India takes centre stage in Hilton’s Asia strategy as China slows. From pilgrimage hubs like Ayodhya to tier-III cities, the brand is doubling down on India.
India is fast becoming the centrepiece of Hilton’s Asia-Pacific expansion, with the hotel giant betting that the country could become the world’s third-largest lodging market.
Alan Watts, President (Asia Pacific), Hilton, called India “the most exciting market for travel and tourism globally” and said he expects that momentum to continue for the next decade.
The optimism comes as Hilton sees a sharp contrast across Asia. While China continues to struggle with weak consumer confidence, India and several other Asian markets are delivering stronger growth. Hilton reported double-digit RevPAR growth in India in the second quarter, while Southeast Asia and Japan are also gaining momentum.
Hilton’s India strategy goes beyond luxury hotels in major cities. The company has 60 hotels in various stages of construction and commitments for another 400, as it expands into tier-II and III cities with mid-scale brands such as Hampton and Spark by Hilton.
Religious tourism is another major opportunity. Watts pointed to pilgrimage destinations such as Ayodhya and Tirupati, where millions of visitors travel but branded hotel supply remains limited.
A key advantage for Hilton is that Indian real estate owners are largely financing the developments themselves, allowing the company to expand its footprint.
With rising incomes, improving connectivity, infrastructure development, and strong intra-Asia travel, Hilton sees India as a long-term growth engine not just for South Asia but for its wider Asia-Pacific business.
