Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India's largest hospitality company, has reported significant expansion in the first half of FY2026, marking a robust growth trajectory in the Indian hospitality sector.

Expansion Highlights

• New Signings: 46 hotels
• New Openings: 26 properties
  • 12 hotels opened directly by IHCL
  • 14 properties added through partnerships with Brij Hospitality and Clarks Group of Hotels

Brand-wise Expansion

IHCL's growth strategy has focused on diversifying its brand portfolio:

• Taj: New signings in Darjeeling, ECR Chennai, Pondicherry, Mohali, and Kruger National Park (South Africa)
• Gateway, Tree of Life, and Ginger: Significant share of the 46 new signings
• SeleQtions: New resorts in Lakshadweep

Strategic Partnerships

The company's expansion has been facilitated through strategic multi-hotel framework agreements:

• Ambuja Neotia group: For Taj, SeleQtions, and Tree of Life brands
• Madison: For the Ginger brand in South India

New Market Entries

IHCL has expanded its footprint in several new locations:

• Alibaug and Raichak: New Taj properties
• Lakshadweep: Two SeleQtions resorts
• Thane: New Vivanta hotel

Strengthening Existing Markets

The company has also reinforced its presence in established markets:

• Udaipur: Fourth Taj hotel - Taj Lalit Bagh
• Coorg and Ahmedabad: New Gateway hotels
• Haridwar: Second SeleQtions property
• Dehradun: New Ginger hotel

Milestone Achievement

With these additions, IHCL has reached a significant milestone:

• Over 250 operating hotels in India
• 25,500 rooms across the country

Future Outlook

IHCL remains committed to its Accelerate 2030 strategy, aiming to achieve a portfolio of 700 hotels. The company's current portfolio stands at:

• 570 hotels globally
• 302 hotels in the pipeline
• Presence across 4 continents, 14 countries, and over 250 locations

This accelerated growth underscores IHCL's strong position in the Indian hospitality sector and its ambitious plans for future expansion. The company's multi-brand strategy and strategic partnerships appear to be key drivers in its growth trajectory, positioning it well to capitalize on the growing demand in various segments of the hospitality market.

Veteran investor Sandip Sabharwal recently shared his market insights across various sectors in a conversation with ET Now, offering a mixed outlook for different industries.

Defense Sector

Sabharwal highlighted Bharat Electronics as the top pick for Indian defense investments. While shipyard companies show promising earnings visibility, he cautioned that their valuations remain on the higher side.

Hospitality Sector

The hospitality sector is expected to see a strong second half, driven by:

• Increased wedding demand
• Upcoming events

Sabharwal favors:

• Indian Hotels Company
• Budget chains like Lemon Tree
• Booking platforms such as MakeMyTrip

Food Delivery

Sabharwal expressed caution regarding Swiggy, citing:

• Unpredictable cash flows
• Volatility around results

Auto Sector

Sabharwal maintains a bullish stance on the auto sector, predicting a 2-3 year secular growth trajectory. Factors contributing to this positive outlook include:

• GST cuts
• Lower interest rates
• Higher disposable income

Precious Metals

Sabharwal advised caution in the precious metals market:

• Warned against buying gold and silver at current elevated prices
• Described the market as being in "bubble territory" after gold crossed 3500
• Recommended waiting for consolidation before adding exposure

Sector Outlook Summary

Investors are encouraged to consider these insights while making investment decisions, keeping in mind that market conditions can change rapidly and individual research is crucial.