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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 December 8, 2025
Lemon Tree Hotels Limited has announced the signing of its latest property, Lemon Tree Hotel, Pacific Mall, Jaipur. Managed by Carnation Hotels Private Limited, the hotel further strengthens the group’s growing footprint in Rajasthan, catering to both business and leisure travellers looking for a refreshing, value-driven stay.
Located in the heart of the Pink City, the new hotel brings guests closer to Jaipur’s mix of royal heritage and modern vibrancy. From iconic landmarks like Amber Fort and Hawa Mahal to colourful bazaars filled with handicrafts, jewellery, and traditional Rajasthani flavours, visitors can enjoy the charm that makes Jaipur one of India’s most-loved destinations.
The upcoming property will feature 124 well-appointed rooms, a restaurant and lounge, a meeting room, and recreational facilities including a swimming pool and fitness centre. Conveniently located, the hotel is around 8 km from Jaipur International Airport and 8.4 km from Jaipur Railway Station, with smooth connectivity across public and private transport.
Sharing his thoughts, Vilas Pawar, CEO — Managed & Franchise Business, Lemon Tree Hotels, said, “With this signing, we will expand our leisure and business portfolio in Rajasthan, where we have 12 operational and 9 upcoming properties in addition to this one. The state, with its booming commerce, distinct culture and testament to India’s rich heritage, is the perfect destination for hospitality. This signing aligns perfectly with our vision of offering refreshing and comfortable stays across all destinations.”
With this addition, Lemon Tree Hotels continues to strengthen its presence across tiered cities, reinforcing its commitment to accessible, comfortable, and modern hospitality.
Hyatt Regency Chennai has achieved a major sustainability milestone by securing the EarthCheck Certified Silver status for 2025, reinforcing its commitment to responsible and eco-friendly hospitality in Tamil Nadu.
EarthCheck is one of the world’s leading certifications for environmental and social responsibility in the tourism sector. Earning Silver status requires rigorous assessments, benchmarking, and continuous improvement across areas such as energy use, waste management, community impact and cultural preservation.
The hotel’s achievement reflects its ongoing efforts toward green operations. Over the past year, Hyatt Regency Chennai has strengthened its sustainable practices with initiatives such as EV charging facilities, water refill stations, reduced plastic usage and improved eco-efficiency measures. These steps not only support environmental goals but also enhance the guest experience with planet-friendly choices.
This recognition also aligns closely with Hyatt Hotels Corporation’s global ESG platform, World of Care, which focuses on environmental stewardship, community wellbeing, and responsible business operations. Hyatt has already shown global progress, meeting its target of reducing per-square-meter greenhouse-gas emissions by 25% under its 2020 framework ahead of schedule, a testament to the brand’s long-term sustainability commitment.
As part of the certification, Hyatt Regency Chennai will receive the official EarthCheck Certified Silver digital certificate and will gain permission to use the EarthCheck Silver logo, following the organisation’s branding guidelines. EarthCheck has also shared a Communications Toolkit to help the hotel highlight this achievement to guests, partners and the wider Chennai community.
This milestone reinforces the hotel’s vision of creating a more sustainable future for hospitality in South India, while encouraging travellers to choose responsible stays without compromising on comfort or experience.
Published on December 7, 2025
Tivoli Hospitality Group has announced a proud milestone as The Tivoli Hotel, Chattarpur, receives the prestigious Five-Star Certification from the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. Achieving this honour within just a year of its opening highlights the hotel’s strong focus on luxury, service excellence, and world-class hospitality.
Expressing his happiness, Mr. Amit Sood, CEO, Tivoli Hospitality Group, said, “The Tivoli celebrates this honour with immense happiness and pride. The certification further motivates us to move ahead with greater dedication. This recognition strengthens our vision to offer greater hospitality and luxury services to our guests.”
The hotel met the Ministry’s criteria across accommodation quality, guest comfort, hygiene standards, dining choices, trained staff, and the overall guest experience. Its rooms, front-office services, modern amenities, safety systems, and F&B offerings align with the benchmarks required for India’s five-star classification.
Speaking on the achievement, Mr. Akshay Gupta, Executive Director, Tivoli Hospitality Group, shared that the brand’s journey has been shaped by the leadership of Mr. Rohit Gupta, Chairman of Tivoli Hospitality Group. He said, “Under the guidance of Mr. Rohit Gupta, seasoned hotelier and the Chairman of Tivoli Hospitality Group, The Tivoli is transformed from a pioneer banqueting brand into a leading name in luxury hospitality, weddings, MICE and large-format events. His long journey into the sector followed by deep understanding towards guest expectations and evolving hospitality trends has helped the brand immensely to meet every aspect with precision.”
The Tivoli Hotel offers 132 beautifully designed rooms, including a grand Presidential Suite and Junior Suite. Each room is crafted with modern comforts, premium interiors, and attentive service, making the hotel ideal for business travellers, leisure guests, and wedding attendees.
The property also features five state-of-the-art banquet halls and three sprawling outdoor lawns that can host intimate gatherings to large celebrations for up to 3,000 guests. Each venue comes with customisable layouts, advanced AV systems, dedicated bridal suites, and a skilled events team.
Dining at The Tivoli Hotel brings a mix of global cuisines, with restaurants such as Zuun offering Pan-Asian flavours, Blue Grotto presenting a Mediterranean-inspired poolside experience, and Aria serving global favourites through its all-day dining concept.
As Tivoli Hospitality Group continues to expand its presence across North India, this five-star recognition further strengthens its vision of delivering premium hospitality and building its legacy as one of India’s respected luxury hotel brands.
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