Carlson group to take its hotels tally to 170 by 2020

Carlson Rezidor Hotel group, operating hotels under different brands across the country, today said it planned to add 30 more properties, including 4-5 in South India, taking the total number of units to 170 by 2020.
As the hospitality sector now coming out of the stress in the last three years, the group started negotiating with prospective investors to establish hotels at strategic locations having resort or religious importance, Carlson Rezidor CEO, South Asia, Raj Rana told reporters here.
Stating that the group at present was having 15 hotels in South India and four to five will be set up by 2020, Rana said it was eyeing Coorg, Visakhapatnam, Udhagamandalam, Kumarapuram to operate on hub and spoke model, but depending on the business aspects.

When asked about the occupancy rate, Rana said the group hotels were doing slightly better than the national average of 67 per cent and there was scope for more occupancy in mid-scale facility with 120 to 150 rooms.
To a question on revenue, Rana, here to inaugurate the 135-room Radisson Blu, said the group as such achieved 7.5 per cent Revenue Per Available Room, while 11.1 per cent from the managed hotels, till October last.
The company was 'very serious' about starting a hotel in Tirupati, a major pilgrim centre, but the rate and locations were delaying the project, he said.

On the Coimabtore hotel, G Balasubramaniam, Managing Director, GBJ Hotels, running the Radisson Blu, said it was constructed at a cost of Rs 180 crore.
With 135 well-appointed rooms and suites, it offers guests upscale services and facilities that include 24 hour in room dining, a business class lounge and fitness centre, he added.