Sarovar Hotels, the Indian arm of Louvre Hotels Group, has launched its premium Royal Tulip brand in Nepal with the grand opening of Royal Tulip Chitwan. Developed by KTM Hospitality, a subsidiary of KTM Group Holdings, the resort is located near the renowned Chitwan National Park and spans 4 acres of lush landscape.

Royal Tulip Chitwan features 65 well-designed rooms and villas, including Pool Villas, Water Villas, and unique Machan accommodations. Each space is crafted to offer guests a luxurious and immersive experience with sweeping views of nature. The resort also includes a spa, fitness center, swimming pool, and an array of dining options, such as Majhighar, Forest Flame, the revolving deck Machan, and the lively Tanavi Sports Bar.

Ajay K. Bakaya, chairman of Sarovar Hotels and director of Louvre Hotels India, said, “Nepal is fast emerging as a preferred destination for both Indian and international travelers. We are thrilled to introduce the Royal Tulip brand in this beautiful country with a resort that offers a seamless blend of luxury, adventure, and local culture.”

Rameshwar Shah, chairman of KTM Hospitality, added, “Royal Tulip Chitwan, a place covered by nature where the wild watches over you, is our tribute to the natural beauty and cultural richness of Nepal. This resort is more than just a hospitality project, it is our commitment to enhancing the region’s tourism appeal, creating local employment opportunities, and setting a new benchmark for luxury in Chitwan.”

With this strategic launch, Louvre Hotels Group continues to grow its footprint in South Asia, reaffirming its focus on expanding into high-potential tourism destinations. Royal Tulip Chitwan is expected to become a preferred retreat for travelers seeking serenity, wildlife, and refined hospitality in the heart of Nepal.

Taiwan has recorded a 30.73% rise in Indian tourist arrivals during the January to May 2025 period, with a total of 19,202 visitors. This growth reflects a significant recovery and rising interest among Indian travellers following the country’s renewed focus on India as a key tourism source market.

The momentum comes on the heels of Taiwan Tourism Administration’s (TTA) post-pandemic re-entry into the Indian market in early 2024. With a 360-degree promotional strategy in place, TTA has been rolling out campaigns targeting niche segments such as golf tourism and wellness travel, along with outreach programs in East India.

In 2024, Taiwan welcomed 38,158 Indian tourists, showing a 20.81% increase over 2023 figures. This growth rate significantly outpaced the overall Indian outbound travel growth of 8.44%, placing Taiwan’s numbers at nearly 2.5 times the average.

Paul Shih, Director of the TTA Singapore Office, said, “We are very bullish about India’s outbound tourism potential for us. Over the last one and a half years, we have worked extensively and hard to build strong tourism ties with India’s ever-growing outbound tourism market, particularly focusing on strengthening partnerships with the Indian trade.”

As part of the global "Taiwan – Waves of Wonder" campaign, TTA has been promoting luxury and golf experiences tailored to Indian high-net-worth travellers. Recent efforts have included roadshows in cities like Kolkata, aimed at East India’s growing travel market.

By partnering with golf tour operators, OTAs, and luxury travel providers, TTA is offering curated experiences that combine golf, spa, culinary, and wellness offerings to attract Indian travellers. India has now emerged as Taiwan’s top South Asian source market both in terms of visitor numbers and travel spending.

TTA plans to continue its investments in both trade partnerships and consumer campaigns to strengthen Taiwan’s presence as a premium and accessible destination for Indian tourists.

Accor has appointed Raki Phillips as the new Regional President for its Premium, Midscale & Economy (PME) division across the Middle East, Africa and Türkiye, with effect from November 2025. Phillips will succeed Paul Stevens and oversee more than 250 operating hotels across 27 countries, along with a development pipeline of 85 new properties.

This leadership move comes after Phillips' impactful tenure as CEO of the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA). Under his leadership, Ras Al Khaimah witnessed a tourism boom, revenues tripled, international connectivity improved, and the region attracted its largest foreign investment with the Wynn Resorts project.

Bringing over 20 years of global hospitality experience, Phillips has held senior positions at renowned brands like Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, The Ritz-Carlton, and Universal Studios Orlando. At Fairmont, he played a key role in global brand strategy and spearheaded major projects, including the launch of the Fairmont, Raffles, and Swissôtel complex in Makkah.

In his new role at Accor, Phillips will report to Duncan O'Rourke, CEO of the Premium, Midscale & Economy division for Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. Commenting on the appointment, O’Rourke said, “Raki brings a rare combination of commercial agility, regional knowledge, and purpose-led leadership. His appointment reflects our long-term commitment to the region and our belief in the power of local leadership to drive impact.”

Phillips steps into the role after Paul Stevens, who spent nearly three decades with Accor and was known for championing operational excellence and values-driven initiatives like Purpose Week and ESG programs.

With more than 350 hotels currently in operation and 140 more in development, Accor’s PME division continues its robust expansion in key markets such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. Phillips will be based in Dubai and oversee a diverse brand portfolio including Swissôtel, Pullman, Mövenpick, Novotel, Mercure, and ibis.