Category Archives: Hotels

Driving forward the vision of Skilled India, Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council (THSC), one of the sector skill councils approved by National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), has announced its collaboration with Marriott India to promote Apprenticeship in Tourism and Hospitality sector. Marriott will engage 5000 apprentices through its network of 90 properties in the country. The apprentices will be provided with an opportunity to receive hands-on experience at Marriott hotels for developing broader expertise in the sector, preparing them to cater to the demands of the tourism and hospitality sector.

According to India Hospitality Industry Overview 2019 by HVS, 2019 saw a substantial increase of 31% in brand signings by keys and an 11% in brand signings by hotels over 2018, signifying an increase in average keys per hotel. Domestic brands with their aggressive growth strategies have overtaken the international brands in brand signings for 2019. They, however, continue to sign smaller format hotels with average keys for domestic brand signings being almost half of their international peers.

In 2020 as well, Accor Showcase in New Delhi and Mumbai saw an enormous response from the travel and tourism fraternity. The fourth edition of the Accor Showcase saw participation from more than 50 Accor properties globally. The hotel representatives interacted with more than 1000 tourism leaders at Pullman New Delhi Aerocity (26th February) and Sofitel Mumbai BKC (28th February). Consecutively for four years, Accor Showcase has acted as a catalyst for the growth of both inbound and outbound tourism. Over the years, Accor Showcase has focussed on elevating and promoting MICE through its representatives. This year as well, the roadshow saw positive conversions for many participants and especially for Baku, Turkey and London. Many prominent corporates, travel partners, wedding planners, travel agents, airline partners and others attended the event. Luxury and leisure segment being the key aspect for Accor, created a great buzz at the Showcase. The most awaited brand, Raffles, also attracted conversation amongst the participants. Also, the upcoming Fairmont in Mumbai was discussed amongst the industry peers. The new loyalty programme, ALL- Accor Live Limitless and its offerings was a big conversation point. Speaking on the success of Accor Showcase 2020, Kerrie Hannaford, VP, Commercial, Accor India and South Asia, said “The hospitality industry is geared up for the year ahead and Accor has multiple campaigns and initiatives planned for the upcoming months. With our new loyalty programme ALL and Raffles debut in India, we are certain that Accor will get a lot of traction from the fraternity. Accor Showcase provides a great platform to interact with our partners and portray the great products and services provides by Accor globally.” Rohit Chopra, Regional Director Sales – India, …

The experience center located at the hotel lobby would allow users to indulge in an immersive 8K 3-d, computer-generated virtual environment that can be explored and interacted with as per the client’s requirements. This technology , launched in association with VR-Tech startup, The Knotty Tales additionally allows the product to be carried to the doorsteps of the potential customers and allow a technologically advanced way to explore a hotel like never before. The experience centre was inaugurated by Dr Mahesh Sharma, MP, Gautam Buddh Nagar and Ex-Central Minister, Government of India.    

The Accor Showcase took place at the Pullman New Delhi Aerocity on 26 February and will take place in  Sofitel Mumbai BKC on 28 February. Rohit Chopra, Regional Director Sales-India, Accor, says, “The event is growing strength by strength and doing very well.  We have hotels here from all different categories. We have multiple Raffles, Fairmont from different countries who are looking to tap M!CE and wedding segment. This year we have participants from Baku, Azerbaijan, London, North Europe etc.”

Eastern Himalayas Travel and Tour Operators’ Association (EHTTOA) signs MoU with Bangladesh at Bengal Travel Mart to promote cross border tourism. Some of the main objectives of the MoU include, promotion of tourism activities jointly, annual meeting to be held jointly in Bangladesh and India every alternative year, TOAB Affiliate Members cannot be involved in B2C in India, EHTTOA Affiliate Members cannot be involved in B2C in Bangladesh, registration fee for each member is proposed as Tk. 1500 or Rs 1200, Below are the main objectives of the MoU (in detail): Each Association will induct Affiliate Members mutually [TOAB 50 & EHTTOA 50] without voting power and other facilities enjoyed by General Member. Registration fee for Each Member is proposed as Tk. 1500 Or INR 1200 INR per member. Membership Renewal every 02 years of TK 1000 Or INR 800 per member. Annual meeting to be held jointly in Bangladesh and India in every alternative year. Issues on Common cause to be addressed jointly. Exchange and use of logo to be permitted. EC of Each Association to approve Affiliate Membership. Development launching and other tourism related issue to be taken up jointly for the promotion of the sector. Rules for induction of members will be revised every two years if necessary. First Joint Move will be on Identifying, Listing and Promotion of Home Stays and Rural Tourism. Promotion of tourism activities jointly. TOAB Affiliate Members cannot be involved in B2C in India and EHTTOA Affiliate Members cannot be involved in B2C in Bangladesh. Each Association Member will monitor all aspects respectively.  

Trulyy India Hotels, Resorts, Camps and Safaris has announced the addition of 50 more rooms to its existing hotel, Hotel Trulyy The Desert Palace Jaisalmer. The total number of rooms at the property are now 104. The new block of the hotel was inaugurated by Shashikant Khetan in presence of Naresh Arora, MD, Trulyy India Hotels, Janak Singh Bhati, Kailash Vyas, Mayank Bhatia, Om Bhatia, Maan Singh Devra, Churchill Vyas, Gulab Singh, Mukesh Doshi and other guests from the travel trade fraternity. Trulyy India is also planning to open a new hotel, Amar Mahal in Udaipur.

Atul Jain, Chief Operating Officer, Best Western Hotels & Resorts, India, Bangladesh & Sri Lanka, says, “We are opening about 8 hotels in India and 3 in Bangladesh. For 2021, we are opening about 5-6 hotels. Also, we are launching a new brand in the Indian market- Aiden, which will be opened by August in Goa. Apart from this, we are focussing on SureStay hotels and Best Western Plus. We will be opening 5-6 BW Plus in the country very soon.”

According to HVS, management contracts continue to be the most preferred form of brand signings, although Franchising is now steadily growing popularity. In 2019 almost 14% of the total brand signings were franchised compared to 10% in 2018. However managed properties accounted for 76% of the total brand signings in both 2019 and 2018.

The Accor Showcase took place at the Pullman New Delhi Aerocity on 26 February and is slated to take place in  Sofitel Mumbai BKC on 28 February. Speaking at the event, Jean–Michel Cassé, COO, Accor, India and South Asia, says, “ It is now four years since we are conducting this exercise of the Accor Showcase. It is an opportunity for our hotels in India and across the world to come and present themselves to the Indian market. They come and showcase whatever products and services they have for the Indian market.  It has been very successful in the last few years and in spite of the challenging times, we are really happy that it is happening this year again in 2020.” On their upcoming hotels, he said, “We have one opening expected very soon, mid-March, which is Grand Mercure in Bengaluru, mid-2020 we will be opening Raffles in Udaipur, that is truly our first exclusive luxury property opening for the Indian market, we also have very high expectations for this brand to succeed in India as it will be the first Raffles in India.  Across 23 cities in India, we are offering a  variety of brands and services for the travel trade to choose from.” Rohit Chopra, Regional Director Sales-India, Accor, says, “The event is growing strength by strength and doing very well.  We have hotels here from all different categories. We have multiple Raffles, Fairmont’s from different countries, they are looking to tap the M!CE and wedding segment. This year we have participants from Baku, Azerbaijan, London, north Europe and also representatives from the USA, global sales, so it’s a very proud moment for us that we are …