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Time of India
03-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Hospitality boom heats up in twin cities
1 2 Ahmedabad: The twin cities of Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar, positioning as a strategic business and tourism hub, are all set to add about 1,000 new branded room keys with global hotel chains expanding their presence and several properties being rebranded or revamped in this region. Ahmedabad – a potential host city for the 2036 Olympics, if India secures the bid – is seeing its skyline change. Leading the change is Marriott International, which recently unveiled a revamped Le Méridien hotel in Ramdevnagar, offering 164 keys. Formerly operating as Courtyard by Marriott, the property has been redesigned with an upscale aesthetic and renewed focus on guest experience. Another Courtyard property on Sindhu Bhawan Road has been deflagged and is reportedly undergoing a complete transformation under a new brand, sources told TOI. "The Ahmedabad market is maturing fast. We're seeing demand from not only business travellers but also lifestyle-conscious guests. That's pushing owners to rethink brand positioning," said an industry insider. You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad Sindhu Bhawan Road, in particular, is emerging as a hospitality hotspot. With office towers, luxury residences, and retail zones rapidly developing, hotel brands are moving in. Hyatt is likely to launch a Hyatt Place on this stretch, adding to its existing pipeline of projects in Sanand and the fast-growing GIFT City, as is learnt from source. "This rise in activity comes as Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar is being reshaped into a major business district. If India wins the 2036 Olympic bid, the region will likely see accelerated infrastructure investments and increased global visibility. There's a long-term view now: developers, brands, and investors are aligning to ensure that the region meets international hospitality standards," said travel industry expert Ankit Bajaj. TOI has also learnt that Marriott is in talks to add another property in the city along SG Highway under its MHRS (Marriott Hotels, Resorts & Suites) portfolio, as part of a broader push into high-growth Indian cities. Similarly, Hilton is exploring a second project in Ahmedabad following the success of its DoubleTree by Hilton at Bopal-Ambli Road. The group has already announced expansion plans across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Bihar under its Hampton brand. Email queries to Marriott and Hilton seeking specific details on their expansion plans went unanswered. In another sign of momentum, luxury hospitality player Atmosphere Core is considering entering Ahmedabad, claim industry insiders. Known for its experiential properties across South Asia, its arrival would further diversify the city's offerings. As Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar emerge as a business and administrative capital with GIFT City rising as a fintech nucleus, the hospitality sector in this market is redefining urban development and the scale of luxury offerings here. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
'Visit only if necessary': Gujarat travel agents advise against trips to Turkey, Azerbaijan
AHMEDABAD: Travel agents across Gujarat have begun advising international passengers against planning trips to Turkey and Azerbaijan, as tensions between India and Pakistan flare up in the wake of Operation Sindoor. The diplomatic fallout has spilled into the travel sector, with travel agencies dissuading tourists from visiting the countries unless absolutely essential. Turkey and Azerbaijan, long favoured by Indian tourists for their cultural experiences and picturesque locales—Baku, in particular, emerging as a trendy destination—have now found themselves in the eye of a political storm. Calls for boycotting the two nations have grown louder across social media and public discourse, leading to major online platforms and travel agents pulling the plug on travel promotions for these destinations. Several travel platforms, including EaseMyTrip, have issued cautionary advisories. 'Following the Pahalgam attack and escalating tensions between India & Pakistan, travellers are urged to stay aware. As Turkey & Azerbaijan have shown support for Pakistan, we strongly recommend visiting only if absolutely necessary. Stay informed. Travel responsibly,' the company said in a statement. Local travel operators in Gujarat echoed similar sentiments, urging passengers to reconsider or defer plans involving these countries in the current geopolitical climate. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Complete protection with iPru All-in-one Term Plan ICICI Pru Life Insurance Plan Get Quote Undo 'At a meeting of national TAFI members on Saturday, members across states expressed growing concern about traveller sentiment towards countries like Turkey and Azerbaijan. There is a clear shift — travel industry players are ready to boycott these destinations. Turkey and Baku had become easy-sell locations for Indian tourists due to affordable packages and relaxed visa norms, making them accessible across all budgets. In fact, last year, at least 50-55% of total international travellers went to Turkey and Azerbaijan,' said Ankit Bajaj, a senior TAFI member and a travel expert based in Ahmedabad. Travel industry insiders note that while cancellations and rerouted plans may cause a temporary dip in outbound traffic, safety and national sentiment are currently guiding customer choices. 'One of our groups which was travelling to Turkey cancelled their plans recently largely due to uncertainty and also the country's geopolitical stand. Other clients are pretty much travelling to other destinations but concerns certainly remain. So as an agency, we're doubly ensuring that local transportation, flights and accommodations are well in place,' said Payal Shah, founder of a travel company. 'Gujarat's travel industry has seen a major blow thanks to the recent terror attacks in Pahalgam followed by escalated border tensions. Summer is the peak travel season which accounts for about 60% of our annual revenues at travel companies. However, the safety concerns, followed by airport shutdowns and escalated border tensions, have impacted tourism sentiment in a big way. As a result, last-minute cancellations are aplenty. We will lose out on about 70% of our revenue from the season,' explained an Ahmedabad-based travel expert.
