Hospitality Industry Poised for a Remarkable Summer Season in 2023

Hospitality Industry Poised for a Remarkable Summer Season in 2023

By Author

Published on June 26, 2023

The Indian hospitality sector is gearing up for an extraordinary summer season in 2023, surpassing even pre-pandemic levels. Despite increased airfares and room rates, tourists are flocking to popular destinations, resulting in a flourishing travel market.

Aashish Gupta, Consulting CEO of the Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism & Hospitality (FAITH), highlighted the significant boom across various destinations and tourism markets. This year, travel activities are expected to be 20-30% higher compared to pre-pandemic levels, indicating a strong recovery.

Experts predict a remarkable improvement in all aspects of the hospitality industry compared to both 2022 and 2019. The summer season plays a pivotal role in driving this growth, and the latest GDP numbers support the positive trend, with a 9.1% real growth in trade, hotels, transport, communication, and related services.

In CY22, occupancy rates reached 59-61%, a substantial increase of 15-17% compared to the previous year and only slightly lower than in 2019. Projections indicate that occupancy will further rise to 66% in CY23, accompanied by a 16-17% increase in average room rates (ARRs), leading to higher revenue per available room (RevPAR).

Rajesh Magow, Group CEO of MakeMyTrip, observed encouraging early trends in leisure travel, with a preference for relaxed itineraries and longer stays. Domestic and outbound packages have seen a significant increase in average room nights booked, reflecting a growing appetite for experience-driven travel and pre-booked activities.

Radisson Hotel Group also experienced a positive start to the summer season, with travellers seeking solace in hill stations to escape the heat and city bustle. The spokesperson expressed optimism for continued momentum in June and July before the onset of the monsoon season, which traditionally experiences lower demand.

While rising airfares have impacted budget-conscious travellers, premium consumers are indulging in luxurious leisure travel this season. The grounding of Go First has led to a supply-demand imbalance, resulting in soaring airfares.

Popular destinations, both international and domestic, continue to allure travellers. Short-haul international destinations like Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Maldives, and UAE are in high demand. Within India, Goa, Kochi, Srinagar, Dehradun, and Leh top the list of preferred flight destinations.

A recent survey by Oyo revealed mountains as the preferred choice for summer travel, closely followed by beaches. Manali, Kashmir, Mcleod Ganj, Ooty, and Coorg emerged as the most sought-after mountain destinations. To meet the surging demand, Oyo plans to open 300 new hotels by August 2023 in popular mountainous locations.

Shreerang Godbole, Chief Service Officer at Oyo, expressed enthusiasm for the surge in travel demand, viewing it as a promising sign for the growth and development of the Indian travel and hospitality industry. The summer season holds immense potential for the industry's resurgence and recovery.


Muthaiga Travel Showcases ‘Kenya Beyond Safari’ to Indian Travel Trade

Muthaiga Travel Showcases ‘Kenya Beyond Safari’ to Indian Travel Trade

By Hariharan U

Published on April 28, 2026

Muthaiga Travel recently hosted an exclusive webinar titled ‘Kenya Beyond Safari’, aimed at showcasing the country’s diverse travel experiences to Indian travel agents.

Held on April 24, 2026, the session was led by Stephen Opondo, Senior Tours Consultant, along with Lucy Bett. The webinar focused on expanding perceptions of Kenya as a destination that goes beyond its globally renowned wildlife safaris.

While Kenya is widely associated with safari tourism, the presentation highlighted its beachfront destinations, destination wedding opportunities, honeymoon itineraries, and immersive cultural experiences. These offerings position the country as a year-round destination suited for families, couples, and experiential travellers.

The initiative also aimed to strengthen ties with Indian travel partners by identifying agencies aligned with delivering seamless and experience-driven itineraries. The growing demand from India for unique and contemporary travel experiences has created an opportunity for destinations like Kenya to diversify their positioning.

Commenting on the initiative, Mira Bid said, “Kenya has grown over the years to offer tourism attractions to Indian travellers that go beyond the legendary safaris. Through this webinar, we aimed to present these diverse experiences while partnering with key travel partners from India.”

