Grand Continent Hotels Limited has announced the launch of its new property in Rameshwaram, marking its 31st hotel in India. Located on Pamban Island, this four-star vegetarian hotel highlights the brand’s continued focus on expanding in pilgrimage and leisure travel destinations.

Rameshwaram, one of India’s key spiritual destinations, sees steady footfall throughout the year from families, pilgrims, and travellers. With this launch, the company aims to cater to this growing demand by offering a comfortable, clean, and well-connected stay experience close to major landmarks.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Ramesh Shiva, Founder & Managing Director, Grand Continent Hotels Limited, said,

"The launch of our Rameshwaram property marks an important milestone as our 31st hotel and reinforces our focus on high-potential pilgrimage destinations. South India continues to be a strong growth market for us and we see sustained demand in destinations like Rameshwaram where travellers seek reliable, comfortable, and well-located accommodation.

Going forward, we are coming up at Somnath, Varanasi and Ayodhya as we aim to expand across key high-demand micro-markets as we work towards building a 3,000-key portfolio over the next few years, while continuing to focus on operational consistency and guest experience."

The company now has 31 properties across more than 17 cities with over 1,850 keys, showing steady growth supported by its asset-light model. It continues to see strong demand in both spiritual circuits and emerging leisure destinations, which are driving organised hospitality growth in India.

The new Rameshwaram property offers 48 well-designed rooms, including Grand Suite Rooms, Premium Rooms with Balcony, Grand Family Rooms, and Deluxe Rooms. Each room is equipped with modern amenities such as high-speed Wi-Fi, smart TV, tea and coffee maker, electronic safe, and 24-hour hot water. The hotel also provides wheelchair access for added convenience.

The property features Flavours, a multi-cuisine pure vegetarian restaurant with 48 covers, offering Jain and Satvik meal options that suit the preferences of pilgrimage travellers. It also includes a dedicated play zone for families.

Strategically located, the hotel offers easy access to key landmarks including Ramanathaswamy Temple (1.9 km), Rameshwaram Railway Station (within walking distance), Agnitheertham (2.9 km), and Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam National Memorial (5 km), making it a convenient choice for both religious and leisure travellers.

Founded in 2011 by Mr. Ramesh Shiva, Grand Continent Hotels Limited has grown from a single 54-room property in Bengaluru to a portfolio of 31 hotels with over 1,850 keys. The company follows an asset-light, lease-led model and reported a consolidated topline of ₹73 crore. It was listed on the NSE SME platform in March 2025 and is now working towards expanding its portfolio to 3,000 keys across key domestic and select international markets.

The Little Andaman Pro 2026 came to an exciting close with a grand finale that showcased top-level talent in surfing and stand-up paddleboarding. Hosted by the Andaman & Nicobar Tourism in association with the Surfing Federation of India, the three-day championship brought together some of the best athletes in the country, set against the scenic backdrop of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

In the Surfing Men’s Open Final, Sivaraj Babu delivered a strong performance to claim the National Champion title with a score of 13.63. The competition was tight, with Srikanth D finishing just behind at 13.33, missing the top spot by a narrow margin of 0.30 points. Kishore Kumar secured 12.87, while Sanjay Selvamani finished with 9.30 in a closely fought final.

The Surfing Women’s Open Final saw Kamali Moorthy continue her impressive form, winning the National Championship title and successfully defending her crown. With a score of 15.83, she secured victory by a margin of 4.19 points over Sugar Shanti Banarse, who scored 11.64. Devi Ramanathan (7.84) and Riva Aurora (5.23) completed the final standings.

In the SUP Sprint Men’s Final, Sekar Pachai added another win to his performance in the championship, finishing first with a time of 1:22.32. He was followed by Akash Pujar (1:24.65) and Selvarasan Nagamuthu (1:29.98), making it a competitive race.

The SUP Sprint Women’s Final featured a strong performance from Vijayalakshmi Irulappan, who secured the top position with a time of 1:40.35. Arthi finished second at 1:48.02, while Nishi took third place with a time of 2:47.94.

Speaking on the occasion, Arun Vasu, President of the Surfing Federation of India, said,

“We congratulate all the winners and participants for their incredible performances throughout the championship. The level of talent on display has been truly inspiring. Hosting the Little Andaman Pro here has been a remarkable experience, and we are grateful for the support extended by the Andaman & Nicobar Tourism Department in in making this event a grand success.”

A senior official from Andaman & Nicobar Tourism added,

“We are proud to have successfully hosted the Little Andaman Pro 2026 and to showcase the islands as an emerging hub for surfing and adventure tourism. The overwhelming response from athletes and audiences alike encourages us to continue promoting such events, and we look forward to hosting many more championships in the future.”

The Department of Tourism, Andaman & Nicobar Administration, in association with the Surfing Federation of India, hosted the national-level surfing championship ‘Little Andaman Pro 2026’ for the first time in the islands. The event marks an important step in India’s surfing journey and highlights the region’s growing potential as a destination for water sports.

Blending sport, culture, and community, the Little Andaman Pro 2026 concluded on a high note, leaving a strong impact and building momentum for the future of competitive surfing in India.

Hyatt Hotels is stepping up its growth plans in India, with a focus on introducing new brands, exploring partnerships, and expanding its overall presence in the country. The company is looking to bring brands like The Standard and UrCove to India as part of its broader strategy.

Currently, Hyatt operates 55 properties in India with around 10,500 keys. The brand already has 9 of its global brands in the country, and this number is expected to increase to 10 with the upcoming launch of The Destination in Jaipur later this year.

Sharing insights at the Hotel Investment Conference, South Asia (HICSA) 2026, David Udell, Group President, Asia Pacific, Hyatt, said, "We have 36 brands globally, of which we currently have 9 in India that will go up to 10 with the addition of The Destination in Jaipur expected this year. India is our top market presenting opportunities for all our brands. Over the next couple of years, we are looking at both organic and inorganic growth in the country, focusing on creating distinctive, experience-led destinations,"

Hyatt is also in discussions with partners to introduce The Standard and UrCove brands in India. Stephen Ho, President Greater China and Growth, Asia Pacific, Hyatt, said, "Currently, we are exploring and talking with our different partners for introducing The Standard and UrCove brands in India,"

As part of its expansion approach, the company is considering acquisitions in collaboration with financial institutions and developers. It is also exploring the possibility of setting up a fund similar to the Atona Impact Fund in Japan, which supports property acquisitions and development projects.

In terms of its immediate pipeline, Hyatt plans to add five new properties this year, including locations in Bhopal, Bengaluru, and Lansdowne, along with The Standard in Jaipur.

Looking ahead, the company aims to cross 110 properties in India by 2030. With strong confidence in the market, Hyatt’s strategy focuses on building unique, experience-driven destinations while expanding across key locations in the country.