-KH News Desk (editorial1@imaws.org)
Eight Continents Hotels & Resorts, a UK-based hotel group founded by hospitality veteran Haninder Sachdeva in 2020, is aggressively focusing on the Indian market with an ambitious plan to add 50 new hotels by 2030. The company currently operates 13 hotels in India, with an additional 6 properties already in the pipeline slated to join the portfolio in the coming months. While the company owns and operates hotels in the UK, its expansion outside the UK, including in India, is primarily centered on a management-first business model.
Strategic Focus and Brand Portfolio
Eight Continents’ primary geographical focus for this expansion is on Tier II and Tier III cities across India, targeting aspirational consumers who seek high-quality hospitality experiences in underserved markets. Key target locations mentioned include Pushkar, Jodhpur, Ludhiana, and Nainital. The group also plans to be open to acquiring larger properties in gateway cities as opportunities arise, noting that they have already signed two larger properties (80-room and 120-room hotels) set to open in 2026.
The group plans to actively promote at least six brands from its portfolio in the Indian market, catering to various segments:
- Treetop: The four-star, upper-class brand (first entry in Sariska).
- Stamps: The affordable segment brand.
- Hanric: The luxury brand (already operating in Nainital).
- Eight Continents Collection: The top-tier luxury properties.
Operational Strategy and Vision
Sachdeva emphasized that to run the Indian operations efficiently and profitably, the company made a strategic decision to relocate its “nervous system”—including reservations, revenue management, HR, and IT functions—to an India back office in Gurugram, Delhi NCR. This strategic centralization supports both its growing Indian and existing UK operations. While the company’s primary model is management contracts to ensure control over quality and brand standards, it remains flexible and open to franchising in select cases. The overarching strategic vision is to be known as a luxury operator delivering exceptional experiences, focusing on impact rather than ubiquitous presence.
