Category Archives: Hotels

Sarovar Hotels & Ishaan Group announced the opening of Ishaan Sarovar Portico, Deoghar, an inviting retreat that caters to pilgrims, leisure travellers, and business guests alike. Strategically located in the sacred city of Deoghar, the hotel seamlessly blends modern hospitality with the serene and spiritual ambiance of the region, offering an enriching experience to every guest. This exciting addition to the Sarovar portfolio sets a new benchmark for luxury hospitality in the region, offering modern amenities, exceptional service, and an unforgettable stay for both business and leisure travellers. With 52 elegantly designed rooms and suites across Deluxe & Premium Rooms and Executive Suites, Ishaan Sarovar Portico sets a new standard of comfort and sophistication in Deoghar. Each room features contemporary aesthetics, plush furnishings, and modern amenities, creating a serene atmosphere perfect for relaxation and rejuvenation. The hotel has diverse dining and leisure options, including Punita, a multi-cuisine all-day dining restaurant serving expertly crafted Indian, international, and local delicacies, and Fursat, a chic lounge bar offering handcrafted cocktails and premium spirits in a vibrant setting. Guests can also unwind at Sukoon, the in-house spa offering signature treatments and therapeutic massages, and Kasrat a fully equipped fitness centre. For weddings, social gatherings, and corporate events, the hotel provides three versatile banqueting and conferencing facilities that can accommodate up to 450 guests, making it a preferred choice for hosting memorable occasions in Deoghar. Ajay K. Bakaya, Chairman, Sarovar Hotels & Director, Louvre Hotels India, expressed his excitement about the launch, stating: “We are delighted to open Ishaan Sarovar Portico in Deoghar, a city that holds immense spiritual and cultural significance. This hotel reflects our vision of creating unique experiences that blend modern hospitality …

Indian travellers are fast becoming a global powerhouse in tourism, driven by rising affluence, increasing travel ambitions, and a focus on premium experiences. According to the World Travel & Tourism Council, Indians spent a record $34.2 billion on outbound travel in 2023, firmly establishing themselves as key contributors to the global tourism market. This trend is set to grow further, with 66% of Indian travellers planning to travel more in 2025, leading the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region in both travel intent and spending, as per Skyscanner. The appetite for premium travel is evident in the soaring demand for business-class bookings. Data from MakeMyTrip shows a 50% year-on-year increase in business class bookings, with international flights witnessing an impressive 80% jump, while domestic flights saw a 27% rise

Supply is simply not keeping pace with demand, said Suman Billa, Additional Secy, MOT, adding, “Current estimates indicate that we have about 180,000 branded hotel rooms in the country, including those under development. However, if you factor in the latent demand—such as the 470 million-plus domestic travellers and incoming international tourists—the numbers suggest we should already have double that capacity. Not five years from now, but today. Unless we address the supply side immediately, we risk missing the tourism opportunity altogether.”

Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa India underlined the need to create and legislate destination management at the 18th CII Annual Tourism Summit 2024. He said, “India needs to create and legislate on destination management. I believe we are currently riding the wave of domestic tourism, but we need to move beyond this. Domestic tourism will have its ups and downs, so our focus must shift to international tourism, especially targeting the upper end of the market. High-value tourism will deliver greater unit value realization for hotels, which will require top-quality destination management.”

Marks over five decades of shaping goa’s tourism landscape Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company, marks a momentous milestone as it completes 50 years of Taj Fort Aguada Resort & Spa, Goa. IHCL, with a 16-hotel portfolio, two air catering units and 40+ homestays, continues its pioneering leadership in Goa’s tourism landscape. Speaking on the occasion, Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, IHCL said, “Goa holds a special place in IHCL’s legacy. Beginning in 1974 with the launch of India’s first beach resort Taj Fort Aguada, this historic moment marked the dawn of luxury hospitality in Goa. Over the past 50 years, IHCL has been an integral part of Goa’s transformation into one of the world’s most sought-after holiday destinations. With the introduction of brands like Vivanta, SeleQtions, Ginger, and the homestay bungalows under amã Stays & Trails, IHCL offers experiences tailored to diverse traveller preferences.” He added, “Today, as Goa continues to develop its infrastructure, IHCL stays committed to realising the state’s tourism potential. This includes our continued investment be it the recently launched TajSATS air catering unit and the upcoming 300-key Ginger hotel at MOPA airport as well as the development of Aguada Plateau as a world-class tourism destination showcasing the state’s rich cultural legacy.” The journey began in 1974 with the opening of Taj Fort Aguada Resort & Spa, India’s first luxury beach resort, transforming Goa into a global tourism hotspot. Since then, IHCL has continued to unveil iconic properties like Taj Holiday Village Resort & Spa, Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, the historic Taj Cidade de Goa Heritage designed by renowned architect Charles Correa and Taj Cidade de Goa Horizon at Dauna …

