Industry Leaders Share Expectations Ahead of Union Budget 2026

Industry Leaders Share Expectations Ahead of Union Budget 2026

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on January 30, 2026

With the Union Budget 2026 set to be presented in the first week of February, expectations are building across the hospitality, tourism, and food services sectors. Industry leaders are looking to the upcoming budget for measures that can strengthen travel infrastructure, support sustainable tourism, ease operational pressures, and recognise the sector’s role in employment generation.

Sharing her views, Shruti Shibulal, Executive Vice Chair of the Board of Directors at Tamara Leisure Experiences, highlighted the opportunity for the budget to further strengthen India’s travel and tourism ecosystem. She said, "The approaching Union Budget has a strong opportunity to further strengthen India's travel and tourism ecosystem through focused interventions that promote ease of access, visibility and local employment."

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She emphasised the need to identify and promote new destinations, particularly across North India and the North East, to attract new traveller segments and ensure balanced regional growth. Improved connectivity under the UDAN scheme, she noted, could also help ease pressure on overcrowded destinations by redirecting tourist flows. On sustainable tourism, she pointed to India’s potential in nature-centric travel and suggested that a calibrated relaxation of wildlife sanctuary guidelines, while maintaining strict conservation norms, could support future-ready tourism development.

Shruti Shibulal also underscored the importance of simplifying visas for health and wellness tourism, extending the PRASAD scheme to more destinations with timely execution, and giving a focused policy push to cruise tourism along India’s coastline to enhance global competitiveness. Stressing safety and ease of travel, she called for a dedicated focus on tourism police under police modernisation schemes. She further added that support for rural cooperatives, along with sustained investment in skill development and local employment generation, especially in rural and emerging destinations, would help create participative tourism models that benefit local communities.

From the food services perspective, Pranav Rungta, Cofounder and Director of Nksha Restaurant and Vice President of NRAI Mumbai, spoke about the financial pressures facing the sector. He said, "The hospitality and food services sector is at a critical inflection point. Revisiting the GST notification on commercial leases under the Reverse Charge Mechanism would provide much-needed relief to operators already managing tight cash flows."

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He also highlighted the need to reintroduce support mechanisms such as SEIS to strengthen restaurants that contribute to foreign exchange earnings. According to him, the sector requires targeted subsidies, easier access to debt for SMEs, and formal industry status, given its significant contribution to employment. He further added that a dedicated food services ministry, along with structured employee welfare initiatives, would play a key role in building a more resilient and sustainable hospitality ecosystem.

As the industry awaits the Union Budget 2026, these expectations reflect a broader call for policy clarity, financial relief, and long-term structural support to help hospitality and allied sectors continue their growth momentum.


Eros Hotel New Delhi Strengthens Water Conservation Efforts During World Water Week

Eros Hotel New Delhi Strengthens Water Conservation Efforts During World Water Week

By Hariharan U

Published on August 25, 2026

Eros Hotel New Delhi is reinforcing its commitment to responsible water management during World Water Week 2026 by highlighting a range of initiatives focused on reducing water consumption, promoting mindful usage and recycling wastewater across its operations.

Organised annually by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), World Water Week brings global attention to water-related challenges and the importance of responsible water management. The 2026 edition is being held from 23 to 27 August.

At Eros Hotel New Delhi, water conservation has been integrated across guest areas, kitchens, back-of-house operations and public facilities through a combination of water-efficient infrastructure and awareness initiatives.

The hotel has installed water-saving aerators across taps in guest room washrooms, kitchens and back-of-house areas to regulate water flow and improve consumption efficiency. Public washrooms feature sensor-operated taps, helping reduce unnecessary water usage, while guest rooms are equipped with dual-flush WC cisterns that allow guests to use water according to requirements.

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The hotel's sustainability approach also focuses on creating greater awareness among guests and employees. Water conservation tent cards placed in guest rooms encourage visitors to adopt mindful water-use practices during their stay. Awareness posters across kitchens and back-of-house areas further reinforce responsible water consumption among employees and operational teams.

