Marriott International to open 100 hotels in India by 2018

Marriott International is planning to increase its portfolio in India with 100 operational hotels by 2018. Marriott's expansion strategy will focus on opening new properties in tertiary cities like Indore, Amritsar, Coimbatore and Jaipur.

"We have so far opened four hotels in the country this year and will open six more during the year," Neeraj Govil, South Asia president, Marriott International, told HospitalityBizIndia.com during the opening of Le Meridian at Calangute in the coastal state. The hotel group will open between 15 and 20 hotels a year in India each year until 2018 in order to meet its goal.

The company has planned to capitalize on the rising numbers in travel to the country mainly caused by the government's new measures to make Indian destinations more people-friendly. "One of the pillars of growth, as projected by the government is tourism. The government is also very proactive in infrastructure development which helps bring in lot more people," Govil added. Most of the chain’s business in India comes from domestic travelers at 75 percent of the total number of guests.

In 1997, Marriott began operating in India through its first property in Goa. The hotel chain's portfolio in India currently has 86 hotels and 15 brands spanning 35 cities. 

In the Asia Pacific region, Marriott has been increasing its presence significantly. The hotel chain recently opened five hotels totaling 800 guestrooms in Japan in partnership with Japanese developer Mori Trust Group. Karuizawa Marriott Hotel, near Tokyo, has four wings of 142 guestrooms on the property. Meanwhile, Izu Marriott Hotel Shuzenji has 128 guestrooms in the Izu Peninsula, and Fuji Marriott Hotel Lake Yamanaka has 105 guestrooms near Mount Fuji. Near Kyoto, Lake Biwa Marriott Hotel opened with 274 guestrooms and suites while Nanki-Shirahama Marriott Hotel has 182 guestrooms.