StayWell Hospitality to add 18 hotels in India by 2017

Australia-based StayWell Hospitality Group plans to add 18 hotels in India by 2017 targeting mid and up-scale segments as part of expansion plans entailing an investment of around USD 20 million.
The group has two properties in the country and is targeting a mix of major metros and smaller cities, including Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, Goa, Jaipur, Bangalore, Chennai along with Hyderabad, Kolkata, Visakhapatnam and Ahmedabad.
"We plan to have 20 properties in India as part of growing our portfolio globally to 100 by 2017. Currently we have two hotels, one in Jaipur and one in Gurgaon in the country," StayWell Hospitality Group Chief Executive and Managing Director Simon Wan told PTI.

When asked about the investment for the purpose, he said it would be around USD 20 million (over Rs 120 crore).
The company that operates two hotel brands - Park Regis (upscale brand) and Leisure Inn (midscale brand) - said India offers a great opportunity for expansion as it is one of the major growing economies in the world.
Currently, its two properties in India are under the Leisure Inn brand.

Elaborating on the expansion plans, Wan said: "In the first phase over the next six months, we will be opening five more hotels -- a Park Regis each in Goa and Jaipur and two Leisure Inn in Mumbai and one in Hyderabad."

Other destinations which the company is looking at are NCR, Bangalore, Chennai, Raipur, Kolkata, Visakhapatnam and Ahmedabad among others, StayWell Hospitality Group Managing Director for India Rohit Vig said.
On the modalities of operating the upcoming properties, Wan said it would be a combination of management contract and investment by Staywell.
Usually, the group follows three routes for growth -- opening of new greenfield hotels, acquiring and re-branding existing hotels and portfolio acquisitions, he added.
Founded in 2006 with five hotels across Australia StayWell Hospitality Group currently manages 34 properties globally and employs over 1,300 people.