Tag Archives: hospitality

During a panel discussion at the 38th IATO convention, Vikramjit Singh, President, Lemon Tree Hotels, revealing their expansion plans shared that the brand is to inaugurate India’s largest hotel in Mumbai, a 669-room property, scheduled to open in October.   

Espire Hospitality Group unveils its new resort, ‘ZANA Forest Resort, Ranthambore’, located close to the Ranthambore National Park and Tiger Reserve, home to the magnificent Bengal tiger. It is the group’s second resort under their newest brand, ‘ZANA – Luxury Escapes’ that launched in September last year. Located at a 3 hours drive from Delhi NCR and just 1 km from the Sawai Madhopur Railway Station, ‘ZANA Forest Resort, Ranthambore’ is the ultimate destination to experience unhindered opulence and a deep connection with nature.  The newly unveiled resort is a tasteful amalgamation of traditional architecture and modern aesthetic, a contemporary take to immerse travellers in the local beauty and distinct character of the destination. Featuring 20 tastefully designed cottages and rooms that merge effortlessly into the lush surroundings, the resort offers a variety of exclusive activities like golf putting, tennis court, badminton court, velcro football, football billiards, karaoke, movie under the stars, yoga, cycling and much more, perfect for the much desired break. The all-day multi-cuisine diner ‘Mayfair’ is a place to sit back and relish an unmatched menu that is nourishing and delectable. The outdoor dining spaces on the other hand, are simply picture-perfect and best suited for magical dining experiences.   Akhil Arora, Chief Executive Officer, Espire Hospitality Group, said,  “We are extremely thrilled to add this ultimate forest resort that offers stunning accommodation and exclusive offerings. In line with the ZANA philosophy, we have created experiences that are new to the Indian hospitality landscape and will give our guests many stories to tell and reasons to return. This launch marks a significant milestone for our ZANA portfolio’s expansion and will be followed by two more openings in Kasauli and Rishikesh …

Despite increase in room tariffs, India records 58 per cent increase in the number of nights booked in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi/NCR, Dharamsala, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, and Pune in first quarter of 2023 than 2022, states a FCM report.

The Mumbai Roadshow supported by the Tourism Promotions Board Philippines marked the culmination of its four-city journey. The roadshow served as a testament to the unyielding dedication of Philippines Tourism in showcasing its enchanting destinations and cultural riches.   Operating as a dynamic forum, the event united stakeholders and industry experts for a symposium of valuable interactions/productive meetings: all focused on the diverse attractions of the Philippines as a magnetic tourist destination. With the presence of 60 potential trade partners, the show concluded triumphantly.  As in the case of the three preceding cities, the roadshow marked the participation of 14 prominent entities from the private sector in the Philippines. This group included Ark Travel Express, bai Hotel Cebu, Department of Tourism Central Visayas, Dusit Hotels & Resorts, Gi Philippines, Lalaguna Villas Luxury Dive Resort and Spa, Okada Manila, Philippine Airlines, Plantation Bay Resort and Spa, Scoot, Shangrila, Shroff International Travel Care, The Farm at San Benito, and Uni Orient Travel.  Shahlimar Hofer Tamano, Undersecretary for Tourism, Regulation Coordination & Resource Generation of the Department of Tourism, and concurrently the Director of Regional Office VII, said, “The resounding positive feedback we have encountered so far has left us deeply moved. We are envisioning the Philippines as an up and coming tourism destination for our esteemed Indian partners, and we extend a heartfelt invitation to all to experience the beauty of our wonderful country.”  Maria Margarita Nograles, COO of Phillipines Tourism Promotions Board added, ‘’ The Phillipines once again embarks on the transformational journey in creating awarenss and to share with the world how beautiful our country is. The place where one can experience adventure in paradise like destinations and discover the vibrant …

Rajeev Jain, Founder & Director, Rashi Entertainment said, “Unfortunately, trend is leaning towards destination weddings out of India. The hotel rates that were skyrocketing for the last one-and-a-half years have come down a little, overpriced hotel rooms are not selling any more.”

Zubin Saxena, MD and Senior Area VP, Radisson Hotel Group said, “Demand for hotel rooms is very strong, and the supply for hotel rooms is somewhat stable that is what is pushing the average rates up. The average rates are bound to grow and remain this way for the next 12-18 month.”   

