Appointment | Ayan Halder Appointed as Rooms Division Manager at Courtyard By Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal

Ayan Halder has been appointed as the new Rooms Division Manager at Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal. Ayan Halder brings over 12 years of experience in guest relations and the hospitality industry by working with renowned hospitality brands across India. He exhibits a strong record of driving guest and employee satisfaction.

Ayan started his career as Front Office Supervisor at The Oberoi Hotels and Resorts, Kolkata in 2009 and subsequently moved to Taj Bengal Kolkata and Novotel Hotel and Residences, Kolkata. Prior to joining Courtyard By Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal, he worked with Four Points by Sheraton, Marriott International, and Vizag as Front Office Manager. As Rooms Division Manager at Courtyard By Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal, he brings his wealth of experience and skills to manage guest satisfaction by ensuring the Rooms Division meets the brand’s standards. He will also emphasize on growing revenues and maximizing the financial performance of the department.

Ayan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management from the Institute of Hotel Management in Kolkata. He also completed his MBA from the International School of Business and Media in Kolkata.

When not at work, Ayan likes to play outdoor games and is a fitness enthusiast. He loves listening to music and traveling to adventurous and offbeat places.

Appointment | Chef Abhishek Singh Joins Hyatt Pune as an Executive Chef

He will be also responsible for cost center management, hygiene standards, and team training

Hyatt Pune has appointed Chef Abhishek Singh as an Executive Chef. He will lead a team of food specialists and ensure that hotel food maintains the highest quality. He will be also responsible for cost center management, hygiene standards, and team training.

Chef Abhishek is trained in Modern European Cuisine alongside his specialization in Italian, Mexican, Arabic, and Indian Cuisine. Chef Abhishek has also mastered some regional cuisines including Awadhi.

With over 17 years of culinary Journey, Chef Abhishek has worked with several hotels across India and abroad, learning his skills. He is especially proud of his understanding of concepts in molecular and Ayurveda cuisines. He has completed his graduation in hotel management.

In 2020, Chef participated in a competition organized by Quality NZ and was one of the top ten chefs in India.

With his rich experience, Chef Abhishek has joined Hyatt Pune at a time when the hospitality industry is making a comeback and he aims to take famed restaurant products like Baan Tao, Fishbowl, and Eighty-Eight to new levels.

Chef Abhishek says, “I am looking forward to working with the supportive and friendly team at Hyatt Pune. I am thrilled to be working in the extremely beautiful green environment of Hyatt Pune. I believe Pune is an extremely vibrant city and Punekars deserves the best.”

Appointment | Novotel Goa Resort and Spa Appoints Divyashree Borkar Manager Learning & Development as the New Director of Engineering

Novotel Goa Candolim and Novotel Goa Resort and Spa Appoints Divyashree Borkar as Manager Learning and Development

National, June 2022:  Novotel Goa Candolim and Novotel Goa Resort and Spa has announced the appointment of Mrs. Divyashree Borkar as its manager learning and development.

Possessing a meritorious experience of around 8 years, Divyashree comes with extensive knowledge and expertise in the hospitality industry. She was previously associated with Courtyard by Marriott, Pune and Country Inn and Suites by Radisson Goa Candolim. Divyashree has a strong operational understanding of her field which makes it perfect for her current role at Novotel Goa.

Encompassing the values of strength and integrity, she believes that the learning and development department truly develops and manages the culture of the company. Divyashree’s strong foundation in this field makes her a perfect fit to spearhead this pivotal vertical of the hotels.

Commenting on the announcement, Mr. Ranju Singh - Complex General Manager, Novotel Goa Candolim, and Novotel Goa Resort and Spa stated, “We are delighted to have Divyashree join the team at the hotel. She will be instrumental in assuring the growth and development of our team members and also nurturing the trainees who would start their career with us.”

“I am thrilled to take on my new role at Novotel Goa and look forward to continuing the excellent work already being done at the property. Hoping to learn from my colleagues and support them with the knowledge I have gained through my experience over the years in this industry.” - said Divyashree.

Divyashree has a knack for outdoor sports and loves to play basketball during her free time.

Holiday Inn Agra appoints Rajiv Vyas as Director of Sales and Marketing

He will work towards optimizing the hotel sales, marketing, and revenue performance across the verticals of Room Sales, Social, and MICE business

Rajiv Vyas

Holiday Inn Agra has appointed Rajiv Vyas as the Director of Sales and Marketing. In his new role, Rajiv will be spearheading the sales and marketing strategy at the hotel, in addition to building a dynamic sales and marketing team. He will work towards optimizing the hotel sales, marketing and revenue performance across the verticals of Room Sales, Social and MICE business, at the same time he shall also be working very closely with the food and beverage team to enhance visibility of the various outlets and drive revenues for the segment.

