Hilton Supercharges Its India Expansion with Strategic Agreement with Royal Orchid Hotels for 125 Hampton by Hilton Hotels
The franchise deal targets western and southern Indian markets including Goa and Maharashtra, marking Hilton's third strategic partnership of this scale in India.
Image (L-R): Christian Charnaux, Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer, Hilton; Alan Watts, President, Asia Pacific Hilton; Arjun Baljee, President, Royal Orchid Hotels and Keshav Baljee, Executive Director, Royal Orchid Hotels — Photo by Hilton
Hilton (NYSE: HLT) today announced the signing of a strategic agreement with Regenta Hotels Private Limited, owned by Royal Orchid Hotels Limited, to sign and open 125 Hampton by Hilton hotels in India. The partnership accelerates Hilton’s upper midscale expansion in India, where rising domestic travel and growing demand from the country’s expanding middle class are driving strong opportunities in the mid-market segment. The franchised hotels will primarily be developed across western and southern markets, including Goa, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, joining more than 3,100 Hampton by Hilton properties trading globally.
India’s economic growth, expanding middle class and rapid infrastructure development are reshaping the country’s travel landscape, creating significant opportunities for our brands. Our new strategic partnership with the Regenta Hotels Group demonstrates our commitment to working with established local operators, enabling us to scale our franchise footprint rapidly while maintaining the strength and consistency of Hilton’s brands.
Alan Watts, President, Asia Pacific, Hilton
Strategic agreements have become a key driver for Hilton’s expansion strategy in India, enabling the company to pair strong local operating expertise with its global brands and commercial engine. This partnership marks Hilton’s third of this nature in India, building on the momentum of earlier agreements that are accelerating development by setting franchise terms across a large portfolio of new developments at once.
India’s western and southern states collectively account for a significant share of the country’s GDP and represent some of its most dynamic business and leisure travel corridors. As infrastructure improvements strengthen connectivity and domestic travel continues to grow, demand for reliable, branded accommodation is expanding beyond the country’s largest metropolitan centers. This is creating strong opportunities for branded midscale and upper midscale brands such as Hampton by Hilton to meet the needs of India’s rapidly expanding domestic traveler base across emerging cities and key commercial hubs.
As we continue to strengthen our network effect around the world, India remains a strategic long-term growth market for Hilton. For owners, Hampton by Hilton delivers industry-leading returns through an efficient operating model and broad guest appeal. This agreement further reinforces the global strength of the Hampton brand and our confidence in the long-term growth of India’s midmarket hospitality sector.
Christian Charnaux, Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer, Hilton
Hampton by Hilton is the company’s largest brand by number of hotels and a pioneer of the upper-midscale segment globally. Named the #1 lodging franchise by Entrepreneur® for 17 consecutive years, the brand serves quality-driven travelers through an approachable, high-quality stay defined by its friendly and caring signature hospitality, known as ‘Hamptonality’, in 46 countries globally. Following extensive consumer research in India, Hampton by Hilton hotels in the country will feature design, service and amenities thoughtfully tailored to reflect local preferences while maintaining the brand’s trusted global standards.
We are proud to partner with Hilton to scale Hampton by Hilton in India. Our portfolio is a healthy mix of owned, managed and franchised properties, and this partnership with Hilton will drive significant growth in the country’s mid-market hospitality segment. As domestic travel continues to grow and new economic centers emerge across the country, we see a significant opportunity to expand the Hampton by Hilton brand across cities in India.
Chander Baljee, Founder Chairman & Managing Director Royal Orchid Group
Partnering with Hilton to bring 125 Hampton properties to life is a strategic leap in our 50-year journey. It complements our ethos of bolstering India’s mid-market segment with hotels that deliver great value, service efficiency and thoughtful design, alongside the globally renowned Hampton brand experience. Over the next 10 years, the hospitality opportunity will enable jobs creation for local communities besides offering travelers across the country a quality stay experience.
Arjun Baljee, President, Royal Orchid Hotels
Hampton by Hilton hotels participate in Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest loyalty program for Hilton’s 26 distinct hotel brands. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits, including flexible points and money payment options, exclusive member discounts and complimentary standard Wi-Fi. Members also enjoy popular digital tools available exclusively through the Hilton Honors mobile app, including digital check-in, room selection and Digital Key.
About Hilton
Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 24 world-class brands comprising more than 7,600 properties and nearly 1.2 million rooms, in 126 countries and territories. Dedicated to fulfilling its founding vision to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality, Hilton has welcomed over 3 billion guests in its more than 100-year history, was named the No. 1 World's Best Workplace by Great Place to Work and Fortune and has been recognized as a global leader on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for seven consecutive years. Hilton has introduced industry-leading technology enhancements to improve the guest experience, including Digital Key Share, automated complimentary room upgrades and the ability to book confirmed connecting rooms. Through the award-winning guest loyalty program Hilton Honors, the nearly 190 million Hilton Honors members who book directly with Hilton can earn Points for hotel stays and experiences money can't buy. With the free Hilton Honors app, guests can book their stay, select their room, check in, unlock their door with a Digital Key and check out, all from their smartphone. Visit stories.hilton.com for more information, and connect with Hilton on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.