Author: Asmita Mukherjee | Hyderabad
From being a relatively small contributor to the company’s global business a decade ago, India has emerged as one of TOTO’s top six markets worldwide. With its manufacturing facility in Halol, Gujarat, serving both domestic and international demand, the company is now targeting threefold growth by 2030. In an exclusive interaction with Asmita Mukherjee, Shiozawa Kazuyuki, Managing Director of Japanese sanitary-ware major TOTO India discusses how India is becoming increasingly important to the company’s global growth ambitions. How strategic is India to TOTO’s global growth plans? India is an increasingly important contributor to our global growth story and a key market…
With travellers becoming more discerning and competition intensifying, hotels are increasingly focusing on guest loyalty and operational consistency to drive long-term growth. Deep Mohan Singh Arneja, General Manager, Courtyard by Marriott Agra, believes sustained success depends on operational discipline, pricing integrity and consistent guest experiences rather than short-term revenue gains. Speaking to Asmita Mukherjee, he said that while Agra benefits from strong tourist demand, maintaining a hotel’s reputation requires a clear strategy and flawless execution. Beyond occupancy Arneja noted that while peak travel periods naturally support occupancy levels, the true test of a hotel’s resilience emerges during shoulder seasons. “Agra is…
Asmita Mukherjee | Hyderabad Jim Corbett has evolved from being a seasonal wildlife destination into one of North India’s most competitive leisure and destination wedding markets. Improved road connectivity, rising demand for short-haul luxury getaways and the growing popularity of nature-based experiences have expanded the market beyond traditional safari tourism. As a result, resorts are increasingly looking to differentiate themselves through curated experiences, stronger food and beverage offerings and diversified revenue streams. Focus Areas For ZANA In The Wild, Jim Corbett, the strategy is centred on creating a hospitality product that extends beyond the national park experience. The property is…
Azure Hospitality is investing aggressively in the revival and expansion of its flagship Pan-Asian dining brand, Mamagoto, with plans to double the brand’s size over the next two-and-a-half years, backed by investments in store redesigns, menu innovation, technology-led customer engagement, and market expansion. The company has already invested between INR 5 crore and INR 8 crore over the last 18 months towards the redevelopment of the Mamagoto brand, including outlet renovations, menu engineering, new brand touchpoints and the rollout of the Mamagoto 2.0 concept. While speaking to Asmita Mukherjee, Vineet Kochar, Chief Operating Officer, Azure Hospitality Private Limited, said the…
As India’s luxury hospitality sector moves towards more personalised, design-led guest experiences, global furnishing brands are increasingly eyeing the market for growth opportunities. US-based FabricaKraft, a custom soft-furnishings company known for its zero minimum order quantity (MOQ) model and made-to-order approach, has identified India as a strategic market in its global expansion plans. The company sees rising demand from luxury hotels, resorts, boutique properties and premium dining destinations for bespoke furnishings that combine aesthetics, functionality and sustainability. In an interaction with Asmita Mukherjee,Neha Khanna, CEO & Co-Founder, Fabrica Kraft (USA), shares the company’s India growth strategy and explains how customisation…
In a city where cafés seem to sprout up faster than monsoon mushrooms, standing out takes more than good coffee and an Instagram-friendly corner. Kiplings at Inorbit Mall, Hyderabad manages to do just that. With its charming blue-and-white palette, soft moccasin sofas, wooden decks and inviting bakery displays, the café has the polish of an upscale European eatery. Yet unlike many of its design-forward peers, the menu remains surprisingly approachable and wallet-friendly. Complementing the culinary experience is a thoughtfully designed space overlooking the serene waters of Durgam Cheruvu Lake. The setting feels bright and airy, making it easy to lose…
India’s culinary heritage can become one of the country’s strongest tourism assets, but only if it is documented, preserved and integrated into policy and hospitality education, industry leaders said at a panel discussion during the 15th International Heritage Tourism Conclave, organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) at the Salar Jung Museum in Hyderabad. The session, ‘Food as a Tourism Asset’, moderated by Chef Thomas Zacharias, Founder, The Locavore, brought together Chef Manjit Gill, President, Indian Federation of Culinary Associations (IFCA); Chef Madhu W. Krishnan, President, Bocuse d’Or India; Sanjay Thakur, Principal, Institute of Hotel Management (IHM),…
Luxury hotels today are moving beyond conventional regional food festivals to curate experiences that celebrate India’s lesser known culinary heritage. At Permit to Grill in Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre (NHCC), Forest & Fire is one such initiative. Curated by culinary explorer, food entrepreneur and founder of Prana Superfoods, Chef Harshita Kakwani, the limited period festival shines a spotlight on the indigenous food traditions of Central India. More than introducing diners to unfamiliar dishes, it revives recipes, ingredients and cooking techniques that have nourished forest communities for generations, long before sustainability entered mainstream conversations. The menu celebrates indigenous ingredients, seasonal cooking and…
Asmita Mukherjee | Hyderabad There was a time when hotels were simply one element within a mixed-use development, sitting alongside retail, offices and residences. Today, that equation is changing rapidly. Hospitality is no longer an add-on. It is becoming the force that shapes how these developments are planned, how people interact with them and ultimately how they perform financially. Across India’s urban centres, developers are rethinking the role of hotels, restaurants, wellness spaces and entertainment. Rather than creating places people visit for a single purpose, they are building destinations where work, leisure, shopping and social experiences blend seamlessly. In Hyderabad,…
In an industry where rapid expansion is often fuelled by external capital, Prajwal Lokesh has charted a different course. As the Founder and CEO of Lokesh Hospitality, he has built one of Bengaluru’s most recognised independent hospitality groups by focusing on sustainable growth, operational excellence and experience-led concepts. From reviving iconic establishments like Chin Lung and Kalinga to creating contemporary destinations that resonate with today’s consumers, Lokesh has successfully blended the city’s rich hospitality heritage with evolving dining preferences. In an exclusive conversation with Asmita Mukherjee, Prajwal Lokesh shares his insights on scaling a founder-led business. What have been the…
