Author: HBI Staff | Hyderabad
As Coldplay prepares for its much-anticipated return to India after a nine-year hiatus, the British band’s upcoming concerts in Mumbai have led to a significant surge in both concert ticket prices and hotel rates. With tickets for the band’s performances at DY Patil Stadium selling out in minutes, five-star hotels within a 20 km radius of the venue are now capitalizing on the rush by charging close to INR 1 lakh per night. Prominent hospitality chains such as Courtyard by Marriott and Taj Vivanta have already sold out, according to MakeMyTrip, while The Park, located just 2.18 km from…
The Himachal Pradesh High Court has expressed serious concerns about the deteriorating state of the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC), calling the situation “shocking” after reviewing an affidavit submitted by the corporation’s Managing Director. This development came to light during a hearing of a petition filed by a former HPTDC employee who claimed that the corporation had failed to pay his retirement benefits. Justice Ajay Mohan Goel noted that delays in post-retirement benefit payments were widespread, with the total dues owed to retired employees standing at over Rs 35 crore as of August 31, 2024. The court criticized the…
Bar Wars, India’s only bar competition that puts the spotlight on the unsung heroes of the bar industry – the Servers – concluded with an electrifying grand finale in Goa, crowning INJA from Delhi as the 2024 Bar Wars Champions. The journey began with over 400 teams submitting creative entries via Instagram reels, with the top 72 bartender-server duos competing across eight major cities. What truly sets Bar Wars apart this year was the involvement of over 100 consumer judges at each event, who tasted the cocktails, evaluated the teams’ pitches, and awarded tokens to the bartenders based on their…
Novotel Hyderabad Airport welcomes the festive season with the announcement of its annual Christmas Cake Mixing and Grape Stomping Ceremonies on 29th September 2024. These globally cherished traditions symbolize the onset of Christmas, for guests to indulge in an unforgettable experience with a blend of tradition, fun, and community spirit. Novotel has set the stage for this time-honored tradition. Keeping up with the festive fervor high, Novotel Hyderabad Airport announces a revelrous brunch, blending flavors with spirits. With the promise of a colorful afternoon with fruits, raisins, spices, and beverages, the hotel invites guests to a weekend getaway, to partake…
Greenfield hotel investments have rebounded to pre-pandemic levels in the first half of 2024, with hotel chains aggressively expanding into Tier-2, 3, and 4 cities, according to data from HVS Anarock. “After the pandemic, brownfield developments became the preferred choice due to lower risk and faster completion timelines amidst economic uncertainty. However, the focus is now shifting back to greenfield projects,” said Mandeep S. Lamba, President and CEO of HVS Anarock. This renewed interest in greenfield developments is driven by the rapid growth of both business and leisure travel in smaller cities. In 2023, greenfield projects accounted for 48% of…
In celebration of International Day of Sign Languages, KFC is taking a monumental step in the hospitality industry, as it becomes the first QSR in India to launch a Sign Language training program for 100% of its employees. The first-of-its-kind training is required to be undertaken by all 17,000+ KFC employees, who are spread across 240+ cities in 1200+ restaurants, as well as those working in the brand’s corporate offices. Designed in consultation with a Sign Language expert, the online training covers multiple modules specifically crafted for a beginner to grasp the basics of ISL. The first module is focused on the alphabets in ISL,…
SOCIAL, neighbourhood café has arrived at Hazratganj, one of Lucknow’s most iconic and bustling neighborhoods. Known for blending heritage with modern quirk, SOCIAL’s 55th outlet, which can host 500 guests, has reimagined an old Haveli into a space that honors the city’s cultural history while being bold and contemporary. SOCIAL, which began a decade ago, is renowned for its unique café-bar experience. By day, it serves as an all-day café offering great food, and coffee and transforms into a high-energy space once work hours end. The brand will bring this distinctive atmosphere to Hazratganj, with its signature blend of creativity…
Brookfield Asset Management-owned Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts is preparing to file draft papers for what is set to be India’s largest-ever IPO in the hospitality sector, aiming to raise INR 5,000 crore, according to sources. “This is a significant issue for the hospitality industry, and the filing with SEBI is expected soon. The primary offering will raise INR 3,000 crore for growth capital, while the secondary component of INR 2,000 crore will involve promoter Brookfield reducing its stake,” said one source, who requested anonymity. The IPO will be managed by a consortium of 11 investment banks, including Kotak Mahindra…
Oravel Stays, the parent company of global travel technology firm OYO, has announced its acquisition of G6 Hospitality, the leading economy lodging franchisor that operates the iconic Motel 6 and Studio 6 brands. The all-cash deal is valued at $525 million and marks a significant expansion for OYO in the U.S. market. The transaction sees OYO purchasing G6 from Blackstone Real Estate. OYO, which launched in the U.S. in 2019, currently operates over 320 hotels across 35 states and has been steadily growing its presence. In 2023 alone, the company added nearly 100 hotels to its U.S. portfolio and aims…
Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company, today announced the signing of a Vivanta and a Ginger in Hosur. These greenfield projects will be developed on a 3-acre land parcel. Suma Venkatesh, Executive Vice President, Real Estate & Development, IHCL, stated, “Hosur, driven by regional economic growth and infrastructural development, is emerging as a prime commercial center in Tamil Nadu. The signing of these two hotels near the Hosur industrial area will meet the increasing demand for corporate travel and MICE in this thriving micro-market. We are delighted to partner with Mr. Palaniappan for these projects.” The 150-key Vivanta…
