Pilgrim towns in focus for ROHL

With a plan to triple its portfolio by following an asset-light model, Royal Orchid Hotels will look for management contracts, franchise agreements and select lease opportunities. TRAVTALK speaks to Arjun Baljee, President, Royal Orchid Hotels, about where this expansion will take place. Will religious destinations also be in focus for the hotel company?

Hazel Jain

Royal Orchid Hotels has planned an aggressive expansion — to reach over 300 hotels and 20,000 rooms in the next five years. How will it do this? Through an asset-light model, reveals Arjun Baljee, President, Royal Orchid Hotels. “We have an ambitious roadmap for growth. The plan is to triple our portfolio by following an asset-light model — mainly through management contracts, franchise agreements and select lease opportunities. This gives us the flexibility to expand faster without compromising on quality. Our strength lies in understanding regional markets, and we are leveraging that insight to scale up quickly and efficiently across the country.”

The hotel company will look at a balanced mix — metros, high-potential tier II and III cities, as well as strong leisure and religious destinations. Baljee adds, “You will see us expanding in places like Tirupati, Assam, Pushkar, Chittorgarh, Jamshedpur, Lucknow, Mussoorie, Bhopal, Dapoli, Rajkot, Solapur, Gir and Nepal. All our brands will play a role.”

Regenta Z for Gen Z

Regenta Z is something Baljee is excited about. “It’s fresh, vibrant, and designed for the new-age traveller. Regenta Z brings together style, tech, art and social connection in a fun and affordable format for Gen Z and millennials,” Baljee explains.