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Travelling across India is safer and easier for tourists, <keyword id="20130044" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-tourism" source="keywords">Indian tourism</keyword> industry leaders have said, promoting the country, especially <keyword id="19894922" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Uttar-Pradesh" source="keywords">Uttar Pradesh</keyword>, as a premier tourist destination for Singaporeans. Their remarks came as they participated in the <keyword id="23693812" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ITB-Asia" source="keywords">ITB Asia</keyword>, a travel trade show held in Singapore From October 23 to October 25. "We need to educate <keyword id="21866171" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="global-travellers" source="keywords">global travellers</keyword> about the attractions in Uttar Pradesh and make UP known more and above the iconic <keyword id="20045918" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Taj-Mahal" source="keywords">Taj Mahal</keyword> in Agra," said Rahul Wadhwa who leads CAL India Tours and Travel. He estimated a growth of 10 per cent across the UP travel agency business. Further, Wadhwa said his Agra-based travel business was seeking collaborations globally to tie up travel arrangements and promote the state as well as India as a tourist destination. There are a growing number of five-star hotels and continuing investments in highways that make travelling across India, including UP, as seamless as the tourists expect, said the <keyword id="20181038" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="travel-industry" source="keywords">travel industry</keyword> veteran of 33 years. Technology-wise, the travel industry has also done well, moving away from the telex-based phone-call booked communications to speedier online-offline as well as mobile phone app-led bookings and arrangements for globe trotters. Travelling across India is also safer and easier, added Sushil Kumar Singh, managing director of Jatak Travels, dismissing all notions and misunderstandings about <keyword id="20415307" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="safety-and-security" source="keywords">safety and security</keyword> in India. "We have <keyword id="23693813" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tourist-friendly" source="keywords">tourist-friendly</keyword> people and highly rated facilities across the country and in UP," assured the head of the Varanasi-based travel group. The destinations and facilities in India are world-class. "We are no less than any other tourist destination," he stressed. "International tourists are visiting India freely," underscored Singh, who reported 200 per cent growth for his business post-Covid.

Indian tourism industry leaders spotlight Uttar Pradesh as safe and diverse travel destination

I spent $317 a night to stay at the Taj Cape Town. The mountain views weren't even the best part of the 5-star hotel.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Nancy Strong, 89, from Dallas, has visited no fewer than 92 countries worldwide.</li><li>She's been a travel agent for 50 years and says experiencing other cultures enriches your soul.</li></ul>This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Nancy Strong. It has been edited for length and clarity.When I did the math with my granddaughter, Jennifer, I was amazed to learn I'd visited 92 countries.I've been to five continents and scores of capital cities. On June 15, I'm flying to London from my home in Dallas for the 35th time.<h2 id="ff1163d1-6448-40fc-82d4-83f82253434c">I've stayed in luxury hotels and camped in the boonies</h2>My life has been a global adventure with too many memories to count. I've taken a donkey through the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/petra-jordan-7-wonders-of-the-world-indiana-jones-2018-7">ancient ruins of Petra in Jordan</a>, walked along The Great Wall of China, and ventured into the deepest jungles of Vietnam.I've stayed in the best hotels and camped in the most basic settings. I've flown in economy, first class, and everything in between and met people living in remote villages in the Far East, even European palaces.<div type="image" title="A woman standing outside a palace in Abu Dhabi" height="1224" width="1632" msid="110821422" hostid="261"></div>My first visit abroad was to Canada with my parents at 11. The next was to accompany my financier husband on a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/luxurious-trip-paris-what-worth-extra-money-and-not-2023-6">business trip to Paris</a> in 1966 at the age of 32.But I only caught the travel bug after working for a travel agency in Dallas in the fall of 1974. I hand-delivered airline tickets to corporate offices for $2 an hour. But, after five months, I struck out on my own after my three male bosses said I had to make their coffee.<h2 id="26eea559-c954-4b61-9fc5-c561c262dec5">My travels mix business with pleasure</h2><a target="_blank" href="https://www.strongtravel.com/">My agency</a> — which is still going after nearly 50 years — catered to top business executives such as bankers and lawyers. I booked first-class tickets and five-star hotels. I didn't want to recommend anywhere I hadn't stayed myself. I'd get to know the general managers who went the extra mile for my guests.The stamps on my passport took up all the pages. Over the years, I went to countries as large as Australia and as small as Lithuania. I sailed on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/great-barrier-reef-could-disappear-by-2050-why-2019-10">the Great Barrier Reef</a>, toured the Taj Mahal in India, and visited the Berlin Wall.<div type="image" title="A woman beside a war memorial in Normandy" height="884" width="1179" msid="110821423" hostid="261"></div>One of my favorite continents is Africa. Once, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mistakes-tourists-make-africa-safari-according-to-expert-2023-2">on a safari in Kenya</a>, we got a flat tire. But, lo and behold, a lion was feeding her cubs right next to the vehicle. The driver got out, and a man with a rifle stood sentry to protect us all. I never in my life saw anybody change a flat tire so fast.<h2 id="2d694d62-d7e2-460d-a3ba-d1ad6d50e69d">I wish more people had the opportunity to travel</h2>Many moments have taken my breath away. I've watched wildebeests migrate and monks pray in front of Buddha. I <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/video-obama-dances-tango-in-argentina-2016-3">danced the tango in Argentina</a> and drank wine in Tuscany.Travel has taught me so much. It's opened my mind and rounded my character. I visited churches, synagogues, and temples. I saw people from different cultures and religions happily going about their lives. There would be world peace if everyone was able to travel and see how alike we are.<div type="image" title="A woman standing outside a red telephone box in London." height="918" width="1224" msid="110821426" hostid="261"></div>I'm 90 in August. My husband, Asa — to whom I've been married for 70 years — is 94. I don't want to leave him for too long, but it's not slowing me down. In May, I <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/greatgrandma-time-life-taylor-swifts-paris-concert-2024-5">went to Paris to see Taylor Swift</a> with some family and friends. Jennifer and I are hoping to catch another of her concerts when we're in London this month.I've always joked that I've been everywhere but Antarctica. But I've just been invited on a cruise to see the penguins. I don't enjoy cold weather. But I never say never.Do you have an interesting story about travel that you'd like to share with Business Insider? Please send details to <a target="_blank" href="mailto:jridley@insider.com">jridley@businessinsider.com</a>.

