Oberois' global push eyes Saudi, Egypt amid India focus
The
Oberoi Group
is primed for further growth as its eponymous brand sits at the "centre" of premium travel-the fastest-growing segment in India's hospitality industry, Arjun Oberoi, executive chairman of the
luxury hotel chain
, told ET. He said the group will enter new markets like Saudi Arabia and Egypt while continuing its sharp focus on the growing domestic market.
Also speaking in a joint interview,
Vikram Oberoi
, group CEO, said the operator of Oberoi and Trident hotels has seen a "strong" uptick in financial performance, driven by a mandate to grow the portfolio with "carefully-curated, brand-aligned" properties, push a high-premium strategy, and deliver "exceptional" service.
It was the first media interaction of the two Oberoi scions since the passing of patriarch PRS Oberoi in November 2023 and the formal handover to the third generation.
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The Oberoi Group delivered one of its strongest performances in the financial year 2025. For the year ended March 2025,
EIH Ltd
, the group's flagship, posted a 14% rise in net profit at ₹770 crore, while revenue grew 10% to ₹2,880 crore.
Vikram Oberoi said guests are becoming more selective and are willing to pay a premium for quality service.
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"People are traveling more, both for leisure and business. STR (Smith Travel Research) data shows we have significantly outperformed the market on revenue per available room, with a premium on average room rates and occupancy," he said.
Vikram Oberoi expects India's affluence to accelerate. "Twenty years ago, the Indian-to-foreign guest ratio was small. The proportion of our Indian guests has grown exponentially."
Having signed 21 new projects in under two years, the chain has launched its most ambitious growth strategy. The pipeline includes 19 hotels, two luxury boats, and a Nile River cruiser. Twelve of these are in India; the rest are in London, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bhutan, and Nepal. Sixteen will operate under the Oberoi brand and five under Trident.
About half the new projects will be owned, the rest under management contracts. Last November, the group said it will open a hotel in London's Mayfair through an arrangement with British property major Grosvenor and EIH London Investments Ltd.
Saudi Arabia is another key focus. "We've announced two hotels there. We're also entering countries we should've been in earlier-Indonesia and Egypt. India will remain our main thrust. It's still the right time to invest here," said Arjun Oberoi.
Post-Covid, competition in Indian hospitality has intensified, with IHCL, Marriott, Accor, and
Hilton
expanding rapidly.
Arjun Oberoi explained that the chain is guided by internal benchmarks and won't stretch the brand to risk dilution. "Why are our hotels recognised globally? Not just for the locations-but because we've crafted each one with love, care and thoughtfulness," he said.
While the generational transition has worked well, the company has also faced hurdles.
The brothers are currently locked in a legal battle over PRS Oberoi's will, challenged by their stepsister Anastasia, who is claiming a share of the family properties. "The matter is sub-judice; we wouldn't like to comment," said Arjun Oberoi.
The hospitality chain is also locked in a dispute with the Himachal Pradesh government over The Wildflower Hall in Shimla. More recently, it exited the UAE market, ending its management of The Oberoi Beach Resort, Al Zorah.
Going forward, residences are another focus area, particularly where there is a hotel and viable residential opportunity. "Mixed-use developments are increasingly the preferred model, and many partners see this as the best way to monetise assets," said Arjun Oberoi.
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Time of India
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