Country Inn Hotels & Resorts, the flagship brand of Espire Hospitality Limited, has strengthened its presence in Uttarakhand with the launch of three new properties – Country Inn, Dehradun, Country Inn, Rishikesh, and Country Inn Smart Stays, Rishikesh. This expansion also marks the introduction of a new brand format, Country Inn Smart Stays, designed to offer a more youthful and modern travel experience.

With these additions, the brand continues to grow across key destinations in the state, building on its existing presence in Mussoorie, Bhimtal, and Jim Corbett. The move reflects a balanced expansion across both city locations and popular leisure destinations.

Country Inn, Dehradun, a 53-key property, is located on Saharanpur Road along the Delhi–Dehradun Expressway corridor. With travel time now reduced to around 2.5 hours, the hotel offers convenient access for both business and leisure travellers. The property features spacious rooms, a multi-cuisine restaurant called Sutra, and large event spaces including the Crystal Ballroom and Aura Hall, making it suitable for weddings, conferences, and social events.

In Rishikesh, the brand has introduced two distinct formats to cater to different types of travellers. Country Inn, Rishikesh, located in Tapovan, offers 28 rooms including suites with views of the Ganga. The hotel is close to well-known landmarks such as Lakshman Jhula and Parmarth Niketan Ashram. It also features a casual dining restaurant and a compact event space overlooking the river, making it ideal for a comfortable and well-connected stay.

The second property, Country Inn Smart Stays, Rishikesh, marks the launch of a new brand under the portfolio. Located within walking distance of Lakshman Jhula, the hotel offers 31 rooms along with a rooftop swimming pool, dining area, BOHO Café, and a recreation zone. The concept focuses on smart spaces and easy, experience-led stays, especially for younger travellers.

Speaking about the expansion, Mr. Akhil Arora, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Espire Hospitality Group, said, “Uttarakhand continues to be a strong focus market for us, given its growing appeal across leisure, spiritual, and experiential travel. With the opening of three new Country Inn properties and one more coming very soon across Dehradun and Rishikesh, we are strengthening our presence across the state while catering to a diverse mix of travellers. From urban stays in Dehradun to multiple formats in Rishikesh, this expansion reflects our intent to be present across key destinations with offerings for diverse travellers”

“These additions will play an integral role in our overall growth strategy. With over 30 signed hotels and a plan to add at least 1,000 keys every year, we are on track to achieve the milestone of 45 hotels by the end of FY27.”

With this expansion, Country Inn Hotels & Resorts continues to build its footprint in Uttarakhand, offering a mix of stay options that cater to different travel needs while supporting its long-term growth plans.

Kyoorius has introduced a new initiative for the 2026 Kyoorius Creative Awards and Kyoorius Marketing Awards, aimed at taking Indian creative work to a wider global audience. The move connects its top honours directly with international recognition.

Under this initiative, every unique project that wins a Blue Elephant will receive one fully sponsored entry to the 2027 Clio Awards. The idea is to ensure that winning work doesn’t just stay within the Indian awards circuit but also gets an opportunity to be recognised on a global platform.

“Kyoorius has always been about recognising and benchmarking the very best of Indian creativity. With this step, we’re extending that journey beyond our stage,” said Rajesh Kejriwal, Founder and CEO, Kyoorius. “By sponsoring a Clio Awards entry for every unique Blue Elephant-winning project, we ensure the work doesn’t stop at regional recognition. It goes on to be seen, judged, and celebrated globally.”

The sponsorship will be applicable across all unique Blue Elephant-winning projects from both the Kyoorius Creative Awards and the Kyoorius Marketing Awards. Each selected project will receive one complimentary entry to the 2027 Clio Awards, fully funded by Kyoorius.

This step also addresses a common challenge in the industry, where global exposure often depends on access and resources. By covering the entry cost, Kyoorius is making it easier for Indian work to compete internationally, shifting the focus purely onto the quality of ideas and execution.

Entries for the 2026 Kyoorius Creative Awards and Kyoorius Marketing Awards are currently open, with the deadline set for 24 April 2026.

Kyoorius continues to play a key role in promoting creativity and design in India through its awards, conferences, and industry initiatives. With this latest move, the platform is further strengthening its effort to connect Indian talent with global recognition opportunities.

The Clio Awards, established in 1959, are among the most recognised global platforms celebrating excellence in advertising, marketing, and communications. Each year, the awards bring together leading creative professionals to evaluate and honour outstanding work across categories.

Signature Global has announced a new collaboration with Italian lifestyle brand Tonino Lamborghini to develop a premium residential project in Sector 71, Gurugram. This partnership brings the globally recognised brand into India’s residential real estate space, introducing a fresh take on luxury living.

Planned across approximately 12.40 acres, the development will feature 812 residences in 3, 4 and 4.5 BHK configurations. Located on Sector 71 along Southern Peripheral Road, the project sits in one of Gurugram’s fastest-growing real estate corridors, making it a strategic addition to the city’s expanding luxury housing segment.

This collaboration also reflects the growing demand for branded residences worldwide. According to Savills India, the number of such projects is expected to rise from 764 in December 2024 to 910 by the end of 2025, showing a 19% year-on-year growth. India is already among the top 10 global markets in this segment, currently ranked sixth and contributing close to 4% of the global supply, as per Knight Frank’s ‘The Wealth Report’. Within India, Gurugram has emerged as a key hub, driven by increasing affluence and a strong preference for globally inspired living experiences.

The project aims to bring Tonino Lamborghini’s signature Italian design approach into Indian urban living. The development will reflect a mix of Italian elegance and modern lifestyle needs, aligning with Gurugram’s rapid growth and evolving luxury market.

Design inputs from the brand will be seen across major elements of the project, guided by Creative Director Mrs. Angela Krieger. The development will include a grand reception lobby and a fully designed clubhouse featuring a café, restaurant, banquet spaces, gaming arcade, and wellness facilities such as a gym, swimming-pool, yoga spaces, spa, sauna, and salon. The focus is on creating a complete lifestyle experience where design, comfort, and everyday living come together.

The architecture also focuses on openness and natural light, with spacious layouts and well-positioned towers offering views of landscaped greenery. The project incorporates biophilic design elements to bring nature into daily living, creating a balanced and calming environment for residents.

Commenting on the collaboration, Mr. Pradeep Aggarwal, Founder and Chairman, Signature Global (India) Ltd., said, "Our vision has always been to redefine the standards of urban living in India by bringing world-class innovation to our home soil. By partnering with a global icon like Tonino Lamborghini, we are not just building apartments; we are creating a lifestyle statement that resonates with the ambitions of the modern Indian achiever. This project in Sector 71 is a testament to our commitment to excellence, combining Signature Global's expertise in integrated community building with the timeless Italian craftsmanship that only Tonino Lamborghini can provide."

Sharing his views, Mr. Tonino Lamborghini, Founder and President of Tonino Lamborghini S.p.a., stated,

"Entering the Indian branded real estate market for the first time through the project with Signature Global is a natural expression of my vision: creating lifestyle icons defined by a bold identity, Italian design culture, and uncompromising quality. Every project bearing my name goes beyond architecture, it represents a way of living, a personal idea of contemporary luxury rooted in craftsmanship, innovation, and my character. India has always fascinated me for its profound history, cultural richness, and unique spiritual energy. With this five-tower landmark in Gurugram, our goal is to deliver an international living experience where elegance, Italian lifestyle, and distinctive design come together to set a new benchmark for modern luxury."

With this collaboration, Signature Global and Tonino Lamborghini aim to create a landmark residential development that reflects thoughtful planning, strong design identity, and a refined approach to contemporary living.