Author: Asmita Mukherjee | Hyderabad
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…
India’s hospitality sector is entering a crucial time. According to Paritosh Ladhani, Joint Managing Director of SLMG Beverages and Sincere Developers, the success of this industry will depend on scale, brand partnerships, and operational efficiency. With his diverse experience in beverages, hotels, and restaurants, Ladhani suggests that hospitality owners must balance asset ownership with strong relationships with brands and operators to stay competitive. Ladhani, the founder of Hard Rock Café Delhi and owner of the Taj Hotel & Convention Centre in Agra, notes that the sector is gradually shifting from standalone entrepreneurial models to professionally managed assets that are aligned…
Hospitality education is no longer benefiting from unquestioned confidence, says Kunal Vasudeva, Managing Director and Co-founder of the Indian School of Hospitality. He points out that the pandemic exposed structural weaknesses in the sector, including long working hours, fragile career pathways and limited safeguards, leading students and families to reassess their choices. As a result, Vasudeva says, students are returning to hospitality education cautiously and with sharper expectations. In this exclusive interview with Asmita Mukherjee, he said that generic hospitality programmes are losing relevance and warns that industry growth without a parallel reform in education will only deepen attrition. After…
With a career spanning four decades, Charulata Sukhija stands among the most experienced voices in India’s hospitality sector. Currently Deputy Secretary General of the Hotel Association of India (HAI), the apex national body representing the hospitality industry, she has been part of the sector since 1985. Beginning her journey as a management trainee with ITDC, Sukhija went on to build nearly two decades of experience across hotel operations, sales and marketing, events and corporate roles, including leadership stints with International Travel House (an ITC company) and Thailand-based Challenge Hospitality. An alumna of IHM Pusa, Delhi University and IMI New Delhi,…
As the hospitality sector adapts to shifting guest expectations and evolving business models, 2025 has emerged as a year of recalibration and renewed growth. In this interview, Vineet Verma, Director, Brigade Hospitality, shares insights on operational innovation, revenue drivers and the priorities hospitality leaders must focus on to sustain momentum into 2026. As we close 2025, what were the major changes in hospitality, from guest expectations to business strategy? Guests in 2025 expected more than just a comfortable stay. They wanted personalisation, convenience, and value. Digital check-ins, flexible booking policies, and attention to loyalists have become standard. Business strategy has…
In an industry where guest experience hinges not just on service excellence but also on operational integrity, compliance has become one of the most critical and often underestimated pillars of hotel management. As hotels increasingly depend on multiple contractors for housekeeping, security, F&B operations and back-end support, the regulatory burden has grown exponentially. Today, even a single lapse in labour law compliance can expose hotels to significant financial, legal and reputational risks. In an exclusive conversation with Asmita Mukherjee, Rishi Agrawal, Co-Founder & CEO, TeamLease RegTech explains how technology is reshaping contractor compliance, why hotels must move beyond manual processes, and…
India’s hospitality sector started December with strong momentum from leisure travel, the wedding season, and corporate demand. However, widespread flight disruptions caused by IndiGo have forced a revision of monthly forecasts. The airline cancelled thousands of flights after the government mandated a 10% reduction in operations due to crew shortages and new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL). This situation triggered numerous travel cancellations and market volatility. Hotel companies are now anticipating a significant revenue hit, with many expecting a 10% to 15% shortfall compared to their initial December projections. Uneven impact: The disruptions have created a very uneven market. Leisure…
