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What is the story about?
Kerzner International is targeting India for its global expansion, with CEO Philippe Zuber saying the company hopes to sign an agreement for its first Indian property in 2027.
In an interview with CNBC-TV18, Zuber said Kerzner has been evaluating the Indian market for several years but has been looking for the right locations for its existing brands.
“India is so big and the opportunity is so massive for us at Kerzner International,” Zuber said.
The group is now exploring opportunities for SIRO, its fitness and wellness-focused hospitality brand, and Rare Finds, a collection focused on distinctive destinations and immersive local experiences.
The company operates four hospitality brands: Atlantis, One&Only, SIRO and Rare Finds - spanning luxury destination resorts, ultra-luxury retreats, wellness-led hotels and distinctive, experience-focused properties. Its global portfolio includes destinations across Dubai, the Maldives, Mauritius, Greece, Montenegro, Mexico, South Africa, Rwanda and the United States, with further developments announced in markets including Saudi Arabia, Japan and Fiji.
Zuber said the company has already held discussions with owners who have projects in the early stages of development, although it has not identified a specific location for its first Indian property.
“I'm glad to say that I have met a few ownership which have beautiful developments which they currently at the early stage and the fact that they're engaging and talking to us it's extremely encouraging,” he said.
Asked when India could see its first Kerzner property, Zuber said: “2027 for sure because I promise you will soon have a flag from Kerzner in India.”
He clarified that the company aims to sign an agreement in 2027, after which the property would need to be built and developed. No opening date or location has been announced yet.
Zuber said the SIRO brand could work in India's major urban centres and business districts, including Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai.
He also pointed to a shift in Indian consumer preferences towards health and longevity.
Rare Finds, meanwhile, focuses on properties with a strong connection to their location, history and natural surroundings. Zuber said the group is looking for Indian assets that offer an authentic experience, particularly in natural settings away from busy cities.
The model could also allow existing property owners to leverage Kerzner's global platform and hospitality expertise.
Also read:Indian Hotels sees revenue beating guidance as strong travel demand lifts H2 outlook: Puneet Chhatwal
Zuber said Indian travellers have become important customers across Kerzner's international portfolio, with demand extending beyond Dubai to destinations in Africa, Greece and Mauritius.
He said Indian families increasingly favour multi-generational holidays, creating demand for private residences and larger villas attached to luxury resorts.
“Indian families love those assets because they have access to the hotel, they have the size, the privacy and the intimacy to stay in a big space beautifully designed,” he said.
Zuber said the West Asia conflict had a significant initial impact on Kerzner's business in Dubai, with bookings falling sharply during the first weeks of the crisis. He said demand had since recovered, although business had not returned to 2025 levels.
“After the first two months which is the peak of the crisis, we have a business which is less than 25% to 30% of the 2025 level,” he said.
Zuber described the recovery as encouraging and credited Dubai's tourism ecosystem, government initiatives and the hospitality industry's response.
He also said Indian travellers had helped support demand during the summer, including Indian residents living outside India who travelled to Dubai to meet family.
According to Zuber, the destination continues to attract visitors through its infrastructure, hospitality services and a steady pipeline of new experiences and events.
Also read: GST Council’s input tax credit proposals: What could change for hotels and restaurants
Zuber said the luxury travel market had evolved since the post-pandemic surge, with consumers now placing greater emphasis on personalised experiences and value.
“The power of spend has not changed, in opposite there is a shift now and they're willing to spend even more but into other aspect of the customer experiences,” he said.
He said wellness, longevity, retail, food and beverage were increasingly important to luxury travellers, who expected experiences tailored to their preferences.
For Kerzner, the India opportunity is twofold: tapping into the country's appetite for international luxury travel and finding the right local partners and destinations to establish its brands in one of the world's major travel markets.
In an interview with CNBC-TV18, Zuber said Kerzner has been evaluating the Indian market for several years but has been looking for the right locations for its existing brands.
“India is so big and the opportunity is so massive for us at Kerzner International,” Zuber said.
The group is now exploring opportunities for SIRO, its fitness and wellness-focused hospitality brand, and Rare Finds, a collection focused on distinctive destinations and immersive local experiences.
The company operates four hospitality brands: Atlantis, One&Only, SIRO and Rare Finds - spanning luxury destination resorts, ultra-luxury retreats, wellness-led hotels and distinctive, experience-focused properties. Its global portfolio includes destinations across Dubai, the Maldives, Mauritius, Greece, Montenegro, Mexico, South Africa, Rwanda and the United States, with further developments announced in markets including Saudi Arabia, Japan and Fiji.
Kerzner in talks with developers
Zuber said the company has already held discussions with owners who have projects in the early stages of development, although it has not identified a specific location for its first Indian property.
“I'm glad to say that I have met a few ownership which have beautiful developments which they currently at the early stage and the fact that they're engaging and talking to us it's extremely encouraging,” he said.
Asked when India could see its first Kerzner property, Zuber said: “2027 for sure because I promise you will soon have a flag from Kerzner in India.”
He clarified that the company aims to sign an agreement in 2027, after which the property would need to be built and developed. No opening date or location has been announced yet.
Zuber said the SIRO brand could work in India's major urban centres and business districts, including Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai.
He also pointed to a shift in Indian consumer preferences towards health and longevity.
Rare Finds, meanwhile, focuses on properties with a strong connection to their location, history and natural surroundings. Zuber said the group is looking for Indian assets that offer an authentic experience, particularly in natural settings away from busy cities.
The model could also allow existing property owners to leverage Kerzner's global platform and hospitality expertise.
Also read:Indian Hotels sees revenue beating guidance as strong travel demand lifts H2 outlook: Puneet Chhatwal
Indian travellers driving global demand
Zuber said Indian travellers have become important customers across Kerzner's international portfolio, with demand extending beyond Dubai to destinations in Africa, Greece and Mauritius.
He said Indian families increasingly favour multi-generational holidays, creating demand for private residences and larger villas attached to luxury resorts.
“Indian families love those assets because they have access to the hotel, they have the size, the privacy and the intimacy to stay in a big space beautifully designed,” he said.
West Asia crisis hits business, but Dubai demand recovers
Zuber said the West Asia conflict had a significant initial impact on Kerzner's business in Dubai, with bookings falling sharply during the first weeks of the crisis. He said demand had since recovered, although business had not returned to 2025 levels.
“After the first two months which is the peak of the crisis, we have a business which is less than 25% to 30% of the 2025 level,” he said.
Zuber described the recovery as encouraging and credited Dubai's tourism ecosystem, government initiatives and the hospitality industry's response.
He also said Indian travellers had helped support demand during the summer, including Indian residents living outside India who travelled to Dubai to meet family.
According to Zuber, the destination continues to attract visitors through its infrastructure, hospitality services and a steady pipeline of new experiences and events.
Also read: GST Council’s input tax credit proposals: What could change for hotels and restaurants
Luxury travellers are spending differently
Zuber said the luxury travel market had evolved since the post-pandemic surge, with consumers now placing greater emphasis on personalised experiences and value.
“The power of spend has not changed, in opposite there is a shift now and they're willing to spend even more but into other aspect of the customer experiences,” he said.
He said wellness, longevity, retail, food and beverage were increasingly important to luxury travellers, who expected experiences tailored to their preferences.
For Kerzner, the India opportunity is twofold: tapping into the country's appetite for international luxury travel and finding the right local partners and destinations to establish its brands in one of the world's major travel markets.
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