The much-anticipated HOPE 2025 (Hospitality Overview  Presentation & Exchange), hosted by HVS ANAROCK, successfully concluded its third edition, at Taj Cidade de Goa Heritage, Goa solidifying  its position as India’s most exclusive hospitality and travel summit

With the theme “From Incredible  India to Irresistible India”, this year’s summit brought together global hospitality leaders, investors,  developers, and policymakers for three days of dynamic discussions, high-impact networking, and  industry-defining insights at Taj Cidade de Goa Horizon. The event witnessed an overwhelming response,  with nearly 600 attendees and 60+ distinguished speakers sharing their perspectives on the future of  hospitality.

A High-impact Agenda: 3 Days of Thought Leadership and Deliberations 

Day 1: ECHO – the Exclusive Conclave for Hotel Owners 

The summit commenced on February 26, 2025, with ECHO (Exclusive Conclave for Hotel Owners), an  invitation-only forum designed for India’s leading hotel owners to engage in candid discussions on  industry challenges, investment strategies, and operational efficiencies.  

The day began with an inaugural address by Mandeep S. Lamba, President & CEO (South Asia), HVS  ANAROCK, setting the tone for the summit. Key sessions included: 

• Real Estate Trends Presentation – Anuj Puri, Chairman, ANAROCK, provided key insights into how  real estate dynamics are influencing the hospitality sector and where the next big opportunities  lie. 
• India Hotel Performance Analysis – Michael Grove, CEO, HotStats, delivered a deep dive into  hotel profitability, revenue trends, and operational efficiencies across the Indian market. 
• New Generation of Hotels for a New Generation – Harold Coenders, Partner & Chief Strategy  Officer RE, Colliers Netherlands, shared a visionary presentation on evolving hotel models and  innovations catering to the next generation of travelers. 
• Branded Segment: The Next Big Opportunity! – Akash Datta, President, Consulting & Valuation,  HVS ANAROCK, highlighted what lies ahead for the branded hotel segment, and where’s the next  big opportunity for hotel owners. 
• Hotel Management Agreements: Trends, Trials, and Triumphs – A deep dive discussion led by  Sujjain Talwar, Partner, Economic Laws Practice, in conversation with Akash Datta, shedding light  on evolving industry contracts and owner-operator relationships. 
• Crystal Gazing: 2025 and Beyond – A visionary discussion featuring Rajesh Magow (Co-Founder  & Group CEO, MakeMyTrip) in conversation with Dilip Puri (Founder, Indian School of  Hospitality). 
• Showtime@HOPE – The evening ended on a high note with a mind-blowing performance by  renowned mentalist Karan Khanna, leaving the audience amazed and entertained.

The second day transitioned into the main conference, HOPE 2025, focusing on the theme “From  Incredible India to Irresistible India”. The day began with a powerful Inaugural & Welcome Address by  Mandeep Lamba, President & CEO (South Asia), HVS ANAROCK, and Anuj Puri, Chairman, ANAROCK,  highlighting India’s hospitality growth trajectory and the transformative role of infrastructure. 

A compelling keynote address by Ridham Desai, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley India, provided  insights into India’s economic trajectory and its impact on hospitality. 

Global Outlook And Future Trends: 2025 And Beyond

Moderator:
Mandeep S. Lamba, President & CEO, HVS ANAROCK
Panellists:
1. Alan Watts, President, Asia Pacific, Hilton
2. Dimitris Manikis, President for Europe, Middle East, Eurasia and Africa, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
3. Michael Grove, CEO, HotStats
4. Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific (excluding China), Marriott International

LeaderSpeak@HOPE
Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director & CEO, IHCL in conversation with Ridham Desai, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley India

LeaderSpeak @HOPE
Deep Kalra, Founder & Chairman, MakeMyTrip, in Conversation with Dilip Puri, Founder & Executive Chairman at Indian School of Hospitality

LeaderSpeak@HOPE
Anthony Capuano, President & CEO, Marriott International, in conversation with Mandeep S. Lamba, President & CEO, HVS ANAROCK

Unlocking India’s Inbound Potential Through Data-Driven Insights: Presentation by Omri Morgenshtern, Chief Executive Officer, Agoda

LeaderSpeak@HOPE
Geoff Ballotti, President and CEO, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts in conversation with Mandeep S. Lamba, President & CEO, HVS ANAROCK