I'm 89 and have always loved traveling. I've stayed in the fanciest hotels and also camped in the boonies.

<ul><li>Indian Hotels, the operator of Taj Hotels, launched its food delivery platform Qmin at the peak of the pandemic.</li><li>Born out of adversity, this start-up has been profitable since day one in the industry dominated by <keyword id="830092" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="zomato" source="Orion">Zomato</keyword> and <keyword id="6358977" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="swiggy" source="Orion">Swiggy</keyword>.</li><li>Jehangir Press, associate VP, strategic accounts management group and commercial director, Qmin at IHCL speaks to Business Insider India about Taj’s value chain, growth story, journey so far and revenue goals for FY23.</li></ul>Indian Hotels, the operator of Taj Hotels, launched its food delivery platform Qmin two years ago. At the height of the pandemic, instead of outsourcing the Taj Hotel Group’s delivery services to existing platforms, the Tata Group launched its own in-house platform in Qmin. In the last two years, Qmin has generated revenues to the tune of ₹100 crore. This year alone, it hopes to clock in revenues to the tune of ₹80 crore. “We are possibly the only food delivery platform that has been profitable from day one because we have found the right balance of using our existing resources,” Jehangir Press, associate VP, strategic accounts management group and commercial director, Qmin at IHCL, told Business Insider India. The 90-minute delivery service Zomato and its rival Swiggy together hold <a href="https://theprint.in/theprint-essential/are-zomato-swiggy-helping-restaurant-business-or-hurting-it-why-cci-has-ordered-a-probe/905581/">90-95%</a> market share in India’s food delivery business, but also burning cash. In the quarter ending March 2022, Zomato posted a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/zomato-posted-a-1222-crore-loss-but-its-stock-gained-18-reasons-behind-the-surge/articleshow/91766080.cms">net loss</a> of ₹1,222 crore, which widened by ₹400 crore since last year. With Qmin, the Tata Group could move away from having to depend on the likes of Zomato or Swiggy for deliveries. Qmin also gave the group complete control over the entire value chain from food preparation to delivery. “We have 100% control – over the value chain and with that, you are in control of the safety, hygiene, and health of everything that you're sending out. Also, we obviously cannot compromise on hygiene and safety. We took a call and even though it costs us substantially more, we went with the complete ecosystem,” said Press. Unlike its competitors that have been focusing on chopping their delivery time from 30 minutes to 10 minutes, Qmin says it has prioritized safety, security, hygiene, sustainability and delivering a luxurious experience. Qmin takes up to 90 minutes to deliver its orders. Its menu starts from ₹200 onwards and Qmin’s family feast widget and Fiama pizzas are the most ordered meals on the app. <div type="image" title="Qmin Packaging image" msid="93520889" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Qmin&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> It has delivered over a million meals to consumers so far and donated over 57,000 meals to flood-affected areas of Assam. From luxury food delivery to gourmet dining cafes While it started off as a gourmet food delivery service, Qmin has expanded into different food categories with the launch of its food truck, gourmet eatery shops and Qmin quick service restaurant (QSR). Its food trucks are stationed outside corporate offices and it also caters to private house parties. <div type="image" title="3 (1)" msid="93520927" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Qmin&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Qmin shops, present in Mumbai and Delhi, retail international food items such as breads, handcrafted cheeses, meats, patisserie items, etc. Qmin also has 13 QSRs in Bengaluru and will be expanding its presence in the country in the coming months. “We're looking at atleast 100 plus shops in QSRs to very quickly open up all across the country. Our truck business will also grow, (but) not at the same pace. The shops are where we see the major growth,” said Press. Qmin is also looking at expanding its presence across borders, starting with the UK, US and UAE markets. While delivery and retail shops contribute almost equally to Qmin’s overall sales, Press is confident that retail shops will contribute a lion’s share of the revenue in the near future.

