"We want to double inventory in India in 3-5 years"

Haitham Mattar, MD, MEA & Southwest Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts, on why he is focusing on domestic tourism, and what lies ahead for the hospitality industry

- BY KRISHNA GOPALAN

The InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is known for iconic brands Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Six Senses, and, of course, InterContinental. It has a strong presence across the world, though India has emerged as a key market of late. In a freewheeling chat, Haitham Mattar, Managing Director, MEA & Southwest Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts, tells Business Today's Krishna Gopalan how he chooses which brand is ready for which market, the opportunities in India, and a lot more. Edited excerpts:

Q: Which market does India remind you of and at what point in time? What makes it unique?

A: There’s a lot of cultural cross-exposure between India and the Middle East. After all, it is one of the oldest countries from where some of the oldest religions have come. A country that is highly spiritual resonates with the Gulf region. These are the things that come to my mind when I travel to India or the Middle East or the rest of the world.

Then, you look at China and India, not necessarily in terms of culture and food, but size. The critical mass that you see in both the countries makes you realise that you are in a consumption society that gives you opportunities for growth. India has a massive captive market. You’ve just got to find the right segment, the right product, create a need, and you are in business.

Q: Where does India stand in the overall global strategy of IHG?

A: We have grown tremendously in India from 16 hotels in 2013 to 46 today. The goal is to double our inventory over the next three to five years. Our global CEO Elie Maalouf has four-five focus countries, including India.

Q: You have a large portfolio of brands. How do you balance them in positioning and product offering?