RHG and MBD Group partner to grow RHG’s luxury and lifestyle brands
Radisson Hotel Group (RHG), a leading hospitality firm, and MBD Group, a leading Indian conglomerate, have announced a long-term strategic partnership under a Master Franchise Agreement, aimed at supporting the growth RHG’s luxury and lifestyle brands, Radisson Collection and Radisson RED, across India, combining RHG’s global standards with MBD’s development and operational expertise.
In a press statement, RHG says that under this partnership, the Radisson Blu MBD Hotel Noida, the first five-star hotel in the group’s India portfolio, will transition to Radisson Collection MBD after a comprehensive upgrade aligned with global brand standards.
Nikhil Sharma
It adds that this partnership will also focus on several strategic objectives, including expanding Radisson Collection and Radisson RED in key Indian markets, supporting asset-light development and franchising, delivering distinctive, design-led luxury and lifestyle experiences, and leveraging MBD Group’s pan-Indian presence and operational expertise.
“India’s premium hospitality market continues to see strong growth, alongside rising demand for contemporary, design-led lifestyle experiences. This strategic partnership further strengthens our ability to expand Radisson Collection and Radisson RED across key Indian markets, alongside our broader development initiatives. MBD Group has been a trusted partner to Radisson Hotel Group for over two decades, and together we are well positioned to scale these brands while creating distinctive hotels that respond to evolving traveller expectations and reinforce our long-term commitment to India,” says Nikhil Sharma, Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group.
Davashish Srivastava
“The collaboration supports our development momentum in India’s premium hospitality segment. Our development efforts with MBD team’s aid shall help us finding a higher quantum of opportunities in addition to our robust growth capabilities. With a clear asset-light focus, we are well positioned to scale strategically while sustaining long-term brand value,” says Davashish Srivastava, Senior Director, Development, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group.
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Sonica Malhotra Kandhari
“This partnership marks a decisive strategic milestone in MBD’s hospitality evolution. The first decade of partnership is targetted to deliver 50 co-branded hotels across Radisson collection MBD and Radisson RED MBD hotels predominantly through an asset light model. MBD’s prop book exposure will be around 25 pc. Radisson Collection MBD targetting luxury will have an extremely thought-through placement whereas Radisson RED MBD targeting lifestyle segment will be a far aggressive expansion. MBD will leverage on its pan Indian brand presence, operational excellence and leadership position amongst all Radisson Hotels in the country,” says Sonica Malhotra-Kandhari, Joint Managing Director, MBD Group.
The statement adds that the portfolio is expected to follow an approximate mix of 80 pc managed and franchised hotels and 20 pc owned properties, reflecting a shared focus on scalable, asset-light expansion.
“The collaboration combines Radisson Hotel Group’s global brand strength with MBD Group’s deep local market understanding and operational expertise, addressing growing demand for high-end luxury and design-led lifestyle hospitality,” adds Malhotra-Kandhari.
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Monica Malhotra Kandhari
“Luxury today is defined by aesthetic refinement and immersive experiences. With our project design and management expertise at MBD, we aim to deliver design excellence that elevates guest experiences. Radisson Collection MBD will reflect timeless, rooted and curated luxury, while Radisson RED MBD bringing bold, playful and socially driven design and MBD superimposing its beautiful cultural narratives will redefine luxury and lifestyle hospitality in India. MBD has exhibited pinnacle performance be it education or hospitality and with this partnership we aim to become number 1 luxury and lifestyle brand, Indian origin with Global confluence in the most elegant way,” says Monica Malhotra Kandhari, Managing Director, MBD Group.
“Our association with RHG has always been built on trust and a shared commitment to quality. This expanded alliance is a reflection of the enduring legacy envisioned by our founder, Ashok Kumar Malhotra, building institutions anchored on integrity and a steadfast pursuit of excellence and creating a leadership position without compromising on culture and ethics. We are truly delighted to do extremely meaningful work on Indian hospitality landscape and make India most preferred destination,” says Satish Bala Malhotra, Chairperson, MBD Group.