Hotel Demand Surges Across India in September as BRICS and Corporate Travel Drive Bookings

Hotel Demand Surges Across India in September as BRICS and Corporate Travel Drive Bookings

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on September 14, 2026

September is turning out to be a busy month for hotels across India, with BRICS, corporate travel, government movement and major business events driving higher bookings in key markets. The increase is being seen not only in Delhi but also across other metros and large tier-two cities.

Bookings through the platform of RateGain Travel Technologies rose 36 percent by numbers and 82 percent by value in the first eight days of September compared with the same period in August, said founder and managing director Bhanu Chopra. RateGain’s booking engine powers direct bookings on hotel websites. According to Chopra, the higher value of bookings indicates that guests are making larger and longer reservations, with conference and exhibition demand contributing to the shift.

Travel and hospitality management company CoTrav is also seeing stronger activity. Cofounder and chief technology officer Vinod Kumar Sah said corporate events, MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) and travel activity from existing clients have increased by 20-30 percent through the year into September. Activity from new clients has increased 50 percent this month.

“Overall, our September business is up by over 70 percent compared to September 2025,” he said.

The trend is also reflected in hotel performance. Ibis and Ibis Styles properties in India recorded an 8-10 percent rise in occupancies during the first ten days of September, while average daily rates increased by 16-18 percent compared with the same period last year, said commercial head Animesh Kumar.

Mumbai has been among the stronger markets, supported by the Global Fintech Fest 2026, held from September 8 to 11. Delhi is also expected to see increased demand around Semicon India 2026, scheduled from September 17 to 19.

Delhi is seeing an additional boost from the BRICS Summit, with demand and hotel rates rising sharply during the summit period. According to online travel agency Cleartrip, luxury hotel rates in Delhi have increased 59 percent year-on-year, while four-star properties have seen rates rise by around 113 percent. Budget bookings in the national capital are also up 138 percent from a year earlier, said Pallavi Saxena, chief marketing and revenue officer at the company.

At The LaLiT New Delhi, the hotel is expecting a sold-out situation during the peak BRICS Summit period. General manager Vishal Sharma said the impact is extending beyond the summit dates.

“Compared to several other months, September is expected to perform strongly in terms of occupancies and rates supported by international business travel, government and corporate movement and the overall calendar of events in the capital,” he said.

The two-day BRICS Summit beginning Saturday is also creating strong demand for luxury accommodation in the capital. Delegates from 11 member countries and 10 partner countries are arriving in Delhi, with luxury hotels preparing customised experiences that showcase Indian culture and hospitality.

At The Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi, preparations include personalised rice-grain keychains, a cookbook featuring heirloom recipes and Indian-themed décor. BRICS flags and colours will be displayed across the property, while brass lotus installations, a lotus-inspired fountain and a floral peacock installation will add to the visual presentation. Flute, sitar, drums, Indian dance forms, aarti, flowers and dhoop rituals will also form part of the experience.

The Leela Palace is expected to host delegations from the UAE, Thailand, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and some Russian guests, while ITC Maurya and Sheraton properties are being decorated with BRICS motifs and logos. Several other luxury hotels, including Taj Palace, The Oberoi, Le Méridien, The Claridges, The Imperial and The Ashok, are also expected to accommodate visiting delegations.

The summit is also highlighting the shortage of luxury rooms in the capital. Several marquee properties have limited or no availability, while room rates have risen sharply. Rooms at ITC Maurya for September 11-13 have been quoted at more than Rs 2.5 lakh per night, while rooms at The Taj Mahal Hotel are sold out and unavailable for September 11 due to high demand and security restrictions surrounding the summit.

With major business events, corporate movement and international and government travel converging in September, the month is emerging as a strong period for hotel occupancy and room rates across several Indian markets.


