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U.S. HOTELS AIM to tap a surge in Indian tourists to boost revenue as domestic leisure spending slows and demand from East Asia remains below pre-pandemic levels, according to a Reuters report. Some hotels have adapted to Indian preferences by offering amenities like chai, samosas, and Indian TV channels. The growing Indian middle class, higher travel budgets, and increased flight capacity are driving the country's international travel boom, according to the report. Nearly 1.9 million Indian tourists visited the U.S. in the first ten months of 2024, a 48 percent increase from 2019, Reuters reported, citing data from the U.S. National Travel and Tourism Office. The surge was driven by a 50 percent rise in visas issued for business visits and a 43.5 percent increase for leisure.

Business Visa is issued to a person, who is visiting India for the purpose of some business or sales in Indian market on the company outside India. And the relevant documents shall also be presented as a proof at the time of application. Get more info about Indian Business Visa at visit here http://www.indianvisa1.com/indian-business-visa.htm

Business Visa is issued to a person, who is visiting India for the purpose of some business or sales in Indian market on the company outside India. And the relevant documents shall also be presented as a proof at the time of application. Get more info about Indian Business Visa at visit here http://www.indianvisa1.com/indian-business-visa.htm

EMPLOYEES AT THE Taj Mahal Hotel in New Delhi presented a rendition of the Indian national anthem in Indian Sign Language to celebrate India's 78th Independence Day on Aug. 15. The hotel shared the video on its social media accounts, extending Independence Day wishes to all Indians. "We are deeply honoured to present the National Anthem in the Indian Sign language as we proudly celebrate our nation's 78th Independence Day," the hotel wrote in the post. "A heartfelt collaboration with our incredibly talented specially-abled colleagues, Indian sign language experts, and dedicated NGO partners, along with our passionate teams from Taj Mahal, New Delhi, Ambassador New Delhi, The Connaught, New Delhi - IHCL SeleQtions, and Soulinaire. Together, we celebrate the spirit of inclusivity and freedom."

THE HISTORY OF Indian immigrants in the U.S. could fill several books, but Mahendra Doshi has captured a core aspect of it with his book "Surat to San Francisco: How the Patels from Gujarat Established the Hotel Business in California 1942-1960." The book is, as the title says, the story of the individuals who first left their home for a roundabout journey to the American Dream. Doshi is journalist in San Jose, California, not a businessman himself, but he is originally from Vadia in the Indian state of Gujarat. His family moved to Calcutta in West Bengal where Doshi earned degrees from Presidency College and the University of Calcutta before moving to the U.S. in 1967 and eventual graduated with a master's degree from the University of Nevada, Reno. "I have never even thought of business. I had a degree in journalism and I did marketing work for General Motors. That's where I made my living for 30 years," Doshi said. "At the same time, I pursued my journalistic impulses. I wrote for mostly all those ethnic papers, Indian ethnic papers like India Times of Chicago and India West and India Post." Doshi also published two "Who's Who among Indians" lists in 1976 and 1981. That whet his appetite for exploring his people's history.

THE UPCOMING SHOW "Grand Indian Hotel," premiering on BBC Player, a BBC Studios streaming service available on Prime Video Channel, on June 14, will depict the 90-year history of Oberoi Hotel & Resorts. The three-part series offers insights into The Oberoi Rajvilas in Jaipur, The Oberoi Udaivilas in Udaipur, Rajasthan, and The Oberoi, New Delhi. The show provides a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes efforts of Oberoi's 90-year history of hospitality, according to BBC Studios. The show is developed by UK-based Voltage TV and distributed by BBC Studios. "Grand Indian Hotel is a first-hand account depicting India's Vibrant culture of 'Atithi Devo Bhava' through the lens of legendary Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, and reflects the great story-telling that is synonymous with BBC Studios," said Stanley Fernandes, BBC Studios' vice president of distribution, South Asia.

