In a strategic outreach to one of its most dynamic source markets, Millennium Hotels and Resorts (MHR) concluded a three-city India roadshow across Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Delhi. Anchored under its established global engagement platform ‘Ignite’, the initiative brought together a global delegation of seven representatives spanning Asia, Europe, and the United States, signalling the group’s sharpened focus on deepening engagement with the Indian travel trade.
Leading the delegation was Paul Er, Vice President, GSO and Sales Asia, Millennium Hotels and Resorts, alongside representatives from key properties including Orchard Hotel Singapore, Grand Copthorne Waterfront, M Social Phuket, M Hotel Penang, Millennium Hotels USA and Europe, as well as M Social and Studio M Singapore.
India as a Growth Engine
Paul said, “India is not just a market for us; it is a growth engine. It is a vast powerhouse. Corporate, leisure, and MICE, the three key pillars of the industry, are all strongly represented here, and the outbound growth trajectory has been nothing short of phenomenal.”
He further highlighted India’s early recovery post-pandemic and its continued momentum, noting that the country’s travel ecosystem demands a nuanced, highly responsive approach.
“India is a relationship market. People do business with people they trust. You can not build that over a PowerPoint or a virtual meeting. You need to be on the ground, understanding diverse needs, from food preferences to response times. The market moves fast, and you have to be equally agile,” Paul remarked.
The ‘Ignite’ Platform
Speaking about the roadshow, Paul explained, “‘Ignite’ is about sparking meaningful relationships and building connections that can evolve over time. Once you ignite, you can always reignite.”
Against the backdrop of a volatile global environment, marked by geopolitical uncertainties, fluctuating oil prices, and shifting travel patterns, he emphasised the growing importance of long-term partnerships over transactional engagements.
“It is no longer about a single booking or contract. Our focus is on building enduring partnerships that can grow together, especially at a time when customer expectations are rising and lead times are becoming shorter,” he noted.
Global Footprint and Expansion
Millennium Hotels and Resorts currently operates approximately 150 properties worldwide, with strongholds across Asia, Europe, the United States, and the Middle East.
Er detailed the group’s geographic footprint, “We have a significant presence in Southeast Asia, including six hotels in Singapore alone, with over 2,600 rooms. In Europe, we have around 20 hotels in the UK, including six in London, as well as properties in Paris and Rome. In the US, we operate around 14 hotels, with four in New York.”
He also highlighted flagship properties such as the historic The Biltmore Los Angeles, a well-known filming location featured in productions ranging from music videos by global artists to Hollywood films.
Speaking about expansion, Paul shared, “We are opening a new hotel in Sunnyvale, San Francisco, in September this year. In New Zealand, we are the largest hotel operator with 18 properties, and we also have a strong presence in the Middle East with over 15 hotels. This gives us a truly global footprint.”
Europe Portfolio Overview
Offering a comprehensive overview of the group’s European portfolio, Francis Bertand, Director of Sales, France and Italy, Millennium Hotels and Resorts, highlighted both the scale and diversity of Millennium Hotels and Resorts’ presence across the region, where he represents the United Kingdom, France, and Italy, covering a portfolio of 22 hotels across multiple brand segments.
“The UK is a major pillar for us, with 18 hotels in total, including seven in London. In fact, some of our London properties are among the largest in the city, with inventory ranging from 600 to 800 rooms. At the same time, we also offer a selection of more traditional hotels in prime locations such as Kensington, Knightsbridge, Mayfair, and Chelsea,” Francis noted.
In Paris, the group operates two hotels, one near the airport and another in the city centre, with the M Social property, its lifestyle brand, emerging as a particularly successful addition since its opening a few years ago.
“Across Europe, our price points and product offerings differ by market, but our focus remains consistent, delivering a high level of satisfaction for our guests in every destination,” said Francis.
Recognising the growing importance of the Indian outbound market, the group has introduced tailored initiatives to enhance guest experience.
“We have developed a programme called ‘Namaste’, which is designed specifically for Indian travellers. It includes Indian television channels, newspapers, breakfast options, and relevant in-room information. At The Bailey’s Hotel London Kensington, we also offer an Indian restaurant, which has been very well received,” Bertrand shared.
He also emphasised the importance of sustained engagement with the Indian trade as he said, “The fact that I visit India once or twice a year reflects our commitment to this market. India is a growing source market for Europe, and we believe there is significant scope to expand beyond leisure into segments such as corporate travel, MICE, and weddings.
New York Portfolio Overview
Millennium Hotels and Resorts also has a strong presence in New York, with four properties across Manhattan offering approximately 1,800 rooms.
Representing the four properties in New York, Adi Sidhwa, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Highgate, said, “The portfolio includes two M Social hotels and two Millennium-branded properties, strategically positioned around Times Square as well as Downtown in the Financial District, in close proximity to landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty, Wall Street and the World Trade Center.”
