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Paytm launches ‘Pocket Money’ feature for Teenagers without Bank Accounts

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India’s digital payments ecosystem continues to evolve as fintech platforms expand services aimed at younger users and family-led financial management. In the latest move within the consumer fintech space, Paytm has introduced ‘Pocket Money’, a feature designed to enable teenagers to make UPI payments without requiring their own bank accounts.

The feature is built on National Payments Corporation of India’s UPI Circle framework, allowing parents or family members to provide supervised spending access to teenagers through the Paytm application. The launch reflects growing demand for controlled digital payment solutions tailored for younger consumers within India’s expanding UPI ecosystem.

According to the company, teenagers can use the feature for everyday transactions including school and college canteen payments, metro travel, cab rides, mobile recharges, and shopping purchases. Parents are also provided with the ability to set monthly spending limits and monitor transactions in real time, enabling greater oversight and spending control.

Under the framework, individual transactions are capped at ₹5,000, while the overall monthly limit across the UPI network is restricted to ₹15,000. The feature is currently supported on savings and current accounts, while services such as international payments and cash withdrawals remain unavailable.

The company stated that teenagers can make payments directly from their own devices without requiring access to parental smartphones, OTP verification sharing, or QR-code forwarding through messaging applications. Paytm has also integrated the feature with its ‘Spend Summary’ tool, which categorises expenses to help families monitor spending behaviour and manage allowances more efficiently.

To strengthen security and fraud prevention, the Pocket Money feature includes additional controls such as a ₹500 transaction limit during the first 30 minutes after activation and a ₹5,000 cap during the first 24 hours. Device lock functionality is mandatory, while parents retain the ability to modify limits or revoke access at any time using their Paytm UPI PIN.

The service is available on the latest versions of the Paytm app across both Android and iOS platforms.

The launch comes amid increasing competition within India’s youth-focused fintech segment. Startups including Fam, Walrus, and Junio had previously introduced supervised spending solutions for minors through prepaid cards and digital wallets. However, several fintech players including Fam, Akudo, and Muvin faced operational challenges after the Reserve Bank of India restricted co-branded prepaid payment instrument-based UPI arrangements for companies without independent PPI licences.

Unlike earlier models, Paytm’s Pocket Money feature is integrated directly with NPCI’s UPI Circle infrastructure, enabling delegated UPI transactions without requiring teenagers to independently open bank accounts. The move reflects the broader shift towards regulated, infrastructure-backed digital payment systems as India’s fintech ecosystem continues to expand financial accessibility and digital payment adoption.

CRAON Raises Funding to Expand AI-Powered Video Editing Platform

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(L to R) Rishabh Sagar, Dishant Narang, and Chaitanya, co-founders, CARON

CRAON, an AI-powered video editing platform, has raised a pre-seed funding round at a valuation of $1 million from a global venture capital firm to accelerate the growth of its prompt-based video editing platform.

The startup plans to utilise the newly raised capital to strengthen product development capabilities and scale user acquisition initiatives. According to the company, the next funding round is expected within the coming two to three months as it expands operations within the rapidly growing AI content creation market.

Founded by Rishabh Sagar along with Dishant Narang and Chaitanya, CRAON focuses on simplifying one of the most time-consuming stages of content production: video editing. While advancements in filming technology and digital distribution have accelerated content creation, editing workflows continue to remain a significant operational challenge for creators, marketing teams, agencies, and freelance editors working under high-volume and fast-turnaround requirements.

The platform enables users to generate edited videos through prompt-based instructions, allowing creators to describe the intended outcome while the system manages the assembly of cuts, subtitles, music, and visual elements. Unlike fully AI-generated video systems, CRAON works directly with real footage and allows users to refine outputs through iterative feedback without rebuilding entire sequences from scratch.

