Author: Khwaish Jain
-By B Swaminathan (swami@imaws.org) Gen Z is ditching alcohol, black coffee is staging a comeback, and local chains in India and China are redefining what a coffee brand looks like. Kerry Asia Pacific’s Eloise Dubuisson explains why the next decade belongs to operators who think globally but act locally — and why your syrup supplier should feel more like a business partner. The Signature Drink Is No Longer Optional Walk into any competitive coffee market today and the pressure is immediately visible: every counter, every menu board, every social media feed is racing to offer something nobody else has. The…
-KH News Desk (editorial1@imaws.org) Kathmandu: In a major move to enhance regional tourism synergy, the Hotel Association of India (HAI) has officially partnered with the Nepal Tourism Promotion Program. The collaboration, announced on May 1, 2026, is designed to foster a robust tourism corridor between the two neighbors, focusing on shared cultural heritage and the growing demand for high-end destination events. The initiative comes at a time when Indian hospitality players are aggressively expanding their presence in Nepal, recognizing the country’s potential as a premier year-round destination for Indian travelers. Key Strategic Focus Areas: Wedding Tourism Hub: A primary objective…
-KH News Desk (editorial1@imaws.org) The city’s vibrant culinary and cultural hub, Andheri, has welcomed a new landmark with the opening of Rumbabaa, an all-day coffee and vinyl-led social space. Designed to be more than just a café, Rumbabaa positions itself at the intersection of artisanal beverage craft and the analog music revival, offering a sanctuary for those who appreciate high-fidelity sound and high-quality brews. The venue is structured as a multi-sensory environment where the crackle of vinyl records provides the backdrop for a sophisticated “all-day” dining and drinking experience. Key Highlights of Rumbabaa Mumbai: The Vinyl Connection: A core feature…
-KH News Desk (editorial1@imaws.org) Auroville: CGH Earth, a pioneer in environmentally sensitive and culturally rooted hospitality, has announced the opening of its latest property, Sanctuary Amaidiyana, located on the outskirts of the international township of Auroville, Tamil Nadu. True to the group’s philosophy of “Responsible Tourism,” the new retreat is designed as a meditative haven that prioritizes deep rest and ecological harmony over conventional luxury. The property’s name, “Amaidiyana,” is derived from the Tamil word for “peace” and the Sanskrit concept of “meditation,” reflecting the core experience the sanctuary aims to provide. Positioned as a quiet sanctuary rather than a…
-KH News Desk (editorial1@imaws.org) San Francisco / London: Uber Technologies has officially expanded its platform to include hotel bookings, marking a major milestone in its transition from a ride-hailing service to a comprehensive travel super-app. The new feature, initially launching in selected markets, allows users to browse and book accommodations directly within the Uber interface, integrating stay-related logistics with the company’s existing transit options. This move places Uber in direct competition with traditional Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) and hospitality tech giants, as it seeks to capture a larger share of the total travel expenditure per user. Key Details of the…
-KH News Desk (editorial1@imaws.org) So Good Soju, the internationally acclaimed Korean spirit brand, has officially entered the Indian market. The launch marks a strategic milestone as the brand seeks to capitalize on the massive surge in “Hallyu” (Korean Wave) influence, which has significantly shifted Indian consumer preferences toward Korean food, media, and beverages. Unlike traditional high-alcohol spirits, So Good Soju offers a smoother, versatile drinking experience with an alcohol content typically ranging between 12% and 15%. This makes it a preferred choice for the growing demographic of “sober-curious” or moderate drinkers who prioritize flavor and social experience over high potency.…
-KH News Desk (editorial1@imaws.org) The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a significant draft proposal aimed at eliminating plastic packaging for pan masala and gutka. The regulatory move is designed to address the dual challenges of environmental pollution caused by multi-layered plastic waste and the potential health risks associated with microplastic leaching into food products. The proposed amendment to the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations seeks to transition the industry toward sustainable materials, such as paper-based or compostable alternatives. Key Proposals in the FSSAI Draft: Mandatory Plastic-Free Format: The draft stipulates that pan masala and…
-KH News Desk (editorial1@imaws.org) CYK Hospitalities, a leading F&B consultancy, has unveiled its latest curated brand concept, Cha-Co. This “matcha-forward” café is inspired by the serene and meticulous tea culture of Japan, aiming to introduce a specialized, health-conscious alternative to the traditional coffee-dominated café landscape in India. The name “Cha-Co” is a play on Cha (the Japanese word for tea) and Company, reflecting the brand’s mission to make authentic matcha accessible and social. The concept centers on the “Zen” experience, focusing on minimalist aesthetics and high-quality, ceremonial-grade ingredients. Key Elements of the Cha-Co Concept: Matcha-Centric Menu: Beyond the traditional whisked…
-KH News Desk (editorial1@imaws.org) A joint report by EY and FICCI has urged the Indian government to slash the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on premium hotel rooms from the current 18% to 9%. The report, released on April 28, 2026, argues that the high tax burden on luxury stays hinders India’s ability to compete with other global tourism hubs in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. The whitepaper highlights that the current tax structure places Indian luxury hotels among the highest-taxed in the world, often deterring high-spending international travelers and large-scale MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) events. Key…
-KH News Desk (editorial1@imaws.org) Eternal Ltd., the parent company of Indian food delivery titan Zomato, has exceeded market expectations by reporting a stronger-than-projected quarterly profit. The financial success is attributed to a dual-engine growth strategy: steady demand in its core food delivery sector and the explosive scaling of its quick commerce arm, Blinkit. The results highlight the company’s successful pivot toward operational efficiency and the increasing consumer reliance on hyper-local delivery services in urban India. Key Financial and Operational Drivers: Profit Outperformance: The company reported a consolidated net profit that surpassed analysts’ estimates, driven by improved take-rates and cost optimizations.…