Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

Crowne Plaza Kochi is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Vijender P Mohan as the Front Office Manager. Vijender brings over 18 years of extensive experience in Front Office operations, having worked with leading hospitality brands such as Radisson, Ramada, ITC, and Marriott. A graduate of Kerala University and a Diploma holder in Hotel Management, Vijender has built a strong career through his passion for delivering outstanding results, consistent focus on guest satisfaction, and team leadership. He has successfully overseen key operational areas including revenue forecasting, occupancy planning, VIP guest services, and policy implementation. Mr. Dinesh Rai, General Manager, Crowne Plaza Kochi said, “We’re truly excited to have Vijender join us. His deep experience and natural leadership will play a key role in elevating the guest experience and supporting our team. We’re happy to welcome Vijender to the IHG family and look forward to the journey ahead with him”.

Atmosphere Core has announced its debut in Himachal Pradesh’s Kufri with a luxurious boutique resort, Atmosphere Kufri. The property is set to open in early 2026, offering an exclusive retreat in one of India’s most picturesque hill stations. It will feature 58 opulent accommodations in its first phase, including deluxe rooms, suites, and presidential suites, with plans to expand to 100 keys in the second phase.

Amitabh Kant, Former Chief, NITI Aayog and G20 Sherpa, India, has stepped down from the post and begun a new journey, “after 45 years of dedicated government service.” Announcing the news on X, he said, “I now look forward to contributing to India’s transformational journey towards Viksit Bharat by facilitating and supporting free enterprise, startups, think tanks, and academic institutions. Thank you all for being part of this incredible journey.”

To revive tourism and the region’s economy in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, key stakeholders in Ladakh’s tourism industry met with Nirmala Sitharaman, Finance Minister, GoI, who is on her four-day official visit to Ladakh. They advocated special relief for tourism and allied sectors in the UT and demanded restoration of budget allocations to FY 2025-26.

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) has published the GSTC-Certified Hotels Directory, a comprehensive resource designed to help destinations, businesses, and consumers identify accommodations that have been certified as sustainable by GSTC-accredited Certification Bodies. It reinforces the importance of traceability and transparency from an assurance perspective, providing credible validation of sustainability certifications.

Ravi Gosain, President, IATO, says, “IATO members, after visiting Kashmir, as part of ‘Rubaroo with J&K’, will be better equipped to apprise their clients about the on-ground situation in the valley and how safe it is.” The association’s 22-member delegation is visiting Pahalgam and Srinagar to promote the destination after the unfortunate terror attack.

The Indian hospitality industry is experiencing significant growth in branded hotel rooms, particularly in major cities and popular tourist destinations. According to Hotelivate data, Dehradun leads this growth, with a staggering 67.5% increase in branded rooms, reaching 1,236 rooms in FY2023/24. Average occupancy rates remain strongest in tier-I cities, at 73.6%.

Speaking about the traffic that is diverting to other destinations from Turkiye and Azerbaijan in the wake of the ongoing geo-political situation, Karan Agarwal, Director, Cox & Kings, says, “We’ve seen a significant drop in new bookings for Turkiye and Azerbaijan over the last few weeks. For impacted travellers, we are offering full assistance with free cancellation charges or seamless rescheduling to alternate destinations, including free-visa support. We have noticed that travellers are now exploring alternatives with a similar vibe and budget—Greece, Egypt, Croatia, and Morocco are emerging in place of Turkiye, while Georgia, Armenia, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan are attracting those who had considered Azerbaijan. These destinations offer comparable cultural richness and affordability. While queries for Turkey and Azerbaijan have dropped significantly, we do continue to receive occasional interest but for us, nation comes first. We remain committed to supporting travellers with safe, enjoyable, and well-curated holiday experiences.”    

Chatchaya Glaiprayong, Head of Global Sales, Cross Hotels & Resorts, revealed that the upcoming Away Bangkok Sukhumvit hotel with 75-room urban retreat offers guests a perfect escape from the everyday hustle with its blend of relaxation and activity. Conveniently located near Emsphere, Bangkok’s newest landmark, this cutting-edge shopping and lifestyle destination spans over 200,000 square meters and is redefining how visitors experience retail, dining, and entertainment. Just a short walk from Phrom Phong BTS Station, the retreat provides easy access to top attractions while allowing guests to unwind in a serene setting after exploring the city’s most dynamic areas.