The Indian Hotels Company Ltd., India’s largest hospitality firm, has signed a management agreement with JK Urbanscapes Developers Ltd. to open a new 100-room Ginger hotel in Kanpur, the company announced Tuesday.
The greenfield project will be located on Kalpi Road, next to the Kamala Cricket Club, offering easy access to key commercial and industrial areas of this major Uttar Pradesh city. The hotel will include Ginger’s signature Qmin restaurant, a bar, meeting facilities and a fitness centre to cater to both leisure and business guests.
Deepika Rao, executive vice president for new business and hotel openings at IHCL, said Kanpur’s position as a manufacturing and commercial centre makes it a strategic fit for Ginger. She said the signing is “part of our strategy to build Ginger’s presence in emerging cities”.
Maneesh Mansingka, CEO of JK Urbanscapes, expressed confidence in the partnership. “Our projects with the company will contribute to Kanpur’s hospitality landscape,” he said. The real estate developer is part of JK Organization, which has a deep legacy in industrial and commercial development.
With this signing, IHCL’s Ginger brand will operate 34 hotels in Uttar Pradesh, with 21 additional properties in development. As of June 2025, Ginger has over 85 properties in 39 cities across India, under the broader Tata Group umbrella.
Industry analysts said the move strengthens IHCL’s strategy of expanding its midscale Ginger brand into fast-developing non-metro cities. Ginger’s clean design, efficient service model and affordable pricing appeal to both corporate travellers and young domestic tourists .
The Kanpur property is part of a growing hospitality ecosystem there, complementing a new 150-room Taj hotel that will open nearby as part of a 50-acre Kamla Park township. The co-location of Ginger and Taj properties is expected to enhance customer convenience and diversify accommodation offerings for Kanpur’s mixed-use development corridor.
The timeline for construction and opening has not been disclosed. However, the signing follows IHCL’s recent additions to its Uttar Pradesh portfolio, including properties in Lucknow, Varanasi and Agra. These developments reflect sustained investment in the state’s tourism and business infrastructure .
IHCL’s ginger brand strategy aims to deliver lean-luxury concept hotels offering comfort and quality at competitive rates. The Kanpur signing brings the brand closer to its goal of operating 100 Ginger properties across India .
The Kanpur hotel is expected to serve a wide range of guests, including business travellers working in Kanpur’s industrial belt, corporate teams visiting nearby units, and leisure tourists exploring the Ganges and regional cultural heritage. With this deal, IHCL continues to broaden its midscale presence while strengthening its commitment to non-metro hospitality markets.
