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By Nishang Narayan
Published on February 4, 2025
The Union Budget 2025 has set the stage for significant transformation in India's hospitality and tourism sector. With a strong emphasis on infrastructure, connectivity, and investment-driven growth, industry leaders believe these measures will bring long-term benefits, attracting both domestic and international travelers.
One of the key highlights is the modified Udaan scheme, which will introduce 120 new destinations, strengthening regional connectivity and boosting tourism in emerging hotspots. Hotels, resorts, and homestays in lesser-explored regions are expected to see an increase in footfall, fostering further development and investment.
Ambika Saxena, CEO of TWH Hospitality, emphasized how the expanded Udaan scheme will open doors for new destinations, benefiting hotels and resorts. She stated:
"This year, the government has presented a well-balanced and growth-oriented budget, specifically supporting the tourism and hospitality sectors. The modified Udaan scheme will open doors for the hospitality sector by bringing new tourist destinations into the spotlight. Hotels, resorts, and homestays in unexplored regions will see a surge in demand, encouraging further investment and development. With the government's push for connectivity and including new 120 destinations, we expect a stronger pipeline in the hospitality sector, catering to both business and leisure travelers in emerging tourism hotspots."
The expansion of tourism-friendly policies is another key highlight, with a focus on domestic and spiritual tourism. Measures such as streamlined e-visa facilities, visa fee waivers, and performance-linked incentives for states will improve tourist amenities and cleanliness, ultimately enhancing the travel experience.
Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director of Informa Markets in India, sees this as a landmark initiative for India's tourism industry:
"The Union Budget 2025 presented a progressive roadmap that prioritizes infrastructure, economic growth, and regional connectivity. The government's continued emphasis on regional development and tourism-friendly policies will have a far-reaching impact on multiple sectors, including travel and tourism. The modified Udaan scheme, in particular, is a landmark initiative that will strengthen India's position as a global tourism hub. The scheme has already benefited 1.5 crore middle-class travelers, and the expansion of the scheme to include 120 new destinations is a game-changer for regional connectivity. With increased accessibility, we anticipate a surge in domestic tourism and business travel, providing a major boost to the tourism industry."
The government has also placed a strong focus on homestays and small-scale tourism businesses by introducing Mudra loans to empower local entrepreneurs. This move is expected to encourage more people to invest in the hospitality space, promoting sustainable and community-driven tourism.
Pranav Dangi, Founder and CEO of The Hosteller, believes these steps will help India emerge as a top global destination:
"The Union Budget 2025 presents a robust vision for India's tourism sector. The emphasis on infrastructure development, support for homestays through Mudra loans, and the inclusion of hotels in the harmonized scheme will strengthen the industry's foundation. Additionally, developing 50 tourist destinations will definitely enhance India's position as a global travel hub. Being in the travel and hospitality space for more than a decade, I see these initiatives as the required push for accessibility, affordability, and innovation in travel, setting the stage for India to emerge as a top global destination."
Another critical aspect of the budget is skill development and workforce training in hospitality. The government aims to provide intensive training programs through Institutes of Hospitality Management, ensuring world-class education and better employment opportunities in the sector.
Saurabh Gahoi, Senior Vice President of Ramee Group of Hotels, sees this as a transformative step for the industry:
"The Union Budget announcement by FM Sitharaman marks a significant milestone, driving growth while empowering citizens, particularly the middle class. A notable highlight is the emphasis on the travel and hospitality industry, which promises transformative changes.Key measures include enhancing connectivity to major tourist destinations, offering performance-linked incentives to states for better destination management, and improving tourist amenities and cleanliness. Additionally, the introduction of streamlined e-visa facilities and visa-fee waivers for select groups is set to boost inbound travel.Domestic and spiritual tourism is set to flourish, supported by revised income tax reforms that encourage travel within the country. A major boost comes from intensive skill-development programs, particularly in Institutes of Hospitality Management, ensuring world-class training for the youth. By prioritizing individual growth, these initiatives will lead to superior customer experiences, elevating India's hospitality standards globally.This budget serves as a catalyst for long-term industry growth, creating new business opportunities and employment. With a focus on infrastructure, workforce development, and seamless travel experiences, FM Sitharaman's budget is a game-changer, strengthening India's position as a premier travel and hospitality hub."
With infrastructure development, connectivity expansion, and workforce training at its core, the Union Budget 2025 is a major step forward for India's hospitality and tourism industry. By enhancing accessibility, supporting small businesses, and improving the ease of travel, the government has laid the foundation for a vibrant, competitive, and globally recognized tourism sector. These policies are expected to create new business opportunities, attract investments, and establish India as a premier travel destination in the years to come.
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By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Published on May 30, 2026
Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Limited (ASPHL) has announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and financial year ended March 31, 2026, reporting steady operational growth supported by strong occupancy levels and continued expansion across key hospitality markets.
The company reported revenue from operations of INR 183.70 crore for Q4 FY26, compared to INR 177.32 crore during the same quarter last year. Operating EBITDA for the quarter stood at INR 52.99 crore, while profit after tax (PAT) was reported at INR 11.88 crore.
