As 2025 draws to a close, the travel, hospitality, F&B, real estate, and allied lifestyle sectors are reflecting on a year that marked far more than recovery; it signalled a structural shift in how consumers travel, dine, spend, and experience value. Across segments, businesses moved from rebound to resilience, driven by changing consumer expectations, technology-led efficiencies, sustainability-first thinking, and a renewed focus on meaningful experiences over scale alone.
From the rise of short-haul luxury and micro-holidays to tech-enabled hospitality operations, disciplined F&B growth, strategic foreign exchange usage by travellers, and integrated real estate developments, industry leaders are aligning growth with purpose and precision. Sustainability, wellness, and intelligent systems have emerged as common threads, shaping decision-making across sectors.
Looking ahead to 2026, optimism is measured yet confident. Brands are prioritising quality over quantity, depth over speed, and long-term value over short-term gains. The voices that follow offer a clear snapshot of how leaders across hospitality, travel, QSR, real estate, sustainability, and luxury living are interpreting 2025—and where they believe the next chapter of growth will unfold.
Shangri-La: Short-Haul Luxury Travel Redefines the Weekend Escape
“Short-haul luxury travel across Southeast Asia has entered a new chapter. With improved regional connectivity and the rise of micro-holidays, travellers are choosing shorter, more frequent escapes that offer depth, connection and immediate rejuvenation. Independent travel outlooks point to a clear shift: guests are prioritising two or three high-quality short breaks over a single long vacation, and they expect every moment of that time to count. This evolution has transformed the weekend into one of the most valuable windows in hospitality. Guests want instant immersion the moment they arrive effortless arrival, thoughtful design, memorable dining, wellness that restores, and cultural touchpoints that feel authentic to the city. At Shangri-La, we see this shift not as a trend but as a natural extension of how people want to live and travel today. Our properties in Singapore, Bangkok, Manila, Cebu and Jakarta are uniquely positioned for this new rhythm of travel. We are shaping 48- to 72-hour stays that are rich with experiences, from chef-led dining and urban discovery to restorative spa rituals and family-focused design. The goal is simple: to make even the shortest break feel expansive, meaningful and tailored to each guest”. – John Rice, Vice President (Operations), Southeast Asia & Australasia.
STAAH: Technology Drives India’s Hospitality Sector into Sustainable Growth
“2025 has been a defining year for India’s hospitality sector. Hotels have moved beyond recovery into a phase of sustainable growth, driven by robust domestic travel, a steady rise in international arrivals, and increasing demand for personalized guest experiences. Technology has played a pivotal role in this transformation. From smarter distribution strategies and dynamic pricing to seamless integrations that enable hoteliers operate more efficiently and profitably. As the industry becomes more competitive, hotels are recognizing the importance of agile, data-led decision-making to maximize visibility and drive revenue across channels. At STAAH, we believe this shift towards tech-enabled hospitality will continue to accelerate, empowering independent hotels and chains alike to scale sustainably and deliver exceptional experiences for years to come.” – Shoaib Ali, National Sales Head, India, STAAH
BookMyForex: Indian Travellers Become More Strategic with Foreign Exchange
Indian travellers are becoming far more strategic in how they plan and use foreign exchange, moving away from blanket purchases towards destination-specific currencies and reload-led usage. In 2025, Asian currencies saw a strong year-on-year rise, led by the Vietnamese Dong and Japanese Yen, which recorded growth of 139% and 118% respectively. The US Dollar remains the most widely used foreign currency due to its acceptance across multiple countries. Alongside this, currencies such as the Thai Baht and UAE Dirham also saw growth, reflecting steady travel to short-haul and regional destinations. – Gagan Malhotra – Chief Operating Officer, BookMyForex.com
Lenexis Foodworks: QSR Growth Accelerates with Scale, Value and Asian Flavours
“2025 has been a year of sustained momentum for India’s QSR industry, fuelled by evolving consumer habits and a rising preference for value-driven, quality dining experiences. At Lenexis, we delivered 25%+ growth in orders over last year while improving margins, and expanded our footprint to 250+ outlets across 45+ cities, reinforcing the strong demand for Asian flavours delivered with speed, precision, and consistency. As we look ahead to 2026, our outlook remains highly optimistic. Consumers are becoming more experimental, more digitally connected, and more receptive to new formats. In response, we plan to deepen our presence in emerging markets and continue innovating across formats and menus to stay ahead of the curve.” – Aayush Madhusudan Agrawal, Founder and Director Lenexis Foodworks
Budget expectation quote – F&B/QSR
“As we look ahead to the upcoming Union Budget, rationalisation of GST on commercial rentals would meaningfully ease cost pressures for the restaurant and QSR sector, particularly as input tax credit is not available to the industry. Introducing a single-window clearance system across food safety, environment, labour and taxation can significantly improve ease of doing business by reducing compliance complexity and delays. With organised QSR brands increasingly expanding into Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets, targeted incentives or capex-linked support can help accelerate growth in high-potential cities. Given the sector’s strong contribution to youth employment, Budget policies that recognise job creation and support skill development and workforce expansion would further strengthen the industry’s long-term economic impact.” – Aayush Madhusudan Agrawal, Founder and Director Lenexis Foodworks
CYK Hospitalities: Discipline and Systems Define Sustainable F&B Growth
According to Pulkit Arora, Director, CYK Hospitalities, “2025 has been a defining year for the F&B sector. Consumers pushed the industry toward more specific menus, higher food hygiene standards, and greater transparency in kitchen operations. It was a year that highlighted how trust is built through discipline rather than decoration.”
