As India’s hospitality sector enters a period of rapid growth, global hospitality giant Radisson Hotel Group (RHG) is deepening its presence across the country with an aggressive expansion strategy.
In an exclusive interview, Nikhil Sharma, Managing Director & Chief Operating Officer, South Asia, RHG, shared the company’s key focus areas, the evolving travel landscape and how Radisson plans to stay ahead of the curve.
Focused growth across segments
With approximately 130 hotels already operating in India and 20 more slated to open soon, Radisson is targeting the mid-scale, upscale and upper-upscale segments for high-volume expansion. “India is poised for significant growth in these categories, and we are well-positioned to capture this opportunity,” Sharma said.
To cater specifically to the Indian mid-market, RHG launched a new brand, Park Inn & Suites, last year. At the same time, expansion continues under established brands like Radisson, Radisson Blu, Park Plaza and Park Inn. In the luxury segment, Radisson made its debut with the Radisson Collection in Srinagar and is planning additional luxury properties in Jaipur and Udaipur.
From metros to hidden gems
Radisson’s footprint currently spans 75 Indian locations, with a goal of reaching 114 locations within 36 to 48 months. This growth includes tier-I to tier-III cities and lesser-known destinations. “We have often been the first international brand in emerging locations,” Sharma noted, citing examples like Saputara and Karjat in Maharashtra and Jawai in Rajasthan.
A significant area of focus is spiritual tourism, a booming segment. “Our presence in Katra, Varanasi and Ayodhya – where we were the first branded hotel to open reflects this commitment,” he said. Maintaining a stronghold in India’s top 40 cities also remains central to the group’s strategy.
“India remains hugely under-supplied in terms of hotel rooms,” he explained, noting that with only 185,000 classified hotel rooms today, India could require up to one million in the next seven years to meet growing demand.
Sharma emphasized hospitality’s crucial role in India’s development narrative both in tourism and employment. “It is the second-largest employment sector after agriculture. We must collaborate with the government to extend hospitality training to remote areas.”
While RHG is exploring growth in Sri Lanka and Nepal, Sharma said India remains the core of its South Asian strategy. “States like Gujarat and Maharashtra alone have the potential to house more hotels than entire neighbouring countries,” he said, adding that India’s scale could someday rival China’s, though that remains a long-term aspiration.
Soft conversions and rebranding
Radisson is increasingly leveraging soft branding and conversion opportunities to bring independent hotels under its umbrella. Notable recent conversions include St. Marks Hotel in Bengaluru and Temple Tree Hotel in Shirdi, both now part of the Radisson Individuals brand. The company also rebranded The Manu Maharani in Nainital to Namah Nainital, under the Radisson Individuals Retreats collection.
“These conversions allow us to elevate service standards and integrate properties into our global system,” Sharma said. Post-pandemic, while domestic tourism has bounced back robustly, inbound travel remains sluggish. Sharma attributes this to India’s relatively high travel costs compared to Southeast Asia and continued challenges around hygiene and sanitation.
“Foreign travellers have high expectations around cleanliness and while initiatives like Swachh Bharat have made progress, we need to ensure urban hygiene standards improve significantly,” he emphasized.
The wedding and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) segments continue to be major revenue drivers. Sharma revealed that nearly 50% of Radisson’s revenue in India comes from F&B with 80% of that linked to MICE events.
To cater to evolving consumer expectations, the group recently launched The Art of Weddings, a full-service platform for curated, high-end celebrations. “Whether it is traditional or Instagram-worthy, we are designing solutions that speak to the modern wedding audience,” he concluded.