Swiss International Hotels announce foray into India

Mumbai, April 3 (IANS) Switzerland-based hospitality brand, Swiss International Hotels & Resorts Tuesday announced its launch in India and South Asia.

The 30-year-old Swiss hospitality brand is targeting 50 hotels in the 3 star, 4 star and 5 star categories across India and South Asia by 2017. About 6,000 hotel rooms will be added, company officials said.

Stating that Asia is the growth region of the world with India and China driving a large part of that growth, Anupam Narayan, chairman & Managing Director, Swiss International Hotels & Resorts, South Asia said that as the economy grows, so does business travel and domestic tourism. He pointed out that the hotel rooms here, however, have not kept pace with growth.

"There are more hotel rooms in New York City than there are in all of India. Moreover, the majority of hotels in India are independent hotels and not branded with an international chain," he said.

"For us, this means that we have many opportunities waiting to be converted," he added.

The group will be introducing two primary brands, Swiss International Hotels & Resorts and Spirit Hotel, besides one affiliation option for heritage, palace and unique properties.

Swiss International Hotels & Resorts would be a 4/5 star, full service, upscale hotel with about 210 rooms, extensive banquets, executive meeting space, restaurants and other conveniences.

Spirit Hotel will be a 3 star, midscale brand positioned as affordable luxury. It will cater to business and leisure travellers at affordable prices.

"The third option is for boutique hotels, heritage hotels and palaces that want to affiliate with an international brand for the global reservation and marketing presence, but also wants to maintain their name and identity," Narayan said.

The group is looking to set up 150 hotels in many countries in the next five years.

"The growth in business tourism coupled with the demand for high standards of efficiency, services, values and ethics are on the rise and we are looking at setting up 150 hotels across the world in the next five years," said Henri Kennedie, Managing Director & CEO, Swiss International Hospitality Commons.