Friday, April 18, 2008
Radisson eyes SEZs in India
Publication: The Times of India, Edition: Pune, Journalist: Bureau, Page No: 19, Location: Bottom-Center, Width(cms): 7, Height(cms): 12
Radisson eyes SEZs in India
Pune: International high-end hotels and resorts chain Radisson is eying business opportunity in the upcoming special economic zones (SEZs) and town­ships to set up properties in India.
K.B. Kachru, executive director at RHW Hotel Management Services Limited, said on Wednesday that the company is in various stages of talks with real estate developers for nearly 22 new properties. The company currently manages 24 hotels under its various brands including 9 Radisson properties.
RHW is the joint venture between global hospi­tality group Carlson and a clutch of Indian investors. The company manages hotel brands such as Radis­son, Regent, Country Inn, Park Piazza and Park Inn around the world. Kachru said the company plans to be present in each segment of the hospitality busi­ness though Radisson will focus on leisure, MICE (meetings-incentives-conference-entertainment)and wellness as its main offering.
Kachru was talking to media on the eve of an­nouncement of the company's latest Radisson prop­erty —the Radisson Resort & Spa, at Alibaug, Raigad District some 100 km away from Pune. The property has been developed by Pune based Sahil Resorts and Spa pvt limited which also owns a resort at Lonavala.
The Radisson Alibaug has 144 rooms compris­ing luxury rooms, villas and suites priced at Rs 15,000 to Rs 45,000 per night. Sahil Resorts chair­man and managing director Vinay Phadnis said the company has invested upwards of Rs 125 crore to develop the property. Phadnis said the compa­ny expects the property to break even over a five-year term, tnn