Rahul Choudhary Takes the Helm as Director of Revenue at Novotel Hyderabad Airport

Rahul Choudhary Takes the Helm as Director of Revenue at Novotel Hyderabad Airport

By Author

Published on December 28, 2023

In a strategic move aimed at fortifying its financial position, Novotel Hyderabad Airport, situated at GMR Aerocity, Hyderabad, has appointed Mr. Rahul Choudhary as the Director of Revenue. With a rich background spanning over 12 years in yield management and comprehensive revenue strategies, Choudhary is poised to contribute invaluable insights and leadership to enhance the hotel's financial success.

Choudhary's career in the hospitality sector is marked by a consistent focus on financial discipline and growth. His expertise in demand management and marketing, coupled with a specialization from the Cornell School of Hotel Administration, reflects in his impressive track record. Having previously served with distinguished brands like ITC, Accor, and The Park, Choudhary has demonstrated a keen ability to drive revenue growth, enhance profitability, and elevate brand positioning.

Expressing enthusiasm about Choudhary's appointment, Mr. Sukhbir Singh, the General Manager of Novotel Hyderabad Airport, stated, "We are thrilled to welcome Rahul Choudhary to our team. His extensive experience and notable achievements in revenue management align perfectly with our commitment to delivering unparalleled guest experiences while driving revenue growth. We are confident that Rahul's expertise will further elevate our strategies and reinforce our position as a leader in the industry."

As Director of Revenue, Choudhary is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping Novotel Hyderabad Airport's revenue management strategies. The hotel, located at the bustling GMR Aerocity, anticipates his visionary leadership and profound expertise to open new horizons of revenue growth and operational excellence.

Choudhary's appointment marks a strategic move for Novotel Hyderabad Airport, aligning with its commitment to financial success and delivering exceptional guest experiences. The hotel looks forward to a new chapter under Choudhary's leadership, anticipating growth and excellence in the competitive hospitality landscape.


IHCL’s Taj InnerCircle-NeuPass Partners with oneworld to Expand Travel Rewards

IHCL’s Taj InnerCircle-NeuPass Partners with oneworld to Expand Travel Rewards

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on June 5, 2026

Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India's largest hospitality company, has announced a strategic partnership between its loyalty programme, Taj InnerCircle-NeuPass, and oneworld, the world's leading airline alliance. The collaboration aims to provide members with enhanced travel benefits and a more connected experience across hospitality and aviation services.

The partnership reflects the growing demand for integrated travel experiences, allowing loyalty members to enjoy rewards and privileges beyond traditional hotel stays and airline journeys.

Commenting on the development, Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director & CEO, IHCL, said, “This partnership with oneworld reflects the growing consumer preference for more integrated travel experiences. As we expand Taj’s international footprint, such alliances strengthen our ability to engage a wider global audience, bringing together scale and warm Indian hospitality to create a seamless proposition across markets.”

Through the collaboration, Taj InnerCircle-NeuPass members will gain access to benefits on participating oneworld airlines. Members can currently enjoy limited-time savings with Cathay Pacific until September 30, 2026, with additional opportunities expected to be introduced in the future.

Similarly, oneworld loyalty members will receive exclusive savings on stays, dining, and spa experiences across IHCL's portfolio of hospitality brands. These include Taj, Claridges Collection, Brij, SeleQtions, Clarks, Gateway, Vivanta, Ginger, Tree of Life Hotels, and amã Stays & Trails.

Speaking about the partnership, Ole Orvér, CEO, oneworld, said, “We are pleased to bring together the world’s premium airline alliance with IHCL’s Taj InnerCircle Neupass. Members can now enjoy IHCL’s celebrated brands including the iconic Taj, bringing its century-old heritage of luxury in a first-of-its-kind partnership to extend the value of oneworld loyalty beyond air travel. Our shared commitment to quality and service will enhance how oneworld customers are recognised and rewarded throughout their journey.”

As part of the next phase of the collaboration, reciprocal loyalty recognition will be introduced. Taj InnerCircle Gold and Platinum members will be matched to the oneworld Sapphire tier, while Taj InnerCircle Copper and Silver members will receive oneworld Ruby status.

Likewise, oneworld Emerald members will be matched to Taj InnerCircle Gold status, while oneworld Ruby and Sapphire members will receive Taj InnerCircle Silver status.

Later this year, both organisations will also explore introducing opportunities for travellers to earn airline miles on hotel stays through select oneworld partner airline programmes, further enhancing the value proposition for frequent travellers.

The partnership marks a significant step in bringing together hospitality and aviation loyalty ecosystems, offering members greater flexibility, recognition, and rewards throughout their travel journey.


Air India and Riyadh Air Sign Partnership to Strengthen Connectivity Between India and Saudi Arabia

Air India and Riyadh Air Sign Partnership to Strengthen Connectivity Between India and Saudi Arabia

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on June 5, 2026

Air India and Riyadh Air have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the framework for a future partnership that aims to provide travellers with greater connectivity between India, Saudi Arabia, and destinations across the globe.

