SLH partners with MRS Group of Hotels for India debut
The collaboration integrates MRS Group’s three brands into SLH’s collection
By Vishnu Rageev RJul 20, 2024
Luxury Hotels in India
SMALL LUXURY HOTELS of the World, the London-based independent hotels chain, recently entered the Indian market through a partnership with The MRS Group of Hotels, which owns and operates luxury boutique hotels in the country. SLH will include MRS’s hospitality offerings in its global distribution and marketing network.
The collaboration integrates MRS Group’s brands—Suryagarh Jaisalmer, Narendra Bhawan Bikaner, and Mary Budden Estate Binsar—into SLH’s collection, soon to be available on SLH channels, the companies said in a joint statement.
“We are incredibly proud to be the first independent hotel chain in India to partner with SLH, a brand synonymous with luxury and exceptional hospitality,” said Karan Singh Vaid, The MRS Group of Hotels’ president. “This alliance not only highlights our dedication to reimagining hospitality in India but also amplifies our mission to offer travellers thoughtfully designed experiences that are rooted in our rich heritage and distinctive service. We are excited to embark on this journey with SLH, aiming to enhance our global presence and enrich the travel adventures of our guests.”
The SLH currently operates more than 560 boutique hotels in 90 countries, including in the Americas.
“We are thrilled to re-establish the SLH brand in India with a distinguished brand partner like The MRS Group of Hotels,” said Mark Wong, SLH’s senior vice president Asia Pacific. “Their brand philosophy aligns perfectly with our conscious travel journey towards sustainability and conservation. We are looking forward to share their bespoke experiences through our story-telling channels and global distribution networks.”
The MRS Group of Hotels also benefits from SLH’s partnership with Hilton Worldwide Holdings, the statement said. Hilton Honors members can earn and redeem points for SLH stays and enjoy exclusive benefits.
Hilton India was recently named “India’s No. 1 Company to Work For” by Great Place to Work for the second consecutive year, following a survey of more than 5 million employees from 1,750 organizations in India.
ITC Hotels posted record quarterly profit and revenue in the first quarter of fiscal 2026, with revenue up 20 percent to $103.2 million and profit up 53 percent to $16.08 million.
The portfolio has grown to more than 200 hotels, with 143 operational and 58 in the pipeline.
Welcomhotel Prayagraj, ITC’s seventh property in Uttar Pradesh, includes 60 rooms and banqueting space.
INDIA’S ITC HOTELS posted its highest-ever quarterly profit and revenue in the first quarter of fiscal year 2026, with consolidated revenue up 20 percent to $103.2 million and profit rising 53 percent to $16.08 million, according to a Times of India report. Meanwhile, ITC launched Welcomhotel Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh, bringing its total to seven properties in the state, with six more in the pipeline.
The company's portfolio has grown to more than 200 hotels, with 143 operational and 58 in the pipeline, the Times said, citing a company statement. Over the past 24 months, it recorded 55 signings and 25 openings.
ITC is targeting 220 operational hotels and over 20,000 keys by 2030, the statement said. Its asset-right strategy aims to drive capital-efficient growth through partnerships with asset owners, leveraging brand credentials and providing operational expertise. Its presence has expanded to tier 2 and tier 3 cities, where demand for premium hospitality is rising.
It presently has 58 hotels in the pipeline with more than 5,300 keys.
ITC Ltd demerged its hotel business into a separate entity, ITC Hotels Ltd, effective Jan. 6, enabling both companies to pursue separate growth paths.
Welcomhotel Prayagraj
ITC Hotels’ Welcomhotel Prayagraj is operated under a management contract, aligns with the company’s asset-right strategy. The property features 60 rooms and suites with city views, along with indoor and outdoor banqueting spaces for weddings, gatherings and corporate events, ITC said in a statement.
“It is with great pride that we unveil Welcomhotel Prayagraj in a city of profound cultural and spiritual significance,” said Anil Chadha, ITC’s managing director. “This expansion not only strengthens our footprint in Uttar Pradesh but also reflects our commitment to delivering meaningful hospitality experiences—celebrating the region’s heritage while upholding the highest standards of service. Prayagraj, with its enduring appeal and spiritual depth stands as a beacon of India’s rich history and offers a destination that resonates deeply.”
Prayagraj, located near the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati rivers, reflects India’s spiritual and intellectual heritage, the statement said. The hotel is close to key sites including the ghats of Triveni Sangam and Allahabad Fort. It offers guided heritage walks, spiritual trails to Shri Bade Hanuman Ji Mandir and excursions to Khusro Bagh and the Kumbh Mela grounds.
