Category Archives: Hotels

Cross Hotels & Resorts has announced that it has expanded its regional footprint with entry into the Japanese market in a master franchise agreement with AB Accommo Company Limited. The deal involves opening of seven properties with a total of 844 keys within four years stretching across Okinawa in the far south to Hokkaido. “Taking our business and brands into the prized Japanese hospitality marketplace is a watershed moment for Cross Hotels & Resorts. This agreement to franchise our brands into the Japanese market speaks volumes for the work we have done to define our branding and distribution value proposition and the manner in which our partners have embraced it. This partnership has been made possible by our ability to curate a product for our partners specific needs. I have a deep respect for our colleagues in the enterprise and I see a long and prosperous future with AB Accommo,” said Kent Davidson, Managing Director, Cross Hotels & Resorts.

According to JLL, hotel conversions in India had seen a consistent increase, nearly doubling from 33 conversions in 2016 to 65 in 2019. However, the conversions plummeted to just 29 hotels in 2020 under the impact of the pandemic. The uncertainty in the market made existing or committed hotel owners adopt a cautious approach than take conclusive investment decisions.

Carla Puverel, GM, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, shares that the Indian market is very important for them. “It is one of the few markets that are travelling regularly right now. Hence, it’s very important that we attract them. Also, the Indian market may give feedback, allowing us to adapt to their needs. It is a very loyal market—they come to a property once and if you can make a connection or build a relationship, then they return, often with friends and family. There is word of mouth publicity and that’s very important right now. Also, many Indian carriers are flying into the Maldives as well as close to where we are located, and not just only in to the international airport. Hence, it’s very important to make those connections and relationships,” she says.

Cross Hotels & Resorts has elevated Harry Thaliwal to the lead role of Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect. He was earlier the Chief Operating Officer of the company. Harry is renowned for his disruptive thinking that has continually generated creativity and innovation across multiple business lines.

Sarovar Hotels and Resorts has signed a new hotel in Birgunj, Nepal. Upon completion in 2022, the 50-room property – Sarovar Portico, Birgunj – will offer an elegant ambience and amenities to guests. The signing helps Sarovar, which already manages a diverse portfolio in India and Africa, further expand its footprint in Nepal.

Travel Designer Group has entered into a direct dynamic distribution agreement with Hilton to distribute Hilton’s global hotel inventory on its B2B hotel reservation platform Rezlive.com. The agreement will allow Rezlive.com to access real-time availability and prices of Hilton’s hotel inventories.

Ashok Institute of Hospitality & Tourism Management (AIH&TM), a certified hospitality training institute under India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), has introduced a tailor-made program in ‘Entrepreneurship Development’ exclusively designed for graduates in the tourism & hospitality industry. The programme was formally inaugurated by Arvind Singh, IAS, Secretary (Tourism) at a webinar hosted by ITDC. Singh, said, “ITDC’s initiative to create entrepreneurs under its Entrepreneurship Development Programme is a very timely and welcome initiative with the support of Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) under their organizations namely National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology (NCHMCT) & National Institute of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD). All interested graduates, diploma holders, and professionals who have lost their jobs will be approached for enrolment under the programme. These are very tough times for the industry and we are working towards the revival of the sector. I wish the programme all success”. The webinar was convened by Shri. G. Kamala Vardhana Rao, IAS, C&MD, India Tourism Development Council (ITDC) and had in attendance eminent officials, including Atul Kumar Tiwari, IAS, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Neelam Shami Rao, IAS, DG, National Institute of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD) and Gyan Bhushan, CEO ,National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology  (NCHMCT). Motivational talks and experiences were shared by Sh. Ritesh Aggarwal CEO, OYO Rooms & Sh. Abhinav Balyan, MD&CEO, Educator Extraordinaire Ltd. Under the ‘Entrepreneurship Development Programme’, graduates from hotel management institutes as well as recently unemployed and other experienced hospitality professionals would be provided with the non-financial support for running catering or hospitality-related establishments (canteen/café, Event Management, Manpower Services, Banquet services, …

Speaking at The Art of Travel roadshow in Delhi, Jatin Khanna, Market VP – North India, Bhutan & Nepal, Marriott International, said that recovery has already begun. “Recovery has already started happening for the industry, and I personally feel by the time we hit Q3 and should international travel resume by then, it would support a good V-shaped recovery for us,” he shared.

Radisson Hotel Group has launched Radisson Individuals in India with the opening of Classic Grande Imphal. “We are excited to enter this new partnership launching Radisson Individuals in India. The hotel’s strong service standards, matched by our global expertise and robust distribution will co-create unparalleled experiences for guests looking to travel to the beautiful city of Imphal,” said Zubin Saxena, Managing Director and Vice President, Operations, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group. Overlooking the majestic Baruni Twin Hills and ridges, Classic Grande Imphal, a member of Radisson Individuals features 171 uniquely designed rooms.

Mamta Pall, with almost a 2-decade experience in the industry and having worked with some of the top travel companies and well-known hotel brands, has launched her own venture—FootprintsWorldwide. The company will not just offer end-to-end sales, marketing and PR solutions to boutique resorts / hotels / brands in India and overseas, but will also establish hotel products into the market from scratch, and position them on the basis of their unique features. Since Pall has a huge experience in this domain, she plans to build her portfolio gradually. There are already a few boutique properties under the portfolio, which include Desert Tulip Jaisalmer, 7 Hills Resort and Kings Paradise Kanatal, Uttarakhand. She soon plans to add international brands into her range of products.