Mandeep Singh Lamba, President & CEO (South Asia), HVS Anarock in an exclusive interview with Kamal Gill, Editor-Publisher, of Today’s Traveller shares how this year’s theme at HOPE 2025 is a timely response to the evolving global hospitality landscape.
This year, the conference will focus on key industry shifts, emerging opportunities, and developments reshaping travel and hospitality’s future. HOPE 2025 intends to shine the spotlight on rising consumer demand, economic shifts, and technological advancements to unlock new opportunities across every accommodation segment.
TT Bureau: How does this year’s theme at the HOPE conference align with current trends and challenges in the global hospitality sector?
Mandeep Singh Lamba: Building on the tremendous success of HOPE 2024, which brought together the industry’s most influential voices and set new benchmarks for thought leadership, HOPE 2025 is set to take hospitality conversations to the next level.
This year, the conference will focus on key industry shifts, emerging opportunities, and developments reshaping travel and hospitality’s future. India’s hospitality sector is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by economic growth, rising disposable incomes, and evolving consumer preferences.
With India’s rapidly growing per capita income projected to reach USD 4,000 by 2030, the hospitality sector is approaching a critical inflexion point, as this level of economic growth has historically triggered a surge in discretionary spending.
As a result, demand for quality accommodations across segments —especially in the midscale and budget segments is expected to accelerate. Additionally, with room rates at record highs, shifts in demand are also influencing the luxury and upscale segments.
At HOPE 2025, these market dynamics will take centre stage, with panel discussions and insights from global hospitality leaders, investors, and industry disruptors.
A key highlight will be our exclusive invitation-only sessions—ECHO (Exclusive Conclave for Hotel Owners) and EDGE (Excellence Development for Global Executives)—providing in-depth discussions and strategic perspectives on critical industry developments.
This year’s conference will also explore the intersection of hospitality and technology, diving into the role of AI and data-driven decision-making in improving operational efficiencies and guest experiences.
TT Bureau: Could you give us a brief preview of some key speakers or topics at the HOPE Conference that attendees can look forward to?
Mandeep Singh Lamba: HOPE 2025 is set to feature an exceptional lineup of global hospitality leaders, top investors, and industry visionaries, reinforcing its position as India’s most exclusive hospitality and travel summit.
Some of the most influential names in the industry, including Anthony Capuano (President & CEO, Marriott International), Geoff Ballotti (President & CEO, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts), Larry Cuculic (President & CEO, BWH Hotels), Puneet Chhatwal (Managing Director & CEO, IHCL), Patu Keswani (Chairman & Managing Director, Lemon Tree Hotels), Omri Morgenshtern (CEO, Agoda), Deep Kalra (Founder & Chairman, MakeMyTrip), and CP Gurnani (Chairman, Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Limited Co-Founder and Executive Vice Chairman, AIonOS), will share their insights on global and domestic hospitality trends, investment strategies, and market dynamics.
The conference will also feature key hotel owners such as Atul Chordia (Chairman, Panchshil Realty), Harshavardhan Neotia (Chairman, Ambuja Neotia Group), and Jitu Virwani (Chairman & Managing Director, Embassy Group), providing perspectives on the evolving real estate and hospitality landscape in India. Additionally, Ridham Desai (Managing Director, Morgan Stanley India) will offer valuable investor insights into India’s economic trajectory and its impact on the hospitality sector.
A special highlight of HOPE 2025 will be Celebrity Showtime@HOPE, featuring renowned actor and speaker Boman Irani, bringing a unique and engaging experience to the conference.
At HOPE, we prioritize quality over quantity—both in our speaker lineup and our audience. Each session is carefully curated to ensure insightful, relevant, and high-impact discussions that truly add value. While we could only highlight a few names here, HOPE 2025 boasts a speaker lineup filled with many more renowned leaders from hospitality, travel, investment, and technology, each offering unique perspectives that will shape the future of the industry.
I encourage Today’s Traveller’s readers to visit our event website for more information on our stellar speaker lineup. With dynamic discussions, exclusive insights, and unparalleled networking opportunities, HOPE 2025 is set to be the most impactful hospitality event of the year.
TT Bureau: With increasing investment interest in the Indian hospitality market, what factors are driving the resurgence of greenfield hotel investments, and how will this impact hospitality growth in Tier-2, 3, and 4 cities?
Mandeep Singh Lamba: There is a growing demand in leisure markets, which have historically been underserved due to the industry’s long-standing focus on business destinations. This has resulted in a lack of quality branded hotel supply in Tier-2, 3, and 4 cities, making these markets prime targets for future growth. To meet evolving consumer preferences, hotel brands are diversifying their portfolios and expanding into these high-potential locations.
We are also seeing a greater adaptability from investors towards these changing consumer preferences. Hotel operators have introduced new brands and diversified into different segments. Prominent instances include ITC’s recent introduction of the Storii brand and Radisson’s Radisson Individuals brand to venture into the boutique segment.
Similarly, with increasing demand for alternative accommodation products such as homestays and villa rentals, leading hotel companies are diversifying into these segments; IHCL, for instance, is expanding its presence in the homestay segment through amã Stays & Trails.
Therefore, in recent years we have seen an increasing interest in Tier 2, 3 and 4 markets. Promoted by enhancing infrastructure and lower land costs, these markets have seen a record number of signings over the past few years. Niche tourism segments like faith-based tourism, culinary tourism, medical and wellness tourism, etc, are also contributing to this growth.
Simultaneously, MICE, weddings, and corporate travel segments have been rebounding, even in the face of the hybrid work culture, online meetings, and higher airfares. The government’s increasing interest in the industry is expected to further accelerate this growth.
TT Bureau: What are the key challenges you foresee for developers and operators?
Mandeep Singh Lamba: Despite strong investment interest, developers and operators face several challenges in India’s hospitality market. Infrastructure and connectivity gaps remain a key concern, particularly in emerging Tier-2, 3, and 4 cities, where last-mile access and high-quality amenities are still developing.
Rising construction and operational costs add to financial pressures. Talent acquisition and retention is another critical issue, as smaller markets often lack a skilled workforce, necessitating investment in training and development. Additionally, access to financing for greenfield projects can be complex, requiring innovative funding models such as lease agreements and joint ventures.
Finally, balancing affordability with profitability is a challenge, particularly in the midscale and budget segments, where maintaining rate parity while ensuring high service standards is essential for long-term success.
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