The world is going through a rough patch right now. Rising fuel prices, global tensions in West Asia, and pressure on India's foreign exchange, it's a lot to deal with. And while PM Narendra Modi's 7 appeals at his Hyderabad address were aimed at every Indian citizen, the hospitality industry has more skin in this game than most realise.

1. Work From Home - A Cue for Hospitality to Pivot Modi urged every employer to bring back work-from-home wherever possible. For hospitality, this cuts both ways. Fewer office commuters could mean quieter weekday F&B numbers. But on the flip side, remote workers are increasingly turning to hotels and co-working-friendly cafes as their "office away from home." Properties that offer solid Wi-Fi, quiet spaces, and good coffee are already seeing this crowd. Now's the time to lean into it.

2. Skip Gold for a Year - But Splurge on Experiences Instead Indians love gold, especially for weddings and gifting. Modi has asked people to hold off on buying it for a year. Here's the interesting angle for hospitality , when discretionary spending shifts away from gold, it doesn't just disappear. A good chunk of it could flow into experiences, staycations, and celebrations at hotels and resorts. Smart properties can position themselves as the new "investment" in memories over metal.

3. Ditch the Car, Use Public Transport - Hotels Near Transit Win The push for metros, buses, and carpooling is great news for city hotels and restaurants located near transit hubs. As more people shift to public transport, footfall around metro stations and bus corridors is only going to go up. For hospitality businesses in those pockets, this is a quiet opportunity worth paying attention to.

4. Cut Back on Cooking Oil - Restaurants, Take Note This one lands right in the kitchen. Modi nudged households to reduce cooking oil usage  and honestly, it's a nudge the restaurant industry could take seriously too. Lighter cooking, healthier menus, and reduced oil dependency aren't just good for the nation's import bill , they're good for the guest experience and for positioning a brand as health-conscious. A win on multiple fronts.

5. Natural Farming - Farm-to-Table Just Got a National Push, This is perhaps the most exciting appeal for the food and beverage side of hospitality. Modi called on farmers to move away from chemical fertilisers and embrace natural farming. For restaurants and hotels that source local, organic produce , or are looking to , this is the government basically rolling out a red carpet. Farm-to-table menus, locally sourced ingredients, and sustainable kitchen practices are no longer just a trend. They're aligned with national policy now.

6. Go Swadeshi -  Choose Indian, Serve Indian "Vocal for Local" has been a running theme under Modi, and this appeal doubles down on it. For hospitality, this means everything from the toiletries in hotel bathrooms to the wines on the menu to the linen on the beds. Switching to Indian-made products wherever possible isn't just patriotic , it's practical, often more affordable, and increasingly, it's what guests are starting to respect and appreciate.

7. Skip Foreign Travel -  Domestic Tourism's Moment Has Arrived This is the big one for the hospitality industry. Modi has asked Indians to skip international holidays for a year and explore India instead. If even a fraction of the people who would have booked flights to Europe or Southeast Asia turn to Rajasthan, Kerala, Himachal, or the Northeast , the ripple effect on domestic hotels, resorts, homestays, and tour operators would be enormous. The timing couldn't be better for properties that are already investing in experience-led travel.

The core of Modi's message that collective small actions can protect and strengthen India, applies just as much to a hotel owner in Coorg as it does to a family in Chennai. The hospitality industry, by its very nature, is woven into how people move, eat, celebrate, and rest. When national habits shift, hospitality feels it first.

This isn't a disruption. It's a direction. And the businesses that read it right and move with it, will be the ones guests remember long after the global storm passes

Crowne Plaza Greater Noida has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Yogesh Sharma as Executive Housekeeper and Shailesh Kaushik as Learning & Development Manager. The appointments reflect the hotel’s continued focus on operational excellence, guest satisfaction, and employee growth.

Yogesh Sharma joins the property with more than 17 years of experience in housekeeping and hospitality operations. He began his career as a Housekeeping Associate at The Oberoi Grand, Kolkata, and has since worked with several leading hospitality brands including Trident Bandra Kurla, Jaypee Greens Golf & Spa Resort, Marriott International, IHG Hotels & Resorts, and Taj Group of Hotels.

