TTF Hyderabad is staging a grand revival of travel and tourism, in the post-pandemic phase

TTF Hyderabad is staging a grand revival of travel & tourism, in the post-pandemic phase

The first major show in Southern India in the very important post-pandemic phase of FY 2022-23 - TTF Hyderabad kicks off at the world-class venue of Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC).

Hyderabad: July 2022: Travel and tourism from India is bouncing back in full vigour after two years of pandemic-related disruptions. TTF Hyderabad, the best networking platform for Central & Southern India, is staging a grand post-pandemic rebound of domestic and international travel, with over 150 participants from 4 countries and over 19 Indian states and UTs.

Domestic leisure travel is the driving force behind the road to recovery coupled with an increase in business travel as well, after an extremely tough pandemic phase in the last two years. Domestic travel is expected to reach record-breaking numbers, with 68% of Indians expected to travel domestically in 2022 only, with the Central and Southern India markets playing a major role. As per reports, Kerala alone has attracted 3.8 million domestic tourists in Q-1 2022, registering 72.48% growth.

Domestic air passenger traffic is nearing pre-pandemic levels with various airlines having ferried 1.14 crore air travellers in May 2022 compared with 1.22 crore in May 2019 - roughly a five-fold increase in volume growth from last year. International passenger traffic has also seen tremendous growth since flights were resumed fully in the month of March 2022, after two years of restrictions, and reached 72% of the pre-Covid level in May 2022.

Hotel occupancy had fallen below 50% in January 2022 owing to the Omicron impact; however, it hit 65% occupancy level, surpassing pre-pandemic levels and average daily rate (ADR) for three consecutive days during the second week of April.

TTF is India’s largest travel trade show network, organised in 9 Indian cities annually, branded as TTF, OTM and BLTM. This edition of TTF Hyderabad staging the grand revival of travel is especially important, being the catalyst for the huge rebound of domestic and international travel markets.

Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh are joining as Partner States with big pavilions. Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya and Puducherry are Feature States and will be showcasing their best in the TTF. Host states Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are offering their full support. Private sector participants from all over India are also joining us at the show.

The show has participation from leading outbound exhibitors like Jazeera Airways and leading hospitality chains.

TTF Hyderabad has also a large participation from abroad including from Nepal, Thailand, Turkey and UAE, with a large delegation of tour operators and hoteliers holding testimony to the unabated spirit of Indian travellers that kept thronging these destinations throughout the pandemic, as they remained open with necessary precautions in place. It also signifies that short-haul destinations are becoming accessible faster to the Indian travellers, post the pandemic.

TTF Hyderabad was inaugurated in the august presence of Shri V. Srinivas Goud, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Excise & Prohibition, Sports and Youth Services, Archaeology, Government of Telangana, Shri Sandeep Kumar Sultania, IAS Secretary Tourism, Government of Telangana, Shri B. Manohar, Managing Director, Telangana State Tourism Dev. Corpn. and other dignitaries from India and abroad.

India Tourism too has a key presence at the show, showcasing all their campaigns and programmes such as ‘Azaadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, ‘Dekho Apna Desh’, ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’.

The show is reserved for travel trade visitors today, i.e. 5th July, from 11 am to 6 pm, and is open for the whole day tomorrow, i.e. 6th July.

The travel trade is expected to revive and restart in large numbers, with new as well as existing partners. Eager travellers have planned to visit the show to get the best deals and travel offers from all over India.

TTF is the oldest and biggest network of travel trade shows in the country, covering 9 cities annually. In addition to Hyderabad, it is organised in Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Surat and Pune.

“We are extremely happy to be hosting TTF Hyderabad in the vibrant market of South India after a two-year hiatus. The number of exhibitors on the show floor and of hosted buyers as well as of visitors is a testimony of the grand rebound of travel and tourism in the post-pandemic phase”, said Sanjiv Agarwal, Chairman & CEO, Fairfest Media Ltd., the organisers of TTF - the oldest and largest travel tradeshow network in India. “TTF Hyderabad has received great support from the Host States, the travel industry at large and our association partners who are together gearing up for the revival of travel and tourism.”, he added.

TTF has the active support of travel associations like IATO, ETAA, TAAI, TAFI, ADTOI, NIMA, SKAL INTERNATIONAL HYDERABAD, IATTE, TOA, TTAA, TOAT, TTAT, UFTC, KTS, TAAC, TTTHA, TAAK, TNTF, ABTO, FOTO, STATT and MTA.

Travel Trade submits its Frustration to the GST increase: TAAI

Be it the travel trade or many other allied and associated industries like hospitality were expecting a decline or perhaps a better GST taxation system in place, as an outcome of the 47th GST Council meeting held in Chandigarh on 29th June 2022. However, recommendations made to the Government by GoM on rate rationalization came as a surprise to the various industries, including travel trade and tourism. Post going through the worst crises ever in human history, now when the industry is reviving, a sudden increase in tax slabs is the biggest deterrent to growth, eventually leading to discouraging the tourism fraternity.

In a letter addressed to the Hon’ble Minister of Finance, Government of India; Jyoti Mayal, President, TAAI submitted the frustration and conveyed that we were looking at the government to do away with taxes and extend support to our industry which is yet to revive from the long crises. However, with the increase, travel trade and hospitality will have to face the brunt majorly. Imposing 12% GST on hotels priced below INR 1000 is the biggest jolt to both the travel and hospitality industry. Hospitality offered below INR 1000 drives the system and an increase at that level will take employment and business opportunities from many, Mayal added.

Jay Bhatia, Vice President specifically pointed out the increase in cheque payments from Nil to 18%. He said that we the people in the travel industry work at the grass-root level. And, till today, in tier II and III cities the preferred mode of payment by a financial instrument like a cheque. An increase in taxation of making and receiving payments will add a burden on both the agent and traveler, which may perhaps push travelers to move away from registered and legitimate agents to illegal business operators which is a matter to worry about, supplemented Bhatia.

Referring to the increase from 12% to 18% on items such as Printing, Spoons, Forks, Machines for cleaning eggs, fruits and other products. Bettaiah Lokesh, Hon. Secretary-General said that the hike in taxation on such items would certainly lead to an increase in serving and servicing the end product. We do agree that there are a few points which are appreciable like Exemption on the transport of passengers by air to and from NE states, renting of truck/ goods carriage, etc. However, overall recommendations made give the impression of increasing taxation burden on the businesses exorbitantly, shared Lokesh. Further to TAAI’s long-pending request to permit Input Tax Credits for Tour Operators booking hotels in other states to vide, IGST, still remains unresolved at the Government level at the GST Council. To our understanding, GST was introduced to have uniform taxation and easy filing, and in addition, to have a better understanding for both service provider and receiver regarding the taxation’s slabs.

However, the increase and introduction of a tax on items directly related to travel trade and tourism, we see it as a negative sentiment spreading in the businesses, highlighted Shreeram Patel, Hon. Treasurer. TAAI has submitted, along with the frustration representation, a copy of previous submissions made to Finance Ministry on the said subject to the Hon’ble Minister.

IHG signs a new Holiday Inn Express hotel in Gujarat

IHG signs a new Holiday Inn Express hotel in Gujarat

 The company is strategically expanding the presence of its leading mainstream brand by tapping into new markets within India

July 2022, New Delhi: IHG® Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies has signed a management agreement with Dahej Hotels & Hospitality Pvt. Ltd a subsidiary of Karmvir Group, for a new hotel – Holiday Inn Express Dahej Bharuch Road in Gujarat. The new-built hotel featuring 120 keys is expected to be operational by the first quarter of 2025. The hotel will not only solidify IHG’s presence in the state of Gujarat but also strengthen the company’s growth in secondary markets, in line with the growing demand for quality branded accommodation in the country.    