Prithvi Raj Singh Oberoi, also known as 'Biki,' a stalwart of Indian hospitality and chairman emeritus of the Oberoi Group, passed away on Nov. 14 at the age of 94. Oberoi served as the executive chairman of EIH Limited, the flagship company of The Oberoi Group, and as the chairman of Oberoi Hotels Private Limited, the major shareholder of EIH Limited. "It is with profound grief and sorrow that we wish to inform you of the peaceful passing of our beloved leader, P.R.S. Oberoi, chairman emeritus earlier today," The Oberoi Group said in a statement. "His passing is a significant loss for The Oberoi Group and the hospitality industry in India and overseas." Oberoi is acknowledged as a key figure in the Indian hotel industry, contributing to the globalization of Oberoi hotels by establishing a presence in major cities. He received notable accolades, including the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian honor, awarded in January 2008 for exceptional service to the country.

FLEXIBLE SUPPLIER CONTRACTS and cost-effective cloud solutions provide homegrown mid-segment hotel brands in India a competitive edge over international counterparts, according to a recent study by Hotelogix, a cloud-based hospitality technology provider. The paper notes that Indian brands understand local culture and traditions better than international ones. Hotelogix's whitepaper, The Rise and Rise of India's Home-grown Mid-segment Hotel Brands, revealed that domestic mid-segment brands control about 60 percent of India's total branded rooms. These brands are leveraging management contracts and franchise models as growth strategies, gaining an edge over international chains. Also, homegrown brands with smaller inventories can expand rapidly in cities with populations between 10,000 and 99,999, where 80 to 85 percent of demand is domestic, making it difficult for international brands to establish operations.

BRITISH INDIAN HOTELIER Joginder Sanger, 82, passed away in London on Friday night after being hospitalized following a stroke, Eastern Eye newsweekly reported. Jalandhar-born Sanger started in the UK with a travel agency and an exclusive Air India contract before establishing London hotels, including the Washington Mayfair, Courthouse Hotels in Soho and Shoreditch, as well as the Bentley in Kensington. His hotels have hosted Indian celebrities, politicians, former prime ministers and Bollywood stars, Eastern Eye reported. "He was a dear friend of mine since the 1950s; I will miss him terribly," NRI industrialist Lord Swraj Paul, 94, was quoted as saying in the report. "Like me, Joginder was also born in Jalandhar, and we shared so many experiences together. He will be missed by the Indian community in Britain, to which he made immense contributions."

MALDIVES, INDIA'S NEIGHBOR with a tourism-dependent economy, faced a social media backlash at the start of the New Year after Maldivian government officials made disparaging comments about India in social media, following Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent Lakshadweep trip. In response, several celebrities and social media users launched the #BoycottMaldives, #ChaloLakshadweep campaigns, which are trending among Indians. Meanwhile, the Maldivian government suspended three deputy ministers in the Ministry of Youth Affairs-Maryam Shiuna, Malsha Shareef, and Mahzoom Majid-for making the remarks about India and Modi. "For those who wish to embrace the adventurer in them, Lakshadweep has to be on your list. During my stay, I also tried snorkelling - what an exhilarating experience it was!" Modi posted on X, accompanying the post with pictures.

PUNEET CHHATWAL, MANAGING director and CEO of Indian Hotels Company Limited, the owner of Taj Hotels, has been appointed as the new chairman of the Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism & Hospitality. He succeeds ITC executive director Nakul Anand, who retired this week, FAITH said in a statement. Several national tourism and hotel associations, including the National Associations of Tour Operators, travel agents, hotels, transport operators, conventions & exhibition operators, and restaurants and tourism attractions, are members of FAITH. "With the backing of all members, my commitment is to develop this into a focused policy advocacy organization addressing issues in the tourism and hospitality industry, continuing the legacy established by Anand," said Chhatwal.

U.S. TECH ENTREPRENEUR Bryan Johnson and former Google engineer Debarghya Das say the fact that some Indian hotels are offering clean air as a service reflects the severity of air pollution in New Delhi and neighboring states Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab. The crisis has also spread to other metropolitan cities, including Mumbai and Kolkata. In mid-November, monitors recorded a "severe plus" air quality index of 493-more than 30 times the World Health Organization's limit-indicating dangerously high PM2.5 levels, the highest this year. According to WHO guidelines, 24-hour average PM2.5 concentrations should not exceed 15 micrograms per cubic meter more than three or four days annually. During his six-day visit to India to promote his book "Don't Die," Johnson shared on X a poster from the Oberoi Hotel in Bengaluru, showcasing guest room air quality at 2.4, achieved with smart air filters in every room.

