Archana Sharma – New Delhi
The newly launched Radisson Red brand of Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, is looking to open 10 properties in the next five years. Elaborating on the same, Thorsten Kirschke, president, Asia Pacific, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, informed that globally they are looking at launching 60 properties under the brand and will be looking at around 10 properties in India. “India and China are our major markets and the first Radisson Red hotel was signed in October 2014 in China. Radisson Red Shenyang Hunnan, part of a twin hotel development which includes Radisson Blu Shenyang, is scheduled to open in 2016,” he stated. In India, Kirschke believes Radisson Red, being an upscale lifestyle brand, will be ideal for metro markets like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru; Tier II markets such as Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Pune, Lucknow; leisure markets like Goa or Jaipur; and religious destinations such as Katra, Shirdi, Tirupati.
Elaborating on the expansion plans for the Carlson Rezidor Group in India, Kirschke informed that it will grow its India portfolio to over 170 hotels by 2020. Currently there are 74 Carlson Rezidor hotels in operation and 43 under development across 45 cities in India, including 14 state capitals. Talking about the expansion mode, Kirschke stated, “Excluding property ownership, we will follow models like management contracts, selective franchise and other hybrid models like transition from management to franchising in India,” Adding to the same, Raj Rana, CEO, South Asia, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, stated, “Having established a nationwide presence and earned our position as an international leader in the Indian hospitality industry, we will further extend our brands and geographic presence. Being positioned to seize maximum growth opportunities, we intend to have a hotel in every major city in India with landmark hotels in every state capital.” The company will soon be launching its Quorvus Collection brand in India, which showcases modern luxury hotels inspired by the lifestyle of the contemporary global traveller.