Marriott plans to open 100 hotels in India by 2025. (representative picture)

Recently news came that one of the country’s biggest hotel brands ‘Taj’ Hotel is going to develop two of its properties in Ayodhya. As the construction work of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple is nearing completion, many big hotel brands are turning to Ayodhya. But this condition is not only of domestic but also of international hotel brands. Who are expanding their network not only in Ayodhya but also in smaller cities apart from the metro cities of the country. This includes hotel brands ranging from Marriott to Hilton.

Talking about Ayodhya itself, apart from Taj, Radisson, ITC Hotel as well as OYO, Sarovar Portico and other hotel companies have also planned to set up their brands here. After all, what is it that is luring the big international luxury hotel brands to come to India. Not only this, these hotel companies are keen to expand their network not in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta and Chennai but in small towns of the country, why?

Marriott, Hilton to open in Tier-2 and 3 cities

The world’s largest hotel chain Marriott plans to open 100 hotels in India by 2025. The company has opened its hotels in small towns like Mussoorie, Pushkar and Shillong, which are the first international brand hotels in these cities.

While a hotel brand like Hilton wants to double the number of its hotels in the next three years. In this, many hotels will open in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. Recently Ramada, Taj and Radisson have set up their network in cities like Banaras, Lucknow and Kanpur as well.

Other international brands are also coming to India

French hospitality brand Accor is also focusing on Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. The company plans to build mid-scale properties in India. At the same time, the company is focusing on management contracts in Tier-1 cities as well. Accor has opened Novotel in Mumbai and Ibis brand hotel in Thane.

Apart from this, the company has planned to open hotels of both the brands in Jaipur. At the same time, Fairmont Hotel Company has opened inside Agra. Accor wants to make its presence in India equal to China in terms of number of hotels.

Singapore’s Ascot acquired Oakwood within India, which has helped it expand its market. The company has 6 hotels across the country including Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, earlier there were only 2. The company is going to open hotels in Gurugram, Vijaynagar and more.

Why is India becoming the first choice?

One of the major reasons behind the desire of international brands to expand their network in India is the strong economy and rising demand. Hilton Hotels believes that considering India’s population, it has the potential to become the third largest lodging market in the world. Similarly, Accor considers India’s growing middle class as an important factor in the market here. The development of infrastructure and connectivity in the country is also going to be good for the hotel business.