Ms. Deepika Arora, a true visionary in the hospitality industry. With over 17 years of experience transforming the Indian hospitality landscape, Deepika is currently the Head of India for Dusit International, and also the lead investor and entrepreneur behind Rosastays, a unique boutique stays platform. Her journey includes pivotal roles at prestigious brands like Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and Hilton Worldwide, where she was instrumental in shaping the franchise model for international hotel chains in India.
In this candid conversation, Deepika shares her insights on leading Dusit’s strategic re-entry into the Indian market, balancing global vision with local nuances, and her entrepreneurial journey with Rosastays.
Q: You’ve led iconic brands like Hilton and Wyndham and now head Dusit’s re-entry into India. What excites you most about this new chapter with Dusit International?
Deepika Arora: Dusit’s re-entry into India isn’t just about market expansion; it’s a thoughtful reimagining of luxury hospitality through an Asian sensibility. What truly excites me is the chance to establish the brand’s foundation in one of the world’s most culturally rich and dynamic markets. With Dusit’s Thai heritage rooted in graciousness and well-being, we have this unique opportunity to craft experiences that are not just luxurious, but deeply meaningful. These are designed to resonate with modern Indian travelers who are genuinely seeking more than the ordinary.
Q: What drew you to Dusit, and how would you describe the brand’s unique positioning in the highly competitive Indian premium hospitality space?
Deepika Arora: What drew me to Dusit was its values-led philosophy – anchored in gracious hospitality, holistic wellness, and immersive cultural connection. In an environment where luxury often equates to extravagance, Dusit offers a more soulful alternative. Our positioning in India revolves around thoughtful luxury, where every experience is personal, purposeful, and reflects a strong sense of place. We’re not competing on sheer footprint or flamboyance, but on emotional depth and cultural resonance.
Q: How do you balance the global vision of Dusit with the hyper-local needs and cultural nuances of the Indian traveler?
Deepika Arora: The key here is cultural agility. We retain the core of Dusit’s Thai-inspired service philosophy while thoughtfully localizing our offerings to align with Indian cultural sensibilities. Whether it’s through our wellness rituals, culinary programs, or architectural identity, we seamlessly integrate local context without diluting the brand’s DNA. It’s about creating emotionally intelligent experiences where the global and the local aren’t in conflict, but in conversation.
Q: Can you walk us through the strategic decision to focus on the Himalayas for Dusit’s India debut? What makes this geography so compelling for luxury hospitality today?
Deepika Arora: The Himalayas are synonymous with introspection, serenity, and spiritual elevation – all of which align seamlessly with Dusit’s wellness-forward brand ethos. In a post-pandemic era, luxury travelers are increasingly seeking destinations that offer restoration, authenticity, and a deeper sense of connection. The Himalayas offer this in abundance, making them a natural fit for Dusit’s philosophy of holistic, gracious hospitality.
As part of our broader growth strategy, the Himalayan region has emerged as a key focus area, allowing us to blend Dusit’s signature Thai-inspired service with rich local cultural narratives. Our journey in this region began with Dusit Thani Himalayan Resort Dhulikhel near the sacred site of Namo Buddha in Nepal – an immersive retreat designed for spiritual and physical renewal. This was followed by the launch of Dusit Princess Kathmandu, which brought modern Thai hospitality to the heart of Nepal’s bustling capital. Building on this foundation, we marked our entry into India with the opening of dusitD2 Fagu in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh – a resort that exemplifies our commitment to experience-first destinations. Looking ahead, we are excited to deepen our presence in the Indian Himalayas with upcoming signings under the Dusit Collection brand in Kasol and Manali – destinations known for their natural beauty and cultural vibrancy.
Together, these developments reflect Dusit’s long-term commitment to creating a connected ecosystem of meaningful, place-based experiences across the Himalayan belt. By tailoring our offerings to local sensibilities while upholding global standards, we are delivering immersive, wellness-led stays that resonate deeply with today’s discerning traveler – where Thai graciousness meets the soul of the Himalayas.
Q: Dusit is known for its Thai-inspired ethos. How are you adapting that service philosophy to resonate with Indian tastes and sensibilities?
Deepika Arora: We see Thai and Indian hospitality traditions as deeply aligned – both value respect, intuition, and heartfelt service. At Dusit, we localize by infusing Indian rituals, flavors, and design into our service journey. The result isn’t a replication of Thailand in India, but a new expression – where Thai graciousness meets Indian depth to create something distinctively elegant and emotionally warm.
Q: Post-pandemic, travelers are seeking more than just comfort – they want meaning, connection, and well-being. How is Dusit catering to this shift through its India offerings?
Deepika Arora: At Dusit, we are intentionally designing experiences that nourish not just the body, but the spirit. Our wellness offerings extend beyond spa treatments; they include mindful architecture, locally rooted culinary journeys, and community engagement. Whether it’s through our “farm-to-fork” dining or curated cultural immersions, we aim to help guests reconnect – with nature, with culture, and with themselves.
Q: What does “luxury with purpose” mean to you? How is Dusit bringing sustainability and soul into its guest experiences and operational model?
