Category Archives: Hotels

Kapil Bhatia, Executive Chairman, InterGlobe Enterprises, has been conferred with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the Hotel Investment Conference-South Asia (HICSA) 2024. The awards ceremony took place in Bengaluru in the presence of prominent figures from the global and Indian hospitality industry. HICSA Awards are a prestigious recognition within the hospitality industry, celebrating the most remarkable hotel developments in the South Asian region. It recognises pioneers and distinguished visionaries who have significantly shaped the landscape of travel and hospitality in South Asia, acknowledging their exceptional contributions, lifelong commitment, and enduring impact. The HICSA Lifetime Achievement Award celebrates Mr. Kapil Bhatia’s exceptional career, and this recognition is a testament to his vision and unwavering commitment to excellence which has left a lasting impact on the travel and hospitality industry. Mr. Bhatia, a true pioneer, successfully established a strong foothold in the travel industry at an early stage, and with the launch of InterGlobe Hotels in 2004, the Group made a foray into the Indian hospitality sector. Over the years, his foresight, strategic thinking, and his strong commitment to quality and customer focus have played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of the company. It has been Mr. Bhatia’s firm belief in India’s growth potential, and the strong desire in people to travel that has been the driving force behind the remarkable growth of InterGlobe, fuelling the company’s transformation from a single entity to a thriving conglomerate, encompassing a diverse portfolio of businesses such as aviation (IndiGo), logistics, travel commerce among others. InterGlobe Enterprises, with its partners in India, currently has a portfolio of 30 hotels across 14 cities. Internationally, InterGlobe has a collection of hotels in key cities across …

Accor is proud to announce the signing of a partnership agreement with EBU Estate Developers Private Limited for the development of a Sofitel hotel in India, the Sofitel Jaipur Jawahar Circle. This new-build luxury hotel is scheduled to open its doors in 2028 and promises to redefine hospitality in the vibrant city of Jaipur. Strategically located at Jaipur’s Jawahar Circle, the hotel will feature 275 exquisitely designed and spacious rooms, each offering the utmost comfort for guests. Joining Sofitel, the only French luxury hotel brand with a truly international footprint, the hotel will be a great addition to support Jaipur’s tourism expansion, bringing French joie de vivre and gastronomy, with four distinct restaurants and bars. Furthermore, the hotel will offer over 5,000 square meters of state-of-the-art meeting and banquet venues, providing the perfect setting for exquisite weddings, grand events and outstanding gatherings. Jaipur, known as the Pink City, is a jewel in India’s tourism crown, attracting domestic and international tourists alike. As part of the renowned Golden Triangle tourist itinerary, which also includes the cities of Agra and Delhi, Jaipur offers a rich tapestry of culture, history, and architectural wonders. “We are delighted to partner with EBU Estate Developers Private Limited to bring the Sofitel brand to Jaipur and to celebrate a new chapter in our journey in India. Accor’s offering is uniquely positioned to harness the power of Indian travelers and this new signing is a great illustration of our commitment to bring meaningful experiences, today with the well-known Sofitel’s French art de vivre. With our unparalleled portfolio of brands, Accor plans to open30 new properties in the country in the next 3 to 5 years and will continue …

Accor, a world-leading hospitality group, is proud to announce the signing of a partnership agreement with EBU Estate Developers Private Limited for the development of a Sofitel hotel in India, the Sofitel Jaipur Jawahar Circle. This new-build luxury hotel is scheduled to open its doors in 2028 and promises to redefine hospitality in the vibrant city of Jaipur. Strategically located at Jaipur’s Jawahar Circle, the hotel will feature 275 exquisitely designed and spacious rooms, each offering the utmost comfort for guests. Joining Sofitel, the only French luxury hotel brand with a truly international footprint, the hotel will be a great addition to support Jaipur’s tourism expansion, bringing French joie de vivre and gastronomy, with four distinct restaurants and bars, where guests will savor a varied culinary experience tailored to their preferences. Furthermore, the hotel will offer over 5,000 square meters of state-of-the-art meeting and banquet venues, providing the perfect setting for exquisite weddings, grand events and outstanding gatherings. Jaipur, known as the Pink City, is a jewel in India’s tourism crown, attracting domestic and international tourists alike. As part of the renowned Golden Triangle tourist itinerary, which also includes the cities of Agra and Delhi, Jaipur offers a rich tapestry of culture, history, and architectural wonders. “We are delighted to partner with EBU Estate Developers Private Limited to bring the Sofitel brand to Jaipur and to celebrate a new chapter in our journey in India. Accor’s offering is uniquely positioned to harness the power of Indian travellers and this new signing is a great illustration of our commitment to bring meaningful experiences, today with the well-known Sofitel’s French art de vivre. With our unparalleled portfolio of brands, Accor plans to …

