Kempinski to open 3 new hotels in India by 2020

New Delhi: European luxury hotel chain, Kempinski plans to operate three new hotels in India by 2020 as part of its expansion in the country.

"We plan to operate three new hotels in India by 2020 taking our total strength to four hotels. We already have a hotel in Delhi," Kempinski Chief Operating Officer Duncan O'Rourke said.

These hotels will be in Kolkata, Mumbai and Kerala if the ongoing negotiations are successful; he said adding "we generally expect them to be successful. The Kerala will be a resort".

O'Rourke said the company will follow 'a management contract model' for these new hotels. Globally, Kempinski has over 70 hotels in operation at present and plans to open 112 hotels by 2017, all of which will be in the five-star luxury segment.

Underlining the importance of the Indian market, he said: "Apart from India being the largest democratic country with a growing economy and a big middle class another important factor is large number of inbound and outbound visitors."

Kempinski had in the past a partnership with Leela Hotels in India but had parted ways to go solo. Speaking on the reasons for end of partnership, O'Rourke said: "The contract came to an end and this country is so important to us that we wanted to come alone and not with anybody. We felt ready to do it alone."

The hospitality chain had opened its first independently managed property in India with a 480-room and suites hotel - Kempinski Ambience Hotel - in the country in Delhi in 2012.