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By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Published on March 4, 2026
Loca Loka, the premium 100% agave tequila brand co-founded by Rana Daggubati, Anirudh Ravichander and Sree Harsha Vadlamudi, has officially launched in Bengaluru. After establishing its presence in Delhi and Mumbai, the brand now brings its Blanco and Reposado expressions to one of India’s most dynamic and premium-focused markets.
The move reflects Loca Loka’s steady and market-driven expansion approach. While tequila is still an emerging category in India, it is one of the fastest-growing white spirits globally, supported by rising cocktail culture, increasing urban spending, and a growing preference for craft-led, quality spirits. Bengaluru, with its strong food and beverage culture and globally exposed audience, fits naturally into this growth story.
For Rana Daggubati, the city holds personal meaning beyond business. “I’ve always admired Bengaluru’s energy,” he said. “There’s a balance here that’s ambitious yet grounded, global yet deeply rooted, artisanal yet uncompromising on quality. That duality mirrors Loca Loka. We’re inspired by authentic Mexican craft, but we’re building something that resonates with the modern global consumer, including India. The city’s creative and entrepreneurial spirit aligns naturally with the brand.”
Loca Loka first launched in highly competitive global markets, earning awards and strong consumer response. The brand is currently available in key cities across the US and has expanded into Singapore, the Philippines, and Indonesia. Structured entries into the UK and the UAE are underway as part of its international roadmap. The next phase will focus on strengthening distribution across North America, the Middle East, Europe, and select Asian hubs. New variants are also in development, including aged expressions, limited collaborations, and special editions celebrating artisanal legacies of both India and Mexico. Since its India debut late last year, the brand has seen strong demand, with batches consistently selling out.
“Bengaluru represents a strong alignment of consumer maturity, premium appetite, and trade sophistication,” said Sree Harsha Vadlamudi, Co-Founder & CEO, Loca Loka. “Our expansion strategy has never been about rapid geographic width. It’s about entering markets where distribution quality, pricing architecture, and consumer readiness converge. Bengaluru’s on-trade community understands agave, values craft and appreciates brand storytelling. That ecosystem makes it an ideal city for the next phase of our growth.”
Positioned as a founder-led and equity-backed venture, Loca Loka has focused on selective distribution, bartender engagement, and experience-led education. This approach aims to shift tequila consumption from quick shots to sipping quality and mixology versatility.
Highlighting the cultural connect, Anirudh Ravichander added, “Bengaluru has one of the most organic music communities in the country. It’s not just about large stages, but about intimate spaces where culture evolves. There’s a certain rhythm to this city that is layered, collaborative, constantly in motion. For us, tequila is as much about atmosphere as it is about the liquid itself. The way Bengaluru brings people together across art, nightlife, and ideas, makes it a natural fit for Loca Loka.”
Globally, premium tequila continues to see strong growth, with premium and super-premium variants driving value. In India, evolving urban lifestyles and cocktail-forward bars are creating space for quality agave brands to build long-term presence. Loca Loka’s Bengaluru rollout will include curated trade engagements, bartender collaborations, and selective placements across leading premium hotels, bars, restaurants, and retail stores in the city.
Currently, the brand is available in two expressions: Loca Loka Blanco, known for its bright agave notes, citrus freshness, and clean peppery finish; and Loca Loka Reposado, aged in oak barrels for layered warmth and a rounded mouthfeel and also, a new chapter is about to unfold as Loca Loka prepares to introduce its much-awaited Añejo expression.
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Published on March 24, 2026
Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) is celebrating four years of its Taj InnerCircle with NeuPass loyalty programme, inviting guests to enjoy memorable travel experiences and exclusive benefits across its hotel network.
Marking the milestone, the company has introduced special anniversary offers designed to give members more value during their stays. The initiative reflects IHCL’s continued focus on creating smooth and rewarding experiences for its guests across different brands.
Mr. Parveen Chander Kumar, Executive Vice President – Commercial, IHCL said, “Taj InnerCircle and NeuPass represent our commitment to creating thoughtful and seamless experiences across IHCL’s brandscape. As the programme completes four years, we are delighted to celebrate this journey with our members through specially curated anniversary offerings.”
As part of the celebrations, members can avail 20% savings on breakfast-inclusive stays, dining at in-house restaurants, and wellness services such as spa therapies and salon treatments. In addition, guests will also have the opportunity to earn 2X NeuCoins on bookings and eligible spends during their stay.
