Thailand’s Onyx makes major play in India

Thailand’s Onyx Hospitality Group has unveiled plans to enter India, , with at least 10 new properties expected to open in the coming years.

The company has kicked off its Indian expansion following a major partnership with Kingsbridge India for two upscale Amari hotels in Noida and Ahmedabad. Forming part of the World Trade Centre Noida project, the Amari Noida will offer 120 rooms and 30 branded residences, plus three restaurants, meeting and convention space, a swimming pool, fitness centre and spa.

The second project, the Amari Residences GIFT City in Ahmedabad, will also form part of a World Trade Centre development in Gujarat’s largest city. The hotel will feature 120 serviced apartments, a restaurant, pool and fitness centre.

Work on both new Amaris is due to commence in 2016, with the properties scheduled to open in 2019.

“This announcement marks a strategic step in our long-term strategy to become a leading hospitality provider in Asia,” said Peter Henley, Onyx’s president & CEO.

“India is ripe for hospitality development right now and as the economy continues to grow, and international visitors to the country rise, we see great potential for hotel expansion.

“We see market potential for our upscale hotel, resort and residences brand Amari, as well as our select service brand Ozo,” he added.

Onyx has been expanding into South Asia in recent years, with Ozo and Amari properties currently operating in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh respectively. The company also recently announced plans to debut its Amari brand in the Sri Lankan city of Galle.

As well as Ahmedabad and Noida, Onyx told Travel Daily it is also interested in such markets as Delhi, Jaipur, Pune, Mumbai, Goa, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kochi, with the overall aim of operating at least 10 properties in India by 2022.

sourced:traveldailymedia.com