The agreement reflects the shared vision of both full-service carriers to strengthen international travel links by leveraging their strategic hubs in Delhi, Mumbai, and Riyadh. The proposed collaboration is expected to offer passengers more travel options and seamless connections across both airline networks.

Subject to regulatory approvals, the two airlines plan to introduce interline and codeshare arrangements that will allow guests to book journeys across both networks through a single reservation while benefiting from smoother transit experiences through their respective hubs.

Beyond network connectivity, Air India and Riyadh Air will also explore opportunities to collaborate in areas such as loyalty programme benefits, cargo operations, operational support, and digital and technology initiatives aimed at enhancing the overall guest experience.

The partnership comes at a time when travel demand between India and Saudi Arabia continues to grow, driven by business travel, tourism, and strong people-to-people connections between the two countries.

Commenting on the development, Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Air India, said, “India and Saudi Arabia are two important growth markets in global aviation today, and the scale and momentum in both countries make this a natural partnership. We look forward to working with Riyadh Air to bring together complementary strengths of the two airlines to unlock that opportunity with a focus on offering our guests more choice across our combined networks and elevating their travel experiences.”

Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air, added, “India is one of the most important and dynamic aviation markets in the world, and this partnership with Air India marks a defining step in Riyadh Air's mission to connect Saudi Arabia with key global destinations. Together, we will offer guests a seamless, world-class experience that reflects the deep cultural and economic bonds shared between our two nations.”

Since its privatisation in 2022, Air India has significantly expanded its international alliance network. The airline currently maintains 25 codeshare partnerships and more than 120 interline agreements with global carriers, providing access to over 1,000 destinations worldwide.

Riyadh Air has also recently opened public sales for its flights to London Heathrow through its website and mobile application. The inaugural service is scheduled to commence on July 1, offering Indian travellers seamless connectivity through Riyadh to the United Kingdom and Europe for business, leisure, and family travel.

The proposed partnership marks another important step in strengthening aviation ties between India and Saudi Arabia while expanding premium travel choices for passengers across both markets.


Evoke Rambagh Ayodhya Opens Near Ram Mandir, Strengthening the City’s Hospitality Landscape

Evoke Rambagh Ayodhya Opens Near Ram Mandir, Strengthening the City’s Hospitality Landscape

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on June 5, 2026

Eyak Ventures has announced the opening of Evoke Rambagh Ayodhya, a large-scale hospitality development near the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple. Operated under the Evoke Experiences brand, the property aims to cater to the growing number of visitors travelling to Ayodhya as the city continues to emerge as one of India's leading religious tourism destinations.

The launch comes at a time when Ayodhya is witnessing a significant increase in tourist arrivals following the inauguration of the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple and ongoing infrastructure developments across the region. Designed for pilgrims, families, and leisure travellers, the property offers a comfortable and well-rounded stay experience close to the city's key attractions.

Spread across 25 acres, Evoke Rambagh is among the largest resort developments in Ayodhya. The property features multiple water bodies integrated throughout the landscape, creating a serene environment for guests. It houses 156 cottages designed to combine comfort and convenience while offering spacious accommodation options.

Strategically located on Parikrama Marg, the resort enjoys easy connectivity to Ayodhya Junction railway station and Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, making travel convenient for domestic and international visitors.

Guests can choose from a variety of dining options, including an all-vegetarian restaurant serving satvik cuisine inspired by Indian, Oriental, and Continental flavours. The property also features a lobby restaurant and room service facilities.

With Ayodhya increasingly becoming a destination for social celebrations and weddings alongside religious tourism, Evoke Rambagh has positioned itself as a venue for destination weddings, family functions, and corporate gatherings. The property includes a banquet hall, landscaped gardens, a clubhouse, and dedicated activity spaces for events of varying scales.

The resort also offers a range of wellness and recreational facilities, including a swimming pool, wellness centre, yoga sessions, meditation programmes, and naturopathy experiences. Additional guest services include concierge assistance, valet parking, golf cart transportation, multilingual support, and wheelchair accessibility.

To ensure a seamless stay, the property is equipped with modern infrastructure such as high-speed internet, backup power, air conditioning, housekeeping, laundry services, and ample parking facilities. Safety features including CCTV surveillance, smoke detectors, and fire safety systems have also been incorporated across the property.

For the convenience of pilgrims, the resort provides shuttle services to the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple at scheduled intervals, while airport and railway station transfers are available on a paid basis.

Speaking about the launch, Krinal Thaker, Marketing & Experiences Head at Evoke Experiences (An initiative by Eyak Ventures), said, "The opening of Evoke Rambagh is in line with our commitment towards the development of Ayodhya as a key tourist and religious destination in India. The idea behind developing this hospitality asset was to provide accessible and comfortable accommodations."

As Ayodhya continues to strengthen its position on India's tourism map, developments such as Evoke Rambagh are expected to play an important role in supporting the city's growing hospitality and tourism ecosystem.

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