Holiday Inn eyes India expansion

HOLIDAY Inn Worldwide has set expansion sights on India and is targeting the gateway cities of the country.

The group recently signed a contract to manage the Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza Madras, which is due to open in 1995.

Holiday Inn Asia-Pacific executive vice-president and managing director David Paulon signed the agreement with Palani Periasamy, chairman of Pallava Hotels Corp.

Under the agreement, a 200-room, franchise hotel will be built, becoming the second Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza in India, joining New Delhi.

It comes close on the heels of the group's recent announcement that it will help develop 70 domestic hotels throughout India over the next 10 years.