EkoStay has expanded its premium private villa portfolio across Maharashtra and Karnataka, introducing a range of new boutique stays ahead of the monsoon travel season. The latest additions strengthen the brand's presence in some of India's most sought-after drive-to leisure destinations and nature-focused getaway locations.

The newly launched and recently added properties include Vana Mora in Nashik, Wada Crest in Wada, Casa Elara in Igatpuri, Casa Bella in Lonavala, and Forest Cube Villa in Chikmagalur. The expansion reflects EkoStay's focus on offering design-led private stays that combine comfort, privacy, and immersive experiences close to nature.

Each property offers a unique stay experience. Wada Crest is a 3BHK villa designed for wellness retreats and intimate group getaways, featuring a private pool and spacious outdoor areas. Casa Elara in Igatpuri offers a luxury 5BHK experience surrounded by mountain views, while Casa Bella in Lonavala is a large-format villa spread across a 10,000 sq. ft. garden, making it ideal for celebrations and group stays.

In Karnataka, Forest Cube Villa marks EkoStay's growing presence in South India's experiential travel market. Located amidst the coffee plantations of Chikmagalur, the villa blends contemporary design with a peaceful forest setting, offering guests a relaxing nature-inspired escape.

The expansion comes as more travellers opt for private villas, nature stays, and short driveable holidays instead of traditional hotel stays, especially during the monsoon season.

Speaking about the expansion, Varun Arora, CEO & Co-Founder, EkoStay, said, "Over the last few years, we have seen a very visible shift in the way people travel, especially during monsoon and short leisure breaks. Travellers today are looking for experiences that feel more private, immersive and emotionally connected to the destination itself rather than simply transactional stays. Maharashtra and Karnataka continue to emerge as very strong leisure markets because they offer accessibility, natural beauty and year-round travel demand, especially from urban audiences looking for quick but meaningful escapes.

"With properties like Casa Bella, Casa Elara, Wada Crest and Forest Cube, our focus has been on creating hospitality experiences that combine comfort, design, privacy and a strong sense of place. Every property has its own personality, whether it is a forest-facing retreat, a luxury celebration villa or a peaceful countryside escape. As a brand, we are consciously building a portfolio that feels experiential rather than standardised."

Husain Khatumdi, Managing Director & Co-Founder, added, "The demand for professionally managed private villas has evolved tremendously in recent years. Guests today are not only seeking luxury, but also reliability, operational consistency and curated hospitality experiences. Our expansion strategy is focused on identifying destinations that have strong long-term leisure potential and building a high-quality villa ecosystem around them. We believe the future of hospitality lies in highly personalised stay experiences that still maintain strong operational standards."

Commenting on operations, Sohail Mirchandani, COO & Co-Founder, said, "As we continue expanding across multiple destinations, a strong operational backbone becomes extremely important. We have been heavily investing in standardisation, SOP-led execution, guest servicing systems and internal operational processes to ensure that the experience remains consistent across every EkoStay property. Scaling boutique hospitality successfully requires both emotional hospitality and strong backend systems working together."

Speaking about the company's destination strategy, Zishan Khan said, "One of our biggest focus areas has been identifying destinations and properties that have strong experiential value and long-term hospitality relevance. Whether it is a misty coffee estate in Chikmagalur, a scenic villa in Igatpuri or a luxury celebration property in Lonavala, we look at how travellers emotionally connect with a destination. Beyond acquiring inventory, our larger vision is to build highly curated villa clusters that deliver memorable stay experiences while also helping homeowners professionally monetise their properties."

ITC Hotels recently hosted an exclusive evening celebrating Indian classical music under its WelcomArt initiative, featuring Grammy Award-winning maestro Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt in collaboration with the Prabha Khaitan Foundation.

Held at ITC Maurya in New Delhi, the event brought together patrons of art, culture, media, and hospitality for an intimate musical showcase that highlighted India's rich classical music traditions.

WelcomArt is ITC Hotels' cultural initiative aimed at promoting India's artistic heritage through curated experiences spanning music, literature, visual arts, and traditional crafts. The programme provides a platform for renowned artists while offering guests immersive cultural experiences.