Strategically located on Dahej Bharuch main road, the hotel will have easy access to all the major companies in Dahej Port city. Dahej is an all-weather direct berthing port with multi-cargo capacity situated on international maritime routes. This makes it the preferred port for the cargo hubs functioning in the northern, western states, and union territories of India. With the excellent accessibility, facilities and hospitality that the brand is known for, the hotel will provide a convenient stay experience for business travelers and port crew.

In addition to featuring modern and fully equipped guest rooms, Holiday Inn Express Dahej Bharuch Road will offer an array of facilities including a ‘Great Room’, a lounge, a gymnasium for guests to relax and unwind. The hotel will also feature an equipped business centre, meeting rooms along with signature amenities reflecting the brand’s promise of providing a comfortable and efficient stay for business guests.

Commenting on the announcement, Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG said, “We are delighted to partner with an experienced developers like Dahej Hotels & Hospitality Pvt. Ltd to expand our presence in the state of Gujarat. In line with increasing demand, we recognize the growing potential of secondary markets in India and are strategically introducing our brands to fill the need gap of quality branded accommodation. With signing of Holiday Inn Express Dahej Bharuch Road, we have the first movers’ advantage in the area to become a preferred international hospitality brand for corporate guests visiting the town.”

Parin Nadola, Director, Dahej Hotels & Hospitality Pvt Ltd, added, “We are thrilled to partner with an internationally and locally trusted hospitality brand like IHG to venture into our first hotel project. Holiday Inn Express is a well-established brand in India and is a great fit to cater to demands of guest visiting Dahej and Bharuch. We look forward to a strong partnership with IHG and are confident that the hotel will be a great success when it opens its door to guests.”

IHG® currently has 44 hotels operating across five brands in SWA, including Six Senses, InterContinental Hotels and Resorts®, Crowne Plaza®, Holiday Inn® , Holiday Inn Resort® and Holiday Inn Express®, and has a strong pipeline of 37 hotels due to open in the next 2-3 years.

Numbers as of March 31, 2022

One Rep Global appointed an India representative for Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa

One Rep Global appointed an India representative for Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa

Gurgaon (India), July 2022: Adding to its growing portfolio of luxury international hotels, One Rep Global is now appointed an Indian representative for the newly launched Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa. Led by seasoned hotelier Hemant Mediratta, One Rep Global will lead the sales & marketing representation in India for this experiential resort that marks the debut of Hilton's flagship brand, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, in the Maldives.

Located on a lush tropical island in the North Malé Atoll, the all-pool villa resort highlights a mindful approach to gastronomy, holistic wellness, and exclusive amenities for travellers of all ages. Conveniently accessible via a 20-minute premium speedboat transfer from Velana International Airport, the stunning island property showcases 109 beach and overwater villas – each featuring its own private pool, six exceptional restaurants and bars, holistic spa and wellness facilities and best-in-class amenities for families, including one of the largest kids’ clubs in Maldives and a rooftop lounge exclusive to teenage guests.

Gaurav Thakur, General Manager, Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa said, ‘We look forward to welcoming guests with exceptional Hilton hospitality and a diverse collection of experiences, from multi-generational adventures to special retreats for two. India continues to be one of the top source markets for our destination, and we are confident that Indian travellers will find much to delight them as they create new holiday memories with us.’ 

‘Maldives is amongst the top outbound destinations for luxury travellers from India. The market holds a huge potential for Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa, a stunning all-villa property with a range of experiences to please all travellers across age groups. At One Rep Global, we are excited to be exclusively representing the property in India.’, said Hemant Mediratta, Founder – One Rep Global.

Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa opened doors on 1 July 2022 and is now accepting reservations. Room rates start at USD 835 ++ per night.

RELIANCE BRANDS LIMITED ANNOUNCES ITS FIRST FORAY INTO FOOD & BEVERAGE RETAIL WITH POPULAR GLOBAL FOOD CHAIN PRET A MANGER

RELIANCE BRANDS LIMITED ANNOUNCES ITS FIRST FORAY INTO FOOD & BEVERAGE RETAIL WITH POPULAR GLOBAL FOOD CHAIN PRET A MANGER

Mumbai, July 2022: RELIANCE BRANDS LIMITED (RBL) has announced a strategic partnership with global fresh food & organic coffee chain, Pret A Manger, to launch and build the brand in India. With this long-term master franchise partnership, RBL will open the food chain across the country starting with major cities and travel hubs.

Pret A Manger, French for ‘ready to eat, first opened in London in 1986. It was a shop with a mission to create handmade food, freshly prepared each day. Over 35 years later, the brand currently has 550 shops globally across 9 markets including the UK, US, Europe, and Asia, offering organic coffee, sandwiches, salads and wraps freshly made each day.

“Our partnership with Pret is rooted in the strong growth potential of both Pret as a brand as also of the food & beverage industry in India. RBL closely follows the pulse of Indian consumers and there is an increased consciousness of what we eat – rapidly making Food the new Fashion. Indians, like their global counterparts, are seeking Fresh and Organic ingredient-led dining experiences which have been synonymous with Pret’s core offering. Couple that with the high recall the brand enjoys in the country, it’s undoubtedly a recipe for success.” said Darshan Mehta, MD, Reliance Brands Limited.

As India’s largest luxury to premium retailer, RBL has over 14 years nurtured and grown global brands in the country. With its rich cache of insights on customers’ evolving spending habits and an ambitious expansion plan, RBL’s first foray into the food industry will bring the much-loved Pret dining experience, to one of the biggest retail markets.

Pano Christou, CEO, Pret A Manger said: “Two decades ago, we opened Pret’s first shop in Asia and it’s been an inspiration for all of us to bring our freshly made food and 100% organic coffee to new cities across the continent. RBL is a great partner to help us do just that, bringing their years of expertise in the market to help our brand succeed in India. We’re looking forward to working with them on what is our most ambitious global franchise partnership to date.”

ABOUT RELIANCE BRANDS LIMITED

RBL is a subsidiary of Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd and began operations in 2007 with a mandate to launch and build global brands in luxury to premium segments across fashion and lifestyle. In the past five years, RBL has also invested in building and operating homegrown Indian designer brands. Its current portfolio of brand partnerships comprises Armani Exchange, Bally, Bottega Veneta, Brooks Brothers, Burberry, Canali, Coach, Diesel, Dune, EA7, Emporio Armani, Ermenegildo Zegna, G-Star Raw, Gas, Giorgio Armani, Hamleys, Hugo Boss, Hunkemoller, Iconix, Jimmy Choo, Kate Spade New York, Manish Malhotra, Michael Kors, Mothercare, Muji, Paul & Shark, Paul Smith, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Raghavendra Rathore, Replay, Salvatore Ferragamo, Satya Paul, Steve Madden, Superdry, Scotch & Soda, Tiffany & Co., Tory Burch, Tumi, Versace, Villeroy & Boch and West Elm. RBL today operates 1,937 doors split into 732 stores and 1,205 shop-in-shops in India

INVESTING IN TOMORROW: CELEBRATING THE FOUR SEASONS RESORTS MALDIVES HOSPITALITY APPRENTICES GRADUATING IN 2022 AND WELCOMING THE CLASS OF 2023

A country’s youth are its future and this year, the Four Seasons Resorts Maldives Hospitality Apprenticeship program saw 40 young Maldivians graduate towards brighter horizons.  The Apprenticeship has been the longest-running and most successful of its kind in the Indian Ocean since its inception in 2001, and has celebrated its latest graduates – and inaugurated its new learners – at a special ceremony on May 28, 2022, at Maldives National University Auditorium, Malé.

