Category Archives: Hotels

As per HVS Anarock’s recent report, the nationwide ARR of hotels has seen a growth of 10 to 12% while the ARRs remained in the range of ₹9,100 to ₹9,300. This growth in ARRs reflected positively on the RevPARs of hotels resulting in a growth of 15 to 17%. The RevPAR of hotels crossed the ₹6,000 threshold whereas the RevPAR of hotels in January 2025 was in the range of ₹6006 and ₹6,324.

By 2026, any hotel that hopes to attract travellers from the EU or to do business with EU-based tour operators and OTAs such as Bookings.com or Agoda, has to obtain recognised sustainability certifications. Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, President, THA, said, “By 2026, the GSTC will ban non-sustainable tourism businesses. Online platforms will only feature certified hotels.”

Sabi Sabi Collection is pleased to announce the appointment of Ace Connect, led by Alpa Jani, to represent us in the Indian market. This partnership reinforces Sabi Sabi’s commitment to expanding its presence in a dynamic and rapidly growing luxury travel market. “We have always considered India of vital importance in our global strategy”, said Jacques Smit, Marketing Director of Sabi Sabi Collection. “With the appointment of Ace Connect, we aim to strengthen our relationships and enhance our brand in this exciting country. India has immense potential for exponential growth and this collaboration aligns perfectly with our future vision”. Ace Connect, a specialist consulting firm catering to niche luxury travel and hospitality brands, brings extensive expertise and a well-established network across the Indian travel and media industry. The aim is to build extensive relationships that are mutually beneficial ensuring a long standing presence in this key market. Sabi Sabi Collection is a highly respected luxury safari brand with over 45 years of expertise. We look forward to sharing our world and immersive experiences through Alpa’s indepth knowledge of the Indian market.

HRAWI is gearing up to host its flagship ‘Empowering Hospitality’ conclave and awards ceremony in Nashik on 28 February. The event aims to promote industry collaboration and recognise hospitality leaders for their contributions to the sector. “The conclave is aimed at promoting knowledge-sharing and equipping professionals with tools to navigate today’s dynamic market,” said Jimmy Shaw, President, HRAWI.

WelcomHeritage announced the appointment of Ashutosh Chhibba as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO). With over 30 years of exemplary experience in the hospitality industry, Chhibba is poised to lead WelcomHeritage into an exciting new era of growth, innovation, and operational excellence. An alumnus of the Institute of Hotel Management, Kolkata, and a graduate of the Welcomgroup Management Institute, Chhibba began his distinguished career with ITC Hotels in 1992. Over the decades, he has held key leadership roles, driving success at iconic properties such as the erstwhile Welcomgroup Chola Sheraton, ITC Kakatiya, ITC Maurya, and ITC Mughal. His international experience includes overseeing the launch and operations of the legendary restaurant Dumpukht in Riyadh and Saudi Arabia, where he demonstrated his ability to adapt and deliver excellence in diverse global markets. Chhibba’s career has encompassed both leisure and business hospitality segments, with a strong focus on managing owned properties across multiple locations, including Riyadh, Aurangabad, and Hyderabad. In addition to his vast operational expertise, Chhibba is deeply committed to continuous learning, having completed the Revenue Management Programme at Cornell University, USA, and the Sales & Marketing Exposure Programme at IIM Bangalore. These advanced programmes have equipped him with cutting-edge skills in revenue optimisation, sales strategies, and marketing innovations, ensuring a strategic approach to delivering exceptional guest experiences. Commenting on his appointment, Ashutosh Chhibba said, “I am honoured to lead WelcomHeritage, a brand synonymous with India’s cultural richness and heritage. I look forward to leveraging my experience to further enhance our offerings, strengthen our brand presence, and deliver unparalleled guest satisfaction while preserving the legacy of WelcomHeritage.”

Horwath HTL report showed that despite economic challenges and the absence of major events, the hospitality sector saw strong growth, with a national occupancy rate of 63.9%, an Average Daily Rate (ADR) of INR7,951, and a 10.7% RevPAR increase. India added 14,400 chain-affiliated rooms, pushing the total supply past 200,00.

Six Senses has received the highest level of certification by Control Union – a certification body accredited by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. Six Senses properties underwent an extensive audit by Control Union to verify their efforts in sustainability planning, reducing negative environmental impacts, enhancing cultural heritage, and maximizing social and economic benefits for surrounding communities. Jeff Smith, Vice President of Sustainability, Six Senses shares, “GSTC Certification is a mark of trust and credibility in sustainability. While this certification is issued globally, it marks a proud moment for our individual Six Senses properties included in this certification and their sustainability teams, who work proactively to provide uncompromising hospitality, environmentally cognizant operations, an outstanding guest experience, and high levels of engagement among colleagues and the local community.” The GSTC Certification is a respected seal of sustainable travel and tourism, offering an antidote to “greenwashing” in the hospitality industry. The extensive certification criteria aim to give credibility to sustainability claims, ensuring they are both measurable and can be upheld through meaningful action. Certification is based on third-party audits of hotels and corporate processes by accredited auditors, and is granted for a period of three years, providing a continuous commitment to improvement and accountability. Six Senses Vana, a pioneering wellness retreat nestled in the Himalayan foothills, has made significant contributions to achieving this prestigious certification, embracing sustainability as a core value since its inception. The GSTC certification further validates Six Senses Vana’s efforts to minimize environmental footprint, preserve cultural heritage, and cultivate meaningful connections with the local community, thereby marking a proud moment in its long-standing sustainability journey. Jaspreet Singh, General Manager, Six Senses Vana, added, “The recent GSTC certification is a testament …

According to the India Hotel Market Review 2024 released by Horwath HTL, seven states in India contributed over 70% of the national room revenue, with Maharashtra solely contributing 20% to it. The net supply growth in 2024 was 14.4k rooms with rooms demand per day up 29,000 rooms since 2019. It predicts that about 105,000 rooms to be added by 2029.

Celebrating its 75 years of leadership in hospitality, Jimmy Shaw, President, HRAWI, said, “We are set to roll out special initiatives and commemorative events throughout the year to elevate the hospitality sector. As we celebrate this milestone, we reaffirm our dedication to promoting growth, advocating for progressive policies, driving sustainability and strengthening India’s position as a global tourism hub.”

Highlighting that luxury hospitality is no longer confined to metropolitan hubs and is expanding to emerging cities, Nikhil Sharma, Managing Director and Area Senior Vice President, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group, said, “tier-II and tier-III cities in India are becoming important markets as affluence rises and travel preferences diversify.”