- RHG expects to create up to 80,000 jobs in India by 2030.
- It focuses on local hiring and career development over short-term jobs.
- It prefers brownfield projects while scouting expansion opportunities.
RADISSON HOTEL GROUP aims to create 65,000 to 80,000 jobs in India through 500 properties by 2030. It is focusing on local hiring and career development rather than short-term employment.
The Belgium-based company is working on skilling through its online Radisson Academy and partnerships with JobPlus, the Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council, local universities, and governments, according to PTI. RHG currently has more than 200 properties in India.
“India is one of our top three most important markets globally and we aim to have 500 hotels in the country by the end of 2030, either operational or under construction,” said Elie Younes, RHG executive vice president and global chief development officer, according to PTI. “This expansion could create roughly 60,000 to 80,000 jobs in the country. Therefore, we define it as a skill opportunity.”
Growth will be led by the Radisson brand in the upscale segment, with properties across tier I to IV cities, including resorts and spiritual destinations. Only a small share will be five-star, as upscale hotels offer better returns in smaller cities.
Younes said 55 percent of upcoming projects will be in tier I cities, 25 percent in tier II and III cities, 10 percent in resorts and 10 percent in spiritual destinations.
“When you have 500 hotels, you need a core anchor to achieve that number because when you go to tier II, III and IV cities, you need a product that justifies the investment,” Younes told PTI. “You need to build hotels that fit that business circumstance or economy. It doesn't mean you won't do five-star hotels. Out of the 500 hotels, 15 percent will be five-star hotels and 45–50 percent will be upscale, three-star or four-star hotels.”
Radisson Hotel Group does not expect a slowdown in its India development pipeline and expects its strongest year in the country.
Younes said the company prefers brownfield projects while scouting expansion opportunities, though they are more complex because existing buildings often require structural modifications.
“We prefer brownfield projects, though they are often more complex because existing buildings usually require structural modifications,” he said. “However, greenfield projects are cleaner and more straightforward in design, but brownfield developments allow faster market entry since the basic infrastructure is already in place. Ideally, brownfield works better for speed, while greenfield offers greater flexibility and purity of development.”
RHG closed 2025 in India with growth in development, operations and brand engagement, reaching its highest Global Review Index score. The company added 33 hotel signings and entered 11 new metro, leisure and emerging destinations. RevPAR rose 6 percent and ADR grew 7 percent, driven by pricing strategy and occupancy, improving profitability for hotel owners.
