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NEW DELHI: Patels from India have long been credited with scripting the success story of “motels” – highway hotels in America. Now an American hospitality major has set its eyes on the infra development taking place in India – especially highways – and plans to set up budget to mid-scale hotels along them. Dimitris Manikis of New Jersey-based Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (best known in India for Ramada brand) says he sees a tremendous potential for $30-40 per night rooms at hotels along highways and linked service stations in India.
Manikis, Wyndham’s president Europe, Middle East, Eurasia and Africa, told TOI on Thursday: “The next wave of hotels in India will be in the budget to mid-scale segment like aviation (with budget carriers ruling the roost). There is no reason why a country with so much to offer like India gets about 12 million foreign tourist arrivals while Greece with a population of 9-10 million (where he hails from) gets 35 million in nine months. The way highways are being developed in India, there is huge scope for developing hotels along them and at service stations. People will like to drive and stop for a night and then continue their journey the next day, refreshed.”
Budget hotels in India remain largely in the unorganised sector and govt has long been asking hotel majors to enter this largely unregulated space. Wyndham currently has 60 hotels operational in India across seven brands and has 45 properties in the pipeline that will open in the next 2.5 years. Globally, the franchisor has 9,200 properties across 95 countries and 25 brands.
“We mainly buy brands. Of our 25 currently, we bought 20; developed four and one is licensed. We are looking for the right opportunity to acquire budget to mid-scale brands in India. I see Wyndham having 150 hotels in India by 2025,” the London-based Greek hospitality veteran said.
Manikis credits persons of Indian origin for America’s hospitality story. “The backbone of US hospitality is the Indian diaspora,” he said.
Manikis, Wyndham’s president Europe, Middle East, Eurasia and Africa, told TOI on Thursday: “The next wave of hotels in India will be in the budget to mid-scale segment like aviation (with budget carriers ruling the roost). There is no reason why a country with so much to offer like India gets about 12 million foreign tourist arrivals while Greece with a population of 9-10 million (where he hails from) gets 35 million in nine months. The way highways are being developed in India, there is huge scope for developing hotels along them and at service stations. People will like to drive and stop for a night and then continue their journey the next day, refreshed.”
Budget hotels in India remain largely in the unorganised sector and govt has long been asking hotel majors to enter this largely unregulated space. Wyndham currently has 60 hotels operational in India across seven brands and has 45 properties in the pipeline that will open in the next 2.5 years. Globally, the franchisor has 9,200 properties across 95 countries and 25 brands.
“We mainly buy brands. Of our 25 currently, we bought 20; developed four and one is licensed. We are looking for the right opportunity to acquire budget to mid-scale brands in India. I see Wyndham having 150 hotels in India by 2025,” the London-based Greek hospitality veteran said.
Manikis credits persons of Indian origin for America’s hospitality story. “The backbone of US hospitality is the Indian diaspora,” he said.
