Tag Archives: hospitality sector

The Ministry of Tourism expects 30.5 million international visitors to come to India by 2028. According to Pradeep Shetty, Vice President, FHRAI,  hotel occupancy rates are anticipated to rise to 75 per cent or higher, driven by increased leisure and business travel and a surge in foreign arrivals. The MICE segment is set to contribute significantly, with India hosting multiple high-profile global events.

Referring to the manpower shortage in the Indian hospitality sector at the FHRAI’s HR Summit, Pradeep Shetty, VP, FHRAI said that many skilled employees have exited the industry after the COVID-19 pandemic. “A workforce gap remains, with an estimated need for an additional 100,000–150,000 skilled workers annually,” he said, adding that with projections for India’s hospitality industry to nearly double by 2029, reaching an estimated value of $475.37 billion, we have tremendous growth potential.

Representation World announced the successful completion of its very first assignment as hospitality consultants, where they had the privilege of guiding Expoinn Suites & Convention Hotel Greater Noida in achieving their prestigious 5-star classification from the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. This remarkable achievement was accomplished in record time, and Representation World are extremely proud of the hotel’s dynamic team. Barun Gupta, General Manager, Expoinn Suites & Convention Hotel, took on the challenge of transforming the hotel to meet the Ministry of Tourism’s rigorous 5-star guidelines within a year of stepping into his role. Due to his leadership and the dedication of his entire team, that goal has been achieved with flying colors. “We are extremely satisfied with the guidance provided by Vineet Gopal and Manoj Babbar, which helped us implement the right measures to elevate our hotel’s facilities and services to meet 5-star standards,” said Barun Gupta. At Representation World, members are delighted with this outcome. Manoj Babbar and Vineet Gopal are proud to have played a role in this journey, and they extend their heartfelt congratulations to the entire Expoinn Suites & Convention Hotel’s team for their hard work and dedication. This milestone marks the beginning of many exciting ventures for Representation World in the hospitality sector, and they look forward to continuing to deliver top-tier consulting services to future partners.

Jammu and Kashmir administration has unveiled a Draft Tourist Trade Rules, outlining the fees for registration and renewal for hotels, homestays, houseboats, and other hospitality entities. As per the draft, for a hotel or resort of A category five-star deluxe, the renewal fee is set at ₹2 lakh for two years. Fees for other categories range from ₹1.5 lakh for five-star hotels to ₹30,000 for one-star hotels.

With the hospitality sector in India experiencing a significant surge, Sebastien Bazin, CEO, Accor, said, “The country holds a strong place in Accor’s global vision, embodying not just a market, but a place of opportunity and growth. It’s impossible to ignore the immense potential that the country presents in the sector.”

A comprehensive Vision plan for 2024 has been released by FHRAI (Federation of Hotels & Restaurants Association of India) which includes the creation of the Center of Excellence in Tourism and Hospitality and the return of the FHRAI Annual Convention from 16-18 October in Goa. The move aims to elevate industry standards, and cultivate excellence.

Pradeep Shetty, President, HRAWI, said that the implementation of industry status will offer waivers and reliefs which are critical for the growth of hospitality. “We anticipate the forthcoming policy will promote the growth of tourism in Vidarbha and Maharashtra at large,” he added.

KB Kachru, Chairman Emeritus & Principal Advisor, Radisson Hotel Group, South Asia highlights that looking ahead to 2024, the emphasis is expected to shift towards technology-driven conveniences, a lot of learnings, sustainability, and experiential travel.

ITC’s Hotel Group announced the signing of its first Storii property in Kolkata, West Bengal. With the addition of this hotel, the Group will have 9 properties in West Bengal, including 4 under development.  A total of three Storii properties are already in operation across India; Storii Shanti Morada & Storii Moira Riviera in Goa and Storii Amoha Retreat in Dharamshala.  Storii Kolkata is expected to open in early 2024 and will offer spacious well-appointed rooms and suites with an all-day dining restaurant & bar and banquet spaces.  The major attraction of this leisure destination will be the signature K by Kaya Kalp spa. Surrounded by water bodies, the spa will reflect the grandeur of ancient Bengal where water pools were an integral element of the design and architecture. The spa is being developed as an oasis of tranquillity that leverages the best from India’s ancient traditions of health and wellness as well as modern rejuvenation programs. The sprawling spa sanctuary brings together all of nature’s elements to lighten the mood. From the sun sights to a vast aqua ambience surrounded by fresh open air. The spa will encourage the pursuit of holistic well-being by offering a conducive relaxation environment with large treatment rooms offering various therapies including Ayurveda, a dedicated ‘yogshala’, a meditation room, a swimming pool, fitness center and other recreational facilities.  Anil Chadha, Divisional Chief Executive, ITC Hotels said, “ITC Hotels already has a strong presence in Kolkata. Storii by ITC Hotels, Kolkata will bring a boutique resort offering, away from the hustle and bustle of the metro life. The addition of this property represents our commitment to enrich the tourism landscape of Eastern India with each …

Highlighting the competition in the hospitality market, Deepak Kumar, General Manager, Hilton Mumbai International Airport, said that the competition is so fierce and intense that even after achieving 96 per cent room occupancy, we are sometimes not toppers.”