India on the Move: Booking.com Unveils Comprehensive 'How India Travels' Report

India on the Move: Booking.com Unveils Comprehensive 'How India Travels' Report

By Author

Published on October 28, 2023

 Booking.com, in partnership with McKinsey & Company, has launched a groundbreaking report titled 'How India Travels', offering a deep dive into the dynamics of Indian tourism. The report reveals a fascinating shift in the travel behavior of Indians post-pandemic, marking a resurgence in both domestic and international travel with newfound preferences and spending patterns.

A Revived Travel Landscape:

The report underscores a robust rebound in Indian travel post-COVID-19. Indian tourists, once constrained by the pandemic, are now vigorously resuming travel. Their expenditure is expected to skyrocket from USD 150 billion in 2019 to an impressive USD 410 billion by 2030. This surge not only positions India as the fourth largest global spender but also highlights its rapid recovery, with India leading tourism expenditure recovery in 2022 in Asia.

Spontaneity and Unconventionality: A New Travel Ethos:

Indian travelers are setting trends with their spontaneity and unconventional travel choices. Preferring an average planning window of just 29 days, they are seeking new, offbeat destinations, driven by a hunger for authentic, immersive experiences. This change is reflected in their accommodation choices as well, with a significant uptick in bookings for alternative lodgings like hostels, campsites, and vacation rentals.

Exploring Beyond the Beaten Path:

The report notes a shift towards lesser-known destinations within India such as Varanasi, Coimbatore, and Kochi. This trend is mirrored in international travel choices as well, with countries like Vietnam, Indonesia, and Nepal emerging as popular new destinations for Indian travelers.

The Role of Digital Media and Mega Events:

Digital media and large-scale events are playing pivotal roles in shaping travel decisions. Over 90% of Indian travelers are turning to platforms like YouTube and Instagram for inspiration, while events like the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup and the G20 Summit act as significant motivators.

Evolving Industry Dynamics:

In response to these trends, the travel industry is evolving rapidly. Destinations are crafting diverse offerings tailored to Indian travelers, with a focus on personalization and sustainability. This shift is notably visible in cities like Dubai, which cater to a broad spectrum of Indian tourists.

A Look into the Future:

The report, embraced by industry leaders like Santosh Kumar of Booking.com, signifies a transformative phase for the Indian travel industry. With the Indian traveler at the center of this evolution, the industry is poised for an era of unprecedented growth and diversification.

The Bigger Picture:

‘How India Travels’ serves not just as a snapshot of current trends but as a roadmap for the future of Indian tourism. It offers critical insights for industry stakeholders to align with the evolving preferences of Indian travelers, promising a vibrant and dynamic travel ecosystem in the years ahead.

About Booking.com:

Booking.com is a world leader in online travel and related services, offering a wide array of accommodations and experiences worldwide.


Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Reports Rs 13 Crore Net Profit in Q1 FY26

Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Reports Rs 13 Crore Net Profit in Q1 FY26

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 18, 2025

Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Limited (ASPHL) announced its financial results for Q1 FY26, recording a net profit of Rs 13 crore. Revenue from operations stood at Rs 154 crore, a 14% increase year-on-year, while operating EBITDA grew 16% YoY to Rs 45 crore. The company maintained an industry-leading occupancy of 92%, reaffirming its leadership in the hospitality sector.

ASPHL’s growth is fueled by expansion into Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets. The company recently signed an MoU to acquire and manage four leisure properties in Goa, Manali, Shimla, and Dharamshala, adding 138 rooms under its brand. These steps align with ASPHL’s strategy to broaden its presence in high-potential tourism destinations and double its key count to 5,750 over the next five years.

Flurys, ASPHL’s iconic bakery and confectionery brand, now operates 102 outlets nationwide, reflecting the company’s focus on expanding its market presence while integrating modern amenities with rich cultural heritage.

Commenting on the performance, Vijay Dewan, Managing Director, Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels, said,

"We have delivered an extraordinary and best-ever Q1, setting a strong momentum for the year ahead. With topline growth of 14% and EBITDA growth of 16%, we recorded India’s highest occupancy of 92% and maintained leadership in RevPAR in the upper-upscale segment. ARR improved by 13% and RevPAR increased by 12%. With nearly 600 new rooms added, including a 41% rise in our asset-light model, and nationwide Flurys rollout, we are poised to scale faster, enhance margins, and deliver exceptional shareholder value."

ASPHL’s strong performance in Q1 FY26 underscores its strategic focus on market expansion, operational excellence, and premium guest experiences.


Marriott Announces Dividend and Expands Share Buyback Plan

Marriott Announces Dividend and Expands Share Buyback Plan

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 10, 2025

Marriott International, Inc. has declared a quarterly cash dividend of 67 cents per share on its common stock, reaffirming its commitment to delivering shareholder value. The dividend will be paid on September 30, 2025, to shareholders who are on record as of August 21, 2025.

Alongside the dividend announcement, the hospitality giant also revealed an expansion of its share repurchase program. The board of directors has authorized the repurchase of an additional 25 million shares of its Class A common stock. This comes in addition to the approximately 7.4 million shares that were still available under previous authorizations as of July 30, 2025.

Marriott has already bought back 6.4 million shares this year, amounting to $1.7 billion. These moves reflect the company’s continued confidence in its financial stability and long-term performance, aiming to strengthen shareholder value through strategic capital allocation.


Chennai Postal Services Still Disrupted: Experts Call for Alternative Systems Amid Software Transition

Chennai Postal Services Still Disrupted: Experts Call for Alternative Systems Amid Software Transition

By Author

Published on August 4, 2025

In what was intended to be a smooth digital transformation, postal services across the Chennai Circle continue to remain disrupted even days after a scheduled upgrade to India Post's new IT 2.0 system. The software transition—part of a broader effort to modernize the nation’s postal network—was implemented on August 2nd and 4th across Chennai North and South divisions. However, officials have now confirmed that technical issues still persist, leaving customers and businesses grappling with delayed or inaccessible services.

Key services such as Speed Post, registered mail, parcel bookings, and money orders have either been significantly slowed or paused altogether in many branches. Despite expectations that systems would normalize post-upgrade, the rollout of the Advanced Postal Technology (APT) system has proven more complex than anticipated.

“We are still working on stabilizing the system. There have been unforeseen glitches post-upgrade, and our teams are actively resolving them,” said a senior postal official who requested anonymity.

The disruption has raised concerns across industries—including the hospitality sector—where timely document dispatch, license renewals, vendor payments, and customer correspondence are crucial to daily operations.

Experts and industry stakeholders are now calling on India Post to introduce alternative operational strategies or backup mechanisms during such large-scale transitions.

“In a digital age where seamless service is non-negotiable, a complete blackout due to a software update is avoidable. A fallback process, whether manual or cloud-based, should be in place to ensure continuity,” said a Chennai-based hospitality consultant.

The hospitality industry relies heavily on postal services for legal documentation, international communication, and procurement logistics. The ongoing delays have caused bottlenecks not just in operations but also in customer experience delivery.

As authorities continue to work toward a resolution, the broader question remains: Should India’s essential public infrastructure be this vulnerable to a single system upgrade? The answer may lie in future-proofing core services with hybrid digital models that include disaster recovery plans and parallel systems.


Hospitalitynews.in will continue to track updates as the situation evolves.

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