Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach successfully launches the Calm - Salon and Spa, a thoughtfully crafted holistic hub

Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach successfully launches the Calm - Salon and Spa,  a thoughtfully crafted holistic hub

Visakhapatnam,July 2022: Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach successfully launched its new, Calm - Salon and Spa, a thoughtfully crafted, holistic hub of wellness treatments and salon experiences, on the  4th  of July 2022. With a glorious view of the Bay of Bengal perfectly perched to calm your senses, the spa is designed for exquisite rejuvenation and self-care.

Overlooking the surrounding scenic avenues, Calm - Salon and Spa offers signature body treatments such as Vinotherapy, Aromatherapy, Balinese, Thai massage, and more for a tranquil state of your mind, body and soul. The spa packages also offer a combination of massages, traditional body scrubs and facials with enriching products to soothe and refresh. Calm - Salon and Spa have a dedicated reception and retail area along with 5 treatment rooms consisting of 4 single rooms and a dedicated room for couples with a delightful view of the Bay of Bengal.

On the occasion of its announcement, Ravi Rai, Cluster General Manager Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach said, “We are delighted to open our doors for the Calm- Salon and Spa at Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach, designed to offer an exclusive and invigorating experience. We look forward to welcoming our guests to unwind with its refreshing spa and wellness treatments.”

In addition to effective treatments with select ingredients, the spa also offers premium skincare solutions, and other services including bridal makeup, hair stylist services, nail care and other beauty facilities. Compose your mind and soothe your soul with the wellness regime in a sophisticated and elegant space. The Calm - Salon and Spa offer expert care while nourishing serene mindfulness and calmness for all your senses. 

Meet The FoodSuperstars 2022 Chef Hussain Shahzad

Chef Hussain returned to India after interesting stints abroad that included a gig as personal chef to Roger Federer and a position in New York’s Eleven Madison Park.

He credits chef Daniel Humm for teaching him how to cook and his mentor the late chef Floyd Cardoz for teaching him how to be a chef. Now in charge of two of Mumbai’s top restaurants

The Bombay Canteen and O Pedro Mumbai, Shahzad is on a mission to make Indian cuisine fun. Meet The FoodSuperstars is a limited series by Culinary Culture that takes you into the minds of India's top chefs as they share their stories, their fondest memories and their deepest secrets.

Chapter 1 features chefs: Manish Mehrotra, Naren Thimmaiah, Manisha Bhasin, Himanshu Saini, Hussain Shahzad, Pooja Dhingra, Saurabh Udinia, Ritu Dalmia, Dane Fernandes, Prateek Sadhu, Nooresha Kably, Regi Mathew, Asma Khan & Manu Chandra FoodSuperstars, India's Top 30 Chefs presented by Campo Viejo is India's first and only platform conceptualized to honor and celebrate India's greatest chefs.

#FoodSuperstars #CulinaryCulture #IndianChefs #GourmetFood #CampoViejo #HussainShahzad

PRIDE GROUP OF HOTELS SIGNS ‘PRIDE RESORTS’ AT HALOL INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, VADODARA

PRIDE GROUP OF HOTELS SIGNS ‘PRIDE RESORTS’ AT HALOL INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, VADODARA

Pride Group of Hotels has announced the signing up of yet another Pride Resorts. Located at Halol Industrial Estate, at Vadodara the property is well-connected by road to prominent commercial destinations around the city. Some of the major industries namely Hero motors, Reliance industries, Bajaj auto, MG Motors, Siemens, Ceat Tyres, HNG Glass, TOTO, and JCB among others are located in close proximity. Pride Resorts Halol encompasses 60+ rooms, huge indoor & outdoor lawns, 2 multi-cuisine restaurants, a Spa, a Gym and a Game zone. The new resort property will be operational to welcome guests from February 2023.

Announcing the signing, Atul Upadhyay, Senior Vice President, Pride Group of Hotels said, “We are pleased to announce the signing of Pride Resorts at Halol Industrial Estate, Vadodara. While most of the leading hotels are based near airports or city centre there is near absence of internationally acceptable hotels near industrial hubs. We aim to bridge this gap by launching our new property in one of the most popular industrial hub of Gujarat. We believe that the new property with its strategic location, imposing décor, delectable food options, banqueting and host of hospitality services will appeal to business travellers in this region”.

Commenting on the new signing, “Koustuva Mukherjee, AVP- Gujarat said, “We are delighted to further expand our presence in Gujarat with the launch of Pride Resorts in Vadodara, the group’s 15th property in the State. We are buoyant on the industrial growth of Gujarat that has fuelled demand for upscale mid-market hotels in this region. Being one of the most progressive and investor-friendly States in India, Gujarat state hosts ample potential across industries and it’s indeed a proud moment to be part of the growing state and economy”.

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.

Shalabh Arora joins Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru as Director of Marketing

Shalabh Arora is now the Director of Marketing at Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru. With over two decades of Sales and Marketing experience across India, Shalabh is a seasoned stalwart with the in-depth market knowledge and an excellent track record.

He has worked with renowned hotel brands like The Oberoi, Ritz Carlton, and The Leela. 

Born in Delhi and raised in Kolkata, Shalabh spent a major chunk of his initial career working in the Oberoi group across various locations.

A certified Executive Coach, Shalabh has recently concluded his Post Graduate certification in Digital Marketing and Communications. 

Shalabh joins the hotel at a momentous juncture post-Covid induced headwinds, after the opening of Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru in 2019. The timing could not be better as the hotel braces up for promising times, even as business travel starts to pick up.

