Pride Hotels Expands into India's Pilgrimage Sites to Cater to Spiritual Travellers

Pride Hotels Expands into India's Pilgrimage Sites to Cater to Spiritual Travellers

By Author

Published on March 7, 2024

Pride Hotels Group is embarking on a significant expansion to tap into India's flourishing spiritual tourism market, planning to open new properties at various pilgrimage sites across the country. This strategic move is designed to accommodate the increasing influx of domestic and international travellers embarking on spiritual journeys, with the tourism sector experiencing a notable 40% growth, as reported by The Economic Times.

The expansion will see the launch of Pride Resort Ambaji and Pride Comfort Dwarka in Gujarat, alongside planned developments in key spiritual hubs such as Haldwani, Puri, Ranakpur, Rishikesh, and Rudraprayag. These locations have been carefully selected to meet the unique needs of modern pilgrims, blending spiritual significance with the comforts and amenities of modern hospitality.

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Pride Hotels Group, which currently operates in 28 locations nationwide, has set an ambitious goal to introduce 40 new hotels, enriching its portfolio across various market segments. The group's diverse brand offerings cater to a wide range of travellers: Pride Plaza targets the luxury segment, Pride Hotels offers upscale services, Pride Resorts provides leisure and vacation experiences, and Biznotel by Pride is tailored to meet the needs of the smart business traveller.

Senior Vice-President of Pride Hotels Group, Atul Upadhyay, emphasised the company's commitment to faith-based tourism, stating, "Our expansion into the realm of faith-based tourism underscores our commitment to excellence and our responsiveness to the changing desires of today’s pilgrims."

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The announcement comes on the heels of the successful launch of Pride Biznotel Canopus Digha in West Bengal last year, marking the brand's debut in the coastal town. The property boasts a range of amenities, including a fitness centre, a swimming pool, and 1,500ft² of meeting space, further showcasing Pride Hotels' commitment to enhancing the travel experience for guests across India.

This expansion into pilgrimage sites reflects a growing demand for sustainable and culturally enriching travel options, highlighting Pride Hotels Group's innovative approach to catering to the evolving preferences of today's travellers. As the company extends its footprint into these sacred destinations, it aims to offer unparalleled hospitality experiences that resonate with the spiritual and cultural heritage of each location.


Hyatt Hotels to Sell Playa’s Real Estate Portfolio for $2 Billion

Hyatt Hotels to Sell Playa’s Real Estate Portfolio for $2 Billion

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 5, 2025

Hyatt Hotels is doubling down on its asset-light strategy with a major move—selling Playa Hotels’ real estate portfolio to Tortuga Resorts for $2 billion. This follows Hyatt’s acquisition of Playa in February for $2.6 billion, including debt. Playa operates 24 luxury all-inclusive resorts across Mexico, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic.

The sale covers 15 of Playa’s resort assets, effectively reducing Hyatt’s net purchase price for the remaining Playa business to around $555 million. The deal, still pending regulatory nods in Mexico, is expected to close before the end of 2025.

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As part of the arrangement, Hyatt and Tortuga will enter into 50-year agreements for these properties, allowing Hyatt to continue managing the resorts. Thirteen of the resorts will operate under Hyatt’s standard management fee structures, with two under separate agreements.

Hyatt CEO Mark Hoplamazian called the move transformational, noting it turns the Playa acquisition into a fully asset-light transaction. "It also ramps up our fee-based earnings," he added. Hyatt now anticipates its asset-light earnings mix could hit at least 90% by 2027.

Analysts view the swift real estate divestment positively, seeing it as a smart way for Hyatt to stay nimble while bolstering returns. Proceeds from this deal will primarily go toward repaying loans taken to finance the Playa buyout.


Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach Earns Green Key Certification

Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach Earns Green Key Certification

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 5, 2025

Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach, a flagship Accor property, has proudly announced that it has been awarded the Green Key Certification, a globally recognised eco-label that underscores excellence in sustainable tourism and hospitality.

Granted by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE)—one of the world’s leading environmental education organisations and recognised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)—the certification marks a significant milestone in the hotel’s ongoing efforts to integrate eco-friendly practices without compromising guest comfort or luxury.

Lakshmi Sridhar, General Manager, Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach, said, “At Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach, we believe that sustainability is not just a responsibility, but a way of life. Being Green Key certified reinforces our commitment to offering eco-conscious experiences that align with global environmental standards.”

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The hotel has rolled out various impactful initiatives, from using clean, renewable energy and implementing robust waste management practices to driving water conservation, enhancing energy efficiency, and sustainably sourcing products. These measures are designed to benefit not only the environment but also the local community.

As travel trends increasingly lean towards conscious luxury and responsible tourism, this certification positions Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach as a leader in sustainable hospitality in India.


IHCL to Open New Vivanta in Anjuna, Strengthening Goa Portfolio

IHCL to Open New Vivanta in Anjuna, Strengthening Goa Portfolio

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 5, 2025

Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality player, has announced the signing of a new Vivanta property in Anjuna, Goa. This greenfield project marks another step in IHCL’s strategy to grow its presence across key leisure destinations in India.

Strategically located in Anjuna, celebrated for its vibrant culture and beaches, the upcoming Vivanta Anjuna, Goa will feature 110 well-appointed rooms. Guests can look forward to an array of facilities including an all-day diner, a bar, a swimming pool, a fully equipped gym, and modern conference spaces, catering to both leisure and business travellers.

Suma Venkatesh, Executive Vice President - Real Estate & Development, IHCL, shared, “IHCL has been at the forefront of pioneering destinations and has played a defining role in putting Goa on the global tourism map for over five decades. This signing is in line with our strategy to expand IHCL’s presence across segments in key leisure markets. We are delighted to strengthen our partnership with Fiesta Hotels with this new project.”

The hotel is being developed by Fiesta Hotels Pvt. Ltd., led by directors Ravinder Kumar, Manju Vardhan, Raj Vardhan, Harsh Vardhan, Gagan Garg, and Gaurav Garg, who have deep investments in real estate and hospitality. Ravinder Kumar, Director, Fiesta Hotels Pvt. Ltd., said, “We are proud to collaborate with IHCL through the addition of our second hotel in Goa. It stands as a testament to our shared vision to deliver exceptional experiences in one of India’s most cherished destinations.”

Goa continues to attract travellers with its sun-soaked beaches, Portuguese-era architecture, thriving culinary and music scene, and vibrant local communities. With this signing, IHCL’s Goa portfolio grows to 18 hotels, including five under development, underscoring its long-standing commitment to shaping Goa’s tourism landscape.

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