Follow Taj Hotels (Indian Hotels Company, NSE: INDHOTEL) in one feed. This hub gathers the latest news, earnings and openings across the Taj, Vivanta and SeleQtions brands, curated from trusted sources. Stay on top of India’s iconic luxury hotel group.
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Rosewood Hong Kong Named World’s Best Hotel for Second Year in 2026 Ranking by World’s 50 Best Hotels
16 September 2026🏨 Rosewood Hong Kong tops the World’s 50 Best Hotels 2026 list, announced on September 15 in Paris, for the second year. Capella Bangkok ranks second, with Four Seasons Bangkok third. Atlantis The Royal, Dubai is fourth, and Passalacqua, Lake Como is fifth. Asia dominates with 18 hotels; Europe has 21. Rosewood São Paulo is the top in South America at sixth. The ranking, in its fourth year, is decided by an academy of over 800 experts across 13 regions.
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Revinate Study Finds 92% of Calls at 135 Luxury Hotels Fail to Capture Guest Contact Information
4 September 2026📱 Revinate’s mystery shopping of 308 calls across 135 luxury hotels revealed that 92% failed to capture guest contact information, impacting direct bookings. The Americas Great Resorts critique highlights luxury marketing’s neglect of demand origin. A new framework for corporate accounts emphasizes returns over room nights. Kempinski’s path to recovery involves brand clarity and strategy. Novotel’s Longevity Week, a global wellness initiative, runs from September 7-13. St. Louis sees $7 billion in development, boosting market strength through 2027.
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Delhi Hotel Rates Surge 124% to 323% for BRICS Summit; Hyatt Regency Prices Increase by 325%
4 September 2026🏨 Hotel rates in Delhi are skyrocketing ahead of the BRICS Summit on September 12-13. Central Delhi hotels are increasing prices by 124% to 323%. At Hyatt Regency New Delhi, rooms cost INR 83,500 ($884) per night, a 325% rise from the following weekend’s INR 19,500 ($206). With taxes, this reaches $1,080. Key luxury hotels near Bharat Mandapam, the summit venue, are nearly sold out, as reported by Gaurav Sharma, JLL’s managing director for hotels in India.
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Indian Hotels Company to Merge Oriental Hotels, Consolidating Ownership of Seven Properties in India
26 August 2026🏨 IHCL plans to merge with Oriental Hotels, already owning 37.1% of it. Oriental Hotels has properties in Chennai, Kochi, Madurai, Mangalore, Coimbatore, and Coonoor, including Taj Coromandel and Taj Fisherman’s Cove. This merger will consolidate assets and financials under IHCL, streamlining operations.
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IHCL Merges with Subsidiary Oriental Hotels, Integrating Seven Properties in Southern India into Its Portfolio
25 August 2026💸 IHCL merges with Oriental Hotels, aligning with its “Accelerate 2030” strategy for simplified governance and strengthened investments in southern India, specifically Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. The merger affects seven properties, totaling 825 rooms, already branded as Taj hotels in Chennai and Cochin. The equity dilution for IHCL shareholders is around 1.6%, enhancing the group’s portfolio directly.
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Indian Hotels Company to Merge with Oriental Hotels Limited, Expanding Portfolio to 825 Rooms Across Seven Properties
25 August 2026🏨 IHCL to merge with Oriental Hotels Limited (OHL) through a Scheme of Arrangement. Merger supports IHCL’s Accelerate 2030 strategy, enhancing asset value and simplifying holding structures. OHL’s portfolio: 7 hotels, 825 rooms, including Taj Coromandel, Chennai, and Taj Malabar Resort, Cochin. Share exchange ratio is 25 IHCL shares for 117 OHL shares, targeted completion by FY2028. IHCL operates 360 hotels, 123 in development, across 13 countries.
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New Book ‘Vanishing Japan’ Chronicles 90 Lost Architectural Works by Renowned Japanese Architects
25 August 2026🏠 In “Vanishing Japan,” Naomi Pollock documents 90 key architectural works in Japan demolished in the 21st century, many from post-war decades. Notable architects like Arata Isozaki and Kenzo Tange saw their works vanish due to Japan’s evolving building codes and a cultural embrace of impermanence. Tokyo and Osaka, with high land prices, feature prominently. Published by Thames & Hudson, this monograph costs £35 and highlights Japan’s rapid architectural innovation, often at the cost of its recent heritage.
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H1 2026 Hospitality Report: Global RevPAR Up 3-4%, Middle East Occupancy Down 43% Due to Geopolitical Disruption
20 August 2026Blog Post Excerpt 🌍📈 RevPAR grew 3-4% globally, but occupancy is stable, with the Middle East dropping 43% due to geopolitical issues. U.S. hotel profitability rose 3.6 percentage points to 44.9%, but only luxury segments grew. Europe saw EUR 9.4 billion in hotel transactions, down 10% but 11% above the ten-year average. The global hotel pipeline reached 15,976 projects and 2.4 million rooms in Q2 2026. The Park Hyatt signed its first all-inclusive in Riviera Maya.
