Premier Inn, the UK's biggest hotel chain, has launched its first hotel in India and announced plans to open nine further hotels in India in the next five years.

Premier Inn is expanding in India to capitalise on the country's developing business traveller market. Currently there are a limited number of budget brands providing hotels in India - and this represents an excellent opportunity for Premier Inn, with its strong budget hotel model.

Premier Inn India Managing Director, Aly Shariff, said: "Large Indian corporates, multi-national companies, SME's and small privately owned firms are the kinds of customers we are targeting - there is a huge and rapidly growing junior and middle management population that represent an excellent opportunity for us. We have planned 10 hotels in five years, with Bangalore now open, following this will be properties in Delhi (2010) and Pune (2011), as well as looking at other potential sites."

Patrick Dempsey, Managing Director of Premier Inn UK, said: "India represents one of the fastest growing economies in the world today, and we are confident that Premier Inn will be successful in India. Our strong budget hotel model of great quality combined with excellent value will no doubt be an attractive proposition for business and leisure travellers alike."

Premier Inn Bangalore will cater for its guests with 105 rooms, a multi cuisine restaurant, bar, gymnasium and a conference room.

Premier Inn's development in India comes just 18 months after Premier Inn launched its first international hotel in Dubai. Premier Inn Dubai now has 2 hotels, with the third site opening in December 2009.