Sterling Holiday Resorts has announced the opening of Sterling Nirmaya Dharamshala, a contemporary Himalayan retreat overlooking the Kangra Valley and the majestic Dhauladhar ranges. The launch marks Sterling’s sixth resort in Himachal Pradesh, reinforcing the brand’s growing presence in North India’s leisure travel market.

Designed as a celebration-led mountain retreat, Sterling Nirmaya Dharamshala blends scenic Himalayan living with a strong focus on food, social experiences and relaxed gatherings. Perched above the valley, the resort offers an inviting setting for family holidays, intimate celebrations and group getaways.

The resort features well-appointed rooms and suites, each designed with a private sit-out that allows guests to enjoy crisp mountain air and uninterrupted views of the surrounding landscape. A rooftop infinity swimming pool and thoughtfully curated common spaces further enhance opportunities for relaxation and connection.

Food and beverage experiences form a key part of the resort’s offering. Mezban, the all-day dining restaurant, serves a mix of Indian favourites, Himachali-inspired flavours and global classics. Ignis, the rooftop bar, sets the tone for sundowners and starlit evenings against sweeping Himalayan views. The property also includes Summit, a flexible event space suited for meetings, workshops and intimate celebrations.

Commenting on the launch, Vikram Lalvani, Managing Director & CEO, Sterling Holiday Resorts, said,

“Sterling Nirmaya Dharamshala is a strategic addition to our Himachal Pradesh portfolio, strengthening our ability to offer immersive, multi-destination journeys across the state. Dharamshala plays a pivotal role in connecting our presence across Himachal, enabling curated circuits that combine culture, spirituality, leisure and the outdoors, delivered with the consistency of the Sterling experience.”

Located just minutes from McLeod Ganj, the resort provides easy access to local monasteries, bustling markets and outdoor experiences such as the Triund trek, Bhagsu Waterfall, and day-long excursions to Bir–Billing, one of the world’s leading paragliding destinations.

Speaking on the association, Nitasha Jamwal, Managing Director of Nirmaya, said,

“Our vision for Dharamshala was to create a retreat that brings a spectrum of guests from across India, while we offer them refined hospitality in the lap of Himalayas. Partnering with Sterling is natural choice, their deep understanding of India’s leisure segment, regional presence, and ability to blend local character with national scale make them an ideal collaborator. Together, we hope to present Dharamshala not just as a destination, but as a feeling of content and renewal.”

With the launch of Sterling Nirmaya Dharamshala, Sterling Holiday Resorts continues to strengthen its portfolio of curated leisure destinations, enabling travellers to experience connected journeys across India while maintaining consistent comfort, service standards and regional authenticity.

Dr. Jyotsna Suri, Chairperson and Managing Director of The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group, has been honoured with the prestigious Vande Mataram Vande Virasat Award by His Excellency Dr. C. V. Ananda Bose, Hon’ble Governor of West Bengal. The award recognises her exemplary contribution to India’s hospitality sector and her sustained efforts towards promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).

The recognition highlights Dr. Suri’s visionary leadership and her role in shaping a progressive, people-first hospitality ecosystem in India. Under her stewardship, The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group has emerged as a leader in luxury hospitality while setting industry benchmarks for inclusive growth, gender equity, and LGBTQ+ inclusion.

A strong advocate for equitable workplaces, Dr. Suri has consistently championed initiatives aimed at empowering women and marginalised communities. By embedding DEI as a core organisational value, she has helped transform internal corporate culture while also influencing wider industry practices across the country.

Presenting the award, Governor Dr. C. V. Ananda Bose acknowledged Dr. Suri’s contribution to nation-building through hospitality and her efforts in fostering an inclusive and equitable industry framework.

Accepting the honour, Dr. Jyotsna Suri expressed gratitude for the recognition and reaffirmed her commitment to building a hospitality ecosystem rooted in diversity, equity, and meaningful social impact.

The award further strengthens Dr. Suri’s legacy as a transformative leader whose work continues to elevate Indian hospitality on both national and global platforms.

Eight Continents Hotels & Resorts, a luxury hospitality and hotel management group known for its design-led and experience-focused properties, has outlined an ambitious roadmap to expand its portfolio to 50 hotels by 2030. The structured growth plan aims to strengthen the brand’s footprint across India’s high-potential pilgrimage, leisure, wildlife and business travel destinations.

The group plans to add 20 new properties by 2029, with developments spread across key spiritual centres, leisure hotspots, metro cities and emerging tier-two markets. This expansion aligns with the rising demand for experiential stays and the steady growth of domestic travel across the country.

Currently operating brands such as Ocho Homes, Hanric, Treetop and Stamps, Eight Continents focuses on boutique properties that blend distinctive design, cultural authenticity and personalised service. With operations spanning India, the UK and East Africa, the group continues to cater to modern travellers seeking meaningful and immersive hospitality experiences.

As part of its expansion, Eight Continents will strengthen its presence in prominent pilgrimage destinations including Vrindavan, Ayodhya, Shirdi and Ujjain. The brand is also targeting leisure and wildlife locations such as Udaipur, Gir, Corbett, Varkala and Jaisalmer. In addition, major commercial and business hubs like Gurgaon, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad are included in the growth plan, along with select high-potential tier-two cities.

The expansion strategy is supported by strong domestic travel trends. Pilgrimage tourism has recorded a significant rise in bookings, while tier-two cities are emerging as important demand centres due to better infrastructure, improved connectivity and the decentralisation of business activity.

Eight Continents will follow a phased market-entry approach aligned with demand maturity, return potential and brand fit. By 2028, the group plans to consolidate its presence across structurally strong pilgrimage markets with around 10 hotels. By 2029, it aims to expand further into leisure and nature-driven destinations with another 10 properties. By 2030, the portfolio is expected to scale up to 50 hotels through focused entry into metropolitan and business centres.

Commenting on the announcement, Richa Adhia, Managing Director, Eight Continents Hotels & Resorts, said, "Our focus remains on building a balanced, resilient platform that combines emotion-led luxury with disciplined growth. Each phase of our expansion is designed to strengthen Eight Continents' positioning as a credible, future-ready national hospitality brand."

India remains central to the group’s global growth strategy, with the hospitality market viewed as a long-term engine for expansion. The roadmap builds on the company’s recent momentum, marked by the launch of Stampy by Eight Continents in Pushkar, Stamps by Eight Continents in Jodhpur, and new Ocho Homes properties in Belfast and Navi Mumbai. Through focused brand-building and market-led growth, Eight Continents aims to contribute meaningfully to the next phase of experiential luxury hospitality in India.