Category Archives: Hotels

According to its secretary general, MP Bezbaruah, the Hotel Association of India is considering asking the government to provide incentives to small hotel operators for adopting sustainability practices. While big luxury and five-star operators are leading the way on this front, the smaller members of HAI are lagging behind due to the cost of taking up the initiatives.

The India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), a key player in India’s hospitality sector under the Ministry of Tourism, observed ‘Vigilance Awareness Week,’ themed “Culture of Integrity for Nation’s Prosperity,” from October 28th to 3rd November, 2024. The campaign emphasised the importance of integrity in our society. During this week, hotel units and divisions of ITDC organised various activities to raise awareness about corruption and how various stakeholders can work together to combat it. The organisation’s Director Finance and Chief Vigilance Officer led the integrity pledge, taken at ITDC Headquarters in Delhi. ITDC also hosted an important session on ‘Cyber Hygiene & Security’ at the Ashok Institute of Hospitality and Tourism Management (AIHTM) at Hotel Samrat, New Delhi. This session brought together AIHTM students and ITDC employees to highlight the importance of staying safe online. Additionally, ITDC organised a “POSH Session” for its officials to promote awareness and adherence to the organisation’s rules and regulations. A training session on “Preventive Vigilance” was also held at ITDC Headquarters, aimed at educating employees about integrity in their work. A highlight of the week was a walkathon involving AIHTM students and ITDC employees. The students also performed a powerful street play “Say No to Corruption.” Lokesh Kumar Aggarwal, Director Finance and CFO, ITDC, said, “Promoting a culture of integrity is vital for both our organisation and the nation. By raising awareness about corruption and its impact, we empower people to contribute to a more transparent society.” To engage AIHTM students, ITDC held fun activities such as poster making, slogan writing, essay contests, and debates, all focused on the theme of fighting corruption. The week concluded with a ‘Vendors Interaction Meet,’ where ITDC officials, including …

Regal Hotels International has launched its ‘Green Meetings’ initiative globally on 29 October, introducing sustainable meeting solutions to minimise environmental impact. Powered by the Institute of Sustainability and Technology, Regal Hotels provides clients with detailed carbon accounting reports to measure event emissions, following their carbon accounting methodology. Clients also have the opportunity to manage their environmental impact through carbon credits, each representing the removal or avoidance of one ton of carbon dioxide or its equivalent in greenhouse gases. Represented by IRIS Reps in India, Regal Hotels offers eco-friendly practices such as sustainable catering, waste management, and low-carbon options, benefiting companies seeking Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, enhanced brand reputation, and community engagement. The campaign is specifically targeted at Travel Management Companies (TMCs) and corporate clients in India, aligning with the growing demand for sustainable event practices.

15th & 16th November at Far & East are set to be nothing short of magical as the award-winning all-day modern kitchen-style dining room at Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru transforms into a vibrant celebration of Thailand’s beloved Loy Krathong festival. With Chef Wimon Pahuja at the helm, guests are invited to indulge in an authentic Thai feast that promises to be a journey through the flavours, traditions, and spirit of Thailand. For two days, Far & East will be a dazzling blend of Thai lanterns, fragrant aromas, and the warm glow of the season’s most cherished festival. Loy Krathong, known as the ‘Festival of Lights,’ symbolises gratitude, new beginnings, and a chance to let go of the past, making it the perfect backdrop for Chef Wimon’s culinary showcase. With 18 years of experience across Thailand, India, and Nepal, Chef Wimon brings to the table not just the vibrant tastes of Thai cuisine but also its soul, culture, and history. Guests will be treated to a meticulously curated à la carte menu, transcending the usual Thai dishes like Pad Thai and Green Curry. Chef Wimon, a seasoned expert in Thai cuisine, will present a selection of lesser-known delicacies and refined versions of classic favourites, each dish carrying the authenticity and finesse of traditional Thai flavours. Think bold, aromatic spices, tender cuts of meat, and the freshest seafood cooked to perfection—every plate a testament to her culinary mastery. Boasting a bold and modern space with a tropical-rainforest leitmotif reflected in its brightly patterned upholstery and curtains, the traditional Asian art and warm lighting at Far & East create an inviting mood for this intimate and relaxed meal. Impeccable Four Seasons service will …

