BY JAMES WILKINSON
The Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group has signed one of the largest new-build deals in Asia-Pacific in recent times, with the group set to add 49 Park Inn by Radisson hotels in north and central India.
Carlson Rezidor’s President of Asia-Pacific, Simon Barlow said the deal was in partnership with Bestech Hospitalities Pvt Ltd and would help the group capture a share of the fast-growing Indian travel market.
“India’s middle class is expected to grow from 170 million in 2010 to close to 600 million by 2025. This growing middle class and investments in infrastructure will spur domestic travel and demand for affordable and yet modern accommodation,” Barlow said.
“The partnership we are announcing today will further consolidate the leadership of Carlson Rezidor in the Indian hotel market.”
As part of the deal, Carlson will invest USD$42 million in a joint venture with Bestech to develop the first two properties – Park Inn by Radisson Gurgaon Sector 88 and Park Inn by Radisson Chandigarh, Mohali – and the company will manage the hotels through a management company which Bestech is a strategic partner in.
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group’s Executive Vice President – South Asia, K.B. Kachru, said the 49 ‘next generation’ Park Inn by Radisson properties are expected to be open by 2024.
“We are delighted to be building upon our successful partnership with Bestech in India by signing this strategic agreement,” he said.
“We jointly believe that Park Inn by Radisson provides an effective and compelling investment opportunity for the Indian hotel property market, and we are confident that we will be able to attract additional investors in pursuit of this opportunity.”
Bestech Hospitalities co-founder and Managing Director, Dharmendra Bhandari, said the company has been working with Carlson for a decade.
“We enjoy working with their team, which has demonstrated a high level of dedication and expertise in managing brands and hotels successfully,” he said.
Bhandari’s co-founder Sunil Satijia added: “We are proud to partner Carlson Rezidor in India and we are delighted to grow the relationship with this new strategic partnership.
“We are confident that Park Inn by Radisson will appeal to domestic business and leisure travelers who are travelling more due to the government’s investment in infrastructure to facilitate travel across the country.”