The Leela Palaces-Hotels-Resorts expands its wings by partnering world’s largest luxury Global Hotel Alliance ( GHA )

The Leela Palaces-Hotels-Resorts, India’s premium hotel group, is all set to broaden its international market reach by joining the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the world’s largest alliance of independent luxury hotel brands. The Leela Group, which is expanding at a scorching pace in India by adding five new world class hotels by 2009 to its existing family of four properties, is already an associate of Kempinski, Europe’s oldest luxury hotel group.

The Kempinski association was enhanced a year back, to cover international marketing and distribution support for The Leela’s existing and future five hotels. The GHA partnership will enable The Leela penetrate the international luxury hotel market even more effectively.

The GHA, formed in 2004, partners hospitality groups Kempinski, Omni, Pan and Pacific, and comprises a 190 upscale, luxury hotels and resorts, each brand a key player in their region of operation. From January 1, 2007, the Asian Hotels Alliance (AHA) has merged with GHA, immediately bringing Dusit Hotels & Resorts, Landis Hotels & Resorts and Marco Polo Hotels as new members of GHA, while Meritus Hotels & Resorts and New Otani Hotels have an option to join GHA during the next 12 months.

'This is a great opportunity for The Leela brand to expand its customer network by working with our GHA partners in markets otherwise difficult to penetrate. In today’s global economy, the frequency of international travel continues to grow, elevating the importance of exposing our brand and assisting our customers in other parts of the world.’ Says Mr. Peter Leitgeb, President, The Leela Palaces -Hotels - Resorts.

The new agreement offers GHA members a great opportunity to spread its footprints in a dynamic and rapidly growing market like India. The Indian hospitality industry is experiencing a boom and most international brands are constantly eyeing entry opportunities in this market.

The Leela Group intends to increase its’ awareness among international travelers and enjoy the benefits of global scale by leveraging GHA partner sales network, sales road shows, frequent flyer program partnerships, trade shows, consortia contracting strengths, PR and advertising campaigns and preferred partnerships.

The Leela Palaces-Hotels-Resorts has established a global leadership position in the luxury hospitality industry by offering hotels in premier locations, elegant facilities and personalized service to the world’s most discerning travelers. Its bouquet of award winning hotels comprises The Leela Kempinski, Mumbai, The Leela Palace Kempinski, Bangalore, The Leela Kempinski Goa and The Leela Kempinski, Kovalam Beach. The group successfully pioneered The Club or hotel within a hotel concept at its resorts in Goa and more recently in Kovalam where it offers India’s only cliff-top resort.

Going forward, it is introducing hotels in India’s most dynamic markets, namely Gurgaon – Delhi NCR (September 2007), Udaipur (2008), Chennai, Hyderabad and Pune in 2009 at an investment of nearly USD 300 million.

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