27 May 2025

Schloss Bangalore Ltd, the Brookfield-backed operator of luxury brand The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, has announced an investment of INR 1,131 crore to develop five company-owned hospitality properties across Agra, Srinagar, Bandhavgarh, Ranthambore, and Ayodhya. These developments, totalling 475 rooms, are slated to commence operations by 2028. The announcement came just before the company's INR 3,500 crore IPO opened earlier this week, aiming to raise INR 2,500 crore for debt repayment. Brookfield, which acquired The Leela brand in 2019, is set to dilute its holding by 24%, marking one of the largest public issues in India's hospitality sector.Read more

26 May 2025

Kopi Kenangan, Southeast Asia's fastest-growing coffee chain and the region's first food and beverage unicorn, has launched its second outlet in India at SDA Market, New Delhi. The opening comes within weeks of the successful debut at Pacific Mall, Tagore Garden, marking an ambitious expansion strategy into India's thriving cafe scene. With backing from global investors such as Peak XV, Sequoia Capital, Serena Ventures, and B Capital, the brand aims to introduce its authentic Indonesian coffee, highlighted by the use of natural Gula Aren sugar, to Indian consumers seeking flavourful yet health-conscious beverage options.Read more

23 May 2025

ITC Hotels has expanded its presence in Telangana with the signing of an agreement with KAC Palm Exotica Hotels Private Limited to introduce 'Welcomhotel Shankarpally', a 155-key property set to open in the Hyderabad market. This marks the debut of the 'Welcomhotel' brand in Telangana, complementing ITC's existing properties in Hyderabad ITC Kakatiya and ITC Kohenur. Meanwhile, Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) has launched the 156-key Taj Alibaug Resort & Spa in Maharashtra, marking its entry into the Alibaug micro-market, a preferred leisure destination for Mumbaikars.Read more

20 May 2025

In FY25, OYO's business accelerator division added 3,500 new corporate clients-a 20% year-on-year growth-bringing its total to over 6,500. This uptick reflects a strong rebound in business travel across India. Mumbai led the expansion with 700 new clients, followed by Hyderabad and Pune. OYO also saw rising demand for long stays and event-based bookings. The growth was driven by a diverse mix of large firms, SMEs, startups, and travel agencies. According to the GBTA, India is now the fourth-largest business travel market in Asia-Pacific. OYO's success highlights its strategic focus on tapping into the growing demand for flexible, extended corporate accommodations.Read more

16 May 2025

ITC Hotels is expanding in West Bengal with the launch of its first 'Mementos' brand property in Siliguri, through a management deal with LR Berlia Group. Located near Bagdogra airport, the 180-room luxury hotel targets both business and leisure travellers. This marks the brand's debut in eastern India and reflects ITC's focus on premium offerings. With this addition, ITC now operates six hotels in the state and has six more in development. Once completed, the company will manage 12 properties across West Bengal, totaling 1,540 rooms. The move strengthens ITC Hotels' presence in the region and supports its strategy of blending luxury with strategic locations.Read more

15 May 2025

Bengaluru led the way in the first quarter of 2025, when the retail sector in India leased 3.1 million square feet of retail space. The city accounted for 34% of the total leasing activity, followed by Delhi NCR and Mumbai at 14% each. Fashion and apparel were the dominant sectors, comprising 31% of the leasing activity. This quarter also saw five new shopping malls open across key cities, adding 2 million sq ft to the market, surpassing the new retail supply from 2024. These developments signal continued growth in the retail real estate market.Read more

15 May 2025

India's top seven cities are set to add approximately 16.6 million sq ft of Grade A retail space in malls by the end of 2026, according to Anarock. Hyderabad and Delhi-NCR will lead this expansion, accounting for 65% of the new supply. The surge is driven by a persistent demand-supply gap, as leasing has consistently outpaced new supply over the past three years. In 2024, only 1.1 million sq ft of new space was added, while leasing hit 6.5 million sq ft. With over 12.6 million sq ft expected to be leased in the next two years, demand remains strong. Growth is also extending to tier II and III cities, highlighting a nationwide retail boom.Read more

13 May 2025

Minimalist Hotels, one of India's premier lifestyle hospitality brands, is set to expand its footprint by launching 20 new properties in major urban centers over the next two years. With a goal to raise INR 20 crore, the brand aims to redefine mid-market hospitality through thoughtfully designed spaces and locally rooted experiences. Operating across 200,000 square feet, it will soon scale to nearly 1 million sq. ft. Minimalist has already served over 1.5 lakh guests, reflecting its growing appeal. The brand fosters a profound appeal with today's experience-driven travelers by integrating modern aesthetics, cultural context, local expertise, and carefully crafted community experiences.Read more

12 May 2025

OYO has claimed the title of the most profitable Indian startup, achieving a profit after tax (PAT) of INR 623 crore for the financial year 2024-25, according to a recent town hall held by Founder Ritesh Agarwal. The company's PAT surged by 172 per cent from the previous fiscal, while adjusted EBITDA grew by 27 per cent to INR 1,132 crore. Additionally, OYO's earnings per share (EPS) rose by 158 per cent to INR 0.93. The travel tech platform reported a 54 per cent increase in Gross Booking Value (GBV) to INR 16,436 crore, driven by its Company-Serviced Portfolio, including Townhouse Hotels and Sunday Hotels. The fourth quarter of FY25 witnessed a substantial 126 per cent rise in GBV to INR 6,379 crore.Read more

07 May 2025

Equity International exited its investment in SAMHI Hotels after a 14-year partnership. The firm began investing in SAMHI in 2011 and helped the company grow into a leading hotel platform in India, operating 34 hotels under international brands with three more under development. The exit was completed in three phases: 49.8% of its stake was sold during SAMHI's IPO in September 2023, 27% in March 2024, and the remaining 23.2%, equal to 8,721,414 shares, was sold in April 2025. The final sale ends Equity International's involvement, in line with its strategy of disciplined monetisation, and SAMHI is now positioned for continued growth.Read more