Hospitality hotspot likely to shift to Noida side

Delhi/NCR

The next big battle among hospitality players is expected to shift to the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway. Current trouble over land acquisition in the area notwithstanding, the 25-km stretch could be the next hotspot for tourism, conventions, glitterati events, nightlife and shopping as several big hotel groups such as Marriott, Hyatt, Starwood and Oberoi are firming up their plans already. Analysts say they expect more than a dozen 5-star hotels, with an estimated inventory of around 2,500 rooms to come up in the area, making it the biggest hotel hub in the country.

“Availability of land in New Delhi for future hotels is low. As most projects on the expressway are for mixed land use development, it has created an opportunity for hotel companies to bring their brands in the NCR region,” said Akshay Kulkarni, director of hospitality at Cushman & Wakefield.

Some of the projects that have been already announced include Marriott Hotel, Marriott Executive Apartments and Fairfield Inn. Hyatt Hotels & Resorts will operate Grand Hyatt with 600 rooms on that stretch.

Jaypee Hotels is running a resort and plans to build a luxury hotel with 650 rooms. Sources said East India Hotels will also set up an Oberoi along the expressway.

Navjeet Ahluwalia, senior vicepresident, hotel development at Marriott Hotels, said: “The number of rooms available in New Delhi is about a tenth of the rooms available in Beijing. Hotels on the expressway are expected to cater to guests from the large supply of commercial and residential complexes coming up on that stretch. In addition, tourists arriving in New Delhi and Agra as well as for the Formula One in nearby Greater Noida are expected to create demand in that region.”

Starwood Hotels & Resorts is also learnt to be looking at bringing its luxury brand St. Regis and W in that region. Starwood Hotels & Resorts managing director India and regional vice-president of south Asia Dilip Puri said: “We are in talks with developers to bring more than one hotel brand in that region.”
Carlson Hotels executive vicepresident (South Asia) KB Kachru also said due to its proximity of the location to Agra and south Delhi, the company is in talks with developers to bring a 5-star property on the expressway.

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