Now in its twenty-first year, the program has supported a total of 697 youngsters to date, setting them up for an exciting hospitality career not only in the Maldives, but potentially world-wide. The Class of 2022 graduate in disciplines including: Food & Beverage Service; Food & Beverage Preparation; Housekeeping & Guest Services; Retail; Front Office & Recreation; PADI Dive Master; Safe Maritime Transport (SMT); Engineering and Watersports Attendant.

“Investing in people is the cornerstone of great hospitality,” comments Four Seasons Resorts Maldives Regional Vice President Armando Kraenzlin. “And helping local youth achieve their potential and create empowered futures is very much a part of that. Their enthusiasm, talent, energy, and focus amaze us year on year, but the resilience shown by our current graduates, in the face of such unprecedented challenges, is particularly commendable.”

Celebrating their achievements at the graduation ceremony was Chief Guest of Honour and First Lady of the Maldives, Madam Fazna Ahmed. Inspiring young minds to dream big, she addresed both the incoming and outgoing students, as well as presented certificates to them. In her address to the new apprentices, Her Excellency Fazna Ahmed inspired the young audience to become enthusiastic lifelong learners. She encouraged them to make this apprenticeship program a stepping stone where they begin the process of gaining knowledge and learning new skills throughout their lives.

Despite uncertain times for the hospitality industry, the 2022 program managed to take in 40 apprentices, with the Safe Maritime Transport module upgraded with Niyami 1 Certification and Marine Mechanic Level 3 Certifications.

The future looks bright too, with the 2023 intake welcoming 65 hopeful students from across 30 islands, and the introduction of a new third year module, Advanced Engineering.

The Four Seasons Hospitality Apprenticeship – accredited by the Government of Maldives since 2010 – is open to all young Maldivians, aged 17-20, who meet a number of entry criteria including O-Level certifications and fluency in both written and spoken English.  No previous work experience is required and apprentices are fully supported to both live and work at Four Seasons Resorts Maldives, training in Resort operations five days a week, with theory classes one day a week.  Performance appraisals and tests are taken at regular intervals.

At its heart, the apprenticeship program is about learning on the job, with classes conducted by professionals with many years of international experience in the luxury hotel, dive and marine industries. Recognising the need for encouragement and guidance along the way, each apprentice is assigned a buddy and mentor. Learning to work hard within an ambitious team builds stamina and character, and strengthens the apprentice’s sense of professionalism, discipline, teamwork and perseverance.

is required and apprentices are fully supported to both live and work at Four Seasons Resorts Maldives, training in Resort operations five days a week, with theory classes one day a week.  Performance appraisals and tests are taken at regular intervals.

At its heart, the apprenticeship program is about learning on the job, with classes conducted by professionals with many years of international experience in the luxury hotel, dive and marine industries. Recognising the need for encouragement and guidance along the way, each apprentice is assigned a buddy and mentor. Learning to work hard within an ambitious team builds stamina and character, and strengthens the apprentice’s sense of professionalism, discipline, teamwork and perseverance.

Marriott International Signs Landmark Agreement With Vinpearl to Add Eight Hotels in Vietnam

Agreement is set to further strengthen Marriott International’s presence in Vietnam with the expected addition of more than 2,000 rooms to its existing portfolio

Marriott International, Inc. today announced a strategic agreement with Vinpearl, Vietnam’s largest hospitality and leisure chain, to convert and develop 2,200 rooms across eight hotels in Vietnam - significantly expanding its portfolio of world-class hotels and resorts in the country. This collaboration expects to see the debut of the Autograph Collection Hotels brand in the country, while other planned openings span the following brands: Marriott Hotels, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, and Four Points by Sheraton.

“We are thrilled to be working with Vinpearl to accelerate our growth in Vietnam,” said Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific (excluding Greater China), Marriott International. “With the country’s solid foundation for a resilient economy, and continuous growth of its infrastructure especially in the tourism sector, we are confident this collaboration will enable us to better cater to our guests’ needs.”

Of the eight hotels, six are conversions that are expected to be part of Marriott’s system later this year.

Vinpearl Landmark 81, Autograph Collection is expected to serve as Vietnam’s first Autograph Collection hotel. The lifestyle hotel will join a diverse and dynamic collection of over 260 independent hotels around the globe hand-selected for their inherent craft and distinct perspective on design and hospitality. Currently known as Vinpearl Luxury Landmark 81, the hotel is set high up in a gleaming 461-meter tower on the banks of the Saigon River and is anticipated to feature 223 rooms and suites, three food and beverage outlets, 12 function spaces, a business center, spa, outdoor pool, and fitness center.

Mumbai's popular French all-day space, Cafe Noir launches “Special Mama Mia Pasta menu paired with French Wines- June 2022”

Mumbai's popular French all-day space,  Cafe Noir launches “Special Mama Mia Pasta menu paired with French Wines- June 2022”

Mumbai, June 2022: Mumbai’s favourite French café & all-day space, Café Noir situated at the iconic Lodha World One towers in Lower Parel and is all set to launch the menu called Mama Mia Patsa paired with french wines, packed with flavours and unique sauces and range of wines. The menu will be exclusively available from 17th June to 30th June 2022.

Speaking of Pasta it is made from grain, one of the basic food groups in a healthy diet that also can include vegetables, fruits, fish, and poultry. Café Noir has curated a special Mama Mia Pasta menu paired with french Wines with vegetarian and non-vegetarian selects, each one goes huge on flavour and incorporates various sauces paired with wines for a lip-smacking experience. The menu comprises vegetarian Pasta like the Garganelli, Porcini Mushroom Ragu pasta paired with Cadet D’oc, Chardonnay wine, Arrabiata Penne, Burrata, Smoked cheese fondue paired with Trapiche Vineyards, Pinot Grigio wine and Spaghetti, Confetti Tomato, Pesto sauce, Brie Melt paired with La Vieille Ferme Rose wine. 

The Non-vegetarian Pasta and wine pairings are the Lamb Ragu with Orrechette and Broccoli paired with Le Grand Noir Cabernet Sauvignon wine, Smoked Chicken Ravioli, Herb Butter Emulsion Cherry Tomato Tartare paired with Trapiche Vineyards, Malbec and Seafood Linguini with Vodka Sauce paired with Fratelli Jnoon Chardonnay wine. 

This June at Café Noir, rush for an experience with exotic wines paired with flavorful pasta and sauce elements that appeal to the exclusive Mama Maia Pasta menu.

Other Information: 

Menu: Mama Mia Pasta

Date: 17th June to 30th June 2022

Address: World Crest, Unit no.1A & 1B, Lodha, Upper Worli, Lower Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400013 Time: 10 am to 11 pm (Monday to Friday) 8 am to 11 pm (Saturday and Sunday) 

Contact for reservations: 9730427206 

OVOLO POISED FOR GROWTH AS TOURISM INDUSTRY REBOUNDS

OVOLO POISED FOR GROWTH AS TOURISM INDUSTRY REBOUNDS

Leading independent lifestyle hotel brand, Ovolo, is poised for expansion to capitalise on the long-term growth of the travel sector. Having tripled its room count in the last five years, including adding two assets during the pandemic, market conditions are now ripe to seek value-add and conversion opportunities to take advantage of the recovery.

