Bird group to open 10 hotels and resorts in India;Finishes four acquisitions

Bird group, under its wholly owned subsidiary Bird hospitlaity
services (BHS), is looking at opening 10 hotels and resorts in India.
The group ventured into hospitality last year by forming a joint
venture alliance with Thailand-based Dusit hotels and resorts.

It has already bought land in Rishikesh. The upcoming properties will
be developed under the premium brand 'Dusit Thani'. The construction
of these properties will start soon and are likely to be operational
by 2010. The first property is expected to come up by 2009.

The group has a two-fold plan to increase its portfolio. Apart from
these four properties, two more luxury properties are planned to be
built by 2015. To fuel this expansion, it is eyeing the management and
franchise route simultaneously.

For the ownership model, the group is opting for 'Dusit Thani' brand
while for the management and franchise model, the group aims to bring
the budget category brand 'Dusit Princess' and Dusit's lifestyle brand
'D2' to India. It is also looking at introducing its 'Dusit Devrana',
the high-end spa brand and 'Dusit Residence' serviced apartments to
the Indian market.