New Opening | The Hyatt Centric brand debuts in the Middle East

Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced the opening of Hyatt Centric Jumeirah Dubai, marking the lifestyle brand’s debut in the Middle East.

The seven-story property is set to become a social hub in the La Mer district, featuring 173 guestrooms, including 27 suites.

“We are proud to introduce the 10th Hyatt branded hotel in Dubai and to bring the first Hyatt Centric hotel into the UAE,” said Britta Leick-Milde, hotel manager of Hyatt Centric Jumeirah Dubai.

The hotel brings a mix of F&B outlets and features multiple spaces for meetings, events and social gatherings with a boardroom that fits up to eight guests, large terraces ideal for social gatherings for up to 85 guests and the exclusive rooftop bar that can be used for small group celebrations.

Appointment | Mr. Anand Prakash Ravi elevated as the Director of Food and Beverage Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre,Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC

Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre (NHCC) & Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC): Mr. Anand Prakash Ravi, Food and Beverage Manager at Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre and Hyderabad International Convention Centre has been elevated as the Director of Food and Beverage of the complex. Anand has been associated with Accor since 2013 and started his career at Accor with NHCC & HICC. His influential mastery at discharging services in Food and Beverage section has been widely applauded.

Anand has a proven track record of 18 years of rich & extensive experience managing restaurant, convention & banquet, hotel bar and lounge Food &Beverage (F&B) Operations in National & International hotel brands like Accor, Marriott and the ITC.

He is an expert at planning as well as implementing the quality parameters in F&B service in line with the national and international guidelines to improve service performance. He is proficient in managing menu planning, new food concept and theme-based cuisines, health & dietary preferences. He is a creative & open-minded person with the knack for innovation in the F&B space.

Speaking on the appointment Mr. Manish Dayya, General Manager, Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre & Hyderabad International Convention Centre said “We are extremely delighted to announce the promotion of Anand Prakash Ravi, as the Director of Food and Beverage. His Proven abilities in delivering value-added customer service and achieving customer delight by providing customized products, will further boost up the guest experience at the property. His immediate task will be to take up the refurbishment project of one of the specialty outlets and re-launch.  

About Novotel-

Novotel Hotels, Suites & Resorts offers destination hotels designed as comforting and energizing places where guests can ‘press pause’ and take time to enjoy the moments that really matter. The brand’s wide array of hotels, suites, and resorts offer a multitude of services for business and leisure guests alike, including spacious, modular rooms with natural and intuitive design; 24/7 catering with nutritious choices; dedicated meeting spaces; attentive and proactive staff; family zones for the youngest guests; multi-purpose lobbies; and accessible fitness centers. Novotel, which has over 530 locations in more than 60 countries is part of Accor, a world-leading hospitality group consisting of more than 5,200 properties and 10,000 food and beverage venues throughout 110 countries.

Offbeat Villas – The largest B2B provider of Villas and Residences worldwide partners with One Rep Global

Offbeat Villas – The largest B2B provider of Villas and Residences worldwide partners with One Rep Global

January 2022 – Offbeat Villas, a leading provider of custom technology for professional trip designers, is pleased to announce its partnership with One Rep Global. Offbeat Villas is a B2B booking portal connecting travel agencies in India and the Middle East with the world’s most unique private residences, villas, homes, and other one-of-a-kind accommodations. 

Available exclusively to the trade, Offbeat Villas offers travel professionals insider access to private retreats spanning a range of price points and global destinations, from beach villas and heritage estates to serviced apartments and ski chalets. In contrast to peer-to-peer home-share platforms, every property available through Offbeat Villas is professionally managed, with a dedicated local staff committed to delivering a higher standard of quality, service, and care.

Through the dedicated Offbeat Villas website, travel professionals can easily search and book residence-style inventory around the world. Trip designers also have access to a range of proprietary tools and services for personalizing stays, crafting custom client presentations, and tracking booking activity. 

“We are excited to grow our global presence in India and the Middle East with the launch of Offbeat Villas,” said Meg Partridge, Chief Product Officer of HVN Travel Group. “We look forward to working alongside professional trip designers in the region to bring this exciting new category of private havens to travelers seeking immersive one-of-a-kind stays worldwide.”

Speaking on this partnership, Hemant Mediratta, Founder of One Rep Global stated, “Offbeat Villas is backed by some great technology and can be a potential game-changer for booking alternate accommodation. Being a B2B only platform, it brings tremendous value to the travel trade with a choice of over 175,000 private residences and vacation homes worldwide. The next few years are likely to see a further surge in travelers booking alternate lodging experiences for a more immersive and experiential stay.” 

Access to Offbeat Villas is via a registration process which is currently being offered on a complimentary basis. For more information on how to create an agency account and book unique private getaways in thousands of destinations, travel professionals can visit www.offbeatvillas.com and contact mayank@onerepglobal.com for a personalized access code.

About Offbeat Villas 

Founded in 2018, Offbeat Villas by HVN Travel Group is a B2B technology company dedicated to empowering professional trip designers with everything they need to deliver authentic, experiential immersions in the world’s most incredible destinations. Specializing in short-term rental accommodations, HVN provides end-to-end software solutions to power a new category of stay – private ‘havens’ that bring together the best of hospitality and home. With a growing collection of havens at every price point around the globe, HVN is setting a new standard for residential stays that deliver the trusted quality, thoughtful design, and professional care required for the way we travel today.

FHRAI signs MoU with J&K government to support hospitality infrastructure development

The MoU was signed in the presence of the LG of J&K, Manoj Sinha, Union ministers, Hardeep Singh Puri, minister for housing and urban affairs; Jitendra Singh, Minister of State in the PMO.

The Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) has signed a memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the J&K government to help with the development of hospitality and related infrastructure. The MoU was signed at the Real Estate Summit that was jointly organized by the government of Jammu & Kashmir, the central ministry of housing and urban affairs (MoHUA), and the national real development council (NAREDCO) at the Jammu Convention Centre, recently.