After building its foundations as an owner-operator, Ovolo is now looking to more than double its network, and will ramp up growth efforts via acquisitions, HMAs, joint ventures and partnerships. Embarking on its next chapter, Ovolo is looking to expand further in Australia, New Zealand, and selected APAC target markets where it can leverage its strong brand value. After opening its first hotel in Indonesia late last year, Ovolo is also keen to grow in major urban and leisure destinations in Asia including Tokyo, Singapore, Bangkok, and Phuket. In addition, the group is eyeing key source markets in Europe and beyond.

“This is the perfect time to expand the Ovolo brand and we are open to discussions with strategic partners who would like to be part of our growth journey,” says Girish Jhunjhnuwala, Ovolo Hotels Founder and Executive Chairman. “After 20 years of building the Ovolo brand, we want to share our expertise and build long-term partnerships that can unlock an asset’s full potential and drive higher returns.”

Interest and capital in hotel real estate is currently booming, with Q1 of 2022 seeing the highest quarterly transaction volume in Australia and New Zealand on record, and quarterly volumes across Asia Pacific exceeding full-year 2020 levels. Developers, family offices, high-net-worth individuals and institutional investors are looking at the hotel sector with renewed interest as they diversify from retail and office space due to shifting consumption and work patterns. However, travel demand is set to return to pre-pandemic levels by 2023/24, further accelerated by an increased desire for people to buy experiences.

Indeed, lifestyle hotels are set to lead the market out of the pandemic, with demand for this sector more than doubling from 2014 to 2019 and set to double again by 2023. There is a clear and growing preference for the highly connected and experiential nature of lifestyle hotels and Ovolo’s design-led, people and service driven culture sets it apart from its competitors. Transforming older, outdated hotels with Ovolo’s signature guest experiences can unlock significant upside potential. Importantly, lifestyle guests are willing to pay substantial room rate premiums of 15% or more, which drives both higher yields and profitability.

“There are great value-add opportunities in the market right now, where hotels can be reimagined and repositioned with the right design, service and branding,” says Dave Baswal, Ovolo Hotels CEO. “Ovolo has experience in delivering multiple value-add projects over many years and we are considering strategic partnerships and JV opportunities to expand further and faster to take advantage of the current favourable conditions in the market to facilitate growth.”

Strong branding is clearly linked to hotel performance in an increasingly competitive market. The award-winning Ovolo name resonates strongly with the travelling public, having been named Hotel Brand of the Year 2019 and 2020 in the Hotel Management Awards in Australia. Ovolo hotels are consistently rated amongst the top hotel brands in their locations on TripAdvisor and Ovolo Central Hong Kong was awarded Travellers Choice Best of the Best 2021, while Ovolo won the Hospitality & Leisure Business Award Hong Kong 2021, amongst many others.

Guided by its visionary founder, Girish, Ovolo hotels have built a reputation for disrupting and shaking up the boutique lifestyle hotel scene.  With a talented cross-functional team known for driving creativity and agility, Ovolo hotels stand out from the crowd. Ovolo has a proven track record of adding value and delivering superior results, with end-to-end experience in identifying opportunities, transforming hotels, and driving operational excellence. From heritage hotels like Ovolo Woolloomooloo, to greenfield developments like Ovolo South Yarra, and new urban resorts like Mamaka, Bali, Ovolo avoids the cookie-cutter approach to ensure every hotel is different and can change with the times.

Ovolo’s culture is centred around providing a great experience for both guests and staff and is dedicated to making meaningful contributions to people and society. Ovolo was the first hotel group globally to develop its Plant’d ‘Veg Pledge’, going fully vegetarian across its Ovolo Hotels to reduce its carbon footprint significantly and promote wellness through conscious cuisine. Ovolo also has in place eco-conscious minibars that feature organic and fair-trade produce; ORCA food waste recycling; electric vehicle charging stations; energy efficiency programs; and Cloud-based reporting to reduce paper waste.

More than places to stay, Ovolo hotels are places to experience. Each hotel is a unique adventure, with vibrant interiors, generous inclusions and restaurants and bars that draw not only guests but locals. Ovolo prides itself on breaking the traditional rules of hospitality and in delivering wonder and surprises at every turn.

TAAIs Meeting with Shri Sanjay Verma, Secretary - West, Ministry of External Affairs regarding application for US - Schengen Visa / Securing Appointment and related aspects

TAAIs Meeting with Shri Sanjay Verma, Secretary - West, Ministry of External Affairs regarding application for US - Schengen Visa / Securing Appointment and related aspects

On June 17th, 2022 Jyoti Mayal, President, TAAI had an interaction with Shri Sanjay Verma, Secretary - West, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.

The meeting request was made to the MEA to discuss and deliberate on the delay in the issuance of Visas to the United States, Schengen and other countries. In a communication addressed to the Hon’ble Minister of External Affairs TAAI sought interference of MEA through a government-to-government dialogue to resolve / address the issues.

TAAI being the apex and oldest body representing the trade has been regularly taking up issues related to the ease of travel & tourism with concerned ministries & stakeholders & thus increasing footfalls for outbound, inbound & domestic markets. While sharing the concerns of the industry with Shri Verma, Mayal said that we at TAAI are seeking MEA’s assistance by way of addressing the issues and challenges faced by the travel trade fraternity of India to make it more robust. The pandemic era has been a struggle for tourism survival & there is a huge opportunity to quickly revive as people are wanting to restart travel with huge enthusiasm.

During the discussions, Mayal conveyed that the issuance of Visas to the United States, and many Schengen countries, especially Greece is a major hurdle that which travel trade fraternity is facing these days. Members & clients have been reaching out to TAAI that they are unable to secure an appointment for visas for travellers & then the long delays in the stamping of visas without any proper communication.

In addition, some missions keep the passports for an indefinite period resulting in uncertainty & cancellations which incur a huge cost to the traveller given that confirmed air tickets & hotel vouchers are a requirement for visa applications, which must be done away with, requested Mayal.

Further, she conveyed that the extension of the free visas to India and the duration to be of minimum 6 months with multiple entries must be resumed immediately. In line with that, E-Visa must be reinstated for all countries including UK & Canada as pre covid, to boost inbound tourism.

Highlighting the administrative bottlenecks for which TAAI has been communicating to other concerned ministries too & are hampering the growth of the sector, Mayal said that the Air Suvidha form is an encumbrance protocol and therefore the same should be immediately scrapped & supported at the home ministry. Parallelly, mandatory health & comprehensive travel Insurance on Inbound E-Visa / Visa for the safety and security of travellers must be introduced.

Mayal apprised Shri Verma that Tourism comes under a wide spectrum of ministries & therefore there is a need to work collectively to achieve progressive & effective results. Taking this thought further, TAAI looks forward to being in continuous communication with the MEA to take more various discussed points into becoming a motivator & enhancer of tourism & bring in ease of travel to drive economic growth.

Taking note of the suggestions and issues, Shri Verma conveyed his assurance to look into some of the matters on priority and assured that his office would remain open to many more such meetings.

