Page 10 - Hospitality Industry

In 2024, hospitality sector to tap opportunities in underserved Indian mkts

As per analysts' estimates, Chhatwal, who is also the Managing Director and CEO of Indian Hotels Company Ltd (IHCL), said the sector had clocked a 14 per cent growth in Revenue Per Available Room

Targeting 20% revenues from non-lounge services in 5 years: DreamFolks CMD

The company currently earns 99% of its revenues from providing technology solutions connecting banks (and their debit and credit cards) with airport lounges

IPO-bound Oyo elevates Rakesh Kumar as new chief financial officer

Kumar will replace Abhishek Gupta, who will continue with Oyo in "an advisory and mentorship capacity

Hospitality industry expects hiring to speed up after robust growth in 2023

The Indian hospitality and tourism sector is expected to see accelerated hiring going forward after witnessing a robust growth this year with domestic travels leading the way, according to industry players. With a report by the Hotel Association of India (HAI) projecting the hotel industry's direct contribution to India's GDP to reach USD 1 trillion by 2047, experts believe there will be a minimum of 25 per cent rise in the need for workforce, with the adjacent industries like travel, aviation, ticket booking, travel guides, and consultants to be increasingly in demand. "The hotel industry's direct contribution to India's GDP reaching USD 1 trillion by 2047 is a significant milestone. This substantial growth will undoubtedly bolster job creation within the sector, providing employment to millions of individuals across diverse skill sets," HAI Vice President K B Kachru told PTI. Kachru, who is also Chairman Emeritus & Principal Advisor, South Asia Radisson Hotel Group, further said

Oyo restarts self-operated hotels, targets 200 new premium properties

As part of the program, OYO will secure annual, long-term management contracts on a revenue-share basis for 200 premium hotels across Indian metros

Hoteliers optimistic on current economic scenario, future prospects: Report

A significant number of Indian hoteliers have expressed optimism over the current economic scenario and future prospects, as occupancy rates have increased over the past six months, a report said on Wednesday. Business sentiment among Indian hoteliers continues to remain strong, with nearly half (49 per cent) reporting an increase in average room rates, and an even higher number (55 per cent) said there has been an increase in occupancy rates over the past six months, the report titled Indian Accommodation Barometer 2023 by Booking.Com said. The gradual return of international travellers, along with the opportunities presented by digitalisation and interest in sustainable travel, also add to this upbeat mood, it noted. The report is based on a survey conducted between July 17 and August 25 via telephonic interviews. Around 250 executives and managers from the Indian travel accommodation sector (hotels and holiday rental providers) participated in the survey. The report also found t

Zubin Saxena succeeds Navjit Ahluwalia as Hilton's senior VP, country head

Zubin Saxena will take charge in January 2024; he was previously working at the Radisson Hotel Group for over eight years

PRS Oberoi: Remembering the man who redefined the Indian hospitality

The restaurateur inherited the business from his father Mohan Singh Oberoi, the pioneering founder of the group that now operates 32 hotels and has presence in seven countries under multiple brands

Who was Biki Oberoi, the man who set high standards in hospitality industry

Born in 1929, Biki Oberoi was the executive chairman of EIH Limited, the flagship company of the Oberoi Group, from 2002 to 2022

PRS Oberoi, pioneer of Indian hospitality industry, passes away at 94

In 2008, Oberoi was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian honour for his contributions to the hospitality industry

In India, just asset-light model doesn't work: IHCL's Puneet Chhatwal

A combination of asset-light and asset-heavy is the right formula, driving absolute returns in its owned portfolio where the operating leverage is currently higher, he said

Barbeque-Nation posts net loss of Rs 12.37 cr in second straight quarter

India's retail inflation remained above the Reserve Bank of India's 2%-6% tolerance for most of the reporting quarter, and eased to 5.02% only in September

Hospitality major EIH Q2 net profit rises over 4-fold to Rs 94.14 cr

Hospitality major EIH Ltd on Friday reported an over four-fold rise in its consolidated net profit to Rs 94.14 crore in the second quarter ended September 30, 2023, driven by higher revenue. The company, which owns and operates hotels and resorts under the Oberoi and Trident brands, had posted a consolidated net profit of Rs 22.35 crore in the year-ago period, EIH Ltd said in a regulatory filing. Consolidated revenue from operations was at Rs 530.57 crore in the quarter under review as against Rs 401.05 crore in the corresponding period a year ago, it added. Total expenses in the second quarter were higher at Rs 426.43 crore as compared to Rs 355.9 crore in the last fiscal. EIH Ltd Executive Chairman Arjun Oberoi said the company achieved "exceptional financial results in the second quarter. We've seen a significant growth in both revenue and profitability." He further said the company is committed to expanding its presence in key markets.

