**Marriott Expands Hotel Presence in India’s Emerging Cities**
Marriott International is accelerating its expansion into tier two and three cities in India, with new properties set to open in Jaipur, Surat, Shimla, Jalandhar, and Coorg. The company aims to increase its hotel room count in India from approximately 30,000 to 50,000 over the next five years, driven by the growing prosperity and thriving domestic tourism in the country.
Rajeev Menon, President of Marriott International for the Asia Pacific region (excluding China), highlighted that India remains a strong market for the hospitality sector. Following the pandemic, there has been a surge in travel as people seek to make up for lost time, leading to robust returns for hotel operators. Menon noted, “This is a long-term, stable kind of high that hotels are seeing. With significant infrastructure investments, we are creating an environment that does not solely depend on inbound travelers. Indian consumers are confident and have the disposable income to continue driving growth for hotels.”
The hospitality upcycle in India is expected to last at least another five years, with an increasing number of millionaires emerging from secondary and tertiary markets who are eager to travel. In the previous calendar year, Marriott’s hotels in India generated gross revenue of ₹10,000 crore. The revenue per available room in the Asia Pacific region (excluding China) grew by 12.5% in 2024, marking it as the company’s strongest growth area. India also experienced double-digit growth, which is anticipated to continue this year.
Currently, India ranks as the fifth largest market for Marriott in terms of room inventory globally. However, with the planned growth, it is projected to become the third-largest market after the US and China within the next three to five years, aiming for around 50,000 rooms across 250-300 hotels. In 2024, Marriott signed contracts for approximately 42 new hotels in South Asia, including India, which will add 7,000 new rooms in various stages of development. Out of a total of 170 hotels in South Asia, 157 are located in India.
**FAQ**
**What is Marriott International’s growth plan in India?**
Marriott International plans to increase its hotel room count in India from 30,000 to 50,000 over the next five years, focusing on tier two and three cities to capitalize on domestic tourism growth.
