The United States-based Best Western International, one of the largest hotel chains in the world, is set to invest around Rs 300 crore for its education business in India. The company’s India arm has started work to build the first hotel management institute in Odisha while another four will be set up in the other regions of the country in the coming years.
Globally, the hotel chain major is not in the education business and this would be the maiden venture by the company into a new sector. The hotel chain, however, has an e-learning platform.
Cabana Hotel Management Pvt. Ltd is the master franchisee of Best Western for India.
Sudhir Sinha, COO at Best Western India, told Business Standard that each unit would see an investment of Rs 50 crore as they will invest in the real estate of the property as well.
"We had thought we would tie up with hotel management education majors of India but going by our high standards we could not trace one who could share the same wavelength. Thus, we decided we will venture into this on our own,” he said.
Each education centre is expected to have over 200 students. The odisha property should be ready this year and further expansion across the country is on the cards.