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JLL India has announced the return of Gaurav Sharma as Head of Hotels & Hospitality Group for India and Senior Director, Hotel Capital Markets, Asia. With nearly two decades of experience in real estate and hospitality investment, Sharma steps into a pivotal leadership role as India’s hotel sector accelerates beyond urban centers.
Based in Delhi and reporting to Nihat Ercan, CEO of JLL’s Hotel & Hospitality Group, Asia Pacific, Sharma will lead strategic growth across India’s hospitality landscape while also driving capital markets activity across Asia. His return to JLL—where he previously led North India’s capital markets from 2006 to 2012—comes at a time when the sector is witnessing record-breaking momentum.
According to JLL data, India’s hotel industry saw a 10.5% YoY surge in RevPAR as of September 2025, with 182 hotel signings totaling 22,469 keys in H1 alone. Over 70% of these signings were concentrated in Tier 2 and 3 cities, signaling a shift in investor focus and consumer demand.
Sharma’s appointment aligns with JLL’s forecast of USD 450 million in hotel transaction volume for 2025, with projections reaching USD 1 billion by 2028. His recent roles at IHCL and SAMHI Hotels Ltd have equipped him with deep expertise in M&A, asset management, and portfolio strategy—skills that will be critical as JLL deepens its hospitality footprint across Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore.
“I’m thrilled to rejoin JLL and lead our hospitality practice into its next chapter,” said Sharma. “India’s hotel sector is evolving rapidly, and I look forward to helping clients unlock value with precision and purpose.”