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Time of India
Summer airfares from Ahmedabad skyrocket
1 2 3 Ahmedabad: Planning a last minute escape from the scathing Ahmedabad summer? Brace yourself for sky-high airfares . As schools shut and families prepare for long-overdue holidays, ticket prices from Ahmedabad to vacation hotspots have soared — with some destinations seeing more than a 100% jump when booked two weeks in advance. According to current fare data for travel between May 18 and May 24, bookings made on May 3 reveal staggering spikes up to 134%. For instance, Bagdogra, the gateway to the North-East and hill towns like Darjeeling, tops the list with a 134% hike as fares have rocketed from Rs 14,000 to Rs 32,780. Surprisingly, despite the recent terror attack, round trip to Srinagar costs up to Rs 23,750 per person against the routine fare of Rs 13,000. Industry sources said that Srinagar airfare has corrected from the level of Rs 42,000 per person for a return direct flight. Similarly, a trip to Dehradun, a favourite among those heading to Mussoorie or Rishikesh, now costs Rs 17,415, up 45% from the average non-holiday tarrif of Rs 12,000. Southern sojourns aren't spared either. A ticket to Kochi has risen from Rs 13,000 to Rs 18,299 (40.8% increase), while Bengaluru sees a 41.6% hike. Even the otherwise moderate Chandigarh route now demands Rs 13,190 — up 31.9% from regular fares. "Summer airfares are significantly higher this year, especially to destinations with cooler climates. People who earlier planned trips to Kashmir are now diverting to places like Gangtok, Jim Corbett, or Sikkim. With fewer choosing international travel — thanks to inflation, steep currency exchange rates, and visa hassles — demand for domestic spots like Munnar, Coorg, Mussoorie, and Darjeeling has soared. As a result, not just flight fares but even hotel tariffs have gone up by 25–40% in these regions," said Ankit Bajaj, a travel consultant. "The Srinagar airfare still remaining as high is surprising and we're seeing a wait-and-watch sentiment around Kashmir. But people aren't cancelling holidays — they're choosing alternative destinations. The higher airfares could be due to limited connectivity to the region," Ankit Bajaj, a travel consultant said. The only silver lining? Goa. Despite being a perennial favourite, airfares to the beach paradise have remained relatively stable, inching up a mere 5.7%, from Rs 7,000 to Rs 7,400. However, fewer people have flocked to Goa this year due to the summer heat, according to travel industry estimates, which has cooled off prices. "Those who got refunds from airlines are quickly rebooking for destinations accessible via Bengaluru, Kochi, Chandigarh, Delhi, or Bagdogra. Arunachal Pradesh is also one of the destinations which is very popular among tourists. With international travel out of reach for many due to costs and logistics, domestic tourism is booming, especially to places promising a cooler escape from the heat," said Manish Sharma, an Ahmedabad-based travel expert. Experts advise booking tickets at least a month in advance during peak travel periods to avoid the heat on the wallet. Alternatively, opting for midweek departures or early morning flights can offer minor savings. So, if you're dreaming of snow-capped hills or coastal breezes, make haste — or prepare to spend a small fortune.