PRIDE GROUP OF HOTELS LAUNCHES ‘PRIDE DIVINE RESORT SOMNATH’

PRIDE GROUP OF HOTELS LAUNCHES ‘PRIDE DIVINE RESORT SOMNATH’

Pride Group of Hotels has launched ‘Pride Divine Resort’ in the pilgrim town of Somnath. The hotel is centrally located on Junagadh-Somnath Highway, near Dari Toll Plaza, easily assessable by road, rail and air. It is well-connected to prominent places of interest namely Somnath Mahadeo Temple, Somnath Beach, Mall and theater which are in close proximity. Pride Divine Resort Somnath will be Pride group’s 14th property in the State of Gujarat. 

Announcing the launch, Mr. Atul Upadhyay, Senior Vice President, Pride Group of Hotels says, “The pilgrim town of Somnath, famous for the Somnath Jyotirling Temple attracts lakhs of devotees every year. Somnath is firmly entrenched in history, heritage, culture, and spirituality, making it one of the most renowned pilgrimage destinations in India. We are extremely delighted to launch the Pride Divine Resort Somnath that will offer contemporary amenities, impeccable hospitality, and all the devotional settings for travelers to this region”.

Pride Divine Resort Somnath boasts of 65 aesthetically designed rooms and cottages.  All the rooms are fully air-conditioned and filled with contemporary amenities like LED television, intercom facility, a tea/ coffee maker, high-speed internet connectivity and much more. The facilities include 2 multi-cuisine restaurants serving authentic delicacies, an outdoor swimming pool, gym with latest fitness equipment’s and a kid’s play area. The 25,000 sq ft size lush green spawning lawn with a capacity of 2,500 people is ideal to host weddings. Social gatherings and other memorable events. 

Pride Hotels Ltd has a presence in around 44 great locations with 4,400 rooms, 89 restaurants, 116 banquets, and conference halls. Currently, Pride Hotels Ltd operates and manages a chain of hotels under the brand name “Pride Plaza Hotels” an Indian Luxury Collection, “Pride Hotels” which are conveniently centrally located business hotels, “Pride Resorts” at mesmerizing destinations, Mid-Market segment hotels for every business “Pride Biznotels” and a fresh concept of Premium luxury serviced apartment stays “Pride Suites”. Locations are prominently in New Delhi, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Pune, Nagpur, Bangalore, Chennai, Rajkot, Goa, Jaipur, Indore, Udaipur, Bharatpur, Mussoorie, Puri, Gangtok, Anand, Alkapuri, and Manjusar (Vadodara), Sasan Gir, Somnath Upcoming locations are Nainital, Jim Corbett, Jabalpur, Daman, Rishikesh, Aatapi, Surendranagar, Dwaraka, Bhavnagar, Bharuch, Agra, Dehradun, Chandigarh, Neemrana, Rajkot, Bhopal, Haldwani, Dehradun, Mysore, Gurugram & Aurangabad.

Initiative | The Fern Hotels & Resorts celebrates The Fern Environment Week

The Fern Hotels & Resorts celebrates The Fern Environment Week

In their efforts to spread awareness about the importance of environmental preservation and sustainability, the sales associates at The Fern Hotels & Resorts celebrated The Fern Environment Week.

 During the entire week (June 6 to June 10) the Fern sales teams in Mumbai interacted with various corporates and travel agents and tried to educate them about the importance of going green. The team also gifted potted plants to all their business partners.

Kevin Ashley Martis, General Manager-Sales & Marketing (West), The Fern Hotels & Resorts said. “This year we have tried to take environment conservation to a new level by involving our business associates. They have appreciated our efforts and taken note of our seriousness towards the cause of the environment and were thrilled to receive live plants.”

 The Fern Hotels & Resorts is India’s leading environmentally sensitive hotel chain and amongst the fastest growing hotel brands in India, with 88 hotels & resorts currently operational under management or opening shortly across 72 locations in India and internationally, under The Fern, The Fern Residency, Zinc by The Fern and Beacon Hotels brands. The company is a part of CG Corp Global, a multi-dimensional Nepalese conglomerate.

CAFÉ PRIDE AT PRIDE PLAZA AEROCITY NEW DELHI CELEBRATES ‘FATHER’S DAY’

CAFÉ PRIDE AT PRIDE PLAZA AEROCITY NEW DELHI CELEBRATES ‘FATHER’S DAY’

This Father’s Day express your love to the most special man in your life by treating him to an extravagant meal at Café Pride, Pride Plaza Hotel Aerocity New Delhi. The all-day dining restaurant hosts “A Treat for Your Dad”, a specially curated menu inspired by what dads would love to indulge in. To make the day even more memorable the restaurant is offering a 50% discount on the buffet lunch. Café Pride features a curation of delectable dining experiences set in a casual atmosphere, complemented by traditional Indian hospitality.

The buffet menu encompasses an excellent lineup of tantalizing appetizers and mains including specialties like Healthy Man’s Choice Salads, Cantonese Vegetables, Country Style Roasted Chicken, Fish Soya Garlic, Corn Fried Rice, Kaju Kofta Curry, Cabbage Foogath, Silwata Masala Chicken among others. Conclude the meal with sweet treats ranging from Refreshing Mint Moose, Strawberry Delight, and many more.

As the popular saying goes, “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach”. There are no better ways to pamper your loving dad than to surprise him with an exceptional gastronomic experience he truly deserves.

Venue: Café Pride, Pride Plaza Hotel Aerocity New Delhi

Timing: 12.00 PM to 3.00 PM

Date: June 19th 2022

Visit: www.pridehotel.com

Father’s Day Celebration- ITC Grand Central

Father’s Day Celebration- ITC Grand Central

Father’s Day is around the corner and we all know how everyone gets baffled on how they can make this day momentous for their fathers. This Father’s day is a perfect opportunity to pamper the superhero in your life in a most extravagant way. Celebrate the man of the moment with a wide range of curations by ITC Grand Central. 

Delve into delectable culinary preparations with weekend dinner & brunch spread in the all-day dining restaurant ‘Hornby’s Pavilion’. The menu comprises of an array of dishes to choose from that will leave you spoilt for choices, with a 25 percent savings on the total bill. Celebrate the occasion with our handcrafted sweet delights and cakes from Nutmeg- the gourmet shop. Enjoy this delectable experience at the comfort of your home. Be the one to make a memory he can cherish for a life time.

In honour of Father’s Day a Mixology Session is planned at ‘Dublin- the Irish Bar’. The mixology session will be in association with Diageo; followed by a masterclass on how to prepare your cocktail, with interactive party punch demonstrated by Diageo Brand Ambassador Khushnaz Raghina.

This joyous experience is mindfully curated with the freshest of ingredients and promise of We Assure commitment by ITC Hotels.

Order now through the ITC Hotels App or click here to view our menu and place your order: https://welcomzestlounge.in/fathers-day-2021/index.html

Also available for delivery via Swiggy, Zomato and Eazydiner in select locations. For more details please call: 022 67045118.

Hilton continues to expand its presence in India with the signing of Hilton Hyderabad Resort and Spa

The resort is spread across 15 acres with 115 hotel rooms, 13 private villas and a state-of-the-art spa experience

Hilton announced the signing of an agreement with CKR Resorts Private Limited to launch Hilton’s flagship brand in Hyderabad, Hilton Hyderabad Resort and Spa. Hilton continues to expand its presence in India and currently operates 24 hotels, seven of which are Hilton Hotels and Resorts properties.

