Belgium-based Radisson Hotel Group plans to expand its presence in India to 500 hotels and a 50,000-strong workforce by 2030, a senior company executive said on Tuesday.

In an interview with PTI, Elie Younes, Executive Vice President and Global Chief Development Officer at Radisson Hotel Group, outlined the company’s ambitious India growth strategy, which includes more than doubling its property count and significantly expanding its employment base.

Radisson currently operates over 200 hotels in India and expects to reach 250–260 properties by 2026 before scaling up to 500 hotels by 2030. The group also aims to nearly triple its Indian workforce to 50,000 employees, up from the existing 17,000.

“We currently have around 130 hotels open and over 70 under construction. In the next five years, we plan to reach 500 hotels — most likely between 250 and 300 will be operational, with about 200 under construction,” Younes said.

He added that India remains one of Radisson’s most important markets, with the company “very focused and excited about the country’s growth potential.” The next phase of expansion will be driven by tier-II to tier-IV cities, along with airport hotels and business destinations.

Younes also discussed measures to attract more foreign tourists to India, advocating for simplified visa procedures and upgraded airline infrastructure to improve air travel connectivity.

On the company’s evolving business model, Younes said branded residences would serve as an alternative segment for Radisson over the next five years, though it would not be a mainstream focus in the near term.

The expansion plan underscores Radisson’s confidence in India’s tourism and hospitality potential, as growing demand, rising disposable incomes, and improving infrastructure continue to reshape the country’s travel landscape.