SOFITEL Luxury Hotels will launch two new hotels in India by 2016 – Sofitel Mulund and Sofitel So Mumbai Mulund – after strong performance seen at Sofitel Mumbai BKC, the only Sofitel property in the country at the moment.
“Mulund is one of Mumbai’s first planned suburbs, and has become a testament today to India’s growing middle class and its aspirational style of living. We plan to cash in on this untouched location and make our mark as a unique luxury hotel,” said Markland Blaiklock, senior vice president, Sofitel Asia Pacific.”
The openings will also mark Sofitel So’s debut in India.
Speaking about India’s market potential, Blaiklock said: “There’s a good reason why foreign brands are tapping the Indian luxury market. Many Indians are now entering the ranks of the wealthy and developing a taste for luxury, in both the leisure and business segments. We are extremely positive about the growth of both segments in the Indian market.
Sofitel also hopes to be present in New Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai and Goa.
Blaiklock said that Sofitel’s flagship property in Mumbai had seen “phenomenal” response and “robust occupancy” a year after it opened. The hotel mainly caters to the business travellers due to its location in the Bandra Kurla Complex.
“Our restaurants and bars have become city landmarks,” said Blaiklock.
During a regional event at Sofitel Mumbai KBC recently, he outlined two high-priority brand objectives moving towards 2015: to increase brand value by pursuing targeted developments in key capital cities and major tourist destinations in the region, and to expand the brand portfolio to 150 hotels globally.
