In a significant move marking the end of an era, Air India recently shifted its booking office from the historic Air India building to CR2 Mall at Nariman Point. The 23-storey tower, a prominent feature of Mumbai's skyline since 1974, was sold to the Maharashtra government for INR 1,600 crore last year as part of the airline's asset monetisation programme. The building, known for its signature centaur logo and billboard of international destinations, had remained an iconic landmark along Marine Drive for nearly fifty years. Tata Group, which acquired the carrier in 2022 for INR 18,000 crore, has been focusing on streamlining operations.Read more

Novelty Chambers, home to the once-celebrated Novelty Cinema at Grant Road, South Mumbai, is set to be demolished after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) declared the building unsafe. The cinema, which stopped screening films 19 years ago, was one of Mumbai's most prominent single-screen theaters before the multiplex boom forced its closure. The building currently has only one operational office out of nine stories, while the ground floor remains home to the now-defunct theater. The site is expected to make way for a new residential high-rise.Read more

Manglam Group, a prominent real estate developer in Rajasthan, has unveiled an ambitious INR 1,000 crore investment strategy to enter the INR 82,000 crore Indian hospitality sector over the next five years. Leveraging its extensive experience with over 70 completed real estate projects, the group is focusing on greenfield developments in high-growth segments such as destination weddings, leisure tourism, and MICE. Their inaugural hospitality venture, the Westin Jaipur Resort, is nearing completion, with a second hotel already underway in Jagatpura, Jaipur.Read more

Rebel Foods is set to invest between INR 100 crore and INR 150 crore to expand American fast-food giant Wendy's presence in India. The plan aims to establish 500 outlets by 2028, aligning with Wendy's global strategy to add 1,000 new restaurants. With an emphasis on cloud kitchens, Rebel Foods intends to leverage its extensive delivery network, while also introducing offline stores. The company's recent funding and operational milestones are part of a broader strategy to enhance profitability and prepare for an IPO within two years.Read more

Singapore's sovereign investment firm, Temasek, has finalised a deal to acquire nearly a 10% stake in Haldiram's snacks division for approximately USD 1 billion. The acquisition comes after months of negotiations, with Temasek viewing Haldiram as a key asset in India's expanding consumer sector. The deal highlights growing global interest in India's food and beverage industry, especially the savoury snacks segment. While Blackstone had also bid for a 20% stake, its lower valuation resulted in Temasek securing the agreement. Industry experts suggest that Haldiram's promoters are considering an IPO in the coming year to leverage the country's robust stock market. The restructuring of Haldiram Snacks Foods Private Ltd (HSFPL) has further consolidated its market position, making it a highly attractive investment.Read more

BWH Hotels, which operates brands like Best Western and SureStay, plans to expand its India presence by adding 21 new hotels over the next two years. Global CEO Larry Cuculic emphasized a strategic shift toward newly constructed properties to enhance brand reputation and guest experience. Currently, BWH manages 32 hotels across India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, generating INR 250 crore in revenue. The company has agreements for 54 new hotels and aims to reach 100 properties in 5-7 years. This expansion positions BWH Hotels as a key player in India's hospitality sector, ensuring steady growth in the coming years.Read more

The Jammu and Kashmir government is enhancing pilgrim tourism by developing dedicated circuits in Jammu to encourage Mata Vaishno Devi visitors to explore other regional attractions. Three-day, four-day, and seven-day tourism packages will be introduced, along with infrastructure upgrades under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme and State Capex Budget. Key projects include musical fountains, a ropeway, an amusement park, and heritage site preservation. Inspired by Varanasi's Kashi Vishwanath Corridor and Tamil Nadu's pilgrimage circuits, Jammu aims to boost its economy, improve transport, and modernize its tourism sector while preserving cultural heritage through Smart City initiatives.Read more

The HVS Anarock HOPE 2025 conference in Goa showcased India's booming hospitality sector, led by Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, which has doubled its footprint in seven years, now with 70 hotels and 50+ projects in the pipeline. India's infrastructure growth is fueling hotel expansion beyond metros, with 74% of 2024's 47,500 new rooms signed in tier-II, III, and IV cities. Niche tourism segments like faith, wellness, and adventure travel are driving demand. With strong market trends, India's hospitality sector is poised for rapid expansion.Read more

Adani Group has unveiled plans to diversify its airport business and boost the retail business at airports. It also plans to open retail stores at highways and malls in a phased manner. The conglomerate aims to expand its current retail network from approximately 50 stores to nearly 310 by next year. The group seeks to enhance non-aeronautical revenue, targeting three-fourths of total earnings for Adani Airport Holdings. With an annual passenger base exceeding 270 million, Adani intends to capitalise on various consumer segments. The expansion will place Adani Group in direct competition with FMCG giants such as Tata Group's ITC, Reliance, Dabur, and Hindustan Unilever.Read more

IndiGo is accelerating its European expansion by leasing at least three more Boeing 787-9 wide-body planes from Norse Atlantic Airways, aiming for summer flight launches. This follows the induction of one leased 787-9, currently operating the Delhi-Bangkok route as a pilot for wide-body operations. Complementing its future Airbus orders, IndiGo is using damp leases to rapidly expand its international footprint. With a dominant domestic market share, IndiGo is capitalizing on rising international travel demand, challenging Air India's European monopoly. This move signals IndiGo's strategic shift to long-haul, global operations.Read more