India to become Marriott's 3rd-largest market in 5 yrs: CEO

Global hospitality giant Marriott International expects India to become its third-largest market within five years, as the country's travel and hospitality sector continues to witness strong growth.

- AKSHARA SRIVASTAVA

India is currently the Nasdaq-listed chain's fifth-largest market. Marriott operates 17 brands in the country and announced the launch of its 18th — Edition — which is set to debut in Mumbai by 2028.

"Most certainly, five years from now, India will be our third-biggest market in the world, with several hundred hotels," said Anthony Capuano, president and chief executive officer of Marriott International, speaking at the Skift India Forum here on Tuesday. "We will continue the momentum we enjoy in the upper, upscale, and luxury segment."

In addition to this, he further said: "We will also look at the lower end of the chain scales and create more opportunities for the value-conscious inbound international traveller and the domestic traveller."

With 155 hotels and over 29,000 rooms in over 40 Indian cities, Marriott is set to ramp up its presence further. This month, it will open a resort in Jim Corbett, followed by a hotel in Udaipur within the next three months.