Highlights>
> Choice Hotels that has announced plans to manage five hotels in Punjab
> Berggruen Hotels is also foraying into Punjab with its budget brand Keys
> Sarovar Hotel Group is also planning to develop three new hotels
> Hampshire Hotels & Resorts is also planning to build premium hotels in Ludhiana and Chandigarh
Read the full story....
The recently signed MoU for the much talked about international airport in Chandigarh has given a boost to the region's hotel industry.
Recognising the potential is Choice Hotels that has announced plans to manage five hotels in Punjab. While three of them will be in Ludhiana, the other two will be in Bathinda and Amritsar. Vilas Pawar, CEO of Choice Hotels India, informs, "We are introducing an all-suite format under the Clarion brand for the property in Ludhiana, for which we have tied up with Vancouver-based Agaya Paul Singh."
Berggruen Hotels is also foraying into Punjab with its budget brand Keys. Sanjay Sethi, its MD and CEO, says, "We are building a Keys hotel in Ludhiana for which the land has already been acquired." Further, Marriott too has plans to tap the immense potential of these regions. Anant N Joshi, regional director, Marriott Hotels International, reveals, "We have signed a management contract for the upcoming Courtyard properties in Amritsar and Chandigarh."
Sarovar Hotel Group is also planning to develop three new hotels in Punjab and Chandigarh. Says Anil Madhok, MD of Sarovar Hotels & Resorts, "We are developing two hotels in Chandigarh under the Park Plaza and Hometel brands.” According to him, the group is also eyeing a joint venture with the Punjab government to build three new Hometels.
International hotel chain Hampshire Hotels & Resorts is also planning to build premium hotels in Ludhiana and Chandigarh. The group is also looking to foray into the heritage segment by converting the Gobindgarh fort into a premium hotel. Raddison is also building a property in Chandigarh. Hyatt Hotels & Resorts is setting up a premium hotel in Chandigarh while DLF is building five-star hotels in the same city. It has already set aside four acres of land in the IT Park in Chandigarh.
IHHR Hospitality had earlier announced that it would be building a business hotel under its brand Ista in Amritsar. Cabana Hotel Management, the Indian master licensee for Best Western, is also planning to build a hotel in Chandigarh. According to sources, Oberoi Hotels & Resorts has also shown interest in setting up a hotel in Chandigarh.