICK
About the brand: In addition to having a presence in the hospitality sector, Movenpick has other divisions such as Marché International, Movenpick Wein and Movenpick Fine Foods. The group is expanding globally and already has 90-hotels across 26-countries and locations primarily in regions like Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
The group intends to expand to 100-hotels by 2010. They position themselves in the upscale segment and are owned by the Kingdom Group.
India Plan: Movenpick plans to launch around 12-hotels in the country by 2015. The group has a management agreement with the MS Ramiah Group who is investing in their first upscale property in Bengaluru by the end of 2010. In the pipeline are another four hotels by 2013. They also plan to open resorts in cities like Goa and Cochin.