Midscale – India’s Next Growth Engine

Moderator:
Rattan Keswani, Industry Stalwart & Former Deputy Managing Director Lemon Tree Hotels
Panellists:
1. Ashish Vohra, CEO and Founder, jüSTa Hotels & Resorts, Bookmark Resorts
2. Deepika Rao, Executive Vice President – New Businesses, Hotel Openings and Corporate Communication, IHCL
3. Jatin Khanna, Chief Executive Officer, Sarovar Hotels
4. Vikram Cotah, CEO, GRT Hotels
5. Vikram Lalvani, MD & CEO, Sterling Holiday Resorts

With Domestic Consumption Booming, Is Anyone Even Missing The FTAs?

Moderator:
Ajay K. Bakaya, Chairman, Sarovar Hotels; Director, Louvre Hotels India
Panellists:
1. Jyoti Mayal, Chairperson, Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council (THSC)
2. K.B. Kachru, Chairman – South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group
3. Mugdha Sinha, IAS, Director General Tourism, Government of India
4. Rajesh Magow, Co-Founder & Group CEO, MakeMyTrip

Luxury Travel In Focus: Trends Shaping Today’s Premium Travel at HOPE 2025

Moderator:
Ragini Chopra, Group Head, Corporate Affairs, InterGlobe Enterprises
Panellists:
1. David Keen, Founder & CEO, QUO
2. Mary Gostelow, Global Ambassador, Travel Writer & Influencer
3. Mohit Nirula, Chief Operating Officer, The Oberoi Group
4. Puneet Dhawan, Head of Asia, Minor Hotels

Key discussions during the day included: 

• Global Outlook and Future Trends: 2025 and Beyond – A panel discussion featuring Alan Watts, President, Asia Pacific, Hilton; Dimitris Manikis, President for Europe, Middle East, Eurasia and  Africa, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts; Michael Grove, CEO, HotStats; and Rajeev Menon, President,  Asia Pacific (excluding China), Marriott International; moderated by Mandeep S. Lamba. 
• LeaderSpeak@HOPE – A one-on-one discussion with Puneet Chhatwal, MD & CEO, IHCL, and  Ridham Desai, discussing investment, growth, and market opportunities in Indian hospitality. 
• Unlocking India’s Inbound Potential Through Data-Driven Insights – A deep dive by Omri  Morgenshtern, CEO, Agoda, into leveraging data for India’s growing tourism market. 
• LeaderSpeak@HOPE – Now It Can Be Told: Stories That Inspire – A candid conversation with  Deep Kalra, Founder & Chairman, MakeMyTrip, and Dilip Puri, Founder & Executive Chairman,  Indian School of Hospitality, discussing entrepreneurship, resilience, and the evolution of India’s  travel sector. 
• LeaderSpeak@HOPE – Geoff Ballotti, President & CEO, Wyndham Hotels in conversation with Mandeep S. Lamba, President & CEO, HVS ANAROCK. 
• Midscale – India’s Next Growth Engine – A panel discussion exploring how midscale hotels are  driving industry expansion, featuring Ashish Vohra, CEO and Founder, jüSTa Hotels & Resorts,  Bookmark Resorts; Deepika Rao, Executive Vice President – New Businesses, Hotel Openings and  Corporate Communication, IHCL; Jatin Khanna, Chief Executive Officer, Sarovar Hotels; Vikram  Cotah, CEO, GRT Hotels; Vikram Lalvani, MD & CEO, Sterling Holiday Resorts and moderated by  Rattan Keswani, Industry Stalwart & Former Deputy Managing Director Lemon Tree Hotels. 
• With Domestic Consumption Booming, Is Anyone Even Missing the FTAs? – An insightful  discussion moderated by Ajay K. Bakaya, Chairman, Sarovar Hotels; Director, Louvre Hotels India and featuring Jyoti Mayal, Chairperson, Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council (THSC); K.B. Kachru,  Chairman – South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group; Mugdha Sinha, IAS, Director General Tourism,  Government of India; and Rajesh Magow, Co-Founder & Group CEO, MakeMyTrip 
• Luxury Travel in Focus: Trends Shaping Today’s Premium Travel – A discussion on the evolving  luxury market featuring David Keen, Founder & CEO, QUO; Mary Gostelow, Global Ambassador, Travel Writer & Influencer; Mohit Nirula, Chief Operating Officer, The Oberoi Group; Puneet  Dhawan, Head of Asia, Minor Hotels; moderated by Ragini Chopra, Group Head, Corporate  Affairs, InterGlobe Enterprises.
• The Patu Perspective: Unfiltered & Unplugged – A candid and insightful conversation between  Patanjali (Patu) G. Keswani, Chairman & Managing Director, Lemon Tree Hotels, and Vikramjit  Singh, Chairman & Managing Director, ALIVAA Hotels & Resorts. 
• LeaderSpeak @HOPE – Larry Cuculic, President & CEO, BWH Hotels, in conversation with  Mandeep S. Lamba, President & CEO, HVS ANAROCK 
• Is India The Next China? – a powerful discussion moderated by Akash Datta, President,  Consulting & Valuation, HVS ANAROCK; featuring Clarence Tan, Senior Vice President  Development, Asia Pacific, Hilton; Omar Romero, Chief Development and Luxury Officer, Minor  Hotels; Serena Lim, Chief Growth Officer, The Ascott Ltd.; and Suma Venkatesh, Executive Vice  President – Real Estate & Development, IHCL 
• New Generation Of Hotels For A New Generation – Presentation by Harold Coenders, Partner,  Chief Strategy Officer RE, Colliers Netherlands.

