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By Hariharan U
Published on August 15, 2025
India’s coffee culture is about to get a serious shot of espresso, straight from Italy. Through a collaboration with the Espresso Academy and Italian Coffee Academy in Florence, globally respected institutions that have shaped the art of coffee for decades, aspiring baristas in India can now access authentic Italian coffee expertise, heritage, and training without having to cross borders.The academy’s programs are designed to take students through the entire coffee journey.
Beginners can start with foundational barista skills, while seasoned enthusiasts can refine their craft with advanced Latte Art and Speciality Coffee Masterclasses. For those seeking a full-fledged professional path, comprehensive Diploma Programs are available, tailored to meet the highest international standards. Hands-on training is at the heart of this initiative. Students work alongside seasoned coffee professionals in real café environments, using state-of-the-art espresso machines and brewing tools.
The curriculum blends practical skills with international best practices, ensuring graduates are industry-ready from day one. What makes these courses stand out is their career-oriented approach. With coffee culture booming across India and gaining particular momentum in Tier II and Tier III cities, the demand for skilled baristas is set to grow exponentially. Graduates are equipped to step into roles in speciality cafés, luxury hotels, cruise lines, or even launch their entrepreneurial ventures.
Adding to the appeal is the globally recognised certification awarded to every graduate. These credentials not only enhance employability but also open doors to international career opportunities, making Indian-trained baristas competitive on the global stage. Since its launch in March 2025, the academy has seen rapid growth and built a vibrant alumni network. Many graduates have already secured opportunities abroad, while others are proudly running their cafés back home.
To support this journey, the academy offers dedicated placement assistance, connecting students with top coffee businesses in India. With the global coffee industry evolving rapidly and consumer expectations rising, this Italian-Indian collaboration is more than just a training program; it’s a movement to raise the standards of coffee-making in India.
About the Company:
Italian Coffee Academy India, Delhi, is a premier institution for authentic coffee education. Affiliated with Espresso Academy Italy, Florence, it offers top-tier training in barista skills, coffee brewing, and espresso expertise. The academy specialises in the Italian Barista Certificate (IBC) courses, equipping students with in-depth knowledge of coffee origins, espresso extraction, milk frothing, and latte art. Graduates who pass the final exam receive the internationally recognised IBC, validating their skills for global opportunities.
With expert trainers, advanced equipment, and immersive hands-on learning, it’s the ideal destination for aspiring baristas and coffee professionals. The academy is led by Mr Arjun Sethi, whose vision is to bridge Italy’s coffee heritage with India’s growing café culture. With extensive experience in the hospitality industry and a deep passion for coffee education, the MD plays a pivotal role in introducing global training standards to the Indian market, ensuring students not only learn but also excel at the craft.
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By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Published on September 4, 2025
Skyscanner has named Indian cricketer Suryakumar Yadav, popularly known as ‘SKY’, as its first brand ambassador in India. This marks the company’s most significant consumer outreach initiative in the Indian market so far.
The partnership builds on the rising trend of sport-led travel in the country, with research showing that nearly half of Indian travellers are willing to travel specifically to watch live cricket. By joining hands with a cricketer of Yadav’s popularity and cultural influence, Skyscanner aims to strengthen its presence among Indian travellers and inspire them to explore new destinations with ease.
Known as ‘Mr. 360’ for his versatile cricketing style, Yadav will now extend his influence off the field by encouraging travellers to experience the joy of discovery with Skyscanner. The collaboration begins with a digital contest on Skyscanner India’s and Yadav’s social media channels, where fans can create personalised travel itineraries for the cricketer using Skyscanner’s features. Selected winners will get the chance to meet Yadav in person, offering unique engagement opportunities between the brand and its community.
Speaking about the partnership, Suryakumar Yadav said: “Travel has always been something that excites me as much as cricket, whether it is exploring new places during tours or discovering hidden gems on break. Partnering with Skyscanner feels natural because it’s about making travel simple, smart, and full of possibilities. I’m looking forward to inspiring more fans to combine their love for cricket with the joy of discovering the world.”