Qmin has been profitable business for IHCL from day one, says Jehangir Press

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Jaclyn Sienna India, 42, founded the ultra-luxury travel company Sienna Charles. </li><li>She didn't come from money but plans vacations for people worth at least $100 million.</li></ul>This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Jaclyn Sienna India, the founder of the luxury travel concierge <a target="_blank" href="https://siennacharles.com/">Sienna Charles</a>. The following has been edited for length and clarity.I came from an extremely <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/income-inequality-mental-health-crisis-money-life-expectancy-social-comparison-2024-2">poor background</a>, but I always had a vision.I attended university for art history. I was a typical college kid, but at that time, I started working at a five-star French <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-tips-for-eating-at-fancy-restaurants-2016-8">luxury restaurant</a>, Le Bec-Fin, as a server. I didn't know how much that restaurant would impact my life.The clients coming in came from <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/luxury-wealthy-vacation-planner-travel-agent-2023-7">wealthy backgrounds</a>. I saw people spend $10,000 on dinner. They were super dressed up, covered in jewels, and coming in with Rolls-Royces to dine on the best food and drink the best wine.I became enamored with studying people with ultra-high net worths. I wanted to take that elegance, knowledge, and personal service I learned in the restaurant and bring it to travel.<h2>Faking it until I made it</h2>I started my own travel concierge, Sienna Charles, 16 years ago. I definitely faked it until I made it, but I believed in it.You could start a business for $99. But what you do with that after is when you start to grow as <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/bridgit-mendler-northwood-space-ceo-start-up-disney-2024-2">an entrepreneur</a>. I opened my business, but it's not like the phone rang.At that time, I was writing to Gotham Magazine and Manhattan Magazine, telling them that I was the most exclusive travel company in the world.My husband thought I was the dumbest person in the world because we would get calls from people saying, "Oh, I saw your article. I'd love to go to Disney," or, "We're going to New Jersey for the weekend." And I was like, "Oh, I'm sorry, we're so busy, we're really sold out this season with high-net-worth people."But I had no clients. My husband would say, "You're an idiot. Take the trip." And my response was, "No. I either work for the wealthy or I don't."<div type="image" title="Jaclyn and her husband." height="855" width="1280" msid="108023686" hostid="261" sizebytes="87192"></div>It took me three years to get a client. After booking my first billionaire client, I put the $30,000 profit toward my personal travel.Most people would think I was an idiot at that time because I didn't have the money. In retrospect, it was about understanding the product.I took it just as seriously from the beginning as I do today.My dream was to create, for lack of a better term, a one-stop shop because the industry was so segmented. If you wanted to go on an <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mistakes-tourists-make-africa-safari-according-to-expert-2023-2">African safari</a>, you would call <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/abercrombie-and-kent-boeing-757-private-jet-world-tours-2023-7">Abercrombie and Kent</a>. If you wanted to go to Paris, you would call this person. You would call a broker if you wanted to go on a yacht. If you wanted to get a plane, you would call somebody else.I wanted to be that one point of contact all the time for that wealthy person.<h2>My clients are billionaires and A-listers with type-A personalities</h2>Clients typically come to us. Their average net worth generally starts at $100 million. Annual membership fees range between $75,000 and $150,000, depending on the services clients require. On the lower end, that includes travel and dining services at home and while traveling. The higher-paying members get access to that plus lifestyle services.But all members get access to our team 24/7 and my personal black book. We work with less than 100 families. We're handling their dining while they're at their multiple homes and booking their trips. We're an extension of them and their team.When they reach out and want to become a member, there's an interview and then an onboarding preference call where we get to know them and build out their profile. We ask questions like: What are you comfortable spending nightly at a hotel? Do you prefer contemporary hotels or a more classical style? What are your favorite dining times? Are you OK with tasting menus? What type of guide do you like? We collect all that, and then as the travel and lifestyle requests come in, we use those preferences to help clients with anything and everything throughout the year.We're learning about them constantly and using information to improve every experience. Some people want calendar invites, others want the mobile app, and others only want to email.It's a very difficult, complex business because it's not one size fits all.During COVID, we helped people gain second passports and pick new locations to build a home. We're first and foremost a travel company, but because we have such a great methodology of sourcing like-minded vendors that share our ethos, we're often asked to help clients with different aspects of their lifestyles.<div type="image" title="George W. Bush and Jaclyn Sienna Charles in Ethiopia." height="851" width="1280" msid="108023919" hostid="261" sizebytes="138312"></div>Many of the people we handle are A-list celebrities, but also very much the billionaire next door. They are generally self-made entrepreneurs and CEOs, and they have type-A personalities.The expectations are quite high. But I've learned if somebody's willing to give $75,000, it doesn't mean they're a fit.We've had people who don't want to relinquish control. That doesn't work. We need to be on the same page.But it generally works out well. When you have a CEO, whether male or female, they understand the principles of a successful relationship as communication, delegation, and hiring somebody to handle a problem you're looking to solve.I have a unique relationship with our members. They're the smartest, busiest, most incredible, talented people in the world. It's a family. The fact that they trust us is not taken with a grain of salt.We do sign an NDA with clients now. Ones not covered by an NDA are George W. Bush and Mariah Carey.And we've done it all. Money talks, right? If you want to close down the Taj Mahal or you want to close down monuments in Turkey, we've gotten it done. People just want what they want and are willing to pay for it.<h2>I specialize in quiet luxury travel</h2>In terms of the trips, we do the simple to the sublime.Clients could live in Los Angeles and not have an apartment in New York City and maybe want to go there for three nights and stay at a great hotel — that trip could be $10,000 a night in a hotel. So, we do those regular trips and trips that cost well into the millions, like going to Africa with helicopters and private jets.Before it had a name, we definitely had been practicing <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/quiet-luxury-status-celebrity-gifts-symbols-wealth-fashion-brands-alo-arcteryx-2024">quiet luxury</a> travel and hospitality.Almost all the clients we have don't want to be seen. They've reached a level in their success where they don't need to prove it to people by taking pictures of their pasta at Carbone.The people in Capri in July are one set of people, and the people on a small island on their own yacht in Sicily are another group. That's the people we cater to.<div type="image" title="Sienna Charles specializes in &quot;quiet luxury&quot; travel." height="815" width="1280" msid="108023921" hostid="261" sizebytes="103370"></div>You can read 1,000 travel magazines, and people say, "This new hotel is incredible." I don't think it's incredible until I go there and see what I think of it.So many times, I'd been excited about a popular new hotel or destination and was disappointed.However, the beauty of hospitality projects, whether a hotel or restaurant, is that they always have an opportunity to improve because they learn from their mistakes.But being on a list just means that everyone who follows lists will go there. I've become a real filter for our members to ensure they only visit phenomenal places that live up to expectations.<h2>I rarely travel for leisure</h2>I'll take a vacation very rarely. It'll be when I know everything is all set, like after Christmas to January 15th, when everybody's on mental break.Everything else is work. Every week, I'm generally in two places.I'm on the computer answering the team all day and night. I work 40 to 50 hours, sometimes 60 hours a week. When I travel in Europe, before the team gets on, my calendar is filled with site inspections, meetings with clients, or meetings with new vendors.I have a very type-A personality. I'm focused on living and breathing by my calendar and having every minute dedicated to the company's growth.I use my own service. I don't think many owners try their own service or know how everything flows.We often get asked to sell our company. I don't want to sell my company; I'm still learning. It's something that drives me every day.It's like polishing a diamond. Every day, I become a better business person and a better leader to handle the challenges of running a 20-person team that is committing to the most difficult people in the world, in the most difficult time in history, to deliver phenomenal customer service every minute of the day.