An experienced sales and marketing professional with a demonstrated history of more than 18 years of excelling in the hospitality sector, Rajiv has held key positions in hotels such as The Lalit Jaipur, Marriott International, Novotel Hyderabad, The Park Hyderabad, Radisson Edwardian Company, Heathrow, UK amongst others.

Speaking on his new role, Rajiv said, “I am honored to join Holiday Inn Agra and I look forward to achieving new heights of success for the hotel along with the dynamic team here.

Outside the realm of work, he enjoys exploring new places, swimming and capturing moments.

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 

RAS AL KHAIMAH SELECTED TO HOST THE PRESTIGIOUS 2023 MINIFOOTBALL WORLD CUP

World Minifootball Federation (WMF) selects Ras Al Khaimah to stage the biennial international football competition, cementing the emirate’s reputation as a leading sports and athleticism destination

New Delhi, India, June 2022: Sports tourism is gaining momentum in Ras Al Khaimah with the destination named host of the 2023 Minifootball (WMF) World Cup, a mega international football competition held every two years that attracts thousands of spectators and fans from around the globe.

 Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) won the highly competitive bid to stage the 2023 tournament with the World Minifootball Federation (WMF) selecting the destination over other shortlisted contenders, including Manila and Budapest.  Final tournament dates will be announced in the coming weeks.

The tournament, which will bring together 24 national teams and thousands of spectators to Ras Al Khaimah, cements the destination’s reputation for staging international sporting events, with the emirate already playing host to high-profile events including the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon, the world’s fastest half marathon which attracts more than 5,000 participants a year, road cycling competition UAE Tour as well as renowned international golf championships, the DP World Tour and the European Tour.

In addition to the significant tourism development and economic benefits that hosting the 2023 WMF World Cup will deliver, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) believes the tournament will act as a springboard for the promotion of minifootball in the UAE, encouraging more residents and visitors to play the sport, in line with the emirate’s objectives to foster livability as well as engaging with local schools and sports clubs within the local and broader UAE community.

Raki Phillips, Chief Executive Officer of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, said: “Winning the bid to host the 2023 WMF World Cup marks another milestone in our strategy to promote Ras Al Khaimah as a destination for athleticism and major sporting events and I would like to thank the World Minifootball Federation for selecting the emirate to stage this prestigious tournament, one sought-after by many cities around the world. We consider this a major win for the community, not only in Ras Al Khaimah, but the UAE and wider Middle East region, and we have the full support of all stakeholders in orchestrating what we believe will be the most comprehensive, collaborative and community engaged WMF Cup tournament to date.”

“We are overwhelmingly proud to be able to showcase Ras Al Khaimah as a centre for sports and tourism to a new demographic of visitors, including competing WMF Cup athletes, their teams and thousands of avid minifootball fans, with the emirate not only home to great sports facilities, but a wide range of outdoor activities, including adventure pursuits on Jebel Jais, the UAE’s highest mountain.”

Filip Juda, President of the World Minifootball Federation, said: “I am excited to announce that the 2023 tournament will take place in Ras Al Khaimah, a highly attractive destination for many reasons, including its proven track record staging major sporting events. What impressed our judging panel was the destination’s compelling and diverse tourism offering, ease of access for our teams and fans; and importantly, its commitment to promoting sports in the community, with the 2023 World Cup throwing the spotlight on minifootball in the UAE and regionally, highlighting its positive contribution to the development of society.”

“I would like to congratulate Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) for winning the 2023 tournament bid and look forward to collaborating with the tourism authority to prepare and deliver an outstanding event that will wow our members, participants and fans.”

The WMF World Cup is a biennial tournament contested by the senior men’s national teams of World Minifootball Federation (WMF) members. The term ‘minifootball’ means small-sided football open to amateur players, with WMF competitions focused on player development, teambuilding, fair play and inter-relations between millions of minifootball participants globally, with the number players growing significantly in recent years.

The last Minifootball World Cup was staged in Perth, Western Australia, in 2019. With the 2021 tournament, which was due to be staged in Kyiv, Ukraine, postponed in the wake of the pandemic, Ras Al Khaimah is anticipating strong demand from fans planning to attend the 2023 event.

Known as the nature emirate, with vast outdoor spaces, an attractive all-year-round climate, with temperatures in the mountains around 10 degrees cooler than elsewhere in the UAE, and a plethora of tourism attractions encompassing culture and heritage, deserts dunes and sandy beaches, plus mountain activities including the world’s longest zipline, Ras Al Khaimah is the ideal location for sports events visitors.  With the destination served by four international air airports across the UAE, including Ras Al Khaimah International Airport, it is easily accessible to two billion people within a four-hour flight radius.

