Category Archives: Hotels

Highlighting the inability of hotels in utilizing the increased Floor Area Ratio, Pradeep Shetty, FHRAI president, says, “It is contributing to a gap between the increasing demand fuelled by the escalating influx of airline passengers. However, hotel infrastructure is not growing in Delhi. Addressing these issues would lead to sustainable growth. The current challenges faced by hotels in Delhi regarding the utilization of additional FAR are hindering the sector’s ability to keep pace with the dynamic demands.”

With close to 50 hotels in the pipeline, IHG® Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, will double its operating portfolio in India in next 5 years.  The company recorded strong signing performance in 2023 with 13 deals closed across its brands in luxury, premium and essentials categories, strengthening its footprint in cities such as Gurgaon, Jim Corbett, Mumbai, Amritsar and Goa. Close to 70% of the signings were in midscale and upper midscale segments, which continues to be a growth driver for the company in India, followed by premium and luxury. IHG’s ambitious development pipeline including worldclass brands such as InterContinental Hotels and Resorts, Crowne Plaza, voco, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express and Staybridge Suites underscores the company’s strategic focus on capturing the growing demand for branded accommodations across India and offer diverse hospitality experiences to travellers with different needs. Beyond established destinations, IHG is targeting high-growth secondary markets like  Amritsar, Lucknow, Zirakpur, Kasauli and Katra, while reinvigorating its footing in popular tourist destinations. The past year, IHG also announced the debut of its premium conversion brand, voco in India with a signing in Gurgaon. Powered by the strength and scale of the IHG system, voco offers owners the chance to access the upscale segment quickly. Since the launch, the brand has seen phenomenal success in the country with 4 additional signings in 2023 across key leisure & business destinations such as Jim Corbett, Mumbai, Amritsar and Goa, allowing IHG to further diversify its portfolio to meet evolving guest preferences across the country. Haitham Mattar, Managing Director, India, Middle East and Africa, IHG Hotels & Resorts commented: “We have a long-standing history in India, and we …

A survey by Marriott Bonvoy has found that a majority of Gen Zs and Millennials in Asia Pacific excluding China (APEC) prefer the simplicity of belonging to one comprehensive loyalty travel programme. While 60% of them are actively subscribed to loyalty programs, the challenge of juggling several loyalty programs has led most (57%) to seek out one program that meets all their travel needs.

Palladium Hotel Group is strengthening its international presence with its arrival in the Middle East. The project announced will be carried out in conjunction with Al Marjan and Almal Real Estate Development, an award-winning ultra-luxury developer based in the region. The ambitious project, which attracts more than $100 million in investment, will consist of 442 hotel rooms and residential units. It represents the first international opening for the iconic Ibiza-born brand, which is now to be known as Ushuaïa Unexpected Hotels & Residences, integrating the concept of branded residences with the existing hotel proposition. The hotel and residential facility will be located on Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, one of the region’s premier tourist and investment destinations, and will comprise a sophisticated beach club, exquisite restaurant and captivating infinity pool, all situated adjacent to the Wynn Resort Island and overlooking the picturesque Arabian Gulf. Jesús Sobrino, CEO of Palladium Hotel Group, said: “This is a triple milestone for the company, as we announce our arrival in the Middle East and the growth of an emblematic brand for Palladium Hotel Group, as well as the group’s first foray into the branded residences segment. We are proud to be able to carry out this project hand in hand with two partners with whom we are aligned on the concepts of service and entertainment, and therefore we thank Almal Development and Al Marjan for their trust.” Dmytro Starovoitov, Co-Founder, Almal Development, said: “Our new development embodies Almal’s commitment to delivering unmatched luxury and sophistication in the realm of hospitality and entertainment. As a full-service investment and development company, we are excited to bring the brand Ushuaïa Unexpected Hotels & Residences to …

IHCL announced the opening of a Vivanta hotel in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand. Located in the heart of the city, the hotel is a seamless blend of contemporary elegance and local tribal heritage. Speaking on the occasion, Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, IHCL said, “We are delighted to unveil Vivanta in Jamshedpur, India’s first planned industrial city. Founded by Jamsetji Tata and named after him, Jamshedpur is also known as Tatanagar due to the presence of multiple Tata companies. This opening will mark the debut of the Vivanta brand and will be IHCL’s second hotel in the city.” With the addition of this hotel, IHCL will have two hotels across Vivanta and Ginger brands in Jharkhand.

