Mastercard Report: Cricket World Cup's Boost to Indian Tourism and Hospitality

Mastercard Report: Cricket World Cup's Boost to Indian Tourism and Hospitality

By Author

Published on December 24, 2023

The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023, despite not clinching a victory for Team India, emerged as a significant catalyst for the Indian economy. Mastercard, a key sponsor of the event, conducted a study revealing the tournament's extensive multiplier effect, particularly on the tourism and hospitality industries. This effect underlines the broader impact of major sporting events on both national and local economies.

According to Mastercard's aggregated and anonymised data, the accommodation and food industries experienced a substantial boost due to the influx of cricket enthusiasts from all over the world. These fans, converging in India to support their teams, contributed significantly to the increased spending in these sectors. The data showed that small businesses, often considered the backbone of the economy, enjoyed a significant upsurge in revenue, especially in cities hosting the matches.

The boost for small businesses was particularly noticeable in quick-service restaurants in the host cities, where there was an average increase of over 300% in cross-border spending by tourists on match days compared to a regular week. This trend was not limited to foreign tourists, as domestic spending on online food delivery also recorded a sharp increase of over 100% on average during the matches held in Ahmedabad, Delhi, and Mumbai.

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Hotels and the broader food industry also reaped the benefits of the cricket tournament. Host cities saw an average growth of approximately 40% in domestic spending on hotels on match days compared to regular weeks. Moreover, there was an incremental spend of around INR ~23 million observed in hotels and restaurants in host cities and metro cities around match days, reflecting a 36% increase compared to non-game days.

The economic impact was particularly pronounced during crucial matches. For instance, during the India vs. Pakistan match, cross-border in-person restaurant spends soared by approximately 400%. The India vs. England witnessed an even more astonishing increase of over 600% in cross-border spends across hotels and dining establishments.

Gautam Aggarwal, Division President, South Asia at Mastercard, emphasized the profound impact of the ICC World Cup on India's economy. He stated that such tournaments can act as a booster shot for robust economies, energizing small businesses that power the local economy. Aggarwal highlighted the remarkable surge of 400% in in-person restaurant spends during key matches featuring Team India, showcasing the tournament's positive influence on the economy.

In conclusion, the ICC Cricket World Cup not only provided thrilling cricket action but also proved to be a significant economic stimulus for small businesses and the hospitality sector across India. This event showcased the potential of sporting and cultural events to drive economic growth and support various industries, contributing to the overall economic health of the country.


Innov8 Reports 55% Revenue Growth in Q1 FY26 to INR 38 Crore

Innov8 Reports 55% Revenue Growth in Q1 FY26 to INR 38 Crore

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 3, 2025

Innov8, one of India’s fastest-growing flex space startups, has reported an impressive start to FY26 with Q1 revenues of INR 38 crore, marking a 55% increase from INR 24 crore in the same period last year. Profitability also improved, with EBITDA rising to INR 8 crore, compared to INR 3 crore in Q1 FY25, underscoring the company’s strong operating performance.

This momentum follows a robust FY25 when Innov8 nearly doubled its revenues to INR 123 crore from INR 75 crore in FY24, and grew EBITDA to INR 70 crore from INR 47 crore. The company also stood out as one of only two net-profitable players in India’s flex space segment, reporting a profit of INR 7 crore in FY25.

A key growth driver has been the rise in average monthly membership revenue (AMMR) per seat, which grew 21% year-on-year to approximately INR 10,000. This reflects improved pricing power, customer loyalty, and a stronger seat mix favoring higher-yield formats. Innov8’s asset-light model, which leverages landlord-led capex for capital-efficient expansion, continues to fuel scalable and profitable growth.

To support its long-term ambitions, Innov8 transitioned from a private limited company to a public limited entity in FY25, while also raising its authorised share capital from INR 1.50 crore to INR 26.50 crore.

Pankhuri Sakhuja, Business Head, Innov8, said, “With a strong foundation and a clearly defined roadmap, we are looking for aggressive growth and confident of doubling our center count in FY26. Our focus is on accelerating expansion in high-density hubs across India’s major metros and strengthening enterprise-grade solutions such as private suites and managed offices. We see significant potential in regions like the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and will continue to prioritise growth in these key markets.”

The growth comes at a time when demand for flexible workspaces in India has surged nearly sixfold over the past five years, according to Cushman & Wakefield. Innov8 is doubling down on technology adoption to drive operational efficiency and enhance vibrant, community-led workspace experiences that foster collaboration.

Innov8 offers premium plug-and-play workspaces with flexible layouts, enterprise-grade security, and fully managed services. Its centers are strategically located in prime business districts, giving enterprises access to top talent and infrastructure. Recent expansions include:

  • House Zion near Mumbai International Airport with 1,500+ seats

  • Prestige Tech Park, Bengaluru with 900 seats

  • Graphix Towers, Noida with 500 seats

The company’s client portfolio includes leading enterprises such as Swiggy, Tata Digital, Apollo24/7, Paytm, Razorpay, IndusInd Bank, Whirlpool, BBC News, PepsiCo, Oppo, Snapdeal, Lenskart, Nykaa, BigBasket, Ola, and PhonePe.

Founded in 2015 by Dr. Ritesh Malik, Innov8 is currently present across 10 cities including Delhi, Gurgaon, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, and Indore, and continues to position itself as a leading force in India’s flex space industry.


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.


Chinese Wok Marks 10th Anniversary by Serving 10,000 Meals to Children Across India

Chinese Wok Marks 10th Anniversary by Serving 10,000 Meals to Children Across India

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on September 17, 2025

Chinese Wok, India’s largest home-grown Desi Chinese QSR brand, marked its 10th anniversary with a celebration rooted in joy and community spirit. Instead of limiting the milestone to its restaurants, the brand chose to give back by serving more than 10,000 freshly prepared meals to school children across 10 cities in 10 days.

The initiative spanned major cities including Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai, and Lucknow, reaching underserved communities with hearty Desi Chinese meals. Each event became a celebration of togetherness, with children enjoying not just the food but also moments of laughter, games, and branded merchandise that made the experience memorable.

What made the initiative truly special was the hands-on participation of hundreds of Chinese Wok employees from restaurants, regional offices, and the corporate team. They came together to cook, serve, and spend time with the children, ensuring the celebration went beyond food to create genuine connections.

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Reflecting on the milestone, Aayush Madhusudan Agrawal, Director, Lenexis Foodworks, shared,

“Completing 10 years is a proud milestone for all of us at Chinese Wok. We wanted to celebrate not just within our restaurants, but by bringing joy to children and communities that inspire us every day. This initiative reflects our long-term belief that food can be a force for good, and we will continue to build on this commitment as we grow.”

This initiative also underscores the larger vision of Lenexis Foodworks, the parent company of Chinese Wok, Big Bowl, and The Momo Co. By focusing on food as a force for good, the group continues to expand its footprint across India while making a lasting impact in the communities it serves.

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