The company’s approach reflects the broader shift towards AI-powered creative tools aimed at improving productivity, reducing manual workflows, and supporting scalable content production. As businesses and creators increasingly prioritise speed, efficiency, and digital-first storytelling, AI-led editing infrastructure is emerging as a rapidly growing segment within the creator technology ecosystem.

Rishabh Sagar said, “Although advancements in filming and distribution have accelerated amid the rapid expansion of India’s creator economy, video editing remains a time-intensive bottleneck. We at CRAON are addressing this challenge, by enabling creators and teams to transition efficiently from concept to production-ready output while preserving creative control.”

The funding comes at a time when AI-driven creator tools, automation platforms, and digital media technologies are experiencing significant global growth. As demand for short-form video, branded content, and performance-led digital marketing continues to rise, startups building intelligent creative infrastructure are expected to play a larger role in shaping the future of content production and creator workflows.

Urban Vault Expects Fit-Out and Facility Management Business to Generate ₹50 Crore Revenue in FY27

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Bengaluru, May 15, 2026: Urban Vault, one of India’s leading managed and flexible workspace providers, expects its fast-growing design, fit-out, and facility management business for offices to generate approximately ₹50 crore in revenue in FY 2026–27, driven by increasing demand from large enterprises seeking turnkey office solutions.

The company has witnessed a growing trend among corporates and multinational companies to outsource office design, interior fit-outs, furnishing, and ongoing facility management rather than making large upfront capital investments in creating and operating workspaces.

Under this model, enterprises partner with specialized companies such as Urban Vault to design and build ready-to-move-in offices and manage day-to-day operations, allowing them to focus on their core business while reducing execution timelines and operational complexity.

Recently, Urban Vault completed the design and furnishing of a large office for a leading IT services company in Mumbai. The company delivered the fully operational workspace within just 90 days, showcasing its ability to execute large-scale projects within tight timelines.

In addition to designing and furnishing the office, Urban Vault has also secured a five-year facility management contract for the same client, under which it will oversee maintenance and operational services.

The agreement has generated an upfront revenue of approximately ₹25 crore for fit-out and furnishing, along with recurring revenue of around ₹15 crore annually over the next five years, taking the total contract value to nearly ₹100 crore.

Speaking on the development, Mr. Amal Mishra, Co-founder and CEO of Urban Vault, said: “We are seeing strong interest from enterprises that want fully managed office solutions without the burden of investing time and capital in office construction and ongoing maintenance. Our ability to design, deliver, and manage large offices within a short timeframegives clients a faster and more efficient route to occupancy. We believe this business segment will become a significant growth driver for Urban Vault over the coming years.”

Traditionally known for its managed office and flexible workspace solutions, Urban Vault has expanded its offerings to include end-to-end workplace solutions covering strategy, design, fit-outs, furnishing, and facility management.

The company believes this integrated model addresses a growing need among enterprises for speed, flexibility, and operational efficiency in workplace creation.

With the successful execution of large enterprise mandates and increasing client interest, Urban Vault expects the fit-out and facility management vertical to emerge as an important contributor to its overall business and a key component of its long-term growth strategy.

Over the years, UrbanVault has expanded its national portfolio to over 2.80 million sq. ft., managing 70,000+ seats across 80+ locations in Bengaluru, Pune, Gurugram, and other major cities. The company continues to demonstrate strong performance, with an expected turnover of over ₹200 crore in FY2025-26, 70%+ year-on-year growth, and 18% PAT.

ABOUT Urban Vault

Founded in 2018, UrbanVault is a bootstrapped managed office space provider headquartered in Bengaluru, achieving impressive growth and profitability without external funding. The company recorded a ₹120 crore turnover in FY 2024–25, with 18% profit after tax and consistent year-on-year growth, reflecting strong financial discipline and sustainable business practices.

UrbanVault’s decision to self-fund its expansion has enabled it to maintain full control over operations and strategic direction. Since inception, the company has grown from a modest 40 seats to more than 70,000 seats across its network. Spanning over 2.80 million square feet across multiple cities, UrbanVault’s portfolio demonstrates its commitment to delivering value-driven, high-quality workspace solutions for a diverse set of enterprises.

