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Accor, the fastest growing international hotel operator in India, reaffirmed its commitment and confidence in the growing Indian tourism sector, in announcing a strategic hotel development – ibis New Delhi, within Delhi International Airport “Aerocity”. The site was won by Accor’s joint venture for ibis hotels for the Indian sub-continent – InterGlobe Hotels, in a bidding process recently conducted by the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL).
Construction is to begin on the 1.7 acre site for a 315 room ibis hotel later this year, with an option for further expansion in the future. The hotel is expected to open in 2011 with an estimated project cost of INR180Cr ($38million) for the first phase. Uttam Dave, President & CEO of InterGlobe Hotels – said “We are particularly delighted with the development of an ibis within the New Delhi Aerocity. This location is perfect both for building the brand presence of ibis Hotels in India, as well as to serve the vast New Delhi market. We are very pleased with the growth of the ibis network in India, which has kept pace, and indeed exceeded our original development plan.”
The first ibis hotel opened in Gurgaon in August 2008 and a further 14 ibis hotels are in various stages of development in India, with over 2,700 rooms. These projects include Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Jaipur and Nashik. Ibis Pune will be the next ibis to open in India in July 2009 and followed by ibis Mumbai Airport early in 2010.
Ibis hotels in India and in more than 40 countries across 5 continents provide quality, value accommodation to business and leisure travelers. Ibis hotels are well located, with modern and ergonomic ensuite bedrooms, 24 hour a day services, quality well priced food and beverage with competitive, consistent and simple accommodation rates. In India, ibis hotels are uniquely positioned at half the rate of an upscale hotel.
Jean-Michel Casse – Senior Vice President Operations Accor India says “The ibis Delhi International Airport like the ibis Hotel Gurgaon and all ibis hotels in India will provide guests with the reassurance of one of the worlds largest and most respected economy hotel brands. Quality and consistent accommodation at affordable pricing and guaranteed with a “15 minute satisfaction contract” is exactly what is required in the Indian economy hotel environment.”
The largest ibis hotel outside of France recently opened in February 2009, the ibis Singapore on Bencoolen. This hotel joins other openings which have included Ibis Sydney King Street Wharf, ibis Tianjin Tanggu and Ibis Bangkok Nana along, with an additional 23 ibis hotels to open throughout Asia Pacific this year, adding to the existing network of 62 ibis hotels in Asia Pacific and over 800 globally.
Additionally in India, Accor has 48 hotels under development covering the budget to luxury segments. These include hotel brands Sofitel, Novotel, Mercure and Formule 1.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
