It is one ingredient that is seriously missing in our daily lives. We see this […]
Author: Navin Berry
PMML celebrates World Tourism Day
Walk in awe, see, read and hear the lives and contributions of India’s prime ministers, […]
Building the Sarovar Legacy, with a Sharp Focus on Mid-market
Sarovar Hotels is a leading hotel management company and one of the fastest-growing hotel chains […]
Inbound has Hit a Pause Button; with no promotions over the last few years
There is much talk of inbound not having recovered, while overall, tourism is doing well. […]
Women in Aviation India: A Movement for Women, by Women
This story of purpose, wings, and belief began 10 years ago. Having spent five decades […]
A Game of Musical Chairs: When the Music Stopped, Everything Fell Apart!
One hopes, Nepal will get a New Dispensation that it Truly Deserves. What has played […]
Shifting Sands in South Asia: Sifting Mirages from Reality
Another edition of a round table conversation, convened by us, bringing together expert opinion on […]
Time for Moratorium on Issues that Divide All Indians
This Independence Day was very special. The global order has been mauled by President Trump’s […]
PM Modi @ 75 This Month!
Like him! Like him not! His is not a persona that invites hollow smiles and […]
The Dhankar Drama: Ill-health, a Conscience Attack, or Over Ambition
He has occupied the high stage ever since he became the voluble Governor of West […]
India First, we are all One Family, United and Strong!
On top of the mind is India First. A difficult proposition today as every country […]
In Cricket we Trust: Only in Winning Can we Get National Consensus
There is no getting away from the fact that nobody relishes defeat. In fact, sport […]
Does Travel and Tourism Need a New Understanding? How About ‘Visitor Economy?
It is more like the chicken and the egg story, what came first? Between Travel […]
50 Years since Dark Day of Emergency; Admit to Mistakes, is Best Policy!
June 25th, 1975 was a Black Letter Day in the history of independent India. Then, […]
All-party Delegations, Whom They Met, and the Shashi Tharoor Factor!
In the immediate aftermath of Operation Sindoor, from all accounts considered, the government of the […]
With tourism impacted, Kashmir Economy and Industry Await the Return of Good Times!
Indeed, the Good Times were here, with the average Kashmiri enjoying the bounties of tourism. […]
Of Foreign Policy, the Sino-Pak Connection, the State & Non-state Actors in Pakistan
How has Operation Sindoor impacted our nation? In terms of self-reliance, foreign policy, and the […]
Lessons Learned, Imbibed, and Followed Through!
Act where we Must, Pause where we Must. So much has been around us, Operation […]
Fern Signs Up with Marriott to Launch a New Brand, Series – Made in India, for the World
A new brand has been launched by Marriott International, born in India with Fern Hotels, […]
Shifting Sands: The Mirage Wears Off as War Clouds Loomed
India and the US: Friends as in Quad? The last week or so has changed […]
War is Not the Solution : It is Only One of the Options
The dastardly attack in Pahalgam is etched in our memory for ever. Innocent tourists, harbingers […]
Gold Achieves the ‘lakh’ Lustre Status this Year!
Gold achieved its ‘lakh’ lustre status this April, becoming the best-performing asset in 2025, gaining […]
Brand Udaipur Passes on to Lakshyaraj Singh, the new Maharana
Arvind Singh ji passes on, leaving behind him a richest legacy among luxury tourism, the […]
Shifting Sands: Congress is Unpredictable as the Sensex, but not Gaining over Time
In a recent gathering of Congress workers in Gujarat, leader of the Opposition and Senior […]
Shifting Sands: Delhi Government carves a Roadmap to the Capital’s Resurrection
In keeping with its promise to restore the lost ‘ease in living’ in the city, […]
Shifting Sands: Is Laughter the best medicine?
No longer, possibly, as humour is limited in our times, given numerous sensitivities, across our […]
Shifting Sands: A Justice Pleads for Justice!
In times like these, nothing is impossible. Nothing, really, some of it befitting a serial […]
A Maverick in Politics: Indeed, he was so!
