Relais & Châteaux to expand member base in India

NEW DELHI: Relais & Châteaux, an association of the world's finest hoteliers, chefs and restaurateurs is looking to expand its member base in India by adding new hotels and restaurants in the network of over 500 properties globally. The association is also looking to direct rich Indians travelling abroad to the member properties. Currently six hotels are part of the Relais worldwide network of 520 properties in over 60 countries.

"Relais does not have any restaurant from India in its network. I think there are a few of them worthy of becoming members and I might approach them to be a part of it and would definitely want a restaurant member from India soon," said Jaisal Singh, the newly elected vice-president of Relais & Châteaux.

Singh, who is the chief operating officer of Sujan Luxury Hotels, a boutique hospitality firm with an annual turnover of about Rs 8 crore, says he is also looking to add a few more hotels to the network during his four-year-long stint with the association. Singh is the first Indian to be appointed as the vice-president. Two properties of his company are also part of the association from India.

Currently six destinations in India are a part of Relais & Châteaux network with the latest one being Samode Safari Lodge at Bandhavgarh, a part of heritage hotel group Samode Hotels. Next year, another hotel, Mihir Garh in Rajasthan, will also make it to the list. Singh's mandate as the vice-president also includes spreading awareness about the association in India. "Relais is virtually unkwon here, unlike in the West where it is popular." India is also a potential source market for Relais worldwide, he said. Reservations through Relais & Chateaux's central reservation system generated business amounting to 93.9 million in 2012. Commenting on the benefits of being a Relais member, Singh says about 10 % of the total bookings at his hotels came via Relais network last year.