Deepening its commitment to India, Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, has announced plans to expand its presence in the country by launching its luxury and upper midscale brands in key emerging markets. Following the opening of its first property in India, dusitD2 Fagu, Shimla, in December 2024, the hospitality chain has signed agreements for nearly 800 keys across various locations, reinforcing its commitment to the Indian market.
Deepika Arora, Head – India, Dusit International, while addressing a news conference in New Delhi on April 3 (Thursday) announced that the company has secured deals for wellness-focused Devarana Sakleshpur in Karnataka. Its Dusit Princess brand is making its way to Coorg (Karnataka), Hyderabad (Telangana), Raipur (Chhattisgarh), Bhiwadi (Rajasthan), Lonavala (Maharashtra) and Kolkata (West Bengal). Under the Dusit Collection brand, properties have been also signed in Kasol and Manali (Himachal Pradesh).
“All these properties are expected to be operational in the next 2-3 years. Dusit International is expecting to sign 3,000 keys in India over the next three years,” said Arora.
Siradej Donavanik, Vice President – Development (Global), Dusit International stated, ” Our strategy for the Indian market is currently asset-light, but in the future, we will be open to investment as well. India represents an exceptional growth opportunity for Dusit – across major metros and particularly in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, where premium hospitality options remain limited despite strong demand. The country’s tourism industry is evolving rapidly, with increasing demand for high-quality, experience-driven stays. By blending our unique brand of Thai-inspired gracious hospitality with wellness-led experiences and destination-driven properties, we aim to create exceptional stays that resonate deeply with Indian travelers. Through strategic partnerships with visionary local developers, we are committed to shaping India’s premium hospitality landscape for the long term.”
With a diverse brand portfolio spanning the ultra-luxury Devarana – Dusit Retreats to upper midscale and midscale brands such as Dusit Princess and ASAI Hotels, Dusit plans to tap underserved locations where it can leverage its expertise in delivering Thai-inspired gracious hospitality to meet the needs of today’s business and leisure travelers. Prioritizing quality over quantity, the company is thoughtfully selecting locations that align with its ethos of premium, experience-driven hospitality – offering a distinctive blend of holistic wellness, contemporary design, and exceptional service.
Beyond immediate expansion, Dusit is focused on building an integrated hospitality ecosystem in India, where luxury stays, holistic wellness, refined gastronomy, and hospitality education converge to deliver lasting value. At the heart of this vision is a deep commitment to sustainability driven by Dusit’s group-wide Tree of Life programme. Aligned with selected United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the programme features 31 measurable criteria designed to ensure a lasting and positive impact in every community Dusit serves.
Through Dusit Hospitality Education, the company will also focus on local talent development, ensuring that Indian hospitality professionals are trained to uphold world-class service standards. Together, these initiatives underscore Dusit’s commitment to responsible hospitality and its vision for sustainable growth in the global hospitality industry.
Dusit’s entry into the Indian market forms part of its broader expansion strategy targeting vibrant, high-growth markets such as Vietnam, Indonesia, Japan, China, and India. The hospitality company has an ambitious plan to sign more than 100 hotels globally over the next five years.