JLL India has appointed Gaurav Sharma as Head of Hotels & Hospitality Group, India, and Senior Director, Hotel Capital Markets, Asia, as part of its strategy to expand its hospitality advisory and transaction capabilities across the region.
Based in Delhi, Sharma will report to Nihat Ercan, CEO, JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group, Asia Pacific. His appointment marks a homecoming — Sharma earlier led JLL India’s capital markets business for North India from 2006 to 2012 — and comes amid strong growth momentum in the country’s hotel sector.
According to JLL, India’s hotel industry has recorded a 10.5% year-on-year rise in RevPAR as of September 2025, driven by 42,000 new keys added in 2024 and 25 major investment deals. The first half of 2025 saw 182 new hotel signings totaling 22,469 keys, a 16% annual increase, with over 70% of these in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
Investor confidence remains strong, with high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and private owners accounting for over half of 2024’s transaction volume, followed by listed hotel companies. JLL forecasts USD 450 million in total hotel transactions in 2025, with activity expected to touch USD 1 billion by 2028.
“Gaurav’s deep understanding of domestic and global hospitality markets makes him the right choice to lead JLL’s hotel advisory growth in India,” said Ercan.
Sharma, who brings nearly two decades of experience in real estate and hospitality investment, previously held senior roles at IHCL and SAMHI Hotels Ltd, where he played key roles in M&A, asset management, and portfolio growth.
“The Indian hospitality sector is entering a high-growth phase,” said Sharma. “I’m thrilled to return to JLL and help drive strategic value for clients in this dynamic market.”
