Maharashtra has approved land in Igatpuri, Nashik district, to build a new film city modeled on Mumbai's Goregaon Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagri. The project will feature indoor studios, outdoor sets, and other facilities for movies and television production. Land transfer proposals and feasibility studies have been completed, with KPMG appointed to assess financial viability. The government aims to make the project a hub for the Indian film industry while boosting tourism. An amusement park may also be included to attract more visitors and support the local economy.Read more

ITC Hotels has signed a definitive agreement with Kumar Infra Hotel Private Limited (KIHPL) to operate a 140-room luxury hotel in Patna, Bihar. Awarded through a competitive government bidding process, the project forms part of Bihar's ongoing tourism development strategy. Spanning 1.5 acres, the hotel aims to strengthen the state's luxury hospitality segment. ITC Hotels plans to showcase its renowned culinary standards and service quality while reflecting the local culture, heritage, and traditions through architecture, arts, crafts, and curated indigenous experiences.Read more

China's Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport confirmed on Friday that direct flights between India and China will resume later this month, ending a more than five-year suspension and signalling a cautious thaw in bilateral ties. The announcement follows India's decision and IndiGo's plan to start daily non-stop flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou from October 26, marking the first such connection since 2020. The airport added that it would encourage the opening of more direct routes, including Guangzhou-Delhi. The move comes a month after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to China for the SCO summit, where he and President Xi Jinping discussed strengthening trade ties and easing tensions after years of strained relations.Read more

Senegal plans to begin construction of a second oil refinery in 2026, seeking USD 2-5 billion in investment to expand domestic refining capacity, SAR CEO Mamadou Abib Diop told Reuters. Financing offers have already come from China, Turkey, and South Korea. The refinery, dubbed SAR 2.0, will process an additional 4 million tons of crude annually, using feedstock primarily from the Sangomar offshore field, operated by Woodside Energy with Petrosen as minority partner. Sangomar, producing since 2024, yields about 34.5 million barrels per year. By its targeted 2029 start-up, SAR aims to meet national petroleum demand and export to the region, reducing reliance on imports.Read more

DoubleTree by Hilton Bengaluru Whitefield collaborated with Kalyani Developers to host the Walkathon - Abilities Recruitment March at Kalyani Tech Park as part of Hilton's Travel With Purpose Week. The event focused on inclusivity, accessibility, and empowerment of specially-abled individuals. With participation from industry leaders, NGOs, Rotary clubs, and community members, the initiative underscored Hilton's ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, and purpose-driven hospitality while strengthening its longstanding association with Kalyani Developers.Read more

Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced the signing of The Landmark Kanpur, a 170-key property that will join the JdV by Hyatt brand and is expected to open in early 2026. This marks the brand's second property in India after Goa. The company emphasised its commitment to working with leading local operators to provide distinct hospitality experiences while building on The Landmark's longstanding reputation in Kanpur.Read more

Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) announced the launch of its heritage retreat, Hari Ganga Niwas, under the SeleQtions brand in Haridwar, Uttarakhand. The restored 15-key property has been developed in collaboration with the Prasad Group. The company highlighted that the retreat strengthens its footprint in the spiritual tourism circuit while aligning with its focus on heritage preservation. With this addition, IHCL's portfolio in Uttarakhand has now expanded to 34 hotels, including 21 under development.Read more

Hilton is expanding its presence in Rajasthan with Hilton Jaipur Kukas, a 122-room property scheduled to open in 2029 in partnership with Masbu Resorts Pvt Ltd. The company already operates Hilton Jaipur and DoubleTree by Hilton Jaipur Amer, while four additional hotels are under development, including Waldorf Astoria Jaipur, Conrad Jaipur, Signia by Hilton Jaipur, and a property in Udaipur. Jaipur's growing popularity as a cultural tourism and destination wedding hub aligns with Hilton's strategy to strengthen its full-service hotel offerings in high-demand leisure markets. Hilton aims to grow its South Asia portfolio from 71 to 300 hotels over the next decade.Read more

Ventive Hospitality Limited announced its plan to acquire a 76% stake in Soham Leisure Ventures Pvt. Ltd., which owns the 104-key Hilton Goa Resort and an adjacent land parcel. The deal, valued at approximately INR 320 crore, includes an initial cash outlay of INR 120 crore. Ventive intends to refurbish the resort, add 60-65 new rooms, introduce a spa and new dining concepts, and develop branded villas on the land parcel with an estimated gross sale value of over INR 100 crore. This marks Ventive's first entry into India's leisure hospitality market, expanding its partnership with Hilton and supporting its goal of doubling its room portfolio over five years.Read more

Hotels in Karnataka are facing challenges in passing on the benefits of recent GST rate cuts due to high taxes on LPG cylinders and property rents. The Karnataka State Hotels Association has urged the government to lower GST on rent to help businesses remain competitive. While the GST Council reduced taxes on about 375 goods and services during Navaratri, operational costs like cooking gas and rental expenses remain high. Association president G K Shetty explained that without relief on these expenses, hotels cannot lower food or room prices for consumers.Read more