Nakul Anand, former executive director of ITC Hotels, is named as the patron-in-chief of the Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism & Hospitality. Anand served as the federation's chairman from its inception until recently. He represented the Hotel Association of India within FAITH, the umbrella body comprising 10 trade associations in the travel, tourism, and hospitality sectors of the industry, FAITH said in a statement. Rajiv Mehra, general secretary of FAITH, said that the decision has been taken considering Anand's "exceptional contributions and unwavering dedication to the tourism & hospitality industry" as former chairman of FAITH and former executive director of ITC Ltd. Under his leadership, FAITH drafted and presented a vision document for Indian tourism for 2035 and 2047, the statement added. Additionally, the International Travel Mart of India was launched. The federation also made interventions to address anomalies in GST, the ECLGS scheme of the government and more.

INDIAN COUPLES ARE exploring new wedding locations and planning large, personalized celebrations, according to a study commissioned by Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. Wyndham conducted the survey of 1,000 recently engaged or married individuals across India to market its 60 hotels in the country. The study found that the couples are adding unique and scenic destinations such as Darjeeling, Amritsar, Mussoorie and Dehradun to traditional locations such as Goa, Udaipur and Jaipur in their wedding plans. It also found that large, multi-day weddings are resurging as couples look to make memories while balancing luxury with budget-conscious choices through a more collaborative, hands-on approach to wedding planning. "Wyndham's wedding trend report reveals a shift toward unique, personalized wedding destinations like Goa and Udaipur reflecting a desire for more exclusive, meaningful experiences," said Dimitris Manikis, Wyndham's president EMEA. "While large and multi-day celebrations are making a comeback, it is great to see younger generations, especially Tech savvy Gen Z's blending opulence with budget and sustainable-conscious choices, emphasising authenticity and collaboration. At Wyndham, we're dedicated to helping couples create unforgettable and personalized weddings, making it a moment to remember."

SOUTH INDIAN CITY Hyderabad topped the list of most-booked cities in India for 2024, according to a recent study by OYO. Religious tourism remains strong, with Puri, Varanasi, and Haridwar as key spiritual destinations, drawing large numbers of pilgrims. OYO's annual "Travelopedia 2024" report analyzes travel trends using its booking data. "2024 has marked a year of transformation in global travel," said Shreerang Godbole, OYO's global chief service officer. "Travellers are embracing flexibility, whether for business or leisure. Remote work trends are driving demand for both quick getaways and long stays." Hyderabad led bookings, with growth in both leisure and business travel, followed by Bengaluru, Delhi, and Kolkata, the study found. Uttar Pradesh remains India's top travel state, with Maharashtra, Telangana, and Karnataka also showing strong booking volumes. Smaller towns like Patna, Rajahmundry, and Hubli saw up to 48 percent year-on-year booking growth, indicating rising interest in non-metro destinations.

ASIAN HOSPITALITY IS A B2B NEWS MAGAZINE AND WEBSITE THAT COVERS THE U.S. HOTEL INDUSTRY. OUR NICHE READERSHIP AND TARGET MARKET ARE INDIAN AMERICAN HOTELIERS, WHO OWN MORE THAN HALF OF THE HOTELS IN AMERICA. THE COMMUNITY OF HOTELIERS IS AMONG THE MOST AFFLUENT GROUP BUSINESS OWNERS IN THE U.S., WITH AN ESTIMATED $35 BILLION IN BUYING POWER. ASIAN HOSPITALITY uniquely provides editorial in Gujarati, the language spoken by most Asian American hoteliers who have roots in Gujarat, India. Its sister publication, PRIYA, is the business magazine for entrepreneurial women. In Indian American hotel businesses, women make most of the buying decisions. They also have carved their own paths to business success, leading family enterprises and starting their own ventures. The next generation of the Asian American hotelier community is made up of highly educated and experienced women and men who are eager to take hotel development and operations to the next level. ASIAN HOSPITALITY is with them every step of the way.