Billionaires and A-listers pay me to plan their luxury vacations. For $150,000 a year, I get them into the best restaurants and hotels in the world.

Apple, Taj Hotels and Kia are among the top 10 brands that offer the best Customer Experience in India

<ul><li>After a complete halt during the COVID-19 pandemic, hotels in India are beginning to clock sales and are back on the path to recovery.</li><li>Most of the listed hotels have already shown a gradual quarter-on-quarter growth with their latest results for the October-December quarter of the current financial year.</li><li>The <keyword id="2173225" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="travel-and-tourism">travel and tourism</keyword> industry seems to be an elated industry with the news of the COVID-19 vaccine being rolled out across the globe.</li></ul>The stocks of India’s hotel companies have rebounded in the past few months, as several indicators signal a recovery for travel and tourism. After a complete halt during the COVID-19 pandemic, hotels in India are beginning to clock sales and are back on the path to recovery. Here’s how India’s top hotel stocks have fared in the last six months <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; width: 468pt; table-layout: fixed;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Company </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Change in share price in last six months </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">IHCL </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">+36.77% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Lemon Tree Hotels </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">+50% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Chalet Hotels </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">+27.6% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">EIH Hotels </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">+28.5% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Mahindra Holidays and Resorts </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">+40% </td></tr></tbody></table> While most of the stocks are yet to recover to their pre-COVID levels, the recovery in the last few months have been fuelled by various reasons and especially, with the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccines. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Vaccine – shot of hope for travel and tourism" comment="subhead" text="Vaccine – shot of hope for travel and tourism">Vaccine – shot of hope for travel and tourism</cmsannotation> The COVID-19 vaccine rollout has started across the globe triggering hopes for people to go on leisure as well as business travel. “While we anticipate a gradual revival in corporate travel, leisure demand is already strong and this traction is expected to further increase in months ahead,” said a report by ICICI Direct dated February 12. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Resilience of hotels" comment="subhead" text="Resilience of hotels">Resilience of hotels</cmsannotation> Most of the listed hotels have already shown a gradual quarter-on-quarter growth with their latest results for the October-December quarter of the current financial year. Analysts say this is reflecting in their share price movement. “One is the business recovery, from a complete standstill gradually the businesses have started recovering. Secondly, they have done a good job of cost rationalisation during the pandemic,” Himanshu Shah of Dolat Capital told Business Insider. <div type="image" title="hotels." msid="81032343" hostid="261"></div> Even unlisted companies like OYO Hotels and Homes have seen a recovery in business thanks to “revenge travel”. The term gained popularity in China, after people having been stuck in a lockdown, started travelling within the country, just to get out of their homes. OYO said that during the Valentine’s Day weekend, its online traffic was up by 70% of pre-COVID levels. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Premium hotels will be the first to cater to demand" comment="subhead" text="Premium hotels will be the first to cater to demand">Premium hotels will be the first to cater to demand</cmsannotation> The coronavirus pandemic has changed a lot of things, and the most important of them all is our priority towards safety and hygiene. And that’s where premium hotels will have an edge over others as people travel more often. “Most of the listed stocks are premium hotels. Business and leisure travellers will now prefer branded names as they will still be cautious,” Kranthi Bathini, equity strategist at WealthMills Securities told Business Insider. Despite all the disruptions during the pandemic, travel and tourism is set to make a big comeback as Bathini puts it “man is made for mobilisation”. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Back on track for business" comment="subhead" text="Back on track for business">Back on track for business</cmsannotation> Hotel companies have also announced that they are now back on track with their plans for new hotels across the country. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; width: 468pt; table-layout: fixed;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Company </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">New projects already under development or signed </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">To be completed by </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Chalet Hotels </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Commercial projects at Renaissance Complex, Powai, Mumbai Marriott Complex, Whitefield, Bengaluru </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Q4FY23 &amp; Q4FY22 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Lemon Tree </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Lemon Tree Mountain Resort, Shimla Lemon Tree Vembanad Lake Resort, Alleppey, Kerala Aurika, Intl. Airport, Mumbai </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Mumbai project to be completed by 2022. </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">IHCL </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Signed six new hotels with over 1100 rooms in third quarter </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;"> </td></tr></tbody></table> And that may translate into more business for hotels. “Despite investment activity being paused since March 2020, there are emerging signs of re-valuations and a slow demand revival, improvised cost structures and reduced profit levels in the next two years,” said a report by real estate services company JLL. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/info-edge-is-now-worth-almost-10-billion-even-with-its-profits-falling-for-five-quarters-in-a-row/articleshow/80925389.cms">Info Edge is now worth almost $10 billion even with its profits falling for five quarters in a row</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/news/from-ambani-adani-to-godrej-indias-treasure-trove-of-satellite-data-goes-beyond-helping-startups/articleshow/80989166.cms">From Ambani, Adani to Godrej — India's treasure trove of satellite data goes beyond helping startups</a>

Indian hotel companies have shown resilience during the pandemic and now the markets are celebrating them

