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By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Published on February 5, 2025
The Union Budget 2025 has set the stage for significant advancements in India's hospitality and tourism sectors. Industry leaders have expressed optimism about the budget’s strategic focus on tourism infrastructure, enhanced connectivity, and skill development initiatives that are expected to elevate India's global standing as a prime travel destination.
Mr. Sarbendra Sarkar, Founder & MD of Cygnett Hotels and Resorts, welcomed the government’s emphasis on tourism, particularly the development of 50 key destinations under challenge mode. He highlighted how initiatives such as streamlined e-visas and visa-free access for select tourist groups will boost international footfall. He also appreciated the inclusion of new hotels in these destinations in the Infrastructure Harmonized List (HML), allowing hospitality investors to access infrastructure lending under more favorable terms.
“The move to include new hotels in the HML will provide easier access to larger funds through External Commercial Borrowings (ECBs), enabling greater expansion and modernization in the hospitality sector,” said Mr. Sarkar.
Additionally, he noted the positive impact of the government's modified UDAN scheme, which aims to strengthen connectivity to 120 new destinations, particularly focusing on the northeastern region’s helipad development. The enhanced connectivity will unlock untapped tourism potential, further promoting India’s cultural and historical sites.
Echoing similar sentiments, Mr. K Syama Raju, President of the Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), emphasized the budget’s role in developing top tourism destinations in partnership with state governments. He lauded the decision to grant Infrastructure Status to hotels in these areas, which will facilitate long-term, cost-effective financing and improve hospitality standards.
“The inclusion of hotels in the harmonious master list aligns with our long-standing request for Infrastructure Status, allowing access to lower-cost funding for hospitality expansion,” said Mr. Raju.
Another major highlight was the focus on medical and wellness tourism through the 'Heal-in-India' initiative. With India already being a global leader in affordable, high-quality medical treatments, this initiative is set to attract more international patients, strengthening the country’s healthcare tourism sector.
The government’s focus on religious tourism was also well received. Enhancing infrastructure at key pilgrimage sites is expected to create more organized and accessible travel experiences for both domestic and international visitors. Additionally, the visa fee waivers and simplified e-visa options will further support inbound tourism growth.
Innovation and entrepreneurship were also key focus areas in the budget, receiving praise from Mr. Sanandan Sudhir, Founder and CEO of On2Cook. He highlighted the government’s Rs 20,000 crore allocation to promote innovation and the introduction of a fund of funds for next-generation entrepreneurs as pivotal measures for fostering global capabilities in India.
“We appreciate the introduction of the National Framework for promoting innovation in tier 2 cities and the proposal for Centres of Excellence in AI for Education. These initiatives, coupled with the Bharat Trade Net platform to enhance international trade, will play a crucial role in positioning India as a global innovation hub,” said Mr. Sudhir.
However, he also urged the government to reconsider the current tax regime and introduce lower GST rates for sustainable, globally patented products. He further suggested subsidizing international certification costs to ease export market entry for startups.
Overall, the Union Budget 2025 has been met with enthusiasm from the hospitality and innovation sectors. With targeted infrastructure investments, enhanced connectivity, and policy support for tourism and entrepreneurship, industry leaders believe these measures will position India as a premier global destination for travelers, businesses, and investors alike.
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By Hariharan U
Published on May 22, 2026
Snabbit has officially entered the beauty services segment with the launch of its instant salon-at-home model, marking a significant expansion for the quick home services platform into one of India’s fastest-growing convenience categories.
The company announced that it has successfully piloted the service over the last six weeks in Bengaluru’s Sarjapur micromarket, completing more than 2,000 beauty service jobs with an average fulfilment time of under 15 minutes.
The move reflects a broader shift in consumer expectations, where categories such as food delivery, groceries, and home services have increasingly transitioned toward instant fulfilment, while beauty services have largely remained appointment-driven. Snabbit is now attempting to redefine this behaviour through hyperlocal, on-demand beauty services delivered within minutes.
Speaking on the expansion, Aayush Agarwal said the beauty category represents a large and high-frequency market opportunity that aligns naturally with the company’s existing quick-service ecosystem. He added that consumers today expect convenience across every aspect of their lifestyle, including personal care services.