Have Hotel Performances Finally Come Of Age for The Long Term Or Is This a Bubble Waiting to Burst?

Moderator:
Anuj Puri, Chairman ANAROCK
Panellists:
1. Atul Chordia, Chairman – Panchshil Realty
2. Harshavardhan Neotia, Chairman, Ambuja Neotia Group
3. Jitu Virwani, Chairman and Managing Director, Embassy Group

Patanjali (Patu) G. Keswani, Chairman & Managing Director, Lemon Tree Hotels took the stage in conversation with Vikramjit Singh, Chairman & Managing Director, ALIVAA Hotels & Resorts

Larry Cuculic, President & CEO, BWH Hotels, in conversation with Mandeep S. Lamba, President & CEO, HVS ANAROCK at HOPE 2025

Is India The Next China?

Moderator:
Akash Datta, President, Consulting & Valuation, HVS ANAROCK
Panellists:
1. Clarence Tan, Senior Vice President Development, Asia Pacific, Hilton
2. Omar Romero, Chief Development and Luxury Officer, Minor Hotels
3. Serena Lim, Chief Growth Officer, The Ascott Ltd.
4. Suma Venkatesh, Executive Vice President – Real Estate & Development, IHCL

New Generation Of Hotels For A New Generation by Harold Coenders, Partner, Chief Strategy Officer RE, Colliers Netherlands

Day 3: The Road Ahead – Visionary Leadership & Industry Celebrations 

The final day of HOPE 2025 began with EDGE (Excellence Development for Global Executives), a specially  curated masterclass designed exclusively for General Managers. Focused on ‘Reimagining Hospitality: AI Driven Innovations in Hotel Service Operations,’ the session was hosted by Dr. Recep Karaburun, Clinical  Associate Professor of Hospitality and Tourism at New York University. This thought-provoking session  provided GMs with actionable insights into how AI can optimize guest experiences, streamline  operations, and redefine service excellence in the hospitality industry. 

India’s Hospitality Boom: Is It Sustainable?

Moderator:
Nikhil Sharma, Managing Director and Area Senior Vice President, Radisson Hotel Group South Asia
Panellists:
1. Rahul Pandit, Managing Director & CEO, Advent Hotels International Limited
2. Samir MC, Managing Director, Fortune Park Hotels Ltd, Director, Maharaja Heritage Resort Ltd.
3. Vikramjit Singh, Chairman & Managing Director, ALIVAA Hotels & Resorts

Beyond the Suite Spot: AI as Hospitality’s Ultimate Differentiator by CP Gurnani, Co-Founder and Executive Vice Chairman, AIonOS, Chairman, Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Limited

Money, Money Everywhere, Not Enough To Buy!

