The company’s portfolio has grown to more than 200 hotels, with 143 operational and 58 in the pipeline, the Times said, citing a company statement. Over the past 24 months, it recorded 55 signings and 25 openings.

ITC is targeting 220 operational hotels and over 20,000 keys by 2030, the statement said. Its asset-right strategy aims to drive capital-efficient growth through partnerships with asset owners, leveraging brand credentials and providing operational expertise. Its presence has expanded to tier 2 and tier 3 cities, where demand for premium hospitality is rising.

It presently has 58 hotels in the pipeline with more than 5,300 keys.

ITC Ltd demerged its hotel business into a separate entity, ITC Hotels Ltd, effective Jan. 6, enabling both companies to pursue separate growth paths.

Welcomhotel Prayagraj

ITC Hotels’ Welcomhotel Prayagraj is operated under a management contract, aligns with the company’s asset-right strategy. The property features 60 rooms and suites with city views, along with indoor and outdoor banqueting spaces for weddings, gatherings and corporate events, ITC said in a statement.

“It is with great pride that we unveil Welcomhotel Prayagraj in a city of profound cultural and spiritual significance,” said Anil Chadha, ITC’s managing director. “This expansion not only strengthens our footprint in Uttar Pradesh but also reflects our commitment to delivering meaningful hospitality experiences—celebrating the region’s heritage while upholding the highest standards of service. Prayagraj, with its enduring appeal and spiritual depth stands as a beacon of India’s rich history and offers a destination that resonates deeply.”

Prayagraj, located near the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati rivers, reflects India’s spiritual and intellectual heritage, the statement said. The hotel is close to key sites including the ghats of Triveni Sangam and Allahabad Fort. It offers guided heritage walks, spiritual trails to Shri Bade Hanuman Ji Mandir and excursions to Khusro Bagh and the Kumbh Mela grounds.

JK Agrawal of the Owning Board said the project marks a milestone, combining their vision for the city with ITC Hotels’ expertise in hospitality.

“Our purpose has always been to create developments that serve travelers and contribute to the local community and economy,” he said. “This hotel reflects that belief, a recognition of the city’s identity, with a promise of quality and care.”

In January, the company reportedly planned to expand internationally, targeting neighboring countries and West Asia.

By Alimat Aliyeva

Booking.com, the world’s leading online travel platform, is
currently facing one of the largest class-action lawsuits in the
history of the tourism industry, Azernews
reports.

More than 10,000 hotels across various European countries have
joined forces to file a lawsuit against Booking.com. These hotel
representatives are seeking compensation for what they describe as
unfair terms and excessive commission fees imposed over the past 20
years. The dispute centers on a landmark decision made by the
European Court of Justice in the fall of 2024. The court ruled that
Booking.com’s “best price” clauses—which prevented hotels from
offering lower rates on their own websites or through other
channels—violated European competition laws. These restrictions
severely limited hotels’ freedom to set their own prices and led to
a significant decline in direct bookings. The plaintiffs claim that
between 2004 and 2024, they incurred financial losses amounting to
millions of euros due to these practices.

The ongoing class-action lawsuit is being handled in the
Netherlands, where Booking.com is registered, and is coordinated by
the Hotel Claims Review Alliance. The lawsuit is supported by
HOTREC, the European association representing hotels, restaurants,
and cafés, as well as over 30 national hotel associations,
including the German Hotel Association (IHA). To accommodate more
participants, HOTREC has extended the deadline for hotels wishing
to join the lawsuit until August 29.

Despite this legal challenge, Booking.com remains a crucial
sales channel for many hotels, helping them reach millions of
travelers worldwide. According to recent studies, Booking Holdings,
the parent company of Booking.com, held a dominant market share of
71% in Europe and 72.3% in Germany in 2023. Meanwhile, the share of
direct bookings in Germany declined by 8% during the same period,
further increasing hotels’ reliance on online travel agencies.

It’s worth noting that while platforms like Booking.com have
revolutionized the global travel industry by offering unprecedented
reach and convenience, some industry experts argue that the golden
age of such platforms may be nearing its end. With growing calls
for fairer pricing practices and the rising popularity of direct
booking incentives, the travel landscape is poised for significant
change.

Casetta Hotels has reopened Big Bear’s beloved Hotel Marina Riviera, marking a new chapter for an iconic lakefront lodge originally built in 1968.

Perched on the quiet edge of Big Bear Lake, the Viking-inspired property underwent a thoughtful restoration led by Los Angeles-based design studio Electric Bowery. The result is a layered, nostalgic hospitality experience that merges alpine nostalgia with the louche charm of a 1970s mountain escape.

Cozy guestrooms

The 42 guestrooms at Hotel Marina Riviera have been reimagined with a warm, earthy palette of terracotta, umber, pine, and deep forest green.

Natural oak flooring, hand-finished woodwork in graphic plaid, and bespoke furnishings by local artisans ground the interiors, while murals of pastoral scenes nod to the lodge’s vintage roots. Accommodations are also punctuated by lake-blue, mossy green, and burnt orange tones that mirror the surrounding alpine terrain.

Public spaces at Hotel Marina Riviera

In the lobby, guests are greeted by a moody fireplace lounge and a curated analog record nook, which sets the tone for slow afternoons and cozy evenings.

Adding to the revitalized energy is De La Nonna Big Bear, the first mountain outpost of the popular LA pizzeria. The restaurant is breezy and unfussy, channeling the relaxed rhythm of lake life with inlaid wood paneling, Japanese tilework, and mirrored surfaces that reflect the mountain’s changing light.

Outside, guests can relax in the year-round heated pool, cold plunge, barrel sauna, or kick back by one of several sunset-facing fire pits.

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