ITC Hotels' Welcomhotel Brand Achieves Major Milestone with 50+ Properties
In a significant expansion move, ITC Hotels Limited (ITCHL) has announced the signing of two new hotels, propelling its Welcomhotel brand past the milestone of 50 properties across India. The hospitality giant has entered into definitive agreements with Sandy Resort Pvt Ltd to operate upcoming hotels in Shirdi, Maharashtra, and Bhubaneshwar, Odisha.
New Signings Boost Portfolio to 51 Hotels
The agreement includes a 73-room hotel in Shirdi and an 84-room hotel in Bhubaneshwar, both to be managed under the Welcomhotel brand. With these additions, the Welcomhotel portfolio now comprises 51 hotels, featuring over 5,500 keys. This includes 30 operating hotels and 21 properties in the development pipeline, showcasing robust growth in the competitive hospitality sector.
Rapid Expansion Across Diverse Locations
Over the last 12 months, ITC Hotels has aggressively expanded the Welcomhotel brand, signing properties in 16 key locations. This expansion spans a mix of religious, business, and leisure destinations, reflecting a strategic diversification. Notable signings include:
- Uttar Pradesh: Ayodhya, Sarnath, Vrindavan
- Odisha: Bhubaneshwar
- Bihar: Bodh Gaya
- Rajasthan: Jaipur, Salasar
- Gujarat: Karai, Rajkot
- Karnataka: Mysuru
- Andhra Pradesh: Nellore
- Telangana: Panjagutta, Shankarpally
- Uttarakhand: Selaqui in Dehradun
- Maharashtra: Shirdi
- Punjab: Mohali
Upcoming Openings and Strategic Vision
In addition to the new signings, ITC Hotels has revealed plans to open Welcomhotel properties in Gangtok, Sikkim, as well as Bhopal and Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh. This expansion underscores the brand's commitment to penetrating both hill stations and urban centers, catering to a wide range of travelers.
Anil Chadha, Managing Director of ITC Hotels Limited, expressed enthusiasm about this growth phase. "This is indeed a special moment for us. Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels has seen an impressive growth trajectory, expanding steadily in both business and leisure markets at different locations across hills, plains, and the sea. We endeavor to continue this journey at Shirdi & Bhubaneshwar, delivering on the brand’s promise of offering immersive and enriching guest experiences," he stated.
Partnership and Future Prospects
Sanjeev Kumar Patra, Managing Director of Sandy Resorts Pvt Ltd, highlighted the significance of the collaboration. "We are delighted to enter into the management agreements for our two hotels with ITC Hotels Limited. As a second-generation hotelier, both the Shirdi and Bhubaneshwar hotels are very special to our family, and it will be our privilege to soon open the Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels in Shirdi. I thank the ITC Hotels team for their shared vision, and we remain equally committed to reposition and open our Bhubaneshwar property," he said.
This expansion not only marks a milestone for ITC Hotels but also signals a positive trend in India's hospitality industry, with increased investment and development in tier-II and religious tourism hubs. The focus on diverse locations aims to enhance guest experiences and tap into emerging travel markets.
