Flight operations at Delhi airport faced major disruptions earlier this week as low visibility led to widespread cancellations. A total of 49 departures and 77 arrivals were called off, affecting several passengers. IndiGo, facing the brunt of the disruptions, cancelled 110 flights across its network. The airline stated that winter fog in northern India can occasionally slow down flight movements during early mornings. IndiGo emphasized that its teams were closely monitoring the weather and making ground adjustments to minimize inconvenience for travelers.Read more

The Andaman and Nicobar administration has approved four major eco-tourism projects across the islands, aiming to boost sustainable tourism. Three new luxury resorts will be developed on Long Island, Aves Island, and Shaheed Dweep, while the existing Megapode Resort in Sri Vijaya Puram will be upgraded through a public-private partnership. Designed to meet international sustainability standards, the resorts will operate with renewable energy, maintain low ecological impact, and offer premium tourism experiences. Aves Island, previously uninhabited, is set to become a key attraction after Swaraj Dweep, with facilities including adventure activities and wellness amenities.Read more

Indian Hotels Company Limited has opened Avantika by the Ganges, a 43-key hotel under its SeleQtions brand, in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. The launch strengthens IHCL's presence in spiritually and culturally significant destinations as demand for experiential travel continues to grow. Designed to reflect the city's heritage while offering modern comforts, the property blends local character with premium hospitality. Varanasi remains a key destination for pilgrims and cultural tourists, driving interest from organised hotel players. The new hotel aligns with IHCL's strategy to expand across leisure, pilgrimage and Tier II and Tier III markets, while supporting tourism growth and local employment in one of India's most iconic cities.Read more

Palm Hills Development Company has entered into an agreement with Marriott International to develop a St. Regis-branded project in Cairo under the Palm Hills portfolio. The partnership marks another step in Palm Hills’ strategy to strengthen its presence in the premium and luxury real estate segment, while bringing an internationally recognised hospitality brand to its developments. Marriott’s St. Regis brand is known for high-end residences and hotels globally, and the collaboration is expected to enhance the positioning of the Palm Hills project in Egypt’s competitive real estate and hospitality market.Read more

Auro Realty has acquired the Taj Banjara hotel in Hyderabad for INR 315 crore, strengthening its presence in the hospitality segment and expanding its commercial real estate portfolio. The deal adds a well-known five-star property in a prime city location, popular with both business and leisure travellers. Hyderabad's hotel market has remained strong, supported by steady corporate travel, conventions and domestic tourism, making branded luxury assets attractive to investors. The acquisition reflects growing interest in income-generating commercial properties such as premium hotels. While operational plans for the property are yet to be shared, the move highlights continued confidence in Hyderabad's hospitality sector and the long-term value of established hotel brands.Read more

Ridhira Group has announced an investment of INR 117 crore in a new hospitality project in Yacharam, Telangana, signalling rising confidence in emerging travel destinations beyond major cities. The development will include a branded hotel with modern amenities aimed at both leisure and business travellers. The project is expected to generate employment during construction and operations, while supporting local businesses such as transport, retail and food services. Improved road connectivity and Yacharam's proximity to Hyderabad have made the location attractive for hospitality growth. With approvals underway and planning in progress, the project reflects growing investor interest in tier-II and tier-III markets offering new opportunities for tourism-led development.Read more

Marriott International has opened Le Méridien Navi Mumbai, a 129-key upscale hotel located about 12 km from the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport. The launch marks the brand’s debut in Navi Mumbai and strengthens Marriott’s footprint in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The company said the new airport is expected to drive growth in business travel, tourism and commercial activity across the corridor. Strategically positioned, the hotel is designed to serve corporate travellers, transit passengers and leisure guests. Marriott noted that Navi Mumbai is emerging as a key commercial and logistics hub, making the opening timely. The new property adds momentum to the premium hospitality segment as infrastructure-led development continues in the region.Read more

Knight Frank India's latest report has identified 74 operational shopping centres as 'ghost malls,' each over three years old and still recording vacancy above 40%. Together, they account for 15.5 million sq ft of underperforming retail space marked by outdated layouts, weak tenant mixes and declining customer relevance. Of these, 15 malls totalling 4.8 million sq ft are considered suitable for redevelopment and could generate an estimated INR 357 crore in annual rent if refurbished. Chairman Shishir Baijal said India's retail sector is entering a defining phase, with Grade A malls showing low vacancies and strong absorption in Tier-II cities. Revamping ageing malls will be key to supporting future organised retail growth.Read more

India's hospitality sector received a boost with three major hotel announcements in Noida, Lonavala and Mussoorie. IHCL signed a greenfield Taj project in Noida featuring 150 rooms and 74 branded residences, strengthening its presence amid rising demand driven by new infrastructure and the upcoming airport. IHG Hotels - Resorts inked a deal for a 100-key Holiday Inn Resort in Lonavala, leveraging the hill station's strong leisure appeal. Meanwhile, Treebo Hospitality Ventures signed a 50-key Mercure hotel in Mussoorie under its Accor partnership. The developments highlight expanding hotel pipelines across key leisure and business destinations as operators scale to meet growing domestic travel demand.Read more

Nexus Select Trust is evaluating three mall acquisitions in eastern India, aiming to expand its presence in a region where it currently operates only one property. Alongside acquisitions, it is planning significant upgrades at South City Mall, including infrastructure improvements, technology enhancements, and a 500 kilowatt rooftop solar project. With 19 malls in 15 cities and a market capitalisation of around INR 24,000 crore, the REIT targets over 30 malls by 2030. These efforts indicate a strategic push to strengthen its footprint and modernise assets.Read more