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Time of India
03-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Branded hospitality makes inroads into Gujarat's hinterlands
Ahmedabad: Over the past two years, Gujarat has quietly become a hotbed for branded hotel expansion, not just in major cities, but across its hinterland. Some 25 new properties from national and international chains have been announced or launched in Tier-2 and Tier-3 locations of the state. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Domestic tourism surge along with improved connectivity, focused state-led promotion of religious and heritage circuits, and early bets on upcoming industrial zones are key factors driving the expansion. While major cities like Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar led this rise in the past decade alongside Vadodara, Surat and Rajkot, the expansion story is rapidly shaping up beyond big cities. Brands entering or expanding across these locations include IHCL (Taj, SeleQtions, Ginger), Marriott, Radisson, Lemon Tree, Sarovar, Fern, Lords, Evoke, Pride Hotels, and Fortune (ITC group). New properties are coming up in Mandvi, Kutch, Una, Gir, Dholera, Godhra, Nadiad, Ekta Nagar and beyond. After signing a property in Ahmedabad last month, developer Vikram Bharwad now plans to invest in Kandla and Dholera. "Gujarat's expanding industrial hubs are attracting executives from across the globe, and with them comes the demand for quality, standardised accommodation," he said. "We plan three properties targeting the growing need for well-run business hotels. With infrastructure like the Dholera airport taking shape, the viability of hospitality ventures in these regions is set to grow. " Pilgrimage destinations like Dwarka, Somnath, and Palitana are also being reimagined as year-round spiritual-leisure getaways. With new properties from Ginger, Sarovar, and a 65-key Taj Palitana Palace, religious tourism is now demanding clean, well-managed, branded stays. "There is growing demand across categories — from luxury to mid-market and budget — driven by travellers who now see all travel as an experience," said Keenan McKenzie, cluster general manager, ITC Narmada. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now ITC Hotels has announced a new hotel in Kevadia."Guests are willing to pay for comfort, service, and reliability, whether they're visiting a tourist destination or an industrial hub. This shift reflects rising aspirations and a broader trend of experiential travel across India's heartland. " Ankit Bajaj, a travel expert from Ahmedabad, said, "Spending capacity has gone up, and so has the ticket size of travel. People are now booking better properties, and tourists' aspirations have evolved. There's a clear preference for branded stays, where standardised service and consistency matter." Industry insiders point to two major shifts: a post-pandemic rise in regional road travel among Indian families, and the Gujarat govt's sustained tourism and industrial promotion through projects like the Statue of Unity zone, Dholera SIR, and heritage circuits. Unlike earlier decades where chains stuck to metros, today's brands are placing bets on spiritual tourism, nature escapes, and demand from MSME and logistics sectors in small towns. Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar, meanwhile, is expected to see seven new five-star hotel launches over the next five years. Among them is the 164-key Le Meridien Ahmedabad, opening this Friday. "Ahmedabad is fast emerging as a progressive hospitality hub, fuelled by Gujarat's industrial growth and visionary governance," said Prashant Chadha, general manager, Le Meridien Ahmedabad. "Improved infrastructure, global events like the G20 and the Coldplay concert, and a rise in inbound travel have elevated the city's appeal. "
Time of India
31-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
A'bad-G'nagar hospitality sector getting bigger
1 2 A hmedabad: The hospitality scene is getting bigger in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar with the twin cities set to add 1,200-plus room keys in five new upcoming premium hotel projects. Currently, the city has at least 6,500 keys in the five-star hotel category. On Thursday, Ahmedabad realty firm AG Group signed a contract with InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) for a 150-key Holiday Inn hotel along the New Science City area. This mixed-use project spread over 1.6 million sq ft comprises residential towers and the hotel, with AG Group committing an investment of Rs 200 crore for the hotel alone. Gandhinagar-based Kavyaratna Group too recently signed a contract with Hyatt Hotels Corporation for a new property in GIFT City. Sources familiar with the development confirmed that the hospitality chain is slated to come up with another property in Sanand Industrial Estate. From global chains expanding their presence to strategic locations being tapped for business and leisure travellers, the influx signals growing investor confidence in Gujarat's economic hub. Vikram Bharwad, director of AG Group, said, "We will build a 1.25 lakh sq ft hotel, which will be managed by IHG. Construction will be completed by 2028. We also plan to launch at least five more hotels and resorts in various parts of the country in the years to come." "Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar and GIFT City are developing as attractive hubs for businesses and industrial growth. That apart, being home to the world's largest cricket stadium at Motera, Ahmedabad has hosted iconic tournaments like the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, British rock band Coldplay's live concert, and Indian Premier League (IPL) matches. The city's stature is rising not just as an industrial and business district but also as a cultural, sports, and events hub, which is bound to drive travellers from across the globe to this city. As a result, hospitality investments are on the rise in this region," said Narendra Somani, president, Hotels and Restaurants' Association (HRA) – Gujarat. IHG is also planning more expansions in the region. Sandip Jain, MD, IHG Group, said, "This will be the third hotel by IHG Hotels and Resorts in Ahmedabad. The city has seen growing demand from guests and corporates with increasing business activities and growing income. We currently have around 240 rooms in two hotel brands in the city, and this contract will add around 150 rooms." Sources confirmed that Marriott International's luxury hotel brand, St Regis, is also likely to come up along Sabarmati Riverfront's west bank. TOI had reported that Marriott International is in talks to set up a hotel under its brand JW Marriott at the Adani Shantigram campus on SG Road. The American hospitality major's existing property in the Ramdevnagar area of Ahmedabad is all set for a revamp and rebranding as Le Meridien. SK Patel, chairman of Kavyaratna Group, said, "We are developing a 210-room hotel, spread over 2.40 lakh sq ft with an investment of around Rs 450 crore. GIFT City is emerging as a global financial hub, offering good opportunities for the hospitality sector." Adani Group is also in advanced talks to develop Aerocity at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International (SVPI) airport in Ahmedabad, which will house hotels, a convention centre, and retail spaces.