This is the first time a hotel federation of the country is signing an MoU with any State government for hotel infrastructure development. The MoU was signed in the presence of the LG of J&K, Manoj Sinha, Union ministers, Hardeep Singh Puri, minister for housing and urban affairs; Jitendra Singh, Minister of State in the PMO.

On signing the MoU with the J&K government, Gurbaxish Singh Kohli, vice-president, FHRAI said, “With this MoU, we look forward to strengthening further the public-private partnership in the region to leverage on the enormous potential the region has to offer for hospitality and tourism. We are hopeful that this will facilitate the J&K government providing land to FHRAI members for various projects and extending incentives and other benefits as per extant policies and rules. New developments in hospitality will give a strong push to economic growth through increased investments and will create more employment opportunities in the region.”

Kohli also represented the hospitality sector in the country at a forum on ‘Next Destination J&K: Tourism, Films & Entertainment, Logistics, Commercial, Warehousing’ organised as part of the Real Estate Summit.

Trends | Dineout Trends Report 2021 8,588 tables booking per hour using Dineout app

5 million Indians saved ₹1,360 crores while booking 8,588 tables per hour using Dineout in 2021, says the latest Dineout Trends Report 2021

• On the back of revenge, dining put average bill paid in 2021 went up by 40% vs. 2020

• Delhi emerges as the Dining Capital of India with 32% diners, Bangalore 2nd with 18%

New Delhi, January , 2022: After a period of lull due to Covid, Indians got back to dining out and that emerged as the most preferred activity in 2021 while accepting the new normal with fewer travel plans and frequent hang out rituals. More than 45 million Indians loved eating out at their favourite restaurants. 8,588 tables were booked per hour on the Dineout app with its users from across the country saving ₹1,360 crores via Dineout discounts and offers. 

According to the latest Dineout Trends Report 2021 India’s largest dining out and restaurant tech platform, Dineout, ₹ 2,670 was the average bill paid in 2021 as compared to ₹ 1,907 in 2020. The 40% increase in ATV is due to revenge eating phenomena and pent-up dining out demands as it was the only source of entertainment for people in between multiple travel restrictions. Further, Delhi bagged the title of “Dining Capital of India” for the 3rd time in a row accounting for 32% of the total diners in India followed by Bangalore at 18%. Not much to our surprise, Butter Chicken, Dal Makhni & Naan yet again won the league making North Indian food a hit among Indians at 38%, Chinese at 18% and Continental at 16%. The City of Lakes, Udaipur, is the new “City of Love” with 44% of its bookings under "Table for 2" whereas the cities of Agra and Ludhiana had the maximum “Table for 4” reservations. 

Interestingly, as much as India is a land of foodies, it boasts a significant number of drink enthusiasts. Bangalore consumed 50,000 litres of alcohol in the month of December alone making itself the Liquor capital of India in 2021. The report also throws light on the fact that dinner is the most preferred time to eat out by Indians. While the city of Agra loved to dine out during the night with 59.3% reservations made for the dinner, it was surprising to know that dinners in Chennai planned the most number of luncheons with 47% of table reservations done during lunch-time.

Diving deep in - the 2021 report, these were the most popular dining hubs across the country.

Talking about the dining trends of the year 2021, Ankit Mehrotra, Co-Founder & CEO - Dineout said, “It was another year sailing our boat in the new normal and we’re glad to be a part of every foodie’s journey where they were able to put an end to their cravings. In the year gone by, it was interesting to observe how revenge dining shot up the average bill by 40% but still diners made considerable savings. This is a testament to Dineout’s value for the diners. We also saw people getting cautious about their choices to dine out at luxury restaurants or places with 4+ reviews and ratings. A total of 73.5% of transactions were made pan India at 4+ rated restaurants. Mumbai stood out from the rest of the cities with a total of 85.2% of transactions done at the best restaurants in the city. Speaking of the overall restaurant revenue, modernizing technologies in restaurants did help us achieve an improved customer satisfaction, thereby boosting restaurant sales.”

Owing to the higher disposable income thanks to our WFH lifestyles, luxury dining across India has increased by as much as 120% & fine dining by 105%, and the average number of diners per booking has also risen.

Highlights from the report:

• Bangalore loved to chill on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays with over 73% of reservations made over the weekends.

• 44% of the total reservations in Ludhiana were made on weekdays.

• Connaught Place, Delhi was the most popular dining hub in India.

• A diner Chinmay paid 238 times via Dineout Pay in 2021.

• Vikram, another diner, paid INR 7.15 Lacs- single highest bill at BrewDog MidTown, Mumbai.

• Diners saved INR 214 Crores using Dineout Passport Membership.

• 2021 saw a total of 1.6 million of Dineout Passport transactions.

• A Dineout Passport Member transacted 207 times in 2021 & saved a whopping amount of 2.41 lacs on fine dining.

About Dineout

Dineout is India’s largest dining out and restaurant tech solutions platform in B2C and with inresto in

the B2B front, processing more than 100M diners and $900M worth of transactions for its partner

restaurants across its network of 50,000 restaurants in 20 cities, providing a collective savings of more

than $100M on restaurant bills annually. Founded in 2012 by Ankit Mehrotra, Nikhil Bakshi, Sahil Jain,

and Vivek Kapoor, Dineout is a pioneer in Contactless Dining with the easiest way to discover the best

restaurants in the city, save time & hassle by booking a table in advance, get discounts, enjoy 1+1

privileges on Food, Drink & Buffets through Dineout Passport, as well as earn instant discounts on every

restaurant bill payment via Dineout Pay. For more information, please visit –

https://www.dineout.co.in/

NEW OPENING | Fairmont Jaipur introduces a brand-new barbeque restaurant ‘Zia’

Fairmont Jaipur introduces a brand-new barbeque restaurant ‘Zia’

Inspired by the grills of Mughal era and authentic American barbeque trails

Jaipur, January 2022: Fairmont Jaipur announced the opening of its brand-new barbeque restaurant Zia that translates to ‘light’ in Arabic. Taking inspiration from the grills of Mughal era as well as authentic American barbeque trails, Zia offers a unique culinary experience. Set amidst the lush citrus garden, the restaurant lights up magically when the gleaming moonlight shines above and creates a spectacular dining experience for guests, right under the stars. The tranquil ambience of Zia with warm table tops and live music adds to the delightful gastronomic journey, and makes the entire experience truly memorable.

