Bela Babhoota, General Manager of Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, Bengaluru, has been honoured with the Outstanding Contribution to Hospitality Award at the International Day of Hospitality celebrations organised by the International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM), Bengaluru.

The award recognises her significant contributions to the hospitality industry through leadership, guest service excellence, talent development and her continued efforts towards enhancing hospitality standards. Under her leadership, Welcomhotel Bengaluru has strengthened its reputation as a preferred destination for both travellers and dining guests.

Receiving the recognition, Bela Babhoota said, “I am honoured to receive this recognition from IIHM. Hospitality is ultimately about people - our guests and our teams. This award reflects the collective efforts of every colleague who contributes to creating memorable experiences each day.”

The International Day of Hospitality celebrations hosted by IIHM brought together hospitality professionals, educators and industry leaders to acknowledge individuals who have made valuable contributions to the sector.

Commenting on the achievement, a spokesperson for Welcomhotel Bengaluru said, “We are delighted to see Ms. Babhoota’s leadership and commitment to hospitality being recognised by one of the industry’s respected institutions. This honour reflects the passion, dedication, and excellence that she brings to the organisation and the wider hospitality community.”

The recognition further highlights Welcomhotel Bengaluru’s focus on delivering exceptional guest experiences while fostering a culture centred on service excellence, innovation and professional growth. It also reflects the hotel's ongoing commitment to maintaining high standards across all aspects of hospitality.

IHG Hotels & Resorts has announced the signing of a management agreement with Zon Hotels (Mumbai) Private Limited for the development of InterContinental Mumbai Goregaon. Scheduled to open in Q1 2030, the new hotel will further strengthen IHG’s luxury portfolio in India and expand its presence in Mumbai, one of the country’s most important business and travel destinations.

Located in Goregaon, a rapidly growing commercial hub in Mumbai’s western suburbs, the hotel will feature 350 guest rooms, including 70 suites. Positioned between Andheri and Malad, the property will offer convenient access to key business districts, entertainment centres and transportation networks, making it suitable for both business and leisure travellers.

The signing marks another milestone for InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, the luxury brand known for delivering globally inspired experiences while connecting guests with local culture and destinations. The brand currently operates more than 237 hotels worldwide and has over 100 properties in its development pipeline.

Commenting on the development, Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said:

"We are delighted to partner with Zon Hotels (Mumbai) Private Limited to bring InterContinental Mumbai Goregaon to the city. Mumbai continues to demonstrate strong demand across both business and leisure travel, and Goregaon's emergence as a growing commercial corridor makes it an ideal location to expand our luxury portfolio."

He added:

"InterContinental Hotels & Resorts is synonymous with culturally rich and globally inspired hospitality. With InterContinental Mumbai Goregaon joining our portfolio, we look forward to creating a destination that offers world-class amenities, intuitive service, and a strong sense of place, catering to the evolving needs of modern travellers."

Sandip Gupta, Director, Zon Hotels (Mumbai) Private Limited, said:

"We are pleased to partner with IHG Hotels & Resorts to bring the world-renowned InterContinental brand to Goregaon. This collaboration builds on our existing relationship with IHG and reflects our shared vision of developing landmark hospitality destinations. We are confident the hotel will set a new benchmark for luxury hospitality in Mumbai. Leveraging IHG's global expertise, enterprise systems, and powerful loyalty platform, we are well positioned to deliver exceptional value to both guests and stakeholders alike."

The hotel will feature five dining venues, including an all-day dining restaurant, specialty restaurants, a bar and a lobby lounge. Guests will also have access to a range of wellness and leisure facilities, including a fitness centre, spa and swimming pool.

Designed to cater to large-scale events and corporate gatherings, the property will offer extensive meeting and event spaces, including one of the largest ballrooms in Mumbai. Additional facilities will include retail spaces and ample parking, enhancing the overall guest experience.

Commenting on the project, Ishwar Shukla, Director, DGS Group, said:

"The hotel will be a landmark destination in North Mumbai and a flagship asset for all stakeholders involved. Designed to the highest international standards, the property will feature exceptional architecture and contemporary design, setting a new benchmark for hospitality in the region. Catering to a diverse range of customer segments, the hotel will offer world-class experiences, combining luxury, comfort, and outstanding service."

As IHG continues to expand its luxury and lifestyle portfolio across India, InterContinental Mumbai Goregaon is expected to play a key role in strengthening the company’s presence in major gateway cities. The property aims to combine international hospitality standards with meaningful local experiences, creating a distinctive luxury destination in Mumbai.

IHG currently operates 52 hotels across seven brands in India, including InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Six Senses, Crowne Plaza, voco Hotels, Holiday Inn Resort and Holiday Inn Express. The company also has a strong pipeline of 98 hotels planned to open across the country over the next three to five years.

IndiGo has temporarily suspended operations on six international routes between July and September 2026 as part of its network optimisation efforts. The airline said the move is aimed at aligning capacity with current market conditions amid softer seasonal demand and a challenging operating environment.

Services to Langkawi, Krabi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong and Shanghai will be suspended from 1 July 2026, while flights to Siem Reap will be paused from 3 July 2026. The temporary suspension is expected to remain in effect until 30 September 2026.

The airline has confirmed that bookings for all affected routes will reopen from 1 October 2026. However, it noted that services could return earlier if market conditions improve and operational factors become more favourable.

According to IndiGo, the upcoming quarter typically experiences lower demand in certain international markets. This, combined with rising operating costs and ongoing airspace restrictions, prompted the airline to review and adjust its network deployment strategy.

Despite the temporary route suspensions, IndiGo will continue to operate more than 1,800 weekly international flights across its network. The airline emphasised that the changes impact only a small portion of its international operations and are intended to support operational reliability while matching capacity with demand.

The carrier said the decision forms part of its broader approach to managing capacity efficiently, maintaining network integrity and remaining flexible in response to changing market dynamics. It will continue to monitor travel demand, operating costs and airspace developments while assessing future network plans.

IndiGo also stated that affected passengers will be informed proactively and advised travellers to check the latest flight schedules and updates before planning their journeys.

The temporary suspensions come at a time when airlines across the industry are dealing with increased fuel costs, airspace constraints and broader geopolitical developments that continue to influence global aviation operations. IndiGo said the network adjustment has been planned to minimise inconvenience to customers while ensuring the airline remains ready to respond when market conditions strengthen.