Hyatt targets emerging markets for India growth

Hyatt Hotels' plans to add almost 1,000 guestrooms to its India portfolio in 2019 now include the addition of more than 2,100 guestrooms via 14 new properties opening over the next 24 months in eight new markets. 

As of December, the company reportedly had about 7,000 guestrooms in 28 hotels across the country

As a result of an increasingly favorable business climate and heightened tourism spend, encouraged by relaxed visa rules and a growing upper-middle class, there is a general demand for growth in the hospitality industry in India.

“Hyatt is one of the longest-running international hotel-management brands in India; the first Hyatt hotels in India opened over 30 years ago,” said Dhruva Rathore, VP/development-India, Hyatt, noting the country is ”one of the top-three growth markets for Hyatt globally.”  

Established Markets, Emerging Markets

This year’s expansion began with the opening of Hyatt Centric Candolim Goa, a rebranding of the former Hyatt Place Goa/Candolim. It was the second property under the flag to open in the country.

Hyatt is looking to expand its footprint beyond the major cities to emerging destinations, according to the company. New to the Hyatt portfolio as part of the Two Roads Hospitality acquisition this past November, the Alila brand added two new properties in Diwa Goa and Fort Bishangarh. 

Hyatt plans to expand its brand footprint in Kerala with the opening of Hyatt Regency Kochi Malayattoor, a resort property on the banks of the Periyar river, and Hyatt Regency Thrissur, one of the first premium hotels in Thrissur. 

Later this year, Hyatt plans to add its first resort in The Himalayas with the opening of the Hyatt Regency Dharamshala Resort. Also slated to open is the Grand Hyatt Gurgaon.

“For Hyatt, India has a high growth potential and remains a market where we can expand our brand representation,” said Sunjae Sharma, VP/operations-India, Hyatt. “Being focused on intentional growth gives us a unique edge as Hyatt can differentiate by having the right assets in its portfolio.”

Planned openings in 2020 include: Hyatt Regency Jaipur Mansarovar, Hyatt Place Bangalore Urbana, Hyatt Regency Dehradun, Hyatt Place Vadodara, Hyatt Regency Trivandrum, Hyatt Place Jaipur Malviya Nagar and Hyatt Regency Udaipur.