In a significant development, the Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India has initiated legal action to seek appropriate remedies for hotel members affected by adverse provisions from the Delhi HC for the hospitality sector from the DGFT. “The hospitality sector must receive fair treatment under the Foreign Trade Policy,” said Pradeep Shetty, President, FHRAI.

CareEdge Ratings in its report highlighted a 12-14% revenue per available room growth for the hospitality industry in FY2024, followed by a 9-11% growth in FY2025. This will make it the third straight year of an upcycle. Pan-India, ARRs are expected to be around Rs 7,200 to Rs 7,400 in the current fiscal, which is likely to rise further to Rs 7,700 to Rs 7,900 in the next fiscal.

Over the past decade, tourism has embraced sustainability as a strategic pillar. A WTTC report shows that 42% of leading tourism companies globally have set a climate target – either interim, long-term, or both. As sustainable business practices gain traction around the world, companies must increasingly consider the concerns of stakeholders – travellers seeking eco-friendly destinations, and communities concerned about their future.   Tour operators Emissions from tour operators vary across the sector, depending on how asset-light or asset-heavy they are. Some operators express concerns about limitations they encountered regarding infrastructure at destinations, while others are investing in sustainability initiatives. But the current infrastructure and technology at some destinations are not developed enough for those investments to yield results in the short term. For example, some tour operators want to invest in electric buses, but current EV coach battery life is inadequate for longer tours. Travel agencies and OTAs Travel agents — both brick-and-mortar and online — interact with a variety of industry players, from suppliers to destinations, and influence consumer choices. They are well-placed to help the industry achieve its sustainability goals, though these efforts are complicated by the new reporting frameworks. OTAs and travel tech companies more broadly are not easily classified, as they often fall in the software sector rather than tourism. As such, they also lack specific guidance on how to tackle sustainability issues relating to their travel operations. They will likely have to consult sector-based guides, such as for car rental and leasing, hotel and lodging, and airlines. Accommodation One complicating factor for hotel chains is the industry’s range of business models and ownership structures. Many operate under franchise agreements with multiple levels of control, …

One of Fiji’s most luxurious and top independently owned/operated resorts, the award-winning Yasawa Island Resort & Spa, Fiji, recently announced the completion of a million-dollar renovation, according to Director/Owner James McCann. The six-month renovation will be completed this month. With only 18 spacious bungalows, a small group of Fijian villagers as its neighbors, and 30 minutes by private air transfer from Nadi International Airport, the secluded Resort has reasons to celebrate with a stunning new renovation of its public space as well as the exterior/interior of villas.

Christopher Hartley, CEO, Global Hotel Alliance, said, “In India, we have seen considerable growth, with 5 lakh members of the GHA Discovery Program through The Leela Discovery. We aim to reach the one-million-member milestone in coming years by strengthening our relationship with Leela.

Kazin DMC and Four Seasons Hotel Baku, have announced a luxurious familiarization trip to Baku, Azerbaijan, led by Director Vikrant Grover, Kazin DMC. Commencing March 31, this exclusive initiative introduces ten elite Indian travel partners to Baku’s opulence over three nights.

Hotel Association of India has elected its new Executive Committee, and KB Kachru, Chairman Emeritus & Principal Advisor, South Asia at Radisson Hotel Group is the new President of the prestigious association for a two-year term. Vice President is Rohit Khosla, Executive Vice President, IHCL; JK Mohanty, MD Swosti Group is the Hony. Secretary and Sanjay Sethi, MD & CEO, Chalet Hotels, is the new Hony. Treasurer for the association. Two new EC members include Shashank Bhagat, MD, Radisson Blu Marina Hotel and Sonali Chauhan, General Manager, IHCL.