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IHCL and Tata Steel Foundation Train 20 Tribal Home Cooks to Enhance Culinary Skills and Employment Opportunities
18 August 2026🍳 Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), collaborating with Tata Steel Foundation and supported by the Institute of Hotel Management, Aurangabad, conducted a 10-day culinary workshop for 20 tribal home cooks. Representing 12 communities from 8 Indian states, 70% women, they received training in culinary skills, hygiene, and entrepreneurship. Over 70 tribal cooks from 15 tribes across 10 states have been trained since the initiative started, highlighting cultural preservation and empowerment. IHCL operates 360 hotels globally.
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EIH Sees 10% Drop in International Arrivals, Increases Marketing Spend by $420,000 to Attract Domestic Guests
13 August 2026🗺 International arrivals to India dropped by 9.4% in 2025 to 9.02 million, mainly due to stricter visa rules for Bangladesh. Air India cut flights to several countries in response. EIH, facing a 10% drop in international guests, boosted domestic marketing by $420,000. Revenue rose 15% to $73 million. RevPAR for Trident and Oberoi brands grew by 13.8% and 8.2% respectively, with renovations underway. The BRICS summit in New Delhi may aid recovery.
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IHCL Opens Taj Hessischer Hof in Frankfurt, Marking Taj’s First Hotel in Continental Europe
5 August 2026🏨 Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) has opened Taj Hessischer Hof Frankfurt, its first hotel in continental Europe, in summer 2023. The hotel, closed since 2020, now features 117 guestrooms and nine suites. The Bombay Brasserie seats 60 indoors and 45 outdoors. General Manager Albert Mayr and Hotel Manager Tanika Taneja aim to blend European elegance with Indian hospitality. Executive Chef Nilesh Dangwal and bar manager Emmanuel Saridakis lead the culinary offerings.
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Hyatt Plans to Expand Indian Portfolio Fivefold in Five Years, Exploring Local Brand and Acquisitions
4 August 2026🏨 On April 1, 2026, Vikas Chawla became president for India and Southwest Asia at Hyatt. The company aims to quintuple its Indian hotel portfolio within five years, expanding from 56 hotels to a pipeline of 100 more properties. Hyatt is considering acquiring existing Indian hotel brands and creating a culturally Indian brand, inspired by past brand launches like Antona in Japan. The ambition contrasts with modest growth in similar ventures by IHG and Accor in China.
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Hilton Retains Title as Most Valuable Luxury Hotel Brand with $19.2 Billion Valuation, Up 28% from 2025
3 August 2026🏨 Hilton’s brand value surged by 28% to $19.2 billion in 2026, maintaining its position as the top luxury hotel brand. Taj Hotels’ brand value rose 32% to $878 million, leading in brand strength with a BSI of 93.5/100. Meanwhile, Hyatt’s brand value fell 6% to $7.5 billion. The analysis highlights how emotional connections and heritage are crucial for success, as financial performance alone is insufficient in the luxury hospitality sector.
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Google Launches AI-Powered Hotel Promotion Program with IHG as First Partner in Invitation-Only Initiative
27 July 2026💰 Google launched “Direct Offers,” placing sponsored promotions in AI travel recommendations, starting with IHG, as an invitation-only program. Hilton tops luxury hotel brand value at $19.2 billion, up 28% year-on-year, per Brand Finance’s 2026 report. The EU’s Digital Markets Act forced Booking.com to drop rate parity clauses in December 2024. IHG debuted in Italy with The Venice Times, while Marriott and Hyatt announced new properties in Jamaica, Tanzania, and Armenia.
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Hilton Hotels & Resorts Named Most Valuable Luxury Hotel Brand with USD19.2 Billion Valuation in 2026 Report
27 July 2026📈 Hilton Hotels & Resorts remains the top luxury hotel brand with a brand value up 28% to USD 19.2 billion. Hyatt is second, despite a 6% decrease to USD 7.5 billion, while Marriott, third, sees a 23% increase to USD 4.6 billion. Taj Hotels is the strongest brand with a BSI score of 93.5/100 and a brand value up 32% to USD 878 million. Marriott Bonvoy has 271 million members, while Hyatt’s loyalty program boasts 63 million members.
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TPG Hotels & Resorts Appoints Prashanth Radhakrishnan as EVP of Commercial Strategy to Lead Integrated Approach
23 July 2026📈 Prashanth Radhakrishnan appointed EVP of commercial strategy at TPG Hotels & Resorts, leveraging 25+ years of global experience. Previously, he was global VP at Marriott International, leading commercial strategy for 900+ hotels across 22 countries. TPG operates from Dallas, with over 650 hotels and marinas, totaling 68,000+ guestrooms across 42 states. His role focuses on integrating revenue management, sales, and digital commerce to enhance performance and value creation.
