Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Limited (ASPHL) announced its financial results for Q1 FY26, recording a net profit of Rs 13 crore. Revenue from operations stood at Rs 154 crore, a 14% increase year-on-year, while operating EBITDA grew 16% YoY to Rs 45 crore. The company maintained an industry-leading occupancy of 92%, reaffirming its leadership in the hospitality sector.

ASPHL’s growth is fueled by expansion into Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets. The company recently signed an MoU to acquire and manage four leisure properties in Goa, Manali, Shimla, and Dharamshala, adding 138 rooms under its brand. These steps align with ASPHL’s strategy to broaden its presence in high-potential tourism destinations and double its key count to 5,750 over the next five years.

Flurys, ASPHL’s iconic bakery and confectionery brand, now operates 102 outlets nationwide, reflecting the company’s focus on expanding its market presence while integrating modern amenities with rich cultural heritage.

Commenting on the performance, Vijay Dewan, Managing Director, Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels, said,

"We have delivered an extraordinary and best-ever Q1, setting a strong momentum for the year ahead. With topline growth of 14% and EBITDA growth of 16%, we recorded India’s highest occupancy of 92% and maintained leadership in RevPAR in the upper-upscale segment. ARR improved by 13% and RevPAR increased by 12%. With nearly 600 new rooms added, including a 41% rise in our asset-light model, and nationwide Flurys rollout, we are poised to scale faster, enhance margins, and deliver exceptional shareholder value."

ASPHL’s strong performance in Q1 FY26 underscores its strategic focus on market expansion, operational excellence, and premium guest experiences.

The Hotel Association of India (HAI) has rolled out a landmark mentorship program, an industry-first initiative tailored exclusively for the Indian hotel sector. The move comes as the hospitality industry sees rapid growth, especially in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, spanning nearly 50 locations.

This structured platform aims to bridge the widening talent gap, while supporting sustainable growth across the sector. Its key focus areas include leadership development, career progression, enhancing organisational culture, and improving both employee attraction to hospitality and their long-term engagement.

The operational framework has been crafted by a team of domain experts from HAI member hotels, ensuring the program is deeply aligned with industry realities.

At the program’s launch, Union Minister of Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat hailed the initiative as a turning point for Indian tourism,“The Hotel Association of India’s innovative program marks a significant step towards establishing India as a global tourism powerhouse, with an ambitious goal of creating a $3 trillion tourism economy by 2047. As the demand for tourism continues to surge, the need for talented and visionary leaders in hospitality has never been greater”, he said, adding that the program will shape professionals ready to lead the sector’s future.

KB Kachru, President of HAI and Chairman, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group, described the program as being rooted in the guru-shishya tradition, offering personalised mentorship that fosters a lasting commitment to hospitality leadership.“The government and industry aim to create around a million branded hotel rooms to meet the India Tourism Vision 2047. This will require adding about 100,000 middle to senior management hotel managers to the current pool”, Kachru noted.

The initiative will be integrated into member hotels’ brand culture, enabling them to nurture future leaders and strengthen India’s standing as a world-class hospitality destination

As India prepares to celebrate its 79th Independence Day, Ambience Mall, Gurugram has transformed into a canvas of patriotism with “Humare Rakshak”, an evocative installation paying homage to the courage, precision, and dedication of the Indian Armed Force and in particular, the heroes of Operation Sindoor.

In creative collaboration with Space Story 360, the installation showcases scale models of India’s defence powerhouses, including the S-400 missile launcher, Akash, BrahMos, and Pichora missiles, alongside fighter jet replicas of the Sukhoi Su-30MKI, Rafale, MiG, and Mirage 2000. All pieces are meticulously constructed from upcycled materials such as scrap metal, FRP, and crushed glass, embodying both symbolic significance and environmental responsibility.

Suspended tricolour geometric ceiling hangings form a vibrant patriotic canopy, while the flowing arc of the Indian flag ties the display together evoking unity, sacrifice, and soaring national pride.

"We saw this Independence Day not just as an opportunity to decorate, but as a platform to unite and empower. With ‘Humare Rakshak’, we aimed to honour not only the defence forces but also the values they stand for—precision, resilience, and unwavering service", said Arjun Gehlot, Director, Ambience Group. "Every element, from the war memorial-style installation to the waste fabric workshop, was designed to reflect purposeful patriotism. At Ambience Group, we remain committed to creating experiences that inspire, uplift, and honour the spirit of the nation".

Adding a hands-on sustainability element, visitors can join a waste fabric workshop to create handcrafted tricolour keychains. This initiative not only promotes craft revival but also raises awareness about fabric waste, bridging tradition with eco-consciousness.

With “Humare Rakshak”, Ambience Mall, Gurugram reinforces its identity as more than a retail hub, it becomes a cultural platform where design, sustainability, and national pride converge to create meaningful impact.