Country Inns & Suites Heading For Major Expansion Drive

Neeti Chopra - New Delhi

Country Development and Management Services (CDMS), a joint venture between Country Inns & Suites By Carlson and Chanakya Hotels, is all set to increase the number of properties it operates in India. According to Sanjeev Pahwa, vice president, CDMS, the company will increase its existing portfolio to 12 properties by 2007. At present, seven hotels bearing the Country Inns & Suites (CIS) cachet are already in operation.

"The new properties are being developed at Durgapur, Dharamshala, Chennai, Bangalore, Gurgaon and Guwahati. The first three will be operational by end of 2006. If things go according to plan then there will be four more properties coming up in Hyderabad, Kolkata, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Kochi," said Pahwa.

When questioned about the selection of these destinations, Pahwa explained, "The market exists and once again growth is in the air. The destinations we have chosen are hot spots for hospitality investment as these places look at tourism as a major source of revenue and consequently all their measures are geared to make the environment investor friendly. These places receive immense tourist traffic, but nothing encouraging is happening on its infrastructure front. More quality hotels need to come up and we are therefore utilising this opportunity and penetrating these markets."

CIS's new properties are aimed at the budget traveller looking at value for money. The hotels are being developed for both the business and leisure traveller. While 80 per cent of the properties will be new constructions, the rest will be given a complete makeover.

Interestingly, the hotels that will come up under the CIS brand name belong to different promoters. "We let them use the CIS brand name, help them set up the project and then manage and operate their property," explained Pahwa. According to him, the brand name means consistency of service and amenities. The tie-up also helps the local promoter to leverage the CIS marketing network.