Mani Shankar Aiyar releases his second volume, narrating a period from 1991 to 2024 Mani […]
Will Government Bring ‘Ease in Living’ in the Capital City
What Delhi needs most is what we can best say, ease in living, which has […]
Shifting Sands this Month – March 2025
Governor Das is principal secretary 2 to the Prime Minister Trust begets trust, so they […]
Shifting Sands: Events that captured our attention last month
The Saif drama unfolds; where it goes, wait and watch? So, as the story goes, […]
So, Goa has a problem in handling its tourist inflows?
Over the years, over past decades, numbers have been growing, new streams in activities developing, […]
Cricket in Hangover Mode: At Cross Roads!
It is raining cricket, especially with the Champions Trophy later this month, and with IPL […]
Dhol bajao ‘Doles’ ki. For a city in apathy, time to wake up!
Elections in Delhi this month, are marking the end of yet another adventure season in […]
Hospitality Drives Indian Tourism
As 2025 dawns upon us, for those in India’s tourism industry, it is becoming apparent […]
“I have Tried to Give my Best to the Institution”: Shaktikanta Das
1980-batch Tamil Nadu cadre IAS officer, has a master’s degree in history and is a […]
India Loses Her Modern Day Icon: Reformer, Statesman, Humanist, Like No Other
Former Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, breathed his last, having lived a full life, at 92. […]
Remembering the Iconic Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his 100th Birth Anniversary
Here was a PM who stood out for governance, equality, development and making India tall, […]
Shifting Sands Conversations in and outside Parliament
Conversations in and outside Parliament Did the last Parliament session witness an unwritten attempt, a […]
BJP Turns out a Most Impressive Performance: Wins an Unimaginable Landslide in Maharashtra
Will the election results in Maharashtra signal a tectonic shift in Indian politics? One can […]
Shifting Sands: what’s trending
Trouble Afresh in Dhaka as ISKCON head is held Is more trouble brewing in neighbouring […]
Eclectic, Absorbing, Engaging: KSLF fondly relives the Nostalgia around the legendary Khushwant Singh
The curtains came down on the 16th edition of the Khushwant Singh Literary Festival in […]
Mourning the Passing on of India’s True ‘Rattan’
October witnessed the passing on of an era, marked most of all, by both humility […]
Shifting Sands
All out for 46! It must have required a Herculean effort, of another kind, to […]
Sri Lanka, ONOE, Lateral Entry, Role of the LOP, and Mollywood
A Big Regime Change in Sri Lanka A new dispensation with no past baggage is […]
Cloudbursts, Rapes, Abuse, Peace in Ukraine and Harmony at Home
Apathy, pure and simple! Cloudbursts can’t be stopped but casualties and resulting havoc can be […]
Inbound Tourism is Lowest Hanging Fruit for the Indian Economy
Earn More Foreign Exchange, Create a Million New Jobs, Invent New Economic Streams. Balancing receipts […]
Heartbreak in Paris: Disrupt the Present Eco-system
It was heartbreak in Paris, for 1.4 billion people resting their hopes on just a […]
The Ambani Wedding Extravaganza: The Big Fat Indian Wedding Got Better
Can it get any bigger? Unlikely. The Ambani wedding was one that was never seen […]
Budget 2024: Tourism Gets Short Shrift: Marketing Budget Slashed to Zero
Another year, when ‘tourism’ is being short-changed; Budget 2024 must revisit the need to market […]
Elections 2024: A ‘Course Correction’ for the BJP?
Let us take a look back at the 2024 Lok Sabha election results, once again. […]
Rotary- Inspiring Leadership Through Shared Values: Hemant Bhasin
In a free wheeling conversation, we discuss with AKS Member, Hemant Bhasin, one of the […]
Regional Tourism: Passport to Peace!
We have so much in common between us as South Asian neighbours. We must not […]
Understanding a Neighbour. A Book with a Difference
A new book and its launch: Ambasador Nalin Surie’s wife, Poonam has been for long […]
18th Parliament: How much a New Beginning?
This last month has witnessed new scandals. The likes of which occur, unfortunately, not rarely. […]
IPL season ends: More Fun, More Games
IPL 2024 scored over its previous edition, just as every season it tends to outdo […]
The Future of Air Vistara as a Brand?
