JLL India has announced the appointment of Gaurav Sharma as Head of the Hotels & Hospitality Group for India and Senior Director, Hotel Capital Markets, Asia. In his new role, Sharma will lead JLL’s hospitality practice across India, drawing on nearly two decades of experience in real estate and hospitality investments to strengthen the firm’s leadership in this fast-growing sector.

Based in Delhi, Sharma will report directly to Nihat Ercan, CEO of JLL’s Hotels & Hospitality Group, Asia Pacific. His appointment also marks a return to JLL India, where he previously led capital markets for North India between 2006 and 2012.

The move comes at an exciting time for India’s hospitality industry, which continues to post impressive growth. According to JLL’s latest analysis, the country’s hotel sector recorded a 10.5% year-over-year increase in Revenue per Available Room (RevPAR) as of YTD September 2025, following a record-breaking 2024 that saw over 42,000 new keys and approximately 25 major investment transactions.

Development activity also remains strong, with 182 hotel signings totalling 22,469 keys in the first half of 2025 — a 16% rise compared to the same period last year. Notably, over 70% of new projects were signed in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, highlighting the sector’s diversification beyond traditional metro markets.

Commenting on the appointment, Nihat Ercan said, “Gaurav’s appointment reinforces JLL’s commitment to strengthening our hospitality expertise in India, and it’s particularly meaningful to have him return to the JLL family. His deep understanding of both domestic and international hospitality markets, coupled with his exceptional transaction experience, positions him perfectly to guide our clients through India’s hospitality sector. His return also signifies JLL’s continued investment in India’s booming hotel industry, as we build on our presence with dedicated hospitality expertise across our three key offices in Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore.”

In his extended role in hotel capital markets across Asia, Sharma will also focus on strategic transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and platform deals, leveraging his vast experience in structuring complex hospitality investments.

Sharma brings a proven track record of success, having spent nearly 20 years driving strategic growth and operational excellence in the real estate and hotel investment space. Most recently, he served as Vice President – Real Estate, Head of Asset Management and M&A at The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), where he oversaw key initiatives across the company’s extensive portfolio.

Before joining IHCL, Sharma played a pivotal role at SAMHI Hotels Ltd, serving as Vice President – Head of Investments for over a decade. During his tenure from 2012 to 2022, he was instrumental in shaping SAMHI’s hotel portfolio and leading multiple high-value transactions.

With his return, JLL India strengthens its leadership in the hospitality domain, aligning its strategy with the sector’s strong growth momentum and expanding investment opportunities across the country and the wider Asia-Pacific region.