With close to 50 hotels in the pipeline, IHG® Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, will double its operating portfolio in India in next 5 years.  The company recorded strong signing performance in 2023 with 13 deals closed across its brands in luxury, premium and essentials categories, strengthening its footprint in cities such as Gurgaon, Jim Corbett, Mumbai, Amritsar and Goa. Close to 70% of the signings were in midscale and upper midscale segments, which continues to be a growth driver for the company in India, followed by premium and luxury. IHG’s ambitious development pipeline including worldclass brands such as InterContinental Hotels and Resorts, Crowne Plaza, voco, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express and Staybridge Suites underscores the company’s strategic focus on capturing the growing demand for branded accommodations across India and offer diverse hospitality experiences to travellers with different needs. Beyond established destinations, IHG is targeting high-growth secondary markets like  Amritsar, Lucknow, Zirakpur, Kasauli and Katra, while reinvigorating its footing in popular tourist destinations. The past year, IHG also announced the debut of its premium conversion brand, voco in India with a signing in Gurgaon. Powered by the strength and scale of the IHG system, voco offers owners the chance to access the upscale segment quickly. Since the launch, the brand has seen phenomenal success in the country with 4 additional signings in 2023 across key leisure & business destinations such as Jim Corbett, Mumbai, Amritsar and Goa, allowing IHG to further diversify its portfolio to meet evolving guest preferences across the country. Haitham Mattar, Managing Director, India, Middle East and Africa, IHG Hotels & Resorts commented: “We have a long-standing history in India, and we …

A survey by Marriott Bonvoy has found that a majority of Gen Zs and Millennials in Asia Pacific excluding China (APEC) prefer the simplicity of belonging to one comprehensive loyalty travel programme. While 60% of them are actively subscribed to loyalty programs, the challenge of juggling several loyalty programs has led most (57%) to seek out one program that meets all their travel needs.

Palladium Hotel Group is strengthening its international presence with its arrival in the Middle East. The project announced will be carried out in conjunction with Al Marjan and Almal Real Estate Development, an award-winning ultra-luxury developer based in the region. The ambitious project, which attracts more than $100 million in investment, will consist of 442 hotel rooms and residential units. It represents the first international opening for the iconic Ibiza-born brand, which is now to be known as Ushuaïa Unexpected Hotels & Residences, integrating the concept of branded residences with the existing hotel proposition. The hotel and residential facility will be located on Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, one of the region’s premier tourist and investment destinations, and will comprise a sophisticated beach club, exquisite restaurant and captivating infinity pool, all situated adjacent to the Wynn Resort Island and overlooking the picturesque Arabian Gulf. Jesús Sobrino, CEO of Palladium Hotel Group, said: “This is a triple milestone for the company, as we announce our arrival in the Middle East and the growth of an emblematic brand for Palladium Hotel Group, as well as the group’s first foray into the branded residences segment. We are proud to be able to carry out this project hand in hand with two partners with whom we are aligned on the concepts of service and entertainment, and therefore we thank Almal Development and Al Marjan for their trust.” Dmytro Starovoitov, Co-Founder, Almal Development, said: “Our new development embodies Almal’s commitment to delivering unmatched luxury and sophistication in the realm of hospitality and entertainment. As a full-service investment and development company, we are excited to bring the brand Ushuaïa Unexpected Hotels & Residences to …

IHCL announced the opening of a Vivanta hotel in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand. Located in the heart of the city, the hotel is a seamless blend of contemporary elegance and local tribal heritage. Speaking on the occasion, Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, IHCL said, “We are delighted to unveil Vivanta in Jamshedpur, India’s first planned industrial city. Founded by Jamsetji Tata and named after him, Jamshedpur is also known as Tatanagar due to the presence of multiple Tata companies. This opening will mark the debut of the Vivanta brand and will be IHCL’s second hotel in the city.” With the addition of this hotel, IHCL will have two hotels across Vivanta and Ginger brands in Jharkhand.

As part of the ongoing, continuous endeavor to enhance the customer journey through digitization, IndiGo will trial new entertainment content. Available to its customers inflight, using the IndiGo app, the trial will be conducted for customers travelling between the Delhi-Goa sector from 1st May 2024, for a period of three months.  Committed to enhancing its app to become a valuable tool for its customers, as well as improving the in-flight experience, the airline has upgraded its app to provide options to watch popular blockbuster movies, TV shows, access moving maps, games, as well as tune into a wide range of music genres, while cruising at 30,000ft.

Dr Sagnik Chowdhury, Deputy Director General & Regional Director (West & Central), Ministry of Tourism, Govt of India, along with his team made a detailed presentation to members of TAAI Western India in Mumbai on the merits of being an MoT-accredited travel agent and the approval process. Underlining some tweaks in the categories, his team also fielded some questions and challenges from the members. He said, “We also highlighted our certification programme which will go a long way in empowering their staff towards a more solid career in tourism.”

