Inside the Fern-Marriott Partnership with Rahul Chaudhary Interviewed by Prakriti Parul
We had the distinct pleasure of sitting down with Mr. Rahul Chaudhary, the visionary Managing Director of CG Corp Global, a multi-billion-dollar multinational conglomerate with an extraordinary four-generation legacy. Mr. Chaudhary, recognized as one of the ’25 Most Powerful Hoteliers in Asia’ by India’s prestigious Hotelier Magazine since 2020, is at the helm of a sprawling empire that spans over 202 companies, 261 brands, and 20,000 employees across 32 countries. His influence touches diverse sectors including FMCG, banking, power, real estate, telecom, cement, and education.
As CEO of CG Hospitality Global, Rahul Chaudhary oversees a vast portfolio of over 180 hotels and resorts across 12 countries, with significant expansion planned to exceed 200 hotels by 2025. CG Hospitality has a strong track record of successful joint ventures with renowned brands like Taj, Hilton, and Fairmont, while also owning The Zinc, The Fern, and The Farm brands. The interview was prompted by a major announcement: CG Hospitality is partnering with Marriott International for the global launch of Series by Marriott™ in India, a new midscale to upscale collection brand. This strategic collaboration, which will integrate The Fern Hotels portfolio, marks a significant moment in the hospitality industry by blending local expertise with global reach.
The collaboration between CG Hospitality and Marriott International for the global launch of Series by Marriott marks a significant milestone. What synergies do you anticipate arising from bringing The Fern portfolio into this new collection?
Bringing the Fern portfolio into the Series by Marriott is a huge step for us. CG Hospitality already manages over 120 hotels under brands like Fern, Zinc, and Beacon across 90 cities, and we have 11 operational hotels with 14 more in the pipeline. Now, teaming up with Marriott—with its incredible global reach and 237 million Marriott Bonvoy members—gives us a fantastic platform to scale faster and smarter.
Our goal is to take The Fern to 500 hotels by 2030 and grow CG Hospitality’s footprint to 650 hotels globally. So, this partnership really combines our local strengths with Marriott’s global expertise to accelerate that vision.
As the majority stakeholder in Concept Hospitality Private Limited and a key driver behind The Fern’s success in eco-sensitive hospitality, how do you see this affiliation with Marriott enhancing the brand’s growth trajectory, both within India and in international markets?
This partnership is a game-changer. CG Hospitality already operates around 195 hotels and resorts across 12 countries with more than 12,000 keys. We’ve partnered with big names like Taj, Hilton, and Fairmont.
Bringing The Fern—a brand that’s deeply rooted in eco-sensitive hospitality in India—into Marriott’s global ecosystem means we’re adding around 84 Fern-branded hotels and 6,000 rooms to Marriott’s India portfolio. This helps us expand not just in India’s growing Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, but also internationally. It’s the perfect way to accelerate our growth while staying true to our sustainable hospitality roots.
Series by Marriott aims to capture the midscale and upscale segment, a space where The Fern has already built expertise. What unique value propositions will guests and owners experience by being part of this new collection, especially in terms of environmental stewardship and guest experience?
Guests and owners stand to gain a lot from this collaboration. CG Hospitality has built strong expertise in mid-market hospitality, and The Fern’s commitment to sustainability is a key differentiator.
Now, with Marriott’s global standards and loyalty programs backing us, we can offer guests authentic, eco-friendly experiences while ensuring top-notch service. Owners get the best of both worlds, too—local flavor and Marriott’s powerful global distribution. It’s about growing responsibly, delivering genuine experiences, and doing so at scale.
Given the evolving preferences of travellers, especially post-pandemic, how do you envisage this partnership addressing current industry trends such as sustainable travel, digital transformation, and work-stays within the Series by Marriott portfolio?
Travel preferences have definitely shifted, and this partnership is built to address that. For example, we’re bringing wellness to the forefront by converting The Farm at San Benito in the Philippines into Marriott’s first Autograph Collection resort there. We’re also exploring luxury safari lodges in India, blending wildlife tourism with high-end stays.
On the tech side, Marriott’s digital platforms and loyalty programs allow us to offer seamless, flexible experiences, perfect for work-stays and eco-conscious travelers. It’s about blending sustainability, wellness, and technology in ways that meet today’s traveler expectations.
CG Corp Global has a strong legacy of entrepreneurship—from Wai Wai to hospitality ventures across continents. What kind of global opportunities and challenges do you foresee as you scale this new midscale-upscale collection, and how does this Marriott partnership support that journey?
Scaling a collection of this size globally is both challenging and exciting. CG Hospitality, as part of CG Corp Global, which has 261+ brands and a presence in 32 countries, already runs one of India’s largest hotel portfolios through Concept Hospitality.
We’re aiming for 650 hotels and 30,000 keys by 2027. Partnering with Marriott gives us the global infrastructure, brand trust, and distribution network we need to enter new markets confidently and grow sustainably. Together, we’re redefining midscale hospitality on a global stage while holding onto our values of sustainability and regional authenticity.
