OUTRIGGER opens Phi Phi resort
OUTRIGGER Hospitality Group has opened OUTRIGGER Phi Phi Island Resort in Thailand, adding to its portfolio in Koh Samui, Khao Lak and Phuket. Located within Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, the boat-access-only resort offers 63 suites and villas. Blending barefoot luxury with Thai-inspired design, it features hilltop ocean-view pool villas, beachfront pool villas and family garden villas.
Eight Continents Hotels & Resorts expands in Kasauli
Eight Continents Hotels & Resorts has launched Treetop by Eight Continents – RoyalPine Kasauli, marking its expansion in Himachal Pradesh. The 44-key property is set amid Kasauli’s hills and offers valley views, pinewood-inspired architecture, curated dining at 8 Cafe, a microbrewery, sunset deck, spa, steam and sauna facilities, infinity pool and jacuzzi, positioning it as a nature-led leisure destination.
The Fern Hotels & Resorts signs two Maharashtra hotels
The Fern Hotels & Resorts has signed two new properties in Maharashtra — The Fern Residency Shirdi, Series by Marriott and The Fern Elysia Resort Dahanu, Boisar, Series by Marriott. With these additions, the group’s operational and upcoming portfolio in Maharashtra rises to 45. The Shirdi property, scheduled to open in 2028, will feature 72 rooms and an all-day dining restaurant.
Saudia expands baggage-free Hajj service
Saudia has expanded its “Hajj without Baggage” service to 400,000 pilgrims travelling across its network of 145 destinations during the 2026 Hajj season. Integrated with Nusuk and HalaBag platforms, the service enables digital baggage records, barcode-based identification, automated sorting and real-time tracking. The initiative aims to reduce airport congestion and make the pilgrimage journey easier for travellers.
#First Opinion
“HAI members fully support the Government’s vision of strengthening India’s tourism economy through greater domestic travel and regional tourism development. India’s domestic travel market has emerged as one of the strongest demand engines globally, driving hospitality growth, employment generation and infrastructure utilisation across metros as well as Tier 2 and Tier 3 destinations. In the current volatile geopolitical environment, stronger domestic tourism also contributes meaningfully towards conserving foreign exchange while building a more resilient and self-reliant travel ecosystem. At the same time, there is also the need for the Government to encourage and support inbound travel, which will in turn help build foreign exchange reserves for the country.”
K B Kachru,
President, Hotel Association of India (HAI) and Chairman – South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group
Follow BOTT on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter & Instagram
Subscribe BOTT Channels on WhatsApp & Telegram to receive real time updates
