New York, Jan 24 (IANS) An Indian American hotelier in South Carolina plans to spend $50 million on building new hotels and convention centres in the city.

A prominent name in Columbia's hospitality business, Rick Patel also wants to build two mid-priced hotels in the city by investing $25 million.

The 33-year-old CEO of Sejwad Hotels plans to build a 140-room Crowne Plaza hotel and a convention centre as well as invest $15 million to build another upscale hotel, according to the online edition of State newspaper.

"There's not a convention centre priced right to bring more business into town. I want to be in that business - bringing more people into town with conventions," Patel said.

Once completed, the new 45,000-sq-ft centre will be able to accommodate 2,000 people.

Born in London to Gujarati parents who moved to the US when he was five, Patel left college in order to join Sejwad Hotels, a family business founded by his father and uncle.

Since he took over, Sejwad Hotels has added on average an additional hotel each year. The company now owns and operates nearly a dozen hotels in the Columbia area.

Patel serves as chair of the Greater Columbia Hotel and Motel Association. He is also a member of the board of directors of the SC Hotel and Motel Association, as well as the Columbia Regional Sports Council. 

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