Hyatt Expands in India Amid Rising Travel Demand and Growing Middle Class

Hyatt Hotels (NYSE:H) is ramping up its presence in India, targeting the country’s booming population, urbanization, and rising consumer spending to fuel double-digit revenue growth in fiscal 2026. With over 1.4 billion people and a rapidly expanding middle class, India has become a key market for global hospitality brands.

Carina Chorengel, a senior executive at Hyatt, told Reuters the company sees India as a significant part of its Asia Pacific expansion. Currently operating around 325 hotels in the region, Hyatt plans to open six new properties across India this year, including locations in Ghaziabad and Kochi. The U.S.-based hotel chain aims to double its footprint in India to 100 hotels within five years.

Post-pandemic, domestic travel in India has surged, driven by higher disposable incomes and increased travel aspirations among urban populations. Global hotel operators, including rivals like Hilton Worldwide (NYSE:HLT), are aggressively expanding in the Indian market. Hilton recently announced plans to quadruple its pipeline of hotel rooms in the country within five years.

Sunjae Sharma, Hyatt’s managing director for India and Southwest Asia, confirmed that the brand has achieved double-digit growth in India in recent years and expects this trend to continue. Despite concerns over short-term consumer spending slowdowns, global brands from hospitality to retail are betting on India’s long-term growth potential.

Hyatt’s strategy aligns with broader trends: a youthful population, urban migration, and increased interest in domestic tourism. With a strong development pipeline and a focus on second-tier cities, Hyatt aims to capture a larger share of India's growing travel market and cement its position as a leading player in the country’s hospitality sector.