The platform currently focuses on high-frequency beauty offerings such as threading, waxing, facials, clean-ups, saree draping, head massages, and hair styling. Unlike conventional salon-at-home models that often require multiple specialists and advance bookings, Snabbit has built an instant-first operational model centred on multi-skilled beauty professionals capable of delivering several services in a single session.
The company has also introduced lightweight service kits and monodose packaging formats aimed at improving hygiene standards, reducing wastage, and streamlining operations. Products from brands such as O3+ and Rica are being used within the service ecosystem.
Currently operating entirely through women beauty professionals, the platform positions itself as a “salon by women, for women,” focusing on convenience, comfort, and trust for female consumers. Service pricing begins at ₹49 with no minimum order requirement.
Dev Priyam said the pilot has witnessed strong organic demand growth through neighbourhood-led word-of-mouth adoption, highlighting changing consumer behaviour around convenience-led beauty services.
Snabbit plans to gradually expand the offering across additional Bengaluru micromarkets before entering new cities in the coming months.
Published on May 21, 2026
AJIO has launched its first-ever AJIO LUXE store in Delhi NCR at Ambience Mall Vasant Kunj, marking a major step in the brand’s offline retail expansion strategy.
The new store introduces a curated luxury and premium fashion experience, featuring a mix of international and Indian labels across fashion, footwear, accessories, and lifestyle categories. Designed as an immersive retail space, the outlet reflects the growing consumer demand for experience-led and elevated shopping formats in the Delhi NCR region.
The launch further strengthens Ambience Mall Vasant Kunj’s positioning as a key destination for premium and bridge-to-luxury retail in North India. The mall has recently expanded its portfolio with several global and high-end brands, reinforcing its appeal among aspirational and affluent shoppers.
Speaking on the launch, Arjun Gehlot highlighted that luxury retail is increasingly being driven by immersive consumer experiences, and noted that AJIO LUXE aligns with evolving shopping expectations focused on curation and engagement beyond traditional retail formats.
Over time, Ambience Mall has emerged as a leading lifestyle hub in Delhi NCR, housing a strong mix of luxury retail, fashion, dining, and entertainment offerings. Existing premium brands at the mall include The Collective, Brooks Brothers, Kapoor Watch Company, True Religion, Diesel, and Tira, among others.
With this launch, AJIO LUXE aims to bridge digital-first retail sophistication with an in-store luxury experience, targeting fashion-conscious consumers and young aspirational shoppers across the region.
Continuing its growth across the Eastern Himalayan region, Summit Hotels & Resorts has announced the addition of Rungkhung Village Resort in Dirang, Arunachal Pradesh. Launched under The Signature Collection, the new property marks the brand’s continued focus on expanding into emerging destinations with growing tourism potential.
Nestled in the picturesque Dirang Valley and overlooking the Kameng River, the resort has been designed as a boutique mountain retreat surrounded by misty hills, layered valleys, and scenic natural landscapes. Blending local Arunachali influences with modern comforts, the property is aimed at travellers seeking peaceful and experience-driven stays.
The resort offers a range of thoughtfully designed rooms and suites, including Premium View Rooms and Junior Suites. Each accommodation comes with private balconies opening to panoramic views of the river and surrounding valley. Designed with warm interiors, soft textures, and contemporary amenities, the stay experience balances comfort with a strong sense of place.
Food experiences at the resort revolve around an all-day dining restaurant serving a mix of multi-cuisine offerings along with regional Northeast specialities. Guests can enjoy meals while taking in scenic valley views. The property also features landscaped gardens, bonfire setups, and outdoor relaxation spaces that encourage visitors to connect with nature.
Guests staying at the retreat can also take part in curated local experiences and nature-led activities. With its spacious layout and focus on privacy, the property is positioned as a peaceful escape for travellers looking beyond crowded hill destinations.
Commenting on the addition, Sumit Mitruka, CEO, Summit Hotels & Resorts, said, "Dirang is an emerging destination with immense natural appeal, and we see growing interest from travellers looking for less crowded, experience-driven locations. Our approach has been to create a property that stays true to the destination while offering the comfort and consistency that guests expect from the Summit brand."
The launch of Rungkhung Village Resort reflects Summit Hotels & Resorts continued effort to strengthen its portfolio of boutique properties across the Eastern Himalayan belt, with a focus on destination-led hospitality and experiential travel.
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