The steady increase in footfalls during the <keyword id="6494550" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Dussehra" source="Orion">Dussehra</keyword> vacation and Diwali holidays has buoyed the hopes of the local <keyword id="20048" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tourism" source="Orion">tourism</keyword> industry which had taken a beating during the pandemic years. "The clouds of despair and despondency have cleared and we are hoping to welcome a record number of tourists this season, though the number of foreign visitors has not picked momentum yet," a hotelier of Taj Ganj, Sandip said. The hospitality industry in <keyword id="6356295" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Agra" source="Orion">Agra</keyword> is hoping that the number of European tourists could go up, as there has been a remarkable improvement in travel facilities and a comparatively safer environment in Uttar Pradesh. "India remains a colourful and affordable destination for most foreign tourists. A large number of tourists who land in Goa, take a short break to visit Agra and Jaipur, but since there is no air connectivity between Agra and Goa, tourism suffers," tourist guide Ved Gautam said. Despite the air <keyword id="13001" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="pollution" source="Orion">pollution</keyword> in Delhi and Agra, people are venturing out. The tourism season has begun on a happy note with thousands of foreign visitors crowding up the <keyword id="6355354" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Taj-Mahal" source="Orion">Taj Mahal</keyword> to see the monument of love against the rising sun. Undoubtedly, the Taj continues to remain a hot favourite, and the foreign visitors in the hundreds already here as early as 6 a.m, clearly means they have spent the night in Agra hotels. Hoteliers say night stay has declined, but there seems no proof of this fear. The monsoon rains brought down the air pollution level in the vicinity of the Taj in September and the Yamuna, too, was flowing full at the rear. "Foreign tourists are simply mesmerised by the charm of the Taj Mahal, and spend hours at the monument," said a guide escorting a group from Italy. However, in October the smog started engulfing the whole city reducing visibility in the morning. But this has not deterred tourists from visiting the Mughal monuments. "Holidays are a time for students' groups from all over India to visit the Taj Mahal and other historical monuments in Agra. Entry to children below 15 years remains free." Tourism organisations in the city have been blaming government agencies for not maintaining the roads and civic amenities. This generates a lot of negativity about tourism in Agra. "The police has been rather indifferent to the problems tourists face from unauthorised guides called 'Lapkas', who harass and pester the tourists everywhere." SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/estimated-32-lakh-weddings-till-dec-14-with-a-trade-of-rs-3-75-lakh-cr/articleshow/95352679.cms">Estimated 32 lakh weddings till Dec 14 with a trade of Rs 3.75 lakh cr</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/now-noida-greater-noida-builders-have-to-pay-up-as-sc-reverses-order-capping-interest-rates/articleshow/95352812.cms">Now Noida, Greater Noida builders have to pay up, as SC reverses order capping interest rates</a>

