Radisson Hotel Group has announced the signing of four new Park Inn & Suites by Radisson hotels in India as part of its strategy to strengthen its midscale presence in emerging cities. The newly signed properties will be located in Roorkee, Meerut, Asansol, and Navi Mumbai (Airoli), reinforcing the group’s focus on expanding into high-potential markets where demand for reliable branded hospitality continues to grow.

The signings come at a time when domestic travel is increasingly driven by regional cities that are evolving into education hubs, industrial clusters, social-event destinations, and growing business districts. These markets often experience strong demand but remain underserved by internationally branded hotels.

Park Inn & Suites by Radisson plays a central role in the group’s India-focused expansion strategy. Designed as a midscale brand for fast-growing cities, it offers a flexible development model, efficient operations, and a balanced mix of rooms, dining, and event facilities suited to local demand.

Roorkee in Uttarakhand has emerged as an important education and industrial hub, anchored by IIT Roorkee and supported by private universities, manufacturing industries, and a historic defence cantonment. Park Inn & Suites by Radisson, Roorkee is scheduled to open in the second quarter of 2027 and will be located on NH-344, providing convenient connectivity to Haridwar, Meerut, and the wider Delhi NCR region. The hotel will feature multiple dining options, a rooftop specialty restaurant, and spacious indoor and outdoor event venues suited for business travellers, weddings, and large social gatherings.

Meerut, a key industrial and commercial centre in western Uttar Pradesh and part of the National Capital Region, has witnessed strong growth in sectors such as manufacturing, handicrafts, and defence. Park Inn & Suites by Radisson, Meerut, expected to open in the first quarter of 2029, will be located on National Highway-58. The property will offer modern guest rooms, multiple dining outlets, meeting facilities, and a dedicated outdoor lawn designed for corporate events, weddings, and leisure travellers.

In West Bengal, Asansol is a major industrial city supported by coal mining, steel industries, and the operations of Eastern Coalfields Limited. The region also sees strong wedding and social-event demand due to nearby religious centres such as the Kalyaneshawari and Ghagar Buri Chandi temples. Park Inn & Suites by Radisson, Asansol, scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2029, will be located on the Delhi–Kolkata Highway. The 75-key hotel will feature contemporary rooms, an all-day dining restaurant, a rooftop specialty bar, meeting and event facilities, a gym, and a swimming pool.

Navi Mumbai’s Airoli district has rapidly developed as a major commercial extension of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, attracting corporate offices, multinational companies, and Grade A office developments. Park Inn & Suites by Radisson, Navi Mumbai (Airoli), expected to open in the third quarter of 2028, will be located near Airoli Road and close to Digha railway station. The hotel will include an all-day dining restaurant, a bar, and meeting facilities designed primarily for corporate, MICE, leisure, and short-stay travellers.

Nikhil Sharma, Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group, said, “India’s travel growth is increasingly being driven by emerging cities that bring together education ecosystems, industrial development, social infrastructure and expanding corporate activity. Many of these markets, however, remain underserved by quality branded hospitality despite strong and sustainable demand fundamentals. Our latest Park Inn & Suites by Radisson signings reflect a deliberate and long-term strategy to address this gap by introducing a trusted, internationally recognised midscale brand to cities where demand spans business, leisure and large social events.”

Davashish Srivastava, Senior Director, Development, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group, added that each of the four markets presents distinct demand drivers but shares the common factor of limited branded hotel supply.

Owners of the newly signed properties also highlighted the potential of their respective cities and the value of bringing an internationally recognised hospitality brand to these locations to serve growing business, leisure, and social-event demand.

Through these signings, Radisson Hotel Group continues to expand its presence across India’s emerging travel corridors while strengthening its portfolio with brand offerings tailored to evolving market needs.

LOT Polish Airlines has begun the process of introducing in-flight Wi-Fi across its long-haul fleet, marking a significant step in enhancing the passenger experience. The service has already been activated on the airline’s first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, registered as SP-LSA.

The national carrier plans to gradually expand the service across its Boeing 787 fleet, with two additional aircraft expected to receive Wi-Fi connectivity by the end of April. The rollout forms part of the airline’s broader strategy to strengthen its onboard offerings and respond to growing passenger expectations for continuous internet access during flights.

