15 Jan 2026

Indian Hotels Company Ltd has secured trademark registration for the iconic Taj sonic sound, making it the first hospitality brand in India to receive protection for a sound mark. The registration gives legal recognition to the Taj brand's distinctive audio identity and safeguards it from unauthorised use. IHCL said the move reflects the growing importance of experience-led branding, where sound plays a key role alongside visual elements. Used across guest touchpoints and digital platforms, the sonic identity helps build familiarity and emotional connection with guests. The milestone highlights IHCL's focus on protecting brand equity in a market where hospitality, real estate and mixed-use developments increasingly rely on consistent, multi-sensory brand experiences.Read more

14 Jan 2026

Air India is introducing a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on its long haul international services from February 2026. This is the first Dreamliner to join the mainline fleet after Tata Group's takeover in 2022, following title transfer in the US and arrival in Delhi. The aircraft seats 296 passengers in Business, Premium Economy, and Economy classes. The induction is part of a wider fleet modernisation plan, including five more wide body aircraft and retrofitting existing jets. The move strengthens Air India's global expansion and enhances passenger experience on international routes.Read more

14 Jan 2026

LondonMetric Property PLC has acquired a portfolio of Premier Inn hotels for GBP 89 million, adding to its growing hospitality real estate exposure. The hotels will continue to operate under the Premier Inn brand, owned by Whitbread PLC, which has a strong presence across the UK budget hotel market. The deal reflects LondonMetric's ongoing diversification strategy, as the company expands beyond logistics and retail assets into income-generating hospitality properties. The transaction supports its focus on stable, long-term returns backed by established operators.Read more

14 Jan 2026

Goa recorded over 1.08 crore tourist arrivals in 2025, its highest in recent years, signalling a strong and sustained recovery of the tourism sector. The state welcomed more than 1.02 crore domestic tourists and over five lakh foreign visitors, supported by improved air connectivity, cruise tourism and expanding infrastructure. Officials said growth has been driven by rising domestic travel, revival of international arrivals and the operational impact of Manohar International Airport at Mopa. Charter flights, scheduled international services and cruise liners continued to add to inbound numbers. The government said its focus remains on quality and regenerative tourism to ensure long-term benefits for local communities, the environment and the economy, while strengthening Goa's position as a leading leisure and hospitality destination.Read more

13 Jan 2026

New airlines approved to operate in India may take several years to launch commercial services due to a global shortage of aircraft, according to aviation veteran Dinesh Keskar. Speaking at IIM Nagpur, he said aircraft manufacturers have full order books until 2032, making near-term deliveries difficult even after regulatory approvals. While India's air travel demand continues to grow, limited aircraft availability remains the biggest hurdle for new entrants. Keskar also noted that domestic aircraft manufacturing is constrained by the lack of skilled manpower. The delay in airline launches could impact airport-linked infrastructure, logistics, and hospitality development, although long-term growth prospects for India's aviation and airport-led real estate ecosystem remain strong.Read more

13 Jan 2026

Lemon Tree Hotels has approved a major restructuring plan that includes Warburg Pincus acquiring a 41.09 per cent stake in subsidiary Fleur Hotels and committing up to INR 960 crore in fresh investment. The move aims to create two focused hospitality platforms an asset-light hotel management company under Lemon Tree and a dedicated hotel ownership and development arm under Fleur. As part of the reorganisation, hotel assets will be transferred to Fleur, which will be listed separately on stock exchanges. Fleur's owned portfolio will expand significantly, while Lemon Tree will focus on management, branding, and digital growth. The restructuring is expected to unlock long-term value and support expansion amid rising demand across India's hospitality and tourism-driven real estate markets.Read more

12 Jan 2026

ITC Hotels Ltd has secured a long-term land lease at Yashobhoomi in Dwarka to develop a premium five-star hotel, strengthening its presence in India's rapidly expanding meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions ecosystem. The proposed hotel will feature contemporary banqueting facilities and signature culinary offerings, aimed at catering to large conventions, global events and high-end business travel. The land parcel, leased for 91 years, reflects a significant investment commitment and aligns with the growing prominence of Yashobhoomi as a major international convention destination. The development is expected to enhance hospitality infrastructure in the national capital region while supporting the venue's ambition to attract marquee global events. The project adds to ITC Hotels established footprint in Delhi-NCR and reinforces its strategy of expanding in high-impact business and convention hubs.Read more

08 Jan 2026

The Hotel Association of India has asked the government to prioritise hospitality-focused reforms in the forthcoming Union Budget. The industry body has renewed its demand for infrastructure status for hotels, citing the sector's contribution to GDP, employment, and foreign exchange earnings. It has highlighted the need for easier financing, longer loan tenures, and lower interest rates, along with simplified approvals and clearances. The association has also recommended single-window clearances, restoration of forex-linked incentives, and higher depreciation benefits to strengthen investment and operational efficiency.Read more

08 Jan 2026

FLY91 is set to expand its fleet with two additional ATR 72-600 aircraft, leased from Dubai Aerospace Enterprise and scheduled for delivery later this month, bringing its total fleet to six. The airline plans to increase flight frequency on existing routes and launch new services to Vijayawada, Rajahmundry, Nanded, Hubballi, and Dabolim. This comes shortly after the government approved three new domestic airlines, reflecting policy support to diversify India's aviation sector. Fly91 continues to focus on regional connectivity while competing with dominant carriers.Read more

07 Jan 2026

Flight operations across India were disrupted earlier this week due to dense fog, low visibility, and snowfall, prompting airlines like IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Air India to issue advisories for passengers. Flights to and from Leh were temporarily suspended due to heavy snowfall, while fog affected airports in cities including Bhopal, Udaipur, Hyderabad, Ranchi, Agartala, Dehradun, Guwahati, Bhubaneswar, and Gorakhpur. Passengers were urged to check flight status, allow extra travel time, and use rebooking or refund options. Northern India faced a cold wave, with sub-zero temperatures in Kashmir and poor air quality in Delhi.Read more