Ploughing on

As the dark clouds of uncertainty begin to clear, the indigenous hospitality sector is gearing up to make up for missed opportunities and go higher through expansion and the launch of education programmes.

HILTON GARDEN INN HOTEL, Embassy Manyata, Bengaluru, launches

Embassy Office Park REIT has announced the opening of the first Hilton Garden Inn Hotel in Bengaluru, strategically located at the Embassy Manyata Business Park. This 353-key hotel is part of the upcoming Hilton Hotels Embassy Manyata complex, comprising 619 key dual-branded Hilton properties—Holiday Inn and Hilton—and a state-of-the-art 60,000 sq. ft. convention centre, making it one of the largest hotel complexes in South India. Combining upscale accommodation with ease of access and affordability, the hotel comes with the quality assurance of an award-winning brand.

CLEARTRIP partners with YATRA.COM

Yatra Online, Inc. has joined forces with Cleartrip. The latter’s customers will gain access to Yatra.com’s inventory of 94,000 hotels and homestays, ranging from five-star luxury properties to alternative accommodations in over 1,400 cities and towns. The addition of Yatra’s inventory with real-time pricing to Cleartrip will provide domestic and international travellers with a broader range of relevant and ideal hotels to satisfy their travel needs. It will also broaden and enhance options and business avenues for hotel partners.

CHOICE HOTELS opens COMFORT INN KAIKALURU in

Andhra Pradesh

The Comfort Inn Kaikaluru is the city’s first internationally branded hotel. The hotel is conveniently positioned among major business, commercial, and shopping areas, making it perfect for both business and leisure travellers. The newly constructed hotel has tastefully spacious, furnished rooms with modern amenities. Saffron, the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant, is open. The hotel features a full-service fitness centre, among other services. Comfort Inn Kaikaluru also has modern banqueting facilities for extensive meetings and conferences, as well as intimate social gatherings.

THE LEELA unveils LLDP

The Leela Palaces, Hotels, and Resorts has launched the Leela Leadership Development Programme (LLDP). This 15-month programme is designed to identify and groom the best talent, giving them a platform to carry forward The Leela’s rich legacy. It is launched in partnership with the Indian School of Hospitality (ISH) and Les Roches.

Signing of RAMADA BY WYNDHAM

Sasan Gir

Sasan Gir Villa LLP has signed a franchise agreement with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts for a newly built 225-key hotel in Sasan Gir under Ramada by Wyndham brand. Ramada by Wyndham Sasan Gir will be spread over 12 acres of land and will have 225 keys, with 57 guest rooms and 168 villas. It will offer two specialty restaurants, banquet halls, and outdoor event space, among other amenities.

Luxury rentals in India set to take off: NOESIS

The luxury rental and boutique homestay sectors in India are poised for exponential growth, as per NOESIS. India’s travel market is projected to grow at 11 per cent, which reached around a whopping US$ 48 billion in 2020. India still needs to add 2.5 million rooms in the homestay segment.

THE FERN RESIDENCY

opens in Haridwar

The Fern Hotels & Resorts has launched The Fern Residency in Haridwar. This is Uttarakhand’s third operational property. The Fern Residency in Haridwar is a 55-room full-service hotel with a multi-cuisine pure vegetarian restaurant, a swimming pool, a gym, a spa, and state of the art banquet facilities. The hotel is ideally set in the heart of the city, with easy access to the main tourist sites. The hotel has three types of rooms: Winter Green, Fern Club, and Hazel Suite. Suhail Kannampilly, CEO, The Fern Hotels & Resorts, says, “We expect this hotel in Haridwar to do good business as it is situated in an extremely important city from the religious tourism point of view. Moreover, it is very well connected to other tourist destinations in the state such as Rishikesh, Dehradun, and Mussoorie.”

72-keys GINGER Greater Noida opens its doors

Ginger Hotels has opened a new location in Greater Noida. Offering 72 rooms, Ginger Greater Noida is strategically located near Pari Chowk, with convenient access to the India Expo Mart, commercial centres, the Greater Noida Sports Complex and the upcoming Noida airport. It also features two conference rooms with a capacity to accommodate over 100 guests. With the opening of this hotel, Ginger now operates more than 650 keys in the Delhi-NCR region.

LEXICON IHM, MARRIOTT to shape next-gen hoteliers

Lexicon IHM signs an MOU with Marriott Hotels India to strengthen the development of its students. The Executive Leadership Programme of the Lexicon IHM will be supported by Marriott leadership. The Lexicon IHM students will get preference for internships and placements at Marriott Hotels. Within the agreement, Marriott India will own a class in the second and third years of the programme, whereby the students will receive career guidance.