These benefits are available across IHCL’s portfolio, including Taj, Claridges Collection, SeleQtions, Gateway, Vivanta, Ginger, Tree of Life and amã Stays & Trails, giving members a wide range of experiences to choose from.
The offer is valid on stays booked between 20th March and 20th April 2026, for travel until 30th September 2026 across participating hotels.
With this celebration, IHCL continues to strengthen its loyalty programme by offering meaningful benefits, encouraging guests to explore more destinations while enjoying added value and comfort.
Published on March 23, 2026
FLY91 has completed two years of operations, marking a key milestone in its regional aviation journey. Since its launch in March 2024, the airline has flown over 4,81,802 passengers across India’s growing network of regional routes.
The Goa-headquartered airline has focused on improving connectivity between underserved cities, responding to the rising demand for direct travel options beyond major metro routes. Over the past two years, FLY91 has operated 9,569 flights and recorded 12,896 flying hours, steadily building its presence in the regional aviation space.
FLY91 began its operations on March 18, 2024, with its first flight connecting Manohar International Airport to Bengaluru, marking its entry into India’s aviation market. The airline currently operates from its main base at Manohar International Airport, Mopa, along with a secondary hub in Hyderabad.
Its network now covers nine destinations, including Goa, Pune, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kochi, Sindhudurg, Solapur, Agatti, and Jalgaon. The airline plans to expand this network to 15 destinations, strengthening its reach across emerging regional markets.
Operating as a regional airline, FLY91 uses ATR 72-600 aircraft, which are suited for short-haul routes and efficient connectivity. The airline has also grown its fleet to six aircraft, supporting its expansion plans.
Manoj Chacko, Founder, Managing Director and CEO of FLY91, said, “Completing two years of operations is a meaningful milestone for our team and partners. When we launched, the objective was clear: to connect underserved cities and enable easier, faster travel for people who often had limited options. The response from passengers across our network has been extremely encouraging. As we grow, our focus will remain on measured growth, disciplined expansion, operational reliability and building a regional airline that communities can depend on.”
The airline has seen strong demand on routes connecting smaller industrial centres with larger cities, with the Jalgaon–Pune route emerging as one of its busiest sectors.
Looking ahead, FLY91 plans to add more destinations such as Rajahmundry, Vijayawada, Hubballi, Nanded, Dabolim, and Indore. This expansion aligns with the broader push to strengthen regional connectivity in India, supporting better mobility and economic growth across smaller cities.
With steady growth and a clear focus on regional routes, FLY91 continues to build its position in India’s evolving aviation landscape.
By Hariharan U
West Delhi has been underserved when it comes to quality organised retail and dining, and DLF Malls is doing something about that. DLF Midtown Plaza has opened in Moti Nagar, New Delhi, as a neighbourhood-focused retail and lifestyle destination that's designed to be walked to, not driven to as an occasional outing.
The plaza is part of the larger DLF Midtown ecosystem and already has a solid retail foundation in place. Crossword Bookstores, Nykaa Luxe, and Kama Ayurveda are up and running, giving the destination an immediate character that feels lifestyle-led rather than purely transactional. These aren't filler brands: they're the kind of names that draw regular visitors and create a sense of community around the space.
The more exciting part is what's coming next. A curated F&B lineup is set to open in phases over the coming months, and the roster is genuinely strong. Anardana, Aku's, Caffè Tonino, CBTL, Dasaprakash, Dohful, Draavin Canteen, Mount Fuji, and Underdoggs will bring a mix of destination dining, neighbourhood cafes, and social hangout formats to a micro-market that has historically had limited access to organised eating-out options. For residents of the Midtown development and the wider West and Central Delhi catchment, this is a meaningful change.
The residential foundation around the plaza is substantial. The DLF Midtown ecosystem comprises Capital Greens I, II, and III alongside DLF ONE Midtown, the recently delivered luxury condominium featuring four elegant towers with over 900 well-appointed apartments overlooking nearly 128 acres of green surroundings. Together, these communities house more than 3,500 families, providing a strong and immediate catchment for the plaza's offerings.
The broader vision behind DLF Midtown Plaza reflects a shift in how urban retail is being thought about in India. Rather than building large-scale destinations that require planned visits, the focus here is on everyday convenience and lifestyle value within walking distance of where people live. Cafes, bookstores, dining, and essential services all within one integrated neighbourhood hub is an idea that makes increasing sense as Indian cities grow denser and residents look for quality closer to home.
With the plaza now open and more brands set to activate in the coming months, DLF Midtown is steadily becoming the kind of fully integrated neighbourhood that West Delhi has been waiting for.
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