A key element of Eros Hotel New Delhi's water management strategy is the 100% recycling of wastewater. Treated recycled water is utilised for horticulture and cooling towers, reducing the hotel's dependence on fresh water for selected operational requirements while ensuring wastewater is put to productive use.

By combining water-efficient fixtures, wastewater recycling and awareness programmes, Eros Hotel New Delhi continues to integrate resource-conscious practices into its daily operations.

The initiatives reflect the hotel's broader approach to making water conservation a shared responsibility among guests, employees and operational teams while strengthening its ongoing sustainability efforts.

About Eros Hotel New Delhi:

Eros Hotel New Delhi is a luxury hotel located in the heart of the city, offering accommodation, dining and hospitality facilities for leisure and business travellers.


Ambience Mall Vasant Kunj Hosts Victoria’s Secret ‘Rome After Dark’ Launch with Triptii Dimri

Ambience Mall Vasant Kunj Hosts Victoria’s Secret ‘Rome After Dark’ Launch with Triptii Dimri

By Hariharan U

Published on August 22, 2026

Ambience Mall, Vasant Kunj, hosted an exclusive ‘Rome After Dark’ experience by Victoria’s Secret, marking the launch of the brand’s latest Very Sexy Collection and bringing together fashion, luxury and experiential retail.

Inspired by the romance and mystique of Rome, the launch transformed the Victoria’s Secret store into an immersive setting reflecting the collection’s distinctive aesthetic and after-dark appeal.

Actor Triptii Dimri joined the event as the special guest, adding a celebrity and fashion dimension to the evening. Her presence further enhanced the launch, which brought together the brand’s signature fashion identity with an experience-led retail format.

Speaking on the occasion, Arjun Gehlot, Director, Ambience Group, said that luxury retail destinations are increasingly defined by the experiences they create alongside the brands they house. He highlighted the mall’s focus on bringing leading international and premium brands together with experiences designed for an evolving, fashion-conscious consumer.

Shahista Gehlot, Director, Ambience Group, added that contemporary luxury is increasingly about being distinctive, relevant and ahead of the curve. She noted that the ‘Rome After Dark’ experience combined fashion, trends and a strong sense of occasion, reflecting the evolving retail environment at Ambience Mall.

The Very Sexy Collection takes inspiration from Rome’s timeless romance and after-dark allure. Through the ‘Rome After Dark’ narrative, Victoria’s Secret has created a retail experience centred around discovery and engagement while retaining the brand’s distinctive visual and fashion language.

The launch also underlines Ambience Mall Vasant Kunj’s continued focus on premium and luxury retail. The destination brings together international and Indian brands spanning fashion, beauty, lifestyle and dining, positioning itself as a destination that combines shopping with fashion, culture and entertainment.

Over the years, Ambience Mall has also hosted prominent celebrities for brand launches and engagements, further strengthening its role within Delhi’s premium retail and lifestyle landscape.

With Victoria’s Secret’s latest collection at the centre of the evening and Triptii Dimri adding a celebrity presence, the ‘Rome After Dark’ launch showcased how luxury retail is increasingly moving beyond conventional shopping to create immersive and experience-led brand interactions.


TSG Aura Resort Hosts Special Lunch for Students in Shaheed Dweep

TSG Aura Resort Hosts Special Lunch for Students in Shaheed Dweep

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 22, 2026

TSG Aura Resort hosted a special lunch for students of Government Middle School, Sitapur, Shaheed Dweep, South Andaman, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.

The initiative was planned to give the young students a warm and memorable experience. The resort team spent time with the children, interacted with them and shared moments of happiness during the gathering.

More than just providing a meal, the occasion gave the team an opportunity to connect with the students and make them feel valued and appreciated. Through initiatives such as this, TSG Hotels & Resorts continues to engage with the local community and support efforts that contribute to the well-being of people in the destinations where it operates.

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