Hotels & Accommodations
Hotel chain Melia sees higher summer demand after profits soar

MADRID (Reuters) -Spanish hotel group Melia reported on Wednesday a 72% surge in first-half net profit that beat market expectations, partly due to the rise in international tourists flocking to its home country, the world’s second-most visited after France.
Spain’s biggest hotel chain, which operates in Europe, Asia and the Caribbean, booked a profit of 88.5 million euros ($102 million) as its revenues reached 991 million euros, up 3% from the same period a year ago.
Analysts on average expected a net profit of 46 million euros and revenues worth 986 million euros, an LSEG survey showed.
More international tourists were visiting Spain than last year, by the end of which the country welcomed a record 94 million guests.
This helped boost resort revenues, even when the industry expects overall sales to slow this summer.
Melia said bookings at its resorts for July and August were 5% higher than last year and it expects peak summer season sales to exceed previous figures for the fourth year in a row.
The Mallorca-based company focused on luxury accommodation said its revenues per room rose 6% in the second quarter and by an average of 4.7% during the first half of the year, while strong demand in Spain allowed its local hotels to exceed that average.
International holidaymakers have more spending power than Spaniards, who are scrapping visits to Spain’s top 25 beach destinations due to rising hotel and rental prices amid an unprecedented tourism boom.
In other countries such as Germany, the U.S. and China, Melia saw lower revenue growth per room than it reported in Spain, but the company kept its forecast of a single-digit increase in revenue per room in 2025.
Melia expects to invest around 350 million euros with partners to add more than 30 hotels to its portfolio by 2026. At least 15 of them will be opening this year, mainly at Mediterranean destinations.
($1 = 0.8688 euros)
(Reporting by Corina Pons; Editing by David Latona and Andrei Khalip)
Hotels & Accommodations
US Issues Security Alert for Karachi Over Threat to Luxury Hotels

The US State Department has issued a security warning for Karachi after receiving intelligence about a possible threat against luxury hotels in the city.
In a precautionary move, the US Consulate General in Karachi has temporarily barred official visits by American government staff to these hotels.
“The US Consulate General Karachi received a report of a threat directed at high-end hotels in Karachi,” the mission said in a statement, adding that access for US government personnel would remain restricted until further notice.
The alert comes amid persistent concerns over safety in Pakistan’s largest cities, where political unrest, sectarian tensions, and terrorist violence have periodically erupted. While the consulate did not disclose specifics of the threat, officials noted that Washington routinely adjusts security protocols for its diplomats in response to credible intelligence.
US citizens in Pakistan are being urged to avoid large gatherings, remain vigilant, and keep a low profile, especially in venues popular with foreigners, such as upscale hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, and tourist sites. The advisory also reiterated that Pakistan is under a Level 3 travel warning, which urges travelers to reconsider visiting due to terrorism and armed conflict.
Karachi, despite local efforts to improve safety, has experienced periodic violence in recent years. Luxury hotels, often frequented by diplomats, aid workers, journalists, and business travelers, are considered potential targets in the event of attacks.
The move to restrict staff travel reflects the US government’s broader policy of proactive risk management at its diplomatic missions. Security analysts note that while not all alerts point to an imminent danger, they are based on intelligence reviews and treated seriously. The consulate’s decision highlights the ongoing difficulties of safeguarding US personnel in volatile regions.
The situation is being closely monitored. Restrictions will be lifted once threat levels are reassessed. In the meantime, Americans are encouraged to follow updates from US diplomatic missions and enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for real-time security information.
Hotels & Accommodations
Indian Hotels Co (IHCL) eyes on North East for development of new properties

File Photo : Puneet Chhatwal Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL).
| Photo Credit:
JOTHI RAMALINGAM B
Tata Group hospitality firm Indian Hotels Company Ltd (IHCL) is putting the spotlight on the North East for new properties in line with India’s ambition of developing the region, according to its Managing Director and CEO Puneet Chhatwal.
The company has a portfolio of 15 hotels with 1,348 rooms in the North East, and six hotels with 634 rooms in the pipeline.
Developing properties in the East and North East has been a part of a strategic initiative, Chhatwal told PTI.
“Like 50 years ago it was Goa, 30 years ago it was Kerala. More recently, you heard about Lakshadweep. Now it is the North East — which is also in line with India’s ambition of developing the North East — our contribution as a Tata Group company,” he noted.
Elaborating on some of the new projects that the company is undertaking in the North East, he said,”IHCL has committed to projects like Jagiroad in Assam, opposite the Tata Electronics factory that is coming up.”
Moreover, he said,”There are also the conversion of two properties — one is the existing Vivanta in Guwahati which will be upgraded to Taj. We will see an extension of that asset with a number of rooms, banquet halls, etc. We will also be building another hotel in Kaziranga (in Assam).”
Chhatwal also reiterated that IHCL has signed its first ‘Taj Palace’ property in the North East with the ‘Taj Pushpabanta Palace’ in Agartala, Tripura.
The property was signed in May this year in a public-private partnership with the Tripura government. Under the partnership, the Pushpabanta Palace built in 1917 as a holiday home for the king and his guests will be developed to have 100 rooms to be housed in a newly built structure.
The refurbishment and expansion are expected to be completed in the next three years, IHCL had earlier said.
Last month, IHCL and the Ambuja Neotia Group had announced an agreement for 15 new hotels mostly in the East and North East India.
Published on August 3, 2025
Hotels & Accommodations
IHCL Expands in Northeast India: Rediff Moneynews

Indian Hotels Co. Ltd (IHCL) plans significant expansion in Northeast India, with new hotels and renovations in Assam, Tripura, and other locations.
The company has a portfolio of 15 hotels with 1,348 rooms in the North East, and six hotels with 634 rooms in the pipeline.
Developing properties in the East and North East has been a part of a strategic initiative, Chhatwal told PTI.
“Like 50 years ago it was Goa, 30 years ago it was Kerala. More recently, you heard about Lakshadweep. Now it is the North East — which is also in line with India’s ambition of developing the North East — our contribution as a Tata Group company,” he noted.
Elaborating on some of the new projects that the company is undertaking in the North East, he said,”IHCL has committed to projects like Jagiroad in Assam, opposite the Tata Electronics factory that is coming up.”
Moreover, he said,”There are also the conversion of two properties — one is the existing Vivanta in Guwahati which will be upgraded to Taj. We will see an extension of that asset with a number of rooms, banquet halls, etc. We will also be building another hotel in Kaziranga (in Assam).”
Chhatwal also reiterated that IHCL has signed its first ‘Taj Palace’ property in the North East with the ‘Taj Pushpabanta Palace’ in Agartala, Tripura.
The property was signed in May this year in a public-private partnership with the Tripura government. Under the partnership, the Pushpabanta Palace built in 1917 as a holiday home for the king and his guests will be developed to have 100 rooms to be housed in a newly built structure.
The refurbishment and expansion are expected to be completed in the next three years, IHCL had earlier said.
Last month, IHCL and the Ambuja Neotia Group had announced an agreement for 15 new hotels mostly in the East and North East India.
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