Category Archives: Hotels

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.”

Eastern Himalayas Travel and Tour Operators’ Association (EHTTOA) signs MoU with Bangladesh at Bengal Travel Mart to promote cross border tourism. Some of the main objectives of the MoU include, promotion of tourism activities jointly, annual meeting to be held jointly in Bangladesh and India every alternative year, TOAB Affiliate Members cannot be involved in B2C in India, EHTTOA Affiliate Members cannot be involved in B2C in Bangladesh, registration fee for each member is proposed as Tk. 1500 or Rs 1200, Below are the main objectives of the MoU (in detail): Each Association will induct Affiliate Members mutually [TOAB 50 & EHTTOA 50] without voting power and other facilities enjoyed by General Member. Registration fee for Each Member is proposed as Tk. 1500 Or INR 1200 INR per member. Membership Renewal every 02 years of TK 1000 Or INR 800 per member. Annual meeting to be held jointly in Bangladesh and India in every alternative year. Issues on Common cause to be addressed jointly. Exchange and use of logo to be permitted. EC of Each Association to approve Affiliate Membership. Development launching and other tourism related issue to be taken up jointly for the promotion of the sector. Rules for induction of members will be revised every two years if necessary. First Joint Move will be on Identifying, Listing and Promotion of Home Stays and Rural Tourism. Promotion of tourism activities jointly. TOAB Affiliate Members cannot be involved in B2C in India and EHTTOA Affiliate Members cannot be involved in B2C in Bangladesh. Each Association Member will monitor all aspects respectively.  

Trulyy India Hotels, Resorts, Camps and Safaris has announced the addition of 50 more rooms to its existing hotel, Hotel Trulyy The Desert Palace Jaisalmer. The total number of rooms at the property are now 104. The new block of the hotel was inaugurated by Shashikant Khetan in presence of Naresh Arora, MD, Trulyy India Hotels, Janak Singh Bhati, Kailash Vyas, Mayank Bhatia, Om Bhatia, Maan Singh Devra, Churchill Vyas, Gulab Singh, Mukesh Doshi and other guests from the travel trade fraternity. Trulyy India is also planning to open a new hotel, Amar Mahal in Udaipur.

Atul Jain, Chief Operating Officer, Best Western Hotels & Resorts, India, Bangladesh & Sri Lanka, says, “We are opening about 8 hotels in India and 3 in Bangladesh. For 2021, we are opening about 5-6 hotels. Also, we are launching a new brand in the Indian market- Aiden, which will be opened by August in Goa. Apart from this, we are focussing on SureStay hotels and Best Western Plus. We will be opening 5-6 BW Plus in the country very soon.”

According to HVS, management contracts continue to be the most preferred form of brand signings, although Franchising is now steadily growing popularity. In 2019 almost 14% of the total brand signings were franchised compared to 10% in 2018. However managed properties accounted for 76% of the total brand signings in both 2019 and 2018.

The Accor Showcase took place at the Pullman New Delhi Aerocity on 26 February and is slated to take place in  Sofitel Mumbai BKC on 28 February. Speaking at the event, Jean–Michel Cassé, COO, Accor, India and South Asia, says, “ It is now four years since we are conducting this exercise of the Accor Showcase. It is an opportunity for our hotels in India and across the world to come and present themselves to the Indian market. They come and showcase whatever products and services they have for the Indian market.  It has been very successful in the last few years and in spite of the challenging times, we are really happy that it is happening this year again in 2020.” On their upcoming hotels, he said, “We have one opening expected very soon, mid-March, which is Grand Mercure in Bengaluru, mid-2020 we will be opening Raffles in Udaipur, that is truly our first exclusive luxury property opening for the Indian market, we also have very high expectations for this brand to succeed in India as it will be the first Raffles in India.  Across 23 cities in India, we are offering a  variety of brands and services for the travel trade to choose from.” 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’s from different countries, they are looking to tap the M!CE and wedding segment. This year we have participants from Baku, Azerbaijan, London, north Europe and also representatives from the USA, global sales, so it’s a very proud moment for us that we are …

