Sarovar Hotels targets 50 by 2011

Sarovar Hotels and Resorts is on an expansion spree as it targets to have 50 hotels under its umbrella by 2011. The company has 36 hotels across 29 cities in India and a few abroad under the brand names Sarovar Premiere, Sarovar Portico, Hometel, Park Plaza and Park Inn.They also plan to open five more properties by the end of 2009. The hotel chain also has franchise rights to develop Carlson Hotels’ Park Inn and Park Plaza brand in India but at the same time it is currently focusing on developing its own brands. As told to Abha Garyali (FIHL)Sarovar runs the hotels under a management as well as a franchise agreement. Anil Madhok, Managing Director, Sarovar Hotels says “Out of the portfolio of 36 hotels, only one hotel is owned by the group at present. While the second Sarovar owned property is scheduled to open in Chandigarh by the end of 2009.” In the first three quarters of this year, the chain launched Renaissance Sarovar Portico, Hosur (Bengaluru); Pak Inn, Jaipur; Park Inn, Gurgaon (Civil Lines) and Peerless Sarovar Portico, Port Blair. The company further plans to launch many hotels across India. Talking about the location for these upcoming hotels Madhok said, “With a thrust on expansion in the mid-market segment, our hotels will cover both business and leisure locations across India and overseas. Expansion in Africa is also on the cards.”