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Claridges to enter Maldives, Middle East

Also has aggressive plans for domestic market

Dinkar Farwaha - New Delhi

Claridges Hotels & Resorts is all set to foray into the international market and is in advanced negotiations with companies in Maldives and the Middle East. In an exclusive with Express Hospitality, Peter Leitgeb, its president and CEO, revealed, "We are on the verge of completing two acquisitions in the international market in Maldives and the Gulf in the next few months."

However, its international plans don't clash with its plans to expand in India. "We are already developing two luxury properties in the country (in NCR and Mumbai) and plan to take the figure of luxury properties in India up from three to ten in the next five years," he said.

The group is looking at emerging cities like Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai and Udaipur to develop its luxury brand of hotels. It plans to open its upcoming property in NCR (The Claridges, SurajKund) in November this year and is also developing a property in Mumbai (Sea Rock Hotel), which is expected to open by 2010, according to Leitgeb. The group currently owns premium properties in New Delhi, NCR and Mussourie.