Mr. Rajiv Kapoor, General Manager, Fairmont Jaipur shared, “At Zia, guests can spend whimsical evenings in the midst of serenading symphonies and immerse their senses in the sublime culmination of Jaipur’s finest live BBQ set up. We are committed to offer our guests a range of world-class dining experiences that are unique and unforgettable. With the opening of Zia, we aim to delight our guests with a plethora of delectable delicacies ranging from a wide variety of poultry and seafood to locally sourced, organic, vegetarian dishes.”

As the guests walk into the garden, a gentle breeze, the aromas of live barbeque grills and dim lighting welcomes them. The menu is thoughtfully curated by the Executive Chef, Gaurav Malhotra and it brings forth a confluence of characteristic tastes and global flavours. The restaurant offers a range of indulgent dishes such as Cajun Marinated Chicken, Grilled Fish with Chimichuri Sauce, Galangal rubbed Tofu and more, paired with bespoke cocktails to keep the spirits high.

At Fairmont Jaipur, you will experience the décor and hospitality that is inspired by the legends of two of India’s most celebrated dynasties – the Mughals and the Rajputs. 

 For a delightful gastronomic journey with moonshine, mellow lighting and the grills, Zia is an ideal destination to celebrate your special #FairmontMoments under the stars!

For reservations, email: jai.reservations@fairmont.com. 

For more information, visit www.fairmont.com/jaipur.

About Fairmont Jaipur  

Fairmont Jaipur is an ode to the pink city with its awe-inspiring architecture and decor, inspired by the Mughal dynasty and Royal Rajputs of yore. Nestled amidst the majestic Aravalli hills, with elegantly appointed 245 rooms and suites, it reflects a perfect blend of traditional Rajasthani décor and modern amenities. Zoya, the bright and vibrant all-day dining outlet, Zarin, the fine dining outlet celebrating the royal cuisines of India, Anjum, the central tea lounge which is home to signature Fairmont tea culture and Aza, the colonial library bar serving a range of aperitifs and cocktails, form the food and beverage offerings of Fairmont Jaipur. Along with this, the expansive pillarless ballroom and complementary lawns and meeting rooms make it an ideal place to host social events, meetings and conferences. The property has amassed multiple awards in the different sectors that it caters to including, but not limited to, Top Mice Venue Of The Year (Domestic) 2019, Best Venue for Big Fat Indian Weddings and the TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Award. 

About Fairmont

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is where occasions are celebrated and history is made. Landmark hotels with unrivalled presence, authentic experiences and unforgettable moments have attracted visitors to Fairmont and its destinations since 1907. The Plaza in New York City, The Savoy in London, Fairmont San Francisco, Fairmont Banff Springs and Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai are but a few of these iconic luxury hotels, forever linked to the special places where they reside. Famous for its engaging service, grand public spaces, locally inspired cuisine and celebrated bars and lounges, Fairmont promises a special brand of thoughtful luxury that will be remembered long after any visit. With a worldwide portfolio of more than 80 hotels, Fairmont also takes great pride in its deep community roots and leadership in sustainability. Fairmont is part of Accor, a world leading hospitality group consisting of more than 5,000 properties and 10,000 food and beverage venues throughout 110 countries.

ITC Grand Central now available through ITC App

ITC Grand Central now available through ITC App

Signature menu delights are now delivered to the doorsteps of our beloved guests through various delivery platforms available. To ensure the experience of our guests is put together with the highest standards of food safety, hygiene and speed; ITC hotels app is definitely one best choice to make.

Explore an epicurean Sojourn at home, showcasing exclusive delicacies through the ITC app. A variety of menu is available in the ITC app, to which one can decide picking from the option they want to treat their taste buds to. Few names to list from the widely loved dark kitchen options available in the ITC app are Gourmet Couch by ITC Grand Central, Biryani & Pulao collection by ITC hotels, Tiffin Tales~ South Indian Stories, Nutmeg ~ the gourmet shop and much more.

If one would love to tease their palates with wide varieties of Asian & Frontier flavours ‘Gourmet Couch’ can definitely be the right option, ‘Local love’ and ‘Indian cuisine classics’ are available in the Flavours curated by ITC Grand Central menu. As the name suggests the online restaurant ‘Biryani & Pulao collection by ITC hotels, flavourful options of vegetarian and chicken offerings in the signature biryanis are available. To name a few we have Bibi ka murgh pulao, Kale moti pulao, Nimona mirch pulao and much more.

Nutmeg is the gourmet shop available through the ITC app, which highlights cake collection, treats for one, nostalgic bakes, classic tea cakes and jars of indulgence. If you ae in a mood to take a bite of the delightfully handcrafted vanilla pistachio rolls, hazelnut and Dark chocolate cream rolls, lemon meringue tart. Tropical fruit pastry, gateau and much more, do not think twice; Nutmeg is the right go to option.

At ITC Grand Central we just don’t deliver food but, we bring signature experiences to ones’ doorsteps. Indulge in a gourmet food affair, right in the comfort of your home through the easy ITC app.
Download now and order from the ITC hotels app, and taste the finest culinary experiences put together with the highest standards of food safety.

NEWS | Atlantis, The Palm and Moët & Chandon break Guinness World Record

Atlantis, The Palm and Moët & Chandon break Guinness World Record

Atlantis, The Palm and Moët & Chandon broke the Guinness World Record title for the world’s largest drinking glass pyramid.

Officially verified on the night by Guinness World Record, guests watched as 54,740 glass coupes towering over 8.23 meters high were filled from a luminescent bottle of Moët & Chandon. Beating the previous Guinness World Records title of 50,116 glasses set in Madrid in 2017, a team of six from Dutch company Luuk Broos Events spent five days and over 55 man-hours meticulously stacking the tower of coupes ahead of the grand unveiling.

