Author: Asmita Mukherjee | Hyderabad

India’s leisure travel market is moving beyond destination-led holidays towards experience-driven stays, opening a new growth avenue for agro-hospitality, plantation residences and farm-based resorts. “The Indian leisure traveller has shifted from destination-led travel to experience-led travel. A decade ago, the question was where to go. Today it is what one will feel, taste and take back,” said Ashwin Kumar, Founder & Managing Director, Vibez Estates. The trend is particularly relevant for plantation destinations such as Sakleshpur, Chikmagalur and Coorg, which are within comfortable driving distance of Bengaluru. The demand is there, but the organised supply is still developing. While these…

India’s spiritual and wellness tourism market presents a significant opportunity for the hospitality sector, with industry leaders calling for destination-specific hotels, stronger storytelling, local cuisine, technology-enabled crowd management and immersive experiences to encourage longer stays. Industry leaders shared their views at the FHRAI 56th Annual Convention, held at Taj Ganges, Varanasi, on August 22. The session, titled The Future of Spiritual & Wellness Tourism in India: Tradition, Transformation and Technology, was moderated by Narayani Ganesh, Former Editor, Speaking Tree. The panel comprised Vikram Cotah, Chief Executive Officer, GRT Hotels & Resorts; Samir MC, Chief Executive Officer, Tamara Leisure Experiences Pvt.…

India’s hotel companies are recalibrating their growth strategies around brand expansion, conversions, localisation and technology, while retaining human service as the core of hospitality, senior industry leaders said at Business Session II of the 56th FHRAI Annual Convention at Taj Ganges, Varanasi, on August 22.The session was moderated by Nikhil Sharma, Managing Director & COO – South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group. Vikram Lalvani, MD & CEO, Sterling Holiday Resorts, said the company has moved beyond its timeshare legacy towards a broader leisure and hospitality play. “We moved from a timeshare legacy brand into predominant leisure or hospitality space,” he said,…

India’s destination wedding market is shifting from the traditional “big fat Indian wedding” towards smaller, experience-led celebrations rooted in culture, spirituality and place, industry leaders said at the FHRAI 56th Annual Convention at Taj Ganges, Varanasi, on August 22. Speaking at the session “Sacred Vows, Spectacular Venues: The Future of Destination Weddings in India,” curated by Shriji Huzur Dr. Lakshyaraj Singh Ji Mewar of Udaipur, and moderated by Rajiv Kapoor, General Manager, Fairmont Mumbai and Roswyn, A Morgans Originals Hotel, panellists said couples are increasingly prioritising meaningful experiences over guest numbers. Jueta Hemdev, Founder, Yolo Events, said a wedding with…

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…