Club Med looking for partnership in India

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Bintan Island, Indonesia, Apr 4: The Euro 2 billion French hospitality group, Club Med, is betting big on India. The group is looking for partnerships in India and on its radar are properties with a beach or a famous mountain range.

‘‘Asia as a region is very important to Club Med. We are looking at expanding our presence in the region including India, Vietnam, China, Japan, Maldives and open to partnership, management, ownership and lease models depending upon the location,’’ said Mumtaz Moiz, general manager, Singapore and business development India, Club Med.

Adds Olivier Horps, director commercial, South East Asia, Club Med, “We will be looking at 20 to 40 hectare locations with a mountain range or beach.’’ He, however, added that this is a mid-term strategy and at present, plans to focus on building brand awareness in India.

“We will be opening commercial offices in Mumbai and Delhi by next year,” said Moiz. “We are in talks with travel agents and have already identified 10 travel agents and will be providing training to them,” she said.

Instead of a per room basis, Club Med works on a per person basis, that is it charges per person per night depending upon the room opted. The group has an India specific website www.clubmed.co.in to cater to needs to Indian travellers.

Asked if Club Med would be looking at acquisitions in India, Horps said, ‘‘We will be looking at partnering with investment and real estate companies.’’

Club Med has witnessed a turnover of around 300 Indians at its properties including Bintan Island, Maldives, Bali, Japan, Bora Bora Islands, among others in a short span of four months starting from November to mid March and is optimistic of numbers rising. “Our aim will be to attract more Indians to our properties," Moiz said. “We are targeting high-end leisure travellers including families, groups and honeymooners from India,” she added. Club Med sees India in the top 10 market list just after China by 2014-15. The key markets for Club Med at present include European countries, USA and Japan.

"Our China market is growing and ten years down the line we see India featuring in our top 10 market list after China," said Horps.