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By Nishang Narayan
Published on January 19, 2025
The Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), one of the world’s largest hospitality associations, has outlined a series of reforms it hopes to see in the Union Budget 2025-26. Representing over 60,000 hotels and 500,000 restaurants nationwide, FHRAI emphasized that these changes are critical for bolstering investment, creating jobs, and driving the growth of India's hospitality and tourism sector—a significant contributor to the national economy.
Infrastructure Status for Smaller ProjectsFHRAI proposes granting infrastructure status to hotel and convention center projects costing ₹10 crore or more. Currently, this status is limited to projects exceeding ₹200 crore for hotels and ₹300 crore for convention centers, along with a requirement for the city population to exceed one million. FHRAI highlights that these restrictions exclude smaller, tourism-rich towns, preventing their access to financing and infrastructure benefits.
“India’s tourism sector has immense untapped potential in historically significant towns and emerging destinations,” said K Syama Raju, President of FHRAI. “Infrastructure status for smaller projects will unlock growth opportunities in these regions.”
Simplified Licensing and Single-Window ClearanceFHRAI calls for a single-window clearance system to streamline the complex and time-consuming licensing and approval processes. Simplified regulations would encourage investments and ease operations for hospitality businesses.
GST RationalizationThe association advocates for rationalizing GST rates to make India more competitive internationally. FHRAI recommends:
Excise and Liquor Licensing ReformsFHRAI emphasizes the need for simplified excise and liquor licensing processes. Drawing inspiration from the FSSAI registration system, the association suggests nominal fees and easier compliance to promote the growth of leisure and entertainment services.
India’s hospitality sector, known for generating substantial employment and foreign exchange earnings, faces multiple challenges due to restrictive policies. FHRAI asserts that reforms in licensing, taxation, and infrastructure will enhance India’s competitiveness as a global tourism destination.
“Our hospitality and tourism sector is vital to economic growth, yet it operates under significant regulatory burdens,” Raju added. “Budget 2025-26 presents an opportunity for the government to align policies with industry needs, fostering sustainable growth and positioning India as a leader in global tourism.”
By addressing these critical reforms, FHRAI believes India can advance its vision of becoming a $1 trillion tourism economy by 2047. Simplifying regulations, fostering investments, and reducing operational barriers will create jobs, increase foreign exchange earnings, and drive the sector's long-term growth.
About FHRAI
Established in 1955, the Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) is the apex body of the hospitality industry in India. Representing over 60,000 hotels and 500,000 restaurants, FHRAI serves as a voice for the sector, collaborating with government bodies and international organizations to support the growth of India’s hospitality and tourism industries.
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By Hariharan U
Published on May 24, 2026
The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group continues to strengthen its position as one of India’s earliest and most visible champions of LGBTQIA+ inclusion within the hospitality industry, long before diversity and inclusion became mainstream corporate conversations across the country.
As Pride-led campaigns and DEI-focused branding become increasingly prominent across India’s corporate landscape in 2026, The LaLiT stands apart for having embedded queer visibility, representation, and community engagement into its brand identity for more than a decade.
At a time when LGBTQIA+ representation remained largely absent from mainstream Indian corporate culture, the hospitality group had already begun creating inclusive spaces across hospitality, nightlife, employment, entertainment, and community-led platforms.
Under the leadership and vision associated with Keshav Suri, the group emerged as one of India’s first hospitality brands to openly champion queer visibility within luxury hospitality environments.
The organisation’s long-term commitment extended beyond symbolic campaigns, integrating LGBTQIA+ representation across workforce hiring, creative collaborations, cultural programming, nightlife experiences, and community engagement initiatives. This sustained approach helped the group establish deep cultural credibility within India’s queer community over the years.
Speaking on the brand’s philosophy, Keshav Suri, Executive Director of The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group and Founder of the Keshav Suri Foundation, said the group’s commitment to inclusion has always been rooted in creating safe and dignified spaces where individuals can freely express themselves without fear or judgment.
One of the most visible extensions of this philosophy has been Kitty Su, which evolved into one of India’s most recognised queer-safe nightlife and cultural spaces. Over the years, the platform has supported drag performers, queer artists, trans voices, underground collectives, and alternative performance cultures well before such representation entered mainstream entertainment conversations.
The venue also played a key role in normalising queer visibility within India’s luxury hospitality and nightlife ecosystem at a time when such positioning was still considered commercially risky by many brands.
Building on that legacy, The LaLiT is set to host Pure Love Nights at Kitty Su, New Delhi, throughout June 2026 as part of its Pride Month programming. The month-long cultural series will feature drag performances, trans-led showcases, immersive nightlife experiences, fashion-led concepts, creator collaborations, and digital storytelling initiatives focused on self-expression and community representation.
