Lemon Tree Hotels announced on August 10, 2026, its plans to expand internationally by developing hotel properties in the United Arab Emirates, Thailand, and the Maldives. This step aims to extend the Indian hotel group’s reach beyond its home market into popular overseas destinations favored by Indian travelers.
Currently, Lemon Tree Hotels operates in Nepal and Dubai. The company serves a loyalty program with around 2.5 million members, but only about half are enrolled at present. Approximately 45% of the brand’s demand is generated by repeat guests. The expansion prioritizes countries within roughly three hours of flight from India, aligning
with travel patterns of a large Indian tourist population in those regions.
Expansion Strategy and Rationale
Executive Chairman Patanjali Keswani emphasized the strategy to “go where your customers go,” citing that Indian hospitality companies can capitalize on their domestic market loyalists for overseas growth. This approach intends to deepen engagement with existing guests when they travel abroad, using the company’s loyalty base as a springboard for international expansion.
Impact on Indian Travelers
Indian travelers will gain more hotel accommodation options in the UAE, Thailand, and Maldives as Lemon Tree Hotels extends its footprint. The selected destinations are within a short flight distance from India and already attract large
numbers of Indian tourists, aligning the company’s growth with existing travel demand.