Agra tourism industry on a boom, despite pollution and war cries

<ul><li>The COVID-19 lockdown led to a spurt of small, intimate Zoom weddings; but the $50 billion Indian <keyword id="562840" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="wedding-industry">wedding industry</keyword> is sure that a recovery is on the cards.</li><li>With the government extending social gatherings to upto 100 people, matchmakers and businesses believe that the worst is over.</li><li>The stage is set for a busy winter with weddings lined up over auspicious dates during November and December.</li><li>With the smaller size of weddings, people are also opting for destination weddings at offbeat locations. </li></ul>One can say that ‘marriages are made in heaven’, but the grandeur and extravaganza of weddings are definitely made in India. The coronavirus pandemic has weighed heavily on the wedding industry across the world, and India was not immune to it either. While COVID-19 achieved the unimaginable in India, with intimate and small weddings on Zoom becoming the go-to option. While many deferred the ‘big fat Indian wedding’ plan, as we approach the end of the year, the weddings have shrunk in size but they are back in business — for the $50 billion Indian wedding industry — a recovery is on the cards. The stars are aligning for the year-end wedding season Netflix’s reality series, Indian Matchmaking stars the quintessential matchmaker - Sima Aunty - who believes that ultimately her efforts would be meaningless if the “stars are not aligned”. And in India, that largely holds true. The first step for planning a traditional Hindu <keyword id="3989394" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="wedding-in-india">wedding in India</keyword> is meeting the astrologer. So if you want to know whether the ‘band, baaja, baarat’ should be set in motion, ask your astrologer. “After a forced lull due to the pandemic, now there is a sudden spurt to get married by year end looking by the number of queries in recent weeks which is about 3 to four times more than normal. The relaxation in norms has also given optimism to people looking to get married,” said RK Sharma, a Delhi-based astrologer. As things get busy for Sharma, he also pens down the upcoming ‘auspicious’ days for us. “There are quite a few dates in November – 2nd, 3rd, 9th and 12th – common for all based on moon signs of bride and groom except for Cancer and Scorpio. In December though there are only 5 auspicious days – 1, 7, 8, 9 and 11. So we can expect a lot of marriages on these days,” he said. <div type="image" title="A pandit at a wedding" msid="78163684" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;A pandit at a wedding&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> With the auspicious dates and the government extending social gatherings to upto 100 people, matchmakers are confident that the worst is over. Popular online wedding platform <keyword id="260777" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="shaadi-com">Shaadi.com</keyword> said that the online matchmaking industry saw a 20-30% surge during the lockdown, which is going to result in a reasonable uptick in the number of weddings. <div type="image" title="A groom on a horse" msid="78163644" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;A groom on a horse&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Adhish Zaveri, Director of Marketing, Shaadi.com however believes that despite the relaxations, intimate weddings will still be seen across the country. “The scale and size of the weddings remain in question and would be a larger contributor to the contraction of the industry, than the number of weddings itself. We have couples who have met on Shaadi.com during the lockdown and are certain to marry this year. They are equally certain to have an intimate wedding and we expect people to avoid the excesses we usually see at <keyword id="68773" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-weddings">Indian weddings</keyword>,” said Zaveri. Intimate weddings take over For many next-gen brides and grooms across the country, there’s also a sense of urgency to get married now so they can avoid inviting the entire brigade of extended relatives for the wedding. This could be their only shot at getting a simple wedding done, sans the crowd. And of course, it cuts through the budget too. In the budget wedding space, OYO’s Weddingz.in said in August that it had seen 40% demand of pre-COVID levels coming back. The company said it had rescheduled over 3,000 events and locked approximately 1,500 unique bookings for October, November, and December 2020. For the luxury hotel group Taj, there’s been an uptick in wedding enquiries and not just for their already popular hotels but also their drive-to hotels at serene locations. “From weddings at our grand palaces in Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur and Hyderabad, and beach weddings in Goa to intimate gatherings at our landmark city hotels in Mumbai, Delhi and Gurugram, Agra, Lucknow, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Hyderabad