24x7 Food at Delhi's Aerocity - India Report

31.10.2024 - 03:05 / skift.com / Varsha Arora / Narendra Modi / Pedro Sanchez / Bulbul Dhawan

The Delhi government said it would allow restaurants to operate round the clock in the Delhi Aerocity business district near the Delhi airport. The area currently has several 4- and 5-star hotels operating throughout the day and night, as well as office and retail spaces meant for the convenience of travelers.

Due to the close proximity to the airport, the area has a heavy footfall, and travelers come in at all times of the day. With this approval, standalone restaurants in the Aerocity area will be able to function throughout the day and cater to these tourists.

In an official statement, the Delhi government said that the approval will lead to an increase in tourists and also boost the government’s revenue through licensing fees. The precedent for this has been set in Haryana’s Gurgaon, a prominent business area. Gurgaon restaurants have recorded a growth in revenue due to this move. 

The Allure of Food: A Skift Research report earlier this month pointed out the importance of food in attracting Indian tourists. Our researcher Varsha Arora reported that on her recent trip to Hanoi, she saw Indian restaurants thriving in almost every lane of Old Quarter, a welcome change from 2019. 

International visitors also contribute to the culinary tourism market in India. A report by research firm Future Market Insights last year estimated the culinary tourism market in India at over $23 billion. And by 2033, it forecasts it will rise to $182.5 billion, annual growth of 23%. 

“India has a great deal of tourism potential due to its rich cultural heritage as well as its gastronomy,” the report said. “International tourists are increasingly interested in culinary tourism, a concept that was not often associated with India until recently.” It also said that over the past few years, culinary tourism activities in India have surged in terms of value.

Hotels across the country are routinely holding food festivals showcasing different cuisines from different regions. In the 2023-24 fiscal year, Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) reported that its food and beverage revenue increased 12% as compared to the year before. 

During Spanish head of state Pedro Sanchez’s visit to India this week, it was decided by Sanchez and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that 2026 will be marked as the Year of India and Spain in Culture, Tourism and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Both the countries will increase their efforts to incorporate the cultural presence of the other nation in their respective museums, art, fairs, film, festivals, literature, and more. 

The countries will also think of ways to increase the flow of tourists, and increase bilateral investments in hospitality, cuisine, marketing, and architecture in both urban and rural