Marriott sees 12pc spike in tariffs,to add 1,400 rooms this yr

Mumbai, Jan 13 (PTI) Marriott International today said itexpects average revenue to go up by 10-12 per cent this yeardue to the spurt in demand for business and leisure travel inthe country, as it plans to increase the room availability by1,400.

"In 2010, revenue per available room grew by 8-10 percent. This year it is expected to increase by 10-12 per cent.

Growth will largely be driven by both an increase in roomoccupancy and rates," Marriott International areavice-president for India, Malaysia and the Maldives RajeevMenon told reporters on the sidelines of an event organised byHotel Investment Forum India here.

Menon further said, the hotel has already hiked averageroom rates by 5-10 per cent for 2011, while room occupancystood at over 70 per cent last year.

The top US hotel chain currently operates 12 propertiesin the country with 3,000 rooms. Another 13 properties areunder construction, Menon said, adding the company plans toadd 1,400 rooms through six new properties under managementcontract this year.