Lebua seeks partners for hotel expansion in India
Lebua, a Thai luxurious hotel chain, looks to open 6-7 new hotels in India in the next 5 years to deepen its footprint in India after successful debut in Rajasthan earlier this year.
On 22 April 2013, Mr. Deepak Ohri, CEO of Lebua gave an interview to Indian media on Lebua new expansion plan that will see 6-7 Lebua’s new luxury hotels in 4 more cities in India, namely, Mumbai, New Delhi, Bangalore, and Goa.
This move has come after Lebua’s successful start in Indian market earlier this year as it entered management contract with partners to open 2 boutique hotels in Jaipur and one in Udaipur (click to view the hotels)
Mr. Ohri said Lebua’s business model in India is that, as an asset-light company, it will manage the properties and let its partner invest in the assets.
Last year, Lebau’s attempt to open its first luxury hotel in India at Dwarkar area of Delhi fell through as its India partner was not willing to invest to meet the standard of luxury acceptable by brand Lebua.
Apart from Indian partners, Lebua also opens to foreign partners in its venture in India. Mr. Ohri revealed that Lebau was joining hands with a European partner to open a Tier II property in Rishikesh, one of the top tourist destinations in India.
The expansion plan of Lebau will add extra 1,660 rooms to its current tally of 140 rooms, and will contribute to the Indian economy by hiring at least 3,320 more Indian people.
Currently, Lebau has invested $350 mil. in hotels in Thailand, these include the grand Dome at Lebua and Lebua at State Tower in Bangkok. Their foreign expansions have gone to Myamar, Vietnam, Cambodia as well as New Zealand with total investment of $250 mil.
Praphan Samphaiworakit
Reports from New Delhi
3 May 2013
