IHG is going to step up the presence of its luxury segment offerings in India. Taking the number to 50 in 12 to 18 months and have over 100 more in the pipeline in four to five years. Almost 80-90% of this expansion will be in India. “We are going to get more of our luxury brands to India. While mid-market segment will remain our mainstay here, the number of luxury properties in the pipeline here should get in double digits in four years. For example, we have an InterContinental in Mumbai and Mahabalipuram, Chennai, each and we will get two to three more in next 12 months, including one in Bengaluru,” Sudeep Jain, IHG’s VP (development) for Southwest Asia.
“We currently have 39 properties in southwest Asia, with 36 in India and one each in Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh. We will take this number to 50 in 12 to 18 months and have over 100 more in the pipeline in four to five years. Almost 80-90% of this expansion will be in India. A majority of these properties will be management contracts and we are open to have franchising too with the right (read having experience in hospitality) partners,” Jain said.
