Budget carrier IndiGo on Friday reported a loss of INR 9.9 billion ($118 million) in the most recent quarter – a reversal after seven straight profitable reports for India’s largest airline.
22.10.2024 - 05:39 / skift.com / London Heathrow / Bulbul Dhawan
Indian hospitality chain The Leela has announced the launch of Arq by The Leela – its collection of “ultra-luxury villas.” The collection has been launched at the Leela Palace Udaipur and is being positioned as a “hyper-personalized Palace within a Palace” by the hotel chain. The hotel chain will introduce more Arq by The Leela collections across its portfolio.
The villas aim to cater to ultra high-net worth individuals and elite guests. Though not quite exactly the same as vacation rentals, the villas are designed to allow the families of these guests privacy and exclusive spaces within the premises of Leela Palace Udaipur. These villas have their own swimming pools and private outdoor spaces.
A Skift Research report on short-term rentals in India this year indicated that the Indian short-term rental industry could expand into a $3 billion market by 2033. In an interview with Skift, luxury villa rentals brand StayVista’s co-founder Amit Damani said that there is a shift towards luxury villas among Indian travelers as they are seeking private, exclusive spaces.
He had also said that there is a trust gap when it comes to alternative accommodations and creating brands within that space could address this gap.
The launch of the villa collection comes a month after The Leela’s parent company Schloss Bangalore filed for a $599 million (INR 50 billion) IPO. It marked the largest ever IPO in the Indian hotel industry. Through the public issue, the company aims to pay its debt and capitalize on the demand for high-end accommodations.
By 2028, The Leela is planning to add eight hotels to its current portfolio of 12 operational properties. It is also expected to venture into segments such as wildlife and heritage tourism, in line with the broader demand for experiential tourism in luxury travel.
Air India is set to operate Vistara aircraft after the merger of the two airlines on November 12. The airline said that these flights will be identified by a special four-digit Air India flight code starting with ‘2’: Vistara’s UK 955 flight between Delhi and Mumbai will be identified as AI 2955.
This is being done to make the booking process easier for customers on the Air India website post the merger. Air India has also explained that the routes and schedules being operated by Vistara will continue. The in-flight experience, including the menu and the cabin crew, will remain the same.
Additionally, the members of Vistara’s loyalty program Club Vistara will be transferred to Air India’s Flying Returns program. The combined loyalty program will be rebranded into the ‘Maharaja Club.’
Ahead of the merger, Air India is also commencing daily direct flights between Bengaluru and London Heathrow from October 27. With
Budget carrier IndiGo on Friday reported a loss of INR 9.9 billion ($118 million) in the most recent quarter – a reversal after seven straight profitable reports for India’s largest airline.
Have you ever wanted to travel around the world by train, but in ultimate luxury rather than in cramped couchettes?
Online travel company Ixigo’s board on Thursday approved plans to acquire a 51% stake in train e-catering food service Zoop. The deal is for INR 125.4 million ($1.5 million).
Goa’s Department of Tourism has launched a slew of adventure tourism activities, such as paramotoring and shooting range experiences along with white water rafting, bungee jumping, and scuba diving. This, it said, is meant to cater to the growing demand for unique experiences among travelers.
Indians spent over $2 billion on international travel in August, data from the Indian central bank shows – the highest amount in the past 12 months. Travel held the lion’s share in total overseas spending during the month: close to 63% of $3.2 billion.
This episode of the Skift India Travel Podcast sets the stage for an in-depth discussion on India’s evolving corporate travel market. Avinash Chandani, partner at Deloitte India, talks to Asia Editor Peden Doma Bhutia about the growth potential of the Indian corporate travel market. Key topics include growth drivers, industry trends like blended travel, the impact of technology and data, and the role of travel management companies. The podcast provides an insight into how businesses are navigating high travel costs, geopolitical challenges, and shifting traveler expectations providing a comprehensive understanding of the opportunities and challenges in India’s corporate travel landscape, with a mix of data-driven analysis and expert commentary.
Oct 22, 2024 • 7 min read
If you're looking for a true breath of fresh air in the most literal sense, the pros at QR Code Generator have a new study you're going to want to see. In September, the team unveiled the findings of its newest study, which showed which U.S. and European destinations have the lowest pollution rates, offering the cleanest air possible for travelers and locals alike.
Wyndham Hotels and Resorts is introducing its Microtel by Wyndham Brand to India – its eighth brand in the country – through a development agreement with NILE Hospitality.
In its latest move to attract international travelers, budget carrier IndiGo has entered into a codeshare agreement with Malaysian Airlines. In a codeshare agreement, partner airlines are able to sell seats in flights operated by the other carrier.
In less than five decades, the Maldives has become the superlative destination for luxe stays and romantic interludes. Powdery beaches aside, what makes the archipelago truly unique is that each tropical island contains only one hotel. Hideaway villas and bans on using drones maintain privacy whereas intuitive all-inclusive packages handle everything from transfers to poolside punch.
India’s sports tourism market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 17% and reach $53 billion by 2033. A new report by KPMG – ‘Harnessing India’s Sports Tourism Potential’ – looks at the challenges India faces in capturing this potential.