Wyndham Eyes India Airport Expansion for 200 Hotels
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts aims to reach 200 hotels in India by the end of 2028, tracking airport and flight infrastructure to capture outbound and domestic demand.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Wyndham targets reaching approximately 200 hotels in India by the end of 2028, up from 96 properties today.
- The company follows new flight routes, such as direct connections between India and Greece, to capture outbound travelers.
- Expansion focuses on tier-2 and tier-3 cities, tier-1 hubs, pilgrimage sites, and wedding destinations.
- India is viewed as both a massive source market and an emerging exporter of top-tier hospitality talent.
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is closely monitoring the expansion of airports, highways, and airline routes across India to position its properties directly in the path of travel demand. The hospitality giant currently operates 96 hotels in India, expects to surpass 100 properties by the end of 2026, and targets a portfolio of roughly 200 hotels by the end of 2028.
This strategic push comes on the heels of a surge in nonstop flights connecting India to international destinations, particularly Greece. IndiGo launched direct flights between Mumbai and Athens in January 2026, followed by a Delhi-Athens route the next day. Greek carrier Aegean also introduced direct services to New Delhi in March and Mumbai in May, significantly boosting nonstop travel capacity between the two nations.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
For Wyndham, these new transportation links serve as a clear indicator of where Indian travel demand is heading. To capture this growing demographic of outbound travelers, the company has begun hosting India-themed evenings at its properties in Greece, using its global network to serve Indian guests whenever they travel abroad.
Wyndham's aggressive focus on India highlights a broader industry shift, as Indian outbound travelers increasingly replace slowing demand from China. By aligning hotel expansion directly with aviation and infrastructure milestones, hospitality brands can capture high-growth markets proactively rather than reacting after destinations are already saturated.
"We want to follow the planes"
Dimitris Manikis
Domestically, Wyndham is betting heavily on the underpenetrated middle market. The company is expanding its footprint from tier-2 and tier-3 cities into tier-1 hubs such as Jaipur and Udaipur, alongside pilgrimage hotspots, wedding destinations, branded residences, and locally connected all-inclusive resorts.
Beyond serving as a lucrative source market, Dimitris Manikis, Wyndham's President for EMEA, notes that India is increasingly transforming into an exporter of hospitality talent, with Indian general managers taking on leadership roles at properties across the Gulf region and beyond.
Source: Skift
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