Author: HBI Staff | Hyderabad
The International Young Chef Olympiad (YCO), the world’s largest culinary competition for student chefs, returns for its 11th edition, bigger and more spectacular than ever. Organized by the International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM) in collaboration with the International Hospitality Council (IHC), London, the event will take place across six Indian cities—Goa, Delhi, Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad, and Kolkata—from February 2 to 8, 2025. This year’s event will bring together aspiring young chef olympians from 50 nations, including India, USA, France, South Korea, Australia, and Egypt, all competing for the coveted Champion Trophy and a cash prize of USD 5,000. Representing…
West Bengal is set for a major hospitality boom, with 32 luxury hotels, including several five-star properties, planned over the next three years. The initiative, with an estimated investment of Rs 5,000 crore, marks the largest expansion of star properties in the state’s history. Key announcements and MoUs for these projects are expected during the Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS) on February 5-6. Tourism officials revealed that at least 10 of these luxury hotels are slated for Siliguri, a region with immense tourism potential. With these additions, the number of five-star rooms in Kolkata could double from the current 3,500,…
TeamLease Services, a leading staffing solutions company in India, has provided detailed insights into hiring trends in the travel and hospitality sector. Its Employment Outlook Report for HY2 (October-March) FY2024-25 reveals strong growth in the sector, with 66% of surveyed companies planning to expand their workforce. The report also projects a Net Employment Change (NEC) of 8.2% during this period, reflecting the sector’s momentum in job creation. The travel and hospitality sector’s growth is being fueled by the adoption of smart tourism technologies, a revival of MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) activities, and a heightened focus on sustainable tourism…
The Dharampal Satyapal Group (DS Group), a multi-business corporation and leading FMCG conglomerate and exclusive Indian partner of Swiss luxury chocolatier Läderach, celebrated the grand opening of Läderach India’s first café at Jio World Plaza, elevating the art of indulgence in India with Läderach’s renowned artisanal craftsmanship. The Läderach Café is the first-of-its-kind luxury chocolate café in India, offering a decadent and unparalleled chocolate experience. A haven for chocolate connoisseurs, the Läderach Café is an ode to Swiss innovation, reimagining luxury dining with a menu that blends the finest chocolate creations and sophisticated European-inspired offerings. The Läderach Cafe seeks to…
As the Union Budget 2025 approaches, India’s hospitality sector is anticipating a range of announcements to address challenges, spur growth, and attract investment. Industry leaders are calling for targeted reforms and incentives to further strengthen the sector, which has seen a robust recovery post-pandemic but faces persistent issues such as high taxation and infrastructure gaps. Reduction in GST Rates The hospitality industry has long been advocating for a reduction in Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates on hotel room tariffs. Stakeholders are urging the government to bring GST on room tariffs under INR 7,500 to 12% from the current 18%…
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest hotel franchising company with 25 leading brands and a portfolio of approximately 9,200 hotels, announced the appointment of Rahool Macarius as Market Managing Director for Eurasia. This strategic appointment underscores Wyndham’s commitment to expanding its presence and strengthening its operations in one of the world’s most dynamic and rapidly growing hospitality markets, with the Indian hospitality industry alone, projected to reach over 281 billion USD in 2025* Rahool will be responsible for regional operations and driving the growth of Wyndham’s diverse portfolio of brands across Eurasia covering; India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan…
Ayodhya is set to welcome its first five-star hotel, Taj Ayodhya, through a partnership between Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) and real estate developer Solitaire Group. The project, initially announced in February 2024, aims to elevate the city’s hospitality landscape by offering luxury accommodations and world-class amenities. Spread across 7.2 acres in the Sohawal area along the Lucknow-Gorakhpur national highway, Taj Ayodhya will feature 300 rooms, including 29 luxury suites. The property will also boast temperature-controlled swimming pools, private villas, and exclusive amenities catering to families and individual travelers seeking luxury in a religious destination. The hotel’s management agreement will…
The Hospitality Purchasing Managers’ Forum (HPMF) is thrilled to announce the highly anticipated HPMF Convention and Awards 2025, scheduled to take place in the culturally rich and vibrant city of Amritsar, Punjab during September/October 2025. This convention promises to deliver an extraordinary experience, blending tradition with innovation, in the heart of Punjab. Renowned as one of the most significant gatherings in the hospitality industry, this year’s event will feature: 1. Unparalleled Networking Opportunities with industry leaders and professionals. 2. Prestigious Awards honoring excellence in procurement and hospitality. 3. Immersive Cultural Experiences celebrating the spirit of Punjab. 4. Inspiring Keynote Sessions…
The Hospitality Purchasing Managers’ Forum (HPMF) is set to redefine the future of hospitality procurement with the unveiling of its ambitious “100-Point, 1000-Day Agenda.” Under the visionary leadership of Dr. Nitin Shankar Nagrale, Founder and General Secretary of HPMF, the initiative will be finalized at a high-profile strategic meeting taking place on January 24 and 25, 2025, at the Fairfield by Marriott, Mumbai International Hotel. This milestone meeting will also see the formal introduction of the HPMF Strategic Leadership Team, a carefully curated group of senior members, core team leaders, and advisory board experts from diverse industries. Together, they will…
Global hospitality giant Minor Hotels is poised for a significant expansion, with plans to open nearly 300 new properties over the next three years, bringing its portfolio to over 850 hotels by 2027. The group, which currently operates more than 560 hotels with 81,000 rooms worldwide, has outlined an ambitious growth pipeline comprising 285 new hotels and almost 47,000 rooms. While more than half of Minor Hotels’ current portfolio is concentrated in Europe, the planned expansion will diversify its presence across Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. The group plans to add over 100 properties in Asia,…
