Starwood Hotels to move global office to India in March 2015

US-based hospitality major Starwood Hotels and Resorts Tuesday said it will relocate its global headquarters to India in March 2015 for expanding its operations across the country.

"Our chief executive and top leadership will conduct business out of India in March 2015 for 'month-long immersion', as they did in China in 2011 and Dubai in 2013, to be closer to guests and associates in the key growth region," the company said in a statement here.

In the hospitality sector, the "month-long immersion" means a hotel's executives will spend time to explore new approaches for expanding business in growth markets.

"This is an exciting time for us to relocate to India, where renewed focus on travel infrastructure is needed, as travel demand is fueled by economic growth and rise in entrepreneurship and investment," Starwood chief executive Frits van Paasschen said in the statement.

Paasschen and his senior executives will split their time between Mumbai and Delhi and conduct business for outbound travel during this period.

"Our extended time in India will allow us to immerse ourselves and appreciate new approaches to the business of hospitality," he said.

The hotel's third leadership move underscores its unique approach to cultivating a global culture and fostering relationships in key growth markets.

As a global hotel and leisure firm with 1,200 properties in 100 countries and 181,400 employees, Starwood runs about 40 hotels across India and is building another 36 hotels as part of its expansion plans in the sub-continent.

Its India subsidiary also owns, operates and manages 10 renowned brands, including Le Meridien, Sheraton, Westin, St. Regis, Four Points and Aloft across the country.

Noting that global trends were revolutionising travel, Paasschen said rapidly growing markets and an inter-connected world were bringing high-end travellers to new markets like never before.

During the month, the team will travel to cities across the country, including Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi and Pune to meet associates, customers and prospective developers.

"Demand for hotels in India is growing as its economy expands and international visitation increases. As our franchise agreements are generating growth, we plan to expand our footprint through new-build and conversions across luxury, upscale and mid-market segments in gateway cities and resort destinations," said Starwood president Simon Turner.

"To meet growing demand, we have signed seven deals this year in key cities such as Ahmedabad, Aurangabad, Pimpri-Pune and Delhi NCR (national capital region), and in Kathmandu, (Nepal) and Paro (Bhutan)," he added.