Skip to content

Search

Latest Stories

Canadian traveler picks Pakistan’s hospitality over India’s

His video has 4.4 million views and hundreds of comments

Nolan Saumure compares India and Pakistan hospitality in viral 2025 video

A Canadian man chose Pakistan over India for better hospitality in a viral Instagram interview.

Pakistan Beats India in Hospitality, Says Canadian Vlogger

INDIA IS KNOWN for “Atithi Devo Bhava,” meaning "The guest is God," but some foreigners disagree. A Canadian man, when asked to choose between India and Pakistan for better hospitality, picked Pakistan without hesitation.

His brief interview with an Instagram user has since gone viral, Hindustan Times reported.




Instagram user @officialnamour, known for vox pop videos, recently asked Canadian traveler Nolan Saumure about "desi" hospitality. Saumure, a Canadian travel vlogger, has visited dozens of countries, including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Mexico, Indonesia, the U.S. and Vietnam.

When asked, “India or Pakistan—which has better hospitality?” Saumure instantly replied, "Pakistan, obviously."

He explained that Indians often see foreigners as wealthy customers, while Pakistanis offer warm hospitality, inviting tourists into their homes and offering food.

"You go to India, and people just see you as a walking ATM," Saumure said. "You go to Pakistan, and people are like, 'Oh, come here, sit. Take this free food. Come sleep at my place.'"

The video has more than 4.4 million views and hundreds of comments, many agreeing with Saumure.

"As an African living in Dubai, I agree with him. Pakistanis are friendlier than Indians. Pakistanis see you as a friend, while Indians see you as a stranger," one user commented. Another added simply, “I agree (I’m Indian).”

“India gets a lot of tourists, so we’re used to it and have built an economy around them,” another Instagram user said. “Pakistan gets only a few hundred tourists a year, so seeing a foreigner is a big deal for them.”

Some criticized Saumure’s opinion, some with racial overtones.

“Why do whites expect princess treatment from Indians after stealing $45 trillion from India?” one user asked.

A whitepaper by the Confederation of Indian Industry and EY projects India’s tourism and hospitality sector will create 6.1 million jobs by 2034. It currently accounts for 8 percent of total employment.

More for you

Trump Puts 50% Tariff on India; Modi Shows Swadeshi Mantra

Trump’s tariff shock, Modi’s swadeshi call

Summary:

  • Trump’s 50 percent tariff on Indian goods took effect on Aug. 27.
  • Hospitality businesses in both countries could be hit.
  • U.S. treasury secretary calls the India-U.S. relationship “very complicated” but expects resolution.

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP’S 50 percent tariff on Indian goods took effect Wednesday, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to follow the “Vocal for Local” policy and Swadeshi mantra in his Aug. 15 Independence Day address. Beyond exports such as textiles, the U.S. measure is likely to affect travel, tourism and hospitality in both countries.

Goods imports from India were $87.3 billion in 2024, up 4.5 percent, or $3.8 billion, from 2023, according to the U.S. Trade Representative.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ranju Alex appointed CEO of Accor South Asia to lead major hotel expansion with InterGlobe JV

Alex is Accor’s South Asia CEO

Summary:

  • Accor Ltd. named Ranju Alex CEO for South Asia.
  • The former Marriott executive received the Bharat Gaurav award.
  • The appointment follows the Accor-InterGlobe joint venture formed earlier this year.

Ranju Alex is Accor Ltd.’s new CEO for South Asia, which includes India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. She will lead the company’s business and growth strategy in the subcontinent.

Keep ReadingShow less
IHCL expands portfolio past 550 hotels with ANK, Pride, Brij partnerships
Photo credit: IHCL

IHCL grows portfolio past 550 hotels

Summary:

  • IHCL expands portfolio past 550 hotels by through acquisitions and partnerships.
  • Promoters of ANK, Pride and Brij come from the Clarks Hotels family.
  • ANK and Pride operates midscale hotels, Brij focuses on the boutique and experiential segment.

THE INDIAN HOTELS Co. Ltd acquired a controlling stake in ANK Hotels Pvt. Ltd and Pride Hospitality Pvt. Ltd and signed a distribution agreement with Brij Hospitality Pvt. Ltd. The deals expand IHCL’s portfolio to more than 550 hotels, increase its midscale presence to over 240 properties and add the Brij brand.

Keep ReadingShow less
Mahindra Holidays plans 10,000 hotel rooms by 2030 amid India tourism boom
Photo credit: Club Mahindra

India's Mahindra maps 10,000-room expansion

Summary:

  • MHRIL targets 10,000 rooms by 2030, up from 5,700.
  • It is exploring new models to become more competitive.
  • It calls the goal “conservative” amid India’s post-COVID tourism boom.
MAHINDRA HOLIDAYS AND Resorts India Ltd., a subsidiary of Mahindra Group, is aiming to have 10,000 rooms by 2030. The company is expanding beyond vacation ownership into the travel and tourism sector, Anish Shah, Mahindra Group CEO and managing director, said in an interview with PTI Videos.

MHRIL, led by Managing Director and CEO Manoj Bhat, had 5,794 keys as of June 30, 2025, and plans to add about 1,000 rooms this fiscal as part of its target to increase its room count to 10,000 by the 2030 fiscal, according to PTI.

Keep ReadingShow less
US Tops India’s Inbound Tourism in 2024
iStock

U.S. led India’s inbound tourism in 2024

Summary:

  • India received 9.95 million foreign tourists in 2024, up from 9.52 million in 2023.
  • U.S. led India’s inbound and outbound travel in 2024 with 1.8 million American visitors.
  • The UAE was the top overseas destination for Indians, hosting 7.7 million travelers.

THE U.S EMERGED as India’s largest inbound tourism market in 2024, sending 1.8 million visitors, according to the India’s Ministry of Tourism. The U.S. also ranked among the top destinations for Indian travelers, welcoming more than 2.1 million visits last year.

Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said these figures signal strong momentum in both inbound and outbound travel, The Tribune reported.

Keep ReadingShow less