European hospitality major Swissotel intends to enter into major metropolitan cities in the country in the next 4-5 years, and is in talks with a number of firms for that. However, the hotel chain is reluctant to divulge the exact cities it is targeting and the amount it could invest in during the period.
“We take a long term view to our commitment and presence in India, and we aim to have Swissotel properties in all the major cities,” Swissotel Hotels & Resorts Meinhard Huck said on the sidelines of a curtain raising event for the chain's first property in the country — Swissotel Kolkata Neotia Vista.
City-based Ambuja Realty has partnered Swissotel for the 147-key hotel at New Town-Rajarhat with an investment of about Rs 100 crore.
Huck said that 300-400 key hotels would be the preferred size for its ventures in India. “We are looking at the right opportunity, with the right partner at the right location. The realty prices in the country have stablised,” he said.
Globally, Huck explained, things were looking up in the first quarter of the year for the Swiss major after a difficult 2009, where its turnover dipped by about 16 per cent.