Category Archives: Hotels

India’s fastest-growing hospitality chain, Cygnett Hotels & Resorts, recently held its 7th annual GM Conclave in Cygnett Style Jaipur under the theme ‘Aggrandize Hospitality Cygnett Horizons 2024.’ The event provided a platform for discussing the company’s strategic expansion plans and key insights into transformational changes in the hospitality industry. Sarbendra Sarkar, Founder and Managing Director, Cygnett Hotels & Resorts, shared that Cygnett is on track to open 15 new hotels and 1200 keys over the next year, with ten currently under project & pre-opening stage. This expansion aligns with the company’s vision of innovation and cultural transformation. The new properties opening in June, July and August, such as Cozzet Deera in Sonipat (41 keys), Cozzet Mahad (Mahad Maharashtra industrial area) (60 keys), and Cygnett Inn Airport in Jaipur (45 keys), represent the company’s commitment to meeting growing demands and maintaining high hospitality standards. Cygnett also plans to hire over 1,000 hospitality professionals and establish the Cygnett Learning Academy to address the current talent shortage and train new aspirants. Cygnett Hotel and Resort was ranked second in new hotel signings in 2023, according to a report released by HVS. At the event, Sarkar emphasised the importance of cultural transformation and innovation as the driving forces behind the company’s expansion. He noted that the rapid growth of domestic tourism and rising ADRs provide a promising outlook for the hospitality sector. He reiterated the company’s optimism about India’s hospitality prospects as it leverages increased government focus on infrastructure to bolster its growth. The conclave also highlighted Cygnett’s strong focus on sustainability. Their Sustainable Plan 2025 includes eco-friendly initiatives such as energy-efficient technologies, water conservation, waste management, and upgraded transportation facilities. These efforts aim …

Bengaluru Airport City unveils investment plans for a 2 million sq. ft. business park and a 775 keys hotel. Rao Munukkutla, CEO, BACL, said, “This investment will propel our vision of transforming the airport city into a bustling hub for businesses, knowledge-intensive zones, R&D centres and Global Capability Centres.”

The World Economic Forum published its 2024 edition of its Travel & Tourism Development Index (TTDI) which measures factors and policies that enable sustainable and resilient development of the tourism sector. It offers insights into tourism economies’ strengths and areas for improvement, and the interconnected nature of tourism development, as well as facilitating strategic planning and multistakeholder dialogue to encourage sustainable growth.     United States The United States is the top scorer in the TTDI and the largest contributor to T&T GDP, both within the Americas region and globally. While the recent increase in sector wages has helped contribute to climbing operation costs, it has also helped partially bridge the T&T sector’s historically low wages in countries such as the United States. Thanks to typical advantages ranging from favourable business environments and open travel policies to well-developed transport, tourism and ICT infrastructure and natural, cultural and non-leisure attractions, United States ranked highest.   Portugal The growth in ‘bleisure’ travel and digital nomads has created new opportunities for businesses and destinations that can offer favourable conditions for business travel and leisure activities. In particular, economies that combine strong ICT infrastructure and healthcare standards, relatively reasonable cost of living, favourable visa policies and rich tourism attractions rank among the most attractive for digital nomads, with countries like Portugal and Spain ranking among the top for attractiveness for this new market.   Uzbekistan Newly ranked developing country of Uzbekistan experienced the greatest growth in TTDI scores between 2019 and 2024. While most high-income economies have experienced slight changes in their TTDI scores, the performance of Uzbekistan (+7.8%, 94th to 78th) has shown the most improvement in both score and rank compared to …

