JLL has appointed Gaurav Sharma as Managing Director, Hotels India, and Senior Director, Hotels Capital Markets Asia. He will lead the Hotels and Hospitality Group across India and be based in Delhi.
He will report to Nihat Ercan, CEO of JLL Hotels and Hospitality Group for Asia Pacific. The appointment reflects JLL’s plan to expand its hotel advisory and capital markets business at a time when India’s hospitality sector is gaining strong momentum.
Professional Experience and Background
Gaurav brings close to twenty years of experience across hotel investments and real estate strategy. He has worked across asset acquisition, transaction structuring, project evaluation, and portfolio performance improvement. His background includes senior leadership roles with The Indian Hotels Company Limited and SAMHI Hotels Ltd., where he helped drive commercial growth and improve asset returns. His early career began in finance, and he holds a Master’s in Finance along with the CFA charter. This combination enables him to approach hotel investments with both operational and financial clarity.
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Industry Context and Market Opportunity
Gaurav’s appointment comes at a time when hotel investments in India are gaining traction. Business travel has returned to pre-pandemic levels, leisure travel continues to expand, and hotel development activity is rising.
According to JLL findings, Revenue Per Available Room in India has increased by more than ten percent year on year, and the number of new hotel signings has also gone up. A JLL spokesperson stated that investor confidence has risen along with capital inflow into hospitality assets. The organization believes that Gaurav’s financial and operational experience will allow the firm to guide clients through expansion, acquisition, and exit decisions with greater precision.
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Role and Strategic Focus
In his new role, Gaurav will lead hotel investment advisory and capital markets activity across India. His mandate includes driving transactions, improving investor access to hotel opportunities, and enhancing the firm’s advisory strength in key markets such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore.
He will work closely with JLL’s global teams to connect Indian opportunities with international capital pools and guide investors toward projects backed by reliable underwriting and commercial fundamentals. His market understanding and analytical approach position him to support hotel owners looking to improve asset performance or raise capital with clear, measurable outcomes.
Reflecting on his role, Gaurav said,
“India’s hospitality industry is at an inflection point. As travel demand continues to rise and global investors look toward India, there’s tremendous potential to build assets that are both profitable and sustainable. I’m excited to return to JLL at this transformative time.”
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Organizational Direction and Leadership Support
Nihat Ercan, CEO of JLL’s Hotels and Hospitality Group Asia Pacific, added that Gaurav’s experience with hotel transactions and his insight into the investment landscape will strengthen JLL’s capabilities in India and across the region. He stated that Gaurav’s leadership will help the organization deliver outcomes for clients as they look to expand, acquire, or reposition hospitality assets.
Future Expansion Outlook
Under Gaurav Sharma’s leadership, JLL aims to deepen its involvement in India’s hotel investment ecosystem. The focus will be on supporting developers, operators, and investors with insights that ensure clarity during decision making. The firm is expected to drive projects that balance commercial returns with long term asset value. Sustainability and responsible development will also remain priorities as India continues to attract global interest in the hospitality space.
The appointment reinforces JLL’s commitment to expanding its hotel advisory presence and shaping the next phase of growth in India’s hospitality market. Gaurav’s experience, combined with JLL’s global reach, positions the firm to play a key role in connecting capital with opportunity.
