Bullish on India, Wyndham Hotels to add 55 properties, double rooms

Wyndham's Strategic Push into India's Growing Hospitality Market

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is making India a cornerstone of its international expansion strategy, announcing ambitious plans to significantly increase its footprint across the subcontinent. The global hospitality chain currently operates 95 hotels in India with around 7,600 rooms under franchise agreements, but this is just the beginning of a major growth initiative. The company has set its sights on adding approximately 50 to 55 new hotels to its pipeline, which will introduce roughly 7,000 additional rooms to its Indian portfolio within the next three years. This aggressive expansion reflects the company's confidence in India's emerging travel market and its determination to capture a larger share of the rapidly growing hospitality sector.

The driving force behind this expansion is the remarkable surge in domestic travel across India. Domestic travel spending in India exceeded 186 billion US dollars in the previous year, with leisure travel spending projected to grow at an impressive annual rate of 12 percent. Rising infrastructure investments, increasing middle-class mobility, and enhanced outbound tourism opportunities have created a fertile ground for hotel chains to expand their operations. Wyndham recognizes these favorable market conditions and is positioning itself to meet the escalating demand from Indian travelers seeking quality branded accommodations across diverse destinations.

Shifting Strategy Toward Larger, Premium Properties

Wyndham is fundamentally transforming its approach to hotel development in India by moving away from smaller properties toward larger, more sophisticated accommodations. Historically, the chain operated hotels with approximately 60 to 65 rooms, but this is changing dramatically. The company is now targeting hotels with 100 to 120 rooms per property, representing a significant jump in property size and capacity. This strategic shift reflects Wyndham's commitment to capturing the upper midscale and luxury segments of the market, catering to travelers who demand modern amenities, comprehensive facilities, and enhanced guest experiences. By increasing room counts and property sizes, Wyndham aims to achieve faster growth in terms of room inventory while improving operational efficiency and revenue potential.

The expansion also demonstrates Wyndham's willingness to diversify its brand portfolio in India. The company currently operates 12 different brands within the country and continues to introduce additional brands tailored to specific market segments and traveler preferences. This multi-brand strategy allows Wyndham to address varying customer needs and capture opportunities across different price points and experience levels, from budget-friendly options to ultra-luxury properties.

Strategic Alliances and Targeted Destination Development

A pivotal element of Wyndham's growth strategy involves forging strategic partnerships with established local hospitality operators. The company recently announced a landmark 10-year alliance with Cygnett Hotels & Resorts, a respected Indian hospitality group. Through this partnership, Wyndham plans to introduce its La Quinta by Wyndham brand, with over 50 hotel openings planned across India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. Additionally, Registry Collection Hotels, Wyndham's luxury boutique brand, will debut in India with 10 properties co-branded under Anamore, Cygnett's newly launched luxury five-star brand, with the first openings anticipated in 2026.

Beyond urban centers, Wyndham is targeting high-demand leisure and spiritual destinations that drive year-round tourism across India. Cities like Udaipur, Pushkar, and Jaipur have emerged as priority markets where domestic celebrations, pilgrimage travel, and experiential tourism generate consistent demand. In 2025 alone, Wyndham opened 29 hotels across India, with particularly strong expansion into Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities where branded hotel options remain limited. This geographic diversification strategy ensures that Wyndham captures growth opportunities beyond metropolitan centers, tapping into emerging travel corridors and experiential destinations that attract increasingly sophisticated Indian travelers.

This partnership is the next chapter in Wyndham's Eurasia growth story, with India as a key strategic market that we've grown alongside for decades, and we're introducing elevated stays across the full spectrum from stylish, quality hotels to distinctive luxury escapes.

Looking ahead, Wyndham plans to bring its branded residences offering to India within the next two years, catering to both domestic and international property buyers. This expansion into the residential sector represents a natural evolution of the company's business model and opens additional revenue streams beyond traditional hotel operations. The introduction of branded residences will allow Wyndham to serve affluent buyers seeking premium residential experiences associated with the company's trusted hospitality brands.

Wyndham's bullish outlook on India reflects the country's position as one of the fastest-growing markets within the EMEA region. The company's achievements in India, coupled with its strategic initiatives across Europe, the Middle East, Eurasia, and Africa, contributed to Wyndham's global development pipeline reaching 259,000 rooms, representing three percent year-over-year growth. With international travel expected to remain resilient into 2026, Wyndham is well-positioned to continue expanding across established tourism hubs and emerging travel corridors, solidifying its role as a dominant force in global hospitality.

The expansion plans underscore Wyndham's unwavering commitment to capturing growth in one of the world's most dynamic travel markets. By combining strategic partnerships, larger property formats, brand diversification, and targeted destination development, Wyndham is constructing a comprehensive growth framework designed to deliver sustained expansion for years to come. As India's travel sector continues its impressive trajectory, Wyndham's aggressive positioning ensures it remains at the forefront of the country's hospitality evolution.