Carlson Rezidor’s expansion in India also gained added traction with the signing in April of a strategic alliance with Bestech Hospitalities to develop a network of 49 Park Inn by Radisson hotels in north and central India by 2024.

　　Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the world’s largest and most dynamic hotel groups, achieved strong growth in India in 2012 with 13 hotel openings and 13 new signings, sealing its position as the number one international hotel operator in India by number of hotels and earning industry accolades along the way. Carlson Rezidor closed the year with a total India portfolio of 63 hotels in operation and 44 hotels in development.

　　The 13 hotel openings in India in 2012 have also helped Carlson Rezidor to score several “firsts”. The Group saw the opening of its first Radisson Blu hotels in Ahmedabad, Ghaziabad, Jaipur and Nagpur, as well as the establishment of the Group’s first hotels in Hyderabad and Kandla.

　　Of the 13 new deals signed last year, many were for flagship hotels in choice locations of some of the major cities, resort destinations and satellite towns such as Faridabad, Gandhinagar, Jalandhar, Karjat, Salem, Gurgaon, Bhiwadi and Goa. These new deals have effectively reinforced the presence of Carlson Rezidor hotel brands and the growth of its hotel network across the country.

　　Carlson Rezidor’s expansion in India also gained added traction with the signing in April of a strategic alliance with Bestech Hospitalities to develop a network of 49 Park Inn by Radisson hotels in north and central India by 2024. Under the agreement, Carlson Rezidor and Bestech will invest USD 42 million in a joint venture to develop the first two hotels, Park Inn by Radisson Gurgaon Sector 88 and Park Inn by Radisson Chandigarh, Mohali.

　　Last year, Carlson Rezidor also bagged a number of prestigious industry awards, in recognition of exceptional performance. Several of the Group’s hotels in India were named the best in their categories and a few employees were also singled out as top performers in the industry.

　　“We are very proud of our India team, who has the capability and deep local knowledge to drive strategic growth for Carlson Rezidor in this key market. In 2012, Carlson Rezidor successfully consolidated our leadership position in India, despite the economic challenges in the West and their consequent impact on India’s domestic market. We have forged new alliances, signed multi-property deals and grown our portfolio of opened and pipeline hotels.

　　Carlson Rezidor remains confident in the potential of the Indian market and we foresee great opportunities to further strengthen our position in 2013. Apart from opening 13 more hotels in India this year, we will continue in our efforts to drive hotel management excellence and build capability at all levels. Carlson Rezidor is also ready to move forward aggressively with rolling out our mid-scale Park Inn by Radisson hotel brand in selected locations in India,” said Simon C. Barlow, president, Asia Pacific, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group.

　　New openings in 2012

　　1. Radisson Blu Hotel Ludhiana: 81 keys, located within a shopping district, with easy access to Sahnewal Domestic Airport.

　　2. Radisson Blu Hotel Ahmedabad: The first Radisson Blu hotel to open in Ahmedabad, 116 rooms, located close to Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Gujarat University Convention and Exhibition Centre and the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad.

　　3. Radisson Blu Hotel Chennai City Centre: 162 keys, located close to the city’s main commercial and business hubs such as Express Avenue, Spencer Plaza and Raheja Towers.

　　4. Radisson Blu Hotel Ghaziabad: The first Radisson Blu hotel in the eastern part of the NCR, 147 keys, located in the prime business and commercial hub of Ghaziabad, near Akshardham Temple, the Formula One Circuit, Agra, Haridwar and Rishikesh.

　　5. Radisson Blu Hotel Jaipur Airport: The first Radisson Blu hotel in Jaipur, 177 keys, located 2km from Jaipur International Airport, close to the city’s prime shopping district and major commercial and business hubs.

　　6. Radisson Blu Hotel Nagpur: The first Radisson Blu hotel in Nagpur, 214 keys, located close to the airport, railway station and the city’s main commercial and business zones including the Mihan special economic zone.

　　7. Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Hyderabad Banjara Hills: The first Carlson Rezidor hotel in Hyderabad, 155 rooms, located close to the center of Hyderabad’s commercial hub and near Rajiv Gandhi International Airport and Hyderabad International Convention Centre.

　　8. Radisson Hotel Kandla: The first Carlson Rezidor hotel in Kandla, 117 keys, located close to the ports of Kandla and Mundra in Gujarat, within easy reach of the airport, railway station and Kandla Special Economic Zone.

　　9. Park Plaza Chandigarh: 138 keys, close to popular shopping destinations and Asia’s largest rose garden, the Rose Garden of Chandigarh.

　　10. Park Plaza Shahdara: 91 keys, located within the Central Business District, close to Delhi’s industrial and commercial hub, within easy reach of major business districts like Noida, Connaught Place and Shastri Park IT Hub.

　　11. Park Plaza Kolkata Ballygunge: 92 keys, close to Kolkata’s central business district, high-end retail belt and commercial hubs.

　　12. Country Inns & Suites by Carlson Goa Candolim: 98 keys, located at Bamonvaddo, close to Candolim Beach, the casinos in Panjim and the new high-tech Rajiv Gandhi IT Habitat.

　　13. Country Inns & Suites By Carlson Mysore: 130 keys, located close to Mandakalli Airport and the railway station.