ASPHL recorded occupancy levels of 90 per cent during the quarter, reflecting sustained demand across both business and leisure travel segments and reinforcing the company’s position within India’s hospitality sector.
For the full financial year FY26, the company crossed the INR 700 crore annual revenue milestone for the first time, reporting revenue from operations of INR 707.28 crore. Annual PAT for the year stood at INR 65.72 crore.
The company stated that growth during FY26 was supported by expansion into Tier II and Tier III cities along with strategic acquisitions aimed at strengthening its presence in high-potential hospitality destinations.
During the financial year, ASPHL acquired control of Zillion Hotels and Resorts Private Limited, Fisherman’s Grove Resorts Private Limited, and Thali Hotels and Destinations Private Limited. These acquisitions are expected to further strengthen the company’s hospitality presence across Mumbai and Kerala.
ASPHL also reaffirmed its long-term growth plans and said it remains on track to more than double its room inventory to 6,653 keys over the next five years.
The company’s bakery and confectionery brand, Flurys, also continued its expansion during FY26. The brand currently operates 110 outlets and recorded a 29 per cent year-on-year revenue growth during the financial year, supported by new store additions and strong performance across existing outlets.
Commenting on the results, Vijay Dewan, Managing Director, Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels, said FY26 marked a significant milestone as the company crossed INR 700 crore in annual revenue for the first time. He added that Q4 reflected resilient operational performance with continued leadership in occupancy and RevPAR metrics.
Dewan further noted that the sale of serviced apartments at EM Bypass, Kolkata, contributed positively to cash flow during the year. He added that the company remains focused on long-term value creation through portfolio expansion, guest-centric experiences, operational efficiency, and margin improvement.
The company also highlighted that recent global recognition received by Ran Baas The Palace, Patiala and The Lotus Palace, Chettinad further strengthens its positioning as a design-led and experience-driven hospitality group.
By Hariharan U
Published on May 25, 2026
India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), the public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, has reported a strong financial performance for FY 2025–26 with a 14 percent increase in profit before tax (PBT) compared to the previous financial year.
The corporation also announced a dividend payout of Rs 22.02 crore to the Government of India, reflecting continued operational strength and improved financial performance despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainties impacting the global hospitality and tourism sector.
According to the company, the growth was driven by enhanced operational efficiencies, strategic initiatives across business verticals, optimal resource allocation, and continued focus on customer-centric service delivery.
Commenting on the performance, Mugdha Sinha said the results reflect ITDC’s ongoing efforts towards strengthening service standards while building on the organisation’s long-standing legacy and institutional trust.
During the financial year, ITDC also introduced three operational manuals focused on procurement of goods and services, sound and light shows, and general clauses aimed at improving governance, standardisation, and transparency across institutional processes.
The corporation further highlighted its increasing focus on technology-enabled transformation through the adoption of AI-based solutions to improve operational agility, customer experience, and business planning capabilities.
FY26 also marked two major milestones for the organisation as ITDC celebrated 60 years of its legacy alongside 70 years of The Ashok, one of India’s most iconic hospitality properties.
The company stated that its future strategy will continue to focus on operational excellence, digital transformation, sustainability, and long-term value creation while strengthening its contribution to India’s tourism and hospitality ecosystem.
The financial performance comes at a time when India’s hospitality and tourism sector continues to navigate evolving global market conditions, changing travel patterns, and increased focus on technology-led efficiencies across public and private sector enterprises.
Quick commerce platform Zepto is reportedly preparing to launch its much-awaited Rs 11,000-crore initial public offering (IPO) in July 2026. According to people familiar with the matter, the Bengaluru-based startup is targeting a stock market debut before July 31.
If the public issue moves ahead as planned, Zepto will join competitors Zomato and Swiggy, which are already listed on Indian stock exchanges.
The company recently received approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) for its maiden public issue and is now expected to submit its Updated Draft Red Herring Prospectus (UDRHP). Zepto had earlier filed its IPO papers through the confidential route in December 2025.
Founded by Stanford University dropouts Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra, Zepto has built its growth strategy differently from many players in the quick commerce space. A recent report by brokerage Bernstein highlighted that the company has focused more on strengthening existing markets rather than rapidly expanding into newer locations.
According to the report, Zepto currently has the highest concentration of dark stores in the quick commerce category, operating nearly 21 stores per city. In comparison, several competitors operate around nine stores per city.
The report also noted that Zepto currently runs 1,255 dark stores across 61 cities, while rival Blinkit has 2,222 stores spread across 243 cities. Instead of aggressively entering more markets, Zepto appears to be prioritising stronger penetration within the cities where it already operates.
Bernstein further pointed out that Zepto maintains the highest store-to-pincode ratio in the segment, reflecting its strategy of building density in selected urban markets.
The company's network continues to remain heavily focused on metro cities, where factors such as faster delivery timelines, higher order frequency and stronger customer engagement can help improve operations over time.
According to the analysis, rather than pushing growth through large-scale expansion, Zepto appears to be focusing on building stronger usage patterns and operational efficiency within a smaller number of markets.
With IPO plans now moving forward, Zepto is preparing for a major milestone that could further strengthen its position in India's growing quick commerce market.
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