Minor Hotels Announces Second Bengal Property and Major India Expansion
Thailand-based Minor Hotels is set to expand its footprint in India with a second property in Bengal, as revealed by founder and group chairperson William Heinecke. This announcement follows closely on the heels of the company's recent agreement for a luxury hotel at the World Trade Centre in Salt Lake's Sector V, Kolkata.
Strategic Growth in Bengal and Beyond
The upcoming Sector V property, an Anantara-branded hotel featuring 170 keys, two restaurants, and a ballroom, marks Minor Hotels' debut in an Indian metro. This development is a collaborative effort between the Merlin Group and Aryan Realty, in association with the World Trade Centres Association. Currently, the group operates in Jaipur and has secured properties in Visakhapatnam and Coorg.
"We shall look for a second hotel in Bengal. It will be announced by the end of the year, but I can't disclose the location," Heinecke stated. He emphasized that Minor Hotels aims to establish 50 properties across India over the next decade, adopting an asset-light strategy to facilitate rapid growth.
Expansion Plans and Brand Portfolio
By the end of this year, Minor Hotels expects to announce six additional hotel projects in India. The group boasts a diverse portfolio of 12 brands globally. In the Indian market, it has already introduced the Anantara and Avani brands, with plans to deploy the NH brand specifically in tier-II and tier-III cities to tap into emerging markets.
Bengal's Tourism Surge
This expansion aligns with Bengal's rising prominence as a tourism hotspot. According to the India Tourism Data Compendium 2025, Bengal has surpassed Goa, Kerala, Gujarat, and Rajasthan in international tourist arrivals. The state attracted more visitors than Goa and Rajasthan combined, recording 31 lakh inbound international tourists. Key source countries include:
- United States: 80,647 arrivals
- Russia: 79,758 arrivals
- United Kingdom: 77,792 arrivals
- Italy: 64,225 arrivals
Economic Impact and Development
Sushil Mohta, chairman of the Merlin Group, highlighted the broader economic benefits of the World Trade Centre project. The development encompasses five million square feet with an investment of Rs 2,400 crore and is projected to create approximately 30,000 jobs, significantly boosting local employment and infrastructure.
Minor Hotels' strategic moves underscore a confident push into India's hospitality sector, leveraging Bengal's tourism growth and a nationwide expansion blueprint.
