With the investment of Rs 900 crore, the JW Marriot Hotels and Resorts has finally launched its commercial operation in New Delhi Aerocity on Thursday. Unlike many hotels which are still struggling to cross final security hurdle, the 523 room hotel next to the Delhi airport, has managed to get all clearances.
“ We have invested Rs 900 crore although it got delayed by nine months and budget moved up by 20 per cent,” Asian Hotels (West) ltd Chairman & Managing Director, Sushil Gupta told The Pioneer.This is the fifth JW Marriot hotel in the country. On expansion plans, he said, “let me settle down here first, it will take a year.” Marriot International, Inc has more than 3,800 properties in 72 countries and territories and reported revenue of nearly $12 billion in the fiscal year 2012.
Other runway-facing hotels include Hyatt Andaz and Dusit D2. While these hotels would have to comply with the requirement of putting a protective film on glass windows and get it approved by the (Defence Research and Development Organisation)DRDO, the police clearance would be mandatory for all 16 hotels coming up on the 43-acre plot in the Delhi international airport area. Next, lemon Tree and Red Fox are expected to open by the beginning of December followed by Accor group's Ibis.
The first of its kind project in India, will add another 5,100 rooms to the existing inventory of over 11,000 branded rooms in Delhi and NCR. The total investment in Aerocity is estimated around Rs 8,000 crore. See more report on page no 13