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Newstrack
Punjab, Chandigarh set to witness hotel boom
Dinkar Farwaha - Mumbai
 The
recently signed MoU for the much talked about international airport in Chandigarh
has given a boost to the region's hotel industry.
Recognising the potential is Choice Hotels that has announced plans to manage
five hotels in Punjab. While three of them will be in Ludhiana, the other two
will be in Bathinda and Amritsar. Vilas Pawar, CEO of Choice Hotels India, informs,
"We are introducing an all-suite format under the Clarion brand for the
property in Ludhiana, for which we have tied up with Vancouver-based Agaya Paul
Singh."
Berggruen Hotels is also foraying into Punjab with its budget brand Keys. Sanjay
Sethi, its MD and CEO, says, "We are building a Keys hotel in Ludhiana
for which the land has already been acquired." Further, Marriott too has
plans to tap the immense potential of these regions. Anant N Joshi, regional
director, Marriott Hotels International, reveals, "We have signed a management
contract for the upcoming Courtyard properties in Amritsar and Chandigarh."
Sarovar Hotel Group is also planning to develop three new hotels in Punjab and
Chandigarh. Says Anil Madhok, MD of Sarovar Hotels & Resorts, "We are
developing two hotels in Chandigarh under the Park Plaza and Hometel brands.”
According to him, the group is also eyeing a joint venture with the Punjab government
to build three new Hometels.
International hotel chain Hampshire Hotels & Resorts is also planning to
build premium hotels in Ludhiana and Chandigarh. The group is also looking to
foray into the heritage segment by converting the Gobindgarh fort into a premium
hotel. Raddison is also building a property in Chandigarh. Hyatt Hotels &
Resorts is setting up a premium hotel in Chandigarh while DLF is building five-star
hotels in the same city. It has already set aside four acres of land in the
IT Park in Chandigarh.
IHHR Hospitality had earlier announced that it would be building a business
hotel under its brand Ista in Amritsar. Cabana Hotel Management, the Indian
master licensee for Best Western, is also planning to build a hotel in Chandigarh.
According to sources, Oberoi Hotels & Resorts has also shown interest in
setting up a hotel in Chandigarh.
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