'India's pace of growth is key driver for Radisson': Federico J Gonzalez
Radisson Hotel Group and the chain should aim to have 500 hotels in the country by 2030, its executive vice chairman, Federico J Gonzalez, told ET in an exclusive interview. «India should be our number one country in the world in terms of number of hotels. The economic growth in India is significant. But, besides the economic growth and the growth in population and infrastructure, the ambition and dynamism of Indians is one of a kind,» said Gonzalez.
«Everybody you meet here wants to do more and wants to grow. I think when we see that kind of mindset in a country, we need to make sure we maximise the growth,» he said. «Do we have a plan to get to 500 hotels in India by 2030? No. But, should we have the ambition to do this, considering the pace at which India is growing? Absolutely, yes.»
Gonzalez said the efforts being put in place by the government to improve infrastructure and government plans to develop 50 tourist destinations can be key growth drivers for the Belgium-headquartered chain. Radisson Hotel Group said on Monday its strategy is to have 240 hotels in operation and under development in India by the end of 2025, driven by a «strategic focus» on tier-two and three markets and the increasing demand for luxury lifestyle and midscale accommodations.
Radisson Hotel Group has more than 194 hotels in operation and development across 114 destinations in the country. Globally, the chain has more than 1,520 hotels in operation and development and plans to «significantly» grow the portfolio. «We don't publish