Montana group, KHPL join forces to open Carls Jr restaurants in India

The Montana group, a leading player in the food and beverages industry, has entered into an agreement with Kiscon Hospitality to set up an equal joint venture which will invest USD 10 million for opening more than 50 Carls Jr restaurants. Kiscon Hospitality holds the franchise rights for California-based premium burger chain Carls Jr. This partnership is set to invest USD 10 million with the goal of opening 50-plus new Carls Jr restaurants in three years, the company said on Saturday. Reigniting the brand with the presence of 3,800-plus outlets globally in 39 countries Carl's Jr is serving chargrilled Californian burgers since 1941. The partnership between the Montana group and KHPL signifies a commitment to revitalize and relaunch this brand in the Indian market, the company release said. The collaboration aims to bring the essence of California's culinary excellence to discerning Indian consumers. Monty Singh, founder and Chairman of the Montana group, said, "With our USD 10 mi

Hotel industry to clock double-digit revenue growth in FY24: Report

The hotel industry will report double-digit revenue growth in FY2024, supported by the sustenance of domestic leisure and business travel and an increase in foreign tourist arrivals, rating agency Icra said on Wednesday. The industry has also benefitted from the G20 summit and ongoing ICC World Cup 2023, it added. Icra estimates pan-India premium hotel occupancy at around 70-72 per cent in FY24, after recovering to 68-70 per cent in FY23. Pan-India premium hotel average room rates (ARRs) are expected to be at around Rs 6,000-6,200 in FY2024, it said. According to Icra, the medium-term demand outlook also remains healthy, supported by a confluence of factors, including improvement in infrastructure and air connectivity, favourable demographics, and anticipated growth in large-scale MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) events with the opening of multiple new convention centres in the last few years. Icra Vice President and Sector Head Corporate Ratings Vinutaa

Goodricke hopes to return in black this fiscal, looks to diversify

Tea major Goodricke Group Ltd, a part of the UK-based Camellia Plc, is hoping to return in black this fiscal and looking to diversify into the hospitality sector with an aim at offsetting its losses in the plantation business in Darjeeling, Managing Director and CEO Atul Asthana said. The company, however, is expecting a flat growth in tea production this year to around 32 million kgs, including the output of its three subsidiaries, and is likely to witness a de-growth in revenue in the current fiscal as "subdued tea prices" remain a concern for it, he said. The group will look for acquisitions of gardens in Assam in near future, particularly after the industry gets rid of the "current difficult phase", he said. "The Goodricke and its subsidiaries together annually produce around 30 million kgs. There will be a flat growth this year as output is expected to be 32 million kgs. The revenue of the group as a whole was around Rs 1,200 crore last year but we may witness a de-growth in ..

Focus more on niche products to tap market demand: Global Travel Market

The first edition of Global Travel Market (GTM 2023) and expo drew to a close here on Saturday with leading players of travel and hospitality sector calling for stepping up promotional efforts focusing more on niche areas like experiential travel, wellness and heritage to tap the full potential of post-pandemic surge in tourism. The four-day event, which saw a large number of business decisions being clinched during the B2B sessions by stakeholders from around the world, also stressed on firming up sectoral collaborations and government-industry relations to impart a further momentum to the highly promising sector. GTM 2023 was organised by South Kerala Hoteliers Forum (SKHF), Trivandrum Chamber of Commerce and Industries (TCCI), Tavaz Ventures, Metro Media and Citrine Hospitality Ventures, a statement said here on Saturday. GTM CEO Siji Nair said the expo had participants from around 24 countries and more than 20 states, making the event a grand success. Overall, more than 1,000 .

Espire Hospitality plans to have 20 hotels by FY25 with Rs 560 cr capex

Espire Hospitality Group is planning to have 20 operational properties by 2024-25, with a capex of Rs 560 crore under its brands - Zana, Country Inn Express and Country Inn Premier, a top company executive said on Saturday. "Currently, we have 10 hotels in the portfolio under the 5 star luxury boutique resort brand 'ZANA - a Luxury Escapes' and the 4 star brand 'Country Inn Hotels and Resorts', with 780 keys. In this financial year, we are adding 200 more keys (3 ZANA resorts) to reach 13 operational hotels with 980 keys," Espire Hospitality Group Chief Executive Officer Akhil Arora told PTI. The capex, through in-house funding, will also be utilised in phases for renovating, leasing and upgrading the existing hotels, he added. The hospitality group, Arora said, is exploring both green-field as well as brown-field properties in leisure destinations like Goa, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh. "We are exploring opportunities in leisure destinations as well as tier I cities

Travel and tourism industry's hiring demand up 44% YoY in August: Report

Sales and business development roles have the highest hiring demand in the travel & tourism industry, and demand for gig workers, such as photographers, event planners, etc have increased by 14%

OYO set to report maiden profit of over Rs 16 crore in Q2: Report

Oravel Stays Ltd, which operates travel tech brand OYO, is set to report its first-ever profit after tax of over Rs 16 crore in the current quarter ending September, according to an email sent by OYO's founder and CEO Ritesh Agarwal to the company's top management on Tuesday, sources said. "This year marks the 10th year of OYO, making it momentous and special. I have news to share befitting this occasion. As per the current trajectory in this quarter, Q2 FY24 will mark our maiden profitable quarter with a projected profit after tax (PAT) of over Rs 16 crore," Agarwal said in an email to the company's leadership, seen by PTI. Talking about future growth prospects, Agarwal said: "We see immense potential in future growth markets like the US & UK where we are dedicated to instilling confidence in our patrons and utilizing innovative technologies, such as contactless check-in, to cater to their evolving needs of the customer." He also informed that as per the just-released annual ...