 

Legend of Toys raises ₹21 Crore Pre-Series A Round to Build India’s First Premium Play Universe

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National, 15th May 2026: Legend of Toys, a mass premium Indian toy brand, has raised ₹21 crore in its Pre-Series A funding round, with participation from Singularity Early Opportunities Fund, Veltis Capital, Enzia Ventures, DeVC, Atrium Angels and Stride. The capital will support the brand’s next phase of growth across new play categories, consumer marketing, digital expansion, manufacturing and international markets.

India’s toy market is undergoing a structural shift, driven by higher import duties, tighter quality standards and a stronger push for domestic manufacturing. Government data shows that India’s toy imports declined by 52% while toy exports rose by 239% between FY2014-15 and FY2022-23, reflecting a broader move from import dependence to local production and global supply. The policy environment has also become more supportive for compliant domestic brands, with toys brought under compulsory BIS certification from January 2021 under the Toys Quality Control Order. This shift is creating room for Indian toy brands that can combine product quality, design, durability and stronger consumer engagement.

Founded by Afshaan Siddiqui and Vinay Jaisingh, both ISB Class of 2017 alumni with operator backgrounds at Livspace, Supertails and Unacademy, Legend of Toys is building high-quality, character-driven toys at the intersection of performance, storytelling and collectibility. The brand’s product lineup spans RC Drift Cars, Off-Road RC Trucks, 1:64 tabletop RC Drift Cars and High-Speed RC Cars, priced between ₹1,599 and ₹8,799.

At the heart of Legend of Toys is a richly imagined universe where every character has a backstory and a role to play. Each product is designed not only as a toy, but as part of a larger narrative that allows children, enthusiasts and collectors to engage with the brand beyond a single purchase. This storytelling-led approach is helping the brand build a deeper emotional connection with its community.

The company has achieved ₹30 crore ARR within 18 months, with a current growth trajectory of 20% month-on-month. The brand has also built strong consumer demand through bestselling SKUs and a high proportion of unit-economics-positive sales through its direct-to-consumer channel, indicating strong brand pull in the market.

Commenting on the announcement, Vinay Jaisingh, Co-Founder, Legend of Toys, said, “We started Legend of Toys with a simple but stubborn belief — that India can build a toy brand the world actually wants to play with. The early response from consumers has been genuinely encouraging, and it tells us the category was ready for something new. Now we get to do the fun part: expand into new categories, strengthen manufacturing, and build the kind of company that can go the distance.”

Afshaan Siddiqui, Co-Founder, Legend of Toys, added, “For us, a toy is never just a product. It is a character, a story and an experience. We are building Legend of Toys as a world built on adventure, thrill and excitement — one that kids, enthusiasts and collectors keep coming back to. Our focus remains on great products, real storytelling, strong community and long-term trust as we expand the brand in India and beyond.”

Gokul Gopal, Managing Partner, Veltis Capital, said, “It’s been a privilege to watch the partnership between Legend of Toys and Veltis Capital over the last year. Afshaan and Vinay embody true founder-market fit — deeply passionate about toys and cars, obsessive about quality and building with real depth across product, manufacturing and brand. We are incredibly excited about what lies ahead and believe Legend of Toys has the potential to become a large global toy brand built from India, creating world-class products for children and collectors.”

Karuna Jain, Managing Partner and Founder, Enzia Ventures, said, “India is on the cusp of becoming a global manufacturing powerhouse, and Legend of Toys is going after one of its most overlooked opportunities: building a homegrown toy brand for the Indian kidult. Vinay and Afshaan aren’t just making toys; they’re building trust through a repair-not-replace model that is almost unheard of in this category. That kind of conviction, paired with real operating chops, is rare. We backed them because we believe this is how a category-defining, globally relevant brand gets built out of India.”