The record-breaking attempt was conceived as part of Moët & Chandon’s Effervescence celebrations, a series of soirées set to pop up in over 20 cities, including London, Hong Kong, Toronto, Madrid, Moscow, Johannesburg, and Mexico City throughout 2021/22.

Following the successful event, Timothy Kelly, executive vice president and managing director, Atlantis Resorts and Residences said: “Following what has been a challenging year for us all, it’s a pleasure to stand here today toasting to the dawn of 2022. Tonight, we join our valued partner and fellow masters of celebration, Moët & Chandon, in creating a moment in history, born from our mutual vision of celebrating togetherness. The champagne tower is traditionally a beacon of greatness and generosity, and we’d like to toast to a new year filled with both in abundance.”

Whilst Moët & Chandon did not invent the champagne pyramid, it’s a symbol that the brand has appropriated since the late 1950s with the house perfecting the art of creating ever-taller champagne pyramids, breaking records in the process.

Laurent Dominguez, general manager, Moët Hennessy Middle-East, said: “A symbol of celebration and generosity, Champagne Pyramids are deeply-rooted in Maison history and DNA. In 1983, to mark its 240th anniversary, Moët & Chandon established the first world record for the highest champagne pyramid with 2,757 crystal glasses. Almost 40 years later and alongside our valued partner and iconic destination resort, Atlantis, The Palm, we are thrilled to perpetuate this heritage and create a new milestone with this daring attempt.”

Pastry Chef of the Year makes New Year & Christmas special with his European blend

Pastry Chef of the Year makes New Year & Christmas special with his European blend  

New Delhi, January, 2022: The season of merriment is right here and no festive get-together is complete without a lavish spread of savoury and sweet things! So, as we begin 2022 with some scrumptious delicacies, look what has caught everybody’s attention.

Pastry Chef of the Year by IHE2021 and The Executive Pastry Chef at Le Meridien, Chef Vivek and his team have curated delightful New Years' and Christmas delicacies; from splendid Bread & Champagne Bottle showpiece, Traditional Plum Cake, Stollen Bread, Panettone Bread, Pandora bread, to Yule log Cake, Mince pie and many more satiating offerings to sparkle the festivities at Longitude pastry shop.

Guided by the passion to go beyond the stereotypical box of sweet creations, Chef Vivek has carved a niche for himself in the culinary world by artfully blending modern European and French classical pastry techniques to cater to the Indian palate. Christmas was no exception, his creations with interesting combinations of flavors, fascinating aesthetics, and impeccable traditional techniques of fruit mixing for at least two months in advance before Christmas have awakened the most magical and poetic side of holidays. 

With the festive spirit at the fun-filled events and absolutely appetizing recipes of irresistible cakes, 24th-25th December marked the tremendous gala night and the brunch for everyone, including food bloggers and prominent guests in the hotel. Christmas delicacies like mulled wine and warm gingerbread tempted the guests, and everything included sugar-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, and eggless categories to cater to everybody’s needs. 

Sharing his thoughts on New Years' eve, Chef Vivek Chauhan said “I am elevated to receive the tremendous responses from my guests. I am happy that the hospitality industry has been proactive to engage and cheer up the people during these unprecedented times, wherein they get the chance to dwell into good food & a good mood with loved ones. Also, I want to give my heartiest thanks to my team and Shefali Singh (PR Manager) and my family for their constant support.” 

Chef Vivek's goal remains to continue the onward graph of the Indian Culinary scenario and the Pastry arts field in India to rise the greater heights on the world map and ensure that the present and future of India continue to define and redefine the world of Chocolates and Desserts. 

About Chef Vivek:

A patissier and chocolatier, Chef Vivek Chauhan is a highly accoladed Patisserie Chef with an illustrious experience of 22 years, currently associated with Le Meridien Hotel, New Delhi. An IHM, Gwalior graduate in Hotel Management, Chef Vivek's passion to learn beyond stereotypical creations and reinventions has allowed him to work with Michelin Star Chefs Allyn Williams and Chef Eric Chavot & others of International Reputees. His culinary experience includes his incredible years at various prestigious properties - Taj Mahal Hotel, One Aldwych, London, The Lancaster London, the Hilton London Heathrow Airport Terminal 5, The Westbury Mayfair, London, and The Imperial, New Delhi. Chef Vivek is a recipient of multiple honours and awards; most notable among them is the most recent‘ Pastry Chef of the Year 2018' conferred upon by ICF. He has also hosted opulent dinners for the Association of Pastry Chefs and Craft Guild of Chefs in the UK.

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Increasing air bubble flight agreements with more countries will give much-needed impetus to business: TAAI

Increasing air bubble flight agreements with more countries will give much-needed impetus to business: TAAI

Soon after the Indian government signed yet another air bubble travel agreement with Australia, followed by signing the dotted lines with Saudi Arabia there are speculations and responses all around in the industry, mostly of which are positive, and the increasing agreements are being looked upon as some sigh of relief for Indian aviation fraternity. After the latest agreement, direct flights between India and Saudi Arabia will commence soon, as the agreement will come into effect from January 1, 2022.

Speaking on the development, Jyoti Mayal, President, Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) praised the government for taking a wise step in these times and expanding its air bubble flight agreement count for the betterment of travel and tourism sector and also the economy as a whole. “Such tough times call for an immediate action and I think this is the best that could be done to avoid travel difficulties to some extent,” she commented.

With this agreement India has now an air bubble agreement with 34 countries including Afghanistan, Australia, Bahrain Kenya, Kuwait, Oman, Russia and so on. Commenting on which Jay Bhatia, VP, TAAI said that this has come as a good sign, and it has not only expanded the horizons of international travel for Indian travellers but has also worked as an element strengthening bilateral bonds. “The government earlier had informed the Parliament that they have proposals from 10 countries to sign the air bubble agreements out of which Australia and Saudi Arabia have been accepted as of now and definitely more to follow,” he said.

“Scheduled international passenger flight operations will remain suspended in India till January 31 meanwhile agreements like these could work as a stepney in taking business forward which already has seen an avalanche of ups and downs during Covid crisis,” Bettaiah Lokesh, HSG, TAAI mentioned.

