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By Author
Published on February 3, 2026
The Union Budget 2026 has drawn strong reactions from leaders across hospitality, tourism, real estate and allied sectors, with a common emphasis on skill development, destination-led growth and improved regional connectivity as critical levers for India’s next tourism expansion phase.
Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director, Informa Markets in India (organisers of SATTE), highlighted the Budget’s long-term approach to strengthening tourism fundamentals.
"The Union Budget 2026 lays out a forward-looking roadmap with a clear focus on infrastructure, economic growth, and better regional connectivity. One of the standout announcements for the sector is the plan to set up a National Institute of Hospitality, a move that could really strengthen India's tourism and hospitality ecosystem in a meaningful way. By bringing academia, industry, and government onto the same platform, the institute has the potential to create a skilled workforce that matches the evolving expectations of both domestic and international travellers. For hospitality businesses, this could mean higher service standards, smoother operations, and a more reliable long-term talent pipeline. In the bigger picture, initiatives like this tend to build investor confidence, encourage the development of new hotels, resorts, and tourism infrastructure, and further support India's positioning as a global travel destination. While the industry was also hoping for wider policy measures to make investments easier and simplify operations, this strong push toward skill development still sets a solid foundation for more structured, long-term growth in tourism and hospitality."
A key Budget theme has been the structured development of 50 destinations in partnership with states, supported by enhanced connectivity to regions such as Himachal Pradesh and Kashmir. This, industry leaders note, signals a deliberate effort to decentralise tourism demand beyond saturated metros and established leisure hubs.
Nandini Taneja, Chief Executive Officer, Bhumika Enterprises, sees the Budget as particularly relevant for emerging cities and inclusive growth.
"The proposal to establish a National Institute of Hospitality is a timely step for India's hospitality sector, especially in Tier-2 cities emerging as key travel and business hubs. By bridging academia, industry, and government, the institute can help create a skilled local workforce — critical for the growth of hotels and tourism-led developments. Equally encouraging is the Budget's push for women-led entrepreneurship through community-owned SHE-Marts, which will give SHG-linked women structured retail access and a pathway to enterprise ownership. This strengthens grassroots economic participation while supporting more inclusive local economies."
She added that,
"Together, stronger talent pipelines and inclusive economic initiatives will enhance service standards, improve operational efficiency, and boost investor confidence, accelerating hospitality-led growth in emerging cities and preparing them for rising domestic and international tourism demand."
Framing the Budget through a market-expansion lens, Ambika Saxena, CEO, TWH Hospitality, emphasised tourism’s elevation as a core economic driver.
"The Budget signals a clear shift in positioning tourism as a core economic growth driver rather than a peripheral sector. The structured development of destinations, along with improved connectivity, will expand India's viable hospitality markets beyond established hubs. With stronger destination infrastructure and a more robust talent pipeline, the industry gains better long-term demand visibility, investment confidence, and the ability to scale sustainably."
From a broader travel and enterprise perspective, Mr. Aditya Pande, Group Chief Executive Officer, InterGlobe Enterprises, welcomed the Budget’s alignment with long-term national goals.
"The Union Budget outlines a strong, forward-looking roadmap toward a Viksit Bharat by 2047. We welcome the government's continued focus on strengthening India's travel, tourism, and hospitality ecosystem through improved connectivity, accessibility, and destination infrastructure. The emphasis on skill development, heritage, and ecotourism reflects a deep understanding of the sector's economic potential. These measures will boost demand, support local economies, and strengthen India's position as a global hub for high-quality hospitality and travel."
Beyond hospitality, the Budget’s ripple effects are also being felt in retail and lifestyle sectors. Abhinav Kumar pointed to the alignment between manufacturing, logistics and brand-led growth.
"The Union Budget 2026-27 lays out a forward-looking path for India's retail and fashion ecosystem, reinforcing domestic manufacturing, innovation and brand competitiveness. Initiatives like the integrated textile programme, mega textile parks, MSME support and improved logistics create a stronger, more resilient supply chain for domestic and global brands in our portfolio. By fostering expansion into Tier-II and Tier-III cities, enabling digital and financial infrastructure and supporting high-quality production, the Budget provides the roadmap for Brand Concepts to scale efficiently, innovate responsibly and strengthen India's position as a hub for future-ready fashion and lifestyle businesses"
Taken together, industry reactions suggest that while stakeholders were hoping for deeper policy simplification and faster investment clearances, the Budget’s focus on skills, destination development and connectivity lays a credible foundation for decentralised, sustainable growth across India’s tourism and hospitality landscape.
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By Hariharan U
Published on March 16, 2026
The quick commerce battle in India is moving fast, and Eternal is making sure Blinkit keeps pace. The Gurugram-based parent company has infused Rs 450 crore into its quick commerce arm Blinkit, according to a regulatory filing with the Registrar of Companies. This is Eternal's first capital injection into the business in 2026, following a total of Rs 2,600 crore pumped in across 2025.
