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Skift
14-05-2025
- Business
- Skift
What Multi-Million Dollar Hotel Deals Say About India's Hospitality Landscape
Investors are not worried about the amount needed for investing in hotel projects. The returns are robust enough to be a motivator. Nearly 25 hotels in India changed hands in multi-million dollar deals in 2024, according to real estate firm JLL. These transactions primarily involved operational properties located in both business and leisure destinations, with a focus on Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. JLL reports that this high volume of deals signals strong recovery and expanding footprint for the hospitality sector across the Indian subcontinent. 'There is capital available for hotel investments. The yields are very attractive compared to previous years,' said Jaideep Dang, managing director of the Hotels and Hospitality Group at JLL. 'Most of the transactions occurred in the 3-star and 4-star segments,' Dang told Skift. Only a small number of deals involved 5-star and luxury properties. 'Most of the luxury and 5-star hotels are tightly held by Indian listed companies. These companies aren't selling — they're buying.' According to JLL, nearly half of all hotel transactions in 2024 occurred in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. 'This trend has broadened the industry's reach, bringing quality accommodations to previously underserved markets such as Amritsar, Mathura, Bikaner, and several others,' the firm said in a statement. India is witnessing a surge in interest from hospitality chains. Last week, Hilton said that it plans to increase its presence in India by 10 times over the next decade. Over the next couple of years, the company plans to launch five new Hilton brands in the country. Accor is also planning to scale up to 300 properties across the country by 2030. Looking at 25-30 openings every year, the company is counting on expansion across multiple brands, ranging from lifestyle brands such as Ennismore to affordable Ibis and Mercure. International brands such as IHG, Ascott, Marriott, and Radisson are also looking at expanding their India portfolios. While IHG has introduced its newest midscale brand, Garner, to India, Singapore-based The Ascott Limited is focusing on Tier-2 and 3 cities to increase its portfolio from 5,500 to 12,000 units by 2028. Last month, Thai hospitality company Dusit Hotels & Resorts officially returned to India after it exited the country in 2016. It has 10 upcoming properties with an inventory of 800 keys. A Diverse Investor Base JLL also noted that high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and private hotel owners accounted for 51% of the transaction value in 2024. 'Since the pandemic, we've seen a pattern emerge,' said Dang. 'A lot of the activity is driven by Indian listed companies with long-term involvement in the hospitality business. There's also significant interest from individuals with private wealth — people who've made money in other industries and are now investing in hotels for annuity income and capital growth.' He added that the hotel industry's performance remains robust. 'Hotels are full, airlines are full, and load capacities are increasing. That's why more new investors are entering the market to build hotels.' Strong Momentum in Hotel Signings In 2024, more than 42,000 rooms were signed across branded hotels in India, with approximately 75% of those signings occurring in Tier-2 and Tier-3 markets, according to JLL. Dang pointed out a development trend in smaller cities: high local demand for food, beverage, and banqueting is driving the creation of hotels with fewer rooms but more event space. 'These cities aren't getting 500-key hotels,' he explained. 'You might see an 80-room hotel with 20,000 square feet of event space — similar to what you'd find in a major city. Only here, there would be far fewer rooms.' In the post-Covid era, hotel companies are rebalancing their portfolios. With the cost of land in major cities skyrocketing, building large luxury hotels in these locations is becoming increasingly unviable. 'So companies are diversifying — looking at mixed-use developments that combine hotels with malls or office spaces to offset costs and reduce financial risk,' Dang said. What am I looking at? The performance of hotels and short-term rental sector stocks within the ST200. The index includes companies publicly traded across global markets, including international and regional hotel brands, hotel REITs, hotel management companies, alternative accommodations, and timeshares. The Skift Travel 200 (ST200) combines the financial performance of nearly 200 travel companies worth more than a trillion dollars into a single number. See more hotels and short-term rental financial sector performance. Read the full methodology behind the Skift Travel 200. What am I looking at? The performance of hotels and short-term rental sector stocks within the ST200. The index includes companies publicly traded across global markets, including international and regional hotel brands, hotel REITs, hotel management companies, alternative accommodations, and timeshares. The Skift Travel 200 (ST200) combines the financial performance of nearly 200 travel companies worth more than a trillion dollars into a single number. See more hotels and short-term rental financial sector performance. Read the full methodology behind the Skift Travel 200. What am I looking at? The performance of hotels and short-term rental sector stocks within the ST200. The index includes companies publicly traded across global markets, including international and regional hotel brands, hotel REITs, hotel management companies, alternative accommodations, and timeshares. The Skift Travel 200 (ST200) combines the financial performance of nearly 200 travel companies worth more than a trillion dollars into a single number. See more hotels and short-term rental financial sector performance. Read the full methodology behind the Skift Travel 200.