are popular choices off late,” said Renu Basu, Senior Vice President, Global sales and marketing at Indian Hotels Company Limited. <div type="image" title="indian wedding" msid="78163562" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;A destination wedding - Representative image&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> But with the smaller size of weddings, people are also opting for offbeat ideas, and that’s opening up opportunities for hotels with a smaller inventory of rooms. “For instance, Taj Usha Kiran Palace, Gwalior; can now host weddings due to the reduced size of the events. It is time to showcase these unique and amazing destinations in India as they will now be preferred over international destinations for small weddings,” she shared. All that glitters With the fall in gold prices over the past few weeks, jewellery shops have seen a buying rush. And even with the fall in prices, the market is flooded with <a href="https://www.livemint.com/market/commodities/gold-continues-to-sold-at-a-discount-in-india-despite-sharp-price-fall-11599977832448.html">discounts</a> to lure in more customers. With weddings and the festive season around the corner, gold jewellery brands like Tanishq are hoping for a quick and swift revival. <div type="image" title="gold" msid="78163551" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;People buying gold jewellery in India&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> “We are very optimistic about the upcoming wedding season as many weddings have been deferred to the second half of the year. Now with larger gatherings of up to 100 being permitted, it is likely that we will see many more weddings taking place,” said Arun Narayan, AVP, Retail &amp; Marketing, Tanishq, <keyword id="6359357" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="titan">Titan</keyword> Company. On a shopping spree While one can cut corners on the guest list and budget, brides still want that perfect dream lehenga. But the safety concerns have left them skeptical of actually visiting crowded bazaars and shopping areas. And so, even ‘lehengas’ have gone online. Bridal Asia is now hosting a virtual exhibition where brides and grooms can meet designers, jewellers, online, and book video consultations as well. “Inquiries have increased for makeup artists, photographers, and other service providers, however, given government regulations and safety concerns, they are for smaller weddings. However, wedding shopping and festival shopping is on the rise. Even our July sales were equivalent to our pre-COVID sales in February, but this is perhaps because we focus on more affordable ethnic wear and jewelry though. Designer brands will take longer to see a resurgence,” said Sanna Vohra, founder of The Wedding Brigade. The big fat Indian wedding may have shrunk in size but definitely, not lost its sheen. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/muthoot-finance-says-this-years-growth-is-likely-to-exceed-guidance/articleshow/78159469.cms">EXCLUSIVE: Muthoot Finance says this year's growth is likely to exceed guidance</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/india-may-have-a-covid-19-vaccine-by-the-start-of-next-year-says-union-health-minister-harsh-vardhan/articleshow/78162908.cms">India may have a COVID-19 vaccine by the "start of next year", says Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan</a>

India’s $50 billion wedding industry is gearing up for a busy winter — business may have shrunk in size but it has not lost its sheen

<ul><li>Indian Hotels — the hospitality arm of the <keyword id="6355725" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="tata-group">Tata Group</keyword> that includes the <keyword id="6453087" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="taj-hotels">Taj Hotels</keyword> — is planning to put its properties under sale and lease back.</li><li>Six of the <keyword id="73077" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ginger-Hotels">Ginger hotels</keyword> are already in line along with other hotels that come under joint ventures or associated companies.</li><li>Indian Hotels is planning on becoming ‘asset light’ as the Indian economy cools off and consumer spending is starting to slow down.</li></ul>Tata Group’s Taj Hotels aren’t going anywhere but some of its more budget offerings — like the Ginger hotel chain — are getting sold off but will be leased right back to them. Indian Hotels, the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/inside-taj-mahal-hotels-beautiful-and-luxurious-suites/articleshow/53549610.cms">hospitality arm</a> of the Tata Group that owns and operates the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/thelife/culture/the-25-best-hotels-in-india/slidelist/22493456.cms">Taj Hotels</a>, is looking to reduce its ownership of properties to 50% by 2022, as it wants to turn ‘asset light’. It has around 45 properties it owns under the Ginger brand, but wants to shed some weight by offloading 5-10% of the properties, and continue to operate it. 
 
