J&K High Court to Hear Gulmarg Hotels Land Lease Case on September 17

J&K High Court to Hear Gulmarg Hotels Land Lease Case on September 17

By Hariharan U

Published on August 30, 2025

The Jammu & Kashmir High Court will take up the Gulmarg hotels land lease case on September 17, a matter that has grown into a significant legal and political issue for the region. The case, originally filed in 2012 as a PIL over illegal encroachments in Gulmarg, has since widened to include the contentious question of hotel leases.

During Thursday’s proceedings, the court received sealed responses from both Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s office and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. While the HC did not issue any remarks, its observations hinted at differences between the elected government and the LG on the matter.

At the core of the dispute are the J&K Land Grant Rules, 2022, introduced after the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A. These new rules prohibit lease extensions once the original term ends and instead mandate open auctions, allowing any eligible Indian citizen to bid for properties. This marks a shift from earlier rules that limited leases to permanent residents of Jammu & Kashmir.

The changes have caused anxiety across Gulmarg’s hospitality sector. Out of 59 hotels in the hill station, leases for 55 properties have already expired, leaving owners facing eviction. The issue gained wider attention after the historic Nedous Hotel, a colonial-era property linked to Omar Abdullah’s grandmother, was sealed earlier this month following a 24-hour eviction notice. Its lease had actually expired in 1985.

The Omar government has signalled that it favours reviewing the 2022 rules, while hotel owners continue to push the central government for relief. For now, the fate of Gulmarg’s hotel leases rests with the High Court’s upcoming hearing.


Taronish Karkaria Appointed General Manager of Taj West End Bengaluru

Taronish Karkaria Appointed General Manager of Taj West End Bengaluru

By Hariharan U

Published on September 1, 2025

Taj West End, Bengaluru has announced the appointment of Taronish Karkaria as its new general manager. A second-generation hotelier, Karkaria brings more than 20 years of experience in luxury hospitality, combining operational expertise with a strong focus on guest experience and team development.

He has been a prominent leader within the Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), successfully leading several of its flagship properties. Most recently, he served as the pre-opening general manager of Taj Gandhinagar Resort & Spa, and prior to that, as director of operations at Taj Palace, New Delhi the country’s largest luxury convention hotel. His career also includes leadership roles at The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai and Taj Lands End, Mumbai.

In his new role at Taj West End, Karkaria will focus on advancing strategic operations, enhancing bespoke guest experiences, and introducing initiatives that strengthen the hotel’s legacy as one of Bengaluru’s most treasured landmarks.

Satyajeet Krishnan, Senior Vice President – Operations, South, IHCL, said, “Taronish brings forth an extensive expertise across operations and proven ability to elevate guest experiences. His leadership will play a key role in further strengthening the hotel’s position as one of the city’s most distinguished luxury destinations”.

Sharing his excitement, Karkaria said, “Taj West End is a true icon of Bengaluru’s hospitality landscape. I am excited to continue its legacy while crafting meaningful experiences for our guests, blending warmth and innovation with the hotel’s timeless charm”.

With his wealth of experience and deep understanding of IHCL’s service ethos, Karkaria is poised to lead Taj West End into its next chapter of growth while maintaining its reputation as a luxury hospitality landmark.


Accor appoints Ranju Alex as CEO for South Asia

Accor appoints Ranju Alex as CEO for South Asia

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on September 1, 2025

Accor has announced the appointment of Ranju Alex as CEO for South Asia, a role covering India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. The hospitality leader currently operates more than 70 hotels in the region, with over 30 in the pipeline.

Alex is a seasoned hospitality professional with a career spanning over three decades. Until recently, she served as Regional Vice President for South Asia at Marriott International, overseeing more than 170 hotels. She began her career with The Oberoi Group in 1993 and went on to hold several leadership positions at Marriott, contributing significantly to its growth in the region.

Recognised for her achievements, Alex was recently conferred with the Bharat Gaurav Award, a prestigious honour celebrating her contributions to the industry.

Expressing her excitement, Alex said:

“I am delighted to join an organisation with the most comprehensive and exciting portfolio of brands in the region. It will be an honor to lead the Group’s vision in this region, and I eagerly look forward to this exciting role.”

This appointment further strengthens Accor’s leadership team as it continues to expand its footprint and reinforce its position as a leading hospitality player in South Asia.


HotLync: Revolutionizing Hotel Operations Through Intelligent Technology

HotLync: Revolutionizing Hotel Operations Through Intelligent Technology

By Author

Published on August 31, 2025

In today’s fast-paced hospitality landscape, operational excellence is no longer optional—it’s essential. HotLync, developed by Ennovatech Solutions under the visionary leadership of Founder and CEO Gouresh Nayak, has become a game-changer for hotels worldwide. Since its founding in 2014, Ennovatech has been committed to redefining efficiency, guest satisfaction, and service quality through innovative technology, making HotLync one of the most trusted hotel management platforms in the industry.

Currently deployed in over 800 properties across the globe, HotLync empowers hotels to unify complex operational tasks into a seamless, intuitive workflow. From guest requests and housekeeping to engineering updates, spa bookings, and telecommunications, every aspect of hotel management is connected and optimized. The result? A perfectly orchestrated experience for both guests and staff.

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Ennovatech Solutions, Founder and CEO Mr. Gouresh Nayak

At the heart of this platform is the HotLync Intelligent Response Assistant (HIRA), an AI-powered engine designed to anticipate guest needs, automate routine tasks, and provide actionable insights in real time. By reducing manual workloads and streamlining communication between departments, HIRA frees staff to focus on what truly matters—delivering personalized, memorable guest experiences.

HotLync’s growing global footprint speaks volumes about its capabilities. It is trusted by some of the world’s most renowned hospitality brands, including Atlantis, Dusit International, Fairmont (Accor), Address Hotels, Jumeirah, Holiday Inn (IHG), Hyatt, Millennium, Roda, Rotana, Anantara, Sheraton (Marriott), The Lalit, Leela, Oberoi, Minor Hotels, Accor, Five Hotels, and Melia, among others. This impressive adoption highlights HotLync’s ability to meet—and exceed—the exacting standards of top-tier hotel groups while delivering measurable operational improvements.

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Beyond boosting efficiency, HotLync champions sustainability. By digitizing forms, checklists, and reporting, hotels save thousands of sheets of paper each month, reducing their environmental footprint without compromising service quality. This aligns perfectly with the industry’s growing focus on eco-conscious practices while adding value to hotel operations.

HotLync’s vision is bold yet simple: to empower hotels with intelligent, connected operations that anticipate guest needs, enhance staff performance, and elevate hospitality to new heights. By combining cutting-edge AI with a unified operational platform, HotLync is not just keeping up with the future of hospitality—it’s defining it.

For hotels seeking to streamline operations, boost productivity, and deliver unforgettable guest journeys, HotLync offers a transformative solution that is already setting benchmarks worldwide.

https://www.linkedin.com/company/ennovatech-solutions/ 
sales@ennovatech.com 

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