Author: HBI Staff | Hyderabad
Jin Jiji, India’s artisanal gin, has achieved a historic win at the London Spirits Competition 2025, earning 98 points, a Gold Medal, and the prestigious title of ‘Spirit of the Year.’ This makes Jin Jiji the highest-rated gin globally and a shining example of India’s rising craft spirits movement. Competing against 500 entries from over 30 countries, Jin Jiji’s success showcases India’s growing prominence in the world of spirits. Crafted with Himalayan juniper, tulsi, chamomile, and native botanicals, it delivers a complex, balanced flavor deeply rooted in India’s biodiversity and heritage. “This recognition is a victory for Indian craftsmanship,” said…
The Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council (THSC) has successfully completed its women empowerment initiative announced during its 10th anniversary. The program trained and placed 150 women in prestigious hospitality establishments, including Hilton, The Oberoi, and Ritz-Carlton. These women have secured jobs with starting salaries ranging from INR 15,000 to INR 25,000, marking a significant step toward inclusive workforce development. Encouraged by this success, THSC has announced plans to train 300 more women in 2025. The program offers comprehensive training in roles such as housekeeping, front office, and food service, alongside soft skills development. THSC CEO Rajan Bahadur celebrated the milestone,…
The Ascott Limited (Ascott), a wholly-owned unit of CapitaLand Investment (CLI), is accelerating global growth with its flagship brand under a multi-typology strategy. Over the past 16 months, Ascott signed 11 new properties totaling 2,300 units, expanding its portfolio to over 80 properties and 17,400 units across 43 cities. The strategy includes serviced residences, hotels with MICE facilities, and branded residences, catering to evolving guest demands and owner preferences. Recent signings include Ascott Ortigas Manila, Ascott Shenton Way Singapore, and the first Ascott property in Wenzhou, China. These additions follow 2024 signings in Nanjing, Suzhou, and Nairobi, among others, reinforcing…
Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality chain, has joined hands with Emversity, an employability-led higher education platform, to strengthen its skilling ecosystem. Gaurav Pokhariyal, EVP & Chief Human Resources Officer, IHCL, emphasized the company’s commitment to fostering livelihoods. “Guided by our ESG+ framework, Paathya, we focus on education, employability, and empowerment. This partnership with Emversity enables inclusive development by merging academic learning with real-world experience,” he said. The initiative integrates students from Emversity’s UGC-recognized Bachelor’s degree programs into IHCL hotels across Jaipur, Kochi, Hyderabad, and Chennai. The work-integrated model includes classroom instruction in the first semester, followed by 2.5…
The recent terror attack in Pahalgam is set to disrupt the hospitality sector in Jammu and Kashmir, delaying new hotel openings and impacting investor confidence. According to HVS Anarock, the region’s current branded hotel supply of 3,000 keys was expected to grow by over 1,200 keys by 2029. The incident has cast a shadow on the optimism that followed the revival of tourism in the union territory, with brands like Indian Hotels and Radisson expanding their presence. “Immediate openings may be delayed, and investments in areas like technology upgrades could be paused,” said Aditya Sanghi, CEO of Hotelogix. Atul Thakkar,…
Prestige Hotel Ventures Limited, a developer and owner of luxury, upper-upscale, and upper-midscale hospitality assets in India, has filed its Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) with SEBI. The IPO includes a fresh equity issue worth ₹1,700 crore and an offer for sale of shares aggregating ₹1,000 crore by Prestige Estates Projects Limited, the promoter entity. Proceeds will be used to repay or prepay ₹1,121.276 crore of borrowings, fund acquisitions, and pursue strategic initiatives. Prestige Hotel Ventures operates seven hospitality assets with 1,445 keys, including one under renovation. It also has three ongoing projects with 951 keys and nine upcoming properties…
India’s first Master of Wine, Sonal C Holland, has unveiled The Holland House, a French chateau-inspired luxury retreat in Nashik, blending world-class wine experiences with unparalleled elegance. Spread across 2.5 acres, this five-bedroom mansion offers vineyard or pool views and interiors inspired by French chateaus and Tuscan villas. Each room reflects a unique winemaking theme, with curated design elements like arched windows, custom wallpapers, and Spanish chandeliers. Guests are welcomed with champagne and can indulge in private tastings, masterclasses, and gourmet meals paired with fine wines. Amenities include a heated pool, a regal dining hall, The Decanter Den for cocktails,…
Accor, Europe’s largest hotel group by portfolio, reported first-quarter revenue of €1.35 billion ($1.53 billion) for the period ending March 31, 2025, surpassing analysts’ expectations of €1.31 billion. This marks an increase from €1.24 billion in the same quarter the previous year. The company’s performance was bolstered by sustained global demand and its diversified geographic presence. Revenue per available room (RevPAR), a key industry metric, rose by 5% to €69, driven primarily by pricing strategies and supported by occupancy rates. Accor’s luxury division led the growth with a 17.9% year-on-year increase, outperforming the Premium, Midscale & Economy segment. Despite…
Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Ltd has announced its acquisition of a 90% stake in Zillion Hotels and Resorts Pvt Ltd for approximately INR 210 crore. The deal will significantly expand the hospitality group’s portfolio. According to the regulatory filing, the agreement involves purchasing the stake from the Handa and Nair family shareholders at a valuation of INR 2,092,500,000. Once the transaction is finalized, Zillion Hotels and Resorts will become a subsidiary of Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels. Zillion Hotels currently operates Z Luxury Residences, which includes 62 premium serviced residences and multiple food and beverage facilities in Maharashtra. This acquisition aligns…
Union Minister of Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Wednesday said that a discussion on the new tourism policy is underway. He was speaking on the backdrop of the first edition of the India Travel & Tourism Sustainability Conclave, organised by MakeMyTrip Foundation and World Travel & Tourism Council India Initiative (WTTCII). Shekhawat said that many proposals have been received from the states. A comprehensive policy will be made soon after discussions with stakeholders. Incentives are being considered to promote sustainable tourism. There is a need to enhance the experience of tourists so that the shift to neighbouring countries…
