50 in 5

Vikramjit Singh, Chairman & Managing Director, Alivaa Hotels & Resorts, targets 50 properties in five years, aiming to revolutionise India's mid-market hospitality.

- VINODINI RAO

The winds of change are sweeping through India's hospitality sector. And at the forefront of this change is Vikramjit Singh, former President of Lemon Tree Hotels, who recently transitioned into entrepreneurship with his new hospitality brand, Alivaa Hotels. With nearly two decades of experience in a leading role at Lemon Tree and a deep understanding of India's mid-market segment, Singh's story is one of ambition, timing and an unwavering belief in his vision. His philosophy of balancing hospitality with commercial acumen has shaped his entrepreneurial aspirations.

In a candid conversation with Hotelier India, Singh shares the journey behind his decision to leave a successful corporate career and the aspirations driving his new venture. Interspersed with insightful anecdotes and plans for the future, Singh's narrative offers a blueprint for hospitality entrepreneurs navigating a burgeoning market.

A JOURNEY OF LEARNING AND GROWTH

Singh's journey began at Lemon Tree Hotels in 2005 when the brand was still in its infancy, operating a single property. Over the next 19 years, he was an integral part of the leadership team that scaled the company to 101 properties, transforming Lemon Tree into a dominant player in India's mid-market hotel segment.

Reflecting on his tenure, Singh remarks, "Lemon Tree rewrote the rules of the game. It was a category creator, responsible for the rise of mid-market hotels in India. The company wasn't just about running hotels; it was about creating a sustainable business model that delivered returns to all stakeholders."

TIMING THE LEAP INTO ENTREPRENEURSHIP

For Singh, the decision to venture into entrepreneurship was not an impulsive one. It was a carefully timed move driven by both personal and market factors.