Carlson, a privately held, global hospitality and travel company that runs hotels under Radisson, Country Inns & Suites By Carlson, Park Inn and Park Plaza brands, plans to have 100 hotels in India by 2015 and is open to pick up strategic stake in some of the properties, "We are well on track to meet the target of 100 operating hotels in India by 2015," said Carlson Hotels, Asia Pacific, executive vice-president (South Asia) K B Kachru .

In the current calendar year 2011, the company's plan was to open 19 hotels across its four brands in cities such as Agra, Haridwar, Rudrapu and Mussoorie among others. "We have already opened 11 new hotels this year," Kachru said.

Carlson's India expansion is part of the company's 'Ambition 2015' strategy to grow its global portfolio by at least 50% to more than 1,500 hotels by 2015. Carlson had 33 hotels in operation in India at the end of 2010. With the addition of 19 new properties, the number of hotel operations will exceed 50 at the end of 2011. The new openings span across group's four hotel brands.

"We are looking at opportunities and may pick up equity as part of a strategic investment," Kachru said. "Our momentum is in line with our plans to have more than 100 hotels across India by 2015." He also said the company was focussing on South India in the mid-market segment in particular.

The group would launch a facility in Bangalore in the middle of 2012 and also has plans to tap the potential in the temple town of Madurai in Tamil Nadu and Munnar in Kerala. It will also shortly open its third hotel in Chennai.The company launched its 40th Park Plaza in Coimbatore recently.

"With the launch of the hotel, the total number of rooms has gone up to 4,027, across the country. With franchisees, another 6,000 would be added in another four years," Kachru said.