The initiative reflects the group’s broader philosophy of inclusion through hospitality, culture, entertainment, and storytelling, while also extending Pride conversations beyond physical venues into wider youth culture and digital communities.
As more organisations across India begin formalising LGBTQIA+ inclusion within workplace and brand strategies, The LaLiT’s early and sustained engagement continues to distinguish it as one of the few hospitality groups that helped shape queer cultural visibility in India itself.
Seré Resort Goa is emerging as a reflection of changing luxury travel preferences in India, where travellers are increasingly prioritising privacy, personalised experiences, and slower, more intentional forms of hospitality over crowded destinations and fast-paced itineraries.
Located in Vagator, North Goa, the boutique villa resort is positioning itself around a hospitality philosophy centred on exclusivity, stillness, and immersive living, offering guests a more inward-looking way to experience Goa.
As travel behaviour evolves, luxury travellers are moving away from conventional tourism patterns driven by nightlife, packed schedules, and high-energy destinations. Instead, there is growing demand for spaces that enable relaxation, intimacy, and flexible experiences shared with close friends and family.
Spread across a one-acre property, Seré Resort Goa features eight fully serviced private pool villas designed for extended stays, destination celebrations, intimate gatherings, and personalised retreats. Each villa includes expansive living spaces, private plunge pools, and dedicated butler service aimed at creating a self-contained luxury experience.
The property’s hospitality approach focuses heavily on privacy and customisation, with in-villa dining, floating breakfasts, personalised spa experiences, alfresco meals, and curated culinary offerings designed to minimise the need for guests to step outside the property.
The resort also reflects the growing popularity of villa-style hospitality formats among affluent Indian travellers seeking more intimate and flexible travel experiences. With accommodation capacity for up to 52 guests, the property caters to group retreats, milestone celebrations, destination weddings, and multi-generational family stays.
At the core of Seré’s philosophy is the idea of slow and intentional living. The resort has been designed with open spaces, understated tropical aesthetics, eco-conscious detailing, and an atmosphere intended to encourage guests to disconnect from fast-paced routines and focus on meaningful experiences.
The evolving hospitality model also mirrors Goa’s broader transition from a traditional party destination into a more mature luxury travel market focused on experiential stays, wellness, community-driven travel, and boutique hospitality formats.
Through its private villa concept and experience-led approach, Seré Resort Goa represents a growing shift in Indian luxury hospitality where exclusivity, emotional connection, and personal space are increasingly becoming the defining markers of premium travel experiences.
Published on May 21, 2026
Brandywine Realty Trust has officially opened The Brandywine, a new boutique hospitality destination on Philadelphia’s Main Line, marking a significant addition to the region’s luxury hotel landscape.
The Marriott Bonvoy Tribute Portfolio property officially opened on May 15, 2026, in Radnor, Pennsylvania, offering a blend of contemporary hospitality, heritage-inspired design, and elevated culinary experiences for both leisure and business travellers.
The hotel features 121 guest rooms and suites, flexible event and meeting spaces, multiple dining venues, and a range of modern amenities including a 24/7 fitness centre, communal gathering spaces, in-room dining, and pet-friendly accommodations.
Speaking on the launch, Jerry Sweeney said the property combines timeless hospitality with modern comfort while celebrating the heritage and culture of the Main Line region.
A key feature of the property is Laurel, a 1,500-square-foot event venue designed for meetings, private dining, receptions, and celebrations. The venue includes retractable partitions, natural lighting, landscaped patio access, and a curated catering program.
The hotel’s culinary offerings include Merrick's Tavern, a tavern-style dining concept serving regional American cuisine alongside bourbon-focused beverage selections, and Pomelo Rooftop Terrace, a rooftop destination opening later this season with craft cocktails, coastal-inspired dishes, and panoramic views.
The architecture for the property has been led by DLR Group, while interiors were designed by Restoration Hardware and Bergmeyer, drawing inspiration from vintage train travel and the historic character of the Main Line region.
The property also incorporates sustainability-focused landscape design by Jonathan Alderson Landscape Architects, using native plantings and rainwater infiltration systems to reduce environmental impact.
Situated near SEPTA regional rail connectivity and several universities, healthcare campuses, and cultural attractions, The Brandywine is expected to cater to growing regional demand ahead of major events including the FIFA World Cup 2026 and MLB All-Star Week 2026.
As part of Marriott International’s Tribute Portfolio collection, guests at The Brandywine will also be able to earn and redeem Marriott Bonvoy loyalty points during their stays.
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