Leela Palaces ties up with Preferred

MUMBAI: Hospitality major The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts on Wednesday said it has signed a sales and marketing agreement with US-based Preferred Hotel Group, with effect from June 1.
    
The Leela Group is aggressively expanding its pan-India presence in key cities in the next four years, a statement said here.
    
"The US is the largest source market for The Leela, and this alliance will strengthen our brand positioning, awareness and market penetration," Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts President Onno Poortier said.
   
This strategic alliance would provide Leela an extensive access to four of the largest consortias-Ammex, CWT, BCD and Hogg Robinson, PHG's Airlines and Credit Card partnerships as well as drive international sales through the 29 global sales offices of Preferred Hotel.
    
"We are proud to partner with Leela because we complement one another in several key areas-strong leadership, dedication to growth in key strategic locations,and vision for a new standard of luxury in India," Preferred Hotel's CEO John Ueberroth said.
    
The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts is owned and operated by Hotel Leelaventure in Mumbai, Bangalore, Goa and in Kovalam (Kerala).
    
Preferred Hotel provides reservation, sales and marketing services to more than 600 independent hotels and resorts in over 65 countries.