International hotel chains are expanding their footprint in Kolkata. If market sources are to be believed, at least 1,500 rooms, at an expected investment of ₹2,250 crore, are likely to be added over the next three to five years by four international chains.
The Carlson Rezidor; Marriott International; Accor and Starwood are amongst the major groups seeking a foothold through brands like Radisson, Radisson Blu, Country Inns & Suites, JW Marriott, Courtyard by Marriott, Novotel and Westin.
“Kolkata, as a metro, has the lowest room inventory; even compared to Hyderabad and Pune. It is expected to double its current room inventory over the next three to four years given the projects in the pipeline,” Mandeep S Lamba, Managing Director - Hotels and Hospitality, JLL India, told
Kolkata has 2,100 upscale hotel rooms. This includes three international brands, 480 rooms shared by Swissotel , Hyatt and Carlson Rezidor’s Park Plaza. The rest are owned by Indian chains, Taj Group’s Taj Bengal and Gateway; ITC; Park, The Lalit Great Eastern and Oberoi Grand.
Over the last 18 months, three major hotels added 370 rooms. Another 170 keys will be readied as soon; in a phase-wise manner.
Under constructionAmongst the international hotels under construction are Accor’s Novotel, Starwood’s Westin, Carlson Rezidor’s Radisson Blu and Marriott.
The 346-keys Novotel at Rajarhat will open its doors around September this year. Two of its other brands – iBis and Formule1 – are also exploring opportunities.
Starwood’s Westin is also coming up at the satellite township of Rajarhat. The ₹600-crore hotel will have around 323 rooms. It is expected to be operational in October 2015. Carlson’s second hotel, 100-key Radisson Blu, is coming up at Hastings in Central Kolkata.
Sources say Carlson is keen to bring in its Radisson and Country Inns & Suites brands to the city and is negotiating with the Noida-based DS Group for management of its properties near Kolkata airport.
JW Marriott’s 300-room facility is also coming up on EM Bypass.
The target primarily, according to Abhijit Das, Office Director, East India, Cushman & Wakefield, is the business traveller and the MICE segment (meetings, incentive, conference and exhibition), apart from domestic demand.