Mumbai: Concept Hospitality Ltd, which ownes the Orchid brand of hotels, has signed management contracts in China and South Africa as it seeks to expand operations overseas. The group has signed management contracts for two hotel groups - one each in China and South Africa, reports quoting company sources said.

Mumbai-based Concept Hospitality Ltd (CHL) expects the agreements to become operational in the next two years.

CHL manages the Uppals Orchid ecotel hotel chain in India with the Uppal Group. The two new properties will together add about 1,000 rooms to its portfolio.

The 159-room Gold Reef hotel in Johannesburg, South Africa would also have one Indian speciality restaurant besides other five-star facilities.

CHL will manage two projects in China with a total room strength of around 850, located in Haikou Island and at the cultural and heritage site of China-Lijiang.

The company managed to win the contracts as it was certified by HVS Eco Services to facilitate growth of Ecotels - the hallmark of environmentally-sensitive hotels. CHL's existing four properties - Hotel Rodas and Lotus Suites in Mumbai, Uppal's Orchid in New Delhi and Jungle Lodges Resorts in Bangalore - have all received the Ecotel certification.

The company, meanwhile, has signed management contracts for new hotels coming up in Jaipur, Pune, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Kollam and Himachal Pradesh.

The group currently manages ecotel hotels both within and outside the country.