Expanded Hotel Chains: IHCL Increases Its Inventory by Over 150 Hotels - Implications for Indian Travelers
Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) Expands Portfolio with Strategic Partnership
The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) has announced a significant expansion of its hospitality offerings through a strategic partnership with ANK Hotels Pvt Ltd, Pride Hospitality Pvt Ltd, and Brij Hospitality Pvt Ltd. This partnership adds over 150 hotels to IHCL's portfolio, marking a significant leap in its presence in India's midscale and experiential luxury hospitality segments.
Details of the Partnership
The partnership involves integrating ANK and Pride's 135 midscale hotels across 110 locations, primarily under IHCL's Ginger brand, strengthening its midscale offerings. Brij Hospitality adds 19 boutique and experiential properties located in culturally and historically significant destinations, enhancing IHCL's experiential luxury segment.
IHCL has invested approximately ₹1.1 billion in ANK and ₹940 million in Pride, along with a marketing and distribution agreement with Brij Hospitality, which includes 11 operating hotels, with Brij also planning its first international opening in Nepal. The partnership follows an asset-light model, primarily via management contracts or operating leases, allowing IHCL to expand without heavy capital expenditure.
Impact on the Indian Hospitality Industry
The partnership has several implications for the Indian hospitality industry. The partnership doubles IHCL’s portfolio in the midscale segment to over 240 hotels, addressing the rising demand for quality, affordable accommodations among India’s growing aspirational travelers. This aligns with trends showing increased mid-market and budget hotel demand, particularly in domestic tourism.
Brij Hospitality enhances IHCL’s footprint in the boutique luxury space by offering authentic, culturally rich experiences targeting affluent travelers, thereby diversifying and elevating tourism offerings beyond traditional hotels.
By adding these hotels and leveraging its strong brand presence (Ginger, Vivanta, SeleQtions, etc.), IHCL is positioning itself as a mid-market leader and supporting India’s broader tourism ecosystem. This move promotes economic growth by meeting the country’s heterogeneous market needs with a multi-pronged strategy.
The expansion complements India’s goal to boost tourism infrastructure and international competitiveness, fostering job creation and regional development across various states.
Conclusion
IHCL’s partnership with ANK Hotels, Pride Hospitality, and Brij Hospitality significantly enhances its portfolio, enabling it to serve diverse traveler segments—from midscale to boutique experiential luxury—thereby driving growth and transformation in India’s hospitality industry under the ‘Accelerate 2030’ roadmap. The move doubles IHCL's midscale presence to over 240 hotels, and its portfolio now includes over 550 hotels and nearly 55,000 rooms worldwide.
- The strategic partnership between IHCL and ANK Hotels, Pride Hospitality, and Brij Hospitality, also involving investments in finance and management, has expanded IHCL's business portfolio by adding over 150 hotels, including midscale and boutique properties.
- With the addition of these hotels, IHCL, through its various business operations in the hospitality industry, is working towards positioning itself as a mid-market leader and supporting India’s broader tourism ecosystem, contributing to economic growth and job creation across different regions.
