Hospitality Industry Poised for a Successful Summer Season in 2023

Hospitality Industry Poised for a Successful Summer Season in 2023

By Author

Published on June 30, 2023

Industry experts predict that the hospitality sector will experience significant improvement in 2023 compared to both 2022 and the pre-pandemic year of 2019. Despite soaring airfares and room tariffs, the Indian hospitality industry is set to have its best-ever summer season, with tourists continuing to visit popular destinations.

Aashish Gupta, Consulting CEO of the Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism & Hospitality (FAITH), highlighted the widespread boom across destinations and tourism markets during this first full year after the Covid-19 pandemic. Travel activities are expected to be 20-30% higher on a month-to-month basis compared to pre-pandemic levels. Occupancies and average daily rates (ADRs) are projected to increase by 15-40%, varying based on location.

The positive trend in the hospitality industry extends to various metrics. The fourth-quarter GDP numbers for 2023 revealed a 9.1% real growth in trade, hotels, transport, communication, and services related to broadcasting. Occupancy rates for the sector in 2022 were 15-17% higher than in 2021 and only 5-7% lower than in 2019. Furthermore, consultancy firm HVS Anarock reported that India-wide occupancy is expected to reach 66% in 2023, with a 16-17% rise in average room rates (ARRs) driving the revenue per available room (RevPAR) to ₹4,690, an 18% increase from pre-pandemic levels.

Rajesh Magow, co-founder and Group CEO of MakeMyTrip observed positive trends in leisure travel ahead of the upcoming holiday season. The preference for relaxed itineraries and experience-led travel has resulted in increased bookings and average per-passenger spending.

Popular destinations, particularly those offering relief from the heat and city life, have seen a positive start to the summer season. However, higher airfares have affected the travel plans of budget consumers, while premium consumers are indulging in lavish leisure travel.

MakeMyTrip highlighted that long-haul destinations like Europe and short-haul destinations such as Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Maldives, and the UAE are generating significant interest in international travel. In the domestic market, Goa, Kochi, Srinagar, Dehradun, and Leh are the most sought-after flight destinations. Mountain destinations are the preferred choice this summer, with Manali, Kashmir, Mcleod Ganj, Ooty, and Coorg ranking high.

With the surge in travel demand, Oyo plans to open 300 new hotels by August 2023 in popular mountain destinations such as Manali, Mussoorie, Nainital, Srinagar, Shimla, Ooty, and Darjeeling. Shreerang Godbole, Chief Service Officer at Oyo, expressed excitement about the growth and development of the Indian travel and hospitality industry in response to the increased travel demand.


Novotel Cairo Airport Welcomes Guests to a Warm and Joyful Christmas Season

Novotel Cairo Airport Welcomes Guests to a Warm and Joyful Christmas Season

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on December 6, 2025

Novotel Cairo Airport is celebrating the Christmas and winter holiday season by welcoming guests from around the world to enjoy a warm, cheerful, and relaxing festive experience. Located just steps from Cairo International Airport, the hotel is a convenient and comfortable choice for families, business travellers, and holidaymakers looking for a pleasant stopover or a peaceful holiday stay.

All through December, the hotel embraces the festive spirit with vibrant decorations, a beautifully lit Christmas tree, and an inviting atmosphere that makes every guest feel at home. Whether arriving for work or leisure, travellers can settle into well-designed rooms and enjoy the friendly service that Novotel and Accor are known for.

"We are delighted to welcome guests from near and far this holiday season at Novotel Cairo Airport," said Mr. Atta El Dessouky, the General Manager. "Our team has created a festive and welcoming environment where families, business travellers, and holidaymakers alike can relax, celebrate, and make unforgettable memories."

Guests can indulge in seasonal flavours and comforting dishes at the hotel’s restaurants and bar, making it perfect for a relaxed breakfast, a satisfying lunch, or a delightful dinner before or after their flight. With cosy indoor spaces to gather and unwind, the hotel offers the ideal setting to celebrate the season in comfort.

This Christmas and winter holiday season, Novotel Cairo Airport promises more than just a stay. It creates a festive destination where travellers can recharge, spend meaningful moments together, and truly enjoy the joy of the holidays.


Christmas Cheer Lights Up Asia’s Top Hotels This Festive Season

Christmas Cheer Lights Up Asia’s Top Hotels This Festive Season

By Hariharan U

Published on December 4, 2025

As the festive spirit starts to sparkle across Asia, hotels from Thailand to Japan and Vietnam are rolling out warm, colourful and indulgent Christmas experiences that feel straight out of a holiday postcard. Whether you’re dreaming of a tropical Christmas by the sea, a winter escape in Tokyo, or a cosy celebration with gourmet dining, this year’s festive offerings across Asia bring together food, music, lights and heartfelt traditions.

In Koh Samui, Banyan Tree Samui is turning the island into a tropical Christmas paradise. Across its three restaurants, the resort is hosting gala dinners, live music nights and chef-led festive menus from Dec 24–26. Guests can enjoy everything from seafood stations and carving counters to a MICHELIN-recognised Thai fine-dining experience at Saffron. For those who love celebrating right by the beach, their candlelit beachfront lunches and dinners featuring turkey, snowfish and prawns are perfect for a sunny Christmas in Thailand.