Indian Aviation has been a Grave Yard for Numerous Brands, Big and Small, Will one […]
The Shifting Sands of Indian Democracy
A Closely Fought Election, a Tribute to every Indian who Voted, a Vote for Indian […]
Miiro Brand is Changing the Concept to Holistic Rendering
Brief look at acquisitions, how, where and why chosen? What dictated the choice of hotels […]
IPL 2024: New Trends, Faces, Aspirants for the World Cup
Whom am I backing this IPL season? Am I a fan, of whom and why? […]
Credibility is the First Casualty, and an Expensive One!
The average reader, say the average Indian, is either most gullible or at a loss […]
Understanding PM Modi and India’s Tryst with Tourism
Infrastructure First. Ensure ease in Travel. Tourism will Follow! A Holistic Approach and Understanding have […]
The Shifting Sands in Run Up to ‘D’ Day
The Countdown has Begun, and the Dice is Rolling. In the shifting sands, as the […]
Time To Reconstruct! It is Happy Days for Indian Hospitality! Time to Position Afresh, in Keeping with its True Relevance and Outreach!
These are excellent times for the hospitality industry. On a personal note, I can share […]
The Original Returns!Test Match Cricket is Just as Much Fun!
After a hiatus, we were back to watching a five-day series, a far cry from […]
6th HAI Hoteliers Conclave: Hospitality – The Engine for GDP Growth & Employment
Indian hospitality industry came onto centre stage at the one-day annual convention of the Hoteliers […]
Elections 2024: Countdown Begins
This is that time of the year that comes every five years. When passions are […]
The Recent Mayhem at IGIA: A Call for Course Correction!
Why just the fog? A breakdown can happen suddenly, anywhere, not just in India but […]
Time to Accelerate our Soft Power with our neighbours
In our immediate neighbourhood, the China card has been persistent and remains as challenging as […]
Rahul Yatra 2.0: Bharat Jodo, as the India Alliance falls Apart
An ironic statement of unity when the alliance itself is falling apart. If the idea […]
Ayodhya Reborn! A Good time to Usher Ram Rajya
An awesome ceremony, a rare consecration, an event unlike any other. Evoking the spirit of […]
The Visitor Economy, or just Travel and Tourism Connect
The time for disruption is here! That what we call ‘tourism’ can acquire a bigger […]
Traffic Rights: Will Indian Carriers Pick Traffic over Dubai?
News on airline bilateral rights between nations always attracts attention. Given the ever-growing interest in […]
Traffic Rights: Then and Now! Will Indian Carriers Hub over Dubai?
News on airline bilateral rights between nations always attracts attention. Given the ever-growing interest in […]
Time to Move on, Carrying Diverse Opinions, the Nation needs to move on!
Justice Sanjay Krishan Kaul has been in the news lately, demitting office after a long […]
2024: A Year of New Beginnings!
We wish everyone in our family, our neighbourhood, our city, our country, the region and […]
VFS Global to deliver UK Visa Services across 142 countries; 6 countries signed in 2023
Mumbai grown, ‘Made in India’, now a global gold standard in visa outsourcing, VFS Global, […]
Caring for the Elderly
Awakening our Sensitivity towards Senior Citizens is the Need of the Hour. “India is at […]
The Icon Gets More Iconic!
Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) has completed the renovation of the Taj Mahal hotel in Delhi. […]
PRS: the Luxury Icon, a Lesson in Ensuring Uncompromised Quality
I wrote a piece for the social media, the day PRS Oberoi passed on at […]
41 Precious Lives: Our National Consciousness Needs a New Awakening
It was that fateful day when the tunnel partially collapsed, with 41 construction workers trapped […]
PRS Passes on Leaving Behind the Richest Legacy
A legend passed on, this historic 14th November morning. PRS Oberoi is one of the […]
Typecast, No! Activist, Yes! There is More to Arjun Mathur
As a young Delhi boy, he decided to go into films, has done 35 projects […]
The Kerala Model: Tourism and the State’s Economy
Kerala’s tourism has been essentially a rural tourism story! Not city based but experiential built […]
What’s ITC’s Journey in Responsible Tourism Means for Indian Hospitality!
Responsible Luxury has been the codename for all things at ITC Hotels! Going Green has […]
Simplifying the War Games. What Next in the Israel-Hamas Story?
