News

Accor will bring luxury hospitality to both city and country in the culturally rich region of Rajasthan

Accor and Sukhani Ventures today announced plans to bring two of Accor’s most storied luxury brands – Raffles Hotels & Resorts and Sofitel Legend – to the vibrant region of Rajasthan in Northern India. Raffles Ranthambore will be a 63-villa ultra-luxury resort residing among the famed Ranthambore National Park, appealing to families, intrepid adventurers, and wildlife enthusiasts. A mere 130 km away, Sofitel Legend Sukh Bagh Jaipur will be a 300+ key urban oasis in the Kukas Amer region of Jaipur, ideal for events, weddings, and corporate retreats. Raffles Ranthambore is expected to open by mid-2027 and Sofitel Legend Sukh Bagh Jaipur by late 2028.

HVS ANAROCK Insights - Navigating the Noise: What US Tariffs Could Mean for Indian Hospitality?

India has received a short break on the tariff front, but the bigger picture remains complex. Earlier this month, the US administration announced a steep 26% tariff on Indian imports, sparking concerns across trade-focused sectors. Fortunately, a 90-day suspension has been granted, offering India, along with several other countries, a temporary pause and a crucial opportunity for trade discussions.Key Indian export sectors like electronics, gems and jewelry, textiles, and auto components are watching the developments closely as these industries have strong export ties with the US. If the tariffs are enforced after the suspension period, many could face higher input costs, lower margins, and reduced global competitiveness.Yet, amidst the uncertainty, there is an underlying opportunity. Trade experts believe this could prompt long-overdue reforms, such as streamlining India’s tariff structures, improving import policies, and increasing investments to strengthen domestic manufacturing and supply chains. As trade talks progress over the coming weeks, the spotlight will be on how India positions itself, not just in relation to the US, but within the rapidly evolving global trade landscape.The travel and hospitality sector in India, while not directly impacted by the tariffs, could feel the ripple effects over time. With the global economic environment in a state of flux, marked by protectionist trade policies, recessionary signals in some regions, and general uncertainty, travel demand may begin to soften. These factors can influence discretionary spending, which in turn could affect both corporate and leisure travel.

Radisson Hotel Group Crosses the 200 Hotels Mark in South Asia with the Signing of Five New Hotels

In line with its ambitious growth plan for 2025, Radisson Hotel Group has reached a historic milestone in India with crossing 200 hotels, following the signing of five new hotels. This achievement reflects the Group’s strategic expansion across high growth markets and cements its position as one of India's largest international hotel operators. The 128 operational hotels (14,209 keys) and 77 properties (8,619 keys) under development is a testament to its scalable business model and owner confidence.

IHG Hotels & Resorts Launches Midscale Conversion Brand, Garner, in India with Dual Hotel Signing

IHG® Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has announced the signing of two Garner hotels in India, marking the brand’s debut with properties in Etawah in Uttar Pradesh and Kathua in Jammu & Kashmir. Scheduled to open in of 2026 Garner Etawah and with 2027 opening, Garner Kathua will be developed in partnership with Madan Infradevelopers Pvt Ltd and Rudraksh Nakshatra Hotel Pvt Ltd, respectively. This milestone underscores IHG’s commitment to expanding its footprint in India, positioning Garner as a preferred choice for travelers seeking high-quality, affordable stays.

IHG Unveils Strategic Overhaul of its Upper-Midscale segment in Greater China’s Hotel Market

IHG Hotels & Resorts has recently announced a bold strategic overhaul of its four upper-midscale brands in Greater China — Atwell Suites, EVEN Hotels, Holiday Inn, and Holiday Inn Express. Focused on optimizing investment structures and ongoing brand refreshments, the upgraded strategy is designed to deliver high-efficiency, high-return solutions for hotel owners in this fast-evolving market.

Leisure Hotels Group expands its footprints in the Himalayan Hill States of Uttarakhand & Himachal with the addition of three new properties

Leisure Hotels Group (LHG), an experiential resort chain in North India and the largest in Uttarakhand proudly announces the opening of three new boutique retreats across key destinations of Naukuchiatal & Kanatal in Uttarakhand and McLeodganj in Himachal. The new openings reflect the Group’s strategic and ambitious growth plan for the region.

The commercial terms of Australian hotel management agreements are more owner-friendly than elsewhere in Asia Pacific

SYDNEY – Last year, JLL (NYSE: JLL) and Baker McKenzie published the Asia Pacific Hotel Management Agreements (HMAs) survey, the most comprehensive study of its kind in Asia Pacific. This data has now been used to prepare a further report devoted specifically to the Australian market and draws from 46 contracts entered into between the beginning of 2018 and the end of 2024. Most interestingly, there is clear evidence that the terms of Australian management agreements are more owner-friendly than elsewhere in Asia Pacific. The major differences as detected by the survey are:

Introducing BEING Thailand 2025: An Event for Connection and Collaboration in Wellness

Thailand’s vibrant wellness industry will take centre-stage this May in Phuket with BEING Thailand 2025, a new B2B event designed to unite professionals across the wellness, hospitality, and tourism sectors. The inaugural gathering, expected to draw 400 industry leaders, aims to drive key conversations and innovation, bringing together a traditionally fragmented sector for an exchange of ideas and strategies.

Expansion of The Meetings Show Asia Pacific 2025 Cements Singapore's Role as a MICE Powerhouse

The 2nd edition of APAC's leading MICE show, The Meetings Show Asia Pacific (TMS APAC), sees a record number of exhibitors and buyers. Returning to Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre on 16 and 17 April 2025 and co-located with the inaugural Business Travel Show APAC, TMS APAC is set to bring the biggest gathering of travel professionals in the region. With the support of the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), this year’s event further solidifies Singapore’s standing as the "World's Best MICE City.”

In Focus: Singapore

Singapore, a city-state spanning 734 square kilometres with a population of approximately 6.04 million, remains one of the world’s top travel and business destinations. Its modern infrastructure, cultural diversity, and strategic location continue to attract millions of visitors annually.

PolyU study recommends creating integrated tourism cluster brand for the Greater Bay Area

Tourism is considered a key industry in the Greater Bay Area (GBA), which sets its sights on becoming a world-leading destination. The School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) today released its policy study findings on the strategies and potential for creating an integrated brand tourism cluster by leveraging the strengths of the cities within GBA. The study has been supported by the Public Policy Research Funding Scheme of the HKSAR Government.

Indian Travellers Go Global: Safety, Social Media and Sustainability Stand Out in New MMGY Study

As India rapidly matures in global and economic influence, so does the buying power of its vast and adventurous travelling population. According to new research by MMGY Travel Intelligence, passport-carrying adults in India intend to spend an average of $4,755 on leisure trips in the next 12 months, pinpointing a 14% increase in spending over the past year. This and other findings are at the core of Portrait of Indian International Travellers™ – which unveils key new insights into the travel behaviors, motivations and preferences of Indian travellers exploring abroad.