Ras Al Khaimah’s credentials as a community focused and safe destination also played a role in securing the 2023 WMF World Cup, with the UAE ranking seventh worldwide for overall safety and security in World Economic Forum’s 2019 Travel & Tourism Competitiveness report.

The emirate has also been recognised for its robust health and safety initiatives during the pandemic, named a safe destination, as certified by both Bureau Veritas, the international leader in testing, inspection and certification and the WTTC (World Travel & Tourism Council) Safe Travels Stamp, while the UAE has one of the highest COVID-19 vaccination rates globally at 98% of the population.

Seven Sinclairs properties bag the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award

Ranked among the top 10% of hotels worldwide

Sinclairs is proud to announce that seven of its properties, namely Sinclairs Retreat Ooty; Sinclairs Darjeeling; Sinclairs Burdwan; Sinclairs Bayview, Port Blair; Sinclairs Retreat Dooars, Chalsa; Sinclairs Siliguri and Sinclairs Gangtok, are the recipients of the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award 2022, based on the reviews and opinions from travelers around the world.  This annual award recognizes the best tourism establishments in terms of service, quality, customer satisfaction, and more, across a range of categories.

Travelers’ Choice recognizes businesses that earn consistently great reviews and the award winners are among the top 10% of listings on TripAdvisor. TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice honors select accommodations, and attractions that consistently demonstrate a commitment to hospitality excellence.

Travelers’ Choice honors favorite hotels based on the reviews and opinions collected from travelers around the world on TripAdvisor over a twelve-month period.  The winner is determined on the quality and quantity of traveler reviews and ratings posted on TripAdvisor over a twelve-month period as well as an additional editorial process. 

The other two Sinclairs properties namely Sinclairs Retreat Kalimpong is consistently ranked No.1 on TripAdvisor while Sinclairs Yangang in South Sikkim has only recently commenced operations.

ITC Hotels elevates Atul Bhalla as Area Manager for hotels in West and East Region, India

In the new role, Atul would oversee the operational excellence of thirteen lifestyle and luxury brands of ITC Hotels along with other upcoming projects in Western and Eastern India

Atul Bhalla, Area Manager - West, ITC Hotels and General Manager.

In his recent career advancement, Atul Bhalla is promoted to the Area Manager for ITC Hotels in West and East India.

As a key member of ITC Hotels’ leadership think tank, Atul will be based in Mumbai as the General Manager, ITC Maratha, and will oversee operational excellence for the group’s portfolio in Eastern & Western India with thirteen operating hotels under ITC Luxury Collection and WelcomHotel; and upcoming lifestyle hotel brands in the region.

Atul will be responsible for creating and executing a strategic road map working with the hotel General Managers to drive stakeholders’ value and establish brand equity via culture agility, service quality and guest satisfaction, customer acquisition and associates retention.

Atul has over 28 years of hospitality experience and is a 24-year veteran with ITC Hotels; his journey with the group started in 1998 at ITC Kakatiya, Hyderabad and since then, he has held Senior Management positions across various ITC Hotels in Bangalore, Delhi and Mumbai.

Some of the noteworthy achievements of his tenure include the successful launch of ITC Royal Bengal, the 14th luxury hotel of ITC in India, and metamorphosing of the largest complex operation with ITC Sonar. Atul also played an integral part in the pre-opening of ITC Grand Chola, Chennai, two of ITC Hotels’ biggest and grandest properties for the group.

Having received many accolades in his journey as a hospitality professional, Atul likes to share his learnings with the team.

2022 MARKS 10-YEAR MILESTONE FOR FOUR SEASONS MALDIVES SURFING CHAMPIONS TROPHY

India, June 2022: After a two-year hiatus, the world’s most luxurious surfing event announces its return to competition in the stunning reef breaks of Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa.

Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy will be hosting its 10th year of competition from August 22-29, 2022, with perhaps the most exciting field of competitors ever to don the coveted jersey.

With a line-up of six professional surfers and a unique event format, the Surfing Champions Trophy throws traditional competition to the wind and, from the most lavish surf location in the world, puts on a one-of-a-kind show.

Rather than set 30-minute heats, each surfer’s heat time is based on their age. Additionally, their skills are put to the test across three different surfing disciplines – single-fin, twin-fin and a more conventional triple-fin thruster. With this varied format, each surfer has the freedom to get creative and have as much fun as possible in the water.

Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy announces the first three surfers (of six) who will be competing in this historic 10th year of competition – Rob Machado, Shane Dorian and Ross Williams.

