Harshad Shah’s Post

The Indian hospitality sector is undergoing a remarkable transformation, with leading chains like Oberoi Hotels & Resorts , Taj Hotels and ITC Hotels setting new benchmarks in luxury, service excellence, and financial performance. For instance, Oberoi Hotels & Resorts recorded a stellar fiscal year 2022-23 with revenues of ₹2,096 crore—a 101% growth year-on-year—and profits of ₹329 crore, marking an impressive 446% jump (TOI). Similarly, the The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) -> Taj Hotels achieved a historic milestone with ₹5,000 crore in revenue for FY23, showcasing its robust growth and enduring brand loyalty (Economic Times). Not far behind, ITC Hotels continues to excel, leveraging its unique blend of sustainability and luxury to capture growing market demand in India and beyond. The broader hospitality industry in India reflects these successes, with the market projected to reach USD 247.31 billion in 2024 and grow at a CAGR of 13.96%, hitting USD 475.37 billion by 2029 (Mordor Intelligence). Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) also grew by 15.8% year-on-year in Q4 2023 (Economic Times). What’s even more inspiring is the strategic pivot these brands are making—moving from competition-driven approaches to carving unique niches that resonate with rapidly evolving consumer preferences. Taj Hotels for example, is capitalizing on its heritage properties and culinary excellence to offer authentic Indian luxury experiences, while ITC Hotels focuses on sustainable luxury through its “Responsible Luxury” philosophy. Meanwhile, Oberoi Hotels & Resorts continues to emphasize personalized service and exclusivity, setting new standards in guest satisfaction. This shift aligns perfectly with changing traveler behavior, where guests now prioritize unique, curated experiences over standardized luxury. Domestic tourism has surged, fueled by India’s growing middle class, while the return of international travelers post-pandemic has bolstered premium hotel demand across all major chains. Together, these hospitality giants are not only elevating their brands but also putting India firmly on the global luxury hospitality map. By focusing on guest-centric innovation and differentiated value propositions, they’re shaping a future where Indian hospitality stands as a gold standard for the world.

Wish to see The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) soon in this list I asked AI why is IHCL not on the list and it gave me some interesting theories. 1. Scale of Operations: IHCL operates with a smaller number of properties globally compared to the massive networks of the chains listed here, such as Jin Jiang, Wyndham, and Marriott, which have thousands of hotels worldwide. The hotel chains in the chart dominate due to their scale, particularly in regions like the U.S., China, and Europe, where hotel chains have widespread networks. 2. Geographic Focus: IHCL, with its flagship brand Taj Hotels, primarily focuses on India and a select number of international destinations. While Taj, SeleQtions, Vivanta, and Ginger are renowned in India, IHCL's global footprint is smaller compared to chains like Hilton, Accor, and Hyatt. 3. Number of Locations: Chains like Jin Jiang, Wyndham, and Marriott have thousands of properties globally. IHCL, in comparison, operates fewer hotels, limiting its eligibility for inclusion in this list, which is based on the number of locations. 4. Revenue Metrics: The list also factors in revenue, with the top chains generating significant global income. IHCL's revenue is substantial but may not match the scale of multinational giants in the chart, as it caters to a more niche luxury and mid-scale market. 5. Focus on Quality vs. Quantity: IHCL is known for its emphasis on luxury, heritage, and quality of service, with iconic properties like the Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai. Many hotel chains in the chart achieve scale by focusing on franchising or mid-market properties, which allows them to expand rapidly.

Continuing the expansion of its footprint in India, French hospitality giant Accor has partnered with Dangayach Group to develop two new luxury hotels, Raffles Goa Shiroda and Fairmont Goa Shiroda in Goa. #MIG Accor

The Indian Hotel Industry has grown exponentially, indicating a 7-9% revenue increase in FY2025.   The hotel industry's direct contribution to India's GDP was $40 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach $68 billion by 2027.   The first hotel in India is considered to be Spence's Hotel, which opened in Kolkata in 1830 but does not exist.   The oldest hotel in India is The Great Eastern Hotel in Kolkata, originally named the Auckland Hotel in the 1840s.   There are various such stories where the hotels which were once established by the Britishers are now owned by the Indians.   One such Indian was Rai Bahadur Mohan Singh Oberoi, who started his journey as a billing clerk at the Cecil Hotel in Shimla and later acquired the property from his mentor in 1934.   At a time when the hotel was struggling financially, Oberoi saw potential, whereas others saw only risk.   To revive his first hotel, he introduced new management practices, focusing on cleanliness, personalised service, and improving the overall guest experience. He also invested in training his staff raising their standards to match his lofty expectations.   Oberoi was one of India's first hoteliers to tailor services to each guest's specific needs and preferences.   In 1937, he expanded his portfolio by acquiring the Oberoi Grand in Calcutta and since then Oberoi has been expanding.   In the 1980s, The Oberoi group solidified its position as a leader in luxury hospitality in India and expanded internationally.   Currently, Oberoi, manages 32 hotels under the luxury brand Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, with a further 10 five-star properties under the Trident Hotels brand.   Mukesh Ambai’s Reliance Industries has also played a significant role in the growth of Oberoi Hotels.   Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) has partnered with The Oberoi Hotels and Resorts to co-manage hospitality projects: Anant Vilas Hotel in Mumbai's Bandra Kurla Complex, and Stoke Park in the UK.   This partnership will leverage Reliance's resources and the Oberoi Group's expertise in luxury hospitality, aiming to create world-class experiences for guests.   To read more about the journey of the Oberoi group, read our newsletter here (https://lnkd.in/dmWB8Xen )  

