Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

The forthcoming budget offers a vital chance for the hospitality sector as we believe this is the Golden period for Indian Tourism Industry in case we are able to make the Best use of this opportunity. We request the government to announce industry status for hotels and lower the GST rate from 18% to 12%, bringing it in line with international standards for the tourism industry. This combined advantage will stimulate investments, enhance tourism, and generate job opportunities. The much needed industry status will enable much easier access to cheaper loans for expansion and development. There should be a provision for single window clearance for approvals, a long standing demand from the hotel industry. Government can also lease old properties such as Havelis and hotels for long term, to benefit tourism industry through Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.  Given the industry’s substantial contribution to India’s GDP and foreign exchange earnings, we believe these steps will drive economic growth and position India as a more competitive tourism destination.

As Budget Day  approaches nearby, we are seeking interest in pre-budget prediction stories concerning the hospitality and tourism sector, Please find below the quote from Mr. Ahsan Shervani, Vice President, Star Hotels Ltd (Shervani Hotels) . A kind request to please check if it can be incorporated in stories you may plan. “Its no secret that Industry leaders are advocating for changes like granting infrastructure status to the hotel sector and lowering the GST rate on rooms priced above ₹7,500 from 18% to 12%​.  The hospitality industry has largely recovered from the pandemic, with current tariffs and occupancies reaching or surpassing pre-COVID levels due to strong demand from both leisure and business travelers​. These measures are expected to bolster the industry, drive investment, and ultimately enhance the travel and tourism experience in India.”

Swosti Premium, the luxury hospitality icon in the temple city Bhubaneswar, is thrilled to announce that after complete renovations and upgradaton in service standards, Swosti Premium has now been upgraded from 5-Star to 5-Star Deluxe Classification by the Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India on 9th July 2024. This prestigious recognition acknowledges our team’s tireless efforts, dedication and commitment to deliver excellence in service, amenities and overall guest experience. The 5-Star Deluxe classification is a testament towards luxurious accommodations and amenities, world class dining experiences, exceptional service standard and State-of-the-art facilities and services. On behalf of Swosti Premium, we extend our gratitude to our valued patrons and team members of Swosti Premium for their continued support. We look forward to continuing to exceed expectations and set new benchmarks in the hospitality industry. Very soon Swosti Group will be unveiling the first 5-Star Deluxe hotel in Puri to cater to domestic and international tourists.

The Clarks Hotels & Resorts, India’s fastest-growing hospitality brand, unveiled its latest offering: aôtel by clarks inn. Designed for the modern, discerning traveller, aôtel offers prime locations, tasteful accommodations, and interiors, providing an engaging and vibrant stay experience. The brand is created keeping the young tech-savvy travelers in mind. The thoughtfully designed rooms are equipped with contemporary furnishings, smart technology, and aesthetic décor to ensure a relaxing and enjoyable stay. To provide a hassle-free experience to travelers, they have the convenience of smart room controls, high-speed Wi-Fi, and seamless mobile check-in/out processes. The newly launched brand integrates the latest technology to provide a comfortable stay, catering to the needs of tech-savvy travelers. Instead of traditional check-in counters, aôtel boasts spacious communal areas that foster a sense of community and relaxation. These social hubs are perfect for meeting fellow travelers, working remotely, or simply unwinding after a day of exploration. The stay offers unique dining experiences that offer ample opportunities for socializing and making new connections. The on-site restaurants and cafes offer a variety of culinary delights, from local flavors to international cuisines, ensuring every meal is a memorable experience. Overall aôtel’s architecture and interior design emphasise modern aesthetics and functionality. From open-concept lobbies to multifunctional public spaces, every aspect of aôtel is crafted to enhance the guest experience. They also provide various options to maintain health and well-being while traveling, including yoga sessions, spa treatments, and fully-equipped gyms. Aôtel has debuted in Palampur, reflecting the company’s ambitious growth vision. The property features 21 meticulously designed rooms, departing from traditional accommodation. Guests can savor exquisite culinary delights at the all-day dining restaurant and unwind in the chic terrace dining. The property …

According to Allied Market Research, the global business travel market size was valued at $689.70 billion in 2021, and is estimated to reach $2.1 trillion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 9.5% from 2022 to 2031. The trending factors responsible for fueling the business travel market include bleisure travel (business + leisure), IoT (internet of things), development of smart hotels, virtual reality for hotel bookings, and personalisation. 

In June, India’s domestic air passenger traffic increased by 5.76% to 13.2 million from 12.4 million in the corresponding month last year, according to the monthly data released by DGCA. IndiGo led the market with 80.86 lakh passengers, holding a dominant 60.5% market share, followed by Air India and Vistara, operated by the Tata Group, which carried 17.47 lakh and 12.84 lakh travellers, respectively. 

Union Minister of State for Tourism, Suresh Gopi said that Tripura should come forward with a competitive mindset and advised to utilise time properly from September to March as it has been identified as peak tourism hour in the state. The government is focusing and working on different schemes for spiritual and adventure tourism and asked Tripura to work in this direction. “Tripura can be marked as a model in the entire country if the state approaches in this direction”, he said.  

WTTC projects that Travel & Tourism will contribute almost INR 21.15 trillion to the Indian economy in 2024, an increase of 21% from 2019. Jobs are predicted to increase by 2.45 million this year, equivalent to one in 11 jobs in India. International visitor spending is expected to grow more than 17%, to reach INR 2.85 trillion, while domestic visitor spending is projected to continue growing this year, with a 9.6% increase to reach more than INR 16 trillion. 

Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, CEO, DIAL, said, “We need to increase that capacity of the Delhi airport because we expect that the passenger growth will be at least 8-10 per cent. We have to be ahead of the curve. Last year, the airport handled close to 20 million international passengers. We have a capacity of 22 million and that is only a headroom of 10 per cent.” 

KB Kachru, President, HAI, said, “There is a long queue of hotels to be classified. Unless they are classified and approved by the MOT, they cannot reap the benefits. Hence, we should look at the possibilities of creating a much better system for classification, so that whatever benefits are sanctioned by the government, investors and developers can get those promptly.”