Global Hotels Hunt for Deals as Travel Surges

Flurry of deals drives change across India's luxury, lifestyle hotel segments

- Varuni Khosla

Global hotel brands are making a beeline for India, signing a flurry of deals with local property owners to expand in one of the world's fastest-growing hospitality markets. The rise in business travel and opening of new holiday destinations are fueling this surge, industry executives and analysts said.

Thailand's Dusit and Minor Hotels, UAE's Kerzner, Maldives' Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts, and Hong Kong's Mandarin Oriental are scouting for locations in India, while larger chains such as Accor, IHG, and Hilton plan to debut brands like Handwritten Collection, Vignette Collection, Hampton, and Signia in the country.