Navjit Ahluwalia, senior vice president and country head of Hilton in India, said, “I am thrilled to announce the signing of Hilton Hyderabad Resort and Spa. We actively explore strategic opportunities to deploy our brands across the country and this signing reinforces our presence in the southern region of India. We are pleased to partner with CKR Resorts Private Limited and bring Hilton’s world-class hospitality to our guests in Hyderabad. I am confident that when the hotel opens, it will be a preferred destination for all travellers.”

Homes & Villas by Marriott International Lands in Australia and New Zealand

Highly-curated offering from Homes & Villas by Marriott International brings guests an expansive portfolio of premium and luxury homes across the beach and urban areas

Homes & Villas by Marriott International, Marriott Bonvoy's curated and growing collection of premium and luxury whole-home rentals around the world, today announced its launch in Australia and New Zealand – marking the platform’s entrance into Asia Pacific. The expansion into these new markets adds over 350 premium and luxury homes to the platform in prime leisure destinations, including Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane and Orange in Australia, and Auckland and Queenstown in New Zealand – just to name a few.

With Australia’s interstate and international borders now open, and with New Zealand’s borders soon to follow, Homes & Villas by Marriott International is well-positioned to meet the increasing demands from both domestic and overseas travelers for larger groups stays to experience the joy of reconnecting over travel, together. These unique homes provide members of Marriott’s award-winning travel program, Marriott Bonvoy, with more options when they travel as a complement to Marriott Bonvoy's existing offering of 29 hotels across 13 different brands in Australia and New Zealand. Several of the homes feature balconies, pools, gourmet kitchens and large entertaining areas that make them the ideal place for gatherings.

The Royal Orchid Chain of Hotels Enters The World of Luxury Home-Stays with Saptpuri in Varanasi

The Royal Orchid Chain of Hotels Enters The World of Luxury Home-Stays with Saptpuri in Varanasi

 The Royal Orchid chain of hotels has over seventy-two plus hotels across the length of India in about forty-eight different locations. Primarily focused on luxury hotels, the company has recently moved into the luxury home-stay space with Saptpuri in Varanasi.

Royal Orchid prides itself in providing Warm Indian Hospitality to its guests, so Varanasi is an apt location for their neophyte venture.

The Sapta Puri name has derived from the places of birth of religious and spiritual masters, places where Gods have descended as avatars (incarnations) such as Ayodhya where Rama was born, and places considered as Nitya tirthas, naturally endowed, with spiritual powers since ages such as Varanasi and Haridwar.

Property Highlights

• The architecture of the property is an admixture of traditional styles and modern amenities.

• All rooms are air-conditioned, with flat-screen televisions and high-speed Wi-Fi access.

• Property located on the bank of the Ganga river.

• Property offers cottages, river-facing rooms, and normal rooms.

• Constant CCTV surveillance, Safety, and Security are the first priority to visitors.

• Top-notch services with an array of delicious home-cooked meals to choose from.

Location Highlights

• Varanasi has been a cultural center of North India for several thousand years.

• It is one of the seven holy sites of India.

• It is one of the oldest in existence, that has been consistently inhabited. 

• 55 Min from Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport.

• A hour from Varanasi Railway station.

• It also connects with National Highway 2, which connects it to Kolkata, Varanasi, Agra, and Delhi.

About Royal Orchid & Regenta Hotels:

Regenta & Royal Orchid Hotels is one of India’s fastest-growing hotel chains. It primarily operates 5-star, 4-star, and resorts, enabling it to target discerning business and leisure travelers. It currently operates 72+ hotels across India. Promoted by Chander K Baljee, Royal Orchid Hotels has become one of India’s most well-known names in hospitality. Royal Orchid is listed on the Bombay & National Stock Exchanges (BSE & NSE) and is governed by an independent board of eminent directors.

The group has bagged many awards including The National Tourism Award 2008-09 organized by the Ministry of

Tourism, Top 50 Brands for 2014 and 2015 by Paul Writer and most recently, the following:

1. Hotelier India conferred Mr. Chander K Baljee, CMD of Royal Orchid & Regenta Hotels with Hall of Fame Award in 2021.

2. Hotel Royal Orchid Bangalore and Royal Orchid Central Manipal Central, MG Road have been awarded 2021 Customer Choice Award in the category of ‘Best Business Hotel’ by Yatra.

3. Royal Orchid Beach Resort and Spa, Goa won the award for the ‘Best Aqua Serenity Concept – 5 Star Category’, in 2019.

4. ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ was conferred by International Hospitality Council in Association with IIHM Bangalore, to Mr. Chander K Baljee, Managing Director, in 2019.

5. Royal Orchid Metropole, Mysore was awarded ‘The Best Heritage Hotel’, by the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce  & Industry (FKCCI), Karnataka, in 2016.

Our vision is to be the Preferred Hotel Chain for the discerning global traveler. The brand ‘Regenta’ is an extension of the Royal Orchid Hotel Group. It is designed for travelers whose watchword is value and convenience. It is categorized into Regenta, Regenta Central, Regenta Resort, and Regenta Inn.

Forward looking statement

We have disclosed forward-looking information so that investors can comprehend the Company’s prospects and make informed investment decisions. This release and other written and oral statements that we make periodically contain forward-looking statements that set out anticipated results based on the Management’s plans and assumptions. We have tried, wherever possible, to qualify such statements by using words such as ‘anticipates’, ‘estimates’, ‘expects’, ‘projects’, ‘intends’, ‘plans’, ‘believes’ and words and terms of similar substance in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance.

We do not guarantee that any forward-looking statement will be realized, although we believe we have been diligent and prudent in our plan and assumptions. The achievement of future results is subject to risk, uncertainties, and validity of inaccurate assumptions. Should known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove inaccurate, our actual results could vary materially from those anticipated, estimated or projected. Investors should bear this in mind as they consider forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

IHG Hotels & Resorts marks 6,000 hotels milestone with spectacular openings and partnerships to reward travellers

LONDON (June 2022) – IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG), one of the world's leading hotel companies, is celebrating 6,000 open hotels by unveiling the ‘6,000 Club’ and announcing partnerships with major sports and entertainment events.

The 6,000 Club features a collection of stunning newly opened hotels from IHG’s iconic portfolio, showcasing the global reach of its 17 brands and the many ways its hotel teams delight owners and guests by delivering True Hospitality for Good, every day. 

The milestone was commemorated by IHG CEO, Keith Barr, at the New York Stock Exchange on June 7 when he rang the bell to signal the close of trading, alongside local hotel General Managers and colleagues.

In the past five years, IHG has broadened its appeal to owners and guests by acquiring or launching six exciting brands to take the portfolio to 17 - providing more choice and amazing experiences than ever before. The new additions include Luxury & Lifestyle brands Six Senses, Regent and Vignette Collection; Premium brand, voco hotels; Essentials brand, avid hotels; and Suites brand, Atwell Suites.

IHG is set to grow its portfolio by a further 30 percent, with more than 1,800 hotels already signed in its development pipeline, illustrating how much owners value the strength of IHG’s scale and brands. To thank guests, the company recently reinvented its loyalty programme, IHG One Rewards, to offer members more choice, value and richer rewards than ever before - all powered by leading technology on a new mobile app.

