New York-listed hospitality chain Hilton has signed an agreement with Regenta Hotels to sign and open 125 Hampton by Hilton hotels in India.
According to an April 8 announcement, the partnership accelerates Hilton’s upper-mid-scale expansion in India, where rising domestic travel and growing demand from the country’s expanding middle class are driving strong opportunities in the mid-market segment.
The franchised hotels will primarily be developed across western and southern markets, including Goa, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
According to Hilton, India’s western and southern states collectively account for a “significant share” of the country’s GDP and represent some of its “most dynamic business and leisure travel corridors”.
Improvements in infrastructure is creating “strong opportunities” for branded mid-scale and upper-mid-scale brands such as Hampton by Hilton to meet the needs of India’s rapidly expanding domestic traveller base, says Hilton.
Hampton by Hilton — including Hampton Inn by Hilton and Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton — serves “quality-driven and value-conscious travellers” at more than 3,100 properties in 46 countries and territories around the globe.
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Strategic agreements have become a key driver for Hilton’s expansion strategy in India. This partnership marks Hilton’s third of this nature in India.
Alan Watts, Hilton’s Asia-Pacific president, says: “India’s economic growth, expanding middle class and rapid infrastructure development are reshaping the country’s travel landscape, creating significant opportunities for our brands. Our new strategic partnership with the Regenta Hotels Group demonstrates our commitment to working with established local operators, enabling us to scale our franchise footprint rapidly while maintaining the strength and consistency of Hilton’s brands.”
Regenta Hotels is owned by Royal Orchid Hotels, an India-based hospitality company listed on both the National Stock Exchange and the Bombay Stock Exchange. The company operates under the Royal Orchid and Regenta brands, catering to both business and leisure travellers. Its portfolio spans over 100 hotels across more than 65 locations in India and neighbouring markets.
Chander Baljee, founder, chairman and managing director of Royal Orchid Group, says: “Our portfolio is a healthy mix of owned, managed and franchised properties, and this partnership with Hilton will drive significant growth in the country’s mid-market hospitality segment. As domestic travel continues to grow and new economic centres emerge across the country, we see a significant opportunity to expand the Hampton by Hilton brand across cities in India.”
