Category Archives: Hotels

Rajiv Mehra, President, IATO, expressed his appreciation for the outstanding culinary experience at the IATO Convention at Taj Lakefront, Bhopal. “The feedback we’ve received from attendees is that they have had the best food they’ve ever tasted,” Mehra said. Mehra also said that the variety and quality of the meals, from breakfast and lunch to dinner and snacks, received praise from attendees. “My hats off to the chef and his team for making this happen,” he added, highlighting the overwhelming positive response from all corners of the event.

Hotel investments in the first half, January to June of 2024, reached USD 93 million, with forecasted volumes of USD 413 million for the full year, a 22% increase from 2023, according to JLL’s Hotel Investment Trends – India H1 2024. Of the transaction volume, approximately 72% were related to operational hotels, 23% involved under construction hotels, and the remaining involved land leases. During the first six months of 2024, six hotel transactions were concluded, ranging from operational assets in Tier I and leisure markets to land leases in airport district for greenfield development. JLL anticipates that the remainder of 2024 will continue to benefit from the favorable trends observed in its first half. The second half of 2024 has already started positively, with two transactions facilitated by JLL in key hospitality markets, totaling USD 70 million. Tier I markets remain robust, accounting for 78% of the projected transaction volumes, while Tier II and III markets make up the remaining 22%. Listed hotel companies led the hotel transactions in the first half of 2024, with the upscale segment claiming the highest share of the total transaction volume (44%), followed by mid-scale (31%), luxury (23%), and economy (3%) segments. In the first half of 2024, a total of 19,442 keys were signed, with 83% of them located in Tier II and III cities. Management contracts accounted for the majority of signings (89%), followed by franchises (8%), and lease and revenue share agreements (3%). The number of greenfield projects in the first half of 2024 (around 13,700 keys) surpassed the count for the entire year of 2023 (~13,600 keys), demonstrating the enduring confidence of hotel developers in the sector’s long-term growth. Tier I …

Aims to Enhance Passenger’s Travel Experience JPOD Hotels, India’s first-of-its-kind Pod Hotel, today announced the launch of its new Pod Hotel at GMR’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad. The Pod Hotel is located near the City Side Check-In facility at the car park level. As a part of RGIA’s continuous efforts to enhance passenger travel experience, the facility introduces a modern airport accommodation solution, setting a new benchmark in convenience and comfort for passengers travelling from Hyderabad Airport. Key Highlights of JPOD: Convenience and Comfort: JPOD offers a private space for travellers to rest, work, or enjoy ‘Me Time,’ significantly enhancing their overall travel experience. Affordability: JPOD provides high-quality, comfortable accommodations at an affordable price, making it accessible to a wide range of travellers, from business executives to leisure tourists. It is a cost-effective alternative to traditional airport lounges and hotels. Enhanced Amenities: Each Pod has secure storage, entertainment options, and privacy, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable stay. Safety and Hygiene: JPOD maintains safety and high hygiene standards to guarantee a safe and clean environment for all users, ensuring peace of mind. Efficient Use of Space: JPOD’s compact design enables optimal use of airport space, offering a practical solution for comfortably accommodating passengers. Bookings can be made on the spot or through JPOD’s website (https://thejpod.com) and by calling +91 906-342-7737. The Pod offers various packages with dynamic price tarrifs, making it affordable for all the travellers. On this occasion, Jagrut Thakkar, Founder, JPOD Hotels, commented, “We are excited to partner with RGIA in Hyderabad. JPOD’s global standards in design and functionality position us to offer effective accommodation solutions across other airports in India.” Hiren Gandhi, Director, JPOD Hotels, added, “While JPOD is tailored to …

Winner of ‘Outstanding Leadership in Luxury Hospitality’ award and GM, Sofitel Mumbai BKC, Manish Dayya, says, “This year has been thrilling for us with numerous accolades, including the Green Key Certification. For Accor, sustainability is at the very core of our business – sustainable transformation is a commitment we take very seriously.”

In a recent announcement, Puneet Chhatwal, CEO, IHCL, reaffirmed the company’s dedication to enhancing the tourism industry. He stated, “We will increase the commissions from 10% by 25%, which means they will go to 12.5% for all of you.” This exclusive incentive is available to IATO members only.

