Premier Inn has unveiled plans to open ten budget hotels in India over the next five years in response to the expansion of the business travel market in the region, and follows the opening of its first in Bangalore last week.

The UK chain, which is owned by British leisure group Whitbread, also plans to open further nine more hotels in India by 2014.

“Premier Inn is expanding in India to capitalise on the country’s developing business traveller market,” it said in a statement.

“Currently there are a limited number of budget hotel brands in India and this represents an excellent opportunity for Premier Inn, with its strong budget hotel model.”

Patrick Dempsey, managing director of Premier Inn UK said: “India represents one of the fastest growing economies in the world today, and we are confident that Premier Inn will be successful in India.”

“Our strong budget hotel model of great quality combined with excellent value will no doubt be an attractive proposition for business and leisure travellers alike.”

Premier Inn India’s managing director Aly Shariff confirmed that the group was planning 10 hotels in five years, with one due to open in Delhi next year followed by another in Pune in 2011.