DELHI
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is planning new airport hotels in some smaller cities with airports and world-class convention facilities excited by the government’s new e-visa scheme.
“In 2014, we opened the Holiday Inn at the New Delhi International Airport. It’s an ideal choice for business and leisure travellers and offers convenient access to the business district and shopping malls of Gurgaon, and tourist attractions in South and Central Delhi,” Shantha De Silva, head of South West Asia, IHG told DNA.
“Already, we have a presence in New Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Bengaluru, Kochi and Ahmedabad. Five more hotels are due in 3-5 years,” he added.
IHG’s hotel at Changi was recently named the World’s Best Airport Hotel and the Best Airport Hotel in Asia by London-based Skytrax, a global source of airline ratings and reviews.
“Airport hotels are always going to be in demand. The demand for rooms has been so strong that we recently signed an agreement to extend the hotel by 243 rooms, which will increase the room count by more than 75%,” said De Silva.
The Indian tourism and hospitality industry is expected to touch $400 billion by 2022. As per the Global Business Travel Association India is now the tenth biggest business travel market in the world up from the 24th spot in 2000. It is expected to get bigger in future.
Musafir Namah Bureau
