'Our goal is to grow 10 times in the Indian market in next ten years': Hilton’s Christopher Nassetta
The hospitality major Hilton aims to grow ten times in India in the next ten years. India has a terrific market opportunity for growth as the market is still largely under-penetrated. The market is also expected to be the world's third-largest travel market in the next five to ten years. These observations were made by Christopher Nassetta, the president and chief executive officer for Hilton during Hilton's First Immersive brand showcase in India in Bengaluru.
He said that the current size of the Indian market though small, is growing at a very fast pace and there is an extraordinary growth opportunity. “The Indian market represents a major opportunity across brand segments from luxury to premium economy,” remarked Nassetta.
During the event, Hilton also announced its first LXR Hotels and Resorts property in India which will debut in Bengaluru in 2026. Alan Watts, president of Asia Pacific, said that Hilton had over 1,000 hotels, and it had plans to grow to 10 times their current portfolio in India with their SLA partners. He said that Hilton will be regularly investing and expanding in India.
Hilton highlighted 10 of its brands, with five trading brands during the event that included Conrad Hotels and Resorts, Hilton Hotels and Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn and Hampton by Hilton and soon-to-debut brands, spanning luxury (Waldorf Astoria Hotels and Resorts, LXR Hotels and Resorts, Signia by Hilton), to lifestyle (Curio Collection by Hilton) and focused service (Spark by Hilton).
Interestingly, Hilton is also deepening its luxury presence in India with the introduction of new brands including its Waldorf Astoria Hotels and Resorts brand in Jaipur. At the Waldorf Astoria bar during the Brand Showcase, guests were offered a taste of its service and culinary innovation through a bespoke selection of iconic cocktails, such as the Rob Roy invented at Waldorf Astoria New York.
Also, Slohh by Roach, and Curio Collection by Hilton will be the first lifestyle hotel in India set to open in Bengaluru this year. During the event, Hilton’s flagship brand, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, was brought to life with a gallery. Among the other hotel portfolio, ‘The DoubleTree’ is Hilton’s largest brand in India, with 11 trading hotels and another 12 under development in locations including Siliguri, Bhopal, Kochi and Chandigarh.
Hilton Garden Inn also recently celebrated 1,000 trading hotels around the world, with more than 140 hotel openings in Asia Pacific. Hilton Garden Inn is expected to open in five new Indian cities in the coming years.
The company is also very excited about its brand ‘Spark’. Hilton had signed up with ‘Olive’ by Embassy in late 2024 for 150 Spark by Hilton Hotels and with Nile Hospitality for 75 Hampton by Hilton Hotels, the brand zones reflected the essence of these focused service brands. The first, Spark by Hilton will open in 2025 in India, joining more than 130 trading hotels around the world. This brand is aimed at the aspirational and value-seeking traveller.
The Hilton's Brand Showcase also got a preview of the strategy behind Hilton’s upcoming campaign featuring global brand ambassador and global icon, Deepika Padukone. Hilton altogether has a portfolio of 24 brands comprising more than 8,600 properties and nearly 1.3 million rooms, in 139 countries and territories. Hilton has welcomed over 3 billion guests in its more than 100-year history.
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