The company is also announcing a series of exciting multi-year sports and entertainment partnerships for IHG One Rewards members that will connect travellers at events around the world, including Major League Soccer, European Professional Club Rugby and music festivals across the US and UK. The partnerships will reward loyal members with the chance to create memorable moments from events the world has missed in recent years.

IHG Hotels & Resorts CEO, Keith Barr, said: “I’m incredibly proud of our IHG Hotels & Resorts teams for reaching a milestone of 6,000 hotels open around the world, and would like to thank our owners for their collaboration and our guests for their love and trust in our brands. Every single property we open is a cause for celebration as we offer guests unrivalled experiences in amazing locations and give owners even more reasons to work with us. Our new partnerships will connect more of our IHG One Rewards members with memorable moments, as travel continues to return. With over 1,800 hotels in our pipeline, I’m looking forward to IHG’s next chapter of growth and to celebrating plenty more milestones to come.”

6,000 Club

Hotels in the 6,000 Club will celebrate the occasion in the coming months by surprising select guests with 6,000 IHG One Rewards points. Some of the hotels in the Club are: 

• Six Senses Fort Barwara – a beautiful 14th-century fort in India which was converted to become a sanctuary of well-being after a significant conservation effort 

• Regent Phu Quoc – the first all-suites-and-villas resort under the upper luxury brand in Southeast Asia, located off the southwest coast of Vietnam alongside a UNESCO-designated World Biosphere Reserve

• Kimpton Margot Sydney – marking the Australian debut for the brand, this art-deco hotel features a rooftop pool, wine bar, and a 1,725-square-foot “Celebrity Suite”

• voco The Hague – the first for the brand in Netherlands which includes a garden terrace designed by an expert ecologist who created a welcoming space for nature to thrive

• Atwell Suites Denver Airport - Tower Road – the second hotel to open for IHG’s newest all-suites brand, featuring the brand’s signature design and adaptable spaces which support longer stays and allow for easy transition between business and leisure

• Staybridge Suites Al Khobar City – the second for the brand in Saudi Arabia, this all-suites hotel is located on the shores of the Arabian Gulf in the heart of the corporate and shopping hub of vibrant Al Khobar

For the complete list of the 6,000 Club, please click here.

IHG Partnerships 

With a shared belief that experiences bring people together, the new partnerships will connect travelers around the world. Each national partnership will bring people together by creating new ways to redeem IHG One Rewards points and celebrate the universal love of music and sports. Highlights include: 

• The Governors Ball, Lollapalooza, Reading and Leeds Festivals, Music Midtown, Ohana Festival: While watching live performances, attendees can enjoy exclusive benefits with IHG One Rewards including backstage access and time in VIP Lounges. 

• Major League Soccer: With a multi-year agreement as the official hotel sponsor, IHG Hotels & Resorts and MLS are partnering to create unique, enhanced money-can’t-buy experiences exclusively for IHG One Rewards members and MLS fans across the country. 

• European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR): With the Heineken Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup 2021/2022 tournaments ending in May, under this three-season agreement IHG and EPCR will welcome fans back at the start of the 2022/2023 season beginning this December. 

To learn more about IHG Hotels & Resorts, visit here. 

ROLE OF CONNECTIVITY & NETWORKING IN HOSPITALITY By Dr. Kaviraj Khialani- Celebrity Master Chef.

ROLE OF CONNECTIVITY & NETWORKING IN HOSPITALITY

The words Connectivity and Networking has a wider perspective than we usually refer it to in our daily life and its implications and adaptations too have a much wider role to play in our profession and beyond. Being on social media has become as necessary as having a good cell phone or being in line with the trends to maintain our status on the whole among friends and associates. If we come across someone in today’s times who says he/she doesn’t have an email id or a profile on a said platform leads to eyebrows on a raise, giving a doubt about the person if he/she is really living in this era or it simply sounds as outdated or an app which needs an update. 

While most of us maintain our presence through various applications on our smart phones to be visible, some like to do it to associate further, some have business angles attached to being present online while there a few who are just there and in the dormant profile category. In my opinion, one needs to firstly understand the need of being there, doing that and to have a clear vision towards how it can help one through the activity. To some it is just a medium to satisfy their anxiety pangs and reaching out to sort their curiosity syndromes as well, no wonder we see that many profile holders have started locking their social media profiles on a few platforms. 

It sounds hilarious to me when I come across a locked profile, gives an impression that the person has locked in loads of valuables, while someone might steal away by peeping in and visiting maybe. An open minded approach is the first thing we should apply and imply when we wish to be present on a wider platform, connecting with people cannot happen with locked approach methodology! The lockdown as it was for all of us in the past year and a half back led to a lot of need and want based connect up strategies by number of people especially aspiring to be hoteliers/chefs/ managers to the already existing ones all through the hierarchies and departments from the world across who started spending time enlivening their social media accounts and profiles to network and find answers to a number of questions which even google could not answer and the search engines too just stopped working on as well.

My ideology of connectivity and networking approach has always been towards visibility with a vision, presence with a passion, impacting the audience with initiation and interest, having a flair towards sharing knowledge, holding up a conversation and maybe looking at possible associations and engagements on a professional front too if things work. While over 60 percent of people I have come across on various networking sites are so weak that they don’t even know how to respond to a hi or a hello message upon connecting. Sounds strange yes, I know but that is the fact, while the other 40 percent of the audience I have come across is so need based in conversations that their very first message starts with need a job- this is my profile/ resume, let me know if you have anything at the earliest… hilarious & strange, typical motive based connectivity which at times we don’t even feel like responding too since it doesn’t give a good first impression. 

A few pointers which I wanted to share for all those who are looking at increasing and elevating their followers count at times even in competition with others just to add for the heck of it should think about the following:

• Connect with a reason: if you wish to make a connection with a professional profile, you should be well aware of why you intend to do so, and what is it that can benefit you to an extent, be it counseling, mentoring, assistance on career guidance, etc. One more point I usually like to make when I speak on this is that we need to be able to look at and learn from these profiles, read about their struggles, and success stories, and check out on search engines what all they had to go through in order to connect with them with a purpose and reason which can motivate one to do better in their professional life.

• Network to maintain: my very own experiences is what I usually share in my articles and one such point is this one, a person or a candidate I knew like ten or twelve years back messages all of a sudden in today’s times asking for favors, references, and recommendations, testimonials and more! A little thought process of even maintaining a connection by occasional wishing/ festive greetings/ new year or birthday wishes can also help keep you in better books of image.

• Communicate with Clarity: referring to our hospitality industry, we are the ones who connect, who are people friendly and customer or guest-oriented in a number of ways, we don’t act out of attitude with ego and we do not like to extend negative vibes and unwanted crap in communication patterns. While we do come across people on social media who at times do not maintain the decorum of communication design, weird typo- ethical errors/ unclear mode of communication, etc. which needs to be handled with care and precision.

• An Attitude of Gratitude: connecting with professional profiles and to be able to get some benefits from the same is a way of life for a number of people who like to network, though there is nothing wrong in it, one should be there to assist, help, refer and suggest appropriate solutions etc to our valued industry connects and aspirants, but as a piece of advice it is recommended to at least maintain an attitude of gratitude, at times it so happens that you refer candidates to a place/ hotel or so and once he/she gets through, you become a dormant unwanted entity. A little sense of saying a basic thank you or acknowledging someone’s efforts should be considered.

