IndiGo Soars to New Heights: A Historic Achievement of 100 Million Passengers

By Author

Published on December 22, 2023

IndiGo, India's leading airline, has etched its name in history by becoming the first Indian airline to transport 100 million passengers within a single calendar year. This remarkable feat not only places IndiGo in an elite global group of carriers but also solidifies its position among the world's ten largest airlines by passenger traffic.

Reflecting on this milestone, Pieter Elbers, CEO of IndiGo, expressed his delight, stating, "We are incredibly delighted to achieve this historic milestone, welcoming aboard 100 million passengers in a year. This landmark figure is the result of the love and trust shown by our customers and the hard work and passion of all IndiGo colleagues."

IndiGo's journey to this achievement has been marked by strategic expansion. Over the past six months, the airline has added more than 20 new international routes to its network while simultaneously strengthening its domestic connectivity. Looking ahead, IndiGo has ambitious plans to continue this growth trajectory by including sought-after destinations such as Bali, Indonesia, and Medina, Saudi Arabia, to its network in the coming months.

Notably, in November, IndiGo dominated the domestic market with an impressive 61.8% share of passengers carried, a significant lead over its closest competitor, Air India. The airline's influence extends internationally, boasting a substantial market share of 18.5% in the July-September period among all international airlines operating flights to and from India.

IndiGo's commitment to expansion is further underscored by its historic order of 500 Airbus A320 family planes earlier this year, in addition to existing orders. With close to 1,000 planes in its backlog, set to be delivered over the next decade, IndiGo is poised for sustained growth.

As IndiGo celebrates its 17th anniversary, this milestone signifies not only its success in air travel but also its integral role in connecting people and aspirations for the past 17 years. The airline remains dedicated to serving the mobility needs of its customers while contributing to the progress of India in the most financially and environmentally sound manner.

In conclusion, IndiGo's achievement of carrying 100 million passengers in a single year is a testament to its unwavering commitment to excellence, strategic expansion, and the trust it has earned from passengers over the years.

Happy International Housekeeping Week 2024

By Shreenidhi Jagannathan

Published on September 8, 2024

As the world continues to navigate the complexities of modern hospitality, there’s a week each year when the spotlight shines brightly on the unsung heroes of the industry. From September 7-14, 2024, we celebrate International Housekeeping Week, a time to honor and appreciate the remarkable individuals who keep our hotels, resorts, and other lodgings in pristine condition.

A Week of Appreciation and Recognition

International Housekeeping Week is more than just a date on the calendar; it's a dedicated period to acknowledge the hard work, dedication, and excellence of housekeeping professionals. These individuals are the backbone of the hospitality industry, ensuring that every guest experience is not just satisfactory, but exceptional.

During this week, hotels and resorts worldwide will host a variety of activities to celebrate their housekeeping teams. From themed events and special recognition ceremonies to personalized gifts and team-building exercises, the goal is to show gratitude and boost morale.

The Unsung Heroes of Hospitality

Housekeeping staff often work behind the scenes, their efforts crucial yet frequently overlooked. They are the ones who prepare the rooms, clean the spaces, and maintain the high standards of hygiene and comfort that guests expect. Their roles involve meticulous attention to detail, often under tight schedules and high pressure, making their contribution indispensable to the guest experience.

Innovations and Trends in Housekeeping

The role of housekeeping is evolving rapidly, influenced by technological advancements and changing guest expectations. This year’s International Housekeeping Week also highlights some exciting trends in the field:

Smart Technology: Many hotels are integrating smart technology into their housekeeping operations, including automated cleaning tools and IoT-enabled devices to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
Sustainability Initiatives: With a growing emphasis on environmental responsibility, many housekeeping teams are adopting green practices, such as using eco-friendly cleaning products and implementing waste reduction programs.
Personalization: As guest preferences become more individualized, housekeeping is increasingly involved in creating personalized experiences, from custom pillow menus to tailored room settings.

Looking Forward

As we take this week to celebrate and thank the housekeeping teams who go above and beyond every day, let’s also look forward to continued innovation and excellence in the field. The contributions of housekeeping professionals are deeply valued and crucial to the success of any hospitality operation.

Here’s to a week of celebration, recognition, and appreciation for the true stars of the hospitality industry—our dedicated housekeepers. Happy International Housekeeping Week 2024 from all of us at HospitalityNews!

India’s Hospitality Sector Attracts USD 93 Million in H1 2024 Investments: JLL Report

By Nishang Narayan

Published on September 8, 2024

India’s hospitality sector witnessed a strong USD 93 million in investment during the first half of 2024, according to JLL's Hotel Investment Trends in India for H1 2024. With the year-end forecasted to close at USD 413 million, this marks a 22% increase from 2023, highlighting the sector's resilient growth trajectory.

