WorldHotels, an European hospitality marketing and distribution network for independent hotels, sees the Asia-Pacific market as a major growth driver for the company in the coming years.
“Presently, the Asia-Pacific region contributes 26 per cent to the company’s global sales revenues of $260 million. Going forward, we expect the number to rise as we are planning to bring in more properties under our portfolio from the region,” Christina Spykerman, senior director (sales - Apac), WorldHotels, told reporters here on Wednesday.
“The emerging markets in the Asia-Pacific region are growing big-scale with countries like India and China being the key growth drivers. We have opened sales offices in New Delhi and will open an office in Bejing,” she added. The company recorded a double-digit growth last year, bouncing back from the 5 per cent negative growth during the economic downturn in 2008-09.
Announcing its tie-up with Hyderabad-based Golkonda Hotels here, she said, “We expect to have 20 properties in India within a year.” WorldHotels is presently associated with 12 properties under its India portfolio.
With the targeted portfolio expansion, India is likely to contribute 5 per cent to Worldhotels’ global sales by 2014, compared to about 2 per cent at present. In India, its affiliate properties include Asiana Hotel in Chennai, The Claridges in Delhi, Pride Park Premier in Gurgaon, The Sahara Star in Mumbai, Amby Valley in Pune and Matthan Hotel in Bangalore.
“Apart from the major cities, we are looking at four-star and five-star hotels in Tier-II cities to capitalise on the growth opportunities,” she said. It plans to open sales offices in Mumbai and Bangalore in the coming years.
WorldHotels, which targets business and leisure travellers, conferences and incentive organisers, corporate travel managers and travel agents, now ranks fourth globally after Hilton, Marriott and Sheraton.
It has a presence across 250 destinations in 65 countries with 500 affiliate properties and more than 100,000 room inventory under its portfolio.
The tie up with the Golkonda Hotel is on an annual fee basis, and is expected to boost international bookings for the hotel. Suresh Reddy, managing director of Golkonda Hotel, said: “We expect the occupancy rate to increase to 67 per cent from the present 62 per cent by the year-end.”