Clarks Inn Group of Hotels has announced the opening of Clarks Premier Kota, which is its first five-star ‘Premier’ branded property and 100th hotel overall. Clarks Premier Kota boasts of 75 tastefully appointed rooms across different categories to suite every need. The hotel offers 27 Deluxe and 12 Executive categories rooms. There are 12 Suites and another 24 as Studio rooms with separate living area and a kitchenette to cater to bigger space requirement of guests. SN Srivastava, President & Co-founder, Clarks Inn Group of Hotels, said, “Today is a proud moment for us. Opening Clarks Premier Kota is a historic occasion for Clarks Inn Group of Hotels in more ways than one. Clarks Premier Kota is the first ‘Clarks Premier’ branded property of the company. It is an upscale five-star hotel brand and this hotel is our signature ‘Clarks Premier’ property. It is only befitting for us to open our newest property, Clarks Premier Kota, in this beautiful city as we celebrate not only the milestone of 100 hotel portfolio but also the launch of our first Clarks Premier branded hotel. This hotel will redefine the hospitality experience in the city of Kota.” Officially unveiled on 21st February 21, 2020, the hotel is located on the prominent Bundi Road, in the heart of the city. “We don’t just promote our properties but also help develop destinations that we are located in. And Kota and the nearby areas are treasure trove of cultural, historical, religious, wildlife and other tourism landmarks. Garh Palace, Madho Singh Museum, Abheda Mahal, the picturesque Jagmandir Palace in the middle of Kishore Sagar Lake, Garadia Mahadev temple, Charan Chauki, the scenic Kota Barrage, Mukundara Tiger Reserve, …

Accor will open Grand Mercure Bengaluru, Raffles Udaipur, ibis Mumbai LBS Road and Novotel Mumbai International Airport by end of this year, says, Jean-Michel Cassé, Chief Operating Officer (COO) –India & South Asia, Accor. He further says, We also have the Raffles Jaipur and Fairmont Mumbai Sahar in the pipeline. At Accor, we have budgeted for a 12 percent RevPAR growth for 2020.”

The Government of Odisha has approved eight more investment proposals worth Rs.1,649.49 crore in the 89th State Level Single Window Clearance Authority (SLSWCA) meeting, out of which two are hotel proposals. The projects were approved in food processing, chemicals, plastics, tourism, steel downstream and infrastructure and will create employment opportunities for 1,450 people. In the tourism sector, a project by M/s Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Ltd. for expansion of its five-star hotel with an investment of Rs 150 crores, has been approved which will provide employment for 150 people and another proposal by M/s Kamat Hotels (India) Ltd. for expansion of its five-star hotel, with an investment of Rs. 52 crore has also been approved and it will provide an additional employment to around 160 people.

Cross Hotels & Resorts has entered into a strategic alliance with Buzz Travel Marketing India. The exclusive General Sales Agent (GSA) agreement facilitates Cross Hotels & Resorts move into the fastest growing travel market in APAC at a challenging period in the global travel industry. “India is the most dynamic market in the Asia Pacific region with more than 50 million people forecast to take overseas trips this year. For many years, India has been a key source market for Thailand and the Southeast Asian region. Indian business and leisure travellers contribute to a diversity of segments that include weddings, MICE, leisure, FITs and group travel. In 2019, Thailand alone received 1.9 million Indian arrivals, setting a new record for tourism trade between the two countries,” said Paul Wilson, Executive Vice President, Commercial at Cross Hotels & Resorts. Always on the front foot looking to advance its global customer base, Cross Hotels & Resorts continues to actively seek out dynamic partners that will help boost its global distribution network. “This alliance is a major investment for us and one that I believe will bear fruit. I am keenly aware of the development of the India travel market and as such we’re totally committed to delivering memorable experiences for all our guests. As a team we shall be incisive, focused and uncompromising in our approach and I am confident the Cross Hotels – Buzz Travel partnership will be very exciting venture.” “We are delighted with this partnership with Cross Hotels & Resorts, the hospitality brand which serves as a perfect fit for the new-age Indian travellers. As an increasing number of Indian travellers continue to fly to Southeast Asia for leisure …