These surfers are not only iconic in the sport but also makeup part of a very special crew in surfing’s celebrated history – The Momentum Generation. With their story now made into a feature-length film on HBO (The Momentum Generation), fans can tune in and become invested in the narrative of these legendary surfers – from their young teenage lives through to today, surfing in the Surfing Champions Trophy in Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa.

“Don’t be fooled by the age of our crew,” says Rob Machado. “We’ll be more fired up than ever, competing against guys from our own generation!”

The remaining field will be announced closer to the event, with three additional competitors including one local Maldivian wildcard. This packed field will be putting on a unique display of surfing to remember, as they compete for USD 25,000 in prize winnings and enjoy all that Four Seasons Resort Kuda Huraa has to offer.

Stay tuned for more updates as the (re)start of the world’s most luxurious surfing event approaches for its landmark tenth anniversary.

For surf fans who would like to be part of the action, contact the Central Reservations Department of Four Seasons Resorts Maldives at tel: (960) 66 00 888 or email: reservations.mal@fourseasons.com.

Chef Raymond Wong Appointed As , Master Chef - Asian at By The Mekong, The St. Regis Mumbai

Chef Raymond, Master Chef - Asian at By The Mekong brings with him over 28 years of rich culinary experience.

As a young lad, Chef Raymond spent time listening to his father’s sage advice on following his passion of traveling the world.  Hospitality was the perfect backdrop and he started his career as a chef at the tender age of 16, working towards his passion.  At age 20, Raymond got his opportunity to start his ambition of seeing the world as he took up his first-ever international role in Brunei.  There was no looking back for him.  He spent the next two decades living his dream, traveling and honing his skill with each role.

With his southeast Asian roots, Chef Raymond trained in Asian cuisine, specializing in Asian, a cuisine that is a favorite in India.  He observed his mother keenly in the early years of his career, a role model who created delicious and authentic meals for the family and a de facto cost controller of the kitchen.  Her training and input proved invaluable as he moved up in his career over the years.

He started his career with stand-alone restaurants where he got opportunities beyond the realm of culinary.  English, a much-needed language for global travel, was his focus as he embarked on a role with Dragon Palace Restaurant in Mauritius.  This appointment changed his course as he was given charge of the venue at the age of 25 and the opportunity to learn spoken English which he mastered in no time.  Soon he moved up the ladder, adding to his experience, the chance of helming venues in leading hotels like Radisson, Conrad, and Novotel.  He also fulfilled his zest for travel with a ten-year stint with Star Cruises, as he continued keeping up with the latest global food trends.  

Chef Raymond soon reached the Indian shores joining Hakkasan Group, consulting as Head Chef with a Pan India roll.  Post his stint here, he joined Marriott International’s Autograph Collection in Baku, Azerbaijan.  His prowess in Asian and Asian cuisine in his varied roles over the years soon led him to The St. Regis Mumbai, where he will lead the culinary team of the very popular specialty restaurant - By The Mekong.

With a gold medal award from The World Golden Chef Competition 2010 under his belt, Chef Raymond lives his life with simplicity and fortitude.   His mantra in his words is: “I enjoy working in the world of food and the satisfied smile of my guests after a hearty meal is my most precious reward.   I love to take on new challenges to explore the new and wear my chef whites with pride and joy.”

His sunny nature extends to his personal life as he joyfully curates and creates exotic and exquisite food for his family, hand-picking the ingredients over two days, much to the delight and satisfaction of his wife, daughter, and son.  He enjoys his downtime with a fitness regime of swimming and often regales his family with his songs rendered in Asian and Cantonese. 

ABOUT ST. REGIS HOTELS & RESORTS

Combining classic sophistication with a modern sensibility, St. Regis is committed to delivering exceptional experiences at nearly 40 luxury hotels and resorts in the best addresses around the world. Since the opening of the first St. Regis hotel in New York City over a century ago by John Jacob Astor IV, the brand has remained committed to an uncompromising level of bespoke and anticipatory service for all of its guests, delivered flawlessly by signature St. Regis Butler Service. The ultra-luxury brand is set to expand its legacy to 50 hotels by 2018. For more information and new openings, visitstregis.com or follow Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. St. Regis is proud to participate in the industry’s award-winning loyalty program, Starwood Preferred Guest®, in which members can link accounts with Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® for instant elite status matching and unlimited points transfer.

Appointment | Chef Deepak Sarkar Appointed the Culinary Director at Raffles Udaipur

Raffles Udaipur has appointed Chef Deepak Sarkar as the Culinary Director. Chef Sarkar has over two decades of outstanding experience curating menus and leading culinary teams across luxury hotels and restaurants.  