The M Social Hotel New York Downtown recently underwent a comprehensive renovation, completed in October last year. The upgrade spans guest rooms, public spaces, lobby areas, and meeting facilities, reflecting a contemporary lifestyle design adapted to its urban locale.
The M Social Hotel, New York Times Square, renovated four years ago, offers a distinctive experience with nearly 100 rooms facing the iconic New Year’s Eve ball drop, making them highly sought after during the festive period.
“The hotel is also popular for entertainment-led stays and activations. For instance, during the US Open, we host players and even transform part of our outdoor terrace into a tennis court,” shared Adi.
The Millennium Premier Hotel New York Times Square, the newest addition to the portfolio, is currently undergoing renovation and is scheduled to reopen in May 2026. The 124-key property features exclusively king-bedded rooms, with all guests enjoying access to a dedicated club lounge. Its unique layout, with a limited number of rooms per floor, enhances privacy.
“For families or groups travelling together, it is possible to book an entire floor, effectively creating a private space for the group,” highlighted Adi.
Meanwhile, the Millennium Hotel Broadway Times Square, the largest of the four properties with 626 rooms and over 50,000 sq ft of meeting and event space, continues to be a strong performer, for Indian groups and tour businesses. Positioned as a value-driven offering, the hotel is set to undergo a full renovation beginning January 2027, with completion expected by July.
Adi noted, “We continue to see strong traction from Indian groups at Millennium Hotel Broadway Times Square, while M Social Times Square is more popular with individual leisure travellers. Going forward, Millennium Premier will be positioned as an upper-upscale option for both leisure and business travellers seeking enhanced amenities and a more refined stay experience.”
Singapore Portfolio
In Singapore, Millennium Hotels and Resorts operates six properties, including Copthorne King’s Hotel Singapore, Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Singapore, M Hotel Singapore City Centre, M Social Hotel Singapore, Orchard Hotel Singapore, and Studio M Hotel Singapore.
Patrick Ng, Cluster Director, Sales, M Social Singapore and Studio M Hotel, spoke about the strategic location and lifestyle appeal of the two properties he oversees.
M Social Hotel Singapore and Studio M Hotel Singapore are located along the Singapore Riverfront, just a five-minute walk from each other. The riverfront remains one of the most vibrant areas in the city, with easy access to nightlife, cafés, restaurants, and entertainment hubs.
Talking about the accessibility of the hotels to key attractions across the city, Patrick said, “Guests can easily walk to Clarke Quay and Robertson Quay, and even reach Marina Bay Sands within a short distance of approximately two km. Orchard Road is also very accessible, just one or two MRT stops away.”
With a combined inventory of around 650 rooms across both properties, the hotels are well-equipped to handle large volumes of guests and can accommodate groups seamlessly by distributing them between the two properties.
Patrick also highlighted the lifestyle positioning of the brands within the Millennium portfolio. He added, “We offer more than just a stay; we deliver an experience. As a lifestyle brand, our properties are designed to appeal to modern travellers. Our rooms at Studio M, feature unique duplex layouts, which are highly popular with millennials and Gen Z travellers. The design is contemporary and very Instagram-friendly.”
Penang
Located along the shores of Tanjung Bungah, M Social Resort Penang is a vibrant beachfront property that has recently undergone a complete transformation. The hotel reopened in July 2025 following a comprehensive rebranding and refurbishment, and currently features 317 keys, with nearly 60 per cent of its inventory comprising twin-bedded rooms, making it particularly well-suited for group travel.
Sharing insights on the market, Michelle Azcona, Director, Business and Development Sales and Marketing, M Social Resort Penang, highlighted the significance of India as a source market.
“The Indian market is very important, not just for M Social Resort Penang, but for Penang as a destination on the whole. In recent times, we have seen a decline, particularly in group and MICE business, and there is a need to actively rebuild and strengthen this segment. The property is suitable for group travel. With a high proportion of twin-bedded rooms, the resort is well-positioned to cater to MICE, corporate, and ad hoc group segments. We also offer versatile event spaces, including a spacious pool deck that can accommodate around 18 round tables for cocktail receptions or outdoor gala dinners. Our ballroom can host up to 20 round tables or 350 guests in a theatre-style setup, and is equipped with built-in LED screens and advanced AV facilities, making it ideal for conferences, incentives, and social events,” she revealed.
IGNITE Delhi Roadshow
 concluded a three-city India roadshow across Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Delhi. Anchored under its established global engagement platform ‘Ignite’, the initiative brought together a global delegation of seven representatives spanning Asia, Europe, and the United States, signalling the group’s sharpened focus on deepening engagement with the Indian travel trade.){kind=link}