Indian Hotels Company Ltd. (IHCL) on Wednesday announced that its flagship brand Taj has been named the World’s Strongest Luxury Hotel Brand 2026 by Brand Finance UK in its annual Hotels 50 2026 report, marking the fifth time the brand has received the recognition.
According to Brand Finance’s Hotels 50 2026 report, Taj secured a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 93.5 out of 100and an AAA+ brand strength rating, retaining its position as the world’s strongest luxury hotel brand. The report also noted that Taj’s brand value rose 32% year-on-year to USD 878 million.
The recognition comes days after Taj was also named India’s Strongest Brand across sectors in Brand Finance’s India 100 2026 report, giving the IHCL-owned brand a dual distinction in both the Indian and global brand rankings.
Commenting on the achievement, Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director & CEO, IHCL, said the recognition reflects Taj’s century-long legacy of Indian hospitality and its continued relevance among luxury travellers across generations and geographies. He added that the award also acknowledges the contribution of IHCL’s workforce of more than 50,000 associates.
David Haigh, Chairman & CEO, Brand Finance, said Taj’s BSI score of 93.5 demonstrates how a hospitality brand can achieve global stature while remaining deeply rooted in its cultural identity. He said Taj’s blend of Indian heritage, personalised service and timeless luxury has created strong guest affinity and established a benchmark for the global luxury hospitality industry.
For IHCL, the recognition reinforces the growing importance of experience-led luxury travel, where authenticity, cultural immersion and personalised service are emerging as key differentiators. Taj currently operates a portfolio of 150 hotels across 14 countries, spanning grand palaces, landmark city hotels, beach and spa resorts, wildlife safaris and serviced residences.
