Rahul Chaudhary, Managing Director and CEO of CG Hospitality, represents the fourth generation of the influential Chaudhary Group in Nepal. While the group has a rich 140-year-old legacy spanning FMCG, finance, and more, Rahul’s mission has been to take CG’s hospitality vertical to a global stage—and he has done just that, with presence in 12 countries and nearly 200 hotels.
Despite coming from a powerful business family, Mr. Chaudhary didn’t start his journey with luxury. In 2006, while studying in the U.S., he began working in restaurants—scrubbing floors, washing dishes, and attending college during the day.
In an interview with Hotelier India, he shared, ‘’Every Friday, I used to travel to cities in search of hotel investment opportunities,”. These early days of hustle taught him grit, discipline, and the value of starting from the ground up.
His first international hotel deal was a baptism by fire. In New York, the seller increased the price significantly overnight. His father, Binod Chaudhary, even began to question the investment. But Rahul persisted, closed the deal, and learned what it takes to navigate the high-stakes world of global real estate.
“Those experiences shaped my mindset. I learned to stand my ground, stay calm, and focus on long-term vision,” he told Hotelier India.
Rahul’s father had already made bold moves in the hospitality world by partnering with Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), the Tata Group’s hotel division. Even during politically unstable times in Sri Lanka and the Maldives in the 1990s, CG took risks. That partnership now includes 17 IHCL properties across India, the Middle East, and the Indian Ocean.
Under Rahul’s leadership, CG Hospitality has grown from just 5 hotels in 2001 to 195 hotels today. A major accelerator was acquiring a stake in Concept Hospitality, the Indian company behind The Fern, a popular eco-conscious hotel chain.
“We went from 24 Fern hotels to 120 today. We plan to add another 38 to 40 in the next 12 to 18 months,” Rahul says. These are mid-market, sustainable hotels that resonate with both business and leisure travellers.
CG’s latest triumph is a strategic deal with Marriott International. The Fern will become part of Marriott’s new “Series by Marriott” brand, marking the first time Marriott brings an Indian hotel brand under its umbrella. Marriott has also committed an equity investment in Concept Hospitality. “It’s a proud moment—not just for us, but for India’s hospitality story. This gives The Fern global visibility and credibility,” added Mr. Rahul in the interview.
With big dreams ahead, CG aims to reach 650–700 hotels by 2030. Most of this growth will be focused in Asia, especially in markets like India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and parts of the Middle East. “We’ve stayed close to this region because it houses more than 70% of the world’s population. The demand here is growing rapidly, and so is the potential,” Rahul told Hotelier India.
Mr. Chaudhary’s journey shows that legacy and grit can go together. Through bold partnerships, sustainable thinking, and a relentless drive to scale with purpose, he’s reshaping the hospitality landscape—not just for his family group, but for the entire region.
Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.
Published on: Jun 19, 2025, 3:49 PM IST
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