Newstrack

Bird group to open 10 hotels and resorts in India

Finishes four acquisitions

Dinkar Farwaha - Mumbai

Bird group, under its wholly owned subsidiary Bird hospitlaity services (BHS), is looking at opening 10 hotels and resorts in India. The group ventured into hospitality last year by forming a joint venture alliance with Thailand-based Dusit hotels and resorts.

It has already bought land in Goa, Delhi, Rishikesh and Jaipur. All the four upcoming properties will be developed under the premium brand 'Dusit Thani'. The construction of these properties will start soon and are likely to be operational by 2010. The first property is expected to come up by 2009.

The group has a two-fold plan to increase its portfolio. Apart from these four properties, two more luxury properties are planned to be built by 2015. To fuel this expansion, it is eyeing the management and franchise route simultaneously. Charles Carneiro, head (Marketing & Corporate Communications), The Bird Group, said, "A simultaneous expansion will be carried out through management and franchise contracts with hotels that fit the high brand standards set by us."

For the ownership model, the group is opting for 'Dusit Thani' brand while for the management and franchise model, the group aims to bring the budget category brand 'Dusit Princess' and Dusit's lifestyle brand 'D2' to India. It is also looking at introducing its 'Dusit Devrana', the high-end spa brand and 'Dusit Residence' serviced apartments to the Indian market.