Pradeep Shetty, President of FHRAI, Comments on Union Budget 2024's Impact on Hospitality Sector

Pradeep Shetty, President of FHRAI, Comments on Union Budget 2024's Impact on Hospitality Sector

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 24, 2024

The Union Budget 2024-25, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, was eagerly anticipated by the hospitality sector, especially in light of the Government of India's vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047. Pradeep Shetty, President of the Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), offers his perspective on the budget’s implications for the sector.

Comment by Pradeep Shetty:

"The hospitality sector has been pinning high hopes on the Union Budget for 2024-25 presented by Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman today, on the backdrop of the Government of India's stated vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047 and the critical role tourism industry holds in achieving it. However, there is nothing spectacular in the budget to bring structural changes to address the fundamental challenges it faces in a competitive world order and to accelerate the growth of the sector to be a $3 trillion economy by 2047.

Some key demands of tourism & hospitality to revitalise the sector such as GST rationalisation, granting of infrastructure status and bringing ease of doing business and policy reforms have not been considered in the budget once again, given the well-accepted multiplier effect of tourism on employment and economy. The hospitality sector is disappointed but not dejected as the overall focus on infrastructure development, employment generation, skill development, and development of religious tourism centres are the silver linings which will help the sector to tide over some of the critical challenges that it faces today. The focus of Budget 2024 on youth employment, skill development, and job creation are welcome initiatives. The industry has been facing a shortage of skilled workforce, especially in the hospitality sector.

It is also laudable that the Honourable Finance Minister's Budget speech highlights the Government's commitment to making India a premier global travel destination through targeted investment and strategic initiatives. Development of iconic spiritual sites along with the promotion of cruise and beach tourism can be helpful in attracting both domestic and international tourists."

While the Union Budget 2024-25 may not have met all the expectations of the hospitality sector, particularly regarding structural reforms and GST rationalization, it does offer positive elements such as infrastructure development, skill enhancement, and the promotion of tourism. These measures are expected to support the sector in overcoming current challenges and contribute to India's goal of becoming a leading global travel destination.


Espire Hospitality Posts Record FY26 Revenue of ₹14,106 Lakhs, EBITDA Grows 38%

Espire Hospitality Posts Record FY26 Revenue of ₹14,106 Lakhs, EBITDA Grows 38%

By Hariharan U

Published on June 30, 2026

Espire Hospitality Limited has reported its highest-ever financial performance for FY 2026, delivering strong growth across revenue, EBITDA, and profitability, driven by robust demand across leisure, spiritual, and business travel segments.

For FY 2026, the company posted revenue of ₹14,106 lakhs, marking a 17% increase over the previous year. EBITDA stood at ₹3,190 lakhs, reflecting a 38% growth, while Profit Before Tax (PBT) was ₹1,157 lakhs and Profit After Tax (PAT) stood at ₹812 lakhs.

The company also recorded its strongest quarterly performance in Q4 FY26, with revenue of ₹4,873 lakhs, up 19% year-on-year, and EBITDA of ₹1,096 lakhs, growing 34% over the same period last year. PBT for the quarter stood at ₹436 lakhs, while PAT came in at ₹422 lakhs.

Operationally, Espire Hospitality continued to outperform industry benchmarks. The company reported an Average Daily Rate (ADR) of ₹10,827 compared to the industry average of ₹8,792, and a RevPAR of ₹6,317 versus the industry average of ₹5,745, highlighting its strong pricing power and yield optimization strategy.

During Q4 FY26, the company added six new properties, contributing nearly 250 keys to its portfolio and strengthening its presence across leisure, pilgrimage, and business destinations in India.

A key highlight of the year was the commencement of an ultra-luxury resort project near Vrindavan, with an estimated investment of around ₹300 crore. The property will be operated by Marriott International under the JW Marriott brand, further strengthening the company’s luxury hospitality portfolio.

Espire Hospitality continues to operate across multiple brand segments, including Six Senses Fort Barwara in the ultra-luxury space, ZANA Luxury Escapes in boutique luxury, and Country Inn Hotels & Resorts in the midscale category. The diversified portfolio enables the company to serve multiple customer segments across India’s growing travel market.

The company also outlined a strong development pipeline, with plans to add over 1,000 keys annually over the next three years. Upcoming projects span key destinations including Bengaluru, Mussoorie, Gurugram, Goa, Jaipur, Varanasi, and several spiritual and leisure hubs.

Commenting on the performance, Managing Director & CEO Akhil Arora said FY26 marked a landmark year for the company, driven by record financial results, portfolio expansion, and operational excellence. He highlighted that Espire Hospitality is building a diversified platform across luxury, upscale, midscale, leisure, and spiritual travel segments.

He further added that the company is actively pursuing expansion across major business hubs such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune, and Noida, while also strengthening its presence in spiritual destinations like Varanasi, Rishikesh, and Haridwar, as well as leisure destinations including Goa, Darjeeling, and Ooty.

With strong financial performance, an expanding portfolio, and a robust development pipeline, Espire Hospitality enters FY 2027 with significant growth momentum and a clear focus on scaling its presence across India’s hospitality landscape.


Omaxe Launches Hospitality Vertical with ₹6,200 Crore Investment Plan Across 19 Hotels

Omaxe Launches Hospitality Vertical with ₹6,200 Crore Investment Plan Across 19 Hotels

By Hariharan U

Published on June 30, 2026

Omaxe, one of India’s leading real estate developers, has announced its entry into the hospitality sector with the launch of a dedicated business vertical. The company plans to invest approximately ₹6,200 crore over the next 4–5 years to develop 19 hotels across five states, spanning nearly 5 million sq. ft.

The hospitality portfolio will be developed across high-growth urban centres, pilgrimage destinations, and transit corridors, and will be integrated with Omaxe’s existing townships, mixed-use developments, and commercial projects. The expansion is expected to strengthen the company’s recurring revenue stream while enhancing its integrated development strategy.

Out of the planned 19 hotels, 12 will be located in Uttar Pradesh across cities including Ayodhya, Lucknow, Prayagraj, Ghaziabad, Gorakhpur, Kaushambi, and Vrindavan. Additional projects are planned in New Delhi, Faridabad, and Ujjain, along with four hotels across Chandigarh, Amritsar, and Ludhiana. Overall, Omaxe will establish a presence across 13 cities in five states.

A key highlight of the portfolio is a 158-key Gateway Hotel by IHCL at The Omaxe State in Dwarka, New Delhi. The project is being developed as part of a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with the Delhi Development Authority (DDA). The company is also developing transit-oriented hospitality infrastructure in Uttar Pradesh in collaboration with UPSRTC.

Speaking on the expansion, Mohit Goel, Managing Director of Omaxe Ltd., said hospitality is a natural extension of the company’s integrated development strategy. He noted that rising connectivity, religious tourism, and growing travel demand across emerging markets are driving the need for quality hospitality infrastructure.

The planned portfolio will cater to multiple segments including business travel, leisure tourism, destination weddings, MICE activities, and religious tourism. It will include midscale, upscale, luxury hotels, pilgrimage properties, and serviced apartments tailored to local demand dynamics.

Omaxe stated that the hospitality business has the potential to generate approximately ₹1,000 crore in annual revenue once stabilized, subject to execution, occupancy levels, and market conditions. The company is also in advanced discussions with leading hospitality operators for branding and management partnerships.

With this move, Omaxe joins a growing list of real estate developers diversifying into hospitality to leverage integrated urban ecosystems and rising tourism demand across India


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.”

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