The connectivity service is powered by Viasat’s next-generation solution, Viasat Amara. The technology is designed to provide fast and stable internet access, allowing travellers to stay connected with family and colleagues, work remotely, or enjoy online entertainment while travelling.

Izabela Leszczyńska, Director of the Product Development and Customer Experience Office at LOT Polish Airlines, highlighted the importance of connectivity for modern travellers. She said that internet access has become an essential component of long-haul travel, particularly for passengers flying for business or leisure.

“Internet access has become an expected part of the offering on long-haul flights. Therefore, we view its implementation across our fleet as a natural stage in the development of our product, one that responds to the needs of passengers – both those traveling for business and for leisure. We wanted a solution that would ensure stability and high quality, which is why we chose a partner with well-established experience in aviation, whose technology is used by airlines around the world. Our passengers travel with different purposes and expectations. We want them to be able to spend their time on board exactly as they need, productively, staying in touch with loved ones, or in complete relaxation.”

Don Buchman, President of Viasat Aviation, also commented on the collaboration, noting that the introduction of Viasat Amara represents an important milestone in enhancing connectivity for passengers travelling on LOT’s Dreamliner fleet.

“We are proud to bring Viasat Amara to LOT Polish Airlines as they take this important step in elevating the long-haul passenger experience. Delivering fast, reliable in-flight Wi-Fi on the Dreamliner fleet is a meaningful milestone, and LOT’s commitment to offering high-quality connectivity reflects a deep understanding of what today’s travelers expect. With Viasat’s global satellite network and Viasat’s Amara connectivity solution, passengers can stay productive, entertained, and connected throughout their journey, from gate-to-gate—whether they’re working, streaming, or keeping in touch with family and friends. We look forward to continuing our partnership as LOT expands connectivity across its fleet.”

Passengers will have access to two paid Wi-Fi packages. The Chat package, priced at $7, allows instant messaging services, while the Streaming package, priced at $29, enables broader internet access, including browsing websites, watching videos and working online during the flight.

Complimentary internet access will be available for LOT Business Class passengers and members of the Miles & More programme from select partner airlines who hold eligible status, regardless of their travel class.

The range of connectivity packages has been designed to provide flexibility, allowing travellers to choose services that suit their needs, from basic messaging to more advanced internet usage during the journey.

Viasat, the connectivity provider behind the service, is a global communications company with offices in 24 countries. The company focuses on building a global communications network that supports reliable and secure connections across land, air and sea. In May 2023, Viasat completed the acquisition of Inmarsat, combining the technologies and resources of both companies to strengthen its global connectivity solutions.

Hyatt Centric Juhu has announced the appointment of Bhaulal Salunke as its new Human Resources Manager. Bringing more than 12 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Salunke joins the hotel with strong expertise in people management, talent development, and HR operations within dynamic hotel environments.

In his new role, Salunke will lead the hotel’s human resources strategy, focusing on areas such as talent acquisition, employee engagement, training and development, and building a workplace culture that reflects Hyatt’s global ethos of care.

Salunke began his career in hospitality through operational roles that involved extensive interaction with teams and people management responsibilities. Over time, he moved into leadership roles where he developed strong capabilities in workforce planning, team leadership, and organisational development.

His interest in supporting people growth eventually led him to specialise in human resources, where he has gained experience across recruitment, performance management, training initiatives, and employee engagement programmes.

Salunke holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Human Resources Administration. His academic background, combined with practical industry experience, has helped him develop a strategic understanding of HR practices within the hospitality sector.

One of the notable aspects of his career has been his involvement in several hotel pre-opening projects across Maharashtra. During these assignments, he played a key role in building teams, setting up HR processes, and shaping organisational culture. His experience includes contributing to the successful pre-openings of Hyatt Place Aurangabad Airport, Enrise by Sayaji Aurangabad, The Fern Igatpuri, The Fern Panchgani, and The Fern Residency Satara.

Speaking about his appointment, Salunke said,

“Hospitality is ultimately about people. Having worked closely with operational teams for many years, I understand the passion and dedication that hospitality demands. At Hyatt Centric Juhu, my focus will be on creating a workplace where colleagues feel supported, recognised and empowered to grow, because when people feel valued, they naturally deliver exceptional guest experiences.”

With his experience in hospitality HR and a people-focused leadership approach, Salunke is expected to further strengthen the employee experience and workplace culture at Hyatt Centric Juhu.