In a significant step towards strengthening India’s hospitality workforce, the Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council (THSC) has been selected as a 2026 grantee by the Hilton Global Foundation.

The annual grants by the Foundation support nonprofit organisations working to enhance travel destinations, create economic opportunities, and advance Hilton’s Travel with Purpose strategy. The focus areas include workforce development, destination sustainability, and community resilience.

THSC has been recognised for its strong track record in delivering industry-aligned skills training and certification for India’s tourism and hospitality sector. With the new funding support, THSC will train more than 1,000 young people through certified hospitality programmes and offer structured placement assistance. The initiative aims to help graduates secure stable employment and build long-term careers in the industry.

“Support from the Hilton Global Foundation is yet another strong endorsement of THSC's mission to build a future-ready hospitality workforce for India,” said Mr. Rajan Bahadur, Chief Executive Officer, Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council. “This partnership will allow us to expand access to quality, industry-relevant training for young people and connect them to meaningful employment opportunities, while contributing to stronger communities and a more sustainable tourism ecosystem.”

Highlighting the importance of collaboration, Katherine Lugar, Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Hilton and President, Hilton Global Foundation, said, “Today's announcement highlights the exponential power of partnership. Together with this year's Hilton Global Foundation grantees, we are delivering impact far beyond what any one organization could do alone—expanding access to opportunity and protecting the destinations where people travel.”

Established in July 2014, THSC operates as a not-for-profit organisation under the Societies Act. Its formation was facilitated by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). It is recognised as an Awarding Body under the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET), under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India.

Over the years, THSC has enrolled around 2 million candidates and assessed over 1.8 million beneficiaries. With a nationwide presence, 4,300+ training institutes, and 5,000 industry partners, the council continues to build a skilled and employable talent pool for tourism, hospitality, travel, and allied services.

The Hilton Global Foundation, Hilton’s primary philanthropic arm, supports programmes that advance destination stewardship, career development, and community resilience. Since 2019, the Foundation has contributed more than $25 million globally, positively impacting millions of lives.

With this 2026 grant, the partnership between THSC and Hilton Global Foundation is set to open new doors for young Indians aspiring to build meaningful careers in hospitality.

Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) has announced its consolidated financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended December 31, 2025, marking its fifteenth consecutive record quarter.

For Q3 FY2025-26, IHCL reported consolidated revenue of INR 2,900 crores, reflecting a 12 per cent year-on-year growth. EBITDA stood at INR 1,134 crores with a margin of 39.1 per cent, while Profit After Tax (PAT) reached INR 903 crores after exceptional items.

PAT for the quarter included exceptional gains primarily from the sale of the entire equity stake in a joint venture company amounting to INR 327 crores (net of tax) and an impact of INR 37 crores (net of tax) related to New Labour Codes. In the previous year’s nine-month period, PAT included a one-time exceptional gain of INR 307 crores on account of TajSATS consolidation.

Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director and CEO, IHCL, highlighted that the quarter’s performance was driven by strong same-store growth as well as non-like-for-like growth. Airline and institutional catering revenues grew by 17 per cent, while new businesses expanded by 31 per cent. The hotel segment reported revenue of INR 2,579 crores, delivering its highest-ever quarterly EBITDA of INR 1,050 crores.

IHCL’s growth trajectory continued through FY2026, with 239 signings during the period, taking its total portfolio to 617 hotels. The company opened and onboarded 120 hotels, supported by strategic partnerships and acquisitions. It now maintains an industry-leading pipeline of 256 hotels.

Under its Accelerate 2030 strategy, IHCL strengthened its brand portfolio with a controlling stake acquisition in Atmantan, an integrated wellness brand. The company also entered into definitive agreements to acquire a 51 per cent stake in Brij, a boutique experiential leisure brand, and scaled the Ginger brand through a 51 per cent acquisition in ANK & Pride Hospitality.

As of December 31, 2025, IHCL Consolidated reported a gross cash balance of INR 3,877 crores, maintaining a strong balance sheet position.

