Radisson hotel group strengthens its footprint in South Asia with new leadership and robust expansion plans

Radisson Hotel GroupTM, one of the world’s largest and most dynamic hotel groups, has reiterated its deep commitment to South Asia at the Hotel Investment Conference South Asia (HICSA) 2019. Now, with the support of Jin Jiang, the world’s fifth largest hotel company, Radisson Hotel Group is well positioned for significant future growth.

The company is already one of the largest international hotel groups in India, with 143 properties and over 16,800 rooms currently operating or under development nationwide. With the recent appointment of Zubin Saxena as Managing Director and Vice President Operations, South Asia, the region is steadfast towards providing value add to owners through strong relationships with an increased focus on operational excellence, both the region’s core pillars of success.

As the group enters the second year of Destination 2022, its five-year strategic roadmap, extensive expansion is underway across this vibrant region. Radisson Hotel Group signed 15 hotels in India in 2018 and it has already signed four more properties in 2019: Park Plaza Amritsar, Radisson Greater Noida, Radisson Gurugram Sohna Road City Center, and Park Inn by Radisson Kashipur.

Seven new hotels were opened in India in 2018, and the group is on track to reach the landmark of opening its 100th hotel in India this year. Leveraging its first-mover advantage in the country, Radisson Hotel Group intends to introduce international hospitality to a series of fast-growing Tier II and III cities, as well as emerging areas such as North East and Central India.

New hotels set to open within the next 12 months include India’s first Radisson RED® hotel, located in Mohali, which will usher in an exciting new era of contemporary, creative hospitality to India.

“South Asia is one of the world’s most dynamic regions, where huge populations meet soaring economic growth, creating unprecedented opportunities for investment and development. At Radisson Hotel Group, we have long since recognised the subcontinent’s vast potential, and it is no coincidence that we are now one of South Asia’s largest and most trusted hotel groups. We have very strong relationships with our owners and other stakeholders in South Asia, and we will continue to work tirelessly to drive profitability through operational excellence,” said Zubin Saxena, Managing Director and Vice President of Operations, South Asia.

Katerina Giannouka, President, Asia Pacific, Radisson Hotel Group, commented; “When we embarked on Destination 2022, our five-year strategic vision, we knew that South Asia would be a key part of its success. We have created a series of transformational, innovative new initiatives covering all aspects of our business. They include EMMA, a revolutionary global unified technology platform, strengthened brands, enhanced commercial strategies and operations protocol.”

New programs being implemented by Radisson Hotel Group in South Asia include a “Hotel Center of Excellence” for General Managers in India, sharpened guest satisfaction surveys and enhanced technology platforms. The Group is also rolling out seven new global brand programs, including Rad Family, Radisson Meetings and Welcome India, which is dedicated to outbound Indian guests.

The rapid expansion of the group’s South Asian portfolio will also create more than 4,000 new job opportunities over the next three years, and Radisson Hotel Group will be actively seeking to hire and nurture the best talent the region has to offer.