Category Archives: Hotels

According to a recent mailer by Taj- As the situation around the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to evolve, we are constantly monitoring the updates from the World Health Organization and Government agencies. In light of the current situation, we have implemented the following additional precautionary hygiene measures across our hotels based on Ministry of Health & Family Welfare’s advisory and guidelines for prevention and transmission. This includes sensitising our associates to the protocol prescribed by the Government authorities, sanitization of all areas, body temperature checks for everyone visiting our premises using non-invasive laser thermometers and increased access to alcohol-based hand sanitizers across locations. In our organization, we believe in having an informed, attentive and careful approach to the situation, and while we take our responsibility of ensuring your safety very seriously, we understand the need for increased flexibility with your travel planning. For your assistance, all Taj, SeleQtions and Vivanta hotels are waiving individual cancellation fees for hotel stays through 30 April 2020. In case you wish to modify or cancel your booking, we request you do so on our website or contact us at our Contact Centre at least 24 hours before the stay dates for the waiver. If you have booked through a travel agent or other third parties, please contact your booking provider for information on their cancellation policies. For reservations made as part of a group booking, please contact your meeting organiser for further assistance. We understand that the current situation may limit your ability to travel and stay with us. In view of this, ■ We will pause the expiration of all TIC Points that are due to expire between 16 March 2020 and 30 April 2020 ■ For Members …

According to HVS India Hospitality Overview 2019, Chandigarh recorded the highest growth in RevPAR (12.3%) in 2019. However, Mumbai continued to record the highest RevPAR of ₹6,464 in 2019. The report also states that Goa and Bengaluru remain the top markets for brand signings. However, increasing supply poses a concern for the Goa hotel market performance in the near future.

Sarovar Hotels and Resorts has announced the signing of a new hotel in Bhimtal, Uttrakhand. The hotel aims to promote tourism in the area and offer high-quality service and stay options. The banquet hall offers the ideal for weddings to private parties, exhibitions to business meets. The hotel also offers multi-cuisine restaurant and also has a bar and lounge where guests can relax and sip innovative cocktails and nibble on delicious snacks. In addition, the hotel has activity center, travel desk and complimentary Wi-Fi. The admirers of picturesque scenic beauty can visit Bhimtal Lake, Victoria Dam, Hidimba Parvat, and Butterfly research centre and surely not miss Bhimeshwar and Karkotaka Temples.

Mayfair Hotels & Resorts will open ‘Mayfair Tea Resort Siliguri’ in 2020.  Pradipta Mohapatra, Assistant Vice President (Sales & Marketing), Mayfair Hotels & Resorts, said, “In 2020, Mayfair will be establishing India’s first boutique tea resort in Siliguri, which is expected to be operations by mid-2020. Situated amidst thousands of acres of aromatic tea gardens, the property is being exquisitely designed and exclusively developed to take tea tourism in India to new heights. Going ahead, in 2021, our group will also establish a 252-Key five-star deluxe property in Kolkata, the work for which is expeditiously underway.”

In its 16th year now, HICSA has become indisputably known as the premier hospitality event in the South Asian Region. It is now scheduled for 22nd and 23rd July 2020 at the Grand Hyatt Mumbai. Notable speakers confirmed or invited to HICSA 2020 include Ajay Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, SpiceJet, Christopher J Nasseta, President and CEO, Hilton, Dimitris Manikis, President and MD – EMEA, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, Federico J González, President and CEO, Radisson Hospitality AB, Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director and CEO, IHCL, Radha Arora, President, Rosewood Hotel Group and Marc Steinmeyer, Founder, Tauzia hotels, to name a few.

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.”