Elanpro, India’s leading commercial refrigeration company, hosted Saksham 2025, a first-of-its-kind knowledge-led seminar in Bengaluru aimed at promoting safer, more sustainable, and compliant practices across the hospitality sector. The one-day initiative drew over 100 participants and brought together chefs, hotel engineers, food business operators, consultants, and industry stakeholders on a single platform.

The seminar was inaugurated in the presence of Mr. Pawan Agarwal, Former CEO, FSSAI; Mr. Sathyananda B, President – Supply Chain, Cafe Coffee Day; Mr. Subramanya Holla, President, Bruhat Bengaluru Hotel Association; representatives from M.S. Ramaiah College; and Mr. Ranjan Jain, Managing Director, Elanpro. The initiative was organised in collaboration with the Hospitality Consultants Forum (HCF).

Designed as a practical learning programme, Saksham focused on equipping hospitality professionals with actionable insights to improve food safety standards, operational efficiency, and service quality. Through expert-led sessions and interactive panel discussions conducted both in person and online, participants explored real-world challenges faced in commercial kitchens and hospitality operations.

The seminar revolved around three key pillars: Safety and Hygiene, Compliance and Audit Readiness, and Sustainability. Sessions covered essential topics such as food safety fundamentals, commercial kitchen fire suppression systems, reusable drinking water solutions, grease interception and capacity planning, wastewater management, and sustainable food processing practices. Discussions also highlighted the financial and operational risks of non-compliance and the critical role refrigeration plays in maintaining food integrity.

The sessions were led by industry and domain experts including Mr. Pawan Agarwal (Former CEO, FSSAI), Mr. Sanjay Jain (Elanpro), Ms. Chitra Muthiah (DNV), Ms. Anusha Adappa (Resguardo Industries), and Ms. Chayaa Nanjappa (Nectar Fresh Foods). The programme concluded with a panel discussion focused on strengthening accountability and responsible practices across the hospitality ecosystem.

Bengaluru’s rapidly expanding hospitality landscape, with over 12,000 restaurants, a strong cloud kitchen network, and one of India’s highest online food-ordering volumes, provided the ideal setting for such an industry-focused dialogue. The city’s growing F&B startup ecosystem and expanding workforce further underline the need for informed and disciplined operational practices.

Speaking about the initiative, Mr. Ranjan Jain, MD, Elanpro, said,
“Bengaluru is growing so quickly as a food and hospitality hub that conversations like Saksham feel more important than ever. When industry leaders, operators and solution providers come together, it creates opportunities to understand what is working on the ground and where gaps still exist.

Culture doesn’t change in a day. It strengthens when people learn from each other and consistently reinforce responsible practices. When responsibility flows peer to peer, not just top down, it becomes embedded in daily operations. Saksham is simply the beginning of that shift.”

Addressing the importance of compliance, Mr. Pawan Agarwal, Former CEO, FSSAI, said,
“Compliance has always been one of the sector’s biggest challenges, especially as food businesses expand. Platforms like Saksham allow FBOs to understand not just the ‘rules’ but the ‘reasons’ behind them. This is where behaviour shifts begin. Initiatives like this can significantly strengthen India’s food safety culture and help establishments move from basic requirements to responsible daily practice.”

Hospitality Consultants Forum (HCF), an association of hospitality consultants engaged in designing globally compliant and sustainable F&B kitchens, played a key role in shaping the initiative. Speaking at the seminar, Mr. Sravan Kumar, Founding President, HCF, said, “Hospitality is a people-first industry, and our goal is to create spaces where teams can learn from one another and drive meaningful change. With Saksham, we wanted to build a bridge between knowledge and practice, where experience meets innovation and the sector moves forward together.”

Through Saksham, Elanpro reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening hospitality standards and supporting long-term operational improvement. The initiative aligns with the company’s broader mission to enable eco-smart, energy-efficient, and compliant food businesses through stronger SOPs and workforce capability building. Elanpro continues to champion responsible refrigeration and skill development across India, contributing to a safer, more resilient, and future-ready hospitality ecosystem.

As the year-end approaches, ibis and ibis Styles India are reflecting on a period of strong progress and growing confidence in the hospitality sector. Sharing his perspective, Mr. Tejus Jose, Director of Operations at ibis & ibis Styles India, highlighted how the industry navigated challenges while continuing to build momentum.

“The year 2025 was marked by strong positive momentum in the hospitality sector, despite geopolitical uncertainties, driven largely by the steady growth of corporate travel. Both domestic and international business travellers contributed to improved occupancy levels and stronger weekday demand, reinforcing India’s standing as a preferred destination for business and business-related travel. The corporate travel landscape continues to shift towards high quality midscale Hotels with an emphasis on convenience, connectivity and consistency, areas where ibis Hotels are well positioned.”

For ibis, the year was also one of focused expansion and operational progress. The brand strengthened its footprint in Mumbai with the opening of a new property, taking its total presence in the city to five hotels. Alongside expansion, sustainability emerged as a key highlight across the portfolio.

“For ibis, 2025 represented a year of meaningful expansion and purposeful progress. We strengthened our presence in Mumbai with the opening of a new hotel, bringing our total portfolio in the city to five properties. The year also marked an important sustainability milestone, with our entire India portfolio achieving the coveted Green Key certification. This accomplishment underscores our commitment to responsible hospitality, operational efficiency and reducing our environmental footprint across all locations. We now also have smart TVs at all our hotels across the portfolio allowing our guests to use OTT on-the-go, allowing guests to watch content of their choice.”

Looking ahead, ibis and ibis Styles India remain optimistic about the business travel outlook and the evolving expectations of corporate and leisure travellers alike. “As we look ahead to 2026, we anticipate continued momentum in business travel, supported by resilient domestic corporate demand and improving international connectivity. With a sustained focus on value-driven hospitality, operational excellence and sustainable practices, ibis remains dedicated to meeting the evolving needs of India’s travellers while deepening partnerships across the corporate and travel ecosystem.”

With its focus on consistency, connectivity, and responsible growth, ibis continues to position itself strongly within India’s midscale hospitality segment as demand for efficient and value-led stays continues to rise.

As the year comes to an end, Hyatt Place Butwal is reflecting on an encouraging beginning and the evolving landscape of the hospitality industry. In just a short span since opening, the hotel has witnessed a strong and positive response from guests, signalling growing interest in destinations that offer more than just a stay.

Sharing his thoughts, Mr. Tushar Nagar, General Manager, Hyatt Place Butwal, highlighted the enthusiasm shown by guests and the destination’s unique positioning. “As we wrap up 2025 on a high note, we at Hyatt Place Butwal - The Place Between, are overwhelmed by the phenomenal response we've received in just two months since opening. Guests have shown immense love for our location, where nature, spiritual trails, and adventure come together. Butwal, with its proximity to sacred sites, natural beauty, and emerging leisure offerings, is perfectly placed to cater to evolving travel preferences. Being just a short and seamless journey from India, Hyatt Place Butwal is eager to welcome Indian travellers looking for a refreshing getaway. We look forward to becoming a preferred stop for Indian guests seeking both comfort and meaningful experiences.”

Located at the crossroads of natural landscapes and spiritual routes, Butwal is increasingly emerging as a destination that appeals to travellers looking for calm, connection, and exploration. Hyatt Place Butwal’s early success reflects this shift in travel choices, where guests value comfort alongside experiences rooted in the destination.

With its focus on thoughtful hospitality and a location that resonates with changing traveller expectations, Hyatt Place Butwal is positioning itself as a welcoming option for Indian guests and regional travellers alike, as interest in short-haul, experience-led travel continues to grow.