Safari India Exclusive with Rahool Macarius, Market Managing Director, Eurasia, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
In an exclusive interview, Rahool Macarius, Market Managing Director for Eurasia at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, discusses the brand’s ambitious expansion plans, its evolving brand mix, and the crucial role that India plays in shaping the company’s strategy in the Eurasia region. Joyita Dutta, Senior Correspondent for Safari India, conducted the interview.
Edited excerpts:
Joyita: Wyndham plans to expand its India portfolio by 25%. What is driving this growth, and how does it fit into your broader Eurasia strategy?
Rahool: India is Wyndham’s 5 th largest market globally and has been performing exceptionally well. We currently operate 90 hotels and are on track to cross the 100-hotel mark either by the end of this year or early next year. Much of our expansion has been fuelled by tier 2 and tier 3 cities, unlike other chains that began in metros. Today, however, demand in major metropolitan and capital cities is also accelerating.
Joyita: Within EMEA, which Eurasian markets are leading your expansion, and why are they strategic priorities?
Rahool: Eurasia includes India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan. Among these, India is by far the fastest-growing market. While tier 2 and tier 3 cities remain our primary growth drivers, Nepal is emerging strongly, and we have 2 hotels there and 2 more in the pipeline. In Bangladesh, we recently opened our 1st property in Cox’s Bazar, and in Sri Lanka, we have 2 hotels with more discussions underway. Growth is healthy across the region, but India remains well ahead of the rest.
Joyita: How do you approach your brand mix economy, midscale, upscale, and extended-stay across India compared to the wider Eurasia region?
Rahool: We are very deliberate in our brand entry strategy. It is about launching the right brand, in the right city, at the right time, aligned with local demand. In India, midscale and upper-midscale brands such as Ramada, Ramada Encore and Wyndham Garden have been at the forefront of our growth.
Joyita: With the Cygnett alliance bringing La Quinta and Registry Collection to South Asia, how will the rollout be sequenced in India?
Rahool: La Quinta will lead, it is a fast-moving, globally recognised brand with around 1,000 hotels worldwide, many of them owned by members of the Patel community in the US. It is a plug-and-play model that works well when matched to the right markets. Registry Collection, our upper-upscale offering, will be introduced more selectively in defined luxury destinations.
Joyita: Wyndham’s global pipeline reached approximately 252,000 rooms by the end of 2024. What portion comes from Eurasia, and how do you prioritise projects across such a diverse region?
Rahool: Eurasia is a key contributor to Wyndham’s global growth. In the first half of this year alone, we opened 21 hotels across the region. India’s mature mid-market segment continues to be a driving force for our performance.
Joyita: Which Indian cities or regions are next on your radar?
Rahool: The pipeline is very dynamic. We currently have over 50 hotels in development, and that number could easily grow. We are also approaching the 100 operational properties milestone in India, which reflects the buoyancy and strength of our pipeline.
Joyita: From a global perspective, how is India influencing Wyndham’s wider investment strategy across EMEA?
Rahool: India is not only our 5 th largest market but also a major outbound travel hub. Outbound business from India was valued at around $19 billion in 2024 and is projected to exceed $50 billion by 2030. This market not only drives domestic demand but also generates significant business for our properties globally.
Joyita: Beyond La Quinta and Registry Collection, which other brands are planned for India?
Rahool: We currently operate nine brands in India. We have partnered with NILE Hospitality to introduce Microtel and with Cygnett to bring in La Quinta and Registry Collection. We will add more brands when market conditions and timing align.
Joyita: Wyndham recently signed a 10-year agreement to launch up to 100 Super 8 hotels in Saudi Arabia. How do you decide between economy and upscale brands in new markets?
Rahool: Market maturity and demand density are key factors. In Saudi Arabia, luxury demand is strong, but we also identified significant appetite for religious and business hotels, hence the Super 8 opportunity.
Joyita: Does this mean Super 8 will be launched in India?
Rahool: Absolutely. Super 8 has been on our radar for a long time. The timing and location must be right—our growth success has always been rooted in entering markets when they are ready. We will not rush it.
Wyndham Hotels &Resorts is strategically expanding its Eurasia footprint, anchored by India’s rapid growth, a carefully curated brand mix, and a commitment to delivering value across markets.
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