The Hindu Business Line : `India, a vital market for Kempinski Hotels'

India is an important market for Kempinski Hotels, the Geneva-headquartered luxury hotel management company, said Mr Reto Wittwer, the company's President and Chief Executive Officer.

Offices in India

India's "outbound potential is high," he said pointing to the large number of people who travel out of India for business or leisure. In an effort to tap this growing outbound market, the company plans to set up sales and marketing offices in India, he explained. Over the next two-three months, the company will set up offices in Mumbai and New Delhi. The company is also looking at the possibility of establishing sales and marketing offices in other cities such as Bangalore, Mr Wittwer added.

Established in 1897, Kempinski Hotels is possibly the world's oldest hotel company, and currently operates and manages 59 hotels, he said. Another 35 hotels will join the Kempinski network over the next several months.

In India, Kempinski Hotels has been working with Hotel Leela Venture since 1987.

In June this year, the two companies signed a long-term reservation, sales and franchise agreement. The agreement covers the Leela group's existing hotels in Mumbai, Bangalore and Kovalam, and will also cover five new properties being set up by the Leela group.

Besides India, China is another important market for Kempinski Hotels, Mr Wittwer said. It has a strong presence in West Asia and is involved in several new projects in Africa, he added.

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