Ascott signed its third management agreement in India this year for the 150-key Oakwood Sensation Dona Paula Goa (Photo: Ascott)
Ascott, a hospitality group owned by CapitaLand Investment (CLI), announced its plans to CapitaLand Investment (CLI), plans to double its portfolio in India to 12,000 units by 2028, up from about 5,500 units at the end of 2024.
In a statement, Ascott says that in the first quarter of 2025 Ascott has already signed three properties in Goa, Lucknow and Thanjavur which have collectively added 600 units to Ascott’s India portfolio, which now totals about 6,100 units across 22 properties, including both operating and in the pipeline.
Kevin Goh
“India is an important inbound and outbound market for Ascott, with strong growth potential as it continues to evolve into one of the world’s largest economies. With a rapidly growing middle class, increasing disposable incomes and improving infrastructure, India’s dynamic economic landscape is unlocking immense opportunities for its travel and hospitality sectors. Despite promising prospects, the supply of branded hotel rooms in India remains limited, creating a significant demand-supply gap that opens up tremendous potential for Ascott to contribute to the country’s hospitality growth,” says Kevin Goh, Chief Executive Officer, Ascott.
“As diverse demand drivers fuel India’s hospitality sector, Ascott is well-positioned to capitalise on this growth with our flex-hybrid model that seamlessly adapts to shifting demand across both transient and extended stays. This competitive edge is reinforced by Ascott’s multi-typology brand strategy, enabling us to serve every type of guest with a diverse portfolio ranging from select- to full-service operations. Backed by the in-market expertise of our local team in India, we are confident in delivering exceptional value to our owners while enhancing the guest experience. As we strengthen our brand presence in India, we believe the country will become a key source market for Ascott’s properties worldwide,” he adds.
The statement adds that in 2026, Ascott expects to grow its operational portfolio in India by almost 60 pc, expanding from the current seven to 11 properties. This includes the debut of Ascott Ireo City Gurugram, marking the inaugural property under the company’s namesake Ascott brand in India.
Lee Ngor Houai
“Moving forward, our growth strategy in India will be driven by a dual focus on geographic and brand expansion. Currently, 85 pc of Ascott’s operating portfolio in India are concentrated in Tier-I cities such as Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad. We will continue to strengthen our presence in these high-performing Tier-I cities, while also expanding our focus on the fast-growing Tier-II and Tier-III cities. This strategy is driven by growing interest in India’s lesser-travelled destinations and the significant under- penetration of branded hotels in these cities,” says Lee Ngor Houai, Chief Operating Officer, Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA), South Asia and China, Ascott.
“In addition to growing our Ascott, Citadines, Oakwood and Somerset brands already in India, we look forward to launching more of our multi-typology brands here. We see strong potential in introducing lyf, our experience-led social living brand, to tap into the rise of India’s urban millennial and Gen Z workforce, along with the growing digital nomad trend. As demand for flexible, community-focused stays grows, lyf aligns perfectly with India’s next-gen travellers. Furthermore, our collection brands, Unlimited Collection and Crest Collection, are poised to meet the rising demand for immersive cultural and heritage experiences in India, turning stays into unforgettable journeys,” he adds.