Mangaluru International Airport Begins Terminal Expansion to Double Passenger Capacity by 2029

Mangaluru International Airport Begins Terminal Expansion to Double Passenger Capacity by 2029

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on November 13, 2026

Mangaluru International Airport has commenced work on expanding its integrated terminal to handle the growing number of air travellers. The project is expected to increase the airport's annual passenger handling capacity from 2.5 million to 5.2 million by the end of 2029, according to airport authorities.

The expansion will add 27,100 square metres of built-up area on the eastern side of the existing terminal, while the current 48,574-square-metre facility will also undergo modifications to accommodate the rising passenger traffic.

The airport handled a record 2.55 million passengers during the 2025-26 financial year, crossing its originally planned annual capacity of around two million passengers. Passenger traffic has increased by nearly 42% over the last three years, rising from 1.79 million in 2022-23. The airport authorities expect passenger numbers to grow at an annual compound rate of around 9%, crossing four million by 2030-31.

As part of the expansion, the airport will improve several passenger facilities, including check-in counters, security screening, immigration, baggage handling, and arrival and departure areas. These improvements are expected to make passenger movement smoother and improve the overall airport experience.

The development will also introduce a public viewing gallery, which visitors can access after security clearance. An open-air recreational area overlooking the airfield and the Gurupura River valley is also part of the plans.

In addition to the terminal expansion, a separate multifunctional building is proposed to accommodate more than 800 vehicles through a multi-level parking facility. The building will also include office spaces, passenger amenities, food and beverage outlets and recreational facilities. A dedicated pedestrian bridge connecting the building to the terminal will feature travelators and buggy services to make movement easier for passengers.

The airport authorities said the expansion is being taken up considering Mangaluru's growing importance as a commercial, industrial, educational and healthcare centre in the region, along with the increasing demand for air travel across coastal Karnataka.

Once completed, the upgraded infrastructure is expected to improve passenger processing, support airport operations and accommodate future travel demand. The terminal expansion is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2029.


Palmonas Expands Mumbai Retail Presence with New Store in Bandra West

Palmonas Expands Mumbai Retail Presence with New Store in Bandra West

By Hariharan U

Published on November 11, 2026

Palmonas has expanded its retail presence in Mumbai with the opening of a new store on Turner Road in Bandra West, bringing its jewellery collections closer to shoppers ahead of the festive season.

The new outlet arrives during a busy period for festive shopping, offering customers a convenient destination to explore jewellery for celebrations, family gatherings, gifting and everyday styling.

The store features Palmonas’ range of Demi-fine® jewellery, 9KT Gold jewellery and Fine Silver designs. With collections spanning different styles and occasions, shoppers can explore everyday accessories alongside pieces suited to festive dressing and special moments.

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The opening reflects Palmonas’ continued focus on expanding its offline retail footprint across key urban markets. By establishing a presence in Bandra West, the brand aims to make its collections more accessible to customers who prefer exploring jewellery in a physical retail environment.

The festive season brings increased interest in occasion-ready accessories and gifting options. The new store adds another location for Mumbai shoppers to discover Palmonas’ offerings across its jewellery categories.

Store Details

  • Brand: Palmonas

  • Address: Shop No. 3, Ground Floor, 36, Turner Road, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050


Pune Gas Opens 10th Experience Centre in Mangaluru, Expands Karnataka Presence

Pune Gas Opens 10th Experience Centre in Mangaluru, Expands Karnataka Presence

By Hariharan U

Published on November 11, 2026

Pune Gas has opened its 10th Experience Centre in Mangaluru, expanding its presence in Karnataka and bringing its commercial and industrial gas solutions closer to businesses across Dakshina Kannada and coastal Karnataka. The new facility is the company's second centre in the state, following its Bengaluru location.

The Pune Gas Mangaluru Experience Centre was inaugurated by D. Vedavyasa Kamath, Member of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, Mangaluru City South, and S. Mukund Kamath, CMD, Ideal Ice Cream Pvt. Ltd.

