With 23 sales offices globally, 430 luxury hotels and resorts, having more than 68,000 rooms in 82 countries, The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd (LHW) aims to achieve USD one billion revenue globally by 2013. Presently, the company has ten members in India, Taj Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad being the newest addition and is in talks with heritage properties in India.
Speaking about the plans for India, Deniz Omurgonulsen, Vice President Membership, The Leading Hotels of the World said, “India is an exciting market for us. We look forward to work with right partners and best properties in the market to be able to welcome more properties within our portfolio in India. LHW is in talks with iconic heritage properties and new developments in India in order to increase their potential and bring value to them.”
Besides, Philip Ho, Vice President Asia Pacific, The Leading Hotels of the World said, “Also, we would like to grow in terms of outbound business in India and want to be pro-active.”
Talking about the expansion plans worldwide, Omurgonulsen informed, “There are many places globally where we are yet to mark our presence. It is not about numbers but finding the right hotel for our guests. Yearly, we receive around 500 applications, out of which, 20-25 hotels become our members. Over 60 per cent of brand standards of LHW are driven by services being offered by the hotel. The quality, unique and authentic experience is paramount. Lot of our growth is organic due to our current partners. For instance, Taj properties are our members and as the Taj Group grows, we also grow with the brand.”
Besides hotel chains, LHW has single-owned and operated hotels as its members globally. “It is difficult for independent/single-owned hotels to reach out to the markets if they do not have an infrastructure and support system, hence, we act as their sales extension and try to tap the area, where they need establishments,” added Omurgonulsen.
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