Global headwinds, domestic resilience and long-term growth ambitions define the latest hospitality outlook, as shared by Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director & CEO, IHCL, at a recent public forum, where he outlined the sector’s current state and future trajectory.

As Indian travellers have started to spend more, travel more often, and demand experience-first trips, the very meaning of luxury is being reshaped, which is less about opulence, more about value and access. SATTE this year, brought a provocative question to the limelight: can luxury truly be affordable, or is the industry redefining aspiration for a wider market?

Goa has begun 2026 on a steady footing, sustaining tourism volumes at near record levels despite increasing global pressures on travel. The State recorded approximately 28.5 lakh visitors between January and March, closely matching Q1 2025, the strongest first quarter in the state’s tourism history. A key driver this quarter was the continued expansion of Goa’s MICE ecosystem. India Energy...

Hakimuddin Kanorwala has joined Suba Hotels Limited as Chief Finance Officer (CFO). Kanorwala brings over 15 years of extensive experience in finance and accounts, with deep expertise across financial planning and analysis, budgeting, treasury, taxation, compliance, risk management, governance, strategic finance, and financial reporting...

SOTC Travel partnered with Tourism Australia to host a high-impact MICE engagement in Mumbai to inspire its top corporate clients. The event witnessed strong participation from CXOs and senior executives representing leading multinational corporations and Indian corporate houses across sectors including BFSI, paints, automotive, FMCG, electronics, manufacturing, and trade. The engagement...

While India is not yet among the top 10 source markets, its long-term potential remains significant given the rapid growth of outbound travel. Encouragingly, early signs of recovery are already visible. 2026 trends further suggest a gradual upward movement, indicating that demand from India remains positive despite short-term headwinds.

The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has appointed Anant Swarup as its Secretary General, effective April 14, 2026, reinforcing the organisation’s senior leadership at a pivotal moment for Indian industry. Swarup brings to the role over three decades of distinguished experience in public policy, trade remedies, logistics, regulatory reform, and international...

Women in tourism are no longer confined to the margins of the industry’s workforce; they are increasingly shaping its direction, influencing consumer behaviour, and redefining how travel experiences are conceptualised and delivered. Globally, women account for 54% of the tourism workforce, according to UN Tourism, a figure that significantly surpasses most other sectors.

IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) has signed the second Kimpton hotel in Malaysia, announcing Kimpton Kota Kinabalu — a 350-key, design-led beachfront retreat on Tanjung Aru shoreline in partnership with Pekah Beach Resorts Sdn Bhd. Slated to open in 2031, Kimpton Kota Kinabalu will bring the brand’s signature human-first hospitality, bold design and local curiosity to Sabah’s coast. The hotel will...

VFS Global has been appointed as an Authorised Visa Agent (AVA) for Singapore visa services in Chandigarh and Chennai in India by The High Commission of the Republic of Singapore in New Delhi and the Consulate-General of the Republic of Singapore in Chennai, to make the Singapore visa application process seamless for applicants across Punjab and Tamil Nadu.