LONDON- The upscale hotel group Yotel, based in London, is set to venture into the Indian market. Yotel CEO Hubert Viriot revealed to TOI that the group is currently in discussions with operators of “some of the busiest” airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.
The plan is to establish a presence both in the city center and at the respective airports of the chosen cities.
YOTEL Hotels at Indian Airports
Viriot stated, “We have 32 opened and signed hotels in locations such as North America, Europe, the UK, and the Far East.”
“The two significant markets where we currently do not have a presence are China and India. Presently, our focus is on India due to the rapidly growing tourism market,” remarked Viriot.
While he refrained from providing an estimate on the number of Yotel establishments he envisions in India in the coming years, he expressed optimism, stating, “India boasts strong local players, but the penetration of international hospitality brands is low. New products like ours are likely to gain acceptance here. We are currently engaged in discussions with airport operators, and ideally, we aim to establish our presence both at the airport and the city center of the same cities.”
Viriot highlighted Yotel’s unique approach, operating on an asset-light model through management contracts.
He explained, “We support our partners in expanding the business with our hotel model featuring a 24×7 lounge, bar, chill-out zone, and health and fitness centers. Rather than having multiple restaurants, we connect our guests with the local community, offering specialty eateries and other attractions.”
Rapid Expansion
Yotel encompasses three distinct brands—Yotel, YotelAir, and YotelPad. The first two brands are anticipated to make their way into the Indian market soon.
Viriot, who joined Yotel in May 2014, has led an aggressive growth strategy, with the group expanding from four properties to 32 opened and signed hotels, representing over 7000 keys globally.
In 2017, he facilitated a $250 million strategic partnership with Starwood Capital Group to support expansion and international growth. Currently, the company is working towards its goal of having 50 Yotels opened and signed by 2025.
Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News.