Too much is at stake for all concerned. This could become a yet another protracted […]
Re-creating Memories of ‘Delhi Durbar’
An exhibition chronicles the material cultures of the three historic Delhi Durbars, put together by […]
Hotelier K B Kachru Celebrates his Five Decade long Journey in Hospitality
A hotelier with a conscience, with a true understanding of the nuts and bolts of […]
The Importance of Indian Heritage as Tourism Assets
The new buzzwords in travel and tourism are ‘experiential’ and luxury. Elements are meant to […]
India’s Maritime Glory, A Stitched ship to sail to South East Asia
Culture Ministry is collaborating with Indian Navy to bring back a stitched ship, of which […]
The Marriott Story So Far! Growth is the Common Factor Across Brands, Across Markets
We met with Ranju Alex, Area VP for Marriott International for India. Riding the high […]
The Summit is Here! India does well for G20
It has been a year-long festival with serious intent to bring the world together on […]
Time for Corrective Action; It’s Now or Never!
This year’s monsoon arrived on time and promise not to leave early. Across the western […]
Bharat Mandapam is an impressive statement for a new India
A new convention centre of this magnitude brings a new eco-system for the MICE industry […]
World Bank’s Ajay Banga is Upbeat on Indian Economy
Banga, 63, took over as the president of the World Bank last month, becoming the […]
‘ITC Hotels’ is Back to fulfil a new vision
With zero debt and a few thousand crores of assets on its balance sheet, ITC […]
Ayodhya Reborn: A Dedicated Team Works 24×7 to Complete the First Phase of the Ram Temple!
DI catches up with Nripendra Misra, Chairman, Ram Janmabhumi Trust, to understand the dynamics of […]
Indigo Ups the Ante with 500 Airbus Order
It is that crucial time when air transport needs to be recognised as essential mode […]
India-US Coming Together: What’s Next?
Its Time Had Come, Given the Realities of the Emerging Global Order It is not […]
India-US Air Traffic: Destined to grow in coming months
With numerous agreements signed, a notable missing link was connectivity as perhaps our two countries […]
Leadership across parties must create a new era of dignity in public discourse
A new parliament is a great opportunity to make new rules of business. The time […]
Hospitality industry looks ahead, remains bullish on growth
Post the covid disruptions that cost the industry near death, there are signs of good […]
Regional in South Asia is extended domestic; sky’s the limit to its growth
Regional is King! Whether it is between Singapore and Malaysia, or within ASEAN. Or, within […]
Unprecedented rush brings more investments into Kashmir hospitality
Why Kashmir, you might ask, as a venue for a G20 deliberation? The more obvious […]
I have done well; not happy with what I see around me: Sanjay Bhattacharya
He has been on the scene long enough; painted, exhibited and received numerous accolades. Today, […]
Inbound tourism needs government support, IATO seeks PM’s intervention
It is an important moment in our history. We have undertaken numerous initiatives to augment […]
Time for Delhi to become an international hub
Our airports are hubs already, making passengers conveniently transit to other destinations. This has been […]
Planet Hollywood forays into India, announces Rohan Jetley to lead
In yet another proof of India’s attraction among global investors in hospitality, US major Planet […]
New generation robotics is leading a new leap of faith
LIKE LAPAROSCOPY WAS INTRODUCED SOME 30 YEARS AGO! New Generation robotic surgery is the new […]
Mann Ki Baat hits a crackling 100 of a social discourse
Read no more than this, in these episodes. It is the man, Narendra Modi, who […]
Domestic travel is the new springboard to better times!
Post Covid stops, Indian travel and tourism industry is witnessing an unprecedented splurge in domestic […]
Inja is the new destination dining experience
Making its home at iconic The Manor with an intriguing menu, INJA gives diners the […]
PM Modi underscores the importance of travel and tourism
It was an important milestone event for tourism in India. Not only was tourism spoken […]
Exposing the under-belly of cricket
Neeraj Kumar in his new Book ‘A Cop in Cricket’ There is more to the […]
Need to revisit what’s nationally important
Our National Monuments List Needs to be Reviewed, Rationalized towards Better Management, says Sanjeev Sanyal […]
India on path to becoming an aviation hub in this region
True to Form, Air India places the bigger single order for 470 aircraft with both […]
It is Ukraine with a difference
AS THE BACKDROP OF THE ‘NAATU-NAATU’ SONG SEQUENCE! It is Ukraine with a Difference! With […]
Tourism in ‘Mission Mode’, says FM in her Budget; poised to become a Game Changer!