Adding to this, Simranjeet Singh, Director, CYK Hospitalities, reflects, “The year 2025 proved that resilience and intelligent systems were the main sources of sustainable growth. Rising costs and changing consumer preferences meant that only those brands survived which remained consistent and had clear, efficient processes. This wasn’t a year of aggressive expansion; it was a year of strengthening foundations.”
They both concluded, “Real progress in F&B isn’t about scale; it’s about the confidence you serve on every plate.”
MakeMyTrip: Domestic and Short-Haul Travel Sustain Year-End Momentum
“The domestic tourism growth story continues during the year-end and New Year holiday period, with sustained demand across leisure and pilgrimage destinations. Travellers are showing willingness to upgrade accommodation, and are increasingly combining leisure breaks with spiritually enriching journeys. Short-haul international travel also continues to see momentum, led by familiar regions even as newer destinations begin to gain traction. The impact of easier visa and visa-free access is playing out consistently, reinforcing India’s growing appetite for outbound travel.” – Rajesh Magow, Co-founder and Group CEO, MakeMyTrip.
Aratt Developers & Ayatana Hospitality: Integrated Developments Drive Long-Term Value
Vishal Vincent Tony, Managing Director, Aratt Developers & Ayatana Hospitality Pvt Ltd – “The real estate sector is entering a cycle where integrated residential, commercial, and hospitality-led developments are emerging as the strongest contributors to long-term value creation. Across major markets, large-scale townships and mixed-use masterplans are witnessing renewed investor confidence, with developments that seamlessly integrate premium housing, modern office spaces, and quality hospitality assets. This momentum reflects a growing demand for curated living environments supported by business infrastructure and high-quality hospitality experiences. Rising homeownership sentiment, sustained office absorption, and consistent growth in domestic tourism continue to reinforce this shift. As we move into 2026, the most resilient and future-ready developments will be those that prioritise sustainability, intelligent design, and seamless integration across residential and commercial uses. With lifestyle preferences evolving rapidly, developments that offer both liveability and economic productivity are set to define the next phase of India’s real estate growth.”
Eco Hotels and Resorts: Sustainability Becomes the New Baseline for Travel
‘’2025 affirmed that sustainable travel is no longer a niche ,it’s the new baseline. Guests didn’t just choose destinations, they chose values, seeking stays that respect nature and uplift local communities. At Eco Hotels, we witnessed travellers prioritize low-impact stays, authentic local experiences, simple satvic food, and technology that enhances both convenience and conservation. By staying true to our ‘People, Planet, Profit’ promise, we’ve advanced carbon-neutral stays that combine ecological responsibility with comfort. As we look towards 2026, the future of hospitality lies in weaving circular practices, green initiatives, AI-driven personalization, and community-centered tourism into every guest journey. The year ahead will reward brands that operate with purpose, innovate with integrity, and place sustainability at the heart of hospitality’s evolution.” – Vinod Kumar Tripathi, Executive Chairman of Eco Hotels and Resorts
Hansgrohe India: Wellness-Led Bathrooms Shape Luxury Housing and Hospitality
Abdulkader Bengali, MD, Hansgrohe India – 2025 has been a defining year for the luxury housing and hospitality segments in India. Both sectors have demonstrated a strong shift toward elevated bathroom experiences that prioritise wellness, sustainability, and design. Developers and hotel partners are increasingly choosing high-quality, durable, and water-efficient solutions that enhance comfort while supporting long-term environmental goals.
This shift is reflected across the broader bath and wellness industry as well. Homeowners, architects, and planners are embracing thoughtfully engineered products that combine intuitive functionality, aesthetic refinement, and responsible water usage. The move toward wellness-centric bathrooms and sustainable product choices has grown significantly, driven by rising consumer awareness and the pursuit of lasting value.
As we approach 2026, this momentum is set to strengthen. Premium housing demand, continued urban infrastructure development, and renewed growth in India’s hospitality sector will drive greater interest in technology-enabled, experience-driven bathroom solutions. Consumers will increasingly look for offerings that blend superior performance with contemporary design and eco-conscious innovation.
In 2026, our priority will be to deepen engagement with partners and customers, expand our presence across high-growth and emerging markets, and introduce solutions that set new benchmarks in design, efficiency, and everyday comfort. The year ahead promises steady, innovation-led progress anchored in sustainability and elevated experiences.
India’s hospitality growth outlook for 2026 at Chalet Hotels
“As we look ahead to 2026, the growth drivers for Indian hospitality are both clear and durable. Business travel has returned with depth and predictability, domestic leisure continues to broaden and mature, and MICE and weddings remain powerful demand engines. Together, these segments are well positioned to sustain double-digit RevPAR growth for the industry. What differentiates this cycle is the quality of demand — longer stays, higher spend intensity and greater forward visibility — enabling asset-led hospitality platforms to plan and execute with far greater discipline. In this environment, scale, location and portfolio balance matter. Chalet is well placed to capture the momentum, with a strong presence across commercial hubs and destination markets, and assets that are structurally aligned to business, leisure and large-format events.” – Dr Sanjay Sethi, MD & CEO, Chalet Hotels Ltd.
