Author: Asmita Mukherjee | Hyderabad
As the global hospitality industry evolves amid changing guest expectations and persistent talent shortages, Sommet Education Business Solutions—the consulting vertical of Sommet Education, the world’s largest provider of hospitality, luxury, and gastronomic education—is helping businesses bridge the critical skills gap with customised learning and development programs. In an exclusive interview with Asmita Mukherjee, Natasha Mehta, Head of Business Solutions—Asia, Sommet Education, discusses how the group’s institutions, such as, Glion Institute of Higher Education, Les Roches, École Ducasse, Invictus Education, and the Indian School of Hospitality are shaping a new generation of global hospitality professionals. How is Sommet Education Business Solutions changing hospitality…
India’s hospitality sector is adjusting to the latest Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms, which aim to simplify taxation and make mid-range hotel stays more affordable. While guests are seeing lower bills, hoteliers warn that the new system has added new cost pressures, especially for mid-market and regional properties that are crucial to India’s domestic tourism. Starting September 22, 2025, hotel rooms priced up to INR 7,500 per night will be taxed at 5% GST. Rooms above that price will incur 18% GST with full Input Tax Credit (ITC). This policy, introduced at the 56th GST Council meeting, seeks to…
As sustainability takes centre stage in the global hospitality industry, hotels and restaurants in India are under increasing pressure to cut down on single-use plastics while maintaining operational efficiency. WAE, a leading water and sustainability technology company, is driving this shift with its Glass Bottling Plant (GBP) solutions, designed to replace PET bottles with eco-friendly, cost-effective alternatives. In an exclusive interview with Asmita Mukherjee, Deepak Panwar, CEO of WAE F&B, explains how GBPs are helping HoReCa brands achieve significant long-term savings, improve operational workflows, and align with international sustainability benchmarks. How are Glass Bottling Plants helping HoReCa brands reduce long-term costs…
India’s hospitality sector is undergoing significant growth and change due to rapid urbanisation, increased domestic travel, and changing consumer expectations. As the country aims to make tourism a USD 3 trillion contributor to the economy by 2047, hotels and restaurants face unique opportunities and challenges. Saeed Shervani, Managing Director of Shervani Hotels, speaks with Asmita Mukherjee about maintaining a balance between tradition and modernity, the impact of policy and regulation, and the leadership qualities needed to thrive in a fast-changing environment. How has Shervani Hotels managed to stay relevant while keeping its legacy of personalised service? At Shervani Hotels, staying…
As India focuses on tourism and hospitality to drive economic growth, the Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) has become an essential voice in shaping the industry’s future. It represents more than 60,000 hotels and 500,000 restaurants across the country. The organisation has played a crucial role in discussions about policy, including taxation, sustainability, labour welfare, and infrastructure. With the government aiming for Vision 2047, anticipating that tourism will become a multi-trillion-dollar part of GDP—FHRAI’s leadership is working to connect industry needs with national objectives. In an interview with Asmita Mukherjee, K. Syama Raju, President, FHRAI, talks…
Telugu film star Naga Chaitanya is used to commanding attention on screen. With Scuzi, his second culinary venture after Shoyu, he shows he can do the same offscreen. Located in Hyderabad’s busy Jubilee Hills, this delivery-first cloud kitchen is changing comfort food. It turns familiar favorites into gourmet experiences that are perfect for Instagram. Scuzi’s menu tells a story of travel and taste, blending global influences gathered by its founders- Naga Chaitanya Akkineni, Varun Tripuraneni, Arjun, and Saniya Jaiswal. Building on the success of Shoyu, Chaitanya wanted to create a brand that combines convenience and culinary skill. Scuzi is not just…
Fenestration – the art and science of designing windows, doors, and skylights has evolved from being a mere functional necessity to an essential element of architecture that defines aesthetics, sustainability, and comfort. At the forefront of this transformation in India is Window Magic, a pioneer in uPVC and aluminium window and door systems. Established in 2002, the company set out to revolutionise the fenestration industry by introducing German technology that combined performance with eco-friendliness and visual appeal. Manish Bansal, CEO and Director of Window Magic, a graduate of the University of Kent, UK, has brought strategic foresight, global perspective, and a…
The hospitality industry still fighting to close its gender gap, Mandeep Kaur has claimed a historic first, leading South Asia’s only luxury service residence run entirely by women. As the General Manager of Taj Wellington Mews, Chennai, she commands an all-female workforce that powers every department, from the kitchen to engineering, rewriting old rules in a sector long dominated by men. For Kaur, this isn’t just about running a hotel; it’s about building an empire of opportunity, where women’s leadership is not the exception but the standard. On a busy stretch of Old Mahabalipuram Road, in the heart of Chennai’s IT corridor,…
Ritesh Mastipuram, an entrepreneur from Hyderabad is best known for building Asia’s largest organised spa chain, O2 Spa, which is now called Ode Spa. He is now making a significant investment in a new area; wellness-driven hospitality real estate. As the Founder and Managing Director of Ridhira Group, Mastipuram is creating a niche in the sub-100-room resort market. Here, luxury is defined not by marble and chandeliers but by sustainability, personalised care, and the promise that guests will leave healthier than they arrived. His career spans Silicon Valley tech, disruption in the spa industry, and wellness-focused communities. He is positioning…
Delhi NCR-based Lebanese food chain Arabian Delites is gearing up for an ambitious expansion plan to reach INR 100 crore in revenue and open 100 outlets nationwide. “Our immediate focus is to establish seven self-owned outlets in Delhi NCR; this will create a solid operational base,” said Mandeep Singh, Managing Director of Arabian Delites. “Once we accomplish that goal, we plan to seek external funding to support our larger expansion plans. We will use the investment to open 100 new outlets in tier-I and tier-II cities, build a strong supply chain, and enhance our backend operations.” Currently, Arabian Delites…
