Latest news with #RahoolMacarius
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Wyndham Hotels to expand in India; 50+ new properties in pipeline; more global brands on the way
Representative AI image NEW DELHI: Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, the world's largest hotel franchisor, expects India to become one of its top growth markets, with over 50 new properties in the pipeline and plans to launch more of its global brands in the country, company officials said. During a PTI interview, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts' top executives, President for EMEA Dimitris Manikis and Managing Director for Eurasia Rahool Macarius — outlined the company's plans to expand its presence in India. "We have more than 70 hotels and very soon we are going to be more than 100. ... Talking about the pipeline, as we speak, we have more than 50 hotels in the pipeline and growing. So today, I might say 50 and tomorrow the number would change. So it's a moving goal post for us but it's a very fast and sprinting goal post for us," Rahool said. Although Ramada remains their most recognised brand in India, the organisation intends to expand its current portfolio with additional brands. Dimitris explained, "We've got such a great portfolio of brands that they fit with certain markets at a certain time. So yes, the answer is yes, we're going to bring more brands. But equally, we want to make sure that we grow the brands that we currently have in India." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Switch to UnionBank Rewards Card UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo He highlighted India's strong potential to become a leading global tourism destination and stressed the need for better marketing, more direct international flights, and easier visa procedures for foreign visitors. "Direct flights, absolutely critical, opening up those flights, absolutely critical, make entry into the country as easy as possible. People today what they need is, when they travel, they don't want to be burdened by long processes and difficult to get to, processes, including visas," said the Wyndham Hotels and Resorts' EMEA President. Operating over 9,300 hotels across approximately 95 countries, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts announced a partnership with Cygnett Hotels & Resorts to launch La Quinta by Wyndham and Registry Collection Hotels in India. Wyndham Hotels and Resorts operates 25 hotel brands, including Super 8, Days Inn, Microtel, Baymont, Wingate, Trademark Collection, and Wyndham. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Skift
5 days ago
- Business
- Skift
Wyndham Is ‘Sprinting' Towards Its 100-Hotel Mark in India
For Wyndham, India is an unmissable opportunity and the growth is rapid but not indiscriminate. It is still conscious about the markets, locations, and the brand mix it wants to bring here. Wyndham Hotels and Resorts is 'sprinting' to the 100-hotel mark in India, Rahool Macarius, the recently appointed market managing director for Eurasia, told Skift. 'We are actually doing it in a quarter of the time that other international brands have,' he said. Macarius rejoined Wyndham in January this year, and since then, the company signed eight hotels in the April-June quarter. Six hotels were signed last month alone, he said. 'Growth is absolutely phenomenal for us. I see a great pipeline and I want to reach the 100-mark as soon as possible,' he said. He further said the company will breach this mark 'probably this year' and if not, then 'definitely next year.' The company's present growth has been in Tier-2 and 3 cities in India, such as Ambala, Ranchi, Zirakpur, Ghaziabad. 'We are one of the companies that did not rise or explore from the metros. We gained traction from Tier-2 and 3 cities. A lot of our great leisure locations are in smaller cities,' Macarius said. The India Focus: Earlier this year, Wyndham President and CEO Geoff Ballotti said India saw the highest growth rates for the company in 2024 in terms of new hotel signings. He also said he saw India as a big opportunity. Speaking with Skift, Wyndham's President for EMEA Dimitris Manikis reiterated this. 'The infrastructure development and the blue collar workers that are going to be traveling across the country is where we see the enormous opportunity in the next few years,' Manikis said. India is witnessing a repeat of what has already happened in the U.S. and China. 'It is going to happen here. It's inevitable,' he asserted. According to Manikis, this is the time for India to build the story. 'It was about time for India to explore the potential that everybody was talking about for the last 30 years.' He said that India's 10-year plan for infrastructure development brought