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St. James’ Court Hotel in Westminster Completes Multi-Year Renovation, Adding New Social Venue and Expanded Club
2 July 2026🏨 St. James’ Court hotel in Westminster has completed its multi-year renovation, modernizing its Buckingham Gate property while preserving its historical charm. Led by Conran and Partners, the updates include a redesigned entrance, lobby, and 1897 – The Bar, alongside new whisky and cigar lounges. Meeting rooms now feature flexible layouts and integrated screens. The expansion also includes a second boardroom at Taj The Chambers. This project aligns with London’s trend of luxury hotel renovations, emphasizing historical preservation.
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IHCL Targets 32,000 New Keys by 2027 Amid Asset-Light Expansion and 20% Growth in Management Fees
22 June 2026📋 IHCL CEO Puneet Chhatwal expects a year-long recovery for Taj Dubai hotels post-Iran-US conflict. Middle East expansion may exceed the planned five-year timeframe for 20 hotels. Despite this, IHCL’s India operations thrive with 12-14% growth and a two-thirds RevPAR increase. The asset-light strategy boosts management fees by 20%, targeting €90 million. The Accelerate 2030 plan aims for 700 hotels and 32,000 keys in four years, with 30 openings in 2024 and 50 in 2026.
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DirectBooker Announces Supply Agreements with Best Western and Radisson, Boosting AI Connector Role in Hospitality
1 June 2026💻 Hospitality Net’s World Panel explores AI connectors, which are “digital bridges” linking AI platforms (like ChatGPT or Claude) to external apps, enabling access to hotel ARI data (Availability, Rates, Inventory). DirectBooker, founded by former Tripadvisor and Google Travel execs, announced deals with Best Western and Radisson. Google partners with OTAs and hotel chains. Independent hotels can use B2B AI connectors for AI integration. AI platforms seek monetization through partnerships, leveraging brand loyalty.
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Airbnb Expands Platform: Adds Rental Cars, Airport Transfers, and Expands Boutique Hotels in 20 Global Cities
22 May 2026🗺 May 22, 2026, Airbnb expanded its platform by launching rental cars, airport transfers, grocery delivery, luggage storage, and more travel experiences. This move challenges OTAs like Booking and Expedia, with features including AI-driven discovery and loyalty credits. Airbnb’s boutique hotel offerings are growing in 20 cities, including New York and Paris. The AI integration offers multilingual support and review summarization, while voice-enabled AI suggests future booking innovations. Independent hotels face increased competition as Airbnb expands.
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The Leela to Expand Luxury Hotel Portfolio with 10 New Projects, Including First International Venture in Dubai
23 April 2026🏨 In 2025, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts is a finalist in the Hospitality Awards, marking its place in India’s growing luxury market. Founded in 1986, it operates 13 five-star properties across 11 cities, with over 3,500 rooms. Plans include 10 new projects, increasing their inventory to over 5,000 rooms, with three openings set for 2026 in Coorg, Jaisalmer, and Mumbai, plus an international debut in Dubai. The brand emphasizes “True Indian Luxury” to compete with giants like Indian…
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Marriott Partners with Google AI, Hilton and IHG Implement Tech Solutions to Enhance Booking and Guest Retention
13 April 2026📈 Marriott International partnered with Google AI to bypass OTAs, Hilton deployed messaging in 7,000+ properties, and IHG Hotels & Resorts uses Salesforce Einstein for auto-recovery of abandoned bookings. Minor Hotels unified guest data across 640 properties. These initiatives focus on capturing existing demand by improving response, follow-up, and retention stages. A pilot program offers full system setup for hotels earning $20k+/month, covering guest data capture, automated follow-ups, and upsell triggers.
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My Place Hotels of America Opens Second Arkansas Location with 63-Key Property in Jonesboro
7 April 2026🏨 My Place Hotels of America opened a new property, My Place Hotel—Jonesboro, AR, marking its second Arkansas location. The 4-story hotel features 63 rooms and provides amenities like in-room kitchens, a 24/7 market, and EV charging stations. Located near significant employers such as Arkansas State University, it caters to high-demand markets with strong activity in healthcare, education, and industry. The hotel is developed by Mataji LLC, designed by Richardson Design Partnership, LLC.
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Hospitality Industry Sees Changing Booking Patterns; Demand Shifts from GCC to Europe with Leisure Leading Recovery
3 April 2026🗺️ Paris and the Middle East are experiencing shifts in travel behavior, not a decline. Shorter booking windows, more price comparisons, and demand redistribution are evident. Middle Eastern brands anticipate a rebound by May and normalization by Q4. Leisure travel recovers first, followed by MICE. European destinations, like Spain during Easter, see increased demand, while geopolitical concerns redirect travel to safer choices. The key is agility and close customer and partner engagement, with volatility as the new normal.
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Indian Hotels Company Limited Signs Agreement for New 220-Key Taj Hotel in Weligama, Sri Lanka
26 March 2026🏨 March 26, 2026, in Mumbai, IHCL announced a new Taj hotel in Weligama, Sri Lanka. This greenfield project includes 220 keys, with 80 luxury apartments. The beachfront resort offers a variety of dining options, a wellness center, and extensive event spaces over 9,000 sq. ft. Weligama, known for its surf-friendly waters, is emerging as a top destination. IHCL partners with Beryll Group to enhance luxury hospitality in the region.