The inauguration was attended by representatives from the oil and gas industry, including Sandeep Kumar Raina, LPG Territory Manager, BPCL, Mangaluru; Darshit Malviya, Manager – Sales, BPCL, Mangaluru; and Lakshmi M, CRM, HPCL. The centre will be locally managed by franchise partners Vindya Pai and Nithyanand Pai, with technical and leadership support from Pune Gas.

Mangaluru's Commercial and Industrial Energy Demand

Mangaluru and the wider Dakshina Kannada region have a diverse business base spanning hospitality, restaurants, seafood and marine products, cashew and food processing, chemicals, petrochemicals, fertilisers and manufacturing.

Industrial areas such as Baikampady, Yeyyadi, Ganjimutt and Karnad contribute to the region's commercial and manufacturing activity. Businesses across these sectors depend on reliable energy systems for commercial kitchens, process heating and other operational requirements.

The region's seafood and cashew industries also have export potential. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has identified these products under Dakshina Kannada's District Export Hub designation, while Karnataka Tourism highlights the Mangaluru–Udupi region's coastal cuisine and seafood traditions.

For businesses operating in these sectors, efficient LPG systems can help improve fuel utilisation, reduce wastage and manage operating expenses.

Pune Gas Highlights Its Energy Efficiency Solutions

Speaking at the launch, Jesal Sampat, Executive Director and CEO, Pune Gas, said, “Improving energy efficiency is essential to helping businesses manage operating costs and enhance operational performance. Mangaluru and coastal Karnataka present an important opportunity for us to bring our engineering expertise closer to Dakshina Kannada's diverse and growing business community.”

He added that Pune Gas solutions were helping businesses save nearly ₹1,400 crore annually, according to the company's estimates, by addressing fuel inefficiencies. The new centre, he said, would make its technologies and technical expertise more accessible to businesses across the region.

Nithyanand Pai, Pune Gas Mangaluru Franchise Partner, highlighted the scale of commercial LPG consumption in Karnataka, estimating daily demand at approximately 850 metric tonnes, equivalent to around 44,000 commercial LPG cylinders. He said the franchise would focus on helping regional businesses optimise LPG consumption and reduce fuel wastage.

Inside the Mangaluru Experience Centre

The new centre offers businesses an opportunity to explore Pune Gas's commercial and industrial gas systems through product demonstrations and technical guidance. Its portfolio includes:

  • Dry-Type LPG Vaporizer: The company's patented, Made-in-India technology converts liquid LPG into gas for commercial and industrial applications. System sizing is tailored to individual operational requirements.

  • LPGenius Smart LPG Systems: An integrated LPG solution designed to improve fuel utilisation and maintain consistent operations. It addresses issues such as cylinder freezing and sweating and works with LOT (Liquid Off-Take) 47.5 kg cylinders. Pune Gas states that the system can deliver 20–30% savings on LPG costs, depending on operating conditions.

  • FuelFusion: A dual-fuel system that enables compatible diesel generator sets to operate using diesel and LPG. According to the company, it can reduce diesel consumption by up to 70%, depending on system compatibility and operating conditions, while supporting lower-emission operations.

  • LeakCheck and Handheld Sniffer: Gas leak detection solutions designed to help identify potential leaks and support timely corrective action.

  • GasTrain Pressure Regulation Systems: Precision-engineered systems that regulate gas pressure according to equipment and process requirements, supporting controlled gas delivery.

  • Gas Parts and Consumables: Components for commercial and industrial LPG and natural gas infrastructure, supported by technical guidance.

Pune Gas Experience Centre, Mangaluru

Address: Vindhya Appliances, Shop No. FF 10, Lotus Atharva, Ashok Nagar, near Urwa Marigudi, Mangaluru – 575006.

About Pune Gas

With a history spanning more than 40 years, Pune Gas designs, develops and implements gas-based energy systems for commercial and industrial applications. The company operates across India and 20 international markets, serving sectors including manufacturing, healthcare and hospitality.

Its portfolio includes LPG and natural gas systems aimed at improving energy efficiency, reducing operational costs and supporting the adoption of cleaner energy solutions.

For more information, visit Pune Gas.

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