Hotels & Accommodations
TikTok Triggers Summer Hotel Price War as it Takes on Travel Platforms
A hotel room in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Sept. 13, 2023. Photo: Bloomberg
TikTok’s Chinese counterpart, Douyin, is diving headfirst into China’s online travel market this summer, rolling out aggressive hotel discounts and billion-yuan subsidies in a bold attempt to wrest market share from established travel platforms.
In a campaign launched this month, Douyin’s Life Services division is offering users steep hotel discounts — including up to 40% off standard rates — along with exclusive deals for new customers and versatile voucher packages promoted through livestreams and group-buying events. Participating hotel businesses include H World Group Ltd., Hyatt Hotels Corp., Jin Jiang International (Holdings) Co. Ltd., Atour Hotel Group and the luxury Nuo Hotel Beijing.
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One of my favorite parts of staying in a nice hotel is ordering room service. Answering the door in a plush robe and slippers to have a cart roll in with cloches, condiments in tiny glass bottles, and drinks in stemmed glasses makes me feel like a VIP.
But I’ve often missed out on what could have been exceptional dining experiences had I put on clothes and walked down to the hotel’s restaurants. At five-star hotels, I’ve found that the restaurants typically have a luxe ambiance, award-winning cuisine, and different menus from the in-room dining options.
In spring 2024, when I stayed at the Phoenician, a five-star mega-resort in Scottsdale, Arizona, I didn’t try any of the award-winning dining venues — Mowry & Cotton, J&G Steakhouse, and Thirsty Camel.
At the Grand America Hotel, I opted for room service breakfast, so I didn’t get to experience the European vibe at the bistro, Laurel Brasserie & Bar.
I did the same thing when I woke up at the Versace Mansion in 2021, and I missed out on a meal on the patio next to a 24-karat gold pool. At the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City in 2022, I didn’t even see the rooftop restaurant, Eléa.
Most recently, when I booked one night at the Fairmont Pacific Rim in May, I ordered dinner instead of getting a table at the Michelin-recommended restaurant Botanist, which was filled with live plants.
Next time I stay at a five-star hotel, I’ll eat in the hotel’s restaurant.
New Delhi, 18th July 2025: The Oberoi Group is proud to announce that Oberoi Hotels & Resorts has been voted the ‘Best Hotel Group in the World’ at the prestigious Telegraph Travel Awards 2025, UK. In addition, The Oberoi Luxury Nile Cruisers have been awarded the title of ‘Best River Cruise Line’, marking a significant dual achievement for the Group on the international stage.
Organised by The Telegraph, one of the UK’s most respected publications, the Telegraph Travel Awards are among the industry’s most trusted accolades, recognising excellence in global travel and tourism. This year’s awards were based on the votes of over 20,000 readers from across the world, making them a powerful testament to guest loyalty and satisfaction.
These honours are a testament to Oberoi Hotels & Resorts’ enduring commitment to excellence, sincere hospitality, and the art of creating personalised experiences in some of the world’s most iconic destinations. The recognition of The Oberoi Luxury Nile Cruisers further underscores the Group’s expertise in crafting timeless journeys along the storied waters of the Nile.”
Mr. Arjun Oberoi, Executive Chairman, The Oberoi Group, said, “It is a tremendous honour to be recognised by the readers of The Telegraph, UK. These awards are a testament to the passion and commitment of our teams who consistently deliver exceptional guest experiences with sincerity and grace. We remain deeply grateful to our guests for their trust and continued patronage.”
Mr. Vikram Oberoi, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, The Oberoi Group, further added: “We are proud to represent India on the global stage and remain committed to showcasing the timeless charm of Indian hospitality. Whether it is our iconic hotels or our Luxury Nile cruisers in Egypt, every Oberoi experience is guided by a philosophy of personalised service, attention to detail, and a deep sense of care.”
As The Oberoi Group celebrates 90 years of excellence, it continues to expand its presence with a series of landmark developments. This milestone year marks the much-anticipated opening of The Oberoi Rajgarh Palace, Khajuraho and the introduction of two Oberoi Nile Dahabeyas—bringing a new chapter of luxury and elegance to river cruising in Egypt. Earlier this year, the debut of The Oberoi Vindhyavilas Wildlife Resort added a new dimension to India’s luxury landscape. Complementing these developments is the recent announcement of Elements by Oberoi—a Group-wide initiative that deepens its commitment to sustainability and social responsibility, setting new benchmarks for thoughtful luxury.
Hotels & Accommodations
ITC Hotels shares rise for third day; Elara Securities reaffirms ‘Accumulate’ rating
The company posted a strong 54% year-on-year (YoY) growth in net profit for Q1FY26, with profit attributable to shareholders rising to Rs 133 crore from Rs 87 crore a year earlier. Revenue from operations also increased 15.5% to Rs 816 crore, compared to Rs 706 crore in Q1FY25.
In its research note, Elara Securities said, “ITC Hotels reported a better-than-expected Q1, driven by a 300bps increase in occupancy. The ramp-up in occupancy at ITC Ratnadipa led to stronger operating leverage. Higher other income—42% above expectations—contributed to the PAT beat. ARR grew 8% YoY to Rs 10,822, resulting in a 13% rise in RevPAR.”
Elara added, “ITCHOTEL enjoys a 34% RevPAR premium over the industry. At ITC Ratnadipa, occupancy is ramping up well, delivering an 80% RevPAR growth in Sri Lankan Rupee terms. With a continued scale-up at Ratnadipa (operations commenced in April 2024) and other recently launched hotels—25% of inventory still operating below 75% occupancy—along with rising ARR, we expect double-digit RevPAR growth to continue. We raise our SoTP-based target price to Rs 256 from Rs 225, valuing the hotel business at 28x Q1FY28E EV/EBITDA and Sapphire Residences at 1x NAV. Maintain Accumulate.”
On the technical front, the daily Relative Strength Index (RSI-14) for the stock stands at 73.5. An RSI above 70 typically indicates overbought conditions, suggesting the stock has witnessed a strong rally and may be due for near-term consolidation or profit booking.
(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)
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