Peden Doma Bhutia - 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers

1 min

Grab Expands Travel Offerings with Launch of GrabStays, Discover by Grab, and AI-Powered Personalised Experience

📰 This spring, Grab, a Singapore-based superapp, launched travel-related services including GrabStays, Discover by Grab, GrabPay for Travel, and a Personalised Travel Experience layer. Despite not identifying as a travel company, Grab focuses on travelers as users. Their new "intelligence layer," a data and AI system, leverages insights from its transport, food delivery, grocery, and payments operations to enhance consumer experiences, as explained by Chief Product Officer Philipp Kandal.

1 min

Kerten Hospitality to Launch First India Property by 2026 with Over 1,000 Keys in Initial Phase

🏨 Ireland's Kerten Hospitality will open its first Indian property before the end of 2026, potentially before Q4. CEO Marloes Knippenberg aims for over 1,000 keys initially, with plans possibly increasing due to Indian developers' preference for multiple projects. Kerten, operating in 11 countries with 12 brands, will launch three lodging brands: House Hotel, Cloud 7, and HOSME, through management agreements. This entry is considered their most significant market move to date.

1 min

Ixigo to Acquire 54.66% Stake in Brevistay for INR 657 Million, Expanding Hotel Network to 10,000 Properties

📅 Ixigo plans to acquire a 54.66% stake in Brevistay Hospitality for INR 657 million ($17.4 million). Founded in 2016, Brevistay offers short-stay bookings in budget to premium hotels across India. Once finalized, Brevistay will become an Ixigo subsidiary. This acquisition will provide the companies access to over 10,000 directly contracted hotels across the country.

1 min

EIH's Oberoi Hotels Sees Surge in Domestic Luxury Travel Demand Despite Global Disruptions Impacting Foreign Visitors

📰 India's luxury hotel market, led by EIH (Oberoi Hotels & Resorts), is seeing a significant rise in domestic affluent travelers. Vikram Oberoi, CEO of EIH, mentioned on Friday's earnings call that the domestic share has increased substantially. Despite a dip in inbound foreign travel due to the Iran war affecting air connectivity, strong domestic demand has more than compensated. April, usually strong for foreign tourists, faced disruptions, yet local demand remains robust.

Rakuten Travel Plans Expansion into U.S. Market, Targeting West Coast and Hawaii for Growth Opportunities

🛫 Rakuten Travel, the online travel arm of Japan’s tech and retail giant, aims to expand into the U.S., focusing on the West Coast and Hawaii. With strong Asian-American communities and business ties to Asia, these regions offer significant opportunities. CEO James Park highlights the existing American user base through Rakuten.com as a foundation for this expansion. This strategic move targets a deeper connection with Asian markets and utilizes Rakuten's established U.S. presence.

1 min

Iran Conflict Costs Indian Hotels Company Up to INR 1 Billion in Lost Revenue Due to Cancellations

💸 Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) reported a loss up to INR 1 billion ($10.5 million) due to the Iran war, primarily from last-minute cancellations and event rescheduling. CFO Ankur Dalwani detailed losses of INR 400-500 million ($4.2-$5.25 million) at the consolidated level. The losses severely impacted the fourth quarter and early April. Despite this, CEO Puneet Chhatwal noted a return to strong growth by mid-April. Dubai emerged as a key transit hub affected by these developments.

1 min

Hilton to Launch Eight Luxury and Lifestyle Brands Across Asia Pacific with Over 15 Hotels Opening in 2026

🏨 Hilton plans to launch eight new luxury and lifestyle brands across Asia Pacific this year, with over 15 hotel openings by 2026. Nomad and Signia by Hilton will debut in Singapore and Tainan, Taiwan, respectively. Canopy by Hilton will open in Bangkok, while Curio Collection and LXR Hotels & Resorts will arrive in Bengaluru, India. Waldorf Astoria and Conrad are set for Malaysia, and Tapestry Collection will enter Vietnam. Hilton signed 350+ Asia Pacific properties in 2025.

1 min

Ascott Announces Landmark Year with 7,300 New Units Signed in Southeast Asia, a 55% Increase from 2024

📅 Singapore-based Ascott had a landmark year in 2025, signing over 7,300 new units across Southeast Asia, a 55% increase from 2024, making it one of the top three hotel operators in the region. The shift towards intra-ASEAN travel is fueling the post-pandemic recovery, with Ascott operating over 200 properties and having about 150 more in the pipeline. More than 25 new properties are expected to open this year, reflecting a focus on local experiences.

1 min

Hyatt Appoints Vikas Chawla as President for India to Lead Expansion from 55 to 100 Hotels by 2030

🏨 Hyatt Hotels appointed Vikas Chawla as president for India and Southwest Asia in April 2026. Chawla, with a background in food and beverage from companies like Coca-Cola and Compass Group, is tasked with doubling Hyatt's presence in India from 55 to 100 hotels by 2030. The expansion targets metro cities, spiritual circuits, resort towns, and smaller cities, requiring brand discipline aligned with Chawla's expertise.

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Hyatt to Develop India-Specific Hotel Brand Concept, Inspired by Local Traditions and Landscapes, for Global Appeal

🏨 Hyatt Hotels plans to develop a uniquely Indian brand concept, inspired by its Atona concept in Japan. Stephen Ho, Hyatt's president for Greater China and Asia Pacific growth, shared the vision to capitalize on India's traditions and landscapes to attract both domestic and international travelers. Hyatt, which entered India in 1983, currently operates 55 hotels in the country. The initiative aims to address under-tourism in India despite its vast size and potential.

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