30 Minute Interview

'We will have presence in all the segments'

The Gupta Group, which runs five-star hotels under the Hyatt brand, has formed a joint venture company - Innova Hotels & Resorts - with US-based real estate company Hillwood that will develop three hotels with an investment of over US$ 100 million. Sandeep Gupta, Innova's executive director, divulges his plans to Praveen K Singh

Sandeep Gupta Innova's Executive Director

What is your objective behind launching Innova Hotels & Resorts?

The new company has been formed primarily to promote Clarion Group of Hotels in India. Innova, with our joint venture partner Hillwood, will initially develop three 150-room Clarion Hotels in Bangalore, Pune and the Delhi NCR region. The land for development of these properties has already been identified. The master franchisor will be Choice Hospitality and the brand will see more expansion through Innova.

How do you plan to expand other Choice brands?

For the moment, we will focus on Clarion and Sleep Inn brands of hotels throughout India's top markets. As Clarion brand, we have planned a portfolio of 10-12 hotels in major markets. We are also researching a location for the first Sleep Inn brand hotel in India and actively soliciting a joint venture partner to aid in the development of a minimum of 10-12 Sleep Inn brand hotels throughout the country.

How do you see the growth of Indian hotel market and what will be your strategy to tap it?

With the launch of four-star Clarion Hotels, we will now have presence in all the segments of the hotel industry including five-star deluxe with Hyatt International and the three-star segment with Quality and Comfort Hotels. We see huge potential in the mid-price to upscale hotel segment. However, most of the new entrants who are getting into the hotel industry are focusing on just one segment. But with our kind of experience we will be able to exploit our skills in all segments and offer niche products.