Hilton To Finalise Indian Launch Of Scandic Shortly

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New Delhi, April 28: After having launched its strategic alliance with East India Hotels (EIH), Hilton International is planning to bring its mid-market brand Scandic into India.

Scandic By Hilton is primarily a Nordic brand with 140 hotels located in that region. The hotels provide value for money services by way of reasonable rates, friendly, informal service and complimentary breakfast. Hilton plans to expand this brand worldwide with India being one of the focus areas.

Lenny Menezes, country manager, Hilton India, said, “We will adapt the brand to Indian conditions. Although we have not fixed a definite time-frame for launching Scandic, the chain will positively make its entry into this segment in the near future since the Indian market offers a lot of potential. Scandic has been limited to a few countries, but now we have decided to roll the brand into India as the market is looking up. This budget brand will provide the best facilities and value for money.”

He, however, refused to specify a time-frame for the Scandic brand because the chain is currently consolidating its newly formed alliance with EIH Ltd, popularly known as the Oberoi group.

Menezes said, “Since Hilton had in the past attempted and failed to sustain such an alliance, this time we are very careful. Therefore, we are in no hurry to take a final decision about our expansion plans.”

Off the record, sources said Hilton will make its decision by the next quarter. Hilton is also planning to launch a five-star hotel-cum-commercial complex in Hyderabad. According to sources, the property will be built over what is currently Greenlands Guest House, a heritage building.

Sources also say the total land available is 4.25 acre and it belongs to the state government which asked for tender on a long lease basis.

Declining to divulge details about the property, Menezes said, “We are the best bidder for the land on which we plan to develop the property. However, the land is yet to be allotted because the government got dissolved due to the elections. So, it’s too premature to talk about our plans for the property.”