Author: HBI Staff | Hyderabad
The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike’s (BBMP) decision to impose a 26-day ban on the sale of meat within a 13-kilometer radius of Yelahanka Air Force Station has sparked significant criticism from Bengaluru’s hospitality industry. Scheduled to coincide with preparations for Aero India 2025, the restriction, which runs from January 23 to February 17, has left hoteliers questioning its practicality and economic implications. The Bangalore Hotels Association has strongly opposed the move, labeling it as “illogical and unscientific.” The group contends that the ban will disrupt operations for more than 5,000 food and beverage businesses in the area, ranging from local…
The Uttar Pradesh government, represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, raised a significant issue in the Supreme Court regarding halal certification extending beyond meat products. Mehta expressed surprise at the certification being applied to non-meat items, including construction materials and daily-use goods like wheat flour and gram flour. The discussion arose during a hearing challenging a state government notification banning the manufacturing, storage, and sale of halal-certified food items in Uttar Pradesh, except for those intended for export. Mehta argued that non-believers of halal practices are being burdened with additional costs for halal-certified goods, questioning why they should bear this…
Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) announced the signing of a new hotel in Surat, Gujarat. This Greenfield project will be branded a Vivanta. Speaking on the occasion, Suma Venkatesh, Executive Vice President, Real Estate and Development, IHCL, said, “Surat, often referred to as the economic capital of Gujarat, is one of India’s fastest-growing cities. In line with its strategy, this signing strengthens IHCL’s presence across key commercial centers in India. We are delighted to collaborate with Mr. Dashrath Desai for this project.” Located opposite Surat International Airport, the 125-key Vivanta Surat will feature an all-day dining, and a poolside café along with…
The rise of 10-minute food delivery is reshaping India’s food delivery landscape, with Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal asserting that shorter delivery times directly boost demand for restaurant food. Speaking on Monday, Goyal pointed to historical data that underscores how reducing delivery times can expand market reach and enhance customer engagement. “When we took over last-mile delivery from restaurants and reduced delivery times from over 45 minutes to around 30 minutes, the result was a significant increase in demand on our platform,” Goyal stated. He added that cutting delivery times further to 10-15 minutes could yield similar, if not greater, benefits…
The National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI), the country’s foremost body representing restaurateurs, is ramping up efforts to challenge the dominance of food delivery giants Zomato and Swiggy by embracing the government-backed Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). In a strategic push, the NRAI aims to replicate its Bengaluru success story, where 20% of restaurant orders were channeled through ONDC, thereby breaking away from the stranglehold of high commission rates and alleged anti-competitive practices by the aggregators. NRAI and the Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), which represents over 60,000 hotels and 500,000 restaurants, have taken a…
India’s hospitality and F&B sectors are poised for a significant digital transformation as Ola ramps up its services on the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). Ola’s ambitious push into food, beverage, and grocery delivery is set to revolutionize how consumers access dining and essential services across the country. Currently, Ola offers food and beverage services exclusively through its app on the ONDC platform, enabling users to order their favorite meals seamlessly. This marks Ola’s initial step into a decentralized e-commerce network, bringing a fresh perspective to food delivery by integrating it with ONDC’s open and interoperable ecosystem. To complement…
Six Senses has received the highest level of certification by Control Union – a certification body accredited by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. Six Senses properties* underwent an extensive audit by Control Union to verify their efforts in sustainability planning, reducing negative environmental impacts, enhancing cultural heritage, and maximizing social and economic benefits for surrounding communities. Jeff Smith, Six Senses Vice President of Sustainability, shares, “GSTC Certification is a mark of trust and credibility in sustainability. While this certification is issued globally, it marks a proud moment for our individual Six Senses properties included in this certification and their sustainability…
The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj has brought an unprecedented boom to the city’s economy, with the hospitality sector taking the lead. Hotels across the city are reporting record-breaking occupancy rates, with most accommodations fully booked well in advance. This religious mega-event, attracting millions of devotees from across India and the globe, has turned Prayagraj into a bustling hub of activity, driving growth in tourism and hospitality. Since the official start of the Maha Kumbh on January 13, the influx of pilgrims and tourists has surged, with over seven crore devotees already taking a holy dip at the Triveni…
Chivas Regal, the world’s first luxury whisky, has unveiled a sleek new look for its award-winning Chivas Regal 18 years. This reaffirms not only Chivas Regal’s dedication to luxury, but also its wider commitment to reducing its environmental impact. One of the most highly awarded scotch blends in the world, Chivas 18’s multi-layered blend, is renowned for its great taste and complexity with 85 flavour notes in every drop. The elevated, redesigned bottle – housing the same award-winning Scotch – features a 25% glass weight reduction on its flagship 70cl bottle and fully recyclable outer packaging. The flagship 70cl bottle’s…
Brigade Enterprises Limited has unveiled its ambitious new project, Brigade Gateway at Neopolis, Kokapet, in Hyderabad. Spanning approximately 10 acres, this mixed-use development is set to redefine luxury and integrated living in the city. The project promises to be Hyderabad’s most comprehensive lifestyle destination, featuring an InterContinental hotel with over 300 keys, premium Brigade Residences, a World Trade Center, and a lifestyle destination mall, Brigade’s Orion Mall. At the heart of this development is the 58-floor Brigade Gateway Residences, which will be one of Hyderabad’s tallest buildings. Offering around 600 premium apartments in 3, 4, and duplex 5-bedroom formats, these…
