Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, with 102 hotels in operation across Asia Pacific and 92 more hotels in the pipeline, has signed a portfolio agreement with Mushtaq Group of Hotels to open seven hotels comprising 817-rooms under the Radisson Blu, Radisson and Country Inns & Suites By CarlsonSM brands, in the northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. The hotels are : Radisson Blu Srinagar, Radisson Blu Resort Tangmarg, Radisson Srinagar, Radisson Pahalgam Golf View Resort, Country Inn & Suites By Carlson Gulmarg, Country Inn & Suites By Carlson Jammu and Country Inn & Suites By Carlson Sonamarg.
The seven hotels will be located in the main gateway markets throughout the state and will position Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group as the largest international hotel operator in Jammu and Kashmir. The first hotel is expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2016 in Srinagar. “This multiple-hotel portfolio deal underscores the rapid rate of Carlson Rezidor’s expansion and reinforces our leading position in India, a key market that we remain deeply committed to. We are pleased to be forging a new partnership and will be employing our proven strategy of signing conversions as well as new builds to establish a strong brand presence efficiently and expediently,” said Thorsten Kirschke, President, Asia Pacific, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group.
Raj Rana, Chief Executive Officer, South Asia, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group added, “The region enjoys strong domestic leisure demand and is home to some of the most visited leisure destinations in India. Integral to our growth in India is an emphasis on expanding in leisure markets and state capitals. With the signing of this portfolio, we will make inroads into the summer and winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir, as well as provide our Club Carlson members an international brand choice in high demand leisure driven markets such as Srinagar, Pahalgam and Gulmarg.”
Across India, Carlson Rezidor has close to 120 hotels in operation and under development. Currently, the group’s footprint extends across 45 Indian cities, including 14 state capitals. By 2020, Carlson Rezidor expects to have more than 170 hotels in operation and pipeline in India. The group’s growing brand portfolio in the country spans the mid-scale to upper upscale segments. In 2015, the hotel group signed 15 new agreements in India, indicative of the strength of its brands and relationships.
“Our vision is to promote Jammu & Kashmir and make it a preferred tourist destination not only for travelers within the country but globally. I am confident our partnership will accelerate realization of our vision,” said Mushtaq Chaya, chairman, Mushtaq Group of Hotels, that has interests in hospitality and commercial real estate development.
