By Bikramjit Ray

THORSTEN KIRSCHKE, President, Asia Pacific,-Carlson-Rezidor Hotel Group spoke exclusively with BW Hotelier, just before the official launch of Radisson Red, its upscale lifestyle elect brand.

’We enjoy a very strong foothold in India with 74 hotels in operation and 43 in the pipeline. This makes us the number 1 international operator in India. This is a reflection of more than 25 years of experience in the market. We have a unique insight into hospitality in India,’ he began.

Kirschke said the group always had a very long term view of India as a global market--’We have been able to develop relationships and partnerships, which are meaningful and develop mutual trust’.
’We want to expand our fortress position in India. This is our strongest market in the Asia Pacific and we want to make it even stronger in the coming years ahead,’ he said.

’Brand owners and operators need to make sure that our brands stay relevant and competitive. Digital is taking over. Carlson Rezidor is investing first and foremost in its brand equity’ Kirschke added.

Carlson-Rezidor-Hotel Group, announced the launch of its new Radisson Red hotel brand in India. The launch of this upscale Lifestyle Elect brand is part of-Carlson-Rezidor’s aggressive expansion plans for India.

Radisson Red is a new hotel concept where the focus is on design and detail, choice, personal interaction and technology. Its Lifestyle Elect proposition enables guests to elect the type of stay experience that best reflects their lifestyle. Radisson Red offers a non-traditional stay experience that combines work and play, and appeals to the growing millennial-minded segment. This key segment cuts across age groups to include all travelers who seek unique experiences when they travel and who have an affinity for technology and a lifestyle that integrates work and play.

In India, Radisson Red will be ideal for primary/secondary such as Ahmedabad, Benguluru, Chennai, the Delhi-NCR, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Pune, Lucknow, Mumbai and Pune, as well as leisure and religious destinations such as Goa, Jaipur, Katra, Shirdi, Tirupati.-Carlson-Rezidor-expects to have 60 Radisson Red hotels globally by 2020, according to a company statement.

Bikramjit Ray is Executive Editor, BW Hotelier.