Category Archives: Hotels

Cross Hotels & Resorts has signed an agreement to develop Cross Bali Uluwatu, an upper-upscale resort located 200 metres from Suluban Beach, one of Bali’s well-known surf and cultural landmarks. The project marks a continued expansion for Cross Hotels & Resorts across Indonesia, focusing on destinations that integrate design, culture and commercial performance. The resort is expected to become a significant addition to the company’s Indonesia portfolio, reinforcing its role in the country’s evolving hospitality landscape.

The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) has signed a Vivanta hotel in Vellore, Tamil Nadu. This greenfield project marks the brand’s debut in Vellore. The 100-key property will feature a contemporary design and vibrant spaces. The hotel will offer an all-day dining restaurant, a stylish bar and a pool lounge bar. For meetings and social gatherings, it will house multiple meeting rooms and a banquet hall spanning over 2,500 sq. ft. Guests can also enjoy recreational amenities, including a well-equipped gym and a swimming pool.

Santosh Kumar, Regional Manager South Asia, Booking.com, said Indian accommodation searches for destinations like Udaipur, Jaipur, Varanasi and Munnar have risen 30–70% year-on-year. Varkala recorded a 75% surge, entering the top five destinations. He added that Indian travellers increasingly prefer short-haul international trips, with Asia-Pacific destinations dominating the top 10 most-searched overseas destinations.

Speaking at the ATOAI Convention, Jasmeet Singh, Chief Commercial Officer, MakeMyTrip, highlighted that last-minute planning continues to dominate leisure travel behaviour, with nearly 50% of travellers booking hotels close to their travel dates. He noted that 56% of domestic leisure hotel bookings are made within seven days of travel, reflecting increasingly spontaneous decision-making among Indian travellers. For international travel, 40% of hotel bookings are completed within 15 days of departure, underscoring a growing preference for flexibility in travel planning, Singh added.

After the remarkable response to its showcase in New Delhi, Sun Siyam, the proudly Maldivian hospitality group celebrated for its award-winning portfolio of private island resorts in the Maldives and Sri Lanka, brought its 35th anniversary festivities to Mumbai. The exclusive evening marked the second chapter of the brand journey in India and continued the unveiling of a culture led brand transformation and the refreshed identity, The Home of the Maldivian Spirit. The event offered guests an authentic taste of Maldivian warmth and creativity while strengthening the group’s long standing relationship with the Indian market. The event once again gathered India’s leading media, further strengthening Sun Siyam’s relationship with one of its most valued markets. Building on the momentum from Delhi, the Mumbai showcase deepened engagement with the travel community, spotlighting the group’s renewed brand architecture, its curated House of Siyam portfolio, and the philosophy of experience-driven island luxury. Guests were taken on an immersive journey through Sun Siyam’s world, discovering its three defining collections: Luxury, Lifestyle, and Privé, and the distinctive Signature Experiences that express the brand’s vibrant personality. From Maldivian Roots and The Insta Villa to The Sun Siyam Beach Club, every concept reflects the brand’s passion for authenticity, creativity, and connection. Guided by the vision of Hon. Ahmed Siyam Mohamed, Founder, Owner and Managing Director, the brand’s ongoing evolution celebrates 35 years of pioneering hospitality rooted in Maldivian authenticity. With its redefined brand structure and distinctive experiences, Sun Siyam continues to set new benchmarks for island getaways — where every stay is a story and every guest feels at home. The evening in Mumbai echoed the same spirit of celebration and connection, offering guests a taste of …

This year reaffirmed the strength of India’s outbound travel market, says Pranav Kapadia, Founder and Director, Global Destinations. He adds, “While travellers were naturally a little more mindful given the global environment — from geopolitical tensions to pockets of economic uncertainty — the desire to explore remained strong and resilient. What we observed was a shift towards purposeful, experience-led travel. Indians planned more intentionally, choosing destinations that offered safety, seamless connectivity, and a variety of curated experiences. Families opted for wildlife and nature-led journeys, young professionals gravitated towards immersive and adventure-driven itineraries, and premium travellers continued to invest in personalized luxury and exclusive access.” Despite a more considered approach, outbound spending from India remained healthy. “Travellers prioritized value, authenticity, and itineraries that felt enriching rather than rushed — a trend that is likely to continue into 2026. Across all partner clients, the common success factor was authentic narratives, strong B2B engagement, on-ground training, and consistent visibility, which together strengthened conversion and confidence within the Indian travel trade,” Kapadia shares.  Sopa Lodges, Kenya & Tanzania: Sopa Lodges continued to build exceptional traction among families, wildlife enthusiasts, FITs, and increasingly, the MICE segment. The lodges’ personalized services and unique experiences — including astronomy tourism, cultural immersion with Maasai communities, and expansive landscapes — strongly resonated with Indian travellers. The diversity across properties allowed agents to cater to varied preferences while maintaining brand consistency. Fiji: Fiji continued to see steady, sustained growth in the Indian market this year. Its blend of warm hospitality, vibrant culture, pristine beaches, and the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation kept it firmly positioned as a preferred long-haul island destination. Ongoing trade engagement — through webinars, trainings, and strengthened partnerships — further …

