Author: Asmita Mukherjee | Hyderabad
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…
India’s food industry is experiencing a culinary revival. Chefs are no longer just cooks but also entrepreneurs, mentors, and influencers who are shaping the country’s food identity. They are driving innovation in fine dining, quick-service restaurants, packaged foods, and even consulting. This often blurs the line between craft and business. Asmita Mukherjee spoke with some of the country’s finest chefs and culinary consultants to uncover the behind-the-scenes story of these change-makers redefining India’s food landscape. From Backstage to Mainstage The modern Indian chef is now visible, no longer hidden behind kitchen doors. As Chef Abhijit Saha, Chef-Owner of LYFE & Rosmarino and…
India’s hospitality industry is changing. It now focuses more on wellness than just luxury or leisure. Hotels and resorts from Ayurvedic retreats in Kerala to forest sanctuaries in Coorg are creating spaces that promote healing. Here, rejuvenation and profit go together. Wellness has moved beyond a niche offering in destination spas to become a key part of hospitality strategy. It affects design, food, partnerships, pricing, and profitability. This shift is supported by global data. The Global Wellness Institute (GWI) projects the global wellness tourism market will reach USD 1.3 trillion by 2025, with India among the top five fastest-growing markets.…
In an exclusive conversation with Asmita Mukherjee, Della Group’s Founder and Chairman, Jimmy Mistry shared details about a bold tourism and township project in India. Encompassing 1,400 acres in Andhra Pradesh, this development will house the world’s first Living Exhibition on Hinduism, integrating key sectors such as spirituality, culture, hospitality, medical wellness centres, adventure parks leadership development, and high-end real estate. Mistry calls it “a collective national project” and “a once-in-a-century idea that will put Andhra Pradesh on the global tourism map.” Valued at approximately INR 6,000 crore, the Della Integrated Township which is named as Della Vasudev Kutumbakam International…
Andhra Pradesh’s renewed effort to position itself as a key tourism destination is generating considerable interest. Luxury hospitality group Atmosphere Core has announced one of the state’s biggest investments in premium hotels in recent years. The company plans to launch three major luxury projects in Tirupati, Visakhapatnam, and Amaravati, with a whopping investment of INR 700 crore. For the Chandrababu Naidu Government, this investment supports its plan to turn AP’s coastal and hill areas into effective tourism clusters backed by private funding. Souvagya Mohapatra, Managing Director for India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka at Atmosphere Core, mentioned that the decision…
As India’s café culture and QSR market grow rapidly, the main challenge for maintaining quality and scalability lies in the disorganised and risky logistics of perishable ingredients. For procurement teams, chefs, and CFOs, this ‘mid-mile’ is the last area where operational excellence can be achieved. One startup is changing how freshness moves from kitchen to counter. Mansi Mahansaria, Co-founder, and Abhisek Kumar, Chief Product Officer of JustDeliveries, are creating India’s first digital system for perishable logistics. This area has long suffered from fragmentation and inefficiency. By combining AI, IoT, and a kitchen-first approach, JustDeliveries allows cafés, QSRs, hotels, and bakeries…
