Kerten hotel, a worldwide lifestyle hotel firm with headquarters in Ireland, has just announced its expansion into India, a country with one of the most rapidly developing tourism and hospitality industries. Keystone of the group’s upcoming worldwide expansion, this move brings Kerten Hospitality’s unique blend of community-focused hospitality and tailored living to Indian shores for the first time, with an initial target of 1,000 keys. As part of its long-term expansion strategy, which involves penetrating high-growth locations when lifestyle-led demand begins to accelerate, the business sees India as a strategic growth market.

Following one of Kerten Hospitality’s most prosperous years, the company has made the statement. Geographic diversification, disciplined expansion, and sustained demand from owners and investors for its differentiated lifestyle hospitality platform drove the group’s performance in 2025, which resulted in a 55% increase in operating revenues, a 69% growth in GOP, and a 44% rise in management fees year-on-year. Continuing along this path, the group signed 1,000 new keys in January of 2026 in high-growth areas spanning Africa, the Middle East, and other regions. The group’s most substantial foray into a new market to date is the India entry; there are currently 60 projects in the pipeline across three continents, under 12 proprietary lifestyle brands.

An attractive platform for a brand based on locally rooted, experience-led hospitality exists in India, where the hospitality sector is expected to reach USD 55.67 billion by 2031 at a CAGR of 14.76 percent. The changing visitor in India is youthful, tech-savvy, and more interested in deep, authentic cultural experiences than traditional hotel stays. Kerten Hospitality’s community-first concept is a perfect fit for this demographic.

Central to Kerten Hospitality’s service is a strong but simple belief: modern tourists and business travellers alike are looking for unique experiences rather than generic hotel rooms. In the MENA, European, and African markets, its “bespoke-at-scale” concept has proven to be highly effective. Local identity and institutional-grade management are not competing priorities, but complimentary ones, as Kerten has shown in every market.

In a competitive industry, Kerten Hospitality stands apart thanks to its owner-first concept. By collaborating with asset owners and adhering to their vision rather than dictating strict brand instructions, the group is able to leverage its marketing platform, operational knowledge, and recruitment infrastructure on a worldwide scale. Three proprietary brands from Kerten Hospitality are available to Indian asset owners: Cloud7 Hotels, a concept for design-led lifestyle hotels; The House Hotel, a bespoke luxury offering with roots in local culture; and HOSME, a place where social hospitality meets affordability. All three brands have proven and scalable concepts.

Kerten Hospitality has set up a specialised office in India to spearhead this expansion and is in the process of partnering with asset owners in strategic locations to introduce its hotel brands to the country.

Marloes Knippenberg, CEO of Kerten Hospitality, commented on the Group’s emphasis on the Indian market, saying, “It’s well known that India is one of the most dynamic travel markets in the world, with robust tourism fundamentals and an increasing appetite for lifestyle-driven hospitality experiences.” We see a lot of room for creative hospitality ideas that capture the essence and variety of the nation in the growing trend of tourists looking for places that blend culture, design, and community. Building destinations that combine culture, creativity, and meaningful guest experiences is the foundation of Kerten Hospitality’s business approach. Developers and owners are expressing considerable interest, and Kerten will soon be able to manage properties nationwide, allowing them to serve the large diaspora of Indian consumers.

Sixty hotel projects across Europe, the MENA, and North Africa are under the umbrella of Kerten Hospitality. After making a name for itself in the Middle East, Kerten has expanded into other markets, signing hotels in places like Morocco, Turkey, Italy, and France. The properties in the group’s portfolio include hotels, serviced apartments, and mixed-use lifestyle destinations that aim to capture the essence of each place through unique integrations of culture, wellness, food, and social activities.