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Hospitality firm Sarovar Hotels is broadening focus towards highway hotels and resorts close to major cities, capitalising on the country's rapidly expanding roads network, a top official said. The hotel chain has 80 projects in the pipeline over the next few years as part of its expansion plan, he said. "Highway hotels and resort-concept properties close to cities, within three-four hour journey, are a new high-growth segment for hospitality, at a time when competition is getting intense in urban centres," Sarovar Hotels Chairman Ajay K Bakaya told PTI in an interview. He said this strategic shift aligns with the ongoing road infrastructure development in the country. Enhanced connectivity is opening up opportunities for leisure and business travel, creating demand for accessible and convenient accommodation options, he said. "We haven't seen such development of highways in the past. Around 10,000 km of national highways are being constructed annually, which is remarkable. It is
The country's largest airline IndiGo on Thursday said it will introduce business class in flights on the busiest routes this year. Details on product offering, launch date and routes will be unveiled around its 18th anniversary in August. "In a groundbreaking move to redefine business travel in India, IndiGo, India's most preferred airline, announces the plan to launch a tailor-made business product for India's busiest and business routes," the airline said in a release. IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers said it is constantly looking at innovating service offerings. "We believe, as India gears up to become the third largest economy in the world, it's our privilege to provide the New India even more options to choose from as they travel business. We are excited with this new phase and tailor-made product in IndiGo's evolution and strategy and aim to further give wings to the nation, by connecting people and aspirations," he said.
Corporate travel is expected to rebound with as many as 77 per cent of Indian businesses expecting a rise in their travel budget in 2023 as compared to 2022, said a survey commissioned by American Express. In terms of the practical methods used to pay for travel expenses, the most common way, used by two-thirds of companies (66 per cent), is that the business has company accounts with third party booking systems. However, most businesses reported using multiple methods, with 61 per cent saying they let employees pay and expense, and 57 per cent saying they provide employees with access to a company credit card, the survey said. The survey Revival of business travel: An India perspective' commissioned by American Express, India with the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr) indicates that 79 per cent of Indian businesses are using business travel data analytics to assist with travel booking and expenditure. "The sentiment is upbeat for corporate travel in India. While th
The Indian hotel industry is likely to witness 23 per cent growth in revenue this fiscal over the pre-pandemic level, driven by a strong recovery in business travel and continued traction in leisure travel, according to a report. Higher average room rates (ARRs) and occupancy will help the hotel industry log a strong improvement in profitability to around 34 per cent this fiscal compared to 24 per cent in the pre-pandemic period (fiscal 2020), Crisil Ratings said in a report. Revenue, on its part, will increase 23 per cent over the pre-pandemic level, riding on a strong recovery in business travel and continued traction in leisure travel, it added. "Leisure travel had gained traction post the Delta wave last fiscal, while business travel has started picking up steadily after a much milder Omicron wave in January 2022. This has been fuelling demand in the MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and events) segment," Crisil Ratings Senior Director Mohit Makhija said. Crisil Ratings .