Radisson Hotel Sector 29, Gurugram, proudly announces the promotion of Parul Trehan to the position of Learning and Development Manager; and Bhupendra Tomar to the position of Food and Beverage Manager, effective April 1, 2024. Parul Trehan, an English Honors graduate from Jaipur,  started her remarkable career at the Heritage Hotel, owned by the Jaipur royal family. She has since refined her skills in prestigious establishments such as The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts and Oberoi Hotels & Resorts. Driven by her love for providing exceptional service and hospitality, Parul joined Radisson in 2023 and eventually made the shift into learning and development. Parul’s key priorities will be team building and improving hotel quality. Alongside Anuj Soin, she will strive to uphold and surpass Radisson Sector 29, Gurugram’s high standards for service excellence. Anuj Soin, General Manager at Radisson Sector 29, Gurugram said, The selection of Parul as Learning & Development Manager is a reflection of her unrelenting commitment, ceaseless efforts, and steadfast quest of excellence. Bhupendra Tomar, an IHTM, Ghaziabad graduate in hotel management; joined Radisson Hotel Group in 2014. He was formerly connected to prestigious companies like Hilton and The Leela. Bhupendra has improved the food and beverage experience at Radisson Sector 29, Gurugram, across his whole stay. He will put a lot of effort into creating distinctive dining experiences in his new capacity. Increasing team productivity, integrating the newest F&B trends into menu items, and guaranteeing that F&B operations and hotel operations are seamlessly integrated are some of his duties. “Bhupendra’s promotion demonstrates our dedication to developing internal talent and elevating from within, said Anuj Soin, General Manager at Radisson Sector 29, Gurugram. Parul will carry out our training …

Radisson Hotel Group has announced the signing of a strategic partnership with NILE Hospitality for growing its mid-scale brand Park Inn & Suites by Radisson in Rajasthan and Gujarat. This move comes as part of the Group’s robust expansion strategy, driven by the growing demand for quality hospitality experiences in tier 2 to tier 5 cities of India. Under this partnership, NILE Hospitality will be responsible for growing the Park Inn and Suites by Radisson brand in Gujarat and Rajasthan. Gujarat boasts higher industrial activities along with tourist and pilgrimage destinations such as Dwarka, Gir Somnath, Dharoi, and Kutch, presenting an excellent business opportunity while helping the tourism boost in the region. Rajasthan being a culturally rich, heritage destination with historical forts, palaces, art, and culture makes it an interesting tourism destination for travelers. Park Inn and Suites by Radisson brand positions itself as a smart hotel investment opportunity, with a clear focus on value maximization for its stakeholders. By offering a conversion-friendly model tailored for the Indian market, the brand adds to the diversity of Radisson Hotel Group’s offerings in the country. On the consumer front, the essence of Park Inn & Suites by Radisson is centered around “Inviting Modern Comfort” ensuring that guests feel welcome, valued, and well-cared for. With an average size of 50 to 70 keys, hotels under the brand will be equipped with inviting social spaces, a welcome corner, a fitness center, services like free WiFi, and signature breakfast options for delivering a holistic experience to guests. “We are delighted to continue our collaboration with NILE Hospitality to strengthen our presence in western and northwestern India. Tailored for the Indian market, Park Inn & Suites …

The Indian hospitality sector continued to witness Y-o-Y growth in performance in Q1 2024 (Jan-March), driven by a rise in ADR of 8.5% over Q1 2023, resulting in a RevPAR growth of 11.4%. Major factors contributing to this growth included an increase in corporate travel, weddings, and M!CE demand at the end of the financial year (FY24).

The Hosteller, India’s largest backpacker hostel chain, is elated to announce the launch of Bam Hotels, a new venture aimed at catering to a broader audience in the hospitality sector. Recognizing the evolving needs of travelers, The Hosteller Management identified an opportunity to extend their offerings beyond the backpacker demographic. With 95% of The Hosteller’s customer segment falling between the ages of 18-30, Bam Hotels seeks to provide a seamless experience for travelers aged 30 and above, offering a sophisticated and comfortable stay while retaining the essence of The Hosteller’s ethos. Bam Hotels are conceptually founded on five key elements designed to cater to the evolving needs of modern travelers. Embracing a smart approach, these hotels are set to feature tech-first innovations such as zero touchpoint check-in/out and digital room and concierge services. The minimalistic design ethos intertwines luxury with simplicity, offering guests a refined experience. Always aiming to stay ahead, Bam Hotels adopts a futuristic mindset, continuously innovating to disrupt traditional hospitality norms. The accommodations are chic, crafted to appeal to the sophisticated tastes of contemporary travelers. Additionally, the hotels promote community living, encouraging connections and interactions among guests. In the short term, Bam Hotels plans to launch a pilot project with fewer than 10 properties in 2024. The goal is to establish Bam as India’s smartest direct-to-consumer (D2C) hotel brand, creating excitement around its innovative features like zero touchpoint check-in/out and reception-less hotels. Looking ahead, Bam Hotels aims to expand to over 100 properties in India within the next five years, becoming the preferred choice for tech-first, mid to high-level income group travelers. Addressing the occasion, the spokesperson for The Hosteller, said, “Imagine staying in a hotel where there …