The proceeds from the Pre-Series A funding will be deployed across three fronts: expansion into new play categories including DIY and adjacent formats; strengthened sourcing and manufacturing capabilities; and stepped-up investment in consumer marketing and digital presence across India and global markets. The brand will also continue to build its Kidult collector community, an underserved yet high-engagement audience in the Indian toy space.

What sets Legend of Toys apart is its focus on building lasting consumer relationships rather than a purely transactional purchase experience. The brand engages closely with its community and uses real consumer feedback to continuously improve its products and experience. Complementing this is its free Lifetime Service offering, aimed at ensuring that every Legend of Toys product is supported long after purchase and built around durability, trust and after-sales care.

As Legend of Toys enters its next phase of growth, the brand remains focused on building a globally recognised Indian premium play brand, combining design, storytelling, performance, community and long-term product support.

About Legend of Toys

Legend of Toys is an Indian toy brand co-founded by Afshaan Siddiqui and Vinay Jaisingh. Built around a character-driven universe, the brand combines product performance, design quality and storytelling to create toys that go beyond a single transaction. Its current lineup includes RC Drift Cars, Off-Road RC Trucks, 1:64 tabletop RC Drift Cars and High-Speed RC Cars, priced between ₹1,599 and ₹8,799.

The brand’s free Lifetime Service offering reflects its commitment to long-term consumer trust and after-sales support. With its Pre-Series A funding, Legend of Toys is expanding categories, scaling manufacturing, growing its community and preparing for global markets.

Eco Hotels Partners With My Travel Bazaar to Strengthen Travel Services Network

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India’s travel and hospitality industry is increasingly moving towards integrated service ecosystems as companies seek to deliver seamless travel experiences through technology-led partnerships. In the latest development, Eco Hotels and Resorts Limited has entered into a strategic partnership with My Travel Bazaar to expand its travel and hospitality offerings across the B2B segment.

The collaboration aims to enhance customer access to a unified platform that includes airline bookings, hotel reservations, railway ticketing, and end-to-end hospitality and travel services. Through the partnership, the companies will also gain access to a network of more than 20,000 travel agents, significantly strengthening their distribution reach and service capabilities within the travel ecosystem.

The partnership was formalised following discussions between Vinod Kumar Tripathi and the leadership team of My Travel Bazaar, including Bhavesh Oza. Both organisations stated that the alliance is built around a shared focus on service quality, customer-centric solutions, and sustainable business growth.

The collaboration combines Eco Hotels’ emphasis on eco-conscious hospitality with My Travel Bazaar’s capabilities in travel technology and distribution. The partnership is expected to support more streamlined travel planning, curated accommodation experiences, and improved operational efficiency for customers and travel partners, particularly in the B2B market.

Commenting on the partnership, Vinod Kumar Tripathi said: “This partnership with My Travel Bazaar marks an important milestone in our growth journey. By combining our strengths in hospitality with their expertise in travel services and distribution, we aim to create a more integrated and seamless experience for our customers. We believe this collaboration will not only enhance value but also set new benchmarks in service excellence and sustainable growth.”

The announcement reflects a broader trend across the hospitality and travel sectors, where companies are increasingly leveraging digital transformation, integrated booking ecosystems, and strategic collaborations to improve customer experience and operational scalability. As travel demand continues to rise, partnerships that combine hospitality, technology, and distribution networks are expected to play a growing role in shaping the future of the travel industry.

Dhruva Space Secures ₹105-Cr Government Grant for Satellite Manufacturing Initiative

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Hyderabad-based startup, Dhruva Space has secured a grant of ₹105 crore under the Government of India’s Research, Development and Innovation Fund (RDIF) to support its satellite manufacturing initiative, Project Garud.

