Ramada to enter India with Royal Orchid

Royal Orchid Hotels (ROHL), a business class hospitality major, has signed an exclusive territorial agreement with Ramada World Wide, to manage and develop hotels under the Ramada brand in India.

Ramada, a part of Wyndham Group Worldwide, runs about 900 hotels across 25 countries.

Chender Baljee, chairman and managing director of Royal Orchid Hotels, said as a part of the agreement, the company was planning to open at least 10 four star hotels in all major metros and some mini-metros under the Ramada brand name.

"We are proposing to invest about Rs 500 crore over the next three-four years to open hotels in all those places where Royal Orchid is present now and in some newer locations," Baljee said.

Post the acquisition of Ramada almost a year back, Wyndham Worldwide has been aggressively looking to enter Asian markets with local players.

"This tie-up with Ramada worldwide will power an international brand with Indian management and hospitality. This partnership endorses and serves to consolidate our strength in the four star upper mid scale segment to which we cater," Baljee added.

At present, Ramada operates two hotels "" one in Mumbai and the other in Goa "" under franchise with local companies.