50 Model destinations, new airports, rail and road connectivity on the one hand, PPP mode […]
Impressive third Quarter for IHCL signals a new Growth Period for Hotels
The writing has been on the wall, and predictably and surely a confident IHCL has […]
Radhe Shyam Saraf has passed on: The last of the Legendary Hoteliers!
Radhe Shyam Saraf, the founder and moving spirit of Saraf Hotels passed on last year. […]
India Announces Closure of all Tourist Offices by March 2023; Soon to be formed National Tourism Board to Take a Call on Next Moves.
It is a good decision, not an easy one. An effective alternative machinery that works […]
Businessman and Hotelier Binod Chaudhary Wins Seat in Nepal’s New Parliament.
It augurs well for tourism in our region. Chaudhary is a firm believer in facilitating […]
Re-imagined Taj Mahal: Building Afresh Upon its Rich Legacy of 40 Years, Creating New Benchmarks for the City’s Hospitality Industry
With a fresh lease signed, IHCL has put into place a re-imagined property that builds […]
IHCL Market Cap Rises 81% this Year; Chhatwal says Industry Can Absorb Another 175,000 Branded Rooms in Next 10 Years.
In an exclusive interview with Destination India, IHCL MD and CEO, says the industry has […]
Prasoon Mukherjee led USE Signs with TGI Fridays’ to Expand Global Presence in Asia
Former ITDC senior executive, Prasoon Mukherjee has signed the first ever master franchise agreement for […]
IHM Pusa celebrates its 60 years with Aplomb! It is Time to Look Ahead!
It is a Moment in Time. IHM Pusa has made a sterling contribution to professionalism […]
India’s Aviation and Foreign Policy Mix: an UDAN type Intervention can Leverage India’s Soft Power in the Neighbourhood.
Dr Sanat Kaul, leading aviation analyst, has brought out his book on this important subject. […]
TAFI announces its Convention in Sarawak, Looks Set to Host 700 Plus Agents; Tourism Malaysia Proves Pro-active in Catching the Indian Outbound Rush, Post Pandemic.
The Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) has taken the lead in pushing for tourism to bounce […]
ITC Mughal Offers an Enduring Legacy of its Rich Heritage; A Holistic Experience that Combines a Modern day Resort of Global Standards
It is Not Just History of a Given Period. The experience is very Modern and […]
Singapore is Fully Open: India is already Second-best Market
India promises to regain its eminence as a tourist generating market for Singapore, says Srithar, […]
Bukhara Brings the Zing Back into Life after Covid, It’s a Big Reassurance that Good Times are on Hand!
Life has been strange in numerous ways, for want of a better expression, over the […]
Leela Builds Upon its Traditions and Core Values, Looks at Expansion both in India and Globally, says Anuraag Bhatnagar.
DI interviews the CEO, Anuraag Bhatnagar on what’s brewing at the hospitality chain, committed to […]
TAAI Goes to Colombo to Bring a Fresh Momentum to Regional Tourism; Hosts Promise a Memorable Convention
It’s a bold Move by TAAI and president Jyoti deserves full credit for going that […]
Air India confirms Chandrasekaran as its new Chairman; CEO appointment to happen soon.
A win-win situation for all the stakeholders, from government to employees, airline industry and the […]
CII Summit Suggests a Shopping Festival to Promote Delhi as a Multi-facted Destination.
It may well be an opportune time to curate a shopping festival for Delhi, concluded […]
Challenges as We Get Back into Inbound: Roadshows in Traditional Markets Needed, says IATO President, Rajeev Mehra.
Traditional Markets are a safer bet, he says, though it’s all not that easy to […]
The world is undergoing a major shift in decision-making and buying power, and it’s altering the global and Indian hospitality ecosystem, says K B Kachru.
What is the impact, looking back, upon Indian hospitality industry – witnessing the last two […]
The Young Legend in Luxury, Ankur Bhatia Passes Away leaving a Rich Legacy that Competed with the Best in the Business
For him, Amadeus was a start-up in the first wake of technology coming into Indian […]
Impact of Tourism on our Economy: Our industry Needs a New, Credible and contemporary Narrative!