Before joining Crowne Plaza Greater Noida, Yogesh served as Executive Housekeeper at Le Méridien Kochi, where he played a key role in improving guest satisfaction, streamlining departmental operations, and leading large housekeeping teams. He is also recognised for his expertise in pre-opening operations, having successfully established housekeeping systems and processes for multiple hotel properties.

Speaking on the appointment, Sharad K Upadhyay, General Manager, Crowne Plaza Greater Noida, said, “Yogesh's proven track record and leadership in housekeeping will be invaluable as we continue to uphold Crowne Plaza Greater Noida's high standards of guest service and operational excellence.”

The hotel has also welcomed Shailesh Kaushik as Learning & Development Manager. With over eight years of specialised experience in employee training and capability building, Shailesh brings strong expertise in organisational learning and team development.

Prior to this role, he was associated with Baskin Robbins India, where he led Learning & Development initiatives for more than 330 stores across North India. His work focused on improving employee engagement, operational efficiency, and service standards.

Shailesh has also worked with Cinepolis India Pvt. Ltd. as Regional Trainer – South India and with Cafe Coffee Day, contributing to leadership training, talent development, and process improvement initiatives. He is a graduate of the Institute of Hotel Management, Jaipur, and holds certifications in Food Safety (FOSTAC) and Soft Skills Training.

Commenting on his appointment, Sharad K Upadhyay added, “Shailesh's passion for building high-performing teams and enhancing learning culture will strengthen our organizational capabilities and further elevate the guest experience.”

With these strategic appointments, Crowne Plaza Greater Noida continues to reinforce its commitment to delivering exceptional hospitality experiences while investing in operational and people-focused growth.

Guacamole Co., a Mexican-inspired QSR brand, has opened its first outlet in Punjabi Bagh, bringing a fresh approach to casual dining with flavour-packed comfort food and customizable meal options.

Positioned as an ingredient-led dining concept, the brand focuses on balanced flavours and freshly prepared dishes, offering an alternative to the heavier fast-food style menus commonly seen in the QSR space. With a vibrant yet relaxed setting, the outlet aims to create an easygoing experience for guests looking for fresh and comforting meals.

The menu features a range of Mexican-inspired favourites including tacos, burrito bowls, loaded nachos, wraps, enchiladas, salads, and several variations of house-made guacamole. Guests can customise their meals with fillings such as Crispy Mushroom, Chipotle Paneer, Chipotle Chicken, and Birria across different dishes.

The appetizer section includes options like Tex-Mex Corn Ribs, Grilled Chipotle Chicken Skewers, and Habanero Chicken Wings. Signature dishes such as Millet Nachos Picante and Birria Lamb Nachos bring creative twists to familiar comfort food favourites.

The restaurant’s freshly prepared guacamoles and dips are available in flavours including Mango Chile and Con Piña, paired with handcrafted beverages and fruit coolers. Guests can also end their meal with desserts like cinnamon sugar churros and the Choco Loco Taco.

Designed as a neighbourhood dining spot, the interiors feature warm lighting, avocado-green accents, and a contemporary aesthetic that suits casual lunches, evening outings, and quick bites alike.

Speaking about the launch, Mr. Ankur Aggarwal, Founder of Guacamole Co., said: “Guacamole Co. started with a simple idea to make Mexican-inspired food feel fresher, more approachable, and genuinely exciting. We wanted to create a space where people could enjoy bold flavours without the food feeling heavy or overly processed. From our house-made dips and salsas to the bowls, tacos, and appetizers, every dish has been designed to feel comforting, vibrant, and easy to come back to. Punjabi Bagh felt like the perfect place to begin this journey, and we’re excited to build Guacamole Co. into a go-to destination for flavour-packed comfort food in the city.”

With its focus on fresh ingredients, customizable meals, and a relaxed atmosphere, Guacamole Co. aims to establish itself in Delhi’s growing casual dining segment by offering Mexican-inspired food that balances flavour, quality, and comfort.