Loading...
You have Successfully logged In !
Already have an account? Login
By clicking Register you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.
Don't have an account?Register
Enter your E-mail address below, We will send the verification code
Please enter the code send to
Didn't receive the email?Click to resend
Your password has been successfully reset!.
Please login again to access your account.
An OTP has been sent to
Enter the 4-digit code
By Nishang Narayan
Published on July 5, 2024
IHG Hotels & Resorts has announced its debut in Kashmir with the signing of a management agreement for voco Srinagar, in partnership with Geelan Residency. This marks IHG’s first hotel in Kashmir and the sixth voco hotel being developed in India. Scheduled to open in October 2026, the hotel aims to cater to both leisure travelers and social gatherings, including MICE events.
The new voco Srinagar will be located in the upscale commercial area of the city, easily accessible by road from the airport and major tourist attractions. It will be a two-hour drive from popular destinations like Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonmarg. The hotel will feature 95 well-appointed rooms, an all-day dining restaurant, a pool deck, and a fitness center.
Sudeep Jain, Managing Director of South West Asia at IHG Hotels & Resorts, expressed excitement about the new venture: “We are thrilled to establish our footprint in Kashmir with our premium brand, voco, in partnership with Geelan Residency. Kashmir is one of the most popular leisure destinations in the country and has experienced an unprecedented boom in tourism in the past years. This has led to an increase in demand for quality branded accommodation. With its bold design and welcoming service, we are confident that voco Srinagar will become a preferred hotel for travelers visiting Kashmir.”
Javeed Jeelani, Managing Partner at Geelan Residency, added, “We are delighted to partner with an internationally and locally trusted hospitality brand like IHG Hotels & Resorts to debut the voco brand in Kashmir. We are confident that the hotel’s prime location coupled with IHG's global standards, voco Srinagar is set to become an ideal choice for our guests.”
The voco brand, known for its unique blend of informality and quality, has quickly gained popularity in India since its debut in 2023. With properties already established in markets such as Jim Corbett, Gurugram, Mumbai, Goa, and Punjab, the addition of voco Srinagar underscores IHG’s commitment to expanding its presence in key leisure destinations across the country.
India’s Hospitality Sector Shows Strong Growth Despite Globa...
Even as global markets faced geopolitical tensions, travel d...
IHCL Appoints Aejaz Shaikh as Hotel Manager for Taj Cidade d...
Indian Hotels Company Limited has announced the appointment ...
Taj North Goa Appoints Reekshit Siddhanta as Deputy General ...
Chef Mohd Faisal Qureshi Joins The Westin Mumbai as Head Chef
Chef Mohd Faisal Qureshi has been appointed as the Head Chef...
By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Published on May 26, 2026
The Serai Resorts is reinforcing its commitment to conservation-focused safari tourism across its wildlife destinations in Bandipur and Kabini. As travellers increasingly seek more meaningful and responsible wildlife experiences, the hospitality brand is placing sustainability, ecological balance, and community involvement at the centre of its safari offerings.
Located within Karnataka’s ecologically important regions of Bandipur Tiger Reserve and Nagarahole National Park, The Serai Resorts has designed its safari experiences around regulated tourism practices, local expertise, and long-term coexistence with nature. Rather than encouraging high-volume tourism or staged wildlife encounters, the focus remains on creating experiences that respect natural habitats and follow established conservation protocols.
The safari model at The Serai Bandipur and The Serai Kabini places emphasis on smaller and quieter experiences that allow guests to better understand the ecosystem. All safari bookings are conducted through authorised government systems and follow Forest Department regulations related to visitor capacity, timings, and approved movement routes within reserve zones.
Guests are accompanied by experienced naturalists and authorised guides who provide deeper insights into wildlife behaviour, birdlife, habitats, and forest ecology. This approach shifts the experience from simply seeking animal sightings to understanding the larger rhythm of the natural environment. The resort also encourages guests to book safaris in advance to help manage visitor movement responsibly during peak seasons.
The Serai Resorts has also maintained a clear stance on ethical wildlife practices. In line with Forest Department regulations, the brand does not support night safaris in protected areas such as Bandipur National Park and Nagarahole National Park, recognising the need to avoid disturbing wildlife during crucial nocturnal activity periods. Instead of promoting guaranteed sightings, guests are introduced to the realities of nature and encouraged to appreciate wildlife responsibly.
Naturalists regularly guide visitors on safari etiquette, including maintaining silence, avoiding sudden movement, and respecting wildlife boundaries to ensure minimal disturbance to the ecosystem.
Community involvement remains a key part of the brand’s conservation philosophy. A large portion of the teams working at Bandipur and Kabini come from nearby regions and bring strong local knowledge of forest landscapes, biodiversity, and wildlife movement patterns. Several naturalists also contribute through their field expertise and close association with Forest Department initiatives and wildlife observation efforts.
Beyond employment opportunities, the company also supports community wellbeing through education assistance for employees' children, medical insurance support, and healthcare access where needed. The same philosophy of coexistence extends to wildlife movement near resort spaces, where a non-interventionist approach is followed, allowing animals to move naturally without disruption.