In his new role at Raffles Udaipur, Chef Sarkar will not only manage the operational and functional aspects of the culinary department across restaurants, in-room dining, event space and bars, but will also spearhead menu curation to add a delectable new flair while presenting innovative dishes with a distinctive twist to the property’s already unparalleled gastronomy.  

An alumnus of IHM Gwalior with vast experience of more than 20 years in the hospitality industry, he has contributed his incredible culinary skillset and leadership skills to properties such as Fairfield by Marriott, Jodhpur, ITC Royal Bengal, Kolkata, and DoubleTree by Hilton, Gurgaon.  

With exposure across worldly cuisines, such as Japanese as a Teppanyaki master, and other international markets of Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, and the Middle East, Chef Sarkar enjoys experimenting and improvising with a large variety of flavors and cooking styles to suit the modern-day palate.       

During the trajectory of his career, Chef Sarkar has lead restaurants and hotels to win distinguished culinary awards and recognitions. He has also catered for Prime Minister Hon’ble Narendra Modi along with Japanese Prime Minister Hon’ble Shinzo Abe. His inspirational journey and culinary knowledge is undoubtedly set to be a value addition to the food and beverage pillar of Raffles Udaipur. 

On days when Chef Sarkar is not making strides in the culinary world, he loves to ride superbikes, embark on off-roading trips and spend time with family and friends. Chef Sarkar is extremely passionate about sharing his gourmet experiences with his team and creating new and innovative recipes. This culinary passion and innovation, in combination with Raffles Udaipur’s gastronomy, is set to reach new heights in the F&B world.   

Appointment | Chai Point appoints Manmeet Vohra as Chief Brand and Digital Officer

Manmeet has 20 years of strategic brand building experience in the Consumer Retail Lifestyle industry

Chai Point, India’s largest tea-led hot beverage platform, has announced the appointment of Manmeet Vohra as Chief Brand and Digital Officer. With 20 years of strategic brand building experience and special expertise in the Consumer Retail Lifestyle Industry, Vohra, in her storied career, has led brand building for renowned international brands including Starbucks, Visa and TAG Heuer. She started her luxury lifestyle marketing journey with the Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH Group) in 2003 where she worked with TAG Heuer watches for eight years.

Vohra served as the Director, Marketing, Category and Loyalty at Tata Starbucks between 2013 and 2017. She also had a brief stint as the Marketing Head, India and South Asia at Visa until 2019. Most recently, Vohra worked as an Independent Brand Consultant, devoting her energies to help brands and startups, across the spectrum, with strategic brand building. She joins the Chai Point leadership team at a time when the brand is growing aggressively across channels like retail stores, cloud kitchens, corporate offices and institutions, online CPG and HORECA (hotels, restaurants and cafes).

At Chai Point, Vohra will focus on elevating and deepening the Chai Point consumer connect across all its channels – including the brand’s international foray. By leveraging the beverage platform’s innovation excellence  across multiple channels, her focus will especially be on building an integrated digital experience through the Chai Point App.

Amuleek Singh Bijral, Co-Founder and CEO, Chai Point, says, “We are committed to building a global Chai and Coffee beverage platform leveraging the software and hardware capabilities of our myChai brewing system. We are thrilled to have Manmeet Vohra join our seasoned senior leadership team in building a global brand for our platform.”

A graduate from Sri Ram College of Commerce(SRCC), Delhi University, Vohra is a post-graduate from Mudra Institute of Communications, Ahmedabad (MICA).

On the business front, Chai Point is planning to aggressively open new retail stores this year including taking the Chai Point experience to consumers in new cities. With the office channel making a comeback, Chai Point aims to double their Cloud based myChai brewing systems presence in the channel. The Company also plans to tap into the mid-size bakery market which is over 10 lakh cafes and bakeries in India by installing myChai brewing system across the space. myChai brewing system is a Cloud-connected Chai and coffee dispenser technology platform which gives Chai Point the capability to brew fresh chai and coffee with consistent quality at a global scale.

Appointment | Rajwardhan Singh Appointed as the Food and Beverage Manager, Hyatt Regency Pune

Having worked with brands such as IHG Hotels, Centrum Hotels, Imperial Hotels and Oberoi group, he has an unmatched experience and expertise in food and beverage

Hyatt Regency Pune, announces the appointment of Rajwardhan Singh as the new Food and Beverage (F&B) manager at the hotel. Rajwardhan brings with him a remarkable experience of over 15 years in F&B and Hospitality. Having worked with brands such as IHG Hotels, Centrum Hotels, Imperial Hotels and Oberoi group, he has an unmatched experience and expertise in food and beverage.

