'India pipeline significant, we will double it in next three-five years'

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) plans to double its portfolio in India due to increased demand and government support. HAITHAM MATTAR, managing director of India, Middle East and Africa, and SUDEEP JAIN, managing director, South West Asia, IHG Hotels and Resorts, in an interview with Roshni Shekhar in Mumbai shed light on their growth plan in India and expansion of the group's revenue stream. Currently, IHG has 46 hotels in India and 58 are in the pipeline. Globally, it has over 6,300 open hotels in over 100 countries, and more than 2,000 are in the development pipeline. Edited excerpts:

- HAITHAM MATTAR,

Talking about India, you have 46 hotels in the country right now. What are the current expansion plans here?

Mattar: We have a significant pipeline in India. We are going to double that number in the next three-five years. I think what is interesting is our luxury brand, in addition to InterContinental, Vignette Collection is going to make its way to India. Also, more Voco hotels (one of the brands of IHG) are in the pipeline, but the majority would be the Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express. We are also launching a new brand called Garner, a soft conversion brand in the budget-friendly segment.

What is driving this expansion plan in India?