The brand is also expanding nature engagement beyond traditional jeep safaris. Guests can participate in guided nature walks and seasonal boat safaris, creating opportunities to experience wildlife and biodiversity from different perspectives. At The Serai Kabini, boat safaris across the Kabini backwaters provide changing wildlife and birdwatching experiences throughout the year, while nature walks offer a slower and more immersive connection with the environment.
As part of its wider conservation efforts, The Serai Resorts also documents wildlife and bird sightings during safari experiences and shares relevant observations with forest authorities as supporting ecosystem inputs. Through its blend of regulated safari experiences, local participation, and conservation-focused practices, the brand continues to promote a more sustainable future for wildlife tourism in India.
By Author
Published on May 25, 2026
NILE Hospitality has announced the upcoming opening of Park Inn & Suites by Radisson Rajkot, marking a significant milestone in Rajkot’s hospitality landscape as the city’s first internationally branded hotel.
The launch further strengthens NILE Hospitality’s growing portfolio of internationally managed properties while reinforcing its long-term strategic collaboration with Radisson Hotel Group. The upcoming property represents the seventh operational partnership between the two organisations and is expected to be the first among several Park Inn & Suites developments planned across emerging Indian markets.
Located in one of Gujarat’s fastest-growing commercial hubs, the hotel will feature 55 contemporary rooms, an all-day dining restaurant, and modern banquet facilities spread across approximately 2,500 sq. ft., catering to business meetings, social gatherings, and events.
The property will operate as an exclusively vegetarian hotel, reflecting regional culinary preferences and evolving traveller expectations in the Gujarat market.
The opening is expected to significantly elevate Rajkot’s hospitality ecosystem by introducing globally benchmarked service standards to a city witnessing strong industrial, commercial, and infrastructure-driven growth. Rajkot continues to emerge as a key business centre in Gujarat with thriving engineering, automobile, manufacturing, and SME sectors, creating increasing demand for professionally managed branded hospitality offerings.
Speaking on the development, Vikram Singh Chauhan said, “The hospitality landscape in Rajkot continues to undergo significance in line with the long-term development of its diverse economy and potential. Introducing Rajkot’s first international branded hotel, along with NILE’s long-established presence in Gujarat and Radisson’s world-class distribution network, will put us in a great position to contribute to the ongoing growth and diversification of the city’s hospitality sector.”
He further added that the collaboration with Devdwarika LLP as promoters reinforces the company’s commitment towards offering premium accommodation experiences for both leisure and business travellers seeking globally recognised hospitality standards.
The project highlights the growing importance of emerging urban markets within India’s hospitality expansion story, with branded hotel operators increasingly targeting high-growth commercial cities beyond major metros.
By Hariharan U
Ramee Group of Hotels has announced its upcoming hospitality project in Gaya, further strengthening the group’s growing presence across East India. The expansion aligns with the company’s broader strategy of entering high-potential destinations driven by spiritual tourism, leisure travel, and business demand.
Recognised as one of India’s most significant pilgrimage destinations, Gaya continues to attract strong domestic and international footfall, supported by improving tourism infrastructure and enhanced connectivity. The city’s growing hospitality demand has made it an important market for hotel brands looking to expand into emerging travel hubs.
The upcoming property is being designed to offer a blend of comfort, convenience, and contemporary hospitality experiences. The hotel will feature well-appointed guest rooms, an all-day dining restaurant, banquet facilities, and an open-to-sky jacuzzi experience aimed at both leisure and spiritual travellers.
The property is also expected to position itself as a preferred venue for weddings, conferences, corporate events, and social gatherings with nearly 4,000 sq. ft. of dedicated banquet space.
Speaking on the expansion, Saurabh Gahoi said, “East India remains a key focus market in the company’s expansion plans, with Gaya emerging as a strategic hospitality destination due to its religious importance, growing tourism landscape, and improving infrastructure. The property aims to offer a seamless and guest-centric experience for both pilgrimage and business travellers.”
He further highlighted that increasing tourism activity and rising demand for quality accommodation continue to strengthen Gaya’s position as a promising growth market for the hospitality sector.
The launch marks another step in Ramee Group’s ongoing India expansion strategy as the company continues to build a diversified hospitality portfolio across business, leisure, and pilgrimage-led destinations. The group remains focused on delivering thoughtfully designed hospitality experiences backed by service excellence and guest comfort.
Stay up-to-date with the latest Hospitality news and trends in the Hospitality industry!
Subscribe to Hospitality news e-magazine for free and never miss an issue.
By clicking subscribe for free you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.
Advertise With Us
We have various options to advertise with us including Events, Advertorials, Banners, Mailers, etc.
A platform dedicated to showcase the skills and creativity of hospitality professionals. Share your articles, videos and other content related to the industry and get recognized for your unique perspective and expertise. By posting your content and gaining likes from your own community, we'll categorize your talents and expose them to the hospitality world. Join our community of passionate hospitality professionals and let your talent shine!.
Already have an account?Login
By clicking you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.
Subscribe for ₹2,000 and receive our monthly magazine for one year (12 months) from the coming month and save 2 months cost.