Carlson Hotels Worldwide, confirmed details of its expansion plans in India over the next three years. These plans, which are well underway, will see the group add 50 properties by the end of 2012 across four brands - Radisson Hotels & Resorts, Country Inns & Suites, Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts and Park Inn. This growth strengthens Carlson’s position as the largest and fastest-growing international hotel operator in India by number of hotels.

“We are optimistic about India and its growth prospects as a leading emerging economy,” said Hubert Joly, president and CEO of Carlson, speaking at the Hotel Investment Forum India, in Mumbai today. “To be the number one international hotel operator here is particularly pleasing,” he added.

Carlson’s presence and growth in India entail all of its brands: Radisson, Carlson’s contemporary upscale and upper upscale brand, which delivers vibrant, contemporary and engaging hospitality defined by the Yes, I Can!, service philosophy, currently has 10 properties in India, with another 25 scheduled to open within the next 36 months.

Country Inns & Suites, Carlson’s mid market brand known for its homey, caring, consistent and comfortable service philosophy, currently has nine hotels in operation with another 15 scheduled to open within the same time frame.

Park Plaza, the company’s upper midscale brand dedicated to serving guests with individuality and passion, currently has six properties open, with another eight under development and these are also scheduled to open within the next 36 months.

Carlson has recently launched in India its new bright, bold and fresh mid market brand Park Inn. There are now three Park Inns in operation in India - Park Inn Gurgaon, Park Inn Jaipur Singh Highway and Park Inn Phoenix Resort in Goa. Another two are under development, one in Delhi CBD Shahdara and another in Bangalore.

The group also announced this week that it will introduce its luxury Regent brand to India in 2013 with the unveiling of the development for The Regent Gurgaon. Carlson Hotels has won a number of prestigious awards in India over the last year and most recently scored a hat-trick at the Hospitality India Awards. It was voted ‘Fastest Growing Hotel Chain in South Asia’, Country Inns & Suites By Carlson won ‘Best midmarket hotel brand in India’ and Radisson Hotel Noida was awarded ‘Best business hotel in the National Capital region.’

“We are very proud of what we have achieved in India to date,” continued Mr. Joly. “I want to acknowledge the leadership of K.B. Kachru, executive vice president of Carlson Hotels for South Asia, as well as the collaboration with our partners in India, especially RHW Hotel Management Services, Country Development and Management Services, and Sarovar. Without them this level of success would not have been possible. Looking ahead, we will continue to push the development of our brands and the standards that we deliver to our guests.”