CALIFORNIA-BASED HOTELIER Sunil "Sunny" Tolani has been named a top entrepreneur by Yahoo Finance. Tolani's the Prince Organization was named one of the fastest growing private companies in Orange County, California, by the Orange County Business Journal. In the Yahoo listing, Tolani is recognized not only for his work operating multiple hotels but also charity work, youth empowerment and education. It also mentions the organization's receipt of several honors and awards, including the 2016 Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence and, more recently, the Nelson Mandela Leadership Award from the Non Resident Indian Welfare Society. "Sunil Tolani is a self-made man, highly respected and publicly admired worldwide Indian American CEO, social entrepreneur, philanthropist and humanitarian," the Yahoo article said. "[The Prince Organization is] regularly commended by various third-party organizations as one of the best and top places to work. Prince has also been named the fastest growing private companies and top minority-owned organization three times in a row."

AAHOA MEMBERS IN the U.S. will now have access to more workforce training opportunities and products from India under the new "Made in India" agreement made with that country. The agreement came about as a result of meetings between a delegation of AAHOA board members and Indian officials. Bharat Patel AAHOA chairman, Treasurer Kamalesh "KP" Patel and others met with the Chief Minister of Gujarat Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel to discuss the partnership, AAHOA said in a statement. It includes: Partnering with India-based educational institutions to implement training programs and skill-development initiatives that will equip young individuals to pursue successful and global careers in hospitality. Actively promoting, prioritizing and providing support for the sourcing of "Made in India" products, including textiles, furniture, and plumbing fixtures, for U.S.-based hospitality businesses. "With strong family ties and a significant footprint in the United States encompassing more than 36,000 properties, the AAHOA community is uniquely positioned to showcase the best of India to the world," said Bharat, who mentioned the program in June when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the U.S. "Our new initiatives aim to not only fuel economic and workforce development and progress, but to create a stronger platform for the exchange of ideas and innovation between the world's leading democracies."

HYATT INDIA RECENTLY launched the Vocational Education and Training Swiss Professional Diploma program across its properties, including Hyatt Regency Delhi, Andaz Delhi, Grand Hyatt Gurgaon and Hyatt Regency Lucknow. The company worked with the Confederation of Indian Industry and EHL Hospitality Business School to offer an 18-month program for students who have completed their higher secondary education with at least 50 percent marks in English. The program, divided into foundational, intermediate and advanced levels, will equip students with the skills and knowledge required to succeed in the hospitality industry, according to a joint press statement. "At a time when India is emerging as a global leader in the hospitality industry, there is significant growth potential for the youth of India who choose the VET by EHL program offered by the Confederation of Indian Industry," said Sunjae Sharma, Hyatt Hotels' managing director, India and Southwest Asia. "We are proud to be the first international hotel chain in India to collaborate with CII and EHL for this initiative and to contribute to training a new generation of hoteliers. I am confident that the learning and training imparted at Hyatt will enable these young minds to stand out in this competitive sector and achieve their dreams."

KASHYAP "KASH" PATEL, President Trump's nominee for FBI director, highlighted his Indian roots at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, greeting his parents with "Jai Shree Krishna". If confirmed, he would be the first Indian American to lead the nation's top investigative agency. AAHOA backed Patel's nomination, citing his public service and national security experience as crucial for addressing challenges facing both the FBI and the hospitality industry. "Kash Patel's nomination is a significant moment," said Miraj Patel, AAHOA chairman. "His counterterrorism and public service background offers valuable expertise for tackling complex security issues." Patel, 44, was a public defender and federal prosecutor before joining Trump's administration during his first term as president in 2019. He served in various roles, including under the secretary of defence and the director of national intelligence. Trump nominated him in November to replace Christopher Wray, who led the FBI for more than seven years and who Trump appointed in his first term.

AT THE 35TH Hunter Hotel Investment Conference, there was plenty to talk about. Several Indian American hoteliers were speakers at the event at the Marriott Marquis in Atlanta March 19 to 22. This year's conference came with "a profound sense of purpose, no limits," said Lee Hunter chairman of the Hunter Conference during his welcoming address. "Over the next three days, we're going to hear from numerous industry experts, as leaders in this industry, we understand the importance of embracing change, challenging the conventions and pursuing new opportunities," Hunter said. "It's with this in mind that as we sat down to put forth our speaker lineup, this year, we focused on bringing new voices to distinguish. These voices are going to challenge you. They're going to inspire you, they're going to force you to think outside the box."