Author: HBI Staff | Hyderabad
As India gears up for the Independence Day and Raksha Bandhan long weekend, Airbnb’s latest search data reveals a significant surge in travel interest. Indian travellers are eagerly planning both domestic and international trips to make the most of the extended break. The data highlights an approximately 340% Y-oY increase in domestic searches for Airbnb stays during the Independence Day and Raksha Bandhan long weekend[1]. The following destinations have emerged as the top domestic destinations, reflecting a rising preference among Indian travellers for local exploration Goa Lonavala Puducherry Mumbai Bengaluru New Delhi Udaipur “The data underscores a growing trend amongst…
Rohan Khaunte, Goa Tourism Minister, recently met with the Union Minister for Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat along with Secretary Tourism, Sanjeev Ahuja, IAS & Director-Tourism, Suneel Anchipaka, IAS to discuss a range of topics aimed at enhancing tourism outcomes in the state, including plan as the first state in India to adopt Regenerative Tourism. A key focus of their discussion was the enhancement of international connectivity to Goa, which is seen as essential for attracting more global tourists. The Goa Tourism Minister stressed the importance of increasing direct international flights, and improving connections to major global cities, which would help…
Tim Hortons, the global coffee chain announced the opening of its 32nd store in India – marking its debut in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The store has launched at the Ground Floor, Outside Domestic Arrivals, Sardar VallabhbhaiPatel International Airport. This exciting launch marks another significant step in Tim Hortons’ expansion across India, bringing its beloved coffee and delicious treats to thevibrant city of Ahmedabad in the heart of Gujarat. The new store is open 24X7 at the airport promises to provide an inviting atmosphere for travellers and locals alike, offering a range of signature 100% premium Arabica coffee, refreshing beverages, and made-to-order…
The Kashmir region has experienced a surge in tourism, with footfall increasing by over 15% since the end of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. Speaking at the 25th Annual National Convention of the Tourist Guides Federation of India, held at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar, Shekhawat emphasised the robust growth in domestic tourism across India. He noted that popular tourist destinations are witnessing unprecedented crowds and stressed the need to redirect both domestic and international tourists to lesser-known, offbeat locations. Shekhawat highlighted lavender cultivation in South Kashmir as…
The Burger Company has introduced “Isha,” an AI-powered virtual assistant, making it the first Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) brand in India to implement such advanced technology. Isha, a human-like AI avatar, enhances the dining experience by offering interactive and personalized customer service. With the ability to see, hear, and understand customer needs, Isha aims to bring a new level of convenience and engagement to the industry, blending cutting-edge innovation with a human touch. Founded by Neelam Singh, The Burger Company has been a trend setter when it comes to product innovation, from launching burgers inspired by local Indian dishes &…
The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) has initiated insolvency proceedings against Coffee Day Enterprises Ltd (CDEL), the parent company of Café Coffee Day. This decision follows a petition filed by IndusInd Bank, which is seeking to recover a debt of INR94 crore. Coffee Day Enterprises, which has faced financial difficulties since the death of its founder V.G. Siddhartha in 2019, had attempted to delay the insolvency proceedings but was unsuccessful. The NCLT’s ruling marks a significant step in the company’s ongoing financial struggles.
According to the Business Standard, Lemon Tree Hotels, India’s largest mid-priced hotel chain, intends to list its subsidiary, Fleur Hotels, as part of a strategy to become debt-free within six years. The company revealed that 90% of its consolidated debt of INR 2,336 crore as of March 2024 is tied to Fleur Hotels. Chairman and Managing Director Patanjali Govind Keswani noted that taking Fleur public would eliminate their debt over time. Additionally, Lemon Tree has been investing in renovations, digital transformation, and expanding its business development and sales teams, leading to a temporary dip in EBITDA margins. The company remains…
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts continues to grow its upscale footprint across the Europe, Middle East and Africa region with the opening of Dolce by Wyndham Barcelona Resort. Situated in Sant Esteve de Sesrovires, less than 30 minutes from the Josep Tarradellas Barcelona – El Prat Airport and 45 minutes from Barcelona city centre, the impressive resort offers 150-rooms in a prime location for both business and leisure travellers looking for the perfect balance of tranquillity, comfort and practicality. With more than 600 square metres of meeting and event spaces, the hotel is perfectly equipped to accommodate the increasing demand for…
SKYE Hospitality, an end-to-end hospitality & strategy consulting company has released its maiden market analysis on the pulse of the Indian hotel industry for the first six months of 2024. The analysis has shared some interesting insights and perspectives on the Indian hospitality sector. As per the analysis, 2706 rooms have entered the market in H1 2024. Out of these 994 rooms (~ 37%) consisted of upscale rooms while the remaining (63%) consisted of premium inventories. A total of 22 new projects have opened in H1 2024. Major hospitality brands such as IHCL, ITC, Radisson, Hyatt, ROHL, Bharat Hospitality, Wyndham,…
Bengaluru’s food delivery landscape is poised for a shake-up as local hotels begin to trial a new delivery model that could challenge Swiggy and Zomato’s dominance. The Bruhat Bengaluru Hotels Association (BBHA) has partnered with the seller-side platform GrowthFalcons to integrate with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). The new system, which is currently being tested by about 10 hotels, could slash delivery commissions and reduce food prices by 10% to 20%. “We are conducting trial runs to finalize crucial aspects such as the assignment of delivery executives and grievance redressal,” said Arun Adiga, owner of Vidyarthi Bhavan. The…
