IHG plans to open 150 hotels in India in 10 years

The UK-based hospitality chain InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) will open around 100 to 150 properties in India over the next ten years.

"India is the third largest growth market for IHG after US and China. We plan to open 100 to 150 new properties in India over the next ten years," Shantha De Silva, head of South West Asia, IHG, told reporters here.

Launching the first Holiday Inn property in the metropolis here today, he said IHG at present operates 29 hotels across the country.

"There are 41 new hotels in the pipeline across various sub-brands including two in Siliguri and Durgapur," De Silva said.

He said IHG has a strong presence in the North and South of India.

The Kolkata property, developed by the Jain Group, has been built at a cost of Rs 180 crore.

Rishi Jain, ED of Jain Group, said the Siliguri and the Durgapur properties would involve an investment of Rs 500 crore to Rs 550 crore.

Located close to the international airport, the hotel would have 137 keys, besides other facilities available at five-star properties, he said.

Four IHG brands available in India were InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express.