The startup stated that the funding will be utilised to develop a next-generation 500 kg-class satellite platform designed for large-scale constellation deployments. The grant was formally announced on May 13, 2026, during the inaugural Enterprise Technology Evaluation agreement signing ceremony in New Delhi, which also marked the first fund disbursement under the government’s ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation Scheme.

The event was attended by Jitendra Singh, Ajay Kumar Sood, along with senior government officials. Dhruva Space is among the first group of companies to receive support under the RDIF initiative, reflecting growing institutional backing for India’s private space ecosystem.

Project Garud aims to address a major challenge within the global satellite industry, where spacecraft are traditionally custom-built for individual missions, often leading to long development cycles and limited scalability. The programme focuses on creating a standardised and production-ready satellite platform within the 300 to 500 kg category that can be manufactured repeatedly and at scale.

The platform is being developed using a flat-pack architecture that enables multiple satellites to be efficiently stacked inside launch vehicles. This approach is expected to reduce system integration timelines, improve deployment efficiency, and support the growing demand for constellation-scale satellite deployments rather than standalone spacecraft missions.

According to the company, the platform is being designed for a wide range of applications, including telecommunications, earth observation, national security, and emerging data-driven use cases. Beyond satellite development, the initiative also includes building the manufacturing infrastructure, industrial tooling, and scalable production systems required for high-volume satellite manufacturing.

Dhruva Space’s long-term roadmap targets a production capability of up to two satellites per day, translating to an annual manufacturing capacity of approximately 500 to 600 satellites across multiple mission configurations. The development aligns with the broader global shift towards constellation-based satellite networks and increasing demand for scalable spacecraft manufacturing solutions.

Abhay Egoor said, “Project Garud represents the industrialisation of satellite manufacturing from India. The global market is rapidly moving toward constellation-scale deployments, but the supply side for reliable, production-ready spacecraft platforms remains constrained. Through RDIF, Dhruva Space is building an indigenous satellite platform and manufacturing ecosystem capable of supporting high-volume deployment requirements across communications, intelligence, and strategic applications.”

“Our objectives are to build satellites for our own missions, and to position Dhruva Space as a globally competitive spacecraft OEM and subsystem supplier. The RDI programme strengthens India’s Space technology stack across Platform Architecture, Avionics, Power systems, and scalable manufacturing capabilities. Project Garud also speaks of our long-term vision toward enabling spacecraft solutions for higher orbital regimes, including MEO and GEO-class missions in the future,” he added.

The funding reflects the increasing importance of India’s private spacetech ecosystem as the country accelerates investments in advanced manufacturing, aerospace innovation, and strategic space infrastructure. With global demand for satellite constellations continuing to rise, startups focused on scalable spacecraft production and indigenous technology development are expected to play a larger role in shaping the future of the global space economy.

Zostel expands European footprint through Safestay partnership

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Zostel has announced a strategic partnership with Safestay, enabling access to 24 hostel properties across more than 20 cities in Europe and the United Kingdom through Zostel’s digital platform.

Under the partnership, Safestay’s 24 hostels will be listed on Zostel.com, while 82 Zostel properties across India, Nepal, and Thailand will be featured on safestay.com. Together, the combined network will cover more than 8,000 beds across Europe, the UK, India, Nepal, and Thailand. Both companies will continue operating independently while leveraging cross-listing capabilities to strengthen international travel access and booking convenience.

The collaboration comes at a time when India-to-Europe travel has grown by 17% year-on-year in 2025, driven by increasing demand from Indian travellers combining European and Asian destinations within a single itinerary. The partnership is aimed at simplifying multi-stop travel planning and direct bookings without relying heavily on third-party travel aggregators.

According to the companies, nearly 20 properties are expected to go live during the first phase within the coming week, while the complete rollout is targeted for completion by June 2026. The partnership is also supported by a common framework of minimum service standards focused on guest safety, security, fire safety, in-room quality, safeguarding policies, equality measures, and data protection protocols.