Indian mid-market hotel brands are dominating the smaller cities due to their flexibility. However, they still have a long way to go in Tier-1 regions. https://hubs.li/Q02_yZ5C0

As a hotel owner, it's essential to fully understand the Hotel Management Agreement, as it plays a critical role in the property's success. It's also important to differentiate between an owner-managed hotel and a management-operated hotel, as each model carries distinct responsibilities and varying degrees of control. In an owner-managed hotel, the owner is responsible for all aspects of daily operations, including staffing, financial decisions, marketing, and more. While this offers more flexibility and direct involvement, it also means the owner must shoulder the entire operational load. On the other hand, a management-operated hotel relies on a management company to oversee the daily operations on the owner's behalf. The management company brings its expertise, branding, and systems to ensure efficient operations, while the owner remains the property’s owner and handles major capital decisions. This model allows for professional management, though it means the owner has less direct control. Grasping these differences is crucial for selecting the right operational model and ensuring long-term success for your hotel. At Clarks Hotels & Resorts, we proudly operate 11 brands across 3 countries—India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives—with over 133 hotels in 110 destinations. As a trusted hospitality leader, we invite you to celebrate with us, becoming part of our growing global family. A brand association with The Clarks Hotels and Resorts will ensure guests have a consistent experience, build trust, and differentiate hotels from competitors. If you are a hotel owner, or have valuable insights, we would be delighted to discuss the possibility of working together to create outstanding hospitality. Aryavir Kumar Rahul Deb Banerjee Alam Khan Rupam Das Rahul Malik Gadhok Amit Mohla Ryan Rocque Om Dubey - Omshankar #brandassociation #theclarkshotels #hotelasscociation #brandstandards #theclarks #clarksinn #clarksexotica #Aotel

HOSPITALITY NEWS #835 Hotel RevPAR Up 4.8% in Q2: JLL Report Mumbai, Aug 14 (PTI) The revenue per available room rose by 4.8 per cent year-on-year in the hospitality sector in the April-June quarter this year mainly driven by the rise in Average Daily Rate, a report said on Wednesday. However, sequentially, the June quarter recorded a dip in occupancy levels, which can be attributed to the onset of summer vacations and a subsequent decrease of corporate travel, according to JLL's Hotel Momentum India (HMI) Q2 report. The report further revealed that besides a slight decrease in Goa's Average Daily Rate (ADR), all other markets (Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, and Mumbai) showed considerable growth in ADR and revenue per available room figures, with Hyderabad leading the list. Hyderabad emerged as the RevPAR leader in the second quarter registering a growth of 11.9 per cent over the same period of 2023, followed by Delhi and Bengaluru with year-on-year growth of 11.8 per cent and 10.4 per cent, respectively, it added. Although occupancy levels remained relatively stable in the second quarter compared to the year-ago period, ADR levels improved, leading to an increase in RevPAR across all markets, excluding Goa, it added. The report said that the upcoming quarter is anticipated to benefit from the resurgence of corporate travel, festivals, and other corporate and social Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE). The industry's strong momentum and sustained domestic demand for business travel will drive a busy season, it noted. During the April-June period, 82 branded hotels comprising 9,732 rooms were signed. Further, 15 hotels signed were conversions of other hotels, accounting for 11 per cent of the inventory signed in the second quarter. Branded hotel openings comprised 50 hotels with 3,755 keys, of which 90 per cent of the total number of keys were located in Tier II and III cities, including Tirupati, Udaipur, Thane, and Mysore, to name a few. Sources: Rediff

A strong rebound in #India's hotel market has investor confidence growing, while international brands are looking to grow their market presence signing #hotels in second and third tier Indian cities. #Hotels #IndustryOutlook #ProjectPipeline #HotelsInIndia

IHG Hotels & Resorts will double its number of hotels in India to about 100 in the next few years, as the U.K.-based hotel chain bets on strong economic growth in the world's most populous country. https://lnkd.in/ejpnsBDB

The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) will expand its existing brands and look to develop new market segments, as it aims to double its portfolio within the following six years #IndianHotelsCompany #hotelpipeline #hotelnews https://lnkd.in/erhp9SY5