To put the 2025 numbers in context, Eternal injected Rs 500 crore in January, Rs 1,500 crore in February, and another Rs 600 crore in November of last year. The latest infusion signals that the pace of investment isn't letting up as competition in the 10-minute delivery segment continues to intensify.
Blinkit has reasons to feel confident heading into this next phase. The company turned profitable in the December quarter, reporting an adjusted EBITDA profit of Rs 4 crore in Q3FY26 compared to a loss of Rs 103 crore in the same period the previous year. Revenue jumped to Rs 12,256 crore from Rs 1,399 crore a year earlier, and gross profit climbed to Rs 3,539 crore from Rs 1,300 crore. Those are significant numbers, and they reflect a business that has found its footing even as it continues to scale aggressively.
The capital will support Blinkit's ongoing dark store expansion, working capital requirements, and operating costs as it pushes towards its target of 3,000 micro-warehouses by March 2027. As of December 31st, the company had 2,027 stores operational.
The competitive landscape around Blinkit is getting busier. Swiggy raised Rs 10,000 crore through a qualified institutional placement in December 2025, just over a year after its IPO. Zepto has filed confidential draft papers with SEBI for its own IPO. And larger players including Amazon, Flipkart, and Reliance Industries are all stepping up their presence in quick commerce, making this one of the most actively contested spaces in India's consumer technology sector right now.
There's also been a notable leadership shift at Eternal. Founder Deepinder Goyal stepped down as Managing Director and CEO in February, with Blinkit founder and CEO Albinder Dhindsa taking over the top role. Dhindsa continues to lead Blinkit as well, consolidating leadership of the quick commerce business at a critical growth phase.
One more number worth noting: in terms of net order value, Blinkit has now overtaken Eternal's core food delivery business. That's a remarkable milestone for a segment that didn't exist in its current form just a few years ago.
Published on February 9, 2026
Devyani International Ltd (DIL), one of India’s largest quick service restaurant (QSR) operators, reported a net loss of ₹109.78 crore for the December quarter of FY26, widening from a loss of ₹76.46 crore in the same period last year.
Despite the higher loss, the company posted steady top-line growth, with revenue from operations rising 11.31% year-on-year to ₹1,440.9 crore. Total income, including other income, stood at ₹1,453.22 crore, up 11.48% compared to the year-ago quarter.
Total expenses during the quarter increased 11.71% to ₹1,446.5 crore. However, Devyani International said it saw broad-based improvement in margins, supported by operational efficiencies and performance across formats. Notably, its Biryani By Kilo business, acquired last year through Sky Gate Hospitality, achieved breakeven during the quarter.
Commenting on the performance, chairman Ravi Jaipuria said, “Our business continues to grow in a sustained manner. India operations grew 12.1% year-on-year, while consolidated revenues reached ₹1,441 crore. Our international business continues to gather strength from both an operations and profitability perspective.”
As of December 31, 2025, Devyani International operated 2,279 stores globally, including 1,877 in India and 402 overseas. During the quarter, the company added 95 net new stores, led by 54 KFC and 18 Pizza Hut outlets, while Biryani By Kilo added 13 locations.
The company has also initiated a focused turnaround strategy for Pizza Hut by rationalising loss-making stores and optimising capital expenditure. Separately, Devyani International’s board approved the acquisition of an additional 11.4% stake in Sky Gate Hospitality for ₹57.5 crore.
Published on February 4, 2026
The Union Budget 2026–27 reflects a growing recognition of tourism and hospitality as key enablers of experience-led travel in India. With a strong emphasis on infrastructure development, skill enhancement, and institutional support, the budget sets a positive direction for long-term destination growth.
For the wellness hospitality sector, the continued focus on India’s traditional systems such as Ayurveda and Yoga signals a renewed intent to strengthen tourism offerings rooted in authenticity, wellbeing, and mindful engagement with cultural and natural heritage.
Sharing its post-budget perspective, Poonam Singh, Dharana at Shillim stated: "The Union Budget 2026–27 reflects a considered recognition of tourism and hospitality as important enablers of experience-led travel. The emphasis on infrastructure development, skill enhancement, and institutional support, alongside a continued focus on India's traditional wellness systems such as Ayurveda and Yoga, signals an intent to strengthen destinations grounded in authenticity, wellbeing, and a mindful engagement with cultural and natural heritage.
For the wellness and hospitality sector, these measures create opportunities to advance sustainable tourism, enable meaningful regional employment, and elevate service standards, reinforcing India's position as a globally credible destination for holistic wellbeing and conscious travel.”
The perspective underlines how policy support can encourage responsible investment, generate regional employment, and raise service standards across wellness-led destinations. As conscious travel continues to gain traction globally, such measures are expected to further strengthen India’s standing as a trusted hub for holistic wellbeing experiences.
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