Aviral Gupta added: “We believe the best way to travel anywhere is to have a local friend. With Safestay, that’s what our community of nearly 3 million travellers now has across 22 European cities. Zostel unlocks 100+ destinations across India, Nepal and Thailand. We see strong alignment between the two brands on quality, safety and guest experience, and are excited to build on this together. One global community, not just one global brand.”

Larry Lipman commented: “This partnership with Zostel represents an exciting strategic development in extending Safestay’s international reach through a scalable, capital-light model. By aligning with a leading hostel operator in India with aligned values, we will access new customer segments and strengthen our position in key long-haul travel markets. We believe it is a strong commercial fit between two complementary hostel networks with a shared focus on quality, value, safety and guest experience.”

With access to Safestay’s European network, the collaboration is expected to significantly strengthen Zostel’s international business. The company projects 40–50% growth in international bookings over the next 12 months. The cross-listing model is also expected to generate an additional ₹8–10 crore in revenue by 2027 while reducing dependence on online travel agency commissions through stronger direct booking volumes.

The partnership reflects a broader trend within the travel industry where hospitality brands are increasingly leveraging digital transformation, direct-to-consumer strategies, and global collaborations to expand customer reach and improve booking efficiency. As international travel rebounds and travellers prioritise experience-driven journeys, partnerships that combine regional strength with global accessibility are expected to play a larger role in shaping the future of travel and hostel ecosystems.

Nivasa Finance raises $3Mn to expand Affordable Housing Credit Access

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India’s fintech and housing finance ecosystem continues to attract investor interest as startups focus on improving access to formal credit for underserved borrowers across rural and semi-urban markets. In the latest development, Nivasa Finance has secured ₹25 crore, approximately $2.6 million, in a seed funding round backed by Prime Venture Partners, Blume Ventures, Whiteboard Capital, along with a group of undisclosed angel investors.

The Bengaluru-based startup plans to utilise the newly raised capital to expand its geographical footprint over the next 12 months, strengthen its distribution network, and deepen partnerships with banks, NBFCs, and housing finance companies. The company also intends to accelerate the expansion of its field execution network as it scales operations across underserved regions.

Founded in 2025 by Samit Shetty and Hitesh Saraf, Nivasa Finance operates as a technology-enabled home loan distribution platform connecting borrowers with banks and non-banking financial institutions to facilitate affordable housing finance. The platform focuses on enabling access to formal credit for borrowers seeking to build homes in rural and semi-urban areas, segments that often remain underserved by traditional lending systems.

The startup currently works with more than 10 lending partners, including banks, small finance banks, housing finance companies, and NBFCs. According to the company, loans worth over ₹20 crore have already been disbursed through pilot operations across the Mysore and Mandya districts of Karnataka.

In addition to expanding its lending ecosystem, Nivasa Finance is also working towards securing an NBFC licence to strengthen its long-term role within India’s secured lending market. The move aligns with the broader shift towards digital-first financial infrastructure and technology-led credit accessibility.

Unlike conventional loan distribution models, the platform combines remote onboarding, borrower assessment, and lender matchmaking with doorstep services to improve conversion efficiency and enhance the experience for both borrowers and financial institutions. The company has also developed customer-facing digital interfaces, including WhatsApp-led and app-based journeys, aimed at simplifying onboarding and improving accessibility in non-metro markets.

The funding round comes amid growing momentum within India’s digital lending and affordable housing finance sector, where startups and NBFCs are increasingly leveraging technology, data-driven decision-making, and digital transformation to formalise access to credit for underserved populations. Investors are showing heightened interest in this space as the formalisation of India’s informal credit ecosystem continues to create significant market opportunities.

The trend is reflected across the broader fintech landscape. Earlier this year, Finfinity raised $2.4 million in seed funding to strengthen its technology platform with a focus on personalisation and risk intelligence. Similarly, Easy Home Finance secured $30 million in a Series C funding round in January to accelerate expansion into new markets across India.