Ankur Dalwani, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, stated that IHCL Standalone delivered Q3 revenue of INR 1,654 crores, achieving an EBITDA margin of 48.2 per cent, an expansion of 40 basis points, and a PAT of INR 921 crores post exceptional items.

During the nine months ended December 2025, IHCL Consolidated generated cash flows of approximately INR 1,600 crores and incurred capital expenditure of INR 750 crores. Investments were directed toward greenfield developments at Ekta Nagar and Taj Frankfurt, brownfield expansion at Taj Ganges Varanasi, and the upcoming Taj Bandstand project. Renovations were also undertaken at key properties including Taj Palace New Delhi, Taj Fort Aguada Goa, President Mumbai and St. James’ Court London.

With a diversified topline across brands, geographies and contract formats, IHCL remains well positioned to sustain its growth momentum in the coming quarters.

Marriott International has reported another year of exceptional expansion in its Asia Pacific excluding China (APEC) region, marking its third consecutive year of record-breaking development activity in 2025.

The region signed 187 organic deals in 2025, representing more than 28,000 rooms, a 32 per cent year-over-year increase. By the end of the year, Marriott’s APEC pipeline exceeded 400 hotels and more than 86,000 rooms, reflecting sustained intra-regional and international travel demand, alongside continued owner confidence.

Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific excluding China, Marriott International, highlighted that strong demand trends and a diversified brand portfolio have enabled the company to scale strategically across markets, segments and development models.

Record Development and Owner Confidence

Conversions remained a major growth driver, accounting for 35 per cent of total signings, offering owners speed-to-market and access to Marriott’s global distribution network. Multi-unit agreements represented nearly 30 per cent of signings, signalling growing appetite among owners to scale portfolios under a single hospitality platform.

The top five growth markets in APEC during 2025 were India, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Japan. India led the region with a record 99 signings, representing over 12,000 rooms.

A notable milestone was the launch of Series by Marriott™ in India through a founding multi-unit agreement that converted 26 hotels in a single day, adding approximately 1,900 rooms. Operating as Fern Hotels & Resorts, Series by Marriott, the brand debuted globally in India and reached 37 open properties across 23 cities by the end of 2025.

Strong Luxury and Lifestyle Momentum

Luxury remained a strategic priority, accounting for approximately 19 per cent of 2025 organic room signings. Brands such as JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton and The Luxury Collection recorded the highest number of luxury signings.

Key luxury developments announced in 2025 include:

• JW Marriott Hotel Johor Bahru (expected 2027), marking the brand’s anticipated arrival in Malaysia’s southern state.

• Pottuvil, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve (expected 2032), set to debut along Sri Lanka’s eastern coast.

• The Ritz-Carlton, Fiji, Namuka Bay (expected 2032), marking the brand’s entry into Fiji’s Coral Coast.

• Fraser’s House, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Singapore (opened January 2026), strengthening the brand’s presence in Singapore.

Marriott also sustained momentum across midscale and lifestyle segments. The launch of Series by Marriott in India and the continued growth of Four Points Flex by Sheraton reflect its strategy to expand flexible, design-forward offerings tailored to evolving traveller preferences.

Portfolio Milestones and Emerging Destinations

In 2025, Marriott opened 109 properties across the APEC region and celebrated the opening of its 700th property in the region: Legacy Mekong, Can Tho, Autograph Collection. Located on a private islet in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, the opening underscores the company’s strategy to expand into culturally rich and high-growth emerging destinations.

By the close of 2025, Marriott operated more than 730 properties across 22 countries in APEC, spanning 27 brands.

Notable 2025 openings included:

• The Laurus, a Luxury Collection Resort in Singapore (October 2025), marking the brand’s debut in the city.

• The Halcyon Private Isles Maldives, Autograph Collection (October 2025), offering two private islands in the Maldives.

• The Farm at San Benito, Autograph Collection (December 2025), introducing the brand to the Philippines with a wellness-focused concept.

• Moxy Kathmandu (December 2025), marking the lifestyle brand’s debut in Nepal.

With a robust development pipeline and diversified portfolio across luxury, premium, select-service and midscale segments, Marriott’s APEC region enters 2026 well positioned to continue delivering sustained growth and long-term value for owners and guests.