Inter Continental Hotels on an expansion spree.

Global hospitality chain Inter Continental Hotels Group is poised for a major expansion in India.

With over 4,700 properties across the globe and a development pipeline of 1,200 hotels across nine brands, every week it adds properties somewhere in the world.

'India ranks among its priority markets after the US and China. We are present in India since 1965 and have a portfolio of 20 properties with 3,700 rooms across brands in 13 cities,' said Shantha de Silva, Head of South-West Asia, InterContinental Hotels Group.

'We have a pipeline of about 47 properties in India with a capacity of over 9,000 rooms to be developed over the next three to five years. Our plan is to have a portfolio of more than 100 hotels within 10 years.
Projects on hand

'In addition to IHG, we have arrangement with the Duet India Hotels with whom we have so far set up three hotels and have a healthy pipeline,' he told Business Line after the launch of a new Holiday Inn Express.

Sixteen Holiday Inn Express hotels are due to open in India over the next three to five years, he said.

'We are into our 50th year of operation in India and believe there is immense potential in the mid-scale segment, which offers no-fuss stay for business and leisure travellers.

'The consumer demand is poised for boom as the economy grows.

'There may be times when there is slower growth, but we are extremely positive and rank India high on our global agenda,' he said.


HBL