Dan Hotels, Israel’s oldest chain, is about to debut in India, catering primarily for corporate travellers and filling a niche wide open in that market.
The first Dan Hotel will open in Bangalore in under two years and will herald the first in a chain centred around India’s corporate centres and cities.
Vice president of marketing and sales, Rafi Baeri, said the recent terrorist attack on Mumbai had done nothing to dispel Dan Hotels’ plans or belief in India’s potential. “India has a shortage of hotel rooms,” he said. “Business and corporate travellers battle to find accommodation.
“Israelis have had experience of attacks but never concentrated incidents on tourism. This (Mumbai) is an isolated event. If it turns out to be a continuing pattern – and I doubt it will – then tourism and visits to India could be affected.”
Founded in 1947 by the Federmann family – the year before the state of Israel was formalised – Dan Hotels has latterly specialised in the luxury market with clusters of hotels in the country’s major cities.
In March it announced its foray in Israel into a new boutique range of hotels, characterised by modern east-meets-west architecture and boasting up to 120 rooms.
To date, the company has been staunchly committed to its home country.
Dan Hotels image gallery