UAE-Based Indian Artists Reimagine Historic UN Peace Hymn “Maithreem Bhajata” for a Divided World

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Dubai, UAE | 12th May 2026: In a compelling artistic tribute to global unity, Indian performing artists based in the United Arab Emirates have come together to present “Mission Global Peace – Maithreem Bhajata”, a soulful recreation of the iconic hymn that once moved the United Nations to a standing ovation.

Originally composed by Chandrasekarendra Saraswati and rendered at the UN in 1966 by Bharat Ratna M. S. Subbulakshmi, the hymn carries a timeless message: cultivate friendship and conquer hearts, not nations.

Reimagined for today’s world, the production brings together more than 30 artists – leading Indian classical dancers, musicians, and vocalists from across the UAE in a unified expression of peace and harmony.

The initiative has been:

Presented by the Global Indian Performing Arts & Music Society (GIPAMS), In partnership with IPF UAE

Conceptualized and directed by Guru. Iswarya Bharadwaj

With Music direction by Renuka Parameswar

Production done By Varathraj Kumar from Ameeraga Valai Oli / AVO Studio, Dubai

Featuring a diverse ensemble of artists across classical disciplines, the production reflects the UAE’s multicultural fabric and its role as a global hub for coexistence and dialogue.

Already crossed a total of 15K+ views, 1.5K+ likes and shared widely across all platforms.

The Fern Hotels expands Maharashtra presence with two new signings

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Suhail Kannampilly, Managing Director, The Fern Hotels & Resorts

India’s hospitality industry continues to witness expansion across spiritual, leisure, and emerging business destinations as hotel operators strengthen their regional footprints to meet rising travel demand. In the latest development, The Fern Hotels & Resorts has announced the signing of two new properties in Maharashtra: The Fern Residency Shirdi, Series by Marriott and The Fern Elysia Resort Dahanu, Boisar, Series by Marriott.

With these additions, the hospitality group has expanded its Maharashtra portfolio to 45 operational and upcoming properties, reinforcing its strategy of deepening presence across high-potential travel markets within the state. The dual signings reflect the company’s continued focus on strengthening its position across pilgrimage destinations, leisure-driven travel locations, and growing business hubs.

Sharing his thoughts on the expansion, Suhail Kannampilly said: “Maharashtra continues to be a strategically important market for us, given its strong tourism potential and growing demand for quality hospitality offerings. Through these signings in Shirdi and Boisar, we aim to strengthen our presence across diverse travel destinations from prominent pilgrimage hubs to emerging leisure and business markets.”

Located in Shirdi, The Fern Residency Shirdi, Series by Marriott will feature 72 rooms and suites designed to cater to both business and leisure travellers. The property will also include an all-day dining restaurant and is expected to open in 2028, further supporting the city’s growing hospitality infrastructure driven by year-round pilgrimage tourism.

Commenting on the association, Nitin Kote said: “With the city welcoming visitors from across the country throughout the year, we are confident this partnership will offer guests a comfortable and dependable stay experience backed by quality hospitality standards.”

Meanwhile, The Fern Elysia Resort Dahanu, Boisar, Series by Marriott is set to feature 76 rooms and suites along with an all-day dining restaurant and bar. Scheduled to open in 2029, the resort is expected to cater to a mix of leisure and business travellers as Boisar and surrounding regions continue to evolve as emerging hospitality and tourism markets.

Commenting on the partnership, Aniket Save said: “Our association with The Fern Hotels & Resorts marks an exciting step for this upcoming resort in Boisar. We look forward to creating a destination that blends leisure, comfort and thoughtful hospitality, catering to the evolving needs of travellers visiting the region.”

The expansion comes at a time when hospitality brands are increasingly investing in regional markets driven by spiritual tourism, experiential travel, and improving infrastructure connectivity. As demand for premium and branded hospitality experiences continues to rise across India, operators are accelerating expansion into destinations that offer long-term tourism and business growth potential.

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