Amritara Hotels has strengthened its presence in Varanasi with the launch of Amritara The Samagam, a riverside retreat located at the confluence of the Ganga and Gomti rivers. The property marks the group's second hotel in the destination and reflects its continued focus on offering deeper and more meaningful travel experiences within culturally significant locations.

Situated in Kaithi village, around 35 kilometres east of Varanasi city, the retreat is surrounded by one of the region's oldest sacred landscapes. The area is home to the historic Markandey Mahadev Temple, a revered Shiva shrine that has stood on the riverbank for centuries.

Offering a quieter alternative to the bustling ghats of Varanasi, the property allows guests to experience evening aarti ceremonies in a more peaceful setting. The surrounding landscape is also known for its natural beauty, with freshwater dolphins occasionally visible in the river and serene riverside walks that offer a close connection with nature.

The launch reflects Amritara Hotels' decision to deepen its presence in Varanasi rather than expand into a new destination. The company believes that the future of hospitality lies in understanding and interpreting destinations with strong cultural and spiritual significance rather than simply increasing geographic reach.

Amritara's first property in the city, Amritara Suryauday Haveli, offers guests an experience immersed in the vibrant energy of Kashi, with its ghats, rituals, and spiritual traditions. In contrast, Amritara The Samagam has been designed for travellers seeking a slower and more reflective journey.

Guests at the new retreat can explore lesser-known spiritual experiences, including aarti ceremonies at the Markandey Mahadev Temple, boat rides along the confluence of the Ganga and Gomti rivers, and opportunities to discover the region's rich natural surroundings.

Together, Amritara Suryauday Haveli and Amritara The Samagam offer visitors two distinct perspectives of Varanasi, one rooted in the energy and devotion of the ancient city, and the other in the tranquillity and spiritual depth of its surrounding countryside.

With this addition, Amritara Hotels continues to strengthen its portfolio of experiential stays while catering to travellers seeking authentic cultural, spiritual, and nature-based experiences.

Lemon Tree Hotels Limited has announced the signing of two new resort properties in Maharashtra – Lemon Tree Resort, Tadgaon and Lemon Tree Resort, Igatpuri. With these additions, the hospitality company will expand its presence in the state to 32 properties, comprising 15 operational hotels and 17 properties in the pipeline, including the newly signed resorts.

Both properties will be managed by Carnation Hotels Private Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lemon Tree Hotels Limited. The latest signings reflect the group's continued focus on emerging leisure destinations that are becoming popular drive-to getaways for travellers from major cities such as Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, and Pune.

Lemon Tree Resort, Tadgaon will feature 110 well-appointed rooms designed to offer a comfortable stay for guests. The resort will include a restaurant, banquet hall, meeting and conference facilities, swimming pool, spa, and fitness centre. Positioned approximately 75 km from Navi Mumbai International Airport and 100 km from Mumbai Central Railway Station, the property is expected to cater to both leisure travellers and events-led gatherings.

Meanwhile, Lemon Tree Resort, Igatpuri will offer 90 rooms along with a restaurant, banquet hall, meeting and conference spaces, swimming pool, spa, and fitness centre. The resort is located around 134 km from Mumbai International Airport and 5.6 km from Igatpuri Railway Station, providing convenient access for visitors seeking a getaway in the region.

Commenting on the signing, Vishvapreet Singh Cheema, President, Lemon Tree Hotels Ltd., said, "Our expansion strategy with resorts in Tadgaon and Igatpuri in Maharashtra is deeply aligned with the evolving dynamics of the drive-to hospitality sector. Urban travellers and corporate houses are increasingly prioritizing accessible, high-amenity destinations that don't require complex logistics. By introducing the Lemon Tree Resort brand to these two distinct, premium micro-markets, we are uniquely positioned to capture a highly lucrative mix of weekend leisure, multi-generational travel, and mid-to-high-level corporate retreats."

According to the company, the addition of these two resorts further strengthens Lemon Tree Hotels' presence in Western India while expanding its portfolio of premium regional resorts designed to meet the growing demand from both leisure and corporate travellers.

Goa welcomed 4,639,165 tourists between January and May 2026, registering a growth of 0.39 per cent compared to the corresponding period in 2025, according to the latest figures released by the state's Department of Tourism.

The numbers highlight continued demand from both domestic and international travellers, despite changing global travel patterns and geopolitical challenges affecting several tourism source markets. Tourism authorities credited the growth to improved connectivity, a wider range of tourism experiences, and sustained confidence among visitors choosing Goa as a preferred destination.

May 2026 proved to be a particularly strong month for the state, with 969,090 visitors arriving during the month. This represents a 4.53 per cent increase compared to May 2025, reflecting continued momentum in tourist arrivals.

Domestic travellers remained the key driver of tourism, accounting for 4,437,018 visitors during the first five months of the year. Foreign tourist arrivals reached 202,147 during the same period. Enhanced air connectivity, charter operations, and cruise tourism have continued to support international visitor traffic.

Goa's tourism appeal has expanded beyond its well-known beaches, with travellers increasingly exploring cultural and heritage attractions, wellness retreats, spiritual tourism, hinterland experiences, festivals, and culinary offerings. These diverse experiences have helped attract visitors across different regions of the state and throughout the year.

Commenting on the performance, Rohan A. Khaunte, Minister for Tourism, Goa, said, "Goa's tourism growth today is being driven by a combination of strong connectivity, diversified experiences and growing visitor confidence. While our beaches remain iconic, travellers are increasingly exploring Goa's culture, heritage, spirituality, wellness offerings, hinterland experiences, festivals and culinary traditions. This broad-based growth is helping us build a more resilient tourism economy while ensuring that the benefits of tourism reach communities across the State."

The state's accessibility has also received a boost through its two-airport network, comprising Dabolim Airport and Manohar International Airport, strengthening connections with key domestic and international markets.

Kedar Naik, Director of Tourism, Goa, said, "The steady growth recorded during the first five months of 2026 demonstrates the strength and adaptability of Goa's tourism sector. Through focused destination development, improved connectivity and the promotion of varied tourism experiences, Goa is attracting visitors throughout the year and encouraging them to explore different facets of the destination. Our focus remains on enhancing visitor experiences while advancing responsible and sustainable tourism growth."

Tourism officials believe the strong performance during the first half of the year places Goa in a favourable position for further growth in the coming months, with continued emphasis on sustainable development, destination diversification, and ensuring tourism benefits reach local communities across the state.