Which travel apps had the top-of-the-mind recall and how much time did they spend on these apps? Get interesting insights on the global travel app downloads, usage and spending in the latest report by mobile data and analytics platform Data.ai titled ‘State of Mobile 2024’. The findings show a jump in activity for travel brands led by online travel agencies.   OTAs make a huge jump According to the ‘State of Mobile 2024’ report, in 2023 travel app downloads numbered just more than 3 billion – up 13% from 2.7 billion in 2022. Integrated travel service apps – the category Data.ai uses for OTAs such as Booking.com, Expedia, Trip.com, and such – saw the biggest jump in downloads in 2023, up 34%, while airline apps were up 23% and hotel apps 16%. It is clear that the huge demand for travel was not a one-off. Compared to the low in 2020, global downloads more than doubled by 2023 and time spent was up more than 85%.   Marketers take note Globally, consumers are spending more time using their travel apps. In 2023, total time spent worldwide on travel apps was just more than 15.7 billion hours – up from 12.6 billion in 2022. Across all categories of apps and the top 10 markets analysed, Data.ai found time spent on mobile surpassed five hours per day in 2023 – up 6%. And marketers have taken notice – mobile ad spend was up 8% in 2023 to $362 billion.   Transport apps lead the way Transportation apps saw the biggest year-over-year gains. The most common type of travel apps consumers are using are transportation ones such as Uber and Lyft. In the …

Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) Delhi Office has announced AllKnown Marketers as their designated representative for the Indian market. AllKnown Marketers along with JNTO is mandated to execute Travel Trade and PR initiatives in key target markets, marking a significant milestone in Japan’s endeavors to expand Tourism from India to Japan. Japan, a land where tradition seamlessly intertwines with modernity, beckons travelers to embark on an extraordinary journey of discovery. Within its borders lie treasures both ancient and contemporary, waiting to be explored by those who seek adventure and enlightenment. Hidden among the landscapes are historic castles steeped in legend and rural villages frozen in time, offering a glimpse into Japan’s storied past. Delve into the depths of traditional arts like calligraphy and ikebana, where every brushstroke and arrangement holds profound significance. Japan’s fusion of old-world charm and cutting-edge innovation creates a dynamic tableau of experiences, inviting travelers to wander through bustling city streets or find solace in tranquil temple gardens. Prepare to be enchanted as you discover the captivating allure of Japan—a destination where tradition and modernity converge to create an unforgettable tapestry of culture and beauty. Ryo Bunno, Executive Director, JNTO Delhi Office, stated, “India is one of our primary markets, and we certainly have high expectations owing to its performance trajectory in the recent past. AllKnown Marketers team will serve as our extended arm in the market to orchestrate strategic marketing and communications outreach that drives a consistent flow of Indian arrivals. We are excited to appoint a team of market leaders who will navigate us to introduce our diverse offerings and position Japan as the most coveted getaway for Indian experiential travelers.” Acknowledging the latest addition …

The Fern Hotels & Resorts, India’s leading environmentally sensitive hotel chain, is pleased to announce the launch of a new hotel, SKK The Fern-An Ecotel Hotel, Jaisalmer. The company has a total of 16 properties in Rajasthan, operational and shortly opening. The addition of this new property will reinforce the brand’s leadership position in this key market and underline its commitment to impeccable guest experiences. The hotel features 104 well-appointed rooms and offers facilities such as an outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, multiple lawns, and an on-site restaurant. SKK The Fern, Jaisalmer is just a 10-minute drive from the majestic Jaisalmer Fort, making it an ideal stay option in this thriving tourist destination. With a beautiful central courtyard and multiple lawns, SKK The Fern shall be the ideal place to host dream weddings in this Golden City. All the rooms boast an exemplary balance of elegance, sophistication, royalty, and old-world charm blended with modern features and facilities. Suhail Kannampilly, Managing Director, The Fern Hotels & Resorts, commented, “We are pleased to announce the launch of SKK The Fern-An Ecotel Hotel, Jaisalmer. This new hotel will add to our value as a major hospitality brand in Rajasthan. We aim to exceed our guests’ expectations and provide them with a truly unforgettable experience by providing great accommodation, top-notch facilities, and warm hospitality. SKK The Fern promises a delightful and royal stay for anyone visiting this popular tourist city.”

As per ICRA’s latest report, the domestic air passenger traffic is estimated at ~154 million for FY2024, which represents a YoY growth of ~13%, in line with ICRA’s estimates. Further, the domestic air passenger traffic in FY2024 has surpassed the pre-Covid levels of ~142 million in FY2020 as well. Data also shows that the domestic aviation industry operated at a passenger load factor of ~90% in March 2024, against ~88% in March 2023 and ~89% in February 2024.