Does our industry need a new narrative on how it matters to the Indian economy? […]
Leela Hotels Uses This Lockdown to Assure Its Associates, And Vaccinate Them and Their Families; Confident That When Business Starts, They Will Be There to Serve Their Guests Meaningfully.
Destination India spoke with Anuraag Bhatnagar, COO, Leela Hotels and Resorts on how they are […]
Important That We Calibrate How Hotels and Tourism Open Up, As Caring and Not Charging Over the Top, Sensitive to A Nation in Grief
As we look ahead to open our industry again, we must be cautious in how […]
Lemon Tree Hotels Partner with hospitals across India to offer Early to Mild care to Covid Patients; Hospitality Chains Sign In to Help out the Needy
A most laudable initiative from the hospitality industry. A far cry from asking for more, […]
Covid Times have snatched some of the best the industry has known.
First, we heard the tragic news of former Minister and former Governor Jagmohan, possibly one […]
Prashanth Takes on his second avatar as hotelier, launches Avatar Hotel in Mangalore
Prashanth Aroor has taken on his second avatar, as a hotelier, starting with The Avatar […]
BITB BOUNCE suggests strategic, dynamic policy changes to how we position and promote hospitality and tourism
The recently concluded BITB Conclave – BOUNCE – has recommended timely and strategic interventions, both […]
New Team IATO Must Dream Big, Embrace the Bigger Picture as Tourism gets Poised for a New Innings!
IATO elections 2021 have provided a signal for Change: members have voted across the two […]
Ginger Hotels ups the Game in Economy to Midscale Segment, Market Share Grows to 26% in 2020, says Deepika Rao
Ginger Hotels have Stepped up its Engagement, With its New Brand Positioning Inspiring Greater Traction in its […]
Accor India Drives New Winds of Change with Puneet Dhawan
We meet Puneet Dhawan, Senior VP-Operations, Accor India and South Asia, to unravel what’s up […]
Pragati Maidan 2.0 Reschedules its Timelines; Hopes for April 2021 to Bring Back Business
Inevitably, timelines had to be redrawn, given the lockdown and uncertain workforce. But a determined […]
With Covid, Do Hotels Need to Rethink Design? Is it Too Early to Decide? When Life Comes Back to Normal, Will Hotels Start Serving Again Their Original Purpose.
We ask this question of Sarabjeet Singh, noted hotel designer and consultant. With his vast […]
What could our Leadership have Done Differently? What Corrections we may Consider in Going Forward with our Mission? What’s the Big Lesson from 2020?
TRAVEL is the bigger picture. Insight of the bigger picture, we need fresh anchors to […]
Maharashtra to Give Industry Status to Hospitality Sector, Becoming the First State to do so; Shacks to come up on 8 Beaches this Season.
In an interview with the state tourism and civil aviation secretary, Valsa Nair, she outlines […]
PM Modi Reiterates Importance of Travel Related Infrastructure, says Tourism Follows
Ease of travel is catching the PM’s attention as he inaugurated the new six lane […]
Uncertain Times Call for More Meaningful Exchanges within Industry and with Diverse Stakeholders
In a brief interview, Neeraj Govil, head of Marriot Hotels in India, says business sentiment […]
While Industry waited for Proposals to Motivate more Domestic Travel, Government has decided upon diverting LTC funds to other consumer Spends
A double whammy has fallen on the doorsteps of the travel and tourism sector. While […]
National carrier Air India is a Most Powerful ‘Made in India’ Brand; We Must Ensure we Keep it this Way!
PM Modi’s aspirations for India being a global power to reckon with are possibly going […]
Puneet Dhawan takes Charge at Accor; Hospitality Takeover by Indian Origin Heads is Complete!
Puneet Dhawan has taken over as Head of Accor in India! While the announcement was […]
Brand Udaipur has seen a steady growth, as a Global Tourism Hub: Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar
Udaipur evokes magic in the minds of the traveller, and has seen a steady growth […]
Taj Hotels Boost Customer Confidence Making Driving Holidays a Success, says Dinesh Khanna, MD, Taj Bekal
Driving Holidays have caught on, say insiders in the industry. Said one hotel owner in […]
ITC weighs ‘alternate structure’ for hotels business for value creation, says Chairman Sanjiv Puri
In an extensive report, published across newspapers, while commenting on the diversified conglomerate ITC’s progress […]