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Hospitality

Indian entrepreneurs outpace their global counterparts on  spends on luxury lifestyles and international mobility: HSBC  report reveals

Rich entrepreneurs in India are spending their wealth on luxury lifestyle as their optimism and global  outlook help them expand their horizons across borders, according to research from HSBC Private Bank. 

The HSBC’s Global Entrepreneurial Wealth Report 2025 reveals that allocations toward real estate for  personal use (64 per cent), health and wellness (61 per cent), and luxury experiences (59 per cent) are  significantly higher among entrepreneurs in India compared to their global counterparts. 

The report reveals that entrepreneurs in India are overwhelmingly positive about their personal wealth  outlook, with 95 per cent predicting their wealth will grow over the next few years. Among them, 56  per cent believe their wealth will improve significantly, while 39% expect moderate growth. This  optimism is particularly pronounced in markets such as the UK, UAE, India, and Singapore. Key drivers  of this optimism in India are opportunities for new investments and ventures (64 per cent), positive  performance of investment portfolios (56 per cent), favorable economic outlook for the local economy  (54%) and positive business performance (43 per cent). 

When it comes to business outlook, entrepreneurs in India exhibit significant confidence with 98%  expressing positivity. They believe technological advancements and business opportunities will be key  drivers of growth. 

Global mobility 

Entrepreneurs in India have a particularly global outlook, with 73 per cent holding multi-residency  status—significantly higher than the global average of 56 per cent. The vast majority are open to  relocating abroad, with the UK and US emerging as the top destinations, followed by Switzerland, UAE,  and Singapore. 

Among those entrepreneurs looking to make a personal move, the primary motivations for cross  border movements include better quality of life for themselves and their families (78%); access to new 

investment opportunities (75 per cent); and expansion of business into new markets (71 per cent). The  UK is the most popular destination for Indian entrepreneurs looking to move wealth, followed by  Singapore, the US, Switzerland, and the UAE. 

Investment portfolio 

The report shows how wealthy entrepreneursin India have diverse investment portfolios, with a strong  focus on life insurance (73 per cent); property investments, including commercial real estate (58 per  cent); publicly-traded stocks (53 per cent) and private assets (51 per cent). Additionally, 42 per cent of  respondents prioritize charitable donations, reflecting a commitment to giving back to society. 

Challenges in mobility 

Despite their optimism, Indian entrepreneurs face challenges in managing their global operations and  wealth. Key concerns include complexities in managing existing business operations from abroad (50  per cent); visa and residency requirements (49 per cent); and challenges in purchasing property in new  locations (48 per cent). Succession planning also remains a critical area, with 64 per cent expressing  concerns about structuring business transfers effectively. 

Commenting on the research findings, Sandeep Batra, Head of International Wealth and Premier  Banking, HSBC India, said, “Indian entrepreneurs are redefining the global playbook with their  optimism, ambition, and growth mindset. Their investments in luxury lifestyles, global mobility, and  diversified portfolios signal not just confidence in their wealth trajectory but also their readiness to  capitalize on the next wave of global opportunities and deepening international wealth corridors as  globalisation enters a new phase.” 

by Vivek Kumar

The Indian hospitality industry employs nearly 37 million people, yet only 1% of them receive proper training and possess the necessary skills. In the latest episode of the “What India Needs!” podcast, media entrepreneur and author Shutapa Paul sat down with veteran educator in hospitality, Dr Suborno Bose, to discuss how the sector can bridge this skill gap, retain talent, and position tourism as a major driver of the nation’s economy. “Hospitality in India grew inorganically,” said Dr Bose. “The big brands came in fast, but the skill base didn’t grow at the same pace. For years, hotel management was seen as the ‘third choice’ career. That’s changing, but we still lose too many trained professionals to jobs abroad.”  With over three decades in hospitality education, Dr Bose has seen the industry expand rapidly and helped train thousands of students who now work in leading hotels worldwide. The Skill Gap and the First-Choice Shift Once dismissed as an unglamorous profession, hospitality is now emerging as the first choice for many young professionals. However, the talent pipeline remains thin. Dr Bose pointed out that better work policies, coupled with improved entry-level salaries of ₹24,000 to ₹35,000 per month—often higher than for non-IIT engineering jobs—are helping retain more hospitality graduates in India. Hands-on training is key. “Hospitality cannot be learnt only from classrooms,” Dr Bose said, highlighting the importance of rotational on-the-job training across departments to build both skill and passion. He further emphasised that while retention is improving, many graduates still look overseas for opportunities, creating a persistent challenge of brain drain for the Indian hospitality industry. Paul reflected on the profession’s evolution: “It’s a tough profession. I’ve seen friends in hospitality work incredibly long hours and tough shifts. To retain talent, lifestyle and working conditions will have to keep improving alongside pay.” From Homestays to Agro-Tourism: New Growth Engines With more people travelling again post-pandemic, the government has set a $3 trillion goal for tourism and hospitality by 2047, aiming for the sector to contribute almost 10% to India’s total economic output. Dr Bose believes the fastest growth will come from homestays and agro-tourism. “Hospitality is about the heart, not a plastic smile. A homestay in Darjeeling serving you fresh, estate-brewed tea is as much a part of our growth story as a five-star resort,” he said, adding that tea tourism, coffee tourism, and small-town hospitality are ripe for investment. Paul added, “The real charm of homestays is that they’re close to nature, to local culture. These are experiences that connect travellers to the heart of India.” Women in the Workforce Citing a report that projects 6.1 million new hospitality jobs by 2036–37—with only 1.5 million likely to be filled by women—Paul pointed out the gender disparity: “We need more women in the workforce, and there’s no reason they shouldn’t be part of this sector.” Dr Bose noted that the number of women general managers in leading hotel chains is on the rise, and that there are training programmes designed …