Grand Hyatt Gurgaon is pleased to introduce the leadership team of the hotel

Abhijnan Biswas as Director of Rooms

With an experience of over sixteen years in the industry, Abhijnan is a true leader with specialized skills in room operations balanced by strong financial acumen and human resources skills.

Abhijnan commenced his career in luxury as he embarked on a role with the front office division at The Oberoi, Kolkata. His dedication, eye for detail, and guest focus allowed him to grow and rise as he moved up the ranks very quickly. His last assignment was at the Jaipur Marriot, where he consistently contributed to the guest satisfaction scores and to the success of the hotel.

He brings with him his passion for delivering the highest standards of service while managing and motivating his teams. At Grand Hyatt Gurgaon, he will helm the guest-facing teams in the front office, housekeeping department, and the discerning concierge teams. He will focus on ensuring bespoke and personalized service, bringing to life the brand’s WOH Program while driving Rooms Division Profitability.

Ankur Rastogi as Director of Sales & Marketing

Ankur Rastogi, will be responsible for developing key growth sales strategies, tactics, and action plans. with a pivotal role in strategically leading the business development goals and capitalising on the branding and communications efforts of the iconic hotel to attain greater heights.

As an industry expert, Ankur has 20 years of experience working in the hospitality industry, serving various international and domestic brands. He commenced his journey from the Fairmont San Francisco, USA, where he was part of hotel operations.  His previous work demonstrates his personal development from being a team member to being a director now.

Ankur will work closely with the leadership team of the hotel to positively impact the overall hotel goals and guest satisfaction. His focus will be to position the hotel as a market leader in the luxury and lifestyle segment, keeping in mind the evolving market conditions.

Vinay Ravi as Director of Human Resources and Area Director of Human Resources

With over 23 years of experience in talent management, he is a seasoned professional in his field.

Vinay’s skill in establishing a high-performing and engaged workforce is excellent for the hotel’s guest-focused culture. At the hotel, he will be responsible for driving strategic HR goals and fostering the Hyatt culture to set excellence across team members and enhance the guest experience.

He started his career with the Hyatt Group in 1999 and thereafter moved up to senior positions in diverse roles within the brand.

Vinay believes that great guest experiences find their roots in great associate experiences. He looks forward to creating an engaging, high-quality learning experience and an environment where all associates understand and embrace the brand’s purpose.

Vinay has dual responsibility for Grand Hyatt Gurgaon and Northern India hotels, which includes 11 operating hotels and 2 upcoming hotels.

Indu Verma as Director of Finance

Indu brings with her an experience of close to two decades of deep understanding and command of domain experience in financial planning, taxation, and budgeting. She will spearhead the hotel’s business strategy and will continue to evolve various financial structures to take the team towards success.

She started her journey with a renowned luxury hotel group, devoting enough time to nurture herself. Following that, she worked with various notable international brands prior to joining us.

In her current role, she will oversee all the hotel’s financial operations, namely accounting, auditing, budgeting, and purchase functions.

Kanika Arora as Executive Housekeeper

Kanika comes with more than a decade of experience, having previously worked with prestigious brands such as The Oberoi Hotel and Resorts and a stint with the Marriot group. She is known to possess excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills with proven abilities in team management and guest relationship management. She is well-versed with modern housekeeping techniques, optimum resource utilization strategies, and the implementation of the highest safety and hygiene standards within hotel operations.

At Grand Hyatt Gurgaon, she will be further enhancing the procedures of cleanliness and care, while delivering world-class hospitality as per “Hyatt’s Global Care & Cleanliness Commitment”, which is an expression of our purpose to care for people so they can be their best now and in the future. Kanika and her team will always direct their efforts towards the overall maintenance of the hotel to enable smooth operations and ensure an elevated experience for guests.

Sohil Bhargava as Assistant Director of Food and Beverage

Sohil started his career as Assistant Banquet Manager at the Grand Hyatt Goa, and from there comfortably moved onto the position of Assistant Restaurant Manager at the same hotel. From there, he moved to the Grand Hyatt Gurgaon as the restaurant manager and was elevated to the position of Assistant Director of Food & Beverage. His hard work and dedication have led to a successful career for him.

Sohil is a master at identifying new streams and curating culinary events for long-term revenue growth. He, along with his team, will take care of menu engineering, revenue management, staff and operations management, and event curation. He is a hands-on manager and a true leader who believes in creating empowered teams.

In his role at Grand Hyatt Gurgaon, he will be responsible for heading and managing the food and beverage operations and maintaining high standards of guest satisfaction. He will also work. closely with the Sales and Marketing team to drive revenues and enhance brand visibility for the hotel’s food and beverage.

Saurabh Singh Chandel as Executive Sous Chef

In his position, he will direct daily culinary operations at the hotel’s restaurants and bar while overseeing food and beverage offerings for in-room dining, corporate events, wedding functions, and special occasions.

With more than 18 years of rich experience in the hospitality industry across different brands, Saurabh will bring to the role his expertise in food & beverage and culinary operations. He believes that authenticity is the key ingredient to exquisite food. That’s why he delights in cooking Indian and Continental cuisine. After completing his hotel management training in culinary specialization, he further improved his skills by working at various domestic and international brands.

The experience of working at these established hotels over the years saw him create and innovate Indian and European delights, which sanctify the culture of India. His excellence in the hospitality industry will further facilitate the hotel’s commitment and efforts toward extending world-class dining offerings to their patrons and consequently enriching guest experiences.

Dhiraj Dargan as Executive Sous Chef

Dhiraj has a clear ability in kitchen planning, which is reflected in his presentation and the detail