Indian Hotels Company Ltd. (IHCL), a leading hospitality company, has announced a significant expansion of its presence in Jammu and Kashmir. The company has signed an agreement to add a new 64-key hotel under its Gateway brand in the picturesque town of Pahalgam.

Strategic Partnership and Location

IHCL has partnered with Riaz Ahmad Panjra for this brownfield project, which aims to tap into the growing tourism potential of the region. Pahalgam, known for its scenic beauty and as a popular tourist destination, aligns perfectly with IHCL's strategy to establish a strong presence in high-potential locations.

Expanding Presence in Jammu and Kashmir

Suma Venkatesh, Executive Vice President of IHCL, commented on the strategic importance of this new addition, stating, "This signing aligns with our strategy to target high-potential destinations with scenic beauty and strong tourism ecosystems."

With this new signing, IHCL is set to significantly boost its portfolio in Jammu and Kashmir:

Gateway Brand and Tourism Potential

The choice of the Gateway brand for this new property indicates IHCL's focus on catering to both leisure and business travelers. Gateway hotels are known for their strategic locations and blend of modern amenities with local cultural elements, making them ideal for destinations like Pahalgam.

This expansion move by IHCL underscores the company's confidence in the growth potential of Jammu and Kashmir's tourism sector. By strengthening its presence in the region, IHCL is positioning itself to capitalize on the increasing tourist inflow and contribute to the local economy.

As the hospitality industry continues to recover and grow post-pandemic, strategic expansions like this one in Pahalgam could play a crucial role in IHCL's long-term growth strategy and market positioning.

Indian Hotels Company (IHC), the hospitality giant behind the Taj brand, has disclosed a cybersecurity breach affecting its IT systems. Despite the incident, the company maintains that its business operations remain unaffected and continue to function normally.

Malware Incident Details

According to a regulatory filing by Indian Hotels Company to the BSE and NSE on September 4, 2025, the company detected a malware incident impacting select IT systems. The hospitality major promptly took action to mitigate the impact and secure its systems.

Immediate Response and Notification

IHC's Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Company Secretary (Group), Beejal Desai, stated in the filing:

"The Company has detected a malware incident, affecting select IT Systems and immediate action has been taken to contain the impact and secure the systems. The relevant authorities have been duly notified."

Business Continuity Assured

Despite the cybersecurity breach, Indian Hotels Company has reassured stakeholders that its operations remain unaffected. The company emphasized that it continues to monitor the situation closely while maintaining business as usual.

Regulatory Compliance

The disclosure was made in compliance with Regulation 30 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015, demonstrating the company's commitment to transparency and regulatory adherence.

Ongoing Vigilance

As cyber threats continue to evolve in the hospitality sector, Indian Hotels Company's swift response and transparent communication highlight the importance of robust cybersecurity measures and preparedness in the face of potential digital threats.

The company has not provided further details about the nature of the malware or the extent of the systems affected. Stakeholders and customers can take comfort in the assurance that business operations remain normal, but may want to stay alert for any further updates from the company regarding this incident.