Kota is better known for its coaching institutes and industrial output than its hospitality scene, but Wyndham Hotels is clearly looking at the city with a longer lens. The brand has signed the Ramada Resort by Wyndham Talera Kota with promoter Lalit Singh Muktawat, marking a meaningful addition to Rajasthan's hospitality map and a deliberate step into India's tier-2 growth markets.

The 200-room resort is scheduled to open in March 2029 and will be strategically located along the riverfront in Kota, catering to corporate, leisure, and group demand from a city that is increasingly attracting both. Kota's identity as one of India's leading educational hubs brings a steady stream of students, parents, and educators through the city year-round. Its industrial base, spanning chemical, cement, engineering, and power sectors, adds a strong corporate travel dimension. Together, these drivers create a more compelling demand picture than the city's relatively underdeveloped hospitality infrastructure currently reflects.

The property's location also benefits from improving connectivity. Kota is situated approximately 10 kilometres from the proposed Kota Airport, which is expected to link the city to major domestic and international destinations and significantly boost both business and leisure arrivals once operational.

Beyond business, Kota has a cultural heritage worth noting. Medieval forts, palaces, havelis, and stepwells draw visitors from across the country, positioning the city as more than just a transit or study destination.

When complete, the resort will offer 200 guest rooms including villas, an all-day dining restaurant, bar, extensive meeting and event facilities, large banqueting spaces, a fitness centre, swimming pool, spa, and dedicated recreational areas. It's a well-rounded offering that covers the full range of demand segments the city attracts.

Lalit Singh Muktawat, promoter of the project, spoke about what the partnership means for the region. "We are proud to partner with Wyndham Hotels and Resorts to introduce the globally recognised Ramada Resort brand to Kota. As the city continues to expand economically and attract increasing numbers of visitors, we believe this development will elevate the hospitality offering in the region and contribute meaningfully to its long-term tourism and infrastructure growth."

Rahool Macarius, Market Managing Director, Eurasia at Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, added context on the strategic thinking. "With Kota emerging as a prominent commercial and educational center in Rajasthan, we are pleased to strengthen our presence in the region with a globally recognised and trusted brand. By focusing on tier-2 and tier-3 cities, we aim to tap into new growth opportunities and cater to the evolving preferences of guests across India's rapidly expanding markets."

For Wyndham, the Kota signing is part of a broader and consistent strategy of identifying Indian cities where demand is growing faster than quality supply, and planting a flag early. Kota fits that profile well.

Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), one of India’s leading hospitality groups, continues to strengthen its focus on sustainability and community impact through Paathya, its ESG+ framework.

Marking four years of this initiative, IHCL hosted the Bharat EkSaath Walkathon – Tamil Nadu edition, a 3-km walk that brought together associates, their families, partners, vendors, and members of the local community. The event was part of a larger global effort, held across multiple countries and locations at the same time, highlighting a shared commitment to responsible tourism.

The walkathon also contributed to a larger cause, with funds raised going towards the Taj Public Service Welfare Trust, further strengthening IHCL’s ongoing social impact efforts.

Teams from several IHCL properties across Tamil Nadu participated in the initiative, including Taj Coromandel, Taj Connemara, Taj Club House, Taj Fisherman’s Cove Resort & Spa Chennai, Taj Wellington Mews Chennai, Vivanta Chennai IT Expressway, Ginger Chennai (OMR, Vadapalani, IITM), TajSATS, Vivanta Coimbatore, Savoy Ooty – IHCL SeleQtions, Gateway Madurai, and Gateway Coonoor.

The walkathon began at the University of Madras and was flagged off by Dr. S. Armstrong, Vice-Chancellor Convener Committee, and Megalina Iden, DC Traffic - East. Participants followed a scenic route along Madras Beach Road before returning to the university campus.

The event wrapped up on a cheerful note with a breakfast gathering, followed by the distribution of medals and certificates, celebrating participation and the spirit of togetherness.

West Delhi's retail and entertainment landscape just got a meaningful addition. Pratham Group, a joint venture of Unity Group, HL Group, and RP Group, has officially launched City Centre-II in Sector 12, Dwarka, inaugurating the project with a special screening of Dhurandhar: The Revenge. It's a fitting opener for a destination that has entertainment at its core.

Designed as a neighbourhood-centric development, City Centre-II has been built around the everyday needs and lifestyle aspirations of Dwarka's growing residential community. The focus isn't on scale for its own sake but on relevance, proximity, and the kind of consistent daily engagement that makes a retail destination genuinely useful rather than just occasionally visited.

The centrepiece of the launch is Dwarka's first Cinépolis multiplex, featuring five state-of-the-art auditoriums with a combined seating capacity of over 750. For a micro-market that has long lacked organised entertainment infrastructure, this is a significant addition that positions City Centre-II as the primary leisure destination for the catchment.

The F&B mix reinforces that community-first intent. McDonald's, Starbucks, Café Delhi Heights, The Sanook Kitchen, Brick and Brew, Berco's, Scoop Wonder, and Tealive are all part of the lineup. McDonald's and Third Wave Coffee have already commenced operations, with the remaining outlets set to open in phases over the coming months.

Harsh Vardhan Bansal, Co-Founder of Unity Group and Vegas Mall, explained the thinking behind the project. "Neighbourhood retail today is no longer about scale; it's about relevance, accessibility, and everyday engagement. With City Centre-II, our focus is to create a destination that seamlessly integrates into the lifestyle of Dwarka's residents. The introduction of organised entertainment through Cinépolis India, along with a thoughtfully curated F&B mix, reflects a clear shift towards experience-led consumption within local catchments. We believe the future of retail lies in such hyperlocal ecosystems that combine convenience with quality, creating spaces that people don't just visit occasionally, but engage with consistently."

For Dwarka's residents, City Centre-II fills a gap that has been felt for a while. A proper multiplex, recognisable food brands, and a thoughtfully put-together destination within the neighbourhood is exactly the kind of infrastructure a growing residential micro-market needs.