Entrepreneur
08-05-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
"Now the entire world is the office… the security went out of the perimeter and the entire world became the perimeter": Rajesh Chhabra, Acronis India Head
When asked whether India could become a cybersecurity leader in South Asia, Chhabra said it depends on how we define readiness. "If we're talking about talent, absolutely. India has no shortage of skilled people... however our institutions still teach outdated also need more investment in R&D," says Chhabra Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. As India's digital landscape continues to expand, cybersecurity challenges are no longer limited to large cities or major enterprises. The risks are becoming just as relevant in smaller towns and regional markets, especially as more users rely on digital services for everyday activities. To understand how the cybersecurity industry is responding to this shift, Entrepreneur India spoke with Rajesh Chhabra, General Manager – India & South Asia at Acronis. He spoke about how the company is supporting Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, how the threat landscape has evolved, and what India needs to do to strengthen its position in the global cybersecurity ecosystem. A local approach to a global problem Rather than selling directly, Acronis has built its India presence through a network of about 500 partners. Half of them are based in smaller towns and cities. "We are a channel-first organisation. We work through our partners who understand their local markets better than anyone else," Chhabra explained. "That's why we don't sell directly. It allows our partners to decide their pricing and approach." These partners receive training through a mix of offline and online formats and get access to materials like customer education guides and on-demand videos. Acronis's partner portal also helps them deliver support to their own clients. According to Chhabra, remote deployment tools mean physical presence is no longer essential. "Our solutions can be installed and monitored remotely, so geography doesn't limit access anymore," he said. Changing role of data in business The role of data has shifted significantly in recent years. "Ten years ago, data was mostly used for accounting or executive decision-making. Now it's the foundation of every department—from operations to sales," Chhabra noted. The volume of data being generated has also exploded. "The amount of data created last year alone is roughly equal to what the world generated over the past ten years combined," he added. This surge is also fuelling demand for secure data centres, but it comes with growing responsibility. "All of this data needs to be protected. And that's where modern cybersecurity becomes critical," he said. New threats, new challenges The nature of cyber threats has changed just as dramatically. "Earlier, antivirus software and basic backup systems were enough for most companies. Today, it's a completely different scenario," Chhabra said. The pandemic and the rise of remote work have extended the traditional boundaries of security. "Earlier, companies only had to protect a few in-house systems. Now the whole world is the office. People are working from unsecured internet connections, which increases the risk of breaches." He also pointed to the rise of AI-driven cyberattacks. "Today's attacks are more sophisticated. Fileless attacks, phishing, DDoS—they're not just one-off incidents. Some of them stay hidden, escalate privileges, and even infect backup systems before demanding ransom." Is India Ready to Lead in Cybersecurity? When asked whether India could become a cybersecurity leader in South Asia, Chhabra said it depends on how we define readiness. "If we're talking about talent, absolutely. India has no shortage of skilled people. We've been exporting tech talent globally for years," he said. However, he noted a disconnect between education and industry needs. "Our institutions still teach outdated tools. Most graduates need significant upskilling before they're ready for modern technologies," he said. "We also need more investment in R&D. For example, Singapore provides incentives to companies setting up R&D centres, even covering part of the salary costs. We can learn from that." The need for data collaboration—and caution As cybersecurity becomes more global, Chhabra stressed the importance of cross-border data collaboration. "Threat intelligence systems around the world feed on data shared globally. This helps companies stay ahead of new threats," he said. But he also warned that data sharing should not compromise individual rights. "Regulations like GDPR give users control over their personal data. That balance between collaboration and privacy is important," he added. Advice for everyday users Chhabra also shared advice for young people and everyday users, particularly those in smaller towns or vulnerable communities. "People should avoid clicking on unknown links—especially on WhatsApp forwards. These often contain malware or phishing traps." He also recommended using different, strong passwords for different apps and checking government platforms like Sanchar Saathi to monitor mobile numbers linked to one's Aadhaar. "Even basic things like searching for customer care numbers online can be risky. You might end up calling a scam number," he said. "The attackers rely on urgency or the fear of missing out to trick people. It's important to slow down and verify." While concluding he said,"We've made progress, but we still have a long way to go."
