HBI Staff | Hyderabad 
According to a report by Business North East , the DS Group, a diversified conglomerate with significant ventures across FMCG, real estate, and hospitality, continues to strengthen its presence in Northeast India. Known for its marquee brands and ambitious projects, the group’s latest focus is on expanding its hospitality venture, the Radisson Blu Hotel Guwahati. Owned and operated by the DS Group under a franchise agreement with Radisson Hotel Group, this property has become a key player in the region’s growing hospitality scene.
With robust plans for the region, Nathan Andrews, a senior executive from the DS Group, recently revealed that the Radisson Blu Hotel Guwahati is undergoing a significant expansion. The addition of 85 new rooms will increase the hotel’s capacity to 275 rooms, further cementing its status as a premier destination in Assam. “We see a lot of potential for growth in the real estate and hospitality sectors in Assam and the Northeast,” Andrews remarked, underscoring the group’s confidence in the region’s economic trajectory. Alongside the new rooms, the hotel is also adding a 10,000 square-foot pillar-less banquet hall, catering to the increasing demand for large-scale events and conferences.
This expansion reflects the DS Group’s larger strategy of investing in growth sectors like hospitality and real estate in the post-pandemic world. Andrews emphasized that the hospitality sector has shown remarkable recovery since the challenges of COVID-19, driven by renewed market optimism. “By God’s grace, the recovery has been strong, not just for us but for the entire sector. The market has pretty much moved past the challenges of COVID. Over the next few years, the outlook for the industry looks very positive,” Andrews shared.
The growth of both tourism and aviation in the region has played a vital role in the resurgence of the hospitality industry. Andrews believes that these interconnected sectors create a cyclical relationship where tourism supports hospitality, and quality hospitality infrastructure encourages more travel. As the tourism sector flourishes, particularly in scenic regions like Northeast India, there is a growing need for premium accommodations such as the Radisson Blu Hotel Guwahati.
Looking ahead, the DS Group is not only focusing on its current projects but also exploring additional opportunities for expansion throughout the Northeast. “We are exploring further opportunities for expansion, not only in Assam but throughout the Northeast,” Andrews stated. This aligns with the group’s vision of contributing to the region’s development, as well as benefiting from the increasing demand for high-quality hospitality services.
Despite the positive outlook, Andrews believes there is more the government can do to support the industry. He pointed to the long-standing request for aligning the GST rate for hotels with that of standalone restaurants and granting industry status to hotels, which would offer additional financial incentives and support. “These are issues we’ve been raising for several years now,” he added, highlighting that these measures could significantly boost the sector’s growth.
Source: Business North East