MTF invites the travel trade industry to Melangé, an exclusive industry partnership event designed to create new friendships and business collaborations. This unique, focused, and dynamic two-day event to be held on 19 & 20!Sept 2024 is tailored for exhibitors and buyers of diverse travel products. Special offers are available for early birds who register before 31st May. MTF Style Event at one of the most premier venues in India –  Jio Convention Centre BKC. Pradeep Saboo, Organiser, MTF, says, “We understand the power of meaningful connections and innovative collaborations. Our event offers a carefully curated environment where your products and services will be showcased to an audience of discerning buyers ready to explore new opportunities. Melangé is your platform to engage with industry leaders, present cutting-edge travel solutions, and foster impactful business relationships. Join us at Melangé, elevate your brand, connect with key decision-makers, and be part of an event that prioritizes quality interactions over quantity. Seize this opportunity to network, inspire, and be inspired. Let’s create a vibrant mosaic of collaborations and drive the travel industry forward together. Your participation at Melangé is not just an exhibition; it’s an investment in the future of travel.” A special offer is available for exhibiting partners is available. Registrations done before 31 May, 2024 will lead to : A) 50% discount on the published price B) With Category D, a Gold Sponsorship will be offered gratis C) With Category E, a Platinum Sponsorship will be offered gratis Register as an exhibitor here:  https://mtf.events/melange-exhibitors-registration/    

Clarks Safari enters Ahmedabad by signing a 50 rooms property near Kheda Gujarat. The luxury property will cater to luxury travelers, corporates, and families looking for a day outing, along with clients seeking out destination weddings. The brand already has multiple properties spread across the country but Ahmedabad being the business hub and one of the busiest cities of Gujarat, propelled the brand to open doors here. The newly signed property is centrally located and enjoys good connectivity. It is spread over an area of more than 5 acres, and has all the facilities inside it. The property has a banquet hall with a seating capacity of 800 pax. There is a dedicated kids zone and play area, where one can enjoy rain dance. In order to spread awareness around nature and animal life, there is a birding zone, and a pond with various water animals. It is good for those who want to spend their whole day in a luxury setup while enjoying different activities at the resort. They also have a swimming pool and inhouse gym on the property.The property has a Gaushala, from where organic milk products are generated. There will be 50 rooms spread across categories, each room will be furnished with all the amenities, such as a safe box, indoor games, seating area, deck area, pantry, etc. They also have a main lawn to conduct weddings or other functions with 600 pax capacity. Various experiential will be curated targeting different sets of audiences. Apart from solo travelers, and families, the brand is heavily eyeing the wedding segment, corporate, and MICE. The in-house restaurant will serve multiple cuisines, chiefly North Indian, continental, and also Gujarati food. …

Global hotel owner and operator Minor Hotels has appointed Puneet Dhawan as Head of Asia as the group plots its growth in Asia and India. From July, Dhawan will be responsible for the performance of all Minor Hotels properties in Asia, working in close collaboration with the Minor Hotels senior leadership team and will report to Minor Hotels CEO Dillip Rajakarier. Dhawan, a seasoned professional with a 30-year hospitality career spanning Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, brings a wealth of experience to his new role. His most recent role as Senior Vice President of Operations – India & South Asia at Accor saw him lead the group’s business development, owner management, hotel operations and commercial team, driving Accor’s growth in the region. Notably, he oversaw the opening of the first Raffles hotel in India. His 25-year tenure at Accor also included time as the group’s Vice President of Operations, Middle East, and several General Manager roles. Dhawan’s journey in the hospitality industry began with the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, where he held positions at its properties in the Philippines and Hong Kong. Dhawan holds a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He will be based in the group’s Bangkok Corporate Office when he joins Minor Hotels in July. Dillip Rajakarier, CEO of Minor Hotels and Group CEO of Minor International, commented, “We are excited to welcome Puneet to the Minor Hotels family. His operational experience and empowering leadership will be invaluable as we work to achieve our growth ambitions in Asia and India in the coming years.” In January, Minor Hotels unveiled its target to add more than 200 new openings to its …