Creating memories for guests through unique dining experiences has always fascinated Rajwardhan. He thrives on developing new ideas and concepts, innovative and creative ways to improve the service standards to delight guests.

As the F&B manager at Hyatt Regency Pune, Rajwardhan plans to invest time in growth and development of associates and empowering them to provide exceptional guest service. He would also like to focus on innovation and implementation of new trends in food and beverage operations.

We at Hyatt Regency Pune are excited for Rajwardhan’s journey at the hotel. With his understanding of F&B trends, restaurant management and operations, he will surely help us boost the growth of F&B at Hyatt Regency Pune.

A yogi's fantasy, a traveller's delight, these places are where you get close to the basics, to nature, and to a fitter version of yourself.

A yogi's fantasy, a traveller's delight, these places are where you get close to the basics, to nature, and to a fitter version of yourself.

Yoga is a practise that developed in ancient India to maintain one's mind, body, and spirit disciplined and fit, as well as to create body-mind harmony. In fitness, Yoga is the new cool, and there's no denying that it is and will continue to rule the fitness world. Especially now that International Yoga Day is approaching. Yoga is the tidal wave that is sweeping the globe. If you've been bitten by the yoga bug these places are where you get close to the essentials, to nature, and to a fitter version of yourself. A yogi's fantasy, a traveller's delight, these places are where you get close to the basics, to nature, and to a fitter version of yourself. 

Club Mahindra Binsar Valley

Club Mahindra Binsar Valley, Uttarakhand, is nestled among rolling hills in Almora and is the ideal location for family vacations. This is where everyone's inner kid can be found. At one of India's most famous holiday locations, take in the magnificent vistas and be mesmerised by the gorgeous Himalayas. Everyone enjoys their holiday bliss at Club Mahindra Binsar Valley in Uttarakhand. You'll appreciate the tranquilly of nature that surrounds you. The resort's numerous facilities geared to children will delight them. When you're inside, unwind in big, comfortable accommodations that have been built to meet your every need.

www.clubmahindra.com/our-resorts/club-mahindra-binsar-valley-resort-in-uttarakhand

Namami Health Retreat & Wellness Sanctuary

Settled at the banks of Periyar River in Ernakulum, Kerala, Namami Health Retreat and Wellness Sanctuary, is a uniquely conceptualized retreat that integrates ancient medicine like Yoga, Naturopathy, Ayurveda along with modern-day science, technology and allopathy to provide a holistic 360-degree wellness experience. The Namami Approach offers differentiated ‘Wellness Formulas’, keeping the guest’s needs and requirements in mind. In addition to providing a range of culinary experiences and curated recreation spaces for children, Namami is an excellent place to get away from the stress of city life and enjoy a healthy, relaxing retreat. 

www.namamihealth.com/

Ananda in the Himalayas

Immerse yourself in this award-winning luxury spa resort in the Himalayas surrounded by breath-taking views of Rishikesh and river Ganges. Sprawled across a 100-acre estate, the retreat imbibes the philosophies of yoga, Ayurveda and Vedanta to give you the ultimate wellness stay. Ananda offers food for the soul as it combines mental and physical wellbeing with personalised programmes ranging from yogic detox to chronic pain management, Ayurvedic practices and yoga sessions.

www.anandaspa.com/

CONNECT, COLLABORATE AND CELEBRATE AT THE EXOTIC WEDDING PLANNING CONFERENCE (EWPC) IN RAS AL KHAIMAH

The fastest growing Emirate plays host for the 11th edition of the global wedding conference in 2023.

New Delhi - India, June 2022: Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) will host the 11th Edition of the Exotic Wedding Planning Conference (EWPC), taking place at Al Hamra Conference Centre from 1 - 3 March 2023. The three-day event will bring together top-class wedding planners, hospitality vendors, tourism boards, travel experts, and wedding suppliers from around the world in a single, comprehensive platform for event organizers. 

Building on the success of previous events, the first two days of the in-person conference is designed to create an open marketplace of profound learning, collaborative business set-ups, engaging discussion sessions, a stellar line-up of speakers, and a dazzling array of entertainment. The final day of the conference will feature the APEX Awards, highlighting outstanding talents, commendable initiatives and hard work of those in the destination wedding industry.

Delegates will be able to experience one of the most diverse and naturally beautiful destinations in the region themselves, with the Emirate’s wide variety of unique venues and experiences stretching across stunning terracotta dunes, breath-taking mountains, and pristine beaches. Combined with an extensive hospitality offering and close proximity to Europe, Asia, and Africa, Ras Al Khaimah is perfectly placed to host all types of weddings and celebrations, cementing its reputation as a destination wedding hub.