“Air Bubble agreements are one of the best solutions aimed at restarting commercial passenger services between the two countries when regular international flights are suspended due to Covid and the best part about these agreements is that they are reciprocative in nature which allows airlines from both the countries to enjoy similar benefits,” stated Shreeram Patel, Treasurer, TAAI.

McDonald’s India - North & East introduces new Butter Chicken and Butter Paneer Grilled Burgers, inspired by local Indian flavours

December 2021, New Delhi: Inspired by India’s popular casual dining dishes, McDonald’s India – North and East has added a makhani twist to the menu with the introduction of two new grilled burgers - Butter Chicken and Butter Paneer. These new burgers perfectly blend authentic Indian taste with international burger style that is sure to delight the hearts and tastebuds of customers across North and East India.

Both the burgers come with grilled patties oozing with deliciousness in every bite. The Butter chicken grilled burger is a sumptuous treat for chicken lovers. This burger comes with a premium, juicy grilled chicken patty topped with rich makhani sauce, layered with shredded onions and placed between freshly toasted premium buns with black and white sesame seeds.

The Butter paneer grilled burger has a mildly spiced grilled paneer patty topped with makhani sauce, sprinkled with shredded onions for the perfect crunch and placed between freshly toasted premium buns with black and white sesame seeds. The makhani sauce is made with butter, tomato, onion, garlic with a hint of fenugreek and a blend of carefully selected high quality, locally sourced ingredients, giving the burgers a truly makhani flavour.

“We have a proud legacy of bringing in authentic local flavours to meet the needs of our customers. Our new burger line-up is tastefully crafted, delicious culinary that will tickle the palates and provide gastronomic pleasure to our guests looking for authentic Butter Chicken and Butter Paneer tastes”, said Rajeev Ranjan, Chief Operating Officer, McDonald’s India – North and East.

Butter chicken grilled and butter paneer grilled burgers will be available across McDonald’s restaurants in North and East India* through dine-in, takeaway, drive-thru, McDonald’s app and through McDelivery (including Swiggy, Zomato and Magic Pin).

With Food safety and quality always at the core, all McDonald’s products go through comprehensive quality checks, from farm to table, so that the customers can enjoy safe and delicious food every time they choose McDonald’s. As a commitment to quality and safety in the current times, McDonald’s India – North and East has introduced the Global ‘Safety+’ program that includes nearly 50-plus process changes in the restaurant operations. Safety+ is a Global system of enhanced hygiene and safety practices that help ensure that every part of the McDonald’s experience is safe for its customers and employees. It builds on more than six decades of safety-first leadership in McDonald’s restaurants.

*Some locations in North and East India may not be serving the Butter Paneer and Butter Chicken grilled burgers due to some limitations. Please check with the restaurant staff for availability.

About McDonald’s India - North and East: McDonald’s restaurants in North and East of India are operated by Connaught Plaza Restaurants Pvt. Ltd. McDonald’s is committed to delivering the highest quality restaurant experience to its customers in India and serves a variety of menu options made with quality ingredients sourced locally. McDonald’s serves millions of customers annually at its 150 restaurants across North and East of India and provides direct employment to more than 5,000 people. With a customer-centric approach, McDonald’s operates through a variety of formats and brand extensions including standalone restaurants, Drive-thru’s, 24/7 restaurants, McDelivery for customer convenience and experience.

Caesar's palace appoints One Rep Global as India Representative

Caesars Palace Dubai appoints One Rep Global as India representative

One Rep Global is delighted to announce its collaboration with the iconic Caesars Palace Dubai as their India representation partner. The UAE has become and continues to grow a key destination for Indian tourists given the growth of the Indian economy and its attractive demographics, namely a young population and rising middle class. Caesars Palace Dubai recognizes the importance of the Indian market and is excited to welcome travelers, business professionals, family, and friends for the ultimate luxury experience. 

As cited by GlobalData, UAE recognizes that Indian tourists will be some of the most desirable travelers given India’s growing economy, young population, and rising middle class. Caesars Palace Dubai recognizes the importance of the Indian market and is excited to welcome travelers, business professionals, family, and friends for a luxurious experience.  

Located in the heart of the Bluewaters community, Caesars Palace Dubai is an immersive, luxury lifestyle resort. Offering a curated selection of unconventional, unforgettable experiences for all ages, the hotel is renowned for its contemporary, Romanesque inspired design and uninterrupted views of the Arabian Gulf and Dubai’s skyline. 

Positioned at the western edge of Bluewaters Island, the resort has the ambience of a relaxed, luxe island getaway. Set on a pristine 500-metre private, white sandy beach with spectacular sunset views, Caesars Palace Dubai is surrounded by luscious palm tree-lined grounds and temperature-controlled pools with views overlooking the gulf horizon.  

The resort’s contemporary rooms and suites can be found across the Palace Tower and Julius Tower, each with its own energy and flair. From chic home-away-from-home, relaxed luxury retreats in the Palace Tower; vibrant, energetic, and family-friendly Julius Tower stays to elegant, comfortably indulgent long-stays at The Residences, Caesars Palace Dubai offer beautifully designed guest experiences elevated by its signature hospitality. 

Home to an array of world class amenities, guests can dine at some of the city’s best restaurants, helmed by Celebrity chefs; relax and rejuvenate at the award-winning Qua Spa and enjoy state-of-the-art fitness facilities. Visitors can experience the ultimate daycation at stylish beach club, Cove Beach or use the Caesars Forum, a one-of-a-kind meetings and events venue.

Speaking on this partnership, the Commercial Director, Paula Tannous, says “We are very excited to be working with One Rep Global, as a company driven by an experienced team of passionate professionals and seasoned luxury hoteliers. Together we will develop business opportunities and awareness of Caesars Palace Dubai across the Indian Market and those guests seeking a tailored and unique stays in Dubai.” Adding to this , the founder of One Rep Global, Hemant Mediratta, said “ We are absolutely delighted at this partnership with the iconic Caesars Palace Dubai that needs no introduction. The Indian luxury traveller is constantly seeking newer products and experiences – whether its cultural, culinary, wellness or just spending time with their loved ones. Caesars Palace Dubai is the perfect fit for all this and more. Not just for FITs, the hotel has a separate block of rooms designed for experiential destination weddings , MICE or Social Events. We have full faith in the resilience of the Indian market and our travel trade fraternity to support and accelerate demand for this beautiful jewel in Dubai.

