Ekostay, one of India’s leading names in the alternative hospitality space, has taken a big step forward in its growth journey with the launch of 19 premium villa properties across the country’s most sought-after leisure destinations. The move reflects the brand’s long-term goal of expanding its reach and meeting the rising demand for private, immersive holiday stays.

From scenic hillside retreats in Ooty and Kodaikanal to coastal escapes in Goa, and popular weekend getaways in Lonavala, Alibaug, Karjat, Igatpuri, and Pune, these newly added villas are designed to combine comfort, local charm, and personalised service. With over a dozen properties in Tamil Nadu’s hill stations and nearly half a dozen spread across Maharashtra’s favourite holiday hubs, Ekostay is strategically strengthening its presence in high-demand travel zones.

Market insights from Wryght Research & Capital reveal the potential ahead: India’s vacation rentals market is projected to grow from USD 3.45 billion in 2025 to USD 16.7 billion by 2034, with branded villa stays alone expected to touch USD 1.56 billion by 2029. Rising trends like workcations, leisure travel, and the digital nomad lifestyle are fuelling this growth.

“At Ekostay, our expansion is not just about increasing numbers. It’s about deepening our connection with travellers across India”, shared Husain Khatumdi, Managing Director and Co-founder, Ekostay. “Each property is designed to feel like a second home while delivering the consistency and quality we’re known for”.

Echoing the sentiment, Varun Arora, CEO and Co-founder, highlighted the shift in travel patterns. “Travellers now want privacy, flexibility, and unique experiences. Our focus is to be present in the places our audience loves while ensuring the service standards they expect.”

Sohail Mirchandani, COO and Co-founder, emphasised that operational excellence remains a priority: “With every new location, we scale our systems, teams, and support to guarantee a seamless stay experience.”

On the acquisition front, Zishan Khan, Chief Acquisition Officer and Co-founder, noted, “We carefully select properties that align with our brand ethos, ensuring they unlock high-demand travel destinations for our customers.”

With this latest expansion, Ekostay now operates over 160 villas across India, reinforcing its leadership in the premium homestay segment and strengthening its presence in both the South and Maharashtra markets.

About Ekostay

 Ekostay is a premium alternative hospitality brand offering curated private villas that blend distinctive design, hotel-grade service, and homely comfort. Its portfolio spans beaches, hills, and countryside destinations, delivering stays that combine local flavour with elevated hospitality.

Indian travellers are increasingly setting their sights on global getaways, and the latest campaign by travel-tech platform Alike is helping make those dreams a reality. Titled Free Visa Holidays, the campaign addresses one of the biggest hurdles in international travel – the cost and complexity of visa processing.

With destinations like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Bali leading the charge, the campaign has struck a chord with audiences across Tier 1 metros and even among working professionals and urban migrants from smaller towns planning their first international trips. The appeal lies in its simplicity — visa-free holidays and a no-hassle booking experience that makes international travel feel not just possible, but personal.

"We launched this campaign to remove the most common red tape Indian travellers face – the cost and complexity of the visa process," said Ashish Sidhra, Co-founder of Alike. "The response has reinforced that people are ready to explore the world; they just want the friction taken out of the way."

This sentiment reflects a broader shift in Indian outbound tourism. In 2005, Indian passport holders had visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to just 25 countries. Today, that number has more than tripled to around 90 countries, thanks to simplified e-visas and visa-on-arrival options. Meanwhile, India’s outbound travel has skyrocketed — from under 7 million trips in 2005 to over 28 million in 2024, driven largely by first-time leisure travellers looking for short-haul, visa-easy vacations.

Alike’s campaign rides this wave, not just offering access, but encouraging action. By simplifying travel discovery, removing bureaucratic barriers, and enabling tech-first planning, it’s creating a more inclusive and intuitive travel experience.

"We aren't just handing out a freebie," Ashish added. "We're raising the bar for what travel should feel like — personal, smooth, far more convenient and accessible. This is about building confidence in international travel again, especially for those doing it for the very first time."

Beyond the visa waiver, Alike also offers optional itinerary support and tools for digital trip planning, giving travellers the flexibility to design journeys their own way.

About Alike

Alike is a global travel-tech platform reimagining how Indians travel abroad. Built for modern explorers who prioritise flexibility and personalisation, Alike combines instant bookings, free visa processing, curated experiences, and eSIM add-ons into one seamless platform. From search to stay, Alike is designed to make travel simpler, smoother, and more personal.

In a major boost for daily highway commuters, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is set to roll out the FASTag Annual Pass starting August 15, 2025. This new initiative is aimed at making travel more convenient and economical for frequent travelers on India's National Highways and Expressways.

What is the FASTag Annual Pass?

The FASTag Annual Pass is priced at Rs 3,000 and offers 200 toll-free trips or one year of validity—whichever comes first. This pass is available exclusively for private non-commercial vehicles like cars, jeeps, and vans. Once the pass is activated, users will be able to travel seamlessly at designated National Highway (NH) and National Expressway (NE) toll plazas without being charged per trip.

How to Activate It?

The pass can be activated only through the Rajmargyatra mobile app or the official NHAI website. Activation will be granted post vehicle eligibility verification through the VAHAN database. Once verified, users must pay Rs 3,000 for the base year 2025–26. After successful payment, the annual pass is linked to the registered FASTag and becomes active within 2 hours.

Key Rules & Validity

• The pass is valid for 12 months or 200 transactions, whichever is earlier.

• It is not valid at toll plazas on state highways, expressways operated by local bodies, or parking lots. At such places, the FASTag will behave like a regular tag, and normal user fees will apply.

• If used in a commercial vehicle, the pass will be deactivated immediately without any notice.

Understanding Trip Count

• Point-based plazas: Each pass through the plaza counts as one trip; round-trips count as two.

• Closed tolling system (with entry & exit): One entry-exit pair counts as a single trip.

Who is Eligible?

Only private, non-commercial vehicles—cars, jeeps, and vans—are eligible for this annual pass. The eligibility will be validated against the VAHAN vehicle registration database.

In short, this new move will be a big relief for daily highway commuters, offering cost savings, ease of travel, and fewer payment stops. So if you’re a frequent traveler, get your FASTag Annual Pass activated before hitting the road this Independence Day!