Bird Group is set to make significant strides in the Quick Service and Casual Dining sectors. With an ambitious plan to launch 20 outlets by the end of 2024, 35 by the end of 2025 and 50 by the end of 2026, Bird Foods, a dedicated business vertical of Bird Group, is poised to redefine the dining experience across India. These outlets will be strategically located in popular locations across tier 1, tier 2 and tier 3 cities, including Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Chennai, Dehradun, and Bhubaneswar. At present, Bird Foods boasts a promising retail presence with four QSR brands: Spice Nama at Omaxe Mall, Chandni Chowk; The Indian Stories at Pebble Downtown Mall, Faridabad and the Mall of Dehradun, Uttarakhand; KaChing at Mega Mall, Gurugram; and Eat.co at various locations, including Lucknow Airport Metro Station, Tughlakabad Metro Station and Old Delhi Railway Station (IRCTC Food Plaza). All these and future outlets will boast of proprietary technological initiatives redefining customer experience. “We are diligently executing strategic initiatives across all our business verticals, ensuring we not only meet but potentially exceed these targets. By staying true to our core values of quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction, we are confident in our ability to achieve these significant milestones and continue driving growth for our company,” said Rahul Sehgal, Business Head, Bird Foods. Bird Group has always been at the forefront of innovation in the Indian business landscape. Their foray into the Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) sector is a natural progression, rooted in their belief that good food, good value and excellent service have the power to bring people together, create memories, and elevate everyday moments. This new venture has quickly grown into a dedicated business vertical, offering a diverse range of …

As per Motilal Oswal report, the hospitality sector will witness growth in Q2 FY25. The key players will see RevPAR growth of  9-11 per cent YoY in Q2 FY25, which will be driven by pent-up demand, improved traction within convention centers, and stronger wedding season.

In a strategic move to expand their international footprints, Dusit Hotels and Resorts have formed a partnership with Generator and Freehand Hotels. By combining their respective strengths, the companies aim to break new ground and enter untapped markets, solidifying their positions as leading hospitality brands. One of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, Dusit Hotels and Resorts has formed a partnership with award-winning hospitality developer Generator and Freehand Hotels. This collaboration aims to maximise the strengths of both companies to synergise their development resources and pursue sustainable international growth for their respective brands. Generator and Freehand Hotels, renowned for their experiential hostels and boutique hotels in Europe and the USA, will contribute their expertise and network in developing lifestyle hybrid accommodation models in the affordable lifestyle segment. Dusit Hotels and Resorts, a leading Thai hospitality brand, will bring its deep-rooted heritage and commitment to service excellence to the partnership. Together, the partners will explore opportunities to introduce Dusit Hotels and Resorts to major European cities like London, Paris, and Rome, as well as popular U.S. destinations such as New York, Miami, and Los Angeles. By combining Dusit’s strong brand recognition with Generator and Freehand’s innovative approach, the partnership seeks to redefine the hospitality landscape and offer travellers unique, memorable experiences. Additionally, Dusit will utilise its existing presence in Asia and the Middle East to introduce Generator and Freehand’s award-winning boutique hotel-hostel hybrid model to prime city destinations like Bangkok, Manila, Kyoto, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi. This expansion will extend the reach of Generator and Freehand’s unique brand of hospitality to new markets, offering travellers in these regions exciting and innovative accommodation options. Siradej Donavanik, VP, Global Development, Dusit International, …

Pradeep Shetty, President, HRAWI & FHRAI won the DDP Trailblazer award at the India Travel Awards. Upon receiving the award, he said, “Awards like these play a vital role in boosting the morale of the younger generation and inspiring them to consider careers in hospitality. This recognises the efforts made by the hospitality industry at large, by the owners and associations, all of whom are behind me and supporting me. It also inspires us to do much more.”

The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism of the Sultanate of Oman successfully concluded its four-city India Roadshow in Bengaluru recently, reinforcing Oman’s position as a top-tier destination for Indian travellers seeking luxury, culture, and adventure. The roadshow commenced with a strategic press conference in New Delhi, followed by a grand promotional tour across key Indian cities, including Mumbai, Chennai, and Bengaluru. This vibrant event showcased Oman’s unparalleled offerings, featuring 18 prominent players from the private sector, including leading luxury hotels and airlines, all eager to introduce their finest offerings to the discerning Indian market. The atmosphere was charged with energy as Indian travel trade professionals engaged in meaningful dialogues with Oman Tourism officials. The message was clear: Oman is not just a destination; it is a luxurious haven of natural beauty, rich heritage, and extraordinary experiences that promise to leave a lasting impression. Luxury stays in Oman: Where elegance meets tradition At the heart of Oman’s appeal is its array of world-class luxury accommodations. From the opulent palaces of Muscat to serene beachfront resorts and boutique desert camps, Oman offers Indian travellers an exquisite range of lodging options. The newly opened St. Regis Muscat adds a touch of modern elegance to this portfolio, offering unparalleled service and amenities that blend luxury with local charm. Some properties are known for their regal splendour, while others showcase a minimalist design influenced by traditional Omani architecture—highlighted as must-visit sanctuaries for those seeking the pinnacle of comfort and elegance. Oman: A vital market for Indian travellers His Excellency (H.E.) Azzan Al Busaidi, Undersecretary of Tourism, Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Sultanate of Oman, underscored the importance of the Indian market, noting that India ranks …