Kerala Explores Tourism and Hospitality University: A Boost for Skills and Growth

Kerala Explores Tourism and Hospitality University: A Boost for Skills and Growth

By Author

Published on October 14, 2023

In a significant move for Kerala's tourism industry, the state government is actively considering the establishment of a dedicated Tourism and Hospitality University. The idea was unveiled by Kerala’s Tourism Minister, P.A. Mohamed Riyas, during a recent event at the Kerala Institute of Tourism and Travel Studies (KITTS) in preparation for World Tourism Day. The proposed university aims to harness the immense potential of the thriving tourism sector, streamlining it with food craft and hospitality institutes.

Kerala’s tourism industry is on the verge of remarkable growth, driven by the increasing influx of domestic and international travelers. As such, the state’s Tourism Department is committed to bolstering its workforce by focusing on skill development. Notably, KITTS plays a pivotal role in ensuring that its graduates are well-equipped to meet the demands of the ever-expanding tourism sector.

The objective is to bridge the gap in the hospitality and tourism industry by fostering a skilled workforce that meets international standards. With such a university, students can expect high-quality training aligned with the latest industry trends. By combining various institutions for tourism studies and providing training that matches international benchmarks, Kerala seeks to produce highly capable professionals who can seamlessly integrate into the rapidly growing sector.

This proactive approach is in response to the immense potential offered by the tourism sector. The proposed university also offers opportunities to strengthen the coordination between KITTS, the Hospitality Institute in Kannur, and the Food Craft Institutes in various districts. By creating synergy among these institutions, students can benefit from a comprehensive educational experience, preparing them for the diverse roles within the tourism industry.

While the financial implications and potential challenges are being examined, the establishment of a dedicated Tourism and Hospitality University could be a significant milestone for education in the field, potentially marking India’s first such varsity. The initiative is expected to offer a range of diploma and degree courses.

Ultimately, the proposed Tourism and Hospitality University seeks to meet the growing demands of the tourism sector, thereby ensuring that the state remains at the forefront of hospitality and tourism education.


Papa Johns India Celebrates Father’s Day with Interactive Pizza-Making Experience

Papa Johns India Celebrates Father’s Day with Interactive Pizza-Making Experience

By Hariharan U

Published on June 21, 2026

Papa Johns India marked Father’s Day with a unique and interactive celebration, hosting a special pizza-making experience for fathers and their children at its Hennur and Kasturi Nagar outlets in Bengaluru on June 21, 2026.

Designed to encourage meaningful family bonding, the event brought together registered father-child duos for a hands-on culinary session where participants created their own pizzas under the guidance of Papa Johns chefs. The initiative aimed to transform a traditional dining experience into an engaging activity centred around togetherness and shared memories.

During the event, participants wore branded aprons and caps while learning the art of pizza-making from scratch. The experience also featured Father’s Day-themed games, instant photography sessions, Polaroid keepsakes, and interactive activities designed to make the celebration memorable for families.

Commenting on the initiative, Prashant Mehta, Director of Papa Johns India, said the brand views Father’s Day as an opportunity to celebrate family connections and create meaningful experiences beyond dining. He noted that the event was designed to bring families together through teamwork, creativity, and shared moments in the kitchen.

The sessions concluded with pizza tasting, trivia activities, and group photographs, allowing participants to enjoy the creations they made together.

Through this experience-led activation, Papa Johns India continues to strengthen customer engagement while showcasing the craftsmanship, quality ingredients, and preparation techniques that define its pizzas. The initiative reflects the brand’s growing focus on creating memorable in-store experiences that connect customers with the food and the people they share it with.

Operated in India by PJP Foods India Private Limited under the Ambrosia QSR platform, Papa Johns India continues to expand its presence through dine-in, takeaway, and delivery formats while staying true to its global promise of “Better Ingredients. Better Pizza.”


Summit Hotels Begins FY2026-27 with Nearly 40% Growth, Driven by Sikkim and Darjeeling Demand

Summit Hotels Begins FY2026-27 with Nearly 40% Growth, Driven by Sikkim and Darjeeling Demand

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on June 14, 2026

Summit Hotels & Resorts has started FY2026-27 on a strong note, reporting nearly 40% growth in business during April and May. The company attributes the performance to continued demand for leisure travel in the Eastern Himalayas and the growing preference among travellers for established regional hospitality brands.

