Category Archives: Hotels

Cross Hotels & Resorts has signed a Hotel Management Agreement (HMA) with Geonet Developments International for ELLE Resort & Beach Club by Cross Collection, a high-style beachfront destination set to open in 2028 in the heart of Seminyak, Bali. This bold signing marks another key milestone in Cross Hotels & Resorts’ mission to become APAC’s Leading Alternative to Global Hotel Operators, while spotlighting the brand’s growing expertise in managing lifestyle experiences. Located along Seminyak’s legendary coastline, ELLE Resort & Beach Club by Cross Collection is poised to deliver a refined yet vibrant stay, blending the sophistication of the ELLE brand with Bali’s iconic beach energy. The resort will feature 170 ultra-luxury hotel rooms & suites, each designed to reflect a modern, effortless glamour. At its heart, the signature beach club will serve as a cultural and social anchor, offering music, fashion, mixology, and cuisine in a setting that invites day-to-night celebration. Chad Egan, CEO & Founder, Geonet, added “We are so excited to bring ELLE into this collaboration. It marks our first project together with the globally iconic brand. This is also our second collaboration with Cross Hotels & Resorts, which reflects the strength of our partnership and our shared commitment to delivering exceptional hospitality assets. Backed by the global reach of Flight Centre Travel Group, Cross brings the operational focus and brand energy we were looking for. Together, we are creating a bold new beachfront destination that speaks to style, connection, and commercial performance.” Evan Burns, Country Manager, Indonesia, Cross Hotels & Resorts, added “ELLE Resort & Beach Club by Cross Collection is a fresh, magnetic addition to Seminyak, delivering the vibrancy of a modern beach club lifestyle with …

Cross Hotels & Resorts is pleased to announce the opening of Away Bangkok Sukhumvit, strategically positioned as an ideal choice for business and leisure travellers seeking accommodation solutions in Bangkok’s bustling Central Business District. Conveniently situated in the vibrant Sukhumvit area, Away Bangkok Sukhumvit offers unparalleled access to Bangkok’s key transportation links, including BTS Asok, BTS Phrom Phong, and MRT Sukhumvit stations. The hotel is easily accessible from both Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) and Don Mueang International Airport (DMK), ensuring seamless connectivity for international travellers. Guests will appreciate the hotel’s proximity to significant business and leisure landmarks, including the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC), Benjakitti Park, Benjasiri Park, Terminal 21, and The EM District, comprising Emporium, EmQuartier, and the new Emsphere. This location provides guests the advantage of exploring business hubs, shopping destinations, restaurants, and entertainment venues with ease. Away Bangkok Sukhumvit, introducing itself as an “Urban Sanctuary,” features 75 well-appointed guestrooms catering to various preferences. Guests can enjoy diverse culinary experiences at Twenty / 22 Bar & Restaurant. Known for its relaxed atmosphere, the restaurant offers an array of Thai and international options, from classic Pad Thai to juicy burgers and refreshing drinks. Additional facilities include a rooftop outdoor swimming pool and a modern gym, providing guests with leisure activities that complement the hotel’s ethos of “Escape Everyday Life.” Opportunity for Travel Agents Away Bangkok Sukhumvit presents travel agents with a compelling proposition: a lifestyle hotel offering a blend of strategic location, varied room categories, and comprehensive amenities that meet both business and leisure expectations. It is crafted to deliver an elevated guest experience in a prime Bangkok setting.

West Bengal’s tourism sector attracted private investment worth ₹5,710 crore last year, driven by new luxury hotels, homestays and festival-driven growth, said Nandini Chakravorty, Additional Chief Secretary (Tourism), GoI. In the same period, 42 new luxury hotels have opened in the state. She also added that Bengal ranked first in homestay registrations with 5,322 operational units and 3,755 more in the pipeline.