• Enliven and Encourage: A big number of student community has been in touch with me over the years and especially during the lockdown it somehow just increased by over 30 percent of what it was, reason being that the aspiring to be future chefs, hoteliers, airline professionals and more had a lot of queries, doubts and needed certain answers to their much reasonable enough why’s ? what’s and how’s ? I came across loads of messages on my own handles saying that the so called professional names, big time image holders, popularity chart busters, lakhs of likes tag holders and beyond are so very busy that they do not even accept, respond, reciprocate and bother to even look at the connects which wanted to do so for a specific guidance aspect looking at them as so called role models and examples. It sounded a little usual to me upon hearing and reading all this coming from young students and professionals but somehow my approach was slightly different, I rather managed to be receptive and replied upon all of them who wanted to do so and were expecting with a ray of hope! To my surprise I was shocked to see a reply which came by from a young aspirant, “it’s nice to see one reply out of a hundred who cares to be realistic and responds to us”- and when we started interacting the entire story of experience what they go through unfolded. 

• Being a good listener rather than like seeker: I also came across feedback from some saying that when we reach out to professionals for advice or so, the first thing they say is that how many likes and followers will you get me in return or what’s my benefit in talking to you? No one helped me during my time of struggle, why do you expect help from me? why should I be in your story of struggle etc? let us somewhere understand that just because I / Me or You had to go through some difficult times during our times doesn’t mean that the current generations too should go through the same, can’t we be a little more matured enough to assist, stand by, encourage and be of help to the ones who are really asking for help on a genuine basis? A little understanding and assisting can take us all a long way!

• The Karmic fare has a universal approach: one thing we should try to relate to is that today someone might be in a good position, post, hierarchy, salary bracket, best of the best etc but somewhere we have all started from a much lower stage in life and have come up with our hard work, commitment, dedication and stability on the whole during our professional journeys. Let us not indulge into biases and partiality approach when we deal with people especially when it comes to connectivity and networking on social media etc. there are even job offering profiles and job seeking profiles who connect and while some get across to their next destinations, some are left behind, some keep trying and some by the time give up. Good deeds never go waste and good help and offerings are always adding into our asset columns in the balance sheet of our lives, let us all try to be more sensible enough to come forward at the right and opportune time to be there to stand with our industry, community and academia as well bridging the gap between demand and supply, quality and quantity etc. let us all strive together to make this a wonderful and much recommended industry to work in and not just have people come in touch base and fly away into other sectors just because somewhere the connectivity fell weak and the net worth was not met up with due to the network.

URBAN RESORT MAMAKA BY OVOLO GOES FULL THROTTLE WITH GOOD VIBRATIONS

URBAN RESORT MAMAKA BY OVOLO GOES FULL THROTTLE WITH GOOD VIBRATIONS

- Get ready to experience something new and fresh in the iconic Kuta – Legian area -

About MAMAKA by Ovolo

Good Soul. Good Times. Good Vibrations are at Kuta Beach.

MAMAKA by Ovolo is a beach-front urban resort for modern travellers, foodies and social-surfers alike, perfectly positioned in the thriving neighbourhood of Kuta Legian. With a refreshing take on design and experience, it’s an escape embodying Ovolo’s mantra of staying connected with our guests.

Explore the vibrant bazaars, world-class shopping malls, galleries, quaint indie cafes and laneways offering the unexpected - it’s the ultimate place for stepping out and living the Bali life. Chill out or max out from morning until night at the many all-day dining and drinking options offering dynamic culinary experiences, buzzing bars and amazing views of Bali’s beaches and beyond.

Just like Bali, MAMAKA offers the unexpected. Get to know the Kuta break with Quicksilver Surf Academy, hit the wellness center to keep fit or strengthen you core on a mechanical surfboard. Top it off any time of the day with all the flavours of Asia at Street 32, Kuta Beach’s modern Pan-Asian cocktail bar and eatery serving Asian street food classics.

Return to the 191 playfully and effortlessly designed rooms with interiors subtly reflecting Bali’s cultural heartbeat and relationship with nature. MAMAKA by Ovolo is the answer Kuta Legian has been waiting for: it will enrich your own Bali journey with good vibrations.

The hotel consists of 74 Bali High rooms, 74 Kokomo rooms, 28 Summer Garden Terrace rooms, 12 Swagger Suites rooms and 3 Top Gun Suites. Room sizes range from the Bali High and Kokomo at 25 sqm, whilst the Summer Garden Terrace, the same size has the addition of a private terrace overlooking the gardens. The Swagger Suites are a spacious 50 sqm, while the expansive 2-bedroom Top Gun suites are 91 sqm with all suites boasting views of iconic Kuta beach.

Mamaka by Ovolo – Design + Sustainability

Design:

Mamaka by Ovolo’s design language responds to the dichotomy of both the global brand ethos of Ovolo – vibrant, dynamic spaces drawing in global nomads – and alongside, subtly injecting the ancient Bali cultural heartbeat into the overall aesthetic.

Hand-in-hand, these two threads came together to create spaces that convey colour, vibrancy, self-expression, and the diversity of what is available at the property, both materially as well as visually, subtly influencing the spatial emotion of each space.

In order to present a fresh concept to the Kuta area, design firm Ara Design played a lot with geometric shapes, retro elements, and bold colours, especially the blue of the ocean that runs as a common thread throughout the hotel, as well as natural materials and textures such as wood, rattan, shells and weaves.

ara design International have completed projects globally for both private owners and top brand world operators alike. The founding partners, Andre Avedian and Harry Gregory, have nearly 60 years of hospitality design experience between them, and established the company in 1996. Together, they have amassed a powerful list of clients since the company’s inception.

Sustainability:

MAMAKA by Ovolo – Bali's first urban resort – has been recognised with a Carbon Neutral Certificate from Interface by using their Carbon Neutral Floors program to ensure that there is less carbon in our atmosphere to protect our planet. According to Interface, by using their product more efficiently, it will reduce the carbon footprint of its carpet tiles by 74 per cent.

The property has also been taking on the responsibility to help preserve the environment with initiatives such as single-use plastic-free, recycled drinking water from a bottling plant, eco-friendly pest control measures and a strong food waste management program.

About Ovolo Group

The Ovolo Group was founded by entrepreneur Girish Jhunjhnuwala and first entered the real estate market in 2002; then further expanded into the hotel industry in 2010. Ovolo Hotels quickly became one of Hong Kong and Australia’s most dynamic independent owner operated hospitality firms by providing guests with the best in effortless living across hotels and food and beverage outlets.

The Ovolo Group is a collection of contemporary hotels that keep you connected to the little luxuries you love, all effortlessly included. The company prides itself on being in touch with the modern traveller through award-winning interior designs, detail-driven comforts, complementary value added services like the mini bar and breakfast, with cutting-edge technology. Ovolo Hotels have been acknowledged for Hotel and Accommodation Excellence, receiving the accolade “Hotel Brand of the Year'', at the 2019 and 2020 HM Awards.

A proud Hong Kong brand, Ovolo Group remains a family-owned and privately-operated business operating four hotels and three restaurants in Hong Kong, and seven hotels and five restaurants across Australia in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Brisbane. A new hotel is being developed in Melbourne, Australia, Ovolo South Yarra.

Ovolo also has the By Ovolo Collective within its portfolio of hotels, a distinctive collection of four hotels each one unique, each one special, the more guests explore, the more they’ll find. These include Nishi Apartments in Canberra Australia, The Sheung Wan by Ovolo in Hong Kong, and Mamaka Kuta Beach in Bali Indonesia.