US-based hospitality major Hilton International is planning to ramp up its India presence by introducing a host of global brands, including the top-end luxury label Conrad and mid-segment business brands like Hilton Garden Inns, Hampton Inns and Scandic By Hilton. It also plans to expand the reach of its Hilton brand to more cities, reports The Economic Times.

In the offing are tie-ups with several hotel developers, including a major one with real estate major DLF for a series of business hotels across the country.

We had reported earlier that the Additional Director General (Tourism), Rajiv Talwar, has resigned from the Indian Administrative Service to take over as the CEO of DLF's hospitality division.

Hilton International will be a minority stakeholder in a hotel development company with DLF. The properties under the DLF-Hilton joint venture will be managed and marketed by Hilton International. DLF has chalked out plans to set up more than 100 business and four-star hotels in 50 cities over the next seven to ten years.

Currently, Hilton International has a marketing tie-up with The Oberoi Group under its Trident brand for nine properties across the country, with plans to add two more.

However, the relationship between the joint venture partners will be a non-exclusive one with both having the option to enter into alliances with other hotel chains or developers. Industry sources say plans are afoot to introduce mid-segment business brands such as Hilton Garden Inns and Hampton Inns, in association with DLF.

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