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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 March 22, 2026
West Delhi's retail and entertainment landscape just got a meaningful addition. Pratham Group, a joint venture of Unity Group, HL Group, and RP Group, has officially launched City Centre-II in Sector 12, Dwarka, inaugurating the project with a special screening of Dhurandhar: The Revenge. It's a fitting opener for a destination that has entertainment at its core.
Designed as a neighbourhood-centric development, City Centre-II has been built around the everyday needs and lifestyle aspirations of Dwarka's growing residential community. The focus isn't on scale for its own sake but on relevance, proximity, and the kind of consistent daily engagement that makes a retail destination genuinely useful rather than just occasionally visited.
The centrepiece of the launch is Dwarka's first Cinépolis multiplex, featuring five state-of-the-art auditoriums with a combined seating capacity of over 750. For a micro-market that has long lacked organised entertainment infrastructure, this is a significant addition that positions City Centre-II as the primary leisure destination for the catchment.
The F&B mix reinforces that community-first intent. McDonald's, Starbucks, Café Delhi Heights, The Sanook Kitchen, Brick and Brew, Berco's, Scoop Wonder, and Tealive are all part of the lineup. McDonald's and Third Wave Coffee have already commenced operations, with the remaining outlets set to open in phases over the coming months.
Harsh Vardhan Bansal, Co-Founder of Unity Group and Vegas Mall, explained the thinking behind the project. "Neighbourhood retail today is no longer about scale; it's about relevance, accessibility, and everyday engagement. With City Centre-II, our focus is to create a destination that seamlessly integrates into the lifestyle of Dwarka's residents. The introduction of organised entertainment through Cinépolis India, along with a thoughtfully curated F&B mix, reflects a clear shift towards experience-led consumption within local catchments. We believe the future of retail lies in such hyperlocal ecosystems that combine convenience with quality, creating spaces that people don't just visit occasionally, but engage with consistently."
For Dwarka's residents, City Centre-II fills a gap that has been felt for a while. A proper multiplex, recognisable food brands, and a thoughtfully put-together destination within the neighbourhood is exactly the kind of infrastructure a growing residential micro-market needs.
By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach has introduced GDV 2.0 at its popular beachfront venue, Gadda Da Vida, bringing in a refreshed menu and a renewed dining experience. Set along Juhu Beach, the space now offers a stronger coastal focus, blending seafood-led dishes with thoughtfully paired cocktails, all against the backdrop of the Arabian Sea.
GDV 2.0 goes beyond a simple menu update. It brings a more refined approach to both food and drinks, while keeping the lively and social vibe that Gadda Da Vida is known for. The setting, especially during sunset, continues to draw guests looking for a relaxed yet vibrant sundowner experience.
The menu now highlights a range of seafood dishes, including Lobster Tail with Mustard Butter, Seared Salmon with Lemon Butter, Caribbean Blackened Snapper with Plantain Purée, and Miso Glazed Seabass. Other additions such as Charcoal-Grilled Prawns in Jerk Marinade and Fish Cafreal with Smoked Potato Mash reflect a mix of bold flavours and fresh ingredients, presented in a more elevated style.
Alongside these, the menu introduces shareable plates designed for group dining. Options like Fennel-Smoked Fried Prawns, Jerk Chicken Skewers, and Crispy Calamari Rings sit alongside vegetarian dishes such as Malvani Soy ‘Tacos’ and Truffle Mushroom Xacuti Tartlets, offering variety for different preferences.
The dining experience is rounded off with desserts that carry forward the tropical theme. Guests can choose from Tropical Fruit Pavlova, Coconut Mango Panna Cotta, and Espresso Tiramisu, adding a sweet finish to the coastal-inspired menu.
A key highlight of GDV 2.0 is its curated cocktail pairing. Signature drinks such as Angel’s Delight, Synapse Sour, Temple Smoke, Gadda's Secret and Plumnori are crafted to complement the food, with layered flavours and balanced profiles enhancing the overall experience.
With contemporary plating and an emphasis on mixology presentation, the venue also adds a visual element to dining, making it more engaging for guests. The overall setting now feels more energetic, turning a simple meal into a complete sensory experience.
With this update, Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach continues to strengthen its position as a leading beachfront destination in the city. By bringing together well-curated cuisine, creative cocktails, and a lively atmosphere, Gadda Da Vida evolves into a space that goes beyond dining to offer a memorable sundowner experience.
Kunal Shanker, General Manager, Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach said, “With GDV 2.0, our vision was to go beyond a menu refresh and reimagine the entire beachfront experience at Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach. Gadda Da Vida has always been synonymous with sundowners, and this change allows us to align the culinary narrative more closely with our seaside setting. With this menu revamp, we aim to elevate the value proposition of our F&B portfolio while reinforcing our standing as one of Mumbai’s most dynamic beachfront hospitality destinations.”
Published on March 21, 2026
Most people know Ekta Nagar as the home of the Statue of Unity, the world's tallest statue. But the destination is becoming considerably more than that single landmark, and travellers who make the trip are discovering a place that genuinely rewards spending more than an afternoon there.
Since their launch during Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, IHCL's Vivanta and Ginger properties in Ekta Nagar have been welcoming a growing number of travellers drawn by the region's unique combination of cultural significance, natural beauty, and modern hospitality. Located just three kilometres from the Statue of Unity, both properties are well-positioned as bases for exploring everything the destination has to offer.
The experiences around Ekta Nagar are more varied than most first-time visitors expect. The Narmada Aarti at the Narmada Ghats is a genuinely moving experience, the kind that stays with you in the way that the best travel moments do. Aarogya Van offers a wellness-focused nature experience, while the Miyawaki Forest brings a different kind of green immersion to the destination. The Maze Garden and Glow Garden add leisure and visual appeal to a destination that already has plenty of substance.
At Vivanta Ekta Nagar, one of the standout dining experiences is the Ekta Thali, a thoughtfully curated spread that celebrates India's culinary diversity by bringing together flavours from across the country in a single meal. It's the kind of offering that reflects the broader spirit of the destination itself: unity through variety.
Vivanta Ekta Nagar brings 127 rooms and suites to the destination alongside wellness and spa facilities, versatile dining options, and curated local excursions that help guests make the most of their time in the region.
Ginger Ekta Nagar offers 151 lean-luxe rooms with the Qmin restaurant serving a mix of global and local cuisine, fitness facilities, and modern meeting spaces for those combining leisure with work.
Together, the two properties give travellers flexible options depending on what kind of stay they're looking for, whether that's a more indulgent, experience-rich visit through Vivanta or a practical, well-designed stay through Ginger.
Ekta Nagar is still building its tourism story, but the foundations are strong. Cultural depth, natural attractions, good hospitality, and a location anchored by one of the world's most visited landmarks make it a destination that deserves more attention than it currently receives. For travellers looking for something beyond the obvious on their next Indian trip, this is one worth putting on the list
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