Vacation home brand EkoStay has announced an ambitious expansion plan across South India with a targeted 40-villa boutique cluster project in the Nilgiris region. The development will span key hill destinations including Ooty, Coonoor and Kotagiri, further strengthening the company’s footprint in India’s rapidly growing experiential travel and alternative accommodation market.

The project represents one of EkoStay’s largest regional expansion initiatives to date and aligns with its strategy of creating professionally managed, design-led hospitality experiences in high-demand leisure destinations.

As part of the larger plan, the company currently has 11 villas in its immediate development pipeline across the Nilgiris. The portfolio includes a mix of two, three, four and five-bedroom luxury private villas. Four of these properties are already operational, while the remaining villas are expected to become available by the end of June 2026.

Among the featured properties are Under the Pines, Dawn Villa, Dusk Villa and Over the Stream, each designed to reflect the character and natural beauty of the Nilgiris. Surrounded by tea estates, pine forests and rolling hills, the villas aim to offer guests a more immersive and personalised travel experience.

Under the Pines has been positioned as a five-bedroom luxury retreat offering panoramic valley views and a secluded mountain setting. Dawn Villa and Dusk Villa provide boutique accommodation overlooking tea plantations and lush landscapes. Located adjacent to each other, the two villas can also function as a combined stay option for larger groups and families.

The expansion highlights EkoStay’s focus on transforming independent homes into professionally managed hospitality assets. According to the company, several properties have undergone significant aesthetic and operational upgrades before launch, ensuring they align with the brand’s boutique hospitality standards while preserving their original charm.

As part of the development process, EkoStay has also begun integrating AI-assisted visualisation tools during interior planning and design. The technology has been used to explore concepts such as English-inspired pastel palettes, wooden textures, fireplace designs and hospitality-focused layouts before final implementation.

Commenting on the expansion, Zishan Khan, Chief Acquisition Officer and Co-Founder of EkoStay, said the Nilgiris offers a unique travel experience centred around nature, tranquillity and heritage charm. He noted that the company’s vision extends beyond increasing inventory and focuses on building a carefully curated hospitality cluster that remains deeply connected to the character of the destination.

He further added that the 40-villa Nilgiris project is a key milestone in EkoStay’s long-term goal of creating one of India’s strongest boutique villa hospitality networks across leading leisure destinations.

Founded in 2018 by Husain Khatumdi, Sohail Mirchandani, Varun Arora and Zishan Khan, EkoStay currently operates more than 150 villas across India and continues to expand its portfolio through curated vacation homes and private stay experiences designed for modern travellers seeking privacy, flexibility and authentic destination experiences.

McDonald’s India – North and East has strengthened its focus on youth empowerment by creating employment opportunities for over 1500 young individuals across Delhi NCR through its flagship initiative, McDonald’s for Youth. Implemented in partnership with local NGOs and community organisations, the programme has helped youth across Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Ghaziabad and Faridabad take their first steps into the formal workforce.

Designed to create meaningful opportunities, the initiative focuses particularly on young individuals from less privileged backgrounds by providing them with skills, confidence, and long-term growth pathways.

Launched as part of its contribution to India’s growth journey, the programme has supported many first-time job seekers by preparing them for professional environments. Through McDonald’s global training curriculum, participants receive structured learning in areas including customer service, communication skills, restaurant operations, food safety and hygiene, cash handling, teamwork, and overall professional development.

The initiative aims to provide transferable skills that support long-term employability not only within McDonald’s but across the wider service industry as well.

Speaking about the programme, Rajeev Ranjan, Managing Director, McDonald’s India – North and East, said:

"At McDonald’s India- North and East, we believe the youth deserves the opportunity to grow, learn, and discover their potential. Through ‘McDonald’s for Youth,’ we work with like-minded organisations, and have supported over 2,500 young individuals in taking their first steps into the workforce. Each story of growth reminds us that meaningful opportunities can transform lives, strengthen communities, and build a foundation for a brighter future. This milestone reflects our commitment to empowering youth and creating pathways that extend far beyond the restaurant walls."

Rajesh Soundararajan, Director, Katha, also highlighted the importance of the initiative, saying:

"Delhi NCR is home to a large population of young individuals seeking access to formal employment opportunities and skill-building platforms. Through our partnership with McDonald’s, we have been able to connect youth with meaningful first-job opportunities, helping them build confidence, financial independence, and workplace readiness. We remain committed to supporting their long-term growth and ensuring this initiative continues to create impact at the grassroots level."

Since its launch, the initiative has expanded across Tier 1 and Tier 2 markets, including Delhi NCR, Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. The programme now increasingly focuses on local community outreach, where teams directly engage with nearby villages and communities to create awareness around structured employment opportunities.

Following this milestone, McDonald’s India – North and East plans to further scale the initiative and has invited NGO partners across Delhi NCR and other key markets to collaborate for the next phase of youth employment efforts.

NGOs interested in participating can reach out at: hiring.ngo@del.in.mcd.com 

Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council (THSC) is continuing its efforts to empower women through skill development, steadily expanding its CSR-led initiative over the past two years. After training 150 women in FY 2024–25, the programme grew to 300 women in FY 2025–26, all of whom were successfully trained and certified. Building on this progress, THSC has now set a target to skill 600 women in FY 2026–27, strengthening its focus on inclusive workforce growth.

In FY 2025–26, certified candidates were placed with leading hospitality brands such as Hilton Hotels & Resorts, The Oberoi Group, Marriott International and Delta Corp Ltd. A notable number also secured international placements, with strong retention levels highlighting the quality of training and its alignment with industry needs.

The initiative focuses on entry-level roles across Food & Beverage Service, Front Office and Housekeeping. It combines classroom learning with practical exposure, soft skills training and industry immersion, ensuring participants are well-prepared for real-world roles. With mobilisation efforts spread across states like Assam, Manipur, West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh, the programme continues to reach women from underserved regions.

Ms. Jyoti Mayal, Chairperson, THSC, added:

"This initiative is a strong example of how structured skilling can drive real social and economic impact. Each phase has strengthened our resolve to do more, reach further, and create lasting change. As we move toward skilling 600 women in the coming year, we are committed to fostering greater inclusivity and empowering women to actively participate in the growth of the hospitality sector."

Mr. Rajan Bahadur, CEO, THSC, said:

"The consistent scale-up of this CSR initiative, from 150 to 300, and now with a target of 600—reflects both the growing demand for skilled talent in the hospitality sector and the success of our industry-aligned training approach. Through this initiative, THSC is leading by example in driving inclusive skilling and industry-relevant workforce development. Our focus remains on delivering quality training that translates into meaningful employment opportunities and sustainable careers."

The programme’s success has been supported by strong collaboration with industry partners, training institutions and implementation agencies, ensuring that it remains aligned with sector requirements while delivering consistent results.

As Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council continues to scale its efforts, the initiative stands out as a strong example of industry-led skilling, contributing to India’s broader vision of inclusive growth and workforce development.