JK Agrawal of the Owning Board said the project marks a milestone, combining their vision for the city with ITC Hotels’ expertise in hospitality.
“Our purpose has always been to create developments that serve travelers and contribute to the local community and economy,” he said. “This hotel reflects that belief, a recognition of the city’s identity, with a promise of quality and care.”
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Tata Sons and Tata Trusts formed a $58 million welfare trust for victims of the June 12 Air India crash, contributing $29 million each.
Tata Sons, established in 1917 and registered in Mumbai, is the Tata Group’s holding company; Tata Trusts collectively own 66 percent of it.
Tata Sons reacquired 100 percent of Air India in January 2022 through its subsidiary Talace Pvt Ltd.
TATA SONS ESTABLISHED a $58 million, or Rs 500 crore, welfare trust for victims of the June 12 Air India crash. The AI-171 Memorial and Welfare Trust is registered in Mumbai.
The Air India flight from Ahmedabad to London crashed shortly after takeoff, killing 260 people, including 19 on the ground. A preliminary report by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau found that fuel supply to the engines was cut off. A crane is removing the tail section from the wreckage.
Tata Sons and Tata Trusts have each committed $29 million or Rs 250 crore to the trust, Tata said in a statement. The fund will provide $116,100, or Rs 1 crore, as ex gratia to the families of those who died. It also will support medical treatment for the injured and reconstruction of the B.J. Medical College Hostel, which was damaged in the crash.
The trust will be managed by a five-member board of trustees. The first two appointees are S. Padmanabhan, a former Tata executive and Sidharth Sharma, General Counsel at Tata Sons. Additional trustees will be appointed. The trust will begin operations after registration with tax authorities and completion of other formalities.
Air India was founded by J.R.D. Tata and began operations on Oct. 15, 1932. The Government of India nationalised it in March 1953, taking full ownership from Tata Sons. In January 2022, Tata Sons reacquired 100 percent of Air India through its subsidiary Talace Pvt Ltd.
Tata Sons Pvt Ltd., established in 1917 and registered in Mumbai, is the holding company of the Tata Group. It holds stakes in all group companies and owns the Tata trademarks. Tata-branded companies operate under the Brand Equity and Business Promotion Agreement, which requires adherence to the Tata Code of Conduct and Tata Business Excellence Model.
Tata Trusts, endowed by Tata family members, collectively own 66 percent of Tata Sons. The largest trusts include the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and the Sir Ratan Tata Trust. Tata Trusts appoint one-third of the Tata Sons board and hold significant governance influence. Noel Tata was appointed chairman of Tata Trusts in October 2024 and joined the Tata Sons board in November 2024.
Tata Group companies employed more than 1 million people in 2023–24 and recorded total revenue of $165 billion. As of March 31, 2024, the 26 listed Tata companies had a combined market valuation of $365 billion, according to the group’s website.
N. Chandrasekaran has served as chairman of Tata Sons and Tata Group since January 2017.
Air India to partially restore international wide-body schedule from Aug. 1 after 15 percent cut following June 12 AI 171 crash.
Delhi–New York (JFK) and Mumbai–New York (JFK) cut to six weekly; Delhi–Newark to four.
Revised schedule takes effect in August; full restoration expected from October.
AIR INDIA WILL partially restore its international wide-body schedule from Aug. 1, following a 15 per cent reduction after the June 12 crash of flight AI 171 on the Ahmedabad to London Gatwick route, operated by a Boeing 787. Delhi to New York’s JFK International Airport and Mumbai to New York (JFK) will operate six weekly flights each, down from seven, while Delhi to Newark, New Jersey, will drop to four from five.
The announcement follows the release of the preliminary report on the AI 171 crash, which killed 260 people—241 of 242 passengers and 19 on the ground. The report identified the primary trigger as both engine fuel control switches moving from “RUN” to “CUTOFF” in quick succession after lift-off. Investigators are examining the cause of this transition. The report found no fault with Air India and made no recommendations for other Boeing 787 or GE engine operators.
Following the Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s mandated safety inspections of Air India’s 787 fleet, the airline conducted its own checks and adopted a cautious operating approach, resulting in delays and cancellations in the following week.
Safety pause and partial restoration
Air India announced a 15 percent cut in international wide-body flights on June 18. Airspace closures over Pakistan and parts of West Asia, along with night curfews at several overseas airports, added to the disruption.
“The safety pause enabled Air India to conduct additional precautionary checks on its Boeing 787 aircraft and accommodate longer flying times due to airspace closures over Pakistan and the Middle East,” the airline said. “The partial resumption will restore some frequencies from 1 August, relative to July, with full restoration planned from Oct. 1.”
