Category Archives: Hotels

Independent Hotels witnessed a 34.5 percent rise in bookings in 2023 compared to 2022 via the Global Distribution System (GDS), according to HotelREZ Hotels & Resorts’ Independent Accommodation Insights Report. Additionally, there was 4.2 per cent increase in reservations compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

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.”

The Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) has initiated legal action to seek appropriate remedies for hotel members affected by adverse provisions from the Delhi High Court for the hospitality sector from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade’s (DGFT). These conditions have posed challenges for the industry, particularly in light of adverse economic circumstances exacerbated by events such as the global recession, terrorist attacks, and the COVID-19 pandemic. FHRAI has advocated for relief for the hospitality sector through persistent representations to the Ministry of Tourism and DGFT since 2017. Despite sustained efforts, the sector still needs to receive the necessary relaxations, prompting FHRAI to seek legal intervention. DGFT, in the year 2007-08 in the new EXIM policy, introduced an additional condition which not only meant that over and above the primary condition, the industry need to comply with a secondary condition of maintaining 3 years average past performance continuously over & above the Specific EO and the Average has to be maintained for the entire block of 8/6 years till the redemption of license. Unfortunately post the introduction of the secondary condition, the hospitality industry suffered a huge decline and thereby reduction in the FOREX due to which the industry has not been in a position to fulfil the secondary condition of maintaining the 3 years average past performance. The hospitality industry had brought this issue of decline in foreign contribution to the notice of DGFT way back in February 2017 itself and that coincided with completion of 1st block of the 8 years when the license expired post the introduction of the secondary condition in the year 2007-08. Since then, the industry has been continuously requesting …

Culinary Culture and The Leela Palace New Delhi to host Osteria Francescana’s pop-up once again in the capital, after its first successful culinary showcase, with two special dinners on 19th and 20th April 2024 Culinary enthusiasts and connoisseurs are in for a treat as the world’s greatest chef, Massimo Bottura, gears up to bring Osteria Francescana, twice rated as The World’s Best Restaurant by The World’s 50 Best to New Delhi for a second consecutive year in a row and after its first successful culinary showcase, last year. The Leela Palace New Delhi, Culinary Culture, and the culinary mastermind himself have come together to create an unparalleled partnership whereby on April 19 and 20, 2024, Chef Bottura will reproduce the magic of his Three Michelin Star restaurant from Modena, Italy, at The Leela Palace New Delhi. Massimo Bottura, the culinary maestro and passionate philanthropist, has received international praise for his dedication to social and environmental problems. Bottura, a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and founder of the non-profit group ‘Food for Soul,’ pushes for sustainability and food waste reduction, mirroring The Leela’s eco-conscious approach and shared passion. Under Chef Massimo Bottura’s guidance, Osteria Francescana, has captured worldwide palates with its unique approach to Italian food, consistently being featured amongst the world’s best restaurant. Bottura’s culinary expertise offers a sensory voyage unlike any other, with iconic dishes such as ‘Oops I Dropped the Lemon Tart,’ ‘The Crunchy Part of the Lasagne,’ and ‘Psychedelic Cod Not Flame Grilled’ which will be present on the special menus offered. Bottura will also host an invite-only interactive session in advance of the dinners, in which he will speak with Vir Sanghvi, …

Talking about the growth of hospitality in India, Mark Hoplamazian, CEO, Hyatt, said, “India today is better poised for growth in the hospitality sector than the rest of the world, and that is because of the tremendous warmth and engagement of its people. The experience people get in India when they disembark from the plane and start exploring the country is what sets the country apart.”

JLL India’s latest report ‘Hotel Investment Trends – India 2023 highlights the growth and positive start of the first quarter (Jan-March) of 2024 in the hospitality sector. It mentions that the upper upscale segment saw the highest number of keys changing hands, followed by the upscale, luxury, and midscale segments. The first quarter of 2024 witnessed a significant 80% Year-on-Year increase in hotel transaction volumes, reaching USD 78 million.

IHG has added yet another Holiday Inn Express hotel to it Karnataka portfolio with the opening of Holiday Inn Express Bengaluru Bommasandra. The hotel is located along the national highway with easy access to major corporate hubs, Electronic City – Jigani – Bommasandra Industrial Area. Being the only international branded hotel in the vicinity, Holiday Inn Express Bengaluru Bommasandra will drive increased footfalls from corporate segments. Top Companies such as Infosys, TCS, Wipro, Tech Mahindra, HP, Siemens Biocon, SKF, HCL and many more are located within 7 Km radius. The hotel is 25kms from the city center and is 20kms away from the bustling MG Road. Designed to deliver memorable experiences through its warm and welcoming service, and contemporary design, Holiday Inn Express Bengaluru Bommasandra is the perfect destination for guests with diverse needs to enjoy a world-class hospitality experience that the brand is known for. The hotel is actively committed to responsible tourism and deploys the use of the IHG Green Engage System, an innovative online platform that provides means to measure and manage impact on the environment.

Scheduled for the third quarter of 2024, Accor’s Novotel brand will see its footprint expand to three key cities with the openings of Novotel Goa Panjim, Novotel New Delhi City Centre, and Novotel Bhubaneshwar. This year, the company plans to further diversify its portfolio with six new hotels in three segments.

Elysian has been appointed as the PR and sales representative for Grecotel Hotels & Resorts to promote its collection of luxury accommodations in Greece to the Indian market. Grecotel is the leading Greek hospitality group, presenting a unique collection of luxury hotels and resorts across Greece, in iconic locations, intertwined with Greece’s history and heritage: its portfolio contains a spectrum of products, from luxurious beachfront and luxury all-inclusive resorts to high-end city hotels. The Grecotel brand is synonymous with Summer in Greece. It carries an almost five-decade legacy as the industry leader in Greece, with its luxury properties in the best locations of the top Greek destinations, personalized service, authentic Greek hospitality, environmental responsibility, and amazing experiences deeply connected with the local culture. The Group portfolio prides itself to include Iconic Hotels & Resorts in landmark locations recognized worldwide, such as THE DOLLI Acropolis in Athens with the most stunning view of the ancient world, the revamped Cape Sounio in the Athens Riviera surrounded by archaeological ruins overlooking the Temple of Poseidon, the cosmopolitan Mykonos Blu on Psarou beach, the idyllic Mandola Rosa and Riviera Olympia complex in Western Peloponnese, next to the birthplace of the Olympic Games, the splendid Corfu Imperial nestled in a private Peninsula, and the majestic Amirandes in Crete, resembling a Minoan water Palace. Each has a distinct character and aesthetic, but all share the same level of exquisite hospitality. The Grecotel extensive portfolio of 40 luxury Hotels and Resorts is spread in 15 destinations across Greece, in the center of Athens and Athens Riviera, Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, Kos, Mykonos, Western Peloponnese, Larissa, Kalamata and Alexandroupolis. The Group celebrates a wide range with different offerings depending …

The ‘Hotels & Hospitality Overview,’ a report by HVS Anarock states that the hotel occupancy rate in India is nearing pre-pandemic levels, with key markets like Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai reporting occupancy rates of more than 80% in February. The average hotel rates grew by 17-18% in Delhi and Hyderabad, in February 2024.