Radisson looks to double India portfolio

Belgium-headquartered Radisson Hotel Group has announced plans to double its hotel portfolio in India over the next few years, the Press Trust of India reported, citing a top company executive.

The company currently operates more than 200 hotels in the country and is focusing on sustainable and inclusive growth.

“This year we will open 20 hotels. In the last five years, we’ve signed 51 hotels, which has been the highest signings ever. Last year itself, we did 36 signings,” Nikhil Sharma, managing director (MD) and chief operating officer (CEO) for South Asia at Radisson Hotel Group told PTI, adding that the company is focusing on tier-II, -III, and -IV cities.

The hotel chain, which currently employs around 19,000 people,  is planning to increase its workforce in India by hiring about 16,000 more staff as part of its expansion, Sharma said.

The company is also the largest luxury hotel chain in Jammu and Kashmir, with seven operational properties—five of them in the valley. Despite a recent terror attack on tourists, Sharma said Radisson remains committed to its operations and tourism development in the region.

“Occupancies are down to 20–30% in places like Pahalgam and about 50% in Srinagar, compared to last year,” Sharma said, noting a dip in tourist numbers from 3.5 million in 2023.

Radisson has two to three more hotels in the pipeline for Jammu and Kashmir.