19 Jun 2025

Volkswagen India has launched two Performance Centres in Chennai- on Mount Road and in Ambattur- as part of its premium retail strategy to showcase the new Golf GTI and Tiguan R-Line. These centres mark the first in a planned network of 12 across the country. Deliveries of the Golf GTI have begun, with expanded access to the Tiguan R-Line also underway. Designed to offer a luxury experience through multisensory engagement, the centres aim to elevate Volkswagen's brand presence. With this move, the company's Tamil Nadu network now includes 27 sales and 19 service outlets, signalling a strong focus on upscale customer engagement.Read more

19 Jun 2025

Agoda CEO Omri Morgenshtern has announced plans to enhance the company's flight booking services in India, driven by strong local demand and successful hyperlocal strategies. Citing Ministry of Tourism data, he noted India saw 18.9 million international arrivals in 2023-but only 9.5 million were true foreign tourists, still below pre-pandemic levels. Morgenshtern pointed to complicated visa processes, poor infrastructure, and limited flight options as key barriers to growth. He advocated for more budget-friendly flights and better connectivity. As India's travel sector heats up, Agoda is positioning itself to meet rising expectations from both domestic and international travellers.Read more

19 Jun 2025

Global investment firm Blackstone has made a major foray into eastern India's retail sector by acquiring South City Mall in Kolkata for INR 3,250 crore. The one million sq ft mall, known for its high footfall and annual turnover exceeding INR 1,800 crore, has been described as an iconic destination for shopping and leisure. Real estate consultancy Anarock served as the exclusive transaction advisor in the deal. Blackstone plans to leverage its retail expertise to enhance the mall's long-term performance.Read more

18 Jun 2025

The International Hospitality Investment Forum (IHIF) Asia, hosted by Questex, is set for its second edition this September at Regent Hong Kong. Centred on the theme "Beyond Borders: Markets, Capital, Growth" the event will spotlight cross-border investments and capital trends in Asia-Pacific's hospitality sector. Delegates can expect a unique mix of strategic sessions and cultural experiences, including Tai Chi classes, a Harbour Cruise, and horse racing at the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Supported by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, IHIF Asia will attract HNWIs, hotel brands, developers, and global investors-positioning Hong Kong as a key hub for global hospitality exchange.Read more

12 Jun 2025

Thomas Cook (India) has extended its presence in Punjab by launching its first franchise outlet in Mohali, tapping into the city's growing reputation as a high-potential travel market. Known for its rapidly developing residential and commercial sectors, Mohali forms a key part of the Tricity region. The newly opened Gold Circle Partner outlet is expected to offer enhanced access and convenience to local customers. According to Thomas Cook's India Holiday Report 2025, a significant number of consumers are planning to travel more frequently and increase their travel budgets, underlining the market's expanding appetite for holidays.Read more

12 Jun 2025

IHG Hotels & Resorts has formalised a strategic partnership with Atithi Gokul Hotel Inns to develop a 150-room Holiday Inn in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Scheduled to open in the third quarter of 2028, this new property will cater to the rising influx of business and leisure travellers in the city. The collaboration is expected to strengthen IHG's midscale presence in western India and aligns with its broader growth strategy in emerging urban markets. The company expressed confidence in its global reach and trusted brand to deliver solid returns for stakeholders.Read more

12 Jun 2025

Indian Hotels Company Ltd (IHCL), the hospitality arm of the Tata Group, has entered into an agreement to launch a 115-key greenfield hotel in Mysuru, Karnataka, under its Vivanta brand. The announcement aligns with the company's broader strategy of tapping into rapidly developing cultural and economic centres. The project, in partnership with the Farah Group, will leverage the benefits of enhanced connectivity in the region, notably due to the Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway. With this addition, IHCL's footprint in Karnataka now stands at 26 hotels, of which 12 are currently under various stages of development.Read more

06 Jun 2025

A consortium led by Schloss Bangalore (The Leela) has secured an 80-year lease for a prime commercial plot in Mumbai's Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). The consortium, which includes Arliga Ecospace Business Park Pvt Ltd and Schloss Chanakya Pvt Ltd, plans to develop a mixed-use project, featuring a 250-key luxury hotel. The plot, spanning 8,411.88 sq m with a permissible built-up area of 33,647.52 sq m, comes with a total lease premium of INR 1,302.15 crore. The highest bid was submitted earlier this year following MMRDA's evaluation process.Read more

06 Jun 2025

IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed a management agreement with Kevit Retreats for the development of a 150-key Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Pithampur, Madhya Pradesh. Announced earlier this week, the property is expected to open in the first quarter of 2028. This move reflects IHG's ongoing strategy to penetrate emerging industrial locations with globally recognised hospitality offerings. Positioned as a rising industrial centre, Pithampur is especially known for its automotive and pharmaceutical sectors, making it a strategic location for hospitality expansion. IHG currently operates 50 hotels in India and is planning to add 63 more in the next three to five years.Read more

05 Jun 2025

The Himachal Pradesh government has rolled out an ambitious eco-tourism initiative under its newly framed Eco Tourism Policy 2024, aiming to develop 77 eco-tourism sites across multiple forest circles within the next five years. The policy seeks to strike a balance between nature preservation and tourism, while boosting local employment and sustainable economic growth. Initial developments are already underway at selected sites in Shimla and Kullu, with activities like trekking, forest camping, and bird watching being promoted. Local youth are also being trained as guides and workers, and digital tools such as a trekking management system and an upcoming mobile app are being introduced to assist travellers.Read more