The Hotel Investment Conference – South Asia (HICSA) has announced its 20th edition, scheduled from April 9 to 10, 2025, at The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake, with the closed door, by invitation only, Owners’ Only Workshop a day before on April 8, 2025 at The Grand Hyatt, Mumbai
Since its inception in 2005, HICSA has evolved into the premier platform for hospitality investment in the region, consistently attracting global industry leaders, investors, and professionals.
This year’s conference, themed “20 Years: Past, Present & Prophecies,” aims to reflect on two decades of innovation and collaboration in the hospitality sector. The event anticipates close to 700 delegates, including top brands, hotel owners, financiers, developers, and professional advisors from around the world.
Commenting on the 20th anniversary of HICSA, Manav Thadani, Founder Chairman – Hotelivate said “We are excited to bring HICSA back to Mumbai this year. As we celebrate this milestone edition, it’s incredible to see how far we’ve come in shaping the dialogue around hospitality investment in the region. What started as a platform for industry leaders to connect has evolved into a global forum for innovation, collaboration, and growth.
The 20th edition is not just a reflection of our past success but a testament to the future potential of the hospitality sector. We are extremely grateful for the support we have received from our delegates, patrons, speakers and sponsors as we come together in celebration of all things remarkable in food, beverage, and hospitality.”
This year, to some flair to the milestone edition of this conference, a comedy roast titled ‘Roasted and Toasted’ has been incorporated into the main conference agenda with an aim to deliver an entertaining take on industry trends and personalities, blending sharp wit with playful banter to create a truly memorable evening. Other experiences include, ‘Fly Away’ which offers an exciting opportunity for attendees to win a Qantas Airways flight—simply by scanning a QR code at the venue and an exclusive ‘Breakfast Club’ for select industry leaders to connect with our partner design firms.
On Day 1, the conference will feature some exclusive interviews and keynote addresses in an endeavor to make the event more content rich. The interviews will feature some notable speakers such as Kevin Goh – Chief Executive Officer, Lodging, CapitaLand Investment Limited, Chief Executive Officer, The Ascott Limited, Vikram Oberoi – Chief Executive Officer & MD, The Oberoi Group,
Ritesh Agarwal – Founder & Group CEO, OYO, Kenneth Macpherson – Chief Executive Officer, Europe, Middle East, Asia & Africa, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Sébastien Bazin – Chairman and CEO, Accor, to name a few. It will also see some interesting topics being covered like “AI in Hospitality”, “Chasing the Leisure Traveller”, “Franchising and Third Party” and “Hospitality Real Estate, Capital Markets”.
The day will close with the ‘HICSA Hotels of the Year Awards’ presented by MakeMyTrip, that recognizes the most remarkable new hotel developments in the South Asian region. The nominations include hotels across seven categories: Luxury Segment; Upper Upscale & Upscale Segment; Upper Midmarket Segment; Budget & Midmarket Segment; Boutique Segment; Conversion – Urban Segment and Conversion Leisure Segment.
The winners will be shortlisted by a designated jury and then finally determined by the HICSA 2025 delegates through a voting process and announced as part of the conference program. This will be followed by the “Spirit”ual Experience at the Poolside Lawns where delegates can indulge in a curated selection of innovative drinks, each crafted with precision and creativity, to unwind, relax and network.
Hotelivate is proud to have the presence of global leaders at their prestigious conference that brings together a diverse range of participants from the hospitality, real estate, and investment industries. Amongst other speakers are Dillip Rajakarier – Group CEO, Minor International , CEO, Minor Hotels, Dimitris Manikis – President – Europe, Middle East, Eurasia, & Africa, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Gaurav Bhushan – Co – CEO, Ennismore,
Haitham Mattar – Managing Director – Middle East, Africa & South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Sunjae Sharma- Managing Director – India & Southwest Asia – Hyatt, Jatin Khanna – Chief Executive Officer, Sarovar Hotels, Camil Yazbeck – Global Chief Development Officer – Premium, Midscale & Economy, Accor, Elie Younes – Executive Vice President & Global Chief Development Officer, Radisson Hotel Group, Suma Venkatesh – Executive Vice President – Real Estate & Development, IHCL to name a few.
Day 2 of HICSA will feature curated panel discussions and mini keynote sessions with industry leaders. The “General Manager to CEO – The Journey” panel will see Anil Chadha – Managing Director, ITC Hotels, Anuraag Bhatnagar – Chief Executive Officer, The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts, Dr. Sanjay Sethi – Managing Director & CEO, Chalet Hotels and Rajeev Menon – President – Asia Pacific (excluding China) – Marriott International with the moderator as Mohit Nirula – Chief Operating Officer, The Oberoi Group.
Other plenary sessions will see a host of discussions that focus on current opportunities and challenges, including new luxury brands entering India, indigenous hotel brands and building smart hotels. Other topics will include ” Buying into Luxury”, “Hotel Valuations: Who is Buying, Building What and Where?”, ” Branded Residences & Villas”, “Impact of Pollution” and more.
The famous “Hot Seat” will unlike tradition, see Manav Thadani as a panellist and not a moderator. This unfiltered conversation aims to bring to light leadership dilemmas. The conference will ultimately conclude with the prestigious MakeMyTrip General Manager of the Year Awards 2025. These awards are a wonderful opportunity to recognize and highlight the hard work and outstanding performance displayed by the General Managers untiringly running the show.
The closing cocktails will be at The Fairmont Mumbai as the perfect end to this event. The 20th edition of HICSA promises to be a remarkable convergence of insights, innovation, and inspiration, offering an unforgettable experience that will leave a lasting impact. Join us as we embark on this exciting and intellectually stimulating journey together.
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