The Trident Hilton Cochin, above, is one of several hotels in India that The Oberoi Group is promoting to try and attract U.S. vacationers to India this summer. The Trident Hilton Cochin features an Ayurveda center, which is popular during hot months.

NEW DELHI — The India-based The Oberoi Group knows that tapping into the U.S. travel market is key for a growing hospitality company, so as this summer hits it has launched several campaigns to draw American vacationers.

Banking on the strong brand recognition of the Hilton Hotel Corp. in the United States, Oberoi has launched a promotional campaign for its Trident Hilton Hotels in India. The promotion, dubbed "Discover India with Hilton," focuses on Oberoi's nine Trident Hilton Hotels and boasts rates ranging from $75 to $238.

Targeted for specific summer interest are the Trident Hilton Agra, which is less than one mile from the Taj Mahal; the Trident Hilton Udaipur, which is located on the banks of Lake Pichola where shikara boat rides take guest past historic "floating palaces" in the middle of the lake; and the Trident Hilton Cochin, which has an Ayurveda center that is particularly busy during the summer months when it is believed the ancient health practice is practiced best.

"The U.S. is among the primary and therefore important source markets for Trident Hilton Hotels in India.  The international brand equity of Hilton and the highly regarded expertise of Trident Hotels in India offer travelers the reassurance of a comfortable stay," said Ketaki Narain, The Oberoi Group's director of corporate communications. "This is what has determined the success of this alliance and has resulted in Trident Hilton Hotels becoming one of the preferred brands for the international traveler."

Oberoi opened its first Trident Hotel in Chennai in 1988. Trident Hotels has other locations in Jaipur, Bhubaneswar and Gurgaon.

The Oberoi Group's primary hotel brand, Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, is also making a big summer push and is offering "Exotic Vacations" packages.

"Summer in India is legendary for the inherent romance of the rain and the rich beauty of the colors it reveals in the landscape. There is no better way to experience an Indian summer than at Oberoi's idyllic retreat in Jaipur, The Oberoi Rajvilas, which evokes princely Rajasthan with luxury villas and royal tents in a fort-like setting," The Oberoi Group said in a release on its "Exotic Vacations."

In addition to Oberoi hotels near the Taj Mahal and on Lake Pichola, Oberoi is also highlighting Wildflower Hall in Mashobra in the mountain region of the Himalayas. The hotel is located in a cedar forest, in view of the mountain ranges' peaks at an altitude of 8,350 feet.

The Oberoi Group is promoting its Indian hotels with summer scenes, such as the poolside view at the Trident Hilton in Gurgaon, above. Oberoi has targeted U.S. vacationers and launched several special promotions for summer travel to India.

Oberoi offers various hotel deals and packages throughout the year, though the summer is a particularly good time to promote travel to India, according to Narain.

"India is a vast country with diverse regions which transcend the pristine beaches of Goa, sandy deserts of Rajasthan, lush backwaters of 'God's own country' — Kerala — to dense cedar and pine forests in the shadow of the magnificent Greater Himalayas," he said. "Different times of the year reveal different colors in the landscape. For instance the monsoon is magical in the city that stands witness to the oldest living dynasties in the world — Udaipur."

Though Oberoi targets other countries with its promotions, Narain said that the United States is definitely a main target.

Overall the rise of the Indian tourism industry has companies such as Oberoi chomping at the bit.

"The Indian tourism industry is among the fastest growing markets in the world," said Narain. "Until now dominated by indigenous hotel groups, the country is now witnessing the entry of international brands — presently all hotel groups are capitalizing on the demand, significantly outstripping the supply."

The Oberoi Group, founded in 1934, owns and manages over 30 hotels and five luxury cruisers across six countries under the "Oberoi" and "Trident" brands.

The activities of the company also include airline catering, management of restaurants and airport bars, travel and tour services, car rental, project management and corporate air charters.

Nine Oberoi Hotels & Resorts are members of The Leading Small Hotels of the World, a select association of international luxury hotels chosen for their extraordinary levels of guest comfort and service. Additionally, seven Oberoi Hotels are also members of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, a collection of exclusive hotels carefully selected for their style, sophistication and the highest standards of service.

Oberoi also operates Trident Hotels in the Saudi Arabian cities of Jeddah and Khamis Mashayt.

The last few years have seen the development of new luxury resorts in India and overseas. In India, these include The Oberoi Rajvilãs in Jaipur, The Oberoi Amarvilãs in Agra, Wildflower Hall in Mashobra (in the Himalayas), The Oberoi Vanyavilãs in Ranthambhore, The Oberoi Cecil in Shimla and The Oberoi Udaivilãs in Udaipur. Overseas, the new hotels include The Oberoi in Mauritius and The Oberoi, Sahl Hasheesh in Egypt.

Oberoi has an international sales and marketing network with sales offices in New York, London, Dubai, Singapore and several cities within India.