Hospitality brand Sterling Holiday Resorts Ltd has anunced major expansion plans that will take place over course of next four years and see it doubling its room count to almost 5000. Thomas Cook India subsidiary, which is hequartered in Chennai, is spre across country with 35 majestic resorts that ooze luxury and are located in some of most popular vacation destinations in India. resorts are located t just based on holiday destinations or herit centers but also in areas which could be a weekend getaway and are just a drive away from major metros, given hectic lives of working professionals.

Sterling Holiday Resorts' presence

Sterling has also got a presence in major pilgrim spots in India. According to an official, Sterling has been a brand that provides ir guests with new experiences of  country y kw so well and ‘exposes a new India to Indians’. 

Keeping in mind more such locations, Sterling plans to come up with resorts in Maharashtra's Karjat & Igatpuri, kky and Guruvayur in Kerala, Pallaveli in Andhra Presh and Mysore in Karnataka soon and many more projects furr on. initial plan will be to set up almost double number of rooms that are functional today. officials also believe that ding focus to MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conference, Exhibition) business will also help in expansion plans along with ding destination wedding and reunions to ir portfolio. 

Sterling to opt asset-light model

In order to realise its expansion plans, Chennai-based company has chosen to go via light-asset model and plans to lease new developed properties. Sterling is also introducing a timeshare model based on annual memberships which will attract consumers who look for hotels and resorts on a regular basis. se models will help brand work without any ded financial contribution from parent businesses, hence, creating an easier path for expansions y have planned.

Speaking to media, Ramesh Ramanathan, MD of Sterling Holiday Resorts said, "Our idea is to double our rooms to go anywhere between 4,800 and 5,000 by 2023". Elaborating on asset-light model, he ded, "Initially we were using our own resorts, n we moved on to leased resorts and w we have moved to manment contracts model."