Indian Hotels Company Ltd (IHCL) is poised for a significant acceleration in its expansion efforts, with plans to add over 90 new properties to its portfolio in the coming years.

This announcement comes on the heels of a successful fiscal year 2024, during which IHCL experienced robust growth, marked by 52 signings and the opening of 34 new hotels.

This propelled the company's portfolio to over 300 hotels, surpassing its projections outlined in the Ahvaan 2025 initiative.

Ahvaan 2025, introduced by IHCL in 2022, aimed to revolutionize various facets of the company, from margin enhancement to brand diversification and portfolio optimization.

With ambitious targets such as achieving a portfolio of 300 hotels and attaining a 33% EBITDA margin by fiscal year 2025-26, IHCL has been actively pursuing strategic initiatives to realize these objectives.

Deepika Rao, IHCL's Executive Vice President for Hotel Openings & New Businesses, expressed confidence in the company's trajectory, citing a robust pipeline of 90-plus hotels poised for development.

This forward momentum, she emphasized, underscores IHCL's commitment to maintaining its leadership position in the domestic market while strategically expanding into select international destinations.

Suma Venkatesh, Executive Vice President for Real Estate & Development at IHCL, shed light on the company's strategic focus on emerging market segments, such as upscale full-service hotels, to cater to India's burgeoning affluent demographic and their evolving travel preferences.

Furthermore, she highlighted IHCL's intention to leverage existing partnerships for multi-hotel projects, signalling a collaborative approach to growth.

Venkatesh also highlighted the remarkable growth trajectory witnessed in the fiscal year 2024, with IHCL achieving an impressive milestone of 52 signings, averaging nearly one contract per week.

Notably, the strategic alliance with 'Tree of Life Resorts contributed 14 new hotels to IHCL's portfolio, underscoring the efficacy of such partnerships in fueling expansion.

In addition to domestic expansions, IHCL has made significant inroads into international markets, with recent project signings in locations such as Dhaka, Bhutan, Nepal, and Frankfurt.

Domestically, IHCL's signings encompass a diverse range of locations, including high-profile projects at international airports in New Delhi, Cochin, and MOPA Goa, as well as leisure and spiritual destinations like Alibaug, Bekal, Naukuchiatal, Ayodhya, and Haridwar.

As IHCL and its subsidiaries, including renowned brands such as Taj, SeleQtions, Vivanta, and Ginger, continue to chart an ambitious growth trajectory, the company remains steadfast in its commitment to delivering exceptional hospitality experiences across diverse market segments, both domestically and internationally.