Ascott Limited (Ascott), the lodging arm fully owned by CapitaLand Investment (CLI), has unveiled plans to double its footprint in India. It targets 12,000 units by 2028, up from approximately 5,500 units at the close of 2024. Ascott Limited’s CEO Kevin Goh announced the news during the HICSA conference in Mumbai. Addressing the audience on the theme ‘Redefining Global Living,’ he highlighted how modern global living increasingly reflects the seamless integration of how people live, work, and travel across borders.
Buoyed by strong growth potential in India’s hospitality sector, Ascott has started 2025 on a high note, signing three new properties in Goa, Lucknow, and Thanjavur during the first quarter. According to a company release, these recent additions have brought in 600 more units, boosting Ascott’s total presence in India to around 6,100 units across 22 properties, including operational properties and those in the development pipeline.
“India is an important inbound and outbound market for Ascott, with strong growth potential as it continues to evolve into one of the world’s largest economies. With a rapidly growing middle class, increasing disposable incomes, and improving infrastructure, India’s dynamic economic landscape unlocks immense opportunities for its travel and hospitality sectors. Despite promising prospects, the supply of branded hotel rooms in India remains limited, creating a significant demand-supply gap that opens up tremendous potential for Ascott to contribute to the country’s hospitality growth,” said Goh.
“As diverse demand drivers fuel India’s hospitality sector, Ascott is well-positioned to capitalize on this growth with our flex-hybrid model that seamlessly adapts to shifting demand across transient and extended stays. This competitive edge is reinforced by Ascott’s multi-typology brand strategy, enabling us to serve every type of guest with a diverse portfolio ranging from select- to full-service operations. Backed by the in-market expertise of our local team in India, we are confident in delivering exceptional value to our owners while enhancing the guest experience. As we strengthen our brand presence in India, we believe the country will become a key source market for Ascott’s properties worldwide,” he added.
Lee Ngor Houai, chief operating officer, Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA), south Asia, and China, Ascott, said: “Moving forward, our growth strategy in India will be driven by a dual focus on geographic and brand expansion. Currently, 85% of Ascott’s operating portfolio in India is concentrated in Tier-1 cities such as Bangalore, Chennai, and Hyderabad. We will continue strengthening our presence in these high-performing Tier-1 cities while expanding our focus on the fast-growing Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. This strategy is driven by growing interest in India’s lesser-traveled destinations and the significant under-penetration of branded hotels in these cities.”
“In addition to growing our Ascott, Citadines, Oakwood, and Somerset brands already in India, we look forward to launching more of our multi-typology brands here. We see strong potential in introducing lyf, our experience-led social living brand, to tap into the rise of India’s urban millennial and Gen Z workforce, along with the growing digital nomad trend. As demand for flexible, community-focused stays grows, lyf aligns perfectly with India’s next-gen travellers. Furthermore, our collection brands, The Unlimited Collection and The Crest Collection, are poised to meet the rising demand for immersive cultural and heritage experiences in India, turning stays into unforgettable journeys,” he added.
Ascott Limited’s ambitious growth strategy highlights its strong commitment to India’s dynamic hospitality sector. By aiming to double its portfolio to 12,000 units by 2028, the company is positioning itself as a key player in the evolving landscape of global living.
With a focus on flexible, cross-border lifestyles and expanding its footprint in high-potential cities, Ascott Limited is set to redefine modern hospitality in India—offering diverse lodging solutions for today’s globally connected travelers.
