European luxury hotel group Kempinski plans to open up to three new properties in India by 2020 as part of expanding its portfolio in the country.
Having identified India as one of its top three strategic markets, Kempinski is considering Mumbai, Hyderabad and Kolkata among the locations it is looking for properties.
"We plan to open three new properties in India by 2020. Out of these one will be a resort," Kempinski Chief Operating Officer Duncan O'Rourke told PTI.
Underlining the importance of India, O'Rourke said: "India is one of the top three strategic markets for Kempinski. The size, stability of the country, great tourist attractions make it very important for us."
In tune with its focus on India, Kempinski is organising its World Gourmet Summit in which more than 70 hotels from the group are participating to showcase their culinary expertise.
Speaking on the sidelines of the summit, O'Rourke said the locations that the company is looking at for opening these new hotels are Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and the resort will be either in Kerala or in Goa.
When asked about the model the company would follow for expansion, O'Rourke said: "It will be a management contract model. It will be management expertise regulated by long term contract."
Globally Kempinski now has 73 five-star luxury hotels in 30 countries and is continuing to add new properties in Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia.
Another very important factor is that India is a huge outbound market for Kempinski, he added.
The hospitality chain had opened its first independently managed property in India with a 480-room and suites hotel - Kempinski Ambience Hotel - in Delhi in 2012.
