Kempinski Hotels and Leela Palaces decided to terminate their cooperation agreement after 25 years paving the way to both companies to expand. Kempinski is now looking at being present with its own properties in India.
GENEVA – Effective today, Kempinski Hotels and Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts have mutually agreed to bring the companies’ fruitful 25-year relationship to a close. Following a progressive phase out which began in 2012, both parties will from now on promote their businesses separately. This will allow Leela to further consolidate its sales and marketing network independently, while facilitating Kempinski Hotels’ direct penetration into the important Indian market.
Reto Wittwer, President & CEO of Kempinski Hotels, said: “We are proud of the rewarding relationship which Kempinski Hotels and The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts have enjoyed for more than twenty years.”
Captain CP Krishnan Nair, Founder and Chairman Emeritus, The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts, added: “The strong cooperation enjoyed by the two luxury brands over more than two decades has immensely benefited both The Leela and Kempinski, and helped both brands significantly increase brand awareness globally and in the Indian market respectively.”
Leela earlier this year un veiled a rebranding and at the same time announced further expansion of its portfolio. The chain, which manages 9 properties, is developing five new properties and residences: a resort in Jaipur; a business hotel at Bhartiya City, Bangalore, strategically located near the airport; a palace hotel at Supertech’s largest mixed-use development at Noida; a palace hotel at Agra, where every room will face The Taj Mahal; and Lake Ashtamudi in Kerala.
Kempinski wants to become a leading European chain in India and targets five properties under its own management until 2015. Properties are due to open in Udaipur, Mumbai and Bangalore. Kempinski runs already a hotel in Delhi.
Luc Citrinot a French national is a freelance journalist and consultant in tourism and air transport with over 20 years experience. Based in Paris and Bangkok, he works for various travel and air transport trade publications in Europe and Asia.