Iyad Rasbey, Executive Director, Destination Tourism Development at Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, said: “The weddings sector is a key growth area for Ras Al Khaimah, and we are thrilled to be welcoming the Exotic Wedding Planning Conference to our nature Emirate. With our natural topography, world-class hospitality brands, and seamless infrastructure, Ras Al Khaimah is one of the most sought-after destinations, perfectly suited for weddings and the MICE sector. We look forward to showcasing our destination to wedding experts and demonstrating why Ras Al Khaimah is the perfect exotic wedding destination.”

Rishikesh Shetty, CEO of Exito and EWPC commented: “We are excited to bring EWPC back to RAK in 2023 after 9 editions across the globe and bring 350+ Destination wedding planners from 50 different countries this time. It appears to be the Wedding business is back in full swing with businesses fitting in two years worth of postponed events into already-busy peak months. We look forward to making this the most successful edition & the largest B2B wedding convention event till date.”

The Exotic Wedding Planning Conference joins a portfolio of high-profile events hosted in the Emirate, including the Global Citizen Forum’s acclaimed annual summit in 2021 and the Arab Aviation Summit for a second year following the success of the previous edition, alongside a number of large destination wedding groups in 2022.

To find out more about the Exotic Wedding Planning Conference please visit www.weddingplanningconference.com/

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.

Appointment | Vidhi Jain joins as Marketing & Communications Manager at Jaipur Marriott Hotel

Vidhi Jain

joins as Marketing & Communications Manager at Jaipur Marriott Hotel 

Vidhi Jain commences her new stint at Jaipur Marriott as Marketing & Communications Manager.  In her new role, she will be responsible for elevating and maintaining the hotel’s brand positioning, creating invigorating marketing campaigns aligned with the hotel’s key goals, and driving additional revenue through tactical campaigns. She will be an integral part of the Sales &  Marketing team enhancing the digital presence across platforms, and driving PR, Communications, and Media Relations for the hotel. 

Prior to her current role, she headed Marketing & Communications for Holiday Inn Jaipur City  Centre, including during the tumultuous phase of the pandemic. Talking about her tenure, she was actively involved in ideating, planning, and executing various food festivals and promotions and was an integral part of driving successful R&B campaigns and PR campaigns.  

Vidhi hails from Imphal, Manipur, and is a Graduate in Journalism and Mass Communication with a specialization in Public Relations. She also possesses certification in Event Management that gives her an understanding of hotel operations as well as key business segments like Weddings and MICE. She has been a part of the hospitality industry for more than half a decade now and has been able to carve out a niche for herself in Jaipur’s hospitality business. Jain has been garnering various skill – sets to excel in her job role including strategic leadership, guest experience, and expertise in sales & marketing. 

Spearheading marketing and communication function for the largest Marriott Hotel in Rajasthan,  Jaipur Marriott offers an amalgamation of contemporary luxury and timeless opulence with 374  well-appointed rooms, four varied dining options, extensive banqueting, and an array of recreational activities, she will be responsible for ensuring effective positioning of the hotel to the defined target segments and appropriate markets pertaining to each revenue stream including highlighting the unique features to ensure that the hotel stands out from the competition and establish the benefits of staying with us. 

Passionate about building brand success stories, Jain is a food enthusiast and loves cooking in her leisure time.

Appointment | Pramod Kumar joins as Director of Sales & Marketing at Jaipur Marriott Hotel

Pramod Kumar joins as Director of Sales & Marketing at Jaipur Marriott Hotel 

Jaipur Marriott Hotel is pleased to have Pramod Kumar as Director of Sales & Marketing. Pramod brings along a wealth of expertise in the Sales & Marketing and Revenue Management domain.  In his new stint, he will be responsible to drive commercial objectives and enhance the brand positioning. 

Pramod’s journey from a Food and Beverage Steward to a Director of Sales & Marketing is no less  but exemplary, armed with a rich experience of more than 16 years including 7 Pre- openings and  Re-Branding. He has worked with renowned brands in the Hospitality sector like Marriott  International, IHG, Accor, Aitken Spence, and Vikram Chatwal Hotels and the last assignment was with the Hyatt, marking the Hyatt Centric's brand debut and part of the Re-branding team. Kumar excels in handling corporate to leisure, and weddings to MICE and is actively involved in strategic revenue planning across verticals. 

Spearheading the Sales & Marketing vertical for Jaipur Marriott - the hotel offers an amalgamation of contemporary luxury and timeless opulence with 374 well-appointed rooms, an array of recreational activities, award-winning dining options, and over 1,00,000 sq. ft. of convention and banqueting space he will focus on optimizing hotel revenues, enhancing brand reputation, curating thematic wedding experiences, driving innovative marketing campaigns and harnessing the teams’ strengths to achieve commercial goals and set new benchmarks.  