Neel Ghose, Country Manager & General Manager, Travel Expert, Skyscanner, India, added: “We are really excited to welcome SKY to the Skyscanner family. His connection with people across India makes him the perfect partner to help us show travellers just how simple, affordable and joyful planning a trip with Skyscanner can be. With him alongside, we aim to make travel not just more accessible, but a source of inspiration and connection for every Indian traveller. Last year, we inaugurated our first office in India and today marks yet another special occasion with SKY as the face of our brand.”
Through this collaboration, Skyscanner hopes to encourage Indian travellers to see travel as both accessible and aspirational, combining their love for cricket with the excitement of exploring new places.
Zomato has raised its platform fee on food delivery orders to ₹12 from ₹10, as demand is set to surge during the festive season. The fee is charged per order and does not include goods and services tax (GST).
The hike comes shortly after rival Swiggy raised its platform fee to ₹14 (inclusive of GST) in select pin codes, citing growing order volumes. Both Zomato and Swiggy had introduced the platform fee in 2023 and have steadily increased it over time.
The move reflects growing financial pressures on the two food delivery giants as they continue to invest heavily in quick commerce, even as growth in their core food delivery business has moderated. For the April–June quarter, Zomato’s parent company reported a 16% year-on-year growth in gross order value at ₹10,769 crore, slower than the over 20% growth it had recorded until recent quarters.
Despite a 70% jump in revenue, Zomato posted a sharp 90% decline in consolidated net profit at ₹25 crore compared to ₹253 crore a year earlier. Swiggy, meanwhile, saw its quarterly losses widen to ₹1,197 crore, largely due to investments in its quick commerce vertical Instamart, even as its operating revenue rose 54% to ₹4,961 crore.
Industry experts believe platform fee hikes will continue to support profitability. “The strategy of raising platform fees ahead of the festive season and retaining the higher rate later has been in place since last year, when the fee was increased from ₹6 to ₹10. The platform fee has increased six times since its introduction on Zomato. For every rupee of platform fee added, Zomato’s take rates improve by 22 basis points,” said Karan Taurani, Executive Vice President at Elara Capital.
Meanwhile, new competition may test the duopoly of Zomato and Swiggy. Rapido has recently launched its food delivery service, Ownly, in Bengaluru, positioning itself as a lower-cost alternative with commissions ranging from 8–15% for restaurants, compared to the 16–30% charged by Zomato and Swiggy. Currently, Ownly is operational in Koramangala, HSR Layout, and BTM Layout.
With platform fees rising and competition heating up, India’s food delivery landscape is poised for a dynamic shift in the months ahead.
The Indian government has announced a significant reform in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) structure, introducing two primary slabs of 5% and 18%. The decision was taken at the 56th GST Council meeting and will take effect from 22 September 2025, coinciding with the beginning of Navaratri.
Under the revised system, essential food items such as bread and paneer will be exempt from GST, while agricultural and food products will attract only 5%. This move is expected to reduce costs for consumers and the food service industry alike. Sin goods, including gutka, tobacco products, and carbonated drinks, will face a higher rate of 40% GST.
For the hospitality industry, the changes bring notable relief. GST taxation on rooms in hotels are also comes under the new GST slabs.
Hotel rooms with tariffs of less than or equal to Rs 7500 per day will be taxed at 5% without input tax credit (ITC) from 12% with inputs tax credit (ITC), as per recommendations made by the 56th GST Council. This move will enhance both the hospitality and tourism industry, with hotel stays now becoming more affordable.
This system continues to simplify hotel accommodation taxation, while the reduction of GST on essential goods and appliances used in hotels, such as air conditioners and televisions, paves the way for operational cost savings. Additionally, milk products and butter now fall under 0% from 5%, that means no tax for these products, creating the potential for reduced prices of dairy-based dishes and desserts like ice creams and pastries in hotel restaurants.
Mr. Varadharajan, Chartered Accountant and Hotel Tax Consultant, welcomed the move, stating that the revised GST will help bring down costs for both hotel operators and guests, making hospitality more accessible.
The GST 2.0 reform signals the government’s intent to balance affordability with economic growth, offering a direct benefit to hotels, restaurants, and consumers. With its timing aligned with the festive season, the initiative is expected to boost travel, dining, and overall demand in the hospitality sector.
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