HYDERABAD: In the next few years, Hyderabad will witness frenetic activity in the hotel sector. Possibly by the end of this decade, the twin cities will have over 10 new hotels, a mix of luxury and budget ones.

The fast developing infrastructure in the State capital, booming IT and ITES sectors and the deadline-oriented progress of work on the International Airport seem to be encouraging the hotel industry to go in for major expansion or to set up new units.

Big groups like The Park, Hilton, Hyatt, Accorr and Trident have already made their plans to set up high-end star hotels here official.

The Leela Group is already coming up with a 300-room star hotel at a prime location in Banjara Hills.

Expansion mode

Best Western and Choice International have announced their plans to develop two hotels each.

The Taj Group and GVK are in expansion mode. In fact, the Taj Group has a very high-end star hotel coming up at Falaknuma.

Green Park Hotel has recently acquired permission to take up construction of a four-star hotel at the Hi-Tec City.

Apart from this, the management is also remodelling its existing hotel at Ameerpet by adding another 100 rooms.

Hoteliers are pretty upbeat. "There will be a huge demand once the International Airport turns operational. Even now, a corporate traveller without advance reservation finds it difficult to get accommodation," says Ravish Dave, Joint Secretary of the Hotels and Restaurants Association of Andhra Pradesh.

Healthy demand

Industry experts observe that the demand for accommodation has been ever increasing.

In fact, the room bookings have been increasing by 50 per cent every year in the twin cities.

"Demand for budget hotels, which provide five-star luxury is immense. That's why we are expanding our own facilities," informs General Manager for Green Park, K. A. Srinivas.

Observers who are privy with this sector, however, add a note of caution.

"If passengers from the International Airport only come for transit, it is of no use. They should do business here. Industrial and tourism growth are key to sustain the deluge of star and budget hotels in future," a hotelier pointed out.

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