Marriott scouting for business opportunities in UP

Launches 2nd hotel in Lucknow under Fairfield brand

Global hotel chain Marriott International is scouting for business opportunities in North India, including prominent towns in Uttar Pradesh (UP).

Marriott, which currently operates two hotels in Lucknow under the Renaissance and Fairfield brands, is now proactively looking for expanding operations in Kanpur, Varanasi, Agra, and other cities in the state.

"UP has a lot of potential in the hospitality space and we are keen on increasing our brand in the Northern states," Marriott market Vice-President (South Asia) Neeraj Govil told Business Standard at the launch of 'Fairfield by Marriott' hotel in Lucknow.

The company currently has a significant presence in the West and the South.

The new hotel has 222 rooms under different categories, which makes it the largest of three Fairfield properties in India, the other two being in Bengaluru. Fairfield is positioned as the entry level brand in the moderate-tier segment.

In September 2015, Marriott had launched its maiden property Renaissance in Lucknow. The company has a Courtyard brand hotel in Agra.

Govil said Marriott remains bullish on the entry level segment in India because of a fast-growing middle class.

Meanwhile, the hotel chain is in the process of launching new Fairfield properties in several towns, which includes Jodhpur, Indore, Amritsar, Belgaum and Chandigarh etc.

"As and when appropriate business opportunities arise from prospective business partners, we will proactively consider such offers," Govil said.