ITC Royal Bengal & ITC Sonar present the ‘Art of Celebration’ paying an odeto the cultural heritage of Bengal.

ITC Royal Bengal & ITC Sonar present the ‘Art of Celebration’ paying an ode
to the cultural heritage of Bengal.

At ITC Sonar, we pay tribute to the age-old sholapith craft of West Bengal.
The unassuming herbaceous Shola plant grows wild in the marshy waterbound
Sundarbans. Beneath its hard outer bark, it has an inner core that is soft
and milky-white. This spongy, malleable and lustrous Shola is intricately
crafted into delicate figures, artifacts, and ornaments. Traditionally used
to adorn and embellish, the Shola headgear of a bridal couple is a mandatory
element in a Bengali marriage. Our Shola Christmas Tree at ITC Sonar is a
unique amalgamation of traditional hand-crafted shola in a contemporary
design. Snowflake alone adorns the floor as a golden snowflake forms the
star atop the tree. Adding to the spirit of the region, traditionally woven
‘gamchas’ decorate the festive gift boxes beside the tree.

While at ITC Royal Bengal, we embrace the 19th-century Dutch-Bengal style
of Patachitra art. Hand-painted by local artist Soumyadeep Roy, this tree
is a visualization of the traditional Nativity Scene, depicting the birth
of Jesus. Through vibrant colors and a dynamic style - this tree
illustrates people from across the world coming together to join in the
celebrations of this festive season.

‘At ITC Hotels, our WelcomArt initiative celebrates indigenous art,
providing a platform to local artists. As per tradition, our handcrafted
Christmas Trees imbibe modernity while rejoicing in the cultural heritage
of the region. This is in keeping with our ethos of Responsible Luxury,
part of our initiative to help sustain the intrinsic flavour of the region'
said Tejinder Singh, Area Manager East, ITC Hotels & Cluster General
Manager, ITC Royal Bengal & ITC Sonar.

Adopting Uttarakhand’s homestays model can be considered to kickstart the economy & boost business : TAAI

Appreciating the steps taken by the Uttarakhand government to promote homestays, Jyoti Mayal, President, Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) has urged the Centre to consider the same model for other states as well while saying that ‘such baby steps would prove to be fruitful in the time to come.’ “We have already seen the worse and speaking from the wise man’s perspective, we all must know the survival amid Covid by now. We need to keep ourselves more than ready to go to any lengths if we want our tourism sector to flourish” Mayal commented.

The Uttarakhand government aims to boost the economy and tourism sector in the state through homestays which are on their way to be prepared in the villages too. Around 3,600 homestays are registered so far providing employment to 8,000 people.

Sharing his opinion on the employment generated by these homestays, Jay Bhatia, Vice President, TAAI said, “This seems to be a welcoming move especially in the times when people who lost their jobs and breadwinners in this pandemic and are in the dire need of money.”

Bettaiah Lokesh, HSG, TAAI in his comments acknowledged the state government’s move for engaging people and generating business and revenue. “The government is already providing self-employment through various schemes and have also simplified the process of loans; this homestay plan would not only provide bread to the locals but also boost tourism from travelers who like to enjoy local and comfortable places rather luxury hotels.”

“We all have seen a lot in the years gone by and are definitely ready if situations become fatal, but we cannot afford to let this pandemic be a hindrance in any way to our businesses. We as an industry stand strong and shall try our best to come up with ideas to keep the flow alive and we wholeheartedly support any good move like homestays that are directed towards strengthening the economy and boosting the travel sector,” stated Shreeram Patel, Treasurer, TAAI.

Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre ushers in the Festive Season with the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre ushers in the Festive Season with the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

Hyderabad:  December 2021: Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre hosted a Christmas tree lighting ceremony to usher in the festive season. The event was attended by Mr. Manish Dayya, General Manager, NHCC along with in-house guests, patrons, and employees who all came forward to share the spirit of Christmas and ring in the festivities.

The hotel was beautifully decorated with a brightly lit Christmas tree and the lobby area was adorned with a giant gingerbread house with miniature houses made with biscuits, candies, etc. It was a perfect evening to ring in the holiday season with tree-lighting and a 30 foot tall Giant Santa clause at the entrance of the hotel. Brightly decorated boxes were placed under the Christmas tree, adding to the joy and happiness. The atmosphere was warm and filled with gaiety.

As a part of Christmas Festivities, Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre will be organizing an array of events between 24th -26th December 2021. A Special Christmas Eve Dinner with an amazing spread of delicacies will be organized on 24th December 2021. It will be followed by It’s a Very Merry Brunch on 25th Dec (Saturday) from 12 Noon onwards.  The brunch will be an extravagant affair with Christmas-themed foods and other fun-filled activities.  A Boxing Day Brunch will also be organized on 26th December 2021 (Sunday) to let people soak in the festive spirit and enjoy time with their loved ones. Local & International dishes will be available at a range of live cooking stations, with carved meats, fresh food and much more will be on offer along with live entertainment and much more.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Manish Dayya, General Manager, Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre said “. We are extremely excited to light up the season with the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at our Hotel.  We are happy to welcome everyone who has come down to celebrate the event with us. It’s so nice to have our employees, guests, and friends join us to light the spectacular tree and help spread Christmas cheer.”

The Luxury Collection Debuts in Australia with the Opening of the Tasman, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Hobart

A living cultural expression with layers of rich history, the hotel will offer a transformative gateway to explore the unchartered wilderness of Tasmania

The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 30 extraordinary hotel brands, today announced the opening of The Tasman, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Hobart, marking the debut of The Luxury Collection brand in Australia. The Tasman showcases Hobart, a destination steeped in rich history and Australia’s second-oldest city. Located on the island state of Tasmania, Hobart is renowned for its epicurean culture, vibrant art scene, and breathtaking natural surroundings.

