Bengal Cabinet Grants Industry Status to Hospitality Sector, Boosting Tourism and Job Creation

Bengal Cabinet Grants Industry Status to Hospitality Sector, Boosting Tourism and Job Creation

By Author

Published on November 16, 2023

In a landmark decision aimed at rejuvenating its tourism landscape and addressing employment challenges, the Bengal Cabinet has approved a proposal to confer industry status on the hospitality sector. This move, initiated by the state’s Tourism Department, is set to catalyze economic growth and revitalize Bengal’s tourism industry.

Key Benefits of the New Status

  • Electricity Bill Savings: Hotels in Bengal can now anticipate substantial savings on electricity costs, thanks to a shift to industrial power tariff rates. Estimates indicate potential savings of up to Rs 3 per unit, a significant relief given that electricity is often the second-largest expense for hotels.

  • Reduced Electricity Duty: With the new industry status, the hospitality sector will benefit from lower electricity duty, although the precise financial impact is yet to be fully quantified.

  • Lower Water Supply Costs: Hotels, which previously paid commercial rates for water, will now be charged at the more affordable industrial rates, further reducing operational expenses.

  • Decrease in License Fees and Taxes: The sector can also expect a reduction in various license fees and taxes, including property tax, easing the financial strain on hotel operators.

  • Enhanced Floor-Area Ratio (FAR): The improved FAR will allow for more extensive construction on given land parcels, likely

  • attracting more investors to develop hotels and related tourism facilities.

Sudesh Poddar, President of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of India’s Eastern Chapter, has expressed strong support for the decision, citing it as a long-standing demand. This move is anticipated to draw investors to the state's tourism sector and encourage the expansion of infrastructure.

With an eye on the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and ongoing job scarcity, the Bengal government views this development as a strategic approach to spur job creation. Investment in the hospitality sector is seen as a key driver for generating employment opportunities, considering Bengal’s rich tourism potential.

Tourism currently contributes about 13 percent to Bengal’s GDP, outpacing the national average. In 2022, Bengal welcomed over 1.04 million international tourists and 84.54 million domestic tourists. The industry status for hospitality is expected to further bolster these numbers.

The decision is poised to benefit the state's tourism industry, which employs over 15 lakh people. It also opens the door for major hotel chains to expand their presence in Bengal, enriching the state’s tourism offerings. Samrat Sanyal, General Secretary of the Himalayan Hospitality & Tourism Development Network, praised the decision for its potential to elevate the tourism sector.

The Bengal Cabinet's decision to grant industry status to the hospitality sector marks a significant step forward in enhancing the state's tourism and hospitality landscape. This move is expected to bring about a wave of positive changes, including increased investment, job creation, and overall economic upliftment in the region.


Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Reports Rs 13 Crore Net Profit in Q1 FY26

Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Reports Rs 13 Crore Net Profit in Q1 FY26

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 18, 2025

Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Limited (ASPHL) announced its financial results for Q1 FY26, recording a net profit of Rs 13 crore. Revenue from operations stood at Rs 154 crore, a 14% increase year-on-year, while operating EBITDA grew 16% YoY to Rs 45 crore. The company maintained an industry-leading occupancy of 92%, reaffirming its leadership in the hospitality sector.

ASPHL’s growth is fueled by expansion into Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets. The company recently signed an MoU to acquire and manage four leisure properties in Goa, Manali, Shimla, and Dharamshala, adding 138 rooms under its brand. These steps align with ASPHL’s strategy to broaden its presence in high-potential tourism destinations and double its key count to 5,750 over the next five years.

Flurys, ASPHL’s iconic bakery and confectionery brand, now operates 102 outlets nationwide, reflecting the company’s focus on expanding its market presence while integrating modern amenities with rich cultural heritage.

Commenting on the performance, Vijay Dewan, Managing Director, Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels, said,

"We have delivered an extraordinary and best-ever Q1, setting a strong momentum for the year ahead. With topline growth of 14% and EBITDA growth of 16%, we recorded India’s highest occupancy of 92% and maintained leadership in RevPAR in the upper-upscale segment. ARR improved by 13% and RevPAR increased by 12%. With nearly 600 new rooms added, including a 41% rise in our asset-light model, and nationwide Flurys rollout, we are poised to scale faster, enhance margins, and deliver exceptional shareholder value."

ASPHL’s strong performance in Q1 FY26 underscores its strategic focus on market expansion, operational excellence, and premium guest experiences.


Marriott Announces Dividend and Expands Share Buyback Plan

Marriott Announces Dividend and Expands Share Buyback Plan

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 10, 2025

Marriott International, Inc. has declared a quarterly cash dividend of 67 cents per share on its common stock, reaffirming its commitment to delivering shareholder value. The dividend will be paid on September 30, 2025, to shareholders who are on record as of August 21, 2025.

Alongside the dividend announcement, the hospitality giant also revealed an expansion of its share repurchase program. The board of directors has authorized the repurchase of an additional 25 million shares of its Class A common stock. This comes in addition to the approximately 7.4 million shares that were still available under previous authorizations as of July 30, 2025.

Marriott has already bought back 6.4 million shares this year, amounting to $1.7 billion. These moves reflect the company’s continued confidence in its financial stability and long-term performance, aiming to strengthen shareholder value through strategic capital allocation.


Chennai Postal Services Still Disrupted: Experts Call for Alternative Systems Amid Software Transition

Chennai Postal Services Still Disrupted: Experts Call for Alternative Systems Amid Software Transition

By Author

Published on August 4, 2025

In what was intended to be a smooth digital transformation, postal services across the Chennai Circle continue to remain disrupted even days after a scheduled upgrade to India Post's new IT 2.0 system. The software transition—part of a broader effort to modernize the nation’s postal network—was implemented on August 2nd and 4th across Chennai North and South divisions. However, officials have now confirmed that technical issues still persist, leaving customers and businesses grappling with delayed or inaccessible services.

Key services such as Speed Post, registered mail, parcel bookings, and money orders have either been significantly slowed or paused altogether in many branches. Despite expectations that systems would normalize post-upgrade, the rollout of the Advanced Postal Technology (APT) system has proven more complex than anticipated.

“We are still working on stabilizing the system. There have been unforeseen glitches post-upgrade, and our teams are actively resolving them,” said a senior postal official who requested anonymity.

The disruption has raised concerns across industries—including the hospitality sector—where timely document dispatch, license renewals, vendor payments, and customer correspondence are crucial to daily operations.

Experts and industry stakeholders are now calling on India Post to introduce alternative operational strategies or backup mechanisms during such large-scale transitions.

“In a digital age where seamless service is non-negotiable, a complete blackout due to a software update is avoidable. A fallback process, whether manual or cloud-based, should be in place to ensure continuity,” said a Chennai-based hospitality consultant.

The hospitality industry relies heavily on postal services for legal documentation, international communication, and procurement logistics. The ongoing delays have caused bottlenecks not just in operations but also in customer experience delivery.

As authorities continue to work toward a resolution, the broader question remains: Should India’s essential public infrastructure be this vulnerable to a single system upgrade? The answer may lie in future-proofing core services with hybrid digital models that include disaster recovery plans and parallel systems.


Hospitalitynews.in will continue to track updates as the situation evolves.

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