Independent Hotels witnessed a 34.5 percent rise in bookings in 2023 compared to 2022 via the Global Distribution System (GDS), according to HotelREZ Hotels & Resorts’ Independent Accommodation Insights Report. Additionally, there was 4.2 per cent increase in reservations compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

The Fern Hotels & Resorts, India’s leading environmentally sensitive hotel chain, is pleased to announce the launch of a new hotel, SKK The Fern-An Ecotel Hotel, Jaisalmer. The company has a total of 16 properties in Rajasthan, operational and shortly opening. The addition of this new property will reinforce the brand’s leadership position in this key market and underline its commitment to impeccable guest experiences. The hotel features 104 well-appointed rooms and offers facilities such as an outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, multiple lawns, and an on-site restaurant. SKK The Fern, Jaisalmer is just a 10-minute drive from the majestic Jaisalmer Fort, making it an ideal stay option in this thriving tourist destination. With a beautiful central courtyard and multiple lawns, SKK The Fern shall be the ideal place to host dream weddings in this Golden City. All the rooms boast an exemplary balance of elegance, sophistication, royalty, and old-world charm blended with modern features and facilities. Suhail Kannampilly, Managing Director, The Fern Hotels & Resorts, commented, “We are pleased to announce the launch of SKK The Fern-An Ecotel Hotel, Jaisalmer. This new hotel will add to our value as a major hospitality brand in Rajasthan. We aim to exceed our guests’ expectations and provide them with a truly unforgettable experience by providing great accommodation, top-notch facilities, and warm hospitality. SKK The Fern promises a delightful and royal stay for anyone visiting this popular tourist city.”

The Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) has initiated legal action to seek appropriate remedies for hotel members affected by adverse provisions from the Delhi High Court for the hospitality sector from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade’s (DGFT). These conditions have posed challenges for the industry, particularly in light of adverse economic circumstances exacerbated by events such as the global recession, terrorist attacks, and the COVID-19 pandemic. FHRAI has advocated for relief for the hospitality sector through persistent representations to the Ministry of Tourism and DGFT since 2017. Despite sustained efforts, the sector still needs to receive the necessary relaxations, prompting FHRAI to seek legal intervention. DGFT, in the year 2007-08 in the new EXIM policy, introduced an additional condition which not only meant that over and above the primary condition, the industry need to comply with a secondary condition of maintaining 3 years average past performance continuously over & above the Specific EO and the Average has to be maintained for the entire block of 8/6 years till the redemption of license. Unfortunately post the introduction of the secondary condition, the hospitality industry suffered a huge decline and thereby reduction in the FOREX due to which the industry has not been in a position to fulfil the secondary condition of maintaining the 3 years average past performance. The hospitality industry had brought this issue of decline in foreign contribution to the notice of DGFT way back in February 2017 itself and that coincided with completion of 1st block of the 8 years when the license expired post the introduction of the secondary condition in the year 2007-08. Since then, the industry has been continuously requesting …

Culinary Culture and The Leela Palace New Delhi to host Osteria Francescana’s pop-up once again in the capital, after its first successful culinary showcase, with two special dinners on 19th and 20th April 2024 Culinary enthusiasts and connoisseurs are in for a treat as the world’s greatest chef, Massimo Bottura, gears up to bring Osteria Francescana, twice rated as The World’s Best Restaurant by The World’s 50 Best to New Delhi for a second consecutive year in a row and after its first successful culinary showcase, last year. The Leela Palace New Delhi, Culinary Culture, and the culinary mastermind himself have come together to create an unparalleled partnership whereby on April 19 and 20, 2024, Chef Bottura will reproduce the magic of his Three Michelin Star restaurant from Modena, Italy, at The Leela Palace New Delhi. Massimo Bottura, the culinary maestro and passionate philanthropist, has received international praise for his dedication to social and environmental problems. Bottura, a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and founder of the non-profit group ‘Food for Soul,’ pushes for sustainability and food waste reduction, mirroring The Leela’s eco-conscious approach and shared passion. Under Chef Massimo Bottura’s guidance, Osteria Francescana, has captured worldwide palates with its unique approach to Italian food, consistently being featured amongst the world’s best restaurant. Bottura’s culinary expertise offers a sensory voyage unlike any other, with iconic dishes such as ‘Oops I Dropped the Lemon Tart,’ ‘The Crunchy Part of the Lasagne,’ and ‘Psychedelic Cod Not Flame Grilled’ which will be present on the special menus offered. Bottura will also host an invite-only interactive session in advance of the dinners, in which he will speak with Vir Sanghvi, …

Talking about the growth of hospitality in India, Mark Hoplamazian, CEO, Hyatt, said, “India today is better poised for growth in the hospitality sector than the rest of the world, and that is because of the tremendous warmth and engagement of its people. The experience people get in India when they disembark from the plane and start exploring the country is what sets the country apart.”