StayWell Hospitality Group Media Centre

StayWell Hospitality Group (StayWell) has today announced it is expanding into India with four properties initially joining its global network.

The Indian properties joining the StayWell portfolio are currently under development to meet the operating and brand standards of the group - and will be rebranded as Park Regis or Leisure Inn properties with opening dates expected from late 2012.

The properties vary in size between 70 and 102 rooms with extensive facilities ranging from functions and banqueting space, a la carte restaurants, coffee lounges, gymnasiums and rooftop bars and swimming pools. The new properties are located in Ghaziabad, Aurangabad, Gurgaon and Shirdi.

StayWell has recognised India as a high growth accommodation market, particularly for mid to upper scale hotel products. It has also identified the overwhelming need of international operators with recognised brands and established systems and hotel networks within the market. Coupled with this, the strong growth of low cost carrier airlines and increasing capacities provide unprecedented travel opportunities within India, further creating high demand, with at present, low supply.

The expansion into India complements StayWell's growth particularly in Southern Asia, China and the Middle East as well as leveraging off its established brands and properties in Australia, Singapore and Dubai. Future plans for the group also include expansion into Europe and other areas of Asia as well as further growing its portfolio within Australia.

Mr Simon Wan, CEO of StayWell has commented that the group's entrance into India has been on the agenda for sometime, electing to wait for the appropriate opportunities which fit with the group's key strategies.

"This is an exciting phase for StayWell Hospitality Group and we are thrilled to be entering one of the biggest emerging markets in the world. Our increased visibility attained through our growing reputation and brand presence in the Indian market will in turn increase our ability to successfully negotiate further acquisitions further fortifying our global expansion plans. Based on our current business plan, we aim to increase our portfolio in India to a total of 34 hotels, as well as close to an additional 100 properties globally, during the next 5 years," he said.

StayWell Hospitality Group's head office is based in Sydney, Australia, with regional offices in India, Singapore, Dubai, Shanghai and Morocco, as well as global sales offices in London, Munich and Hong Kong.

Bal Sohal, a Director of StayWell Hospitality Group makes note of the encouraging trend of the hospitality industry in India with its constant growth in active development of rooms supply, highlighting investor confidence.

"In our research leading up to StayWell's launch into the Indian market, we found that whilst the economy in India was growing, the Indian cities remain starved for quality rooms backed up with a strong brand."

"Based on this gap identified in the market, we saw huge potential for investors and as operators to join the rush. Given India has an annual travelling population of 650 million travellers per annum, and growing, which is twice the size of the entire population of the USA alone, the opportunities are obvious and extremely promising," he said.

This latest addition brings StayWell Hospitality Group's portfolio to 31 with further global announcements pending.

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Further information:

Rachel Pirie - Group Director of International Sales & Marketing
StayWell Hospitality Group
P: +61 2 9299 9220
Email: rpirie@staywellgroup.com
www.staywellgroup.com