Centrally located within the restored heritage area of Parliament Square overlooking Hobart’s historic waterfront, The Tasman just steps away from the city's famous Salamanca Markets, the charming St. David's Park, as well as the historic Sullivan's Cove. Guests will be invited to immerse themselves under the guidance of Tasmania’s only Clefs d'Or concierge to discover the work of local artisans and unearth the stories behind the island’s celebrated produce with exclusive purveyor visits and epicurean moments within the hotel.

“Hobart is a truly captivating and dynamic city, allowing a seamless fit for The Luxury Collection, known for creating experiences for global explorers in some of the world’s most enchanting destinations,” said Philipp Weghmann, Vice President and Global Brand Leader of The Luxury Collection. “The Tasman will offer our guests a transformative journey, drawing on the incredible history, evocative contemporary culture, and awe-inspiring natural wonders of one of the most intriguing and farthest corners of the globe.”

The Tasman is an elegant heritage reconstruction of former state government offices that brings together three eras of design: Georgian, Art Deco, and Contemporary. The one-of-a-kind design direction of The Tasman was realized by award-winning Australian architects Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp and acclaimed Australian interior design firm Joseph Pang Design Consultants. The hotel marries contemporary design with the historical legacy of the site, which contains buildings spanning 180 years.

About The Tasman, A Luxury Collection Hotel Hobart
The Tasman in Hobart, Tasmania, marks the debut of The Luxury Collection by Marriott International in Australia. Centrally located at Parliament Square overlooking Hobart’s historic waterfront, The Tasman is an elegant heritage reconstruction of former state government offices that brings together three eras of design: Georgian, Art Deco, and Contemporary. The Tasman offers 152 guest rooms and suites carefully conceived to showcase the captivating architectural narrative of the site and ensures no two stays are the same. A signature restaurant by renowned Tasmanian chef, Massimo Mele, cocktail bar, and spirits library, as well as a refined salon lounge can be found deep within the old sandstone walls. Honouring the riches of its location, The Tasman, connects a pioneering past to a vibrant contemporary culture, where guests are emboldened to explore the epicurean highlights of the city and the wilderness beyond. For more information on The Tasman visit www.thetasmanhobart.com or follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

TAAI discusses challenges faced by Travel Trade regarding Issuance of Visas with VFS

President Jyoti Mayal urged VFS to form transparent policies & create better opportunities for TAAI members by adopting smooth working & better implementation.

TAAI joined hands with VFS to organise an interactive session for members of the Northern Region; including Punjab, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand chapters on 15th December 2021. The meeting was initiated by Punjab Chairman Rtn. Gurjeet Singh Sekhon under the leadership of the President Jyoti Mayal & witnessed active participation of Devesh Kumar Agarwal, Chairman - Visa & Allied Services Council, Neeraj Malhotra, Chairman - Northern Region; Syed Mohammad Akhlaq, Chairman, UPUK; Harraj Singh Sidhu, Chairman, Chandigarh.

The objective was to listen, understand, and seek VFS support to address the challenges faced by the travel trade fraternity. With the world opening in a phase-wise manner and wooing travellers, it is imperative to discuss how TAAI members and VFS may facilitate the smooth issuance of visas with the support of foreign missions.

TAAI team delivered introductory remarks and welcomed the five team members of VFS senior management. While emphasizing the need of seeking clarity from the VFS on the visa-issuance process and limited dates of appointment. All the Chairmen present shared the concerns of their members and impediments being faced due to the lack of clarity, ambiguity & seamless practices by the missions.

Pointing to the fast spread of Omicron, the TAAI team stated that the industry was on the trajectory of revival; however, now it seems slightly fragile.

Unscrupulous agents are sabotaging the image of the Indian travel trade industry by charging exorbitantly high service fees and adopting uneven means of facilitating appointments which is a matter of great concern, TAAI team clarified and urged the VFS to take immediate action in this regard.

TAAI members from the Punjab region specifically advocated the need of having a level playing for the entire travel trade fraternity. They referred to cases and brought to the notice of the VFS team the instances whereby few select individuals or agents have been able to seek appointments for their clients; however, on the other hand, many were not able to despite approaching the VFS centre well in advance.

During the question answers session, members categorically stated to the VFS team regarding the importance of having a helpline with an efficient and knowledgeable team, who could address their concerns over the phone. Or, perhaps, a more transparent URL, with rich content, which could address bottlenecks for the traveller and the agent in a much speedy manner.

TAAI National, Regional, and State Level teams in one voice echoed their request to hold a joint meeting, at the earliest, to address travel trade concerns raised during the interaction and otherwise also, which was seconded by more than hundred members who were present during the webinar.

VFS team represented by senior management was very receptive & assured to look into all the processes, hold joint meetings with TAAI & missions to bring about better facilitation processes wherever possible.

They further requested members to share their concerns in writing, allowing them to document and refer to while elucidating the clarification. In addition, the team stated that they were bringing in certain changes in the system within the next three weeks, the implementation of which would address some of the concerns raised. The VFS team assured TAAI for always bettering their services & continue to work in close collaboration.

Crowne Plaza New Delhi Okhla unveils their unique Christmas tree themed on ‘Incredible India’

Crowne Plaza New Delhi Okhla unveils their unique Christmas tree themed on ‘Incredible India’ 

December, 2021, New Delhi: As the capital rejoices with festivities, Crowne Plaza New Delhi Okhla organised their annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony and hosted meet and greet with Santa Claus. 

Conceptualised in-house by the Engineering and House Keeping team, the 30 feet long sparkling Christmas tree is weaved around the theme 'Incredible India' with a beautiful hope of 'Reviving Tourism' in the coming year. It also echoes a strong & powerful sentiment towards 'Make In India' and drives home a compelling eco-awareness message around ‘Sustainable Tourism’.

Decoding the Christmas Tree 

The 'spices' at the bottom celebrates India, the land of spices while the 'puppets' narrate the fables of fascinating folk culture. The shades of ’saris’ represent the vibrant handloom industry of the country while the artifacts' pay an ode to the local craftsmen and artists.  