During the first two months of the financial year, the hospitality group sold more than 37,000 room nights, with occupancy across its portfolio reaching 78.9%. Average room rates also crossed ₹6,000, highlighting stronger pricing power across several key destinations.

The growth comes despite a temporary slowdown in travel activity in parts of eastern India during the West Bengal Assembly election period. According to the company, destinations across Sikkim and the Darjeeling Hills were the strongest contributors to performance, supported by repeat guests and rising demand for premium mountain getaways.

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Commenting on the performance, Sumit Mitruka, CEO, Summit Hotels & Resorts, said, "We entered the year expecting healthy demand, but the pace of bookings has been stronger than anticipated. What stands out is not just the occupancy but the ability of travellers to continue choosing these destinations despite temporary disruptions. The appetite for experiential leisure travel remains strong, and we are seeing that translate into both room revenue and higher spending within our hotels."

Alongside room revenues, the company also reported healthy growth in food and beverage sales during the period. Guest review scores remained among the highest across its operating markets, reflecting strong customer satisfaction levels.

Building on this momentum, Summit Hotels is now expanding its business model beyond its owned and managed properties in the Eastern Himalayas. The company is actively seeking partnerships with independent hotels, boutique resorts, heritage properties, wildlife lodges, and spiritual retreat destinations across India.

The initiative is designed for hotel owners looking to benefit from organised distribution channels and professional revenue management while retaining ownership and operational control of their properties.

Unlike conventional affiliation models that often require significant upfront investments, Summit's partnership approach focuses on shared growth. Partner properties can maintain their individual identity while gaining access to the company's central reservation system, revenue management expertise, digital marketing support, technology platforms, and hospitality manpower network.

Having completed 18 years in the hospitality industry, Summit believes significant opportunities exist within India's large independent hotel sector, where many properties have strong local appeal but limited access to organised brand support and distribution systems.

With booking momentum continuing into June and advance reservations already nearing last year's levels, the company remains optimistic about sustained demand across leisure and destination travel markets in the coming quarters.


Suba Hotels Ltd Reports Record ₹115.89 Cr Revenue in FY26, Expands to 100+ Hotels

Suba Hotels Ltd Reports Record ₹115.89 Cr Revenue in FY26, Expands to 100+ Hotels

By Hariharan U

Published on June 12, 2026

Suba Hotels Limited (NSE – SME: SUBAHOTELS) has announced its audited financial results for the year ended March 31, 2026, reporting its strongest-ever annual performance alongside significant expansion across its hotel portfolio.

The company’s total revenue rose to ₹115.89 crore in FY26, marking a 45% year-on-year growth. EBITDA increased by 13% to ₹26.82 crore, while Profit After Tax (PAT) stood at ₹18.01 crore, reflecting a 19% rise compared to FY25.

Commenting on the performance, Managing Director Mansur Mehta said FY26 has been a landmark year for the company, driven by strong execution and expansion across markets. Suba Hotels expanded its presence to over 102 operational hotels, 4,660+ keys, and 73 destinations during the year.

He highlighted that one of the company’s key strengths lies in its ability to operate across all five hospitality business models management contracts, revenue sharing, franchising, asset ownership, and hybrid structures, making Suba Hotels one of the few hospitality players in India with such a diversified operational framework.

This flexibility allows us to partner with hotel owners effectively and accelerate expansion across segments,” he said.

CEO Mubeen Mehta noted that the scale achieved in FY26 reflects the strength of the company’s operating platform and execution capabilities. He added that revenue growth was supported by network expansion and improved business volumes across brands.

He also pointed out that EBITDA and PAT margins were impacted due to changes in the GST framework, which led to the loss of input tax credit benefits on certain operating expenses, increasing the overall cost base.

Looking ahead, the company plans to continue expanding through asset-light models, improving operational efficiency, and strengthening its presence in high-growth markets. With a strong pipeline and over 100 hotels already operational, Suba Hotels remains confident of sustaining its growth trajectory.

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