Speaking on the occasion, Anil Chadha, Managing Director, ITC Hotels Limited, said Indian classical music represents centuries of cultural tradition and creative expression. He added that WelcomArt seeks to bring audiences closer to India's diverse art forms while celebrating the contributions of maestros whose work continues to inspire generations.

Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt is internationally recognised as the creator of the Mohan Veena, an instrument developed by adapting the Western archtop guitar to the traditions of Hindustani classical music. His pioneering work has earned him global acclaim, including a Grammy Award, and has helped introduce Indian classical music to audiences around the world.

Commenting on the evening, Amaan R. Kidwai, Area Manager – Luxury Hotels (North) and General Manager, ITC Maurya, said the performance created an atmosphere of reflection and appreciation, bringing together discerning audiences through music, conversation, and shared cultural experiences. He noted that the event reflected WelcomArt's vision of fostering deeper engagement with India's artistic legacy.

Through initiatives such as WelcomArt, ITC Hotels continues to create platforms that celebrate India's cultural heritage while strengthening the connection between hospitality and the arts.

Khyber Group has launched Khyber Aquaculture, India's largest fully integrated Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS)-based Himalayan trout farming facility in Kashmir. The project is aimed at strengthening the region's trout industry by combining advanced aquaculture technology with local farming communities to create a sustainable and export-focused ecosystem.

Located on the banks of the River Sindh in Akhal, Kangan, Ganderbal district, the facility spans eight acres and has been developed with an investment of over ₹100 crore. Built on a technology-driven model, the farm reuses and recycles water through RAS technology, enabling year-round trout production in a climate-controlled environment.

The facility currently has an annual production capacity of 1,500 metric tonnes, which is expected to increase to 7,000 metric tonnes over the next three to five years. Its hatchery can produce up to 20 million fingerlings every year, supporting the long-term growth of trout farming in the region.

Commenting on the launch, Mr Umar Tramboo, CMD, Khyber Aquaculture, said, "Our technologically superior facility is an expansion of cold-water aquaculture in Jammu and Kashmir. Our cluster model is designed to integrate production, hatcheries, processing and supply chains while supporting more than 300 local farmers under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), through modern aquaculture systems and market access."

The integrated project includes in-house production, processing, and packaging facilities and is expected to create more than 3,000 indirect livelihood opportunities across the region. It has been designed to combine modern aquaculture practices with Kashmir's natural environment, promoting climate-resilient and sustainable fish farming.

Sharing the broader vision for the project, Mr Tramboo added, "It has taken us over 5 years to be completely ready. But the wait was worth it. With this launch, we plan to revolutionise India's aquaculture sector, introducing new standards for fish health and operational control. We want to be known as a platform for scaling trout farming with data-driven systems and localised adaptation."

Khyber Aquaculture uses American and Danish-bred eyed ova (eggs) along with precision-controlled systems from Denmark, France, and Germany. These technologies are designed to improve fish survival rates by 25–30%, lower feed conversion ratios (FCR), and reduce pathogen exposure while meeting international quality and export standards.

The fully integrated processing unit uses hyper-hygienic cleaning systems and Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) technology to extend the shelf life of trout to 10 days when chilled and six months when frozen. Fresh, chilled, and frozen products are expected to be available from FY Q3 2025.

The facility also maintains water temperatures between 10°C and 14°C, while continuous oxygen injection keeps dissolved oxygen levels at 8–12 mg/L, creating ideal conditions for healthy trout production.

As part of its sustainability strategy, the company has implemented water recirculation, biosecurity measures, responsible feed management, waste management, and environmental monitoring systems. The use of RAS technology significantly reduces freshwater consumption while improving fish health and production efficiency.

Looking ahead, Khyber Aquaculture plans to strengthen both domestic and international market linkages by leveraging Kashmir's natural advantages and the growing demand for premium, traceable, and sustainably farmed seafood.

The processing facility combines Himalayan glacial water with Danish, French, and Swedish technology, supported by IoT-enabled, zero-waste farming systems and advanced cold-chain infrastructure.

According to IMARC Group, India's trout market reached 4,698.7 tonnes in 2025 and is projected to grow to 7,964.7 tonnes by 2034, registering a CAGR of 5.86% during 2026–2034. Rising consumer awareness of trout's nutritional benefits, increasing demand for high-protein and omega-3-rich foods, and government support for aquaculture are expected to drive this growth.