Lemon Tree Hotels announced on August 10, 2026, it is planning international expansion targeting the United Arab Emirates, Thailand, and the Maldives. The Indian hotel group already operates in Nepal and Dubai as part of its overseas presence.
Targeting Indian Travelers Abroad
The expansion targets markets frequented by Indian travelers, leveraging a loyalty program with roughly 2.5 million members. About 45% of Lemon Tree’s demand comes from repeat guests, but only about half of these customers are enrolled in the loyalty program, representing an opportunity to enhance brand loyalty overseas. Executive Chairman Patanjali Keswani highlighted on the company’s first-quarter earnings call that Indian hotel
companies can use their domestic customer base as a springboard for international growth.
Expansion Focus Within Three Hours’ Flight from India
The company is prioritizing destinations within roughly three hours’ flying time from India, focusing on countries visited by Indian travelers. Keswani summarized the approach by stating: “Go where your customers go.” Lemon Tree Hotels is betting that a homegrown Indian brand can find its own following abroad by concentrating on this range.