The restoration includes changes to the earlier schedule.
“As the schedule reductions implemented as part of the Safety Pause were in effect until July 31 and the restoration to full operations is being phased, some services initially planned between Aug. 1 and Sept. 30 will be removed from the schedule,” the statement said. “Air India is proactively contacting affected passengers to offer rebooking on alternative flights or a full refund, as per their preference. Air India apologizes for the inconvenience.”
OYO is working with travel platform Yatra to expand in the business travel segment in Delhi-NCR, Mumbai and Bengaluru, with more than 500 hotels already added.
Hotels under OYO brands—Sunday, Palette, Clubhouse, Townhouse, Townhouse Oak and Collection O—are now available on Yatra for business travellers across India.
OYO plans to add 1,000 more serviced hotels by September, expanding Yatra’s inventory in emerging metros with growing business travel demand.
OYO IS WORKING with travel agent platform Yatra to expand in the business travel segment, focusing on Delhi-NCR, Mumbai and Bengaluru. More than 500 OYO-operated hotels have reportedly been added to Yatra's platform as part of the alliance.
OYO CEO Ritesh Agarwal also chairs G6 Hospitality, parent of Motel 6 and Studio 6, while Yatra is led by cofounder and CEO Dhruv Shringi.
“While direct demand continues to be our mainstay, contributing nearly 80 percent of our total business, we are now looking to tap into a niche segment of business travellers exploring emerging business hubs,” said Varun Jain, OYO’s chief operating officer, according to PTI. “This partnership also opens up opportunities to serve companies adopting blended travel programs—combining business and leisure—and flexible mobility plans aimed at improving cost efficiency and employee productivity.”
Hotels under OYO’s brands—Sunday, Palette, Clubhouse, Townhouse, Townhouse Oak, and Collection O—have been onboarded to Yatra’s platform for business travellers across India, the companies said in a statement. OYO plans to add 1,000 more company-serviced hotels to the platform by September.
This will expand Yatra's inventory in emerging metros where demand for accommodation is rising due to increased business travel, the statement said.
India's business travel spending reached ₹38.2 billion in 2024, ranking eighth globally and fourth in Asia-Pacific. Spending is expected to return to pre-2019 levels by 2025, driven by economic growth, corporate earnings, and demand for in-person meetings, the statement said, citing a Global Business Travel Association study.
OYO added 50 new DanCenter units, its European vacation rental brand, across India in the first quarter of financial year 2026. It plans to add 200 more homes by the end of the financial year, expanding its presence in the vacation rental market.
Radisson Hotel Group is expanding youth training in India to mark World Youth Skills Day on July 15, training more than 300 individuals in hospitality roles.
The initiative includes 70 participants from Jammu & Kashmir, with 34 per cent women.
About 70 per cent of RHG’s General Manager roles are filled internally, supported by Radisson Academy Online and Typsy, which have delivered over 92,000 training hours and 111,000 certificates.
RADISSON HOTEL GROUP expanded its youth training and employment programs in India to mark World Youth Skills Day on July 15. The company is working with the Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council and The Job Plus to train more than 308 individuals in hospitality skills across India.
Belgium-based RHG, with 130 operational hotels and 77 in development in India, is expanding its footprint and investing in industry talent, the company said in a statement.
“Empowering India’s youth through structured [skills training] is central to our long-term growth strategy,” said Nikhil Sharma, RHG’s managing director and COO for South Asia, according to Economic Times. “These programs not only uplift individuals but also build resilience in the broader hospitality ecosystem.”
The company is providing training in front office operations, housekeeping and F&B service, the statement said. Each participant completes 300 hours of training and receives certification under the National Skills Qualification Framework at Level 4. The initiative includes 70 participants from Jammu and Kashmir districts such as Kathua, Rajouri, Doda, Katra and RS Pura. Of this group, 34 percent are women.
RHG supports the Youth Employment Program of the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, which provides practical training across hotel departments for underprivileged youth, the statement said. About 85 percent of participants have secured jobs with RHG or other hospitality brands. The company also launched a five-month frontline talent development program with Heinz Pro and Job Plus, covering soft and technical skills. It has also partnered with institutions such as the Institute of Hotel Management to provide internships and practical training.
Around 70 percent of RHG’s general manager roles are filled internally, supported by Radisson Academy Online and the Typsy platform, which has delivered more than 92,000 training hours and 111,000 certificates, the company claimed.
In March, RHG announced plans to expand its India portfolio to 240 hotels by 2025, up from 129, with 72 in the pipeline. The growth is guided by a five-year plan launched in 2018 and updated annually, which has quadrupled revenue and development.