by Vivek Kumar

The Hospitality Network (THN), an industry-leading platform that connects key decision-makers in the hospitality and real estate sectors, has announced its expansion into Saudi Arabia. THN’s expansion, marked by the establishment of the Riyadh office, is supported by AstroLabs, the Gulf’s leading business expansion platform. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in the UAE, THN has a proven track record of facilitating high-impact, invite-only events and gatherings that drive business development and partnerships. With its strong regional presence, THN is set to leverage its expertise to accelerate sustainable and scalable growth in Saudi Arabia’s hospitality and real estate sectors. The company’s Riyadh hub will enable THN to stage meaningful conversations, forge new partnerships, and tailor its solutions to position stakeholders to keep pace with the dynamic changes occurring within the hospitality and real estate industries. “We are excited for THN’s debut as an increasingly pivotal catalyst in Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a global tourism destination and real estate development powerhouse. With its vast regional expertise and a powerful focus on technology, THN is shaping the industry’s future, anchored in innovation, collaboration, and regional connectivity,” commented Alex Nicholls, director of expansion at AstroLabs. The company’s integrated approach is focused on delivering immersive experience rooms and curated 1:1 meetings to facilitate better engagement and lead to successful outcomes. Additionally, THN regularly hosts industry awards events to connect owners, operators, consultants, and developers. The announcement follows the successful hosting of The 2025 KSA Stakeholder Gathering (TSG2025), held recently in Riyadh last May.  The event’s Hospitality Awards featured key categories such as “Sustainability Champion of the Year” and “Luxury Hospitality Pioneer,” recognizing companies pioneering and promoting sustainable practices in the hospitality and real estate Industries and setting new standards. “Saudi Arabia represents a unique intersection of scale, ambition, and transformation,” said Petvin Fernandes, CEO of The Hospitality Network. “Hosting The 2025 KSA Stakeholder Gathering (TSG2025) in May gave us firsthand insight into the region’s forward-thinking approach to hospitality and real Estate. We’re excited to expand our presence here, focused on partnerships that align with Vision 2030 and drive future-ready development.” A key component of THN’s offerings is supporting hotel developers and operators in embracing technology, innovation, sustainability, and design. Through its consulting services for hospitality suppliers and manufacturers, THN enables new investment and innovation to enter the market. As part of its expansion efforts in Saudi Arabia, THN also organized roundtable meetings with developers and operators, bringing together hotel partners to foster collaboration, facilitate deep-dive discussions on industry topics, and generate new business opportunities. By strengthening its on-the-ground service footprint, THN is poised to play a crucial role in aiding informed decision-making and strategic planning. This, in turn, will accelerate the implementation of major hospitality and real estate projects that are part of Vision 2030.

by Team SNFYI

Starting your own restaurant is a big decision in your life. It requires proper planning and strategy.   So, if you are also planning to open a restaurant, there are a few important things you should think about first. This will help you start better and avoid common mistakes.  In this article, we will share five things to know before starting your own restaurant. Let’s have a look! One of the most important things to know before starting your own restaurant is the concept and target market. A clear concept provides a proper direction and helps you decide what kind of food you should serve, the style of restaurant, or the ambiance.  You can then work easily by keeping that concept in mind.  Moreover, it is also important to know your target customers.  For example, if your restaurant is near a university, your target market may be students. Knowing your target market helps you make better choices. Another thing you must focus on before starting your restaurant is your business plan. You should make a solid and detailed plan that covers everything from your budget to staff, suppliers, and costs.  A good business plan helps you stay organized and focused. Your restaurant should also have a good internet connection to make online payments or reservations.  To ensure you are getting the speeds you need, you can test your connection speed here.  One of the most important parts of a restaurant is its location. A good location can attract many customers.   So, try to choose a location that has a lot of people passing by, is easy to find, and has enough parking.  The next important thing to work on before starting your restaurant is the menu. Your menu should meet the needs of targeted customers.  It should be profitable. Some people just work on fancy items that do not bring much profit. So, make sure to select a simple menu as it will be easier to manage. Also, while planning your restaurant, it is also worth learning how top hospitality brands like Hilton Honors prioritize customer convenience. They focus on enhancing the guest experience by offering benefits such as free Wi-Fi.  A restaurant cannot run without a good team. So, make sure to have a skilled and professional team.  Select cooks, servers, cleaners, or other staff who know their roles and responsibilities well. Also, train your team properly.