Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality chain, witnessed its shares rise nearly 2% following the announcement of its acquisition of a majority stake in the operating company of Tree of Life. This strategic move, in collaboration with Ambuja Neotia Group, aligns with IHCL’s goal to expand its presence in experiential leisure and strengthen its partnership with the Ambuja Neotia Group. As of 10:17 AM, the shares were trading 1.22% higher at ₹676.15 on the NSE.
Speaking on the acquisition, IHCL’s Managing Director and CEO, Puneet Chhatwal, highlighted how this move reflects IHCL’s ethos of creating new destinations and scaling unique hospitality formats. “This acquisition aligns with our growth strategy and expands our collaboration with Ambuja Neotia Group, with whom we already have successful partnerships, including the Taj Chia Kutir and Taj Guras Kutir in Darjeeling and Gangtok,” Chhatwal said. He also emphasized IHCL’s ambitious goal of growing the Tree of Life brand to 100 properties by 2030, responding to the rising demand for experiential and leisure travel in India.
Tree of Life Resorts, known for providing serene getaways across India, currently operates in over 15 destinations, including locations such as Dared, Dehradun, Varanasi, Binsar, Kumaon, and Udaipurwati. The brand is celebrated for offering boutique leisure experiences in offbeat and picturesque locations.
Harshavardhan Neotia, Chairman of Ambuja Neotia Group, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership’s expansion, stating, “We are thrilled to elevate our partnership with IHCL, a leader in Indian hospitality. Together, we aim to grow the Tree of Life portfolio, leveraging IHCL’s expertise in scaling boutique leisure offerings.”
The Tree of Life portfolio currently consists of 19 resorts and hotels, with an additional two under development. This acquisition positions IHCL to further capitalize on the growing demand for boutique and experiential travel options, reinforcing its status as a key player in India’s hospitality landscape.
