HBI staff | Goa
The third edition of HOPE 2025 (Hospitality Overview Presentation & Exchange), organized by HVS ANAROCK, has reaffirmed its status as India’s premier hospitality and travel summit. Held at Taj Cidade de Goa Horizon, the event centred on the theme “From Incredible India to Irresistible India”, drawing nearly 600 participants, including global hospitality leaders, investors, developers, and policymakers.
The three-day summit delivered impactful discussions, unparalleled networking, and insights shaping the industry’s future. With 60+ distinguished speakers, HOPE 2025 explored emerging trends, innovative strategies, and India’s potential as a global hospitality hub.
Day 1: ECHO – Exclusive Conclave for Hotel Owners
February 26, 2025, marked the commencement of HOPE 2025 with ECHO, an invitation-only forum tailored for India’s leading hotel owners. The platform facilitated candid discussions on pressing industry challenges, investment opportunities, and operational efficiencies.
Mandeep S. Lamba, President & CEO (South Asia), HVS ANAROCK, inaugurated the event with an address setting a visionary tone for the summit. The day featured power-packed sessions designed to provide actionable insights and foster collaboration among industry stalwarts.
Key sessions:
Real Estate Trends Presentation
Anuj Puri, Chairman of ANAROCK, delivered a compelling analysis of how evolving real estate dynamics are impacting the hospitality sector and highlighted emerging opportunities for investment and growth.
India Hotel Performance Analysis
Michael Grove, CEO of HotStats, presented an in-depth evaluation of hotel profitability, revenue trends, and operational efficiencies in the Indian market, offering actionable insights for industry leaders.
New Generation of Hotels for a New Generation
Harold Coenders, Partner & Chief Strategy Officer RE at Colliers Netherlands, shared a visionary outlook on innovative hotel models designed to meet the expectations of the next generation of travellers.
Branded Segment: The Next Big Opportunity!
Akash Datta, President of Consulting & Valuation at HVS ANAROCK, explored the future of branded hotels, highlighting growth avenues and market potential for hotel owners.
Hotel Management Agreements: Trends, Trials, and Triumphs
In a deep dive discussion, Sujjain Talwar, Partner at Economic Laws Practice, and Akash Datta examined the evolving dynamics of hotel management contracts, including key challenges and strategies to strengthen owner-operator relationships.
Crystal Gazing: 2025 and Beyond
Rajesh Magow, Co-Founder & Group CEO of MakeMyTrip, joined Dilip Puri, Founder of the Indian School of Hospitality, for a forward-looking conversation on hospitality trends and innovations shaping the industry’s future.
Showtime@HOPE
The evening concluded with an electrifying performance by renowned mentalist Karan Khanna, leaving the audience both amazed and inspired, setting the perfect tone for the days ahead.
Day 2 Highlights
The second day of HOPE 2025, spotlighted India’s hospitality transformation under the theme, “From Incredible India to Irresistible India.”
The day commenced with an inspiring Inaugural & Welcome Address by Mandeep Lamba, President & CEO (South Asia), HVS ANAROCK, and Anuj Puri, Chairman, ANAROCK. They emphasized the sector’s growth trajectory, fueled by robust infrastructure development and evolving market dynamics.
Ridham Desai, Managing Director of Morgan Stanley India, captivated the audience with a keynote address outlining India’s economic ascent and its profound implications for hospitality, setting the stage for discussions on investment strategies and the role of technology in driving growth.
Key Sessions:
Global Outlook and Future Trends:
2025 and Beyond
A panel discussion featuring Alan Watts, President, Asia Pacific, Hilton; Dimitris Manikis, President for Europe, Middle East, Eurasia and Africa, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts; Michael Grove, CEO, HotStats; and Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific (excluding China), Marriott International; moderated by Mandeep S. Lamba.
LeaderSpeak@HOPE
A one-on-one discussion with Puneet Chhatwal, MD & CEO, IHCL, and Ridham Desai, discussing investment, growth, and market opportunities in Indian hospitality.
LeaderSpeak@HOPE
Now It Can Be Told: Stories That Inspire
A candid conversation with Deep Kalra, Founder & Chairman, MakeMyTrip, and Dilip Puri, Founder & Executive Chairman, Indian School of Hospitality, discussing entrepreneurship, resilience, and the evolution of India’s travel sector.
LeaderSpeak@HOPE
Anthony Capuano, President & CEO, Marriott International, in a one-on-one discussion with Mandeep S. Lamba, President & CEO, HVS ANAROCK.
Unlocking India’s Inbound Potential Through Data-Driven Insights A deep dive by Omri Morgenshtern, CEO, Agoda, into leveraging data for India’s growing tourism market.
LeaderSpeak@HOPE
Geoff Ballotti, President & CEO, Wyndham Hotels, in conversation with Mandeep S. Lamba, President & CEO, HVS ANAROCK.
Midscale – India’s Next Growth Engine
A panel discussion featuring Ashish Vohra, CEO and Founder, jüSTa Hotels & Resorts, Bookmark Resorts; Deepika Rao, Executive Vice President – New Businesses, Hotel Openings and Corporate Communication, IHCL; Jatin Khanna, Chief Executive Officer, Sarovar Hotels; Vikram Cotah, CEO, GRT Hotels; Vikram Lalvani, MD & CEO, Sterling Holiday Resorts; moderated by Rattan Keswani, Industry Stalwart & Former Deputy Managing Director, Lemon Tree Hotels.