Kumar possesses a strong business acumen and seeks to work towards implementing strategies to elevate the brand presence and deliver profitability to the stakeholders. He will also closely work with Food and Beverage team to enhance brand visibility and drive revenues for the segment. 

Pramod quotes himself as a 'Nomad'; an avid traveler who loves to drive and explore new places.  He also enjoys cooking in his leisure time.

On his new assignment, Pramod stated, “I am equally thrilled and excited to be overlooking the  Sales & Marketing domain of the largest Marriott Hotel in Rajasthan. Jaipur Marriott, the city’s  events and dining landmark is a perfect embodiment of world-class service and I truly look  forward to creating a window to set new benchmarks for high-end events hosting the county’s  best artistic and iconic nights in The Pink City and curating experiential and thematic weddings,  large-scale events & conventions, and driving partnerships and collaborations for the hotel.” 

Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre hosts the HEALTHFUL CHOICES Cook-off by Celebrity Nutritionist Sridevi Jasti

Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre hosts the HEALTHFUL CHOICES Cook-off by Celebrity Nutritionist Sridevi Jasti

Hyderabad June: Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre (NHCC) organized 'Healthful Choices' a unique interactive cooking show at the Food Exchange in collaboration with celebrity nutritionist Ms. Sridevi Jasti of Vibrant Living. The cooking show which coincided with the Father’s Day Sunday Brunch highlighted the importance of exploring new healthful food choices and provided guests with a good time for networking & knowledge sharing. The cooking show touched upon the recipes of plant-based delicacies like smoothies, rice paper rolls, deserts, and much more.  

Eating healthfully doesn't involve counting calories but it's all about eating a well-balanced meal full of natural nourishment and fresh ingredients.  Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre always promotes healthy and sustainable food options for its guests. As a part of its endeavour to encourage soulful eating the team has also introduced a separate Vegan menu (An extension to its already existing elaborate Sunday Brunch Menu with excellent plant-based choices for discerning customers.

The event was a huge success and attracted a large number of participants. The Vegan menu was a great hit with the guests, who were seen enjoying a guilt-free meal with some lovely music under an overcast sky and slight drizzle.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Manish Dayya, General Manager Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre & Hyderabad International Convention Centre said, "We are delighted to host ‘Healthful Choices’, cooking show at Food Exchange. The last few years of pandemics have made us realise the importance of physical and mental health and almost every concern can be addressed with the right food intake. The event provided great insight and we would like to thank Ms.Sridevi Jasti, for this wonderful interactive session. We have also curated a special Vegan menu for the guests who can now enjoy a wider spread of healthy options.”

Appointment | DoubleTree by Hilton Goa - Panaji appoints Resha Naik as Marketing and Communications Manager

DoubleTree by Hilton Goa - Panaji appoints Resha Naik as Marketing and Communications Manager

June 2022: DoubleTree by Hilton Goa - Panaji is delighted to announce the appointment of Resha Naik as Marketing and Communications Manager. She has over 19 years of relevant experience and started her hospitality career with Fairmont Dubai. In her new capacity, Resha will work closely with the hotel’s commercial director and will be responsible for directing all marketing & communication strategies that help brand visibility to sustain the hotel’s competitive positioning. Her last assignment was a cluster role as Marketing Manager with Novotel Goa Candolim and Novotel Goa Resort & Spa.

Resha has gained rich expertise in increasing brand awareness and profitability with extensive knowledge of traditional advertising and design, which she inherited from her father who is an accomplished commercial artist. She was introduced to modern tools of communication through her work experience. Over the years, she has orchestrated and accomplished meaningful marketing initiatives to drive business growth and brand awareness, successful property campaigns, implementing digital marketing strategies, and developing market-specific content.

Commenting on Resha’s appointment, Shiv Bose, General Manager of DoubleTree by Hilton Goa – Panaji expresses, “We are pleased to have Resha lead our marketing efforts at the hotel. Her prominent experience in marketing & communications, particularly in driving result-oriented deliveries, will further enhance our growth objectives at the resort. We look forward to her leadership in pursuit of providing the best of Hilton hospitality to our guests”.

Over the years, Resha has been a recipient of several noteworthy hospitality awards. She is an alumni of S.S. Dempo College of Commerce & Economics, Goa with a degree in Bachelor of Commerce with a major in financial accounting, auditing & taxation. In her leisure time, Resha loves to spend time with her pet dog and to fuel her creativity by learning new crafts.