According to JLL, operational hotels made up 72% of the total transaction volume, with 23% attributed to under-construction properties, and the remaining 5% involving land leases, particularly for greenfield developments in key airport districts.

The report revealed six major hotel transactions during this period, spread across Tier I and leisure markets. Listed hotel companies dominated the investment landscape, accounting for 44% of the total volume, followed by owner-operators at 30%, and High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNIs), family offices, and private hotel owners contributing 26%.

Jaideep Dang, Managing Director of Hotels and Hospitality Group, India at JLL, commented, “The first half of 2024 has set the stage for a vibrant hotel transactions landscape for the rest of the year. The projected year-end volume of USD 413 million reflects a 22% growth over 2023, illustrating the strength of the sector amid favorable macro-economic conditions, expanding commercial markets, and improved air connectivity.”

Tier I markets such as Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai led the way, accounting for 78% of the projected transaction volumes. Tier II and III markets followed with 22%, demonstrating increased investor interest in both metro and emerging destinations.

Notably, the first half of 2024 also saw 19,442 hotel keys signed, with a significant 83% located in Tier II and III cities. Management contracts remained the preferred mode of operation, making up 89% of the signings, followed by franchises and lease/revenue share agreements. The number of greenfield projects also surged, with 13,700 keys signed, surpassing the total number of signings in 2023.

As for the Radisson Hotel Group, the company reported robust growth with over 130 new signings and openings globally in H1 2024. Their Radisson Collection, Radisson Blu, and Radisson RED brands spearheaded this expansion, with Radisson RED making its entry into new markets such as Ireland, New Zealand, Thailand, Laos, and China. The brand also debuted in Paris with the signing of the first Radisson Collection near the Louvre Museum, while the Radisson Collection Hotel Roma Antica opened in Rome, near the Pantheon.

Jaideep Dang further noted, "Investor interest in both operational assets and land sales highlights the attractiveness of the current investment environment. The expansion of air connectivity, especially in Tier I cities, is playing a significant role in supporting this growth, as is the continued demand for domestic travel and commercial activity.”

With two major transactions already facilitated by JLL in the second half of 2024, amounting to USD 70 million, the sector is set for an exciting close to the year, further reinforcing confidence in India’s booming hospitality industry.

The Hosteller Raises USD 4 Million to Fuel Expansion to 150 Locations Across India

By Nishang Narayan

Published on September 8, 2024

The Hosteller, India's top backpacker hostel chain, has successfully raised USD 4 million (approximately INR 32 crore) in its Series A funding round. Led by V3 Ventures, with participation from LV Angel Fund, FAO Ventures, Synergy Capital Partners, Unit-e Consulting, Ice.VC, Thrive Ventures, and several real estate family offices, this investment elevates The Hosteller’s valuation to INR 200 crore (around USD 25 million).

With the fresh capital, The Hosteller aims to accelerate its expansion, planning to grow its footprint to over 150 locations across India within the next 24 to 30 months. The company is focused on strengthening its presence in metro cities while expanding to new travel destinations, offering backpackers immersive and high-quality travel experiences.

Speaking on the funding, Arjun Vaidya, Co-founder of V3 Ventures, expressed confidence in the startup's trajectory, saying, “The Hosteller has firmly established its leadership in the travel space through outstanding execution. We are proud to support the company as it enters its next phase of growth, with plans to expand to over 150 locations.”
Pranav Dangi, Founder and CEO of The Hosteller, highlighted the brand’s commitment to offering unique travel experiences, stating, “Our focus remains on delivering exceptional travel experiences to our backpacker community while fostering sustainable growth. With the launch of Glu, our complete tech concierge, and other initiatives, we are setting new benchmarks in the hospitality sector.”
The company’s CFO, Saksham Khemka, added, “This capital infusion will accelerate our expansion plans while ensuring we maintain the high service standards our guests expect. We’ve seen a 4x growth in locations over the past three years, and we aim to continue this momentum by adding four to five new hostels each month.”

Since its founding in 2014, The Hosteller has become synonymous with affordable, quality lodging and immersive travel experiences. Operating in 60 locations, including major cities and scenic regions like Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka, it is the only backpacker hostel chain with a presence in over 12 Indian states.

For the fiscal year ending March 2024, The Hosteller reported top-line revenue of INR 55 crore with positive net margins. With plans to add 50 more properties by the end of this year, The Hosteller is poised to solidify its position as the largest backpacker hostel chain in South Asia.

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