If international airlines have formed the Star Alliance, can hotels be far behind? Mumbai-based Leela Palace has joined the largest hotel alliance of the world, the Global Hotel Alliance, which has been formed on the lines of that set up by airlines.

Leela Palaces and Resorts will be the only Indian hotel group to join Global Hotel Alliance. The Leela has signed a five-year membership agreement and will shortly open a Global Hotel Alliance office in its Mumbai premises.

Following the agreement, the Leela group will get marketing and sales support from Global Hotel Alliance members such as Kempinski Hotels (Europe), Omni Hotels (North America), Pan Pacific Hotels & Resorts (Japan), Rydges (Australia), Dusit Hotels & Resorts (Thailand), Landis Hotels & Resorts (Taiwan) and Marco Polo Hotels (China & Hong Kong).

The Global Hotel Alliance is an international grouping of independent and individual hotel brands.

On January 1, the Global Hotel Alliance merged the Asian Hotels Alliance to become the world's largest hotel tie-up by adding three chains. This alliance now consists of nearly 200 upscale and luxury hotels and resorts, spread over 40 countries.

Hotel Leela Venture Chairman CP Krishnan Nair told Business Standard that the Global Hotel Alliance would give the Leela an edge in marketing and sales as the group will assist other members in bookings in India and vice versa. Moreover, travellers can avail guest recognition programmes launched by members of alliance hotels.

The Leela group operates four hotels in India, of which three have a management alliance with Kempinski. It is expanding its portfolio and will run more than 10 hotels in India in the next two years.