Luxury Hotels in India
SMALL LUXURY HOTELS of the World, the London-based independent hotels chain, recently entered the Indian market through a partnership with The MRS Group of Hotels, which owns and operates luxury boutique hotels in the country. SLH will include MRS’s hospitality offerings in its global distribution and marketing network.
The collaboration integrates MRS Group’s brands—Suryagarh Jaisalmer, Narendra Bhawan Bikaner, and Mary Budden Estate Binsar—into SLH’s collection, soon to be available on SLH channels, the companies said in a joint statement.
“We are incredibly proud to be the first independent hotel chain in India to partner with SLH, a brand synonymous with luxury and exceptional hospitality,” said Karan Singh Vaid, The MRS Group of Hotels’ president. “This alliance not only highlights our dedication to reimagining hospitality in India but also amplifies our mission to offer travellers thoughtfully designed experiences that are rooted in our rich heritage and distinctive service. We are excited to embark on this journey with SLH, aiming to enhance our global presence and enrich the travel adventures of our guests.”
The SLH currently operates more than 560 boutique hotels in 90 countries, including in the Americas.
“We are thrilled to re-establish the SLH brand in India with a distinguished brand partner like The MRS Group of Hotels,” said Mark Wong, SLH’s senior vice president Asia Pacific. “Their brand philosophy aligns perfectly with our conscious travel journey towards sustainability and conservation. We are looking forward to share their bespoke experiences through our story-telling channels and global distribution networks.”
The MRS Group of Hotels also benefits from SLH’s partnership with Hilton Worldwide Holdings, the statement said. Hilton Honors members can earn and redeem points for SLH stays and enjoy exclusive benefits.
Hilton India was recently named “India’s No. 1 Company to Work For” by Great Place to Work for the second consecutive year, following a survey of more than 5 million employees from 1,750 organizations in India.
Canadian traveler picks Pakistan’s hospitality over India’s
Pakistan Beats India in Hospitality, Says Canadian Vlogger
INDIA IS KNOWN for “Atithi Devo Bhava,” meaning "The guest is God," but some foreigners disagree. A Canadian man, when asked to choose between India and Pakistan for better hospitality, picked Pakistan without hesitation.
His brief interview with an Instagram user has since gone viral, Hindustan Times reported.
Instagram user @officialnamour, known for vox pop videos, recently asked Canadian traveler Nolan Saumure about "desi" hospitality. Saumure, a Canadian travel vlogger, has visited dozens of countries, including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Mexico, Indonesia, the U.S. and Vietnam.
When asked, “India or Pakistan—which has better hospitality?” Saumure instantly replied, "Pakistan, obviously."
He explained that Indians often see foreigners as wealthy customers, while Pakistanis offer warm hospitality, inviting tourists into their homes and offering food.
"You go to India, and people just see you as a walking ATM," Saumure said. "You go to Pakistan, and people are like, 'Oh, come here, sit. Take this free food. Come sleep at my place.'"
The video has more than 4.4 million views and hundreds of comments, many agreeing with Saumure.
"As an African living in Dubai, I agree with him. Pakistanis are friendlier than Indians. Pakistanis see you as a friend, while Indians see you as a stranger," one user commented. Another added simply, “I agree (I’m Indian).”
“India gets a lot of tourists, so we’re used to it and have built an economy around them,” another Instagram user said. “Pakistan gets only a few hundred tourists a year, so seeing a foreigner is a big deal for them.”
Some criticized Saumure’s opinion, some with racial overtones.
“Why do whites expect princess treatment from Indians after stealing $45 trillion from India?” one user asked.
A whitepaper by the Confederation of Indian Industry and EY projects India’s tourism and hospitality sector will create 6.1 million jobs by 2034. It currently accounts for 8 percent of total employment.