International hospitality major Wyndham Hotel Group has entered into a partnership with Ahmedabad-based Unique Mercantile to develop 35 hotels in India under Howard Johnson brand in the next five years.
The partnership will mark entry of Howard Johnson brand into India from Wyndham’s global portfolio. Unique Mercantile is planning to invest around Rs.1,000 crore in developing the properties.
“We have signed a deal with Unique for 35 properties in India and introducing our brand Howard Johnson here,” Wyndham Hotel Group President and CEO Eric A Danziger told reporters.
Worldwide Wyndham operates around 500 hotels under Howard Johnson label, a 60 year old brand.
Howard Johnson is a mid scale full service hotel, with tariffs in India likely to be between Rs.3,000-5,000 per room per night.
Unique Mercantile India that has business interests in real estate, hospitality and insurance with an annual turnover of around Rs.350 crore.
The 35 planned hotels would translate to up to 5,000 rooms.
“The expected cost of developing 35 hotels would be around Rs.1,000 crore, which will be invested by us along with our other partners and investors,” Unique Mercantile India Executive Director Rahul Rai said without giving further details.
Rai said the company plans to develop ten hotels in big locations and remaining in small towns and cities.
“We have already identified locations like Udaipur, Bangalore and Ahmedabad,” he added.
Wyndham that operates around 7,200 hotels worldwide under 15 brands, manages 31 properties in India under six different brands including Ramada, Days Inn and Wyndham.
Asked whether the company plans to introduce more of its global brands here Danziger said: “Within this year, we will introduce at least one more brand to India.”
