BIRD GROUP, PROMOTER and operator of Roseate Hotels & Resorts in India and the UK, acquired Beechfield House, a Grade II property of “special interest” in Wiltshire, England, as its eighth hotel under the Roseate brand. The property, based on 16th-century Italian Renaissance architecture, was built in 1878 on eight acres and converted into a hotel in the late 1960s.
New Delhi-based Bird Group is led by Chairperson Radha Bhatia, President and Managing Director Vijay Bhatia and Executive Director Gaurav Bhatia.
“We are beyond delighted to welcome Beechfield House and its exceptionally talented team into the Bird family,” said Gaurav Bhatia. “Aligned with the vision behind our existing portfolio of hotels and resorts, we look forward to delivering consistent hospitality and guest experiences at Beechfield House.”
Beechfield House is a 24-room hotel with Victorian architecture, high ceilings, fireplaces, large windows, an arboretum, an orangery, a terrace, a walled garden, a heated pool and spaces for dining, meetings, events and private gatherings, Bird Group said in a statement.
Founded in 1971, Bird Group is a business conglomerate with operations across India, the Indian Subcontinent, Europe, and the Middle East, with core businesses in information technology, travel and aviation services, hospitality, automotive, retail, and education.
The group’s flagship property, Roseate New Delhi, is a resort located between New Delhi’s historical sites and Gurgaon’s corporate hub.
In February, OYO announced a $62 million, three-year investment to expand its premium UK hotel portfolio, aiming to support 1,000 jobs through acquisitions and long-term leasehold and management contracts.
Canadian traveler picks Pakistan’s hospitality over India’s
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.