As the Indian outbound travel market continues to expand, such engagements play a key role in driving inbound tourism and destination awareness, positioning Kenya as a versatile and accessible international getaway.


Air Canada Doubles Delhi Toronto Flights Amid Rising Demand

Air Canada Doubles Delhi Toronto Flights Amid Rising Demand

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 11, 2026

Air Canada has increased the frequency of its Delhi–Toronto flights, making the service double daily to meet the rising demand for travel between India and North America.

The move comes at a time when airlines operating between the Middle East and North America are facing capacity challenges. The ongoing Israel-Iran conflict has resulted in the closure of several airspaces across the Middle East, leading to widespread disruption. Many airlines have been forced to cancel or delay flights to the region and on routes that pass through it.

To respond to the growing demand, Canada’s flag carrier is now operating two flights a day between Delhi and Toronto until the end of April. The enhanced schedule is aimed at supporting Indian travellers planning trips to North America during this period.

Under the current schedule, one flight departs from Delhi at 21:45 and arrives in Toronto at 05:00 the following day. The return service leaves Toronto at 19:55 and lands in Delhi at 20:10 the next day.

Travellers looking for more details on schedules and service updates can visit Air Canada’s official website for the latest information on flights between India and Canada.


The Hari Hong Kong Launches ‘This is Izakaya’ at Zoku and Seasonal Menus at Lucciola

The Hari Hong Kong Launches ‘This is Izakaya’ at Zoku and Seasonal Menus at Lucciola

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 3, 2025

The Hari Hong Kong is bringing fresh dining experiences this season with the launch of ‘This is Izakaya’ at Zoku and new seasonal menus at Lucciola.

At Zoku restaurant & The Terrace, Wednesdays now come alive with ‘This is Izakaya’, a lively Japanese dining experience that blends food, drinks, and music. Inspired by izakaya culture in Japan, guests can enjoy Nomihodai (free-flow drinks at a set price) paired with unlimited shared snacks, while live performances from singers and DJs create a vibrant midweek gathering.

The curated menu includes salmon tartar tacos, spicy edamame, Kyushu chicken wings, sake salmon skewers in teriyaki sauce, and sushi rolls like Kagoshima pork belly with pickled radish, miso, and lime or salmon with avocado, cucumber, and ponzu. Prices start at HKD368 per person for 90 minutes, with optional add-ons such as tiger prawn tempura (HKD58) and soft-shell crab rolls (HKD48). The drinks menu ranges from Asahi to martinis, along with non-alcoholic beers and crafted zero-proof cocktails.

Zoku’s October entertainment line-up includes DJ Miles, singer-songwriter Lili Forest 木子, singer Kasey Pong, busker RT Wong, and songwriter Josh Dionisio. With its striking design of leather booths, crimson banquettes, and origami-like timber ceilings, Zoku offers an intimate yet dynamic atmosphere.

Meanwhile, Lucciola, The Hari’s Italian restaurant, is highlighting the best of sea and woodland ingredients with new seasonal offerings. Seafood takes center stage every weekend with dishes like Impepata di Cozze (black-peppered steamed mussels), Crudo di Mare (fresh seafood platter), and Ostriche e Caviale (seasonal oysters with Ossetra caviar. On Thursdays, the ‘Mussel-icious’ promotion offers endless mussels with fries and salad.

Lucciola is also celebrating autumn flavors with a porcini mushroom set menu available until November 15, 2025. The multi-course menu showcases porcini mushrooms from northern Italy and Mediterranean figs in dishes such as Carpaccio di Fichi with Parma ham, Tagliatelle Funghi with beef cheek ragout, and Risotto Carnaroli with porcini, tomino cheese, and seasonal black truffle. Desserts include tiramisu, caramelized fig pie, or almond lemon cake. The full menu is priced at HKD688, with smaller course options starting at HKD568.

Both experiences highlight The Hari Hong Kong’s continued innovation in blending international flavors with immersive dining experiences, creating memorable evenings for its guests.

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