SKAL International India, a premier global organization of travel and tourism professionals, is proud to announce the launch of its Inaugural National culinary competition, ‘Culinary Sherpa,’ aimed at fostering young talent in the hospitality industry. The competition is set to inspire and recognize the next generation of chefs from hotel management institutes across India. The Culinary Sherpa competition took place in multiple cities, bringing together top culinary talent from premier hotel management colleges. Students competed in a series of rounds that challenged their creativity, skill, and understanding of culinary arts under the mentorship of industry stalwarts and SKAL members. The competition received tremendous response across India, with hotel management students from cities such as Bangalore, Tirupati, Goa, Pune, Chennai, etc., participating with enthusiasm. Competition Highlights: Eligibility: The competition was open to students from hotel management institutes across India. Rajagopaal Iyer, Director, Young SKAL India said “The success of the Culinary Sherpa program highlights the immense talent and creativity of India’s young culinary minds. This initiative not only provides students with a platform to showcase their skills but also connects them with industry leaders, setting the stage for their future success in the hospitality sector. At Young SKAL India, we are committed to empowering the next generation of hospitality professionals, and Culinary Sherpa is a testament to that vision.” Sanjeev Mehra, President, SKAL International India, shared, “Culinary Sherpa is an exciting initiative to nurture young talent and prepare them for the dynamic hospitality industry. By engaging with students and showcasing their passion for food, we aim to create a platform that bridges education and industry opportunities.” Key Objectives of Culinary Sherpa: Promote innovation and excellence in the culinary arts among students. Encourage …

Hotelogix’ latest white paper revealed that India’s home-grown mid-segment hotel brands account for about 60% of the country’s total branded rooms, demonstrating resilience and innovation within the competitive Indian hotel industry. According to the insights, domestic mid-market brands with limited inventory are poised for significant growth in tier II, III, and IV cities.

The SriLankan Airlines’ Mumbai team, in collaboration with the airline’s Maldives team and Canareef Resort, recently hosted a successful agents’ educational tour to the stunning Gan Island in the Maldives. Famed as a diver’s hotspot, Gan is rapidly transforming into a popular family holiday destination in the Maldives, celebrated for its eclectic mix of natural beauty, rich history, heritage and vibrant marine life – not to mention a lower departure tax than in the Male international airport. The tour welcomed tour operators from Mumbai and Pune, offering them an unforgettable stay in Canareef’s luxurious Premium Beach Villas. The itinerary included snorkelling in vibrant coral reefs, dolphin-spotting excursions, sunset cruises, rejuvenating spa treatments featuring traditional Balinese massages, yoga amidst lush greenery and the delightful flavours of Maldivian cuisine. This initiative is part of SriLankan Airlines’ strategy to boost tourism along the Mumbai–Gan Island route via Colombo. The tour’s success is expected to inspire renewed interest among Indian travellers in visiting the Maldives by choosing SriLankan Airlines’ seamless connections through Colombo. SriLankan conveniently connects Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kochi, Trivandrum, Madurai and Thiruvananthapuram to Colombo with 90 weekly flights, offering immediate connections to the Maldives.  

The 125-key hotel will be a standout addition to IHG’s portfolio and strengthen presence in key spiritual destinations in India.  IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has signed a management agreement to develop a Holiday Inn Express hotel in the city of Ayodhya. Scheduled to open by mid-2028, the signing aligns with IHG’s strategic focus on expanding its presence in high-growth markets in India, including key spiritual destinations that are attracting large volume of travelers. With over 3,100 hotels worldwide, Holiday Inn Express is IHG’s largest and fastest-growing hotel brand. Renowned for its accessible, comfortable accommodations and streamlined services, the brand is a preferred choice for travelers seeking rest, recharge, and productivity. Once open, Holiday Inn Express Ayodhya will embody these core principles, catering to both spiritual, leisure and MICE travelers. Ayodhya rose to prominence as India’s most visited tourist place in 2024, with over 110 million visitors in first half of 2024. Strategically located in close proximity to the airport and just minutes from both the main temple complex and the Railway Station, Holiday Inn Express Ayodhya will be easily accessible, making it an ideal choice for travellers. The hotel will feature 125 well-appointed rooms, an all-day dining, a fitness centre, business center, parking space, laundry room and a spacious meeting room. Commenting on the signing, Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts said, “We are thrilled to announce the signing of Holiday Inn Express Ayodhya. Ayodhya has become one of India’s most preferred tourist destinations in 2024. With Holiday Inn Express Ayodhya’s strategic location, the hotel will benefit predominantly from spiritual tourism year-round. The hotel is poised to offer …

Al Habib Emporio, a hotel and development company based out of Srinagar, has announced the opening of Ramada Encore by Wyndham Srinagar Rajbagh in Jammu & Kashmir under franchise with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts which is the world’s largest hotel franchising company with more than 9,200 hotels in 95+ countries. This Ramada Encore by Wyndham is located in Rajbagh, posh locality of Srinagar on Jhelum River, just 2.5 km away from Dal Lake and 12.5 Km from Srinagar Airport. The hotel is conveniently located close to key tourist attractions such as Shankaracharya Temple, Shalimar Bagh Mughal Garden, Tulip Garden, Jama Masjid, etc as well as to the key commercial centre of Kashmir. The hotel has 48 modern rooms and a host of amenities including a lobby lounge, an All-Day Dining, swimming pool, fitness centre, event space and a business centre. The city other than being the summer capital, is also known for its natural environment, various gardens, waterfronts and houseboats. “Opening Ramada Encore by Wyndham Srinagar Rajbagh represents a strategic milestone in strengthening our footprint in high-potential markets like India. Srinagar, with its growing tourism appeal and rich cultural heritage, offers an ideal setting to meet the rising demand for quality accommodations. This hotel, featuring a prime location and modern amenities, is perfectly positioned to cater to the evolving needs of business and leisure travellers while reinforcing Wyndham’s commitment to driving growth in key regions. Partnering with Al Habib Emporio, we are proud to bring trusted hospitality to this iconic destination,” said Dimitris Manikis, President, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts EMEA. “We are excited to unveil our hotel affiliated to the internationally recognised “Ramada Encore by Wyndham” brand. The tourists are …