Cond Nast's editors have sat down, like they do yearly and listed their favourite stays in Asia.
The Republic Day long weekend beginning Saturday is driving a surge in travel with hotels and resorts witnessing an increase in bookings led by high demand, reflecting a decisive shift in traveller behaviour and the rise of micro-getaways, industry players said. The increasing preference for short, experience-led holidays is emerging as a strong trend shaping the country's leisure travel market.
Instead of ticking off bucket-list activities, 'Nap'cations revolve around curated rest. Think blackout curtains, memory foam beds, herbal teas, rejuvenating spa sessions, and even anytime breakfasts.
'This is not a case of tax evasion but the result of long-standing ambiguities in GST rules and unawareness.'
India's hospitality sector is rolling out the red carpet for investors. A flurry of upcoming IPOs, or initial public offerings, the entry of new players, and ambitious expansion plans by Indian and global hotel brands are ushering in what could be the industry's most formalised era yet. Leading the charge are real estate titans, who are turning their hotel arms into global hospitality chains.
With the rise of wellness tourism and experiential travel, specialised jobs are being created in spa management, event planning and local experience curation, besides social media management.
From high-end villas with private sommeliers to exclusive showcases at cultural centres to private sessions with Michelin-starred chefs and celebrities, hotel chains are pulling out all the stops
The launch of the first-ever direct train service from Delhi to Kashmir would be a big turning point in the Valley's mood and its integration with India. He had to thwart it at any cost, asserts Shekhar Gupta.
'Adventure travel, cultural tours, and wellness retreats are in high demand.'
The new visa-free regime allows travellers to stay for up to 60 days instead of only 15 earlier.
Reliance Industries in collaboration with The Oberoi Hotels and Resorts will co-manage three iconic hospitality projects which include Anant Vilas in Mumbai and Stoke Park in the UK, the company said on Thursday. The arrangement between the two companies also includes management of another planned project in Gujarat. "Reliance Industries...has entered into an understanding with The Oberoi Hotels and Resorts (Oberoi) to jointly manage three properties across India and the UK.
Rediff.com readers Harsha Bhatt and Gaurav Deshpande share their favourite beach pictures.
Bharatiya Janata Party's Rajya Sabha MP and candidate from Sawai Madhopur Kirodi Lal Meena Friday said two Bengaluru resorts have been booked for winning candidates of the Congress to camp there after the results of the Rajasthan Assembly polls are announced.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signalled that he would largely bypass the New Hampshire primary next week and instead would focus on South Carolina where the Republican presidential primary is scheduled for February 24.
Prithvi Raj Singh Oberoi, the 94-year-old veteran corporate hotelier who redefined India's hospitality industry, passed away on Tuesday. The Chairman Emeritus of The Oberoi Group, popularly known as 'Biki', built a sprawling chain comprising 32 hotels during his lifetime. EIH owns the eponymous Oberoi and Trident hotel chains.
Global hospitality major IHG Hotels and Resorts saw its business surpass pre-pandemic levels in 2023 on the back of "unprecedented growth" in the tourism industry, a senior company official said. The UK-headquartered company, which operates Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Crowne Plaza and luxury brands like Intercontinental and Six Senses in India, launched its premium lifestyle brand voco in January this year, with the first property set up at Jim Corbett in North India. The group, in total, signed 15 new deals in 2023.
'Due to rural stress, volumes continue to remain an issue for the industry, and we are yet to see any revival in demand.'
The federal agency issued a summons to Vaibhav Gehlot (43) last week, asking him to appear before the investigating officer of the case at its headquarters on A P J Abdul Kalam Road here under the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is expected to press money laundering charges against its two officers and some private individuals who were recently booked by the CBI in a bribery case linked to an accused arrested in the alleged Delhi liquor policy scam, official sources said Tuesday.
Amid allegations of attempts at horse-trading in the Rajya Sabha elections in four states, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Thursday said special observers have been appointed to oversee the poll process which will be videographed.
'With Ramaland, the tourism department is looking to attract children and adults alike. It'll be learning with entertainment.'
Grounded carrier Jet Airways on Friday announced the appointment of Sanjiv Kapoor as the chief executive officer. His appointment to the post comes days after the airline brought in former Sri Lankan Airlines CEO Vipula Gunatileka as the chief financial officer. Kapoor, who is currently the president of Oberoi Hotels and Resorts, has been associated with budget carriers SpiceJet and GoAir as well as with full-service carrier Vistara in various capacities in the past.
Cash registers are ringing more frequently at hotels and resorts with the return of the big fat Indian wedding after a two-year hiatus. This comes even as the small and intimate ceremonies - which became popular during the pandemic - are also set to keep those employed in the hospitality sector on their toes. As many as 2.5 million marriages are expected to get solemnised during the wedding season that gets underway from next week and stretches on till April, according to industry estimates.
"Around 20 candidates have been shifted to Jaipur from Assam today," said Congress chief whip in the Rajasthan assembly, Mahesh Joshi.
Polling for 16 Rajya Sabha seats in four states will be held on Friday amid allegations of attempts at horse-trading by rival parties which have corralled their MLAs in hotels and scenic resorts, prompting the Election Commission to appoint special observers and order videography of the entire exercise.
All 41 candidates from Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand and Telangana were elected unopposed on Friday after the biennial elections to 57 Rajya Sabha seats were announced recently.
Looking aggressively at the Indian market for expansion, the Vikram Chatwal Hotels, a division of Hampshire Hotels and Resorts, plans to open "Dream brand hotels" in various cities in the country, including Bangalore, Mumbai and New Delhi with a Rs 5,000-crore (Rs 50 billion) investment.
International hospitality majors such as Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Starwood Hotels and Resorts, and Jumeirah International are all planning to establish their presence in the country.
India's incredible hospitality and heritage has attracted global attention with the country's leading hotel chain, Oberoi Hotels and Resorts grabbing a position among the world's top 10, according to a latest survey.
Sant Chatwal announced his plans of bringing Hampshire Hotels and Resorts to India. Keen on opening hotels in Punjab, he plans on a pan Indian presence.
Tata group's hospitality firm Indian Hotels Company Ltd (IHCL) on Friday said its 'Taj' brand has been rated as the strongest hotel brand in the world. According to the 'Hotels 50 2021' report by Brand Finance, Taj topped the strongest brands list for having stood resilient in spite of the challenges posed by the pandemic, besides other achievements.
Hudco had in 2006 given a loan of Rs 62.38 crore to Bakshi's private venture, Ascot Hotels and Resorts, for a commercial project in Noida. The loan, however, turned NPA in 2011.
A PIL was filed stating the extensive wedding preparations of Suryakant -- son of Ajay Gupta -- and that of Atul Gupta's son Shashank was damaging the environment.
Le Meridien Hotels and Resorts has set a target of opening 15 properties in India by 2005, and asked the government to further liberalise the aviation sector to boost the country's tourism industry.
Mourning Nair's demise will not only be his family members and thousands of well-wishers and employees of Leela Palace Hotels and Resorts, which he founded at the ripe age of 67.