07 Jul 2026

Air India Express has fully restored its flight operations to West Asia after regional airspace conditions stabilised. Services to destinations including the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Muscat have resumed according to schedule. The airline said the restoration follows the easing of operational disruptions caused by recent geopolitical tensions. With services returning to normal, Air India Express expects improved connectivity for passengers travelling between India and key West Asian markets.Read more

06 Jul 2026

Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) has entered into a strategic partnership with Italian hospitality group Starhotels to expand the reach of its Taj InnerCircle–NeuPass loyalty programme across Europe. The collaboration enables members of both loyalty programmes to access reciprocal benefits at participating properties within IHCL's global portfolio and Starhotels' network. The partnership covers multiple IHCL brands, including Taj, SeleQtions, Vivanta and Gateway, alongside Starhotels Collezione and Starhotels Premium hotels. IHCL said the initiative comes amid rising travel demand between India and Europe and is intended to enhance customer engagement by extending loyalty benefits across a broader international hospitality network.Read more

06 Jul 2026

Leasing activity in India's organised retail real estate market increased by 18% year-on-year to 2.4 million sq ft during the April–June quarter across eight major cities, according to Cushman & Wakefield. The growth was driven by retailers expanding their physical presence despite limited availability of quality retail assets. High streets accounted for nearly half of the total leasing activity at 1.17 million sq ft, while fashion retailers remained the largest occupiers, followed by food and beverage brands. The consultant noted that constrained supply has resulted in lower vacancies and firmer rentals across key retail destinations, with additional retail developments expected to improve space availability in the coming quarters.Read more

05 Jul 2026

Sports tourism is emerging as a significant segment of experiential travel among Indian travellers, with holidays increasingly being planned around international sporting events, iconic venues and major tournaments. According to Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel, demand is expanding beyond cricket to include football, Formula 1, tennis, golf, endurance sports and emerging racquet sports such as padel. Travellers are also extending sports-focused trips into longer holidays by combining live sporting events with sightseeing, local cuisine and cultural experiences. Destinations including Australia, the UK, Spain, Singapore, Japan, the UAE and New Zealand continue to attract Indian visitors seeking a blend of sporting experiences and tourism.Read more

04 Jul 2026

Cash on Delivery (COD) remains one of the most widely used payment options in India's e-commerce market, particularly among small businesses, direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands and marketplace sellers. However, additional COD handling charges imposed by logistics providers can increase fulfilment costs and affect profit margins as order volumes grow. As businesses seek greater cost efficiency and transparency, shipping partners offering predictable pricing models without COD handling charges are gaining traction. This shift reflects a broader demand for simplified logistics, faster cash flow and improved operational planning. Digital shipping platforms such as Shadowfax 360 (SF 360) are responding by combining transparent pricing with technology-enabled logistics solutions tailored to the evolving needs of India's online sellers.Read more

01 Jul 2026

• The Chandigarh Administration has officially permitted the use of eligible residential properties as Bed & Breakfast establishments under a newly notified tourism policy.
• The initiative aims to promote affordable homestay accommodation, strengthen the city's tourism ecosystem and provide homeowners with an additional source of income.
• Only owner-occupied residential properties measuring at least 500 square yards will be eligible, subject to registration and compliance with prescribed conditions.
• Applicants must obtain all required permissions and No Objection Certificates (NOCs) before commencing operations under the policy.Read more

30 Jun 2026

Real estate developer Omaxe Ltd has announced its entry into the organised hospitality sector with plans to invest INR 6,200 crore over the next four to five years to develop 19 hotels across five states. The projects, spanning nearly 5 million sq ft, will be integrated with the company's townships, mixed-use developments and commercial projects. Uttar Pradesh will account for the majority of the portfolio with 12 hotels, including developments in Ayodhya, Vrindavan and Lucknow. Omaxe will partner with established hospitality operators to manage the hotels, with one of the flagship projects being a 158-key Gateway Hotel by IHCL at The Omaxe State in Dwarka, New Delhi.Read more

30 Jun 2026

ITC Hotels Ltd has signed a management agreement with Shyam Group Hotel and Resort to operate a 101-key Welcomhotel in the Karai area of Gandhinagar, strengthening its presence in Gujarat's hospitality market. Set across a nine-acre site, the hotel will feature guestrooms, multiple dining outlets, banquet facilities and landscaped event lawns, targeting business travellers, weddings, social events and the MICE segment. Strategically located between Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad, with connectivity to Ahmedabad Airport and GIFT City, the property forms part of ITC Hotels' expansion strategy in high-growth markets. The hotel is expected to commence operations later this year.Read more

28 Jun 2026

M3M 65th Avenue organised YOG-A-FAIR, a wellness-focused event marking International Yoga Day at its mixed-use development in Sector 65, Gurugram. Curated by Drivefitt and powered by GURKHA, the event brought together residents, fitness enthusiasts and visitors for a series of activities centred on physical and mental well-being. The programme featured a sunrise yoga session led by actor and fitness expert Abigail Pande, along with sound healing sessions, recovery zones, nutrition-focused offerings and mindfulness activities. The initiative reflects a broader trend among mixed-use developments and lifestyle destinations to incorporate community-oriented wellness experiences. According to M3M India, the event forms part of its efforts to promote engagement, social interaction and well-being through experiential programmes within its retail and lifestyle developments.Read more

28 Jun 2026

Bengaluru-based AI shopping assistant startup Zave has secured INR 4.7 crore in a bridge funding round led by Inflection Point Ventures (IPV), with participation from Mucker Capital. The company will use the proceeds to strengthen its AI-powered product, improve platform scalability and infrastructure, and enhance its artificial intelligence capabilities to support its growth. Zave currently operates across Amazon, Flipkart and more than 5,000 brand websites and applications, helping users compare products and make informed purchasing decisions. The startup has crossed 500,000 app installs, serves 50,000 daily active users, and facilitates over INR 15 crore in monthly transactions through its AI-driven recommendation engine. The funding comes as AI-powered commerce platforms continue to attract investor interest amid the rapid expansion of India's digital retail market.Read more