Author: Khwaish Hingad
-KH News Desk (editorial1@imaws.org) Horton International, a global leader in retained executive search, has announced the re-establishment of its operations in India. The firm is expanding with a strategic presence in three key hubs—Bangalore, Mumbai, and Delhi—to address the increasing demand for specialized leadership talent in one of the world’s most dynamic economic landscapes. The India operations are led by Soumitra Agarwal, Managing Partner, a seasoned executive with extensive experience in C-suite and senior leadership advisory across the Asia region. The leadership team also includes senior partners Shyni Satyamitra (Bangalore) and Indrajit Bokey (Mumbai), both of whom bring deep operating…
-KH News Desk (editorial1@imaws.org) Hilton has announced the strengthening of its presence in one of India’s most popular travel destinations with the opening of Hilton Garden Inn Goa Calangute. This latest addition marks a significant expansion for the Hilton Garden Inn brand in India, offering a blend of modern amenities, bright and airy social spaces, and the brand’s signature upscale service. Located in the heart of Calangute, just minutes away from the beach and the area’s famous nightlife and dining scene, the hotel features 124 well-appointed guest rooms and suites. Many rooms offer private balconies with views of the lush…
-KH News Desk (editorial1@imaws.org) Eco Hotels and Resorts Limited has officially entered the spiritual tourism market of Ayodhya with the launch of its newly completed property, The Eco Satva. Strategically located near the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, the hotel is designed to meet the soaring demand for high-quality, professionally managed hospitality in one of India’s most visited pilgrimage destinations. The boutique property features 33 well-appointed rooms, blending modern comfort with the city’s cultural ethos. Aimed at pilgrims, leisure travelers, and group tours, the hotel emphasizes responsible tourism through eco-conscious operational practices. Key Features and Amenities: Satvik Dining: A top-floor restaurant…
-KH News Desk (editorial1@imaws.org) Following the continued success of its high-energy outlet at Embassy Tech Village and JP Nagar, The Studs Sports Bar & Grill expands further in Bangalore with the launch of its next flagship in Sahakarnagar — an evolved, neighbourhood-first format tailored for North Bangalore’s growing residential and corporate community. The doors officially open to the public from 7th March onwards. The Sahakarnagar outlet marks a strategic upgrade in the brands’ city journey, building on the loyalty developed at its earlier JP Nagar presence, while introducing a refined, everyday social bar experience designed for habit-driven dining and weekday culture.…
-KH News Desk (editorial1@imaws.org) Harajuku Tokyo Café & Bakehouse has announced a major strategic expansion, signaling its transition from a niche, cult-favorite boutique brand into a national casual dining player. Building on its successful momentum in Delhi-NCR and Mumbai, the brand is set to enter two significant new markets: Bangalore and Gujarat. The expansion includes a landmark launch in Gujarat, which will feature the brand’s first-ever all-vegetarian Harajuku outpost, specifically tailored to the local market’s preferences while maintaining the brand’s signature immersive design and authentic flavors. Simultaneously, the brand is making its much-anticipated debut in Bangalore, tapping into the city’s…
-KH News Desk (editorial1@imaws.org) India’s hospitality sector is on a sustained upward trajectory, with revenue growth projected at 9-12% for the 2025-26 fiscal year, according to a comprehensive report by ratings agency ICRA. The surge is underpinned by a structural shift in domestic travel patterns and a significant recovery in high-value segments like international tourism and large-scale corporate events. A standout highlight of the report is the anticipated occupancy levels for premium hotels, which are expected to reach a decade-high of 70-72%. This performance is being driven by several key factors: The MICE Boom: A massive uptick in Meetings, Incentives,…
-KH News Desk (editorial1@imaws.org) Onora Hospitality is set to further expand its footprint in North India with the opening of jüSTa Darkwood Lodge & Spa in Shimla, scheduled for mid-March 2026. This launch marks the group’s sixth property in Himachal Pradesh, joining its existing successful portfolio in destinations like Dharamshala, Manali, and Mashobra. Nestled in the serene and high-altitude Jakhu Hills, the boutique lodge is designed to offer an intimate and tranquil alternative to the bustling main town of Shimla. The property features 20 elegantly designed guest rooms, each positioned to provide unobstructed, panoramic views of the snow-capped Himalayan peaks…
-KH News Desk (editorial1@imaws.org) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced a milestone development for the state’s hospitality sector: the establishment of the first-ever five-star hotel in Silchar, located in the strategically significant Barak Valley. The project will be developed by the Polo Towers Group, the Northeast’s largest hospitality company, which is renowned for pioneering luxury tourism in previously underserved regions. We envision the upcoming Polo Towers Silchar as a high-end destination that caters to the growing influx of business travelers and tourists in Southern Assam. The announcement follows the state government’s broader vision to transform the Barak Valley…
-KH News Desk (editorial1@imaws.org) KOKO, the critically acclaimed Asian gastropub by Pebbles Hospitality, has officially announced its expansion into North Mumbai with a new outlet at Oberoi Garden City, Goregaon. Founded by Ryan and Keenan Tham, the brand’s second Mumbai outpost (following its flagship in Kamala Mills) aims to cater to the affluent residential and corporate catchment of the Goregaon-Malad belt. The new Goregaon venue stays true to KOKO’s philosophy of “progressive Asian dining,” blending traditional Cantonese and Japanese techniques with modern global influences. The expansive space is designed to transition from a sophisticated lunch destination to a high-energy evening…
-KH News Desk (editorial1@imaws.org) Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company, has announced the signing of a new Taj-branded hotel in Patna, Bihar. This greenfield project, developed in partnership with Patliputra Palace Pvt. Ltd. (a subsidiary of the Shriram Ozone Group), is set to become one of the largest luxury hospitality developments in Eastern India. The 500-key Taj Patna will occupy a prime position in the city, situated directly opposite the iconic Gandhi Maidan with the River Ganges flowing to the north. The hotel is designed to cater to the city’s rapidly increasing demand for high-end business travel, large-scale…