Looking back at 2025, one thing stands out for Alefiya Singh, Founder of IRIS Reps, is that Indian travellers have become far more mindful about how they travel. “They’re not in a hurry anymore. Instead of ticking off five cities in one trip, they want to slow down, soak in a place, and really feel connected to it. This shift has been wonderful for our partners—Tour Managers Fiji, Pacific Pearl Holidays in Australia & New Zealand, Rickshaw Travels for East Africa, Authentic Asia Vietnam, and of course our beautiful resort partners like Beachcomber Mauritius, NOOE Maldives, Barceló Maldives & Phuket, Makunudu Maldives, and Seacliff Tanzania. Travellers are choosing experiences with heart, not just itineraries. Another big change I’ve noticed is the rise in responsible and wellness-led travel. People are asking deeper questions, planning well in advance, and are happy to spend a little more if it means the experience is meaningful, personalised, and rooted in the local culture,” she says. Inbound travel has also grown stronger this year—especially for wildlife, heritage, and wellness journeys. “It’s a lovely reminder that India continues to inspire the world with its richness and diversity. When I think of our wins this year, two stand out. Barceló Nasuandhura Maldives has been a truly special journey. The Maldives is usually seen as a honeymoon or pure leisure market, but we took a bold step in repositioning it for MICE. And to see corporates actually choose an island for meetings and incentives—it felt like we broke a long-standing mindset. That shift didn’t happen overnight; it came from genuine belief in the product and a lot of storytelling with the right partners,” Singh shares. Barceló Coconut Island in Phuket was another proud …

Speaking about how 2025 for Sarova Hotels & Resorts, Mita Vohra, Board Director, Sarova Hotels & Resorts, says that it was an unusual yet defining year for the chain, as it operated without a Revenue Manager for the entire year. “Despite this, our teams came together with remarkable unity and resilience, delivering one of the best years in our history. We are especially grateful for the growing support from the Indian market, with four major MICE groups contributing significantly to our success. Strong occupancies, healthy ADR growth, and a clear shift towards experiential, nature-led stays played a pivotal role in shaping our performance this year,” Vohra says. Sarova has always been ahead of the curve in technology, she adds, led by its award-winning CIO, who has been recognised for excellence two years in a row. “We are transforming how we operate—strengthening our digital backbone, enhancing guest-facing systems, and building a more dynamic and meaningful loyalty programme. Sustainability continues to be at the heart of everything we do. Our initiatives are widely respected, and one of our most cherished ambassadors is our Chief Gardener, who champions sustainable farming practices and shares this knowledge with surrounding communities. Our deep commitment to the environment, our people, and our guests remains one of the strongest foundations of our success,” Vohra says. Vision for 2026 Sarova Shaba Lodge—one of the most soulful properties in their portfolio—will be a major focus for them. Set against dramatic landscapes, rich cultural heritage, natural spring waters, stargazing vistas, and the breathtaking Shaba Gorge, this property embodies the spirit of authentic Kenya. “We are currently undertaking extensive renovations to reimagine and elevate every aspect of the lodge. From refreshed accommodations to …

Zuper Hotels & Resorts ushered in the festive season with its much-awaited annual cake-mixing celebrations, bringing warmth, community spirit, and a rich sense of tradition to guests across its properties. The evening events were hosted with great enthusiasm, blending classic rituals with elevated hospitality experiences. At several Zuper resorts, the traditional cake-mixing ceremony took centre stage, featuring an assortment of premium dry fruits, nuts, aromatic spices, and festive blends elegantly presented in vibrant trays. Guests gathered around to joyfully mix the ingredients as upbeat music set a cheerful tone for the evening. Staying true to its origins, the ceremony symbolised prosperity, good fortune, and the onset of the holiday season—while creating an atmosphere of togetherness and shared celebration. To enhance the festivities, Zuper properties curated indulgent high-tea spreads and live culinary counters, highlighting the brand’s commitment to gastronomic creativity and guest delight. Beyond the ceremony, a series of engaging activities kept the momentum high, including tambola sessions, pottery painting, DIY craft corners, archery stations, and quick interactive games designed for families, groups, and leisure travellers. This thoughtful mix of entertainment ensured guests remained immersed throughout, turning the celebration into an experiential highlight of their stay. Speaking about the occasion, Mr. Prem Kumar Pathak, General Manager – Tropical Retreat by Zuper, said:“This ceremony reminds us that the finest moments are created when tradition, joy, and community come together. At Zuper, we celebrate every bit of happiness we can, ensuring our guests feel special, connected, and engaged. We strive to be a reason they remember their stay with warmth long after they leave.” With each festival—whether Christmas, Diwali, Holi, or unique regional celebrations—Zuper Hotels & Resorts continues to craft immersive guest experiences …