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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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Published on February 22, 2026
Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Limited (MHRIL), India’s leading leisure hospitality company, has announced the launch of Club Mahindra Nadiya Parao Resort in Jim Corbett, further strengthening its footprint in Uttarakhand. This marks the brand’s second resort in the region, reinforcing its focus on expanding across high-demand leisure destinations.
The launch is part of the company’s accelerated expansion strategy and aligns with its ambition to become India’s #1 leisure hospitality player. The growth plan is driven by steady resort additions, portfolio premiumisation, and disciplined capital allocation. With Jim Corbett emerging as one of India’s most preferred destinations for immersive, nature-led travel, the new property adds depth to the brand’s presence in the region.
The addition of Club Mahindra Nadiya Parao Resort supports MHRIL’s near-term goal of adding 1,000 rooms by FY26 and contributes to its longer-term vision of scaling to 10,000 keys under Club M and 12,000 keys overall by FY30.
Commenting on the launch, Manoj Bhat, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Limited, said, “Our ambition is to lead leisure hospitality in India, with families at the heart of everything we do. The launch of Nadiya Parao is another step forward in our expansion journey, in a destination where demand is strong and growing. As we expand, we’re not just adding resorts; we’re delivering superior experience, sharpening execution, and building for the future”.
Spread across approximately 10 acres, the 57-room resort blends premium leisure stays with extensive event infrastructure. The property features large landscaped lawns, a banquet hall, and riverfront access, allowing it to cater to a wide range of guests. From holidaying families to destination weddings and corporate offsites, the resort is designed to serve multiple demand segments within a single asset.
With this launch, Club Mahindra continues to strengthen its portfolio while responding to the growing demand for experiential and nature-centric travel across India.
Published on February 21, 2026
Nestled in the calm hamlet of Ramgarh on the edge of the Kumaon range, Seclude Willows, Ramgarh invites travellers to slow down and enjoy a serene mountain escape along with their beloved pets. Surrounded by nature and away from the rush of city life, the retreat offers a setting where both humans and animals can truly unwind.
Spread across 2.5 acres of lush hillside, the boutique property features 11 uniquely themed rooms, wide open outdoor spaces, and an atmosphere that encourages mindful and relaxed travel. As pet companionship becomes an important part of longer and more immersive holidays, the retreat has formally transitioned into a fully pet-friendly destination. While pets have always been welcome at Willows, the experience has now been thoughtfully enhanced to focus on comfort, convenience, and care for four-legged guests.
The property offers two specially curated stay options: Paw Premium Package and Royal Woof Package, designed to suit different travel preferences. Both packages include pet-friendly accommodation along with essentials such as cosy pet beds with disposable covers, nutritious meals, fresh drinking water, bowls, leashes, towels, napkins, toys, and welcome kits filled with treats to make pets feel at home from the moment they arrive.
To further elevate the experience, guests can opt for guided pet walks, grooming and bathing accessories, pet-safe shampoos, and additional care amenities. These offerings ensure pets are well looked after while preserving the calm and peaceful vibe of the retreat.
Speaking on the initiative, Rohit Sethi, Founder of Seclude Hotels, added, "A vacation feels complete only when the family is together, The pet parents and their babies". With this initiative, we aim to ensure that pets are not just accommodated but truly welcomed and pampered.
With more travellers choosing meaningful and extended getaways with their pets, Seclude Willows, Ramgarh offers a space where guests and their furry companions can relax, explore the mountains, and reconnect with nature together, making it a thoughtful choice for modern pet-friendly travel.
Published on February 20, 2026
SpiceJet has received a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the induction of 10 aircraft, marking another key step in its ongoing capacity expansion and network restoration programme. The move aligns with the airline’s broader strategy to steadily rebuild operations while maintaining cost discipline and operational stability.
The development follows SpiceJet’s Board-approved plan announced last week to progressively scale its fleet to 60 aircraft. This growth will be driven through a mix of wet and damp leases, along with the phased reactivation of grounded aircraft. The latest MoU further strengthens the airline’s intent to accelerate expansion in a measured and structured manner.
SpiceJet’s recovery has gathered pace in recent months, supported by wider network coverage and sharper capacity optimisation. During the last quarter, the airline doubled its capacity, with Available Seat Kilometres (ASKMs) increasing from around 55 crore to 105 crore. This growth reflects improving demand across both domestic and regional routes.
Building on this momentum, the airline plans to more than double its capacity during 2026. By the Winter 2026 schedule, SpiceJet is targeting 220–225 crore ASKMs while operating over 300 daily flights. The expanded capacity is expected to strengthen connectivity across key metro and tier-II markets, improve schedule reliability, and cater to sustained passenger demand.
Commenting on the development, Debojo Maharshi, Chief Business Officer, SpiceJet, said: “Doubling our capacity in the last quarter has been a significant milestone, and the plans we have in place to more than double it further this year reflect growing confidence in the business and strong demand across the network. The receipt of this MoU is an encouraging development as we continue to rebuild and expand our operations in a measured manner. Our focus remains on restoring capacity, strengthening connectivity and improving reliability for our passengers.”
As part of its long-term roadmap, SpiceJet will continue to follow a balanced fleet strategy. By combining the return of grounded aircraft with selective capacity additions, the airline aims to position itself for sustainable growth as the aviation market continues its recovery.
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