Author: Asmita Mukherjee | Hyderabad
Asmita Mukherjee | Hyderabad India’s restaurant industry is at an inflection point. Rising input costs, tighter margins and the pressure to scale are forcing operators to rethink how they run their businesses. What was once a largely intuition-led sector is steadily moving toward data-backed decision-making, where visibility and control can make the difference between profit and leakage. For Shivaprakash Mogali, Founder of Digitory, the shift is both urgent and overdue. “At Digitory, we’ve seen that most restaurants are still operating reactively, identifying issues only after they’ve already impacted margins. We’re helping operators shift to predictive decision-making by connecting data across…
As the Hotel Investment Conference South Asia (HICSA) steps into its third decade, it does so at a time when South Asia’s hospitality sector is being reshaped by shifting capital flows, strong domestic demand, and a more discerning investment climate. Over the years, HICSA has evolved into a key industry platform, convening owners, investors, operators, and policymakers to drive conversations that influence real-world decisions and long-term strategy. For Manav Thadani, Chairman of Hotelivate, this phase marks a transition toward more disciplined, execution-led growth, where adaptability and market relevance are critical. As the sector navigates uncertainty alongside opportunity, HICSA continues to…
Goa’s hospitality sector is navigating a recalibration. The beach destination is seeing an increase in softer booking windows, sharper value comparisons and experience-first travel decisions. Vinayak Patnekar, General Manager of Fairfield by Marriott Goa Benaulim, brings over two decades of operational experience within Marriott International to the table. Having worked across brands, cities and market cycles, Patnekar represents a generation of leaders shaped by both scale and structure.In an interaction with Asmita Mukherjee, he speaks about sustaining culture in high-churn environments, why hiring for attitude outweighs hiring for pedigree, and how technology is quietly transforming back-of-house efficiency while enabling sharper guest personalisation. You’ve spent over…
Over the years, HOPE has emerged as one of the region’s most influential hospitality summits, reflecting the rapid evolution of Indian hospitality. Now, HVS ANAROCK HOPE 2026 is set to be more than a conference; it aims to be a defining platform that brings together capital, leadership, innovation, and global voices to shape the industry’s next chapter. In an exclusive interaction with Asmita Mukherjee Mandeep S. Lamba, President & CEO (South Asia), HVS ANAROCK, shares how HOPE 2026 is designed to elevate ambition, sharpen strategy, and position India at the center of the global hospitality conversation. What is the vision…
As Hyderabad cements its position as one of India’s most dynamic business hubs, the hospitality landscape around the Financial District is evolving just as rapidly. At the center of this growth story stands Sheraton Hyderabad Hotel, led by General Manager Subhankar Bose, whose career spans over two decades across leading brands such as Taj, Accor and Marriott. Having worked across diverse geographies within India, Bose brings a sharp understanding of regional markets, operational resilience and people-centric leadership. Under his able leadership, Sheraton Hyderabad is not only capitalising on the city’s corporate and long-stay demand but also strategically expanding its local…
Founded in 2011, RollsKing has emerged as a strong pan-India QSR brand with a diversified network of cloud kitchens and high-street formats. With operations spanning over fifteen cities and a clear focus on the ‘Grab and Go’ consumer, the brand is now gearing up for its next growth phase. In this interview, Arjun Toor, Co-founder, RollsKing, discusses the company’s plans to add over one hundred new outlets in the next two years, its shift towards a predominantly company-owned model, upcoming investments, and how RollsKing aims to strengthen its position in both metro and tier-II markets while scaling with discipline and…
With a 130-year legacy rooted in Jaipur’s royal history, Grand Uniara Hotel has evolved from a private palace into a heritage hospitality address that blends conservation with contemporary relevance. As demand for experiential travel and destination weddings accelerates, the property has carved a distinct niche through its intimate scale, curated experiences and strong focus on authenticity. In an exclusive interview with Asmita Mukherjee, Trisha Singh, Operational Manager, Grand Uniara Hotel, Jaipur, speaks about reinterpreting royal hospitality for today’s traveller, balancing heritage with modern expectations, and leveraging weddings, dining and experiential offerings to drive occupancy, rates and long-term value in one…
India’s hospitality sector is heading into 2026 on its strongest footing in more than a decade. After absorbing the shock of the pandemic, navigating supply disruptions and riding a sharp rebound in travel demand, the industry is now entering a phase marked by discipline, predictability and structurally driven growth rather than recovery-led exuberance. Demand remains broad-based across leisure, business, weddings, religious tourism and MICE, while new supply continues to enter the market at a measured pace—allowing operators to retain pricing power and protect margins. “The outlook for 2026 remains firmly optimistic for both hospitality investment and operating performance in India,…
As India heads into the Union Budget 2026, the hospitality and tourism sector has stepped forward with a unified call for policy reforms to sustain momentum and unlock its next phase of growth. Buoyed by strong domestic travel demand, rising occupancies and expanding leisure, wedding and MICE segments, industry leaders believe the time is ripe for structural support that matches the sector’s economic contribution. Key expectations include comprehensive infrastructure status for hotels, GST rationalisation, easier access to long-term and green financing, single-window clearances and incentives that encourage investment across Tier II and Tier III destinations. Stakeholders argue that such measures…
Surendra Jaiswal, President of the Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), is at the forefront of shaping the future of India’s hospitality sector at a critical moment of transformation. With the industry navigating post-pandemic recovery, regulatory challenges, talent shortages, and rapid expansion into tier-II and tier-III cities, his leadership is focused on policy reform, sustainability, and inclusive growth. In a conversation with Asmita Mukherjee, Jaiswal shares his vision for strengthening hospitality as a key driver of tourism-led economic development, outlines FHRAI’s priorities for 2026, and discusses pressing issues ranging from GST reforms and OTA practices . What…