Deepika Arora: To me, “luxury with purpose” means conscious indulgence – where the guest experience is both enriching and responsible. At Dusit, this translates into sustainable sourcing, community upliftment, and nature-sensitive design. At dusitD2 Fagu, for example, we’re implementing zero-waste kitchens, using local building materials, and employing regional talent. It’s a model where luxury becomes a force for good.
Q: What kind of local partnerships are you forging – whether in design, sourcing, wellness, or storytelling – to embed authenticity into the Dusit brand in India?
Deepika Arora: Authenticity is born in collaboration. We work closely with local designers, wellness experts, and artisans to ensure each property reflects the spirit of its location. From sourcing Himalayan botanicals for our spas to using indigenous textiles in our décor, every element is intentional. These partnerships not only elevate the guest experience; they reinforce our commitment to community and craft.
Q: Alongside your corporate role, you’re also the founder of Rosastays. How do you manage these dual roles, and how do they complement each other?
Deepika Arora: Rosastays is my entrepreneurial heart; Dusit is where that vision finds global expression. This duality allows me to stay grounded in what today’s Indian traveler values – authenticity, personalization, and storytelling – while bringing those insights into a larger strategic framework at Dusit. Each role enriches the other, creating a symbiotic balance between agility and scale.
Q: Rosastays has carved a niche with immersive, experiential travel. What are some key lessons from this venture that you’re bringing into Dusit’s India strategy?
Deepika Arora: One of the core learnings is the power of emotional connection. At Rosastays, every destination is crafted around narrative and nuance. At Dusit, we’re scaling that principle – designing experiences that go beyond the expected, tapping into memory, mood, and meaning. It’s about creating a journey that is not just seen or felt, but truly remembered.
Q: In your journey as a woman entrepreneur in hospitality, what have been the most pivotal moments, and how have they shaped your leadership style?
Deepika Arora: Every challenge has been a catalyst. From setting up operations in remote areas to navigating boardrooms, I’ve learned that empathy, resilience, and clarity are non-negotiable. These experiences have shaped me into a leader who values people as much as performance, and purpose alongside profit.
Q: Do you see more room for synergy between global brands and agile boutique platforms in India’s evolving tourism landscape?
Deepika Arora: Absolutely. The future of hospitality lies in convergence. Global brands bring trust, structure, and scale; boutique platforms bring creativity, agility, and cultural insight. Together, they can create layered experiences that are both emotionally rich and operationally robust – exactly what the new-age Indian traveler is seeking.
Q: What trends do you believe will define premium and wellness travel in India over the next 5 years?
Deepika Arora: We’ll see a definitive shift toward slow, soulful travel – experiences that are immersive, meaningful, and wellness-integrated. There will be a rise in demand for destination-based healing – think forest bathing, traditional Ayurvedic treatments, and digital detox retreats. The new luxury is inward-looking – less about extravagance, more about equilibrium.
Q: What kind of footprint can we expect from Dusit in India – in terms of destinations, formats, and guest segments?
Deepika Arora: Our growth will be curated, not commoditized. We’re focused on high-impact destinations – wellness-led retreats, nature-immersive escapes, and culturally rich leisure hubs. From experiential resorts to boutique sanctuaries, each property is envisioned as a signature expression of the brand. Our ambition is not to be the largest, but the most loved in the space we occupy.
India represents a pivotal chapter in Dusit’s long-term global growth story. Our expansion is intentionally calibrated to capture the next wave of hospitality demand emerging from Tier II and Tier III cities – markets that have long been underserved by global upscale and luxury brands, yet are now experiencing exponential growth in aspiration and spending power. Simultaneously, we are building a strategic presence in key Tier I cities to ensure national relevance and reach.
Our India portfolio spans upper midscale to ultra-luxury, reflecting the vast opportunities across the country’s dynamic and fast-evolving travel landscape. We are equally committed to the luxury segment, as evidenced by the recent signing of Devarana Sakleshpur, Karnataka – A Dusit Retreat under our ultra-luxury brand Devarana – Dusit Retreats, set to open in 2028. This signals our intent to build a layered, high-impact presence across segments.
The successful opening of dusitD2 Fagu, Shimla – and signings in Sakleshpur, Kasol, and Manali – mark our entry into India’s next-generation experiential destinations. These are not opportunistic moves, but carefully chosen micro-markets where Dusit’s differentiated value proposition can elevate the local hospitality offering and set new benchmarks for thoughtful, experience-first luxury. We are also expanding our footprint to include vibrant, fast-growing cities such as Raipur, Bhiwadi, Lonavala, and Kolkata, extending Dusit’s signature hospitality to a broader audience. Ultimately, our vision is to build a multi-brand, differentiated presence in India – one that delivers aspiration, access, and authenticity in equal measure.
Q: Looking ahead, what’s your vision for the future of Indian hospitality – and what legacy do you hope to leave through your work with both Dusit and Rosastays?
Deepika Arora: My vision is for Indian hospitality to become synonymous with soulful luxury – experiences that are culturally rich, emotionally resonant, and globally benchmarked. Through both Dusit and Rosastays, I hope to leave a legacy of thoughtful leadership and brands that stand for more than just great service – they stand for meaning.
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