Carlson Rezidor Hotel to increase presence in South India

Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group was focusing on expanding its presence in south India which now accounts for 30 per cent of its existing inventory, a top company official said today.
"To begin with, the company's growth was dominantly in northern states, but for the last two years we have been foraying into the south market, in order to get Pan-India tag. We are focusing on all southern states and as much as 30 per cent of our inventory now is in the south," group's CEO (South Asia) Raj Rana told PTI here.
He said the company would have a total of 170 hotels under operation and development in the country in next three years.

"The Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group has been in India for almost 15 years. Right now, we have 84 operating hotels. We have plans to reach upto 170 hotels under operation and development in India by 2020," he said.
The company had opened Radisson Blu Atria here recently. "This is our third hotel in the city and altogether now we have six in Karnataka," he said.
He further said corporate business was their niche market as it brought higher average rates. But it was equally strong in leisure and particularly focused on religious destinations.

The company was having hotels in 60 cities, including 16 state capitals, and the strength of its growth had been the 'trust' the hotel owners had in them, Rana said.

On investments, Rana said the company invests in brands, distribution systems and revenue-driving platforms. For brick-and-mortar units, the company relied on its partners. The company had also signed a deal with Bestech, a hospitality company which will build 49 Park Inn byRadisson Hotels, he added.
"We typically follow a sort of hub and spokes strategy to expand base," he said. The hub and spokes strategy is where the company first forays into unexplored market and then expands in other cities of the state, he explained.