Strengthening the message of IHG Green Engage, the eco-friendly 'Green' represent the need of the hour - Sustainable Tourism while twinkling stars light up the hope for a better tomorrow. 

The star of the show Santa Claus jingled all the way to light up the Christmas tree and danced with the adults and kids alike. The evening panned out with a hearty tete-a-tete, with guests exploring the mesmerizing Ginger Bread House full of decadent X-Mas Goodies - Plum Cakes, Mince Pies, Yule Logs, Stollen Breads etc. These classic goodies can be customized into festive hampers for gifting purposes.

General Manager, Mr. Shuvendu Banerjee launched the ‘Festivity Desk’ and shared about unique dining and stay experiences that the hotel has curated for the patrons for the upcoming Christmas and New Year festivities. The spectacular show was graced by the presence of in–house guests, corporate guests and team members who participated in a melodious carol singing session followed by gourmet Hi-Tea. 

New Ginger Hotel Being Constructed By All-Woman Team At Santacruz, Mumbai

IHCL and Tata Projects collaborate for this marquee 371-room Ginger hotel

Committed to driving women's empowerment and creating an equitable workplace across industries, Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) has collaborated with TATA Projects for the construction of the new Ginger hotel at Santacruz, Mumbai by an all-woman engineering team. This marquee project is a significant step forward in promoting varied opportunities for women in otherwise traditionally male-dominated industries such as construction.

Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, IHCL, stated, “At IHCL, we are committed to providing equal opportunities for all. Today, the world is marching towards a future where women are continuing to push the boundaries across sectors. This partnership with Tata Projects reiterates this belief. We are proud of the all-woman team helming the construction of the all new Ginger Santacruz.”

The 371-room hotel with a built-up area of over 19,000 sq. m will be constructed over a course of 19 months. The building process will incorporate the latest construction techniques and technologies. Located at a prime location in close proximity to Mumbai Airport and Western Express Highway, this will be a flagship Ginger hotel and is being constructed by one of India’s leading construction companies - Tata Projects.

Vinayak Deshpande, Managing Director - TATA Projects, said, “The Ginger hotel project is progressing well under the leadership of an all-woman team. This is reflective of the culture of the Company, which encourages women to embrace diverse roles in the workplace. The success of this team is important for motivating more women to build their careers in the construction and engineering sector. Another key feature is that new technologies such as BIM and 3D are also being deployed to ensure on-time and quality construction.”

IHCL has been on a continuous journey of empowering women including the recently launched all-woman-run luxury residences in Chennai. The company has implemented various other industry-leading practices such as ‘Extended Maternity Leave’, compulsory crèche facilities, medical reimbursement for family expansion including IVF treatments, amongst others. Tata Projects’ policies have created platforms for women employees to participate in different functions of the business at all levels, gain experience in their fields, and achieve their career aspirations.

Amadeus’ upcoming NDC enabled solutions will give first-hand updates to TAAI members on industry trends: Jyoti Mayal.

Amadeus’ upcoming NDC enabled solutions will give first-hand updates to TAAI members on industry trends: Jyoti Mayal.

The Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) has associated with Amadeus to educate its members on NDC and termed it the way forward for airline ticketing to enhance and up sell activities to clients. The association has a motive to prepare its members for the future technological changes to adopt, educate and enhance the business potential through the New Distribution Capability (NDC) along with Amadeus 1A platform.

During the webinar, Rakesh Bansal, CEO, Amadeus India & Subcontinent talked about how travel powers progress and Amadeus powers travel and how his company has pioneered the travel technology market in India for 27 years now. Moving forward, Bansal invited, Jyoti Mayal, President, TAAI and talked about her vision to raise the standards of tourism industry.

Mayal during her addressal emphasised on the need to focus on two words as of now that is “Re”; restructuring, rebooting, re-aligning to rebound businesses which has seen a massive setback due to the Covid-19 pandemic. “Going down in the history, TAAI and Amadeus have had a long relationship and we are once again collaborating for our mutual benefits. NDC is basically a new communication protocol replaced by the old protocol that has been around since 1980’s and through this channel we are allowing airline service providers to deliver rich content to our customers since this is the only way to market ourselves and develop a distinguish brand name,” she stated.

Mayal further added that their top priority as a travel Association is to cater to the needs of customers which has doubled since this pandemic. “Therefore, not just collaboration but actively working on it to bring about the desired results is the need of the hour for the re-emergence of the businesses,” she commented.

Going forward, NDC expert Ramona Bohwonaprasart, Senior VP- India & Southeast Asia - Inside Sales Travel Sellers, Amadeus talked about the relevance of NDC for the industry stakeholders and shared the global perspective of its use. She then handed over to Nitesh Senapati, Head of NDC growth, APAC, Amadeus and Swati Bhatia, Head Products and Solutions – Indian Subcontinent, Amadeus India, were also present as speakers and presented the data and spoke about India being the potential scorer despite uncertainty around. They echoed thoughts shared by Mayal and put forth how NDC is bringing these retailing capabilities to life. “Amadeus has prepared a stable platform where all the queries of travel industry stakeholders would be addressed, we are among the only ones that have a fully open system, providing flexibility and scalability” mentioned Senapati. He further highlighted the points like high normalisation, integration, operational efficiency, and dual payment method that makes Amadeus different from others in the market.

Mayal also included in the discussion the benefits that TAAI members could garner. “They can get the latest updates on industry trends and Amadeus’ upcoming NDC enabled solutions first-hand from the industry experts like the booking of NDC content on Amadeus, selling platform connect, checking out the key capabilities, how to get connected to NDC content in Amadeus. They could further learn about latest airlines that are Amadeus NDC enabled and insights on future NDC roadmap,” she said.

Bhatia while concluding the webinar showcased all the features of the system and also compared it to other platforms, singling out key features like its availability only on graphical user interface which makes it unique and easy to access.

TAAI members actively participated in this educative webinar & many questions were raised & answered. This truly was one of the most educative webinar.