- United Hospitality expands after acquiring Rosastays.
- The company targets nearly 50 hotel assets in India by year-end.
- It also sets up hotel teams.
UNITED HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT is expanding its India business through third-party hotel management after acquiring Rosastays last year. The company aims to have nearly 50 signed and operational hotel assets in the country by year-end.
The hotel development and asset management company, promoted by Kuwait's Al-Bahar Group, signed 28 hotel assets in India and expects to add another 20 by year-end, according to The Economic Times. The expansion reflects its strategy to build a long-term presence in India's emerging third-party hotel management market.
"India is still at the beginning of that journey, but we believe it will grow rapidly," Carlos Leal, UHM executive chairman and board member, said, comparing India's market with the U.S., where 80 percent of hotels in a city like New York are managed by third-party operators.
Leal and Klaus Assmann, CEO for the Middle East, India and Southeast Asia, said global hotel brands' focus on brand licensing, loyalty programs and distribution over direct operations is creating opportunities for third-party management companies.
"We are not a typical third-party hotel management company,” Leal told the Times. “What differentiates us is that we started as owners first and operators later. We manage assets from an owner's perspective. If the owner is successful, we are successful."
The company’s operating model covers economy and midscale hotels, luxury resorts, mixed-use developments, branded residences, lifestyle concepts and food and beverage brands.
Assmann said UHM works with owners to identify the operating model and brand best suited to each asset rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach.
UHM partnered with Hyatt and IHG and plans to expand collaborations with Marriott, Hilton and other hotel companies in India, the Times reported. It also plans to expand its brands in the country, including Rosastays Villas, Yotel, Bespoke, Serenity and about 20 food and beverage concepts from its global portfolio.
The company also sees opportunities in luxury villa rentals as travelers seek more personalized experiences.
"Consumers today are looking for experiences rather than just hotel rooms," Leal said. "Hospitality is the sum of accommodation, wellness, food, lifestyle and experiences."
To support its India expansion, UHM has set up development, operations, revenue management and hotel opening teams. The India business is led by Deepika Arora, managing director, and Ricardo Leal, vice president of operations for India and Southeast Asia.
The executives said bureaucratic processes remain a challenge for foreign investors but reaffirmed the company's long-term commitment to India, citing investments in people, systems and infrastructure.
For now, UHM will focus on providing third-party hotel management services in India, though executives said it could introduce other business verticals in the future.
Globally, UHM oversees more than $1 billion in hospitality assets and manages hotels across Europe and the Middle East, including Hyatt Regency Lisbon, Sheraton Cascais Resort, Pine Cliffs Resort Algarve, Yotel Porto, The Palm Dubai Beach Resort – a Vignette Collection by IHG, Wyndham Residences The Palm, Mövenpick JLT, VOCO Bonnington JLT and The Creekside Hotel Dubai.
Separately, Hilton Worldwide Holdings reported progress toward its 2030 environmental and social impact goals, reducing carbon emissions, water use and waste across its hotel portfolio. The company also expanded community impact through employee initiatives.