With Domestic Consumption Booming, Is Anyone Even Missing the FTAs?
Moderated by Ajay K. Bakaya, Chairman, Sarovar Hotels; Director, Louvre Hotels India, featuring Jyoti Mayal, Chairperson, Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council (THSC); K.B. Kachru, Chairman – South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group; Mugdha Sinha, IAS, Director General Tourism, Government of India; and Rajesh Magow, Co-Founder & Group CEO, MakeMyTrip.
Luxury Travel in Focus: Trends Shaping Today’s Premium Travel
A discussion featuring David Keen, Founder & CEO, QUO; Mary Gostelow, Global Ambassador, Travel Writer & Influencer; Mohit Nirula, Chief Operating Officer, The Oberoi Group; Puneet Dhawan, Head of Asia, Minor Hotels; moderated by Ragini Chopra, Group Head, Corporate Affairs, InterGlobe Enterprises.
Have Hotel Performances Finally Come Of Age or Is This a Bubble Waiting to Burst?
A power-packed session moderated by Anuj Puri, Chairman, ANAROCK, featuring Atul Chordia, Chairman, Panchshil Realty; and Jitu Virwani, Chairman and Managing Director, Embassy Group.
The Patu Perspective: Unfiltered & Unplugged
A candid conversation between Patanjali (Patu) G. Keswani, Chairman & Managing Director, Lemon Tree Hotels, and Vikramjit Singh, Chairman & Managing Director, ALIVAA Hotels & Resorts.
LeaderSpeak@HOPE
Larry Cuculic, President & CEO, BWH Hotels, in conversation with Mandeep S. Lamba, President & CEO, HVS ANAROCK.
Is India The Next China?
A powerful discussion moderated by Akash Datta, President, Consulting & Valuation, HVS ANAROCK, featuring Clarence Tan, Senior Vice President Development, Asia Pacific, Hilton; Omar Romero, Chief Development and Luxury Officer, Minor Hotels; Serena Lim, Chief Growth Officer, The Ascott Ltd.; and Suma Venkatesh, Executive Vice President – Real Estate & Development, IHCL.
New Generation of Hotels for a New Generation
A presentation by Harold Coenders, Partner, Chief Strategy Officer RE, Colliers Netherlands.
Day 3 Highlights
The concluding day of HOPE 2025 was a fitting finale, blending insightful discussions with moments of inspiration and celebration. Packed with strategic masterclasses, thought-provoking presentations, and a glittering awards ceremony, the day highlighted the future of Indian hospitality.
EDGE Masterclass: Reimagining Hospitality with AI
The day commenced with EDGE (Excellence Development for Global Executives), a masterclass exclusively designed for General Managers. Led by Dr. Recep Karaburun from New York University, the session, ‘Reimagining Hospitality: AI-Driven Innovations in Hotel Service Operations’, explored how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing guest experiences and operational efficiencies.
Key Sessions
Branded Segment: The Next Big Opportunity!
Akash Datta, President, Consulting & Valuation, HVS ANAROCK, delivered an in-depth presentation on the next big opportunity in the branded hotel segment in India.
India’s Hospitality Boom: Is It Sustainable?
Moderated by Nikhil Sharma (Radisson Hotel Group), this panel featured industry leaders including Rahul Pandit(Advent Hotels International), Samir MC (Fortune Park Hotels), and Vikramjit Singh(ALIVAA Hotels), who debated the long-term sustainability of India’s hospitality boom.
Beyond the Suite Spot: AI as Hospitality’s Ultimate Differentiator
CP Gurnani (AIonOS & Mahindra Holidays) presented a visionary perspective on how AI is poised to be a game-changer for the hospitality industry.
Money, Money Everywhere, Not Enough to Buy!
Anuj Puri (ANAROCK) moderated a dynamic panel on India’s investment landscape featuring Anoop Bali(Tourism Finance Corporation of India), Ashish Jakhanwala (SAMHI Hotels), and Sanjay Sethi(Chalet Hotels).
Room to Grow? Exploring the Dynamics of India’s Hotel Market
Matthew Burke (STR) delivered a compelling analysis of India’s growing hotel market, offering actionable insights for stakeholders.
The Growth of India’s Hospitality Sector: Are We Living the Dream?
A star-studded panel moderated by Akash Datta included industry stalwarts such as Sudeep Jain(IHG), Sunjae Sharma (Hyatt), Vijay Dewan (Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels), and Zubin Saxena(Hilton), discussing India’s growth story in the global hospitality sector.
Showtime@HOPE: Boman Irani’s Inspirational Journey
Indian actor and filmmaker Boman Irani took centre stage, captivating the audience with his personal journey of resilience, creativity, and passion. His charismatic anecdotes and a spellbinding live performance left attendees inspired and entertained, adding a unique cultural touch to the event.
#HASHTAG Awards: Honoring Industry Trailblazers
The grand finale of HOPE 2025 culminated in the prestigious #HASHTAG Awards, celebrating excellence in hospitality across diverse categories. From outstanding hotels to visionary leaders and game-changing General Managers, the awards spotlighted those redefining industry benchmarks.
With a dazzling atmosphere, the awards ceremony brought together the best minds in hospitality, fostering a spirit of celebration and collaboration.
Drawing nearly 600 industry professionals and over 60 expert speakers, HOPE 2025 stood as a powerful testament to India’s growing influence on global tourism. From AI innovations to midscale growth opportunities and sustainable strategies, the event offered a comprehensive roadmap for transforming Incredible India into Irresistible India.