 
 
 <div type="ExtQuote" text="As part of our Aspiration 2022 business strategy we are pursuing an asset light model. In line with this we propose to sell and lease back some of our Ginger properties in non metro towns. We will continue to operate these properties under a management contract after the proposed sale." auname="IHCL Company Spokesperson"></div>







 Retaining flagship properties The Managing Director and CEO of Indian Hotels, Puneet Chhatwal, told <a href="https://news.google.com/articles/CAIiEHD6x-q4b9jaA9jUjpJESRQqGQgEKhAIACoHCAow2pqGCzD954MDMM_yigY?hl=en-IN&amp;gl=IN&amp;ceid=IN%3Aen">Bloomberg</a><a href="https://theprint.in/economy/tatas-taj-hotel-chain-to-sell-assets-to-trim-debt-as-consumer-spending-slackens/274158/amp/?__twitter_impression=true"> </a>that while the company is looking to reduce its debt by getting rid of some of the <keyword id="507551" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="budget-hotels">budget hotels</keyword> in its portfolio — the legacy and flagship properties, namely hotels within the Taj brand, aren’t up for grabs. However, as many as six of the Ginger hotels are already a part of the sale and lease-back plans. What this mean is that Indian Hotels will be selling the properties and then taking them up on rent so that the current management stays in place. This is also true with other hotels that are a part of joint ventures or under associate companies, according to Chhatwal. On the other hand, Indian Hotels also opened up three new hotels in key strategic markets like Goa and Agra as per last quarter’s <a href="https://www.ihcltata.com/investors/">earnings report</a>. It has also launched a new hotel brand called ‘SeleQtions’ to up its brand image. SeleQtions includes named and distinctive hotels as well as Chambers — India’s most iconic business club. Cutting down on debt India’s economy is <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/indias-growth-will-come-from-cities-as-urban-indians-will-contribute-75-of-it/articleshow/70563586.cms">cooling down</a> and consumer spending is set to fall further, which is why Indian Hotels is looking to lighten its assets. Even, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/the-tata-group-has-two-airlines-and-two-more-to-choose-fromair-india-and-jet-airways/articleshow/70129384.cms">Jet Airways</a> going out of business hit the Tata-owned enterprise, forcing the company to write off some of its dues. Indian Hotels has been on the path to reduce its debt for a while. It has gone from ₹31 billion in 2017 to ₹20 billion as of March 2019. Tata Group’s Indian Hotels isn’t the only brand under the umbrella that’s being revamped. Tata Steel and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/interesting-facts-about-ratan-tata-favorite-company-tata-motors/articleshow/69970526.cms">Tata Motors</a> are also restructuring their portfolio to gain some headwind in the European markets. Note: The article has been updated to include the statement from IHCL spokesperson to clarify that they will still be operating Ginger hotels and the headline has been changed accordingly. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tata-is-planning-to-open-extreme-fast-fashion-stores-just-like-zara/articleshow/69938341.cms">Cheaper by the dozen: Tata wants to bring Instagram styles to stores, instantly</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/indiainsider/tata-lic-infosys-sbi-and-mahindra-are-among-the-top-10-indian-corporate-brands/slidelist/70256778.cms">Tata, LIC, Infosys, SBI, and Mahindra are among the top 10 Indian corporate brands</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tata-motors-stock-price-falls-after-record-loss-due-to-jlr-troubles-in-china-and-uk/articleshow/67894956.cms">Tata Motors loses over a billion dollars in market value</a>

You Searched For "taj hotels" and got 10 results

Indian tourism industry leaders spotlight Uttar Pradesh as safe and diverse travel destination

PTI

I spent $317 a night to stay at the Taj Cape Town. The mountain views weren't even the best part of the 5-star hotel.

Aida M. Toro

I'm 89 and have always loved traveling. I've stayed in the fanciest hotels and also camped in the boonies.

Jane Ridley

Qmin has been profitable business for IHCL from day one, says Jehangir Press

Karuna Sharma

Billionaires and A-listers pay me to plan their luxury vacations. For $150,000 a year, I get them into the best restaurants and hotels in the world.

Maria Noyen

Apple, Taj Hotels and Kia are among the top 10 brands that offer the best Customer Experience in India

Karuna Sharma

Indian hotel companies have shown resilience during the pandemic and now the markets are celebrating them

Sanchita Dash

Agra tourism industry on a boom, despite pollution and war cries

IANS

India’s $50 billion wedding industry is gearing up for a busy winter — business may have shrunk in size but it has not lost its sheen

Sanchita Dash

Taj Hotels wants to turn asset light with its sell-and-lease-back strategy

Prabhjote Gill

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