Sarovar Plans 15 New Hotels in 2025, Targets 12% Revenue Growth.

Sarovar Hotels has announced plans to open Nepal’s largest hotel, a 304-key property under the Royal Tulip brand, in the first half of 2025. This landmark project will be among 15 hotels the group intends to launch in 2025 across India and international markets, according to Ajay K. Bakaya, Chairman of Sarovar Hotels.

The new hotel, developed in collaboration with Nepal-based Massif Hotel, will be located near Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. Once operational, it will surpass the country’s current largest hotels, The Soaltee and Hyatt Regency, which have 284 and 280 rooms, respectively.

Targeting a diverse clientele, the hotel aims to attract mountaineers, pilgrims, and business travelers from India and Southeast Asia. "The room rates in Kathmandu are lower than in India, making it an attractive destination for weddings and events," Bakaya noted.

In 2024, Sarovar Hotels added 27 properties to its portfolio, bringing its total to 135 hotels. Around 55% of these are under the mid-market Sarovar Portico brand. Looking ahead, the group plans to expand further with new properties in Africa, including hotels in Somaliland and Uganda, complementing its existing presence in Kenya and Zambia.

Among the upcoming projects in India is a 156-key Sarovar Portico hotel in Sriperumbudur near Chennai. This will be Sarovar’s third owned property after those in Chandigarh and Roorkee, with the majority of its hotels being managed on behalf of their owners.

"We anticipate a revenue growth of 12-13% year-on-year for CY 2025," Bakaya stated. He attributed this growth to the ramp-up of new properties, which is expected to drive higher occupancy rates and average daily rates.

HBL