Thailand-based hospitality company Dusit International has ramped up its expansion efforts in India following the opening of its first property in the country, dusitD2 Fagu, Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) in December 2024. The hotel chain has signed agreements for nearly 800 keys across various locations reinforcing its commitment to the Indian market.
Addressing a press conference in New Delhi on April 3, Deepika Arora, head – India, Dusit International announced that the company has secured deals for wellness-focused Devarana Sakleshpur and a Dusit Princess property in Coorg, Karnataka.
The Dusit Princess brand is also making its way to Hyderabad (Telangana), Raipur (Chhattisgarh), Bhiwadi (Rajasthan), Lonavala (Maharashtra) and Kolkata (West Bengal), signalling a strategic push into both metro and non-metro markets.
“We are also entering some very scenic boutique destinations in the country including Kasol and Manali (both in Himachal Pradesh) under our Dusit Collection brand. All these properties are expected to be operational in the next two to three years,” said Arora, adding that Dusit International has plans to sign 3,000 keys in India over the next three years.
Highlighting the company’s approach to expansion, Siradej Donavanik, vice president – development (global), Dusit International, shared: “Apart from metro cities, we are focusing on tier-II and tier-III markets in India. Our conscious decision is to pick strategic locations that are underserved with quality products and to seek the right local partners.
“Our strategy for the Indian market is currently asset-light, but in the future, we will be open to investment as well. As a company, we own about 30 per cent of our portfolio, which is a significant chunk compared to our peers.”
In addition to its expansion plans, Dusit International is set to enhance hospitality education and local talent development in India through Dusit Hospitality Education.
