IHG inks 6 mgmt deals, to add +1500 rooms

Continuing with its expansion spree in India, UK-based InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), today signed six contracts for managing hotels to add over 1,500 rooms to its roster.

The company said it has signed deals with different real estate developers, including the Poonawala Group, KGA Group, Vascon Engineers and Indroyal Group. It, however, did not disclose the value of the deal.

"Expanding our already significant employee base and operations in India underpins our long-term commitment toward the country," Tony South, senior vice-president (development & asset management), IHG Asia Pacific, said in a statement.

As per the contract signed, IHG will manage two properties in Pune--InterContinental and Holiday Inn Hinjewadi; two in Kochi--Holiday Inn Ernakulam and Crown Plaza; Crowne Plaza in New Delhi and Hyderabad.

IHG, which presently manages 14 hotels in India comprising 2,369 rooms across three brands - InterContinental Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn and Crown Plaza, has set up its new headquarters for South West Asia in Gurgaon, Haryana.

All the six hotels for which management contract has been signed would become operational in 2009-10, before 2010 Commonwealth Games.

The deal follows IHG's agreement last year with Today Hotels to manage the Crown Plaza Gurgaon, which is scheduled to open in June 2007.

IHG owns, manages, leases or franchises, through various subsidiaries, over 3,700 hotels and 5,56,000 guest rooms in nearly 100 countries and territories around the world, the release said.