IHG has signed Garner Hotel Jim Corbett with United Hospitality Management (UHM) India, Garner's sixth signing in India. Located in Ramnagar, Uttarakhand, near Jim Corbett National Park, the 50-key hotel will be owned by Victorian Corporation and managed by UHM India, with opening scheduled for Q2 2027. Garner has reached 100 open hotels worldwide since its 2023 launch.
The European Commission submitted proposals to the Council for the signature and conclusion of the EU-India Free Trade Agreement, seeking authorisation. If authorised, it would be the largest trade agreement ever concluded by both the EU and India. The deal would eliminate or reduce tariffs on 96% of EU goods exports to India, saving around €4 billion per year in duties, and improve market access and investment rules. The EU and India already trade over €180 billion in goods and services annually, supporting close to 800,000 EU jobs.
Air India's Maharaja Club and IHG One Rewards partnered, allowing members to earn points on stays and exchange points. IHG operates 53 hotels in India with a pipeline of 110.
IHG has signed a franchise agreement with United Hospitality Management India for a Garner Hotel in Ahmedabad, scheduled to open in 2029 with 40 rooms. Located near Narendra Modi Stadium and the bullet train hub, it marks the first Garner property in Ahmedabad.
Agoda's accommodation search data shows Goa as the top domestic destination for India's Rakshabandhan and Janmashtami long weekends, followed by Mumbai and Puri. Internationally, Singapore, Bali, and Bangkok lead. Based on searches from May 1 to July 31, 2026, the trends highlight a preference for short, diverse getaways.
IHG signed a management agreement with Discover Resorts Neral to convert a property in Karjat to its voco brand, expected to open by early 2028, adding over 200 rooms. Located in Maharashtra's Karjat, near Mumbai and Pune, the hotel targets leisure and MICE markets.
IHG Hotels & Resorts has opened The Aarlis Hotel Panchkula, marking the debut of its Vignette Collection brand in India and South West Asia. The 145-room property, set against the Shivalik hills, offers contemporary luxury with local character, featuring multiple dining venues, a spa, and approximately 30,000 sq. ft. of meetings and events space. Vignette Collection now includes 34 hotels across 17 countries, with 45 more in the pipeline.
MakeMyTrip reported Q1 FY27 results with gross bookings up 19.9% YoY to approximately $2.9 billion, and revenue up 16.1%. Despite external headwinds, adjusted margins grew double digits across segments. The company launched Myra 2.0, an AI assistant handling over 85,000 daily conversations and resolving over 50% of post-booking queries.
MakeMyTrip Limited announced it will report its fiscal 2027 first quarter financial and operating results on August 3, 2026. The release will be posted on its IR website, followed by a live Zoom webinar.
The UK FCDO updated its India travel advice, maintaining warnings against all travel to areas within 10km of the India-Pakistan border, most of Jammu and Kashmir, and Manipur. The Wagah-Attari border crossing remains closed. Middle East escalation is causing flight disruptions. Entry requirements now include e-OCI and a mandatory health self-declaration form.
At SAP Concur Fusion 2026, SAP Concur showcased AI-driven innovations including Joule integration with Microsoft 365, new Expense Automation and Pre-Submit Audit Agents, and deepened partnerships with Amex and Visa. Concur Travel expanded to India, and TripIt Pro added new risk alerts.
The U.S. Department of State issued a Level 2 travel advisory for India, urging increased caution due to crime and terrorism. Some rural areas carry higher risk, and U.S. government employees must obtain special authorization to travel there. Terrorists may target tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets, and government facilities.
The U.S. Department of State reissued India's Level 2 travel advisory with updates to entry/exit requirements. The advisory cites crime and terrorism risks and lists multiple Do Not Travel areas, including Jammu and Kashmir (except eastern Ladakh), the India-Pakistan border, parts of central and east India, and Manipur. It also notes that satellite phones and GPS devices are illegal in India, with penalties up to $200,000 or three years in jail.