Summit Hotels & Resorts, one of Eastern India’s leading hospitality brands, has announced the opening of Summit Enigma Resort & Spa in Lamahata, a luxury mountain retreat set to redefine high-altitude hospitality. Strategically located just 22 kilometres from Darjeeling town and within easy reach of Tiger Hill and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, the resort offers a rare combination of accessibility and tranquillity, making it West Bengal’s newest destination for discerning travellers. Summit Enigma Resort & Spa sets itself apart with unobstructed views of the entire Kanchenjunga range, a privilege often reserved for sunrise treks to Tiger Hill but now available from the privacy of a guest’s balcony. The property features 16 elegant rooms designed to showcase nature’s grandeur, including intimate Premium Rooms and spacious Balcony Rooms that invite guests to experience the ever-changing Himalayan skies. The resort emphasises wellness and sustainability as cornerstones of its philosophy. The signature Meta Spa introduces therapies inspired by the region, complemented by steam and sauna facilities, and a Kanchenjunga-facing Jacuzzi that blends luxury with natural immersion. Dining at the in-house CloudSong Restaurant celebrates the bounty of the mountains with farm-to-table menus, locally sourced produce, and delicacies such as the much-talked-about Desi Kukkad Curry. Beyond luxury, Summit Enigma promises an immersive cultural connection. Guests can walk to nearby farms, experience sustainable mountain agriculture, and interact with local communities where traditions continue in harmony with nature. Wildlife too plays a role in the experience, with deer sightings on the property underscoring the seamless coexistence of wilderness and hospitality. The resort’s strategic location enhances its appeal. While Darjeeling offers the bustle of a celebrated hill station, Lamahata provides a peaceful alternative, close enough to access iconic attractions …

Indian hospitality sector witnessed a 12.9% year-or-year growth in RevPAR during April-June quarter of this year, according to JLL’s Hotel Momentum India report. The growth accompanied 10% sequential acceleration, demonstrating strong recovery and expansion of the sector. Bengaluru stood out as a market leader, with a RevPAR growth of 29.4% in the same period.

Cross Hotels & Resorts participated in a three-city roadshow organised by TravelBullz from 18 to 22 August, covering Kolkata. Ludhiana and New Delhi. “This roadshow gave us the perfect platform to connect with key agents, showcase our Thailand portfolio and launch Away Bangkok Sukhumvit,” said Sandeep Raghav, Director, Business Development – India, Cross Hotels & Resorts.

Speaking at the 40th IATO Convention in Odisha’s Puri, Suman Billa, Additional Secretary and Director General Tourism, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, said, “India needs three times the current number of hotel rooms to meet future demand. Unless we are able to unlock that and push the needle, it is going to be a challenge.”

TravelBullz’ three-city Great India Roadshow concluded in Delhi, spotlighting Singapore and Thailand alongside a grand launch for Destination Dubai. KD Singh, Founder, TravelBullz, said, “Our overall global hotel business has grown 400% over the last three years.” He projected global hotel sales of ₹475 crore ($55 million) this year.

Emphasising the importance of partnerships and relationships in India’s travel market, Tekla Maira, Founder, And The Story Continues, urged global stakeholders to prioritise accessibility, education, segmentation and regular engagement with Indian travel agents, especially for weddings and MICE.

The Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), representing the hospitality industry across the country, has requested Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, Hon’ble Union Finance Minister and Chairperson of the GST Council, for the rationalisation of GST in the tourism and hospitality sector. The appeal seeks to position Indian tourism as a driver of economic growth while enhancing its global competitiveness in alignment with India’s Vision 2047. FHRAI welcomed the landmark GST reforms announced by the Hon’ble Prime Minister on August 15, 2025, describing them as a reflection of the Government’s commitment to strengthening India’s tax regime, simplifying compliance, and paving the way for sustained growth. Tourism has long been one of India’s most strategic growth pillars, contributing nearly five per cent to the nation’s GDP, with the potential to double this contribution if supported by conducive policy measures. It remains one of the largest employment generators, offering extensive opportunities for youth and women, and is recognised for its high multiplier effect, where every rupee invested in hospitality generates a return of 3.5 rupees in output, while one direct job in the sector creates an additional 3.2 indirect jobs. Despite this strong potential, India’s current GST structure makes the tourism sector less competitive compared to its Asian peers. Countries such as Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Singapore, and Malaysia operate under lower tax regimes, ranging between 6 and 10 per cent, which helps them attract significantly larger tourist inflows. In contrast, India’s higher GST structure reduces affordability and weakens its appeal for international travellers. FHRAI has therefore emphasised the need for uniformity and simplicity in GST to make tourism services more accessible and globally competitive. It has recommended the introduction …