The Philippines Tourism organized another runaway roadshow in Kolkata, which earned an exceptional response from the industry. The roadshow showcased the commitment of the Philippines Tourism to promoting their charming destinations and cultural allures.  The event provided a platform for stakeholders, industry professionals, and enthusiasts to come together and engage in meaningful discussions about the diverse offerings of the Philippines as a tourist destination. The roadshow saw the participation of 14 prominent entities from the private sector of the Philippines. Among them were important players such as Ark Travel Express, bai Hotel Cebu, Department of Tourism Central Visayas, Dusit Hotels & Resorts, Gi Philippines, Lalaguna Villas Luxury Dive Resort and Spa, Okada Manila, Philippine Airlines, Plantation Bay Resort and Spa, Scoot, Shangrila, Shroff International Travel Care, The Farm at San Benito, and Uni Orient Travel.  The Philippines Tourism presented an array of captivating tourist encounters, encompassing exhilarating off-road escapades, exploration of historical landmarks, and the opportunity to engage in the genuine village life of the Philippines. Participants also indulged in the enchanting narrative of the nation’s history and cultural legacy.   Nerissa Jean B. Cruz, Market Specialist, Tourism Promotions Board, expressed, “We are overtly pleased with the positive reaction received from our trade partners. Our interactions with agents have showcased an exciting and enthusiastic dedication to positioning the Philippines as a foremost selection for their clientele.” “Kolkata holds a special corner in our hearts as a treasured market. The promising potential that reverberates this city fills us with boundless optimism, and we stand assured that a significant surge of travellers from Kolkata to the Philippines is imminent,” said SanJeet, Managing Director, Buzz Travel Marketing. 

Espire Hospitality Group announced the opening of its second property under their upscale brand ‘Country Inn Premier’ in Uttarakhand, ‘Country Inn Premier – The Prominence, Dehradun’. Nestled in the foothills of majestic Himalayas, this upscale hotel offers a perfect blend of contemporary aesthetics and enriching experiences, coupled with the brand’s signature heartfelt hospitality. Strategically located on the Dehradun – Mussoorie road, overlooking the serene Malsi Forest and the awe-inspiring Himalayan range, ‘Country Inn Premier – The Prominence, Dehradun’ enjoys excellent connectivity to major Indian cities including Delhi NCR, Punjab, Lucknow, Mumbai, Gujarat and Bangalore. The hotel features 42 well-appointed modern rooms and suites, thoughtfully categorized into Classic Rooms, Club Premier Rooms, and Premier Suites. Guests opting for Club Premier rooms and Suites can enjoy exclusive Club Premier privileges, including early check-in and late check-out, ironing facility, complimentary minibar once during their stay, discount on food and beverages, and much more. Akhil Arora, Chief Executive Officer, Espire Hospitality Group commented on this important opening, “We are thrilled to open our second ‘Country Inn Premier’ hotel in the state capital of Uttarakhand. Dehradun has significantly evolved with modern times while maintaining its vintage charm. The place is the hotspot of many activities, hidden attractions and ardent foodies which makes it a perfect destination for our new launch. We eagerly await the opportunity to welcome guests to enjoy our offerings and experience the heartfelt hospitality we are renowned for.”

TGI Hotels & Resorts has expanded its portfolio by adding six more hotels to its brand. They have moved one step closer to achieving its development goals for 2023 with adding 6 new properties across brands in India during the months of March and July. Locations include Sakleshpura, Bangalore, Mandu, and Haridwar. It is scheduled to open in September 2023. Amit Kumar, Chief Marketing Officer said, “This addition will strengthen the group’s position in India, where it already has 20 operational hotels, across 15 locations.” Bangalore: They have a strong presence throughout the city with seven hotels. As the demand for hotel rooms along the Outer Ring Road grew, they decided to seize the opportunity and actively expand their services in this area. In order to position themselves for future growth they are adding three hotels totalling 210 keys as a cluster on the Outer Ring Road. Haridwar: They chose to start operations in Haridwar since it is the gateway to all of Uttarakhand’s tourism locations, as well as a major pilgrimage centre. The hotel is scheduled to open on September 1st with 32 rooms, a restaurant, and a banquet hall. Mandu: This lovely city is now known for being a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mandu’s history can be traced back to the Paramar era in the eighth century A.D. The resort is scheduled to open after renovation, by 1st of Oct with 23 rooms, a restaurant, banquet hall and a lawn for weddings. He also shared, “We also have future plans to launch TGI Hotels in other destinations like: Chennai l Coimbatore l Trichy l Madurai l Wayanad l Munnar l Alleppey l Mysore l Jaisalmer l Jodhpur.”

According to FCM, prices of hotels in Asia have increased by an average of 26%, with Bangalore being the most expensive at $190 a night, followed by Delhi at $150 a night. Economy fares from Mumbai to Delhi have increased by 15% and business by 9%.