Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) has announced the opening of Taj Bush Lodge, Greater Kruger South Africa, marking another milestone in the brand’s international expansion journey.

Commenting on the launch, Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director & CEO, IHCL, said, “As Taj steps into Greater Kruger with the first of three luxury wilderness lodges, it brings with it a legacy of over a century of offering exceptional experiences deep rooted in the destination. The opening of Taj Bush Lodge, Greater Kruger strengthens the brand’s presence in the country extending the South African itinerary combining the panoramic landscapes of Cape Town with the wildlife of Kruger National Park.”

Located within the Big Five Balule Nature Reserve, the six-key Taj Bush Lodge has been thoughtfully designed to blend with its natural surroundings. Inspired by the textures and heritage of the region, the lodge features thatched roofs, warm wooden accents, and earthy interiors that reflect the local landscape and culture.

Guests can enjoy home-style dining experiences combining global flavours with local South African influences, prepared using fresh seasonal ingredients. The property also features Taj’s signature J Wellness Circle, offering holistic wellness therapies in a peaceful natural setting.

The lodge offers a range of curated experiences including open-air breakfasts in the bush after morning game drives, traditional South African braais under the stars, and full-day safaris in Kruger National Park. Guests can also explore activities such as the Blyde Canyon boat cruise, quad biking through the Maseke Reserve, day trips along the Panorama Route, and visits to attractions including Jessica the hippo and the Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre. Boat cruises on the Olifants River are also part of the experience.

Speaking about the expansion, Mark Wernich, Cluster General Manager Operations South Africa & General Manager – Taj Cape Town, said, “Our entry into Kruger National Park invites travellers to experience Taj’s world-class hospitality, seamlessly integrated with a proven eco-tourism model. This will be complemented by two additional Taj lodges in the park, set to open in the coming months.”

Spread across nearly two million hectares, Kruger National Park is among Africa’s largest and most well-known wildlife reserves, recognised for its biodiversity and sightings of the famous Big Five.

Lords Hotels & Resorts has announced the launch of Lords Inn Katra, further strengthening the group’s footprint in India’s growing spiritual tourism market.

Located close to the revered Vaishno Devi Shrine, the new hotel is positioned to cater to both pilgrims and leisure travellers visiting one of the country’s most significant religious destinations.

Situated in the heart of Katra, the property features 45 rooms along with modern amenities and hospitality services designed to provide guests with a comfortable and convenient stay experience while reflecting the spiritual character of the destination.

According to the company, Katra continues to attract millions of visitors every year due to its religious importance and strong tourism connectivity, making it a key market for hospitality expansion.

Speaking about the launch, Pushpendra Bansal said the new property strengthens the brand’s regional presence while offering travellers a stay experience backed by the company’s hospitality standards and service approach.

Vikas Suri added that spiritual tourism in India continues to witness steady growth, with Katra remaining one of the country’s most important pilgrimage destinations. He noted that the launch aligns with the company’s broader strategy of expanding into high-potential spiritual and leisure markets.

Meanwhile, Kumar Roushan highlighted the group’s continued focus on strengthening its presence across Jammu & Kashmir while addressing the increasing demand for quality hospitality infrastructure in the region.

The hotel will also feature dining and guest facilities designed to offer convenience and relaxation for travellers during their visit.

With the addition of Lords Inn Katra, Lords Hotels & Resorts continues to expand its presence across India’s prominent pilgrimage and tourism destinations.

 has announced the launch of Lords Inn Katra, further strengthening the group’s footprint in India’s growing spiritual tourism market.

Located close to the revered Vaishno Devi Shrine, the new hotel is positioned to cater to both pilgrims and leisure travellers visiting one of the country’s most significant religious destinations.

Situated in the heart of Katra, the property features 45 rooms along with modern amenities and hospitality services designed to provide guests with a comfortable and convenient stay experience while reflecting the spiritual character of the destination.

According to the company, Katra continues to attract millions of visitors every year due to its religious importance and strong tourism connectivity, making it a key market for hospitality expansion.

Speaking about the launch, Pushpendra Bansal said the new property strengthens the brand’s regional presence while offering travellers a stay experience backed by the company’s hospitality standards and service approach.

Vikas Suri added that spiritual tourism in India continues to witness steady growth, with Katra remaining one of the country’s most important pilgrimage destinations. He noted that the launch aligns with the company’s broader strategy of expanding into high-potential spiritual and leisure markets.

Meanwhile, Kumar Roushan highlighted the group’s continued focus on strengthening its presence across Jammu & Kashmir while addressing the increasing demand for quality hospitality infrastructure in the region.

The hotel will also feature dining and guest facilities designed to offer convenience and relaxation for travellers during their visit.

With the addition of Lords Inn Katra, Lords Hotels & Resorts continues to expand its presence across India’s prominent pilgrimage and tourism destinations.

Sri Narasu’s Coffee Company Pvt. Ltd. is accelerating its expansion plans across South India, strengthening its retail and distribution presence in Karnataka, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh after building a strong foothold in Tamil Nadu.

The century-old coffee brand has opened its first store in Bengaluru and is preparing to launch another outlet in Amaravati within the next two to three months. The move marks the beginning of a larger strategic expansion aimed at growing the company’s footprint across key coffee-consuming markets in southern India.

Currently, the company operates 78 company-owned stores and offers more than 180 SKUs across coffee, tea, and FMCG categories. Its stores feature a range of products including premium coffee blends, instant coffee, and freeze-dried variants.

As part of the expansion strategy, Narasu’s Coffee is also strengthening its distribution network, with plans to increase its distributor base from 42 to 150 by the end of the current fiscal year.

The company believes the southern market presents strong growth opportunities due to increasing coffee consumption trends across Karnataka, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh. Salem’s strategic location is also expected to support efficient supply chain and distribution operations across these neighbouring states.

P Sivanantham said the company’s long-standing growth has been built on values such as quality, reliability, and consumer trust. He added that while the company continues to expand, maintaining consistent standards and delivering value to consumers remain central to the brand’s identity.

Meanwhile, Srudheep S highlighted that the company sees significant potential in the southern Indian coffee market and aims to bring authentic South Indian coffee experiences to modern households across India.

According to the company, its expansion roadmap over the next three years includes strengthening retail visibility and supply chain operations across the country. The Bengaluru and Amaravati stores are expected to play an important role in driving this larger growth strategy.

Narasu’s Coffee also sees its instant coffee range as a major growth driver. Its portfolio includes products such as Pure Instant Coffee, Master’s Extra Strong, Insta Strong Coffee, and freeze-dried coffee variants catering to different consumer segments and price points.

The company added that its focus on maintaining blend consistency, operational efficiency, and quick product dispatch systems has helped strengthen consumer trust over the decades.