India’s premium hotel market is entering a new phase of consolidation and expansion. In a significant move for the luxury and lifestyle segment, Radisson Hotel Group and MBD Group have announced a long-term master franchise agreement that could see 50 co-branded hotels open across the country over the next decade.
The agreement positions MBD Group as a key development and operating partner for Radisson Collection and Radisson RED at mutually agreed locations across India. While Radisson Hotel Group will continue to pursue independent growth and other strategic partnerships, the new alliance gives MBD a central role in scaling the two brands in one of the company’s most important markets.
Industry watchers say the timing is significant. India’s premium hospitality segment has seen rising occupancy levels in major cities, stronger average room rates and growing demand for experiential stays, especially in urban and business hubs.
The partnership is anchored in a predominantly asset-light approach. Around 80 per cent of the planned portfolio is expected to be managed and franchised hotels, with the remaining 20 per cent owned properties. MBD’s property exposure is projected at roughly 25 per cent, reflecting a structure designed to balance expansion with capital discipline.
“This partnership marks a decisive strategic milestone in MBD’s hospitality evolution. The first decade of partnership is targeted to deliver 50 co-branded hotels across Radisson Collection MBD and Radisson RED MBD hotels predominantly through an asset-light model. MBD’s prop book exposure will be around 25 per cent. Radisson Collection MBD targeting luxury will have an extremely thought-through placement, whereas Radisson RED MBD targeting the lifestyle segment will be a far aggressive expansion,” said Sonica Malhotra Kandhari, Joint Managing Director, MBD Group.
For Radisson, the move strengthens its foothold in the luxury and lifestyle categories, segments that have grown faster than the broader midscale market in recent years.
“India’s premium hospitality market continues to see strong growth, alongside rising demand for contemporary, design-led lifestyle experiences. This strategic partnership further strengthens our ability to expand Radisson Collection and Radisson RED across key Indian markets, alongside our broader development initiatives. MBD Group has been a trusted partner to Radisson Hotel Group for over two decades, and together we are well-positioned to scale these brands while creating distinctive hotels that respond to evolving traveller expectations and reinforce our long-term commitment to India,” said Nikhil Sharma, Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group.
One of the first visible outcomes of the agreement will be in Noida. The Radisson Blu MBD Hotel Noida, described as one of the highest-performing properties in Radisson’s India portfolio, will transition to Radisson Collection MBD after a comprehensive upgrade aligned with global brand standards.
The repositioning signals a strategy of elevating established landmark hotels into a higher luxury tier while accelerating lifestyle expansion under the Radisson RED banner in other markets.
Hospitality analysts note that such rebranding moves allow global chains to strengthen their premium portfolios without starting entirely from scratch. Upgrading existing high-performing assets can be faster and more cost-effective than greenfield development, especially in competitive urban markets.
Together, the two groups are betting that India’s appetite for high-end stays, curated design and brand-led experiences will continue to deepen. With 50 hotels on the drawing board and a flagship property set for transformation, the partnership places them firmly in the race to define the next chapter of luxury hospitality in the country.
1. What is the Radisson and MBD Group agreement about?
Radisson Hotel Group and MBD Group have signed a long-term master franchise agreement to open 50 co-branded hotels across India over the next decade.
2. Which Radisson brands will expand under this partnership?
The focus is on scaling Radisson Collection and Radisson RED in key Indian markets.
3. What will happen to Radisson Blu MBD Noida?
Radisson Blu MBD Hotel Noida will be upgraded and repositioned as a Radisson Collection MBD property following a comprehensive renovation.
4. What does an asset-light hotel model mean?
An asset-light model primarily involves managed and franchised hotels rather than fully owned properties, allowing faster expansion with lower capital exposure.
5. Why is this expansion significant for India’s hospitality sector?
The move reflects rising demand for luxury and lifestyle stays in India, with global brands competing to capture growth in premium urban and business travel segments.