Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

Coorg, tops domestic tourism with a 1910% increase in hotel bookings, followed by Varkala (400%), Goa (366%). Velankanni (200%), and Jodhpur (179%), stated RateGain, Factors driving this surge include scenic beauty, cultural appeal, and enhanced transportation options, boosting tourism from July to September with bookings made between January and mid-June 2024.

In a major initiative to train current and emerging hospitality industry leaders, Cygnett Hotels & Resorts has recently introduced its Comprehensive Cygnett Leadership Development Program (CLDP). This initiative marks a significant milestone in the hospitality company’s commitment to nurturing talent, driving innovation and ensuring sustained growth within the organization. At the heart of CLDP lies an intense and comprehensive training module of nine months, divided into three phases. The hotel industry today faces a shortage of skilled leaders who can adapt to rapid market changes, enhance guest satisfaction, and manage diverse teams. This gap hampers operational efficiency, management innovation, and the ability to maintain competitive service standards. Mr. Sarbendra Sarkar, Founder & Chairman of Cygnett Hotels & Resorts said, “We recognize the importance of nurturing and empowering future leaders at Cygnett Hotels & Resorts. Today’s competitive market requires a pipeline of visionary leaders who can help build and secure an edge over the rest. CLDP provides insight into real-life examples so hospitality leaders understand how the right mindset, attitude, and communication directly impacts team performance.” The program has been designed holistically to provide a structured framework that includes people skills, leadership skills, digitalization, a strategic approach to key hotel departments, HR management, accounting for non-accountants, finance, marketing, auditing, and cultural transformation. The training program encompasses reference material, daily operational tasks, virtual sessions, assignments, and one-to-one interaction with industry experts. The program is in line with international standards and offers an internationally recognised certification too. Mr. Sachin Gaur, Associate Director of Learning & Development and Quality Assurance at Cygnett Hotels & Resorts said, “The leadership development program offers an exceptional opportunity for our team members to develop advanced leadership skills, rethink …

Thomas Cook India & SOTC in its India Holiday Report 2023 highlighted a 70% surge in cruise holidays. Speaking on this, Daniel D’souza, President, SOTC Travel, said, “Cruise holidays offer an all-inclusive experience onboard a luxurious floating hotel.These include a wide range of services, from entertainment and exciting activities to diverse cuisines, wellness spas, shopping, and exploring new locales. We are witnessing strong growth in this segment from regional India’s tier II-III markets, besides metros and mini metros.”

Jaiveer Singh, Minister of Tourism & Culture, UP, said, “Uttar Pradesh has an immense potential for tourism, particularly spiritual tourism. Our government’s zero-tolerance policy towards crime has improved the law and order situation of the state that led to the surge of 48 crore footfalls in UP in 2022 and 2023, a number double the population of the state.”

Speaking at the ‘Bodhi Yatra’ conclave, V Vidyavathi, Secretary, MOT, GoI, said, “Govt of India in collaboration with the Govt. of Uttar Pradesh aims to not only create a memorable experience for the Buddhist pilgrims but also ensure the development and better employment opportunities for the local communities. We are also keen to enhance the infrastructure and amenities of Buddhist Museums in the state as they are a living source of history.”

According to Reserve Bank of India data, Indians are spending more on overseas travel. They took out (outward foreign exchange remittances) almost $1.42 billion (₹12,500 crore) a month on an average in 2023-2024 compared with just $400 million (about ₹3,300 crore) a month on an average five years ago in 2028-2019.

CSN Developers Pvt Ltd is thrilled to announce signing with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts for an upper midscale hotel project in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, India. CSN Developers Pvt Ltd, a renowned developer in Jamshedpur, is pleased to announce its partnership with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts to open a world-class Wyndham Garden Hotel at Adityapur in Jamshedpur. The signing of this franchise agreement emphasizes upon CSN Developers Pvt Ltd.’s commitment and dedication to elevate the hospitality experience in India’s first industrial city and major manufacturing hub. CSN Developers Pvt Ltd, Director – Mr. Dhirendra Prasad is an icon in the field of real estate in the city exclusively supported by the prestigious customers for its quality and design. This affiliation with the internationally recognized Wyndham brand further reiterates our endeavor to enhance world class standards in the city.”. Wyndham Garden Jamshedpur, Adityapur will have about 55 rooms. Other facilities would include All Day Dining & Bar Lounge, Meeting Rooms, Business Centre, Fitness Centre, Swimming Pool. The hotel is currently in the advanced stage of construction and is expected to open by February 2025. Jamshedpur is the largest city in Jharkhand and the first planned industrial city of India. Beyond its industrial business significance, the city is also well known for its royal palaces, ancient temples and forests attracting tourism travelers alike. Our hotel is strategically located in the micro-market of Adityapur industrial area that has varied and powerful industrial base. Expressing his excitement, Mr. Dhirendra Prasad, at CSN Developers Pvt Ltd, stated, “We are pleased to join hands with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, World’s largest hotel franchising company to bring the ‘Wyndham Grand’ brand to Jamshedpur.” Mr. Dimitris Manikis, President EMEA, Wyndham …

Suman Billa, Additional Secretary, Tourism, has said that TCS is a fair point raised by outbound sector, because people who are doing business in India are getting disincentivised and who travel abroad can make the payment and obviate the entire necessity of paying the tax. “We will be taking it up with the Ministry of Finance,” he added.

OTOAI had a follow-up meeting with Suman Billa, Addl. Secretary, Tourism after heads of travel trade associations met new Union Minister of Tourism. “We have been assured that the ministry will take our issues. We will meet again to discuss how outbound tourism is benefiting inbound tourism,” said Riaz Munshi, President, OTOAI.

Speaking about the suggestions HAI proposed to the MOT, KB Kachru, Chairman Emeritus & Principal Advisor, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group (RHG), and President, HAI, said, “Government has to tweak some of the policies, particularly to give infrastructure status to the tourism sector, and for talent development.”