Ahmedabad: The hospitality scene is getting bigger in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar with the twin cities set to add 1,200-plus room keys in five new upcoming premium hotel projects. Currently, the city has at least 6,500 keys in the five-star hotel category.On Thursday, Ahmedabad realty firm AG Group signed a contract with InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) for a 150-key Holiday Inn hotel along the New Science City area. This mixed-use project spread over 1.6 million sq ft comprises residential towers and the hotel, with AG Group committing an investment of Rs 200 crore for the hotel alone. Gandhinagar-based Kavyaratna Group too recently signed a contract with Hyatt Hotels Corporation for a new property in GIFT City. Sources familiar with the development confirmed that the hospitality chain is slated to come up with another property in Sanand Industrial Estate.From global chains expanding their presence to strategic locations being tapped for business and leisure travellers, the influx signals growing investor confidence in Gujarat’s economic hub.Vikram Bharwad, director of AG Group, said, “We will build a 1.25 lakh sq ft hotel, which will be managed by IHG. Construction will be completed by 2028. We also plan to launch at least five more hotels and resorts in various parts of the country in the years to come.”“Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar and GIFT City are developing as attractive hubs for businesses and industrial growth. That apart, being home to the world’s largest cricket stadium at Motera, Ahmedabad has hosted iconic tournaments like the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, British rock band Coldplay’s live concert, and Indian Premier League (IPL) matches. The city’s stature is rising not just as an industrial and business district but also as a cultural, sports, and events hub, which is bound to drive travellers from across the globe to this city. As a result, hospitality investments are on the rise in this region,” said Narendra Somani, president, Hotels and Restaurants’ Association (HRA) – Gujarat.IHG is also planning more expansions in the region. Sandip Jain, MD, IHG Group, said, “This will be the third hotel by IHG Hotels and Resorts in Ahmedabad. The city has seen growing demand from guests and corporates with increasing business activities and growing income. We currently have around 240 rooms in two hotel brands in the city, and this contract will add around 150 rooms.”Sources confirmed that Marriott International’s luxury hotel brand, St Regis, is also likely to come up along Sabarmati Riverfront’s west bank. TOI had reported that Marriott International is in talks to set up a hotel under its brand JW Marriott at the Adani Shantigram campus on SG Road. The American hospitality major’s existing property in the Ramdevnagar area of Ahmedabad is all set for a revamp and rebranding as Le Meridien.SK Patel, chairman of Kavyaratna Group, said, “We are developing a 210-room hotel, spread over 2.40 lakh sq ft with an investment of around Rs 450 crore. GIFT City is emerging as a global financial hub, offering good opportunities for the hospitality sector.” Adani Group is also in advanced talks to develop Aerocity at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International (SVPI) airport in Ahmedabad, which will house hotels, a convention centre, and retail spaces.