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest hotel franchising company with approximately 9,200 hotels across more than 95 countries, recently held its Annual Roadshow 2024 at the Ramada Gurgaon. The event brought together prominent clients from the region, offering attendees exclusive insights into Wyndham’s leading hotels in India and the Middle East. Through personalised, one-on-one meetings, Wyndham properties engaged directly with potential customers, fostering meaningful conversations and opening opportunities for future partnerships. The roadshow aligns with Wyndham’s focus on deepening relationships with clients in a key market like India, which has experienced a surge in both inbound and domestic tourism. Wyndham currently operates 60 hotels across India and aims to expand its portfolio underscoring its commitment to the region. “India is central to our growth strategy, driven by its expanding economy and evolving travel needs. The Diwali season presents the perfect opportunity for us to express gratitude to our clients and partners for their continued trust. This event allowed us to reflect on our shared growth while laying the foundation for even greater collaborations in the future,” said Sakshi Sehdev Dogra, Head of sales and marketing for Eurasia at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. The Annual Roadshow proved highly productive, generating strong interest and enthusiasm among attendees. Key discussions revolved around Wyndham’s unique offerings, bespoke services, and expansion plans across Tier I and II cities. With the success of this event, Wyndham aims to capitalise on emerging opportunities and further enhance its presence in the Indian hospitality landscape.

Praising FHRAI’s new Centre of Excellence, Pradeep Shetty, President of FHRAI, says, “This has been a long-standing desire of our federation, as we have often faced challenges when approaching the government regarding policy issues, regulatory bottlenecks, compliance burden, and the overall ease of doing business One of the major gaps we identified was the lack of comprehensive data to support our claims and recommendations. With the Centre of Excellence, we aim to address this gap head-on.”

As per HVS ANAROCK Hospitality Monitor, growth in demand has led to consistent improvements in occupancy rates across key markets in September 2024. Bengaluru led the way with a notable 8-10 percentage points (pp) year-on-year increase in occupancy rates, followed by New Delhi, which recorded a 6-8 pp growth. On the other hand, Jaipur and Kolkata were the only markets that saw declines in occupancy rates of around 0-3 pp.

International hospitality brand, Atmosphere Core has made two pivotal leadership appointments, reinforcing its commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences and fostering a people-first culture. Maurice Lucien Van Den Bosch as General Manager of RAAYA Maurice Lucien Van Den Bosch returned to the Atmosphere Core family as General Manager of RAAYA by Atmosphere. Born in Australia, Bosch draws from the country’s renowned laid-back yet dynamic culture in his leadership style, fostering a spirit of inclusivity, adventure, and warm hospitality. He brings over 24 years of expertise in resort management, with a demonstrated ability to exceed profit targets, cost-effectively develop new projects, and lead culturally diverse teams with motivation and efficiency. Maurice’s extensive experience includes leadership roles at some of the world’s top hospitality brands in the Maldives, Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. A familiar face within the Atmosphere Core family, Maurice has served as General Manager at both OZEN LIFE MAADHOO and Atmosphere Kanifushi.     Milan Mookerjee as Vice President of Human Resources Milan Mookerjee has been appointed as the Vice President of Human Resources, Atmosphere Core. Veteran Human Resources leader, Mookerjee will oversee talent management and employee growth initiatives across the Atmosphere Core’s resorts in the Maldives. With over 15 years of industry experience, he is a seasoned professional known for aligning HR initiatives with business goals and fostering a human-centric culture. Before joining Atmosphere Core, Milan served as Head of Human Resources and Training at Encalm Hospitality, where he led HR and training functions to drive business growth. He has also held several HR leadership roles at prominent companies in India, with a proven ability to develop talent and design learning programmes tailored to business needs.

Speaking about the significance of research and data in the tourism industry, Suman Billa, IAS, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Tourism said, “Being in the sector which is vast and multifaceted, it is essential to have accurate and comprehensive data to inform our decisions. While government data provides a solid foundation, it often captures only one facet of the entire landscape. To truly understand the dynamics of the tourism and hospitality sectors, we must triangulate this data with insights from industry bodies, international organisations like the WTO, and other reliable sources.”

Puneet Chhatwal, MD & CEO, IHCL, has announced that IHCL has committed to skilling 100,000 workers in hospitality industry by 2030. He stressed that addressing the sector’s talent shortage is crucial for future growth, especially as India’s tourism infrastructure continues to expand.