Moderator:
Anuj Puri, Chairman, ANAROCK
Panellists:
1. Anoop Bali, Managing Director, Tourism Finance Corporation of India Limited
2. Ashish Jakhanwala, Chairman, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, SAMHI Hotels
3. Sanjay Sethi, Managing Director & CEO, Chalet Hotels

Room to Grow? Exploring the Dynamics of India’s Hotel Market by Matthew Burke, Regional Director, Asia Pacific ex. China, STR

The Growth Of India’s Hospitality Sector: Are We Living The Dream?

Moderator:
Akash Datta, President, Consulting & Valuation, Inauguration and Welcome by Anuj Puri, Chairman, ANAROCK
Panellists:
1. Nikhil Sharma, Managing Director and Area Senior Vice President, Radisson Hotel Group, South Asia
2. Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG
3. Sunjae Sharma, Managing Director, India & Southwest Asia, Hyatt
4. Vijay Dewan, Managing Director, Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels
5. Zubin Saxena, SVP & Regional Head South Asia, Hilton

The day continued with a powerful agenda, reflecting on the industry’s future, innovation, and  excellence:

• Branded Segment: The Next Big Opportunity! – A strategic presentation by Akash Datta, President, Consulting & Valuation, HVS ANAROCK, on what lies ahead for the branded hotel  segment.  
• India’s Hospitality Boom: Is It Sustainable? – A panel discussion moderated by Nikhil Sharma,  Managing Director and Area Senior Vice President, Radisson Hotel Group South Asia; featuring, Rahul Pandit, Managing Director & CEO, Advent Hotels International Limited; Samir MC,  Managing Director, Fortune Park Hotels Ltd, Director, Maharaja Heritage Resort Ltd.; and Vikramjit Singh, Chairman & Managing Director, ALIVAA Hotels & Resorts 
• Beyond the Suite Spot: AI as Hospitality’s Ultimate Differentiator – A thought-provoking  presentation by CP Gurnani, Co-Founder & Executive Vice Chairman, AIonOS & Chairman,  Mahindra Holidays & Resorts, on the revolutionary impact of AI in hospitality.
• Money, Money Everywhere, Not Enough to Buy! – A deep dive into the hospitality investment  landscape, moderated by Anuj Puri, Chairman, ANAROCK, featuring Anoop Bali, Managing  Director, Tourism Finance Corporation of India Limited; Ashish Jakhanwala, Chairman, Founder &  Chief Executive Officer, SAMHI Hotels; and Sanjay Sethi, Managing Director & CEO, Chalet Hotels 
• Room to Grow? Exploring the Dynamics of India’s Hotel Market – An insightful presentation by  Matthew Burke, Regional Director, Asia Pacific ex. China, STR. 
• The Growth of India’s Hospitality Sector: Are We Living the Dream? – A panel featuring Nikhil  Sharma, Managing Director and Area Senior Vice President, Radisson Hotel Group, South Asia; Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG; Sunjae Sharma, Managing Director, India  & Southwest Asia, Hyatt; Vijay Dewan, Managing Director, Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels; Zubin  Saxena, SVP & Regional Head South Asia, Hilton, moderated by Akash Datta, President,  Consulting & Valuation, HVS ANAROCK 

Showtime@HOPE. HVS ANAROCK HOPE Exclusive 

A special closing session featuring Indian actor, producer, filmmaker, photographer, and voice artist Boman Irani. The celebrated actor captivated the audience with his inspiring journey, sharing personal  anecdotes and the lessons that shaped his career. His charismatic storytelling set the stage for a  mesmerizing live performance, a key highlight of HOPE 2025, leaving attendees entertained and inspired. 

#HASHTAG Awards 

The grand finale of HOPE 2025, the much-anticipated #HASHTAG Awards, honored the trailblazers of the  hospitality industry. These prestigious accolades celebrated outstanding achievements across multiple  categories, recognizing innovation, operational excellence, and leadership in the sector. From the best  business and leisure hotels to game-changing General Managers and visionary industry leaders, the  awards highlighted those redefining hospitality in India. The electrifying atmosphere, filled with  anticipation and celebration, made it an unforgettable evening, as the industry’s finest gathered to  applaud excellence and set new benchmarks for the future. 

With nearly 600 industry professionals, 60+ high-profile speakers, and unparalleled networking  opportunities, HOPE 2025 was a testament to India’s growing dominance in global tourism and  hospitality. From luxury to midscale brands, AI-driven innovations to investment strategies, this summit  was a blueprint for shaping the future of hospitality, transforming Incredible India into Irresistible India. 

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