Hyatt and Starwood both have big plans for India starting this year.
Hyatt has signed a management agreement for another 23 hotels in India, in addition to 30 others that are under development. The agreement includes Hyatt House Mumbai, signifying the introduction of the group's extended stay brand to the fast-growing subcontinent market. In addition to the Hyatt House, the agreement covers two Andaz hotels, two Park Hyatt hotels, three Hyatt Regencies, one Hyatt hotel, and 14 Hyatt Place hotels.
As previously reported, India is the first destination to have a Hyatt Place property after the US (see story here). China is set to the third country the brand will enter in 2014 (see story here).
This year alone, Hyatt will open six new hotels in India across the Hyatt, Park Hyatt and Hyatt Place brands. The six new properties are Hyatt Raipur; Park Hyatt Hyderabad; Park Hyatt Chennai; Hyatt Place Hampi; Hyatt Place Pune, Hinjewadi; and Hyatt Place Bangalore, Whitefield.
Likewise, Starwood has announced plans to expand its footprint in the region with 21 additional hotels in India by 2015.
This year, the group will open the ITC Grand Chola Chennai, ITC Rajaputana Jaipur, Westin Chennai Velachery and two Alofts. The W brand will arrive in India in 2015 with W Mumbai and W Retreat & Spa Goa (see story here). Moreover, there will be five Sheratons, three Westins, two Alofts, two Four Points by Sheraton, and two Le Méridien properties by 2015.
“India consumers continue to enjoy double-digit growth in per capita income, while the population of high net-worth individuals has grown over 80 per cent in the last five years,” says Dilip Puri, managing director India and regional vice president of South Asia.
“As domestic travel increases and Indian travellers continue to demand more sophistication in terms of both quality and experience, we have significant opportunity to grow our luxury brands,” he adds.
In 2016, Delhi will receive the W Noida Delhi NCR, while The St Regis will make its debut in India with The St Regis Noida Delhi NCR.
For more information, visit www.hyatt.com or www.starwoodhotels.com
Tiffany Sandrasageran
