Arne Sorenson, president and CEO of Marriott International said that the company expected to increase hotel count in India from 100 to 200 in a few years. “We have about 50 more hotels that have been signed and are under development. This doesn’t mean that all are under physical construction; some are in the permitting process. Our team has got another 50 or so that are in discussions…” he added.
“India is a big economy and with a large population. Travel is business travel as well as tourism. India is still relatively underappreciated; sometimes it is seen as exotic. India has done well with visa on arrival and other things, and should continue to market itself,” he stated.
Sorenson thinks that growth will happen in tier 2 and 3 cities which need quality accommodation, in resorts and religious destinations. He hoped that the Goods and Services Tax will be lowered for quality hotels, and for policies that help easier development. He noted that Marriott has competed “fairly well with competition”, and that occupancy in India’s hotels is at a level not seen before.