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Tokyo is shining brighter than ever with Palace Hotel Tokyo’s luxurious ‘A Tokyo Christmas’ package. Guests staying between Dec 20–25 can enjoy suite stays, a private car tour of Tokyo’s famous winter illuminations, an in-room Christmas tree, bubbly, festive treats and a special Christmas dinner. It’s a dreamy option for travellers looking to pair Japanese hospitality with the magic of holiday lights.

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Vietnam is embracing the season with a mix of cosy teas, gourmet spreads and family moments. At TIA Wellness Resort, guests can indulge in a Christmas-inspired afternoon tea, followed by a festive six-course Christmas Eve dinner with both plant-based and classic menus. Banyan Tree Krabi in Thailand is also going big this year with its Christmas Eve Gala Dinner featuring everything from truffle risotto and seafood ice stations to a fire show under the stars.

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Over in Cam Ranh, Alma Resort is creating a joyful wonderland with a gingerbread village, tree-lighting ceremonies, mulled wine counters and even daily advent activities for kids. Santa will also make appearances from Dec 23–25 for family photos. Nearby, Meliá Chiang Mai in Thailand is offering Spanish-inspired afternoon teas, festive buffets, rooftop parties and live music throughout the month.

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In Hong Kong, The Hari Hong Kong is celebrating the season with festive dining, a tree lighting ceremony and a charity Christmas market supporting the Hong Chi Association. Their holiday stay package includes luxurious rooms, special dining credits, breakfast, festive treats and celebratory menus across their popular restaurants.

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Bangkok is full of Spanish flair this Christmas as INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit serves weekly rotating festive Spanish menus at its stunning rooftop tapas bar. Guests can also enjoy a grand Christmas Eve buffet with seafood, sashimi, roasts, desserts and more at The Kites Eatery.

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Vietnam continues the celebrations with The Anam Cam Ranh and The Anam Mui Ne, both offering festive teas, Champagne evenings, Christmas tree lightings, BBQ buffets, nine-course fine-dining feasts, and kids’ activities on Christmas Day. Azerai Resorts, meanwhile, brings heartwarming traditions to Ke Ga Bay and Hue, including special breakfasts, Santa visits, limousine transfers to Christmas Mass, tea buffets and creative workshops for children.

Hanoi’s iconic Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi has transformed into a “Luminescent Dreamscape,” with a full Christmas fair, gourmet bites, mulled wine, eggnog and a dazzling lighting ceremony that unveils its 15-metre Christmas tree. And across Vietnam and Thailand, Fusion Hotels is offering beach BBQs, festive buffets, spa treatments, onsen experiences and holiday-themed live music nights.

From gourmet feasts to glowing trees, festive teas and beachfront celebrations, Asia’s finest hotels are creating magical holiday moments that blend local flavours, global inspirations and the warm cheer of Christmas — perfect for travellers planning a cosy yet memorable festive getaway.


Qatar Airways Restores Daily Flights to Canberra, Strengthening Global Access

Qatar Airways Restores Daily Flights to Canberra, Strengthening Global Access

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on December 4, 2025

Qatar Airways has officially returned to Canberra with the resumption of its daily service via Melbourne, reconnecting the city with more than 170 global destinations. With this addition, the airline now serves six major cities in Australia: Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide and Canberra, giving travellers across the ACT and nearby regions wider choices for international travel.

The daily Boeing 777 service offers smooth access to the airline’s worldwide network through Hamad International Airport in Doha, one of the world’s top aviation hubs. Passengers flying in Qsuite Business Class* can experience the brand’s signature comfort, complete with fully lie-flat beds, privacy doors, and on-demand a la carte dining curated by award-winning Australian chef Ross Lusted. All travellers can enjoy complimentary high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi, making Qatar Airways the only airline offering this feature to and from Canberra.

The airline’s partnership with Virgin Australia further expands connectivity, enabling easy domestic transfers to cities such as Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Adelaide and Melbourne. This provides greater flexibility for passengers planning both international and within-Australia journeys.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: “We are delighted to return to Canberra and once again, serve Australia’s capital city. This milestone represents our continued commitment to the Australian market and to connecting communities across the world. Whether travelling for business, government service, study, or leisure, we look forward to welcoming passengers from Canberra back on board and providing them with the world-class services Qatar Airways is renowned for.”

Canberra Airport CEO, Mr. Stephen Byron, added: “The return of Qatar Airways is a gamechanger for international travel. It restores a vital link for over a million people across the ACT and southern NSW, while opening the door to global opportunities for business and tourism.”

Qatar Airways continues to stand out on the global stage, being named the World’s Best Airline by the Skytrax World Airline Awards 2025 for a record ninth time. The airline also earned titles for World’s Best Business Class, Best Airline in the Middle East, and Best Business Class Lounge for its Al Mourjan Lounge, The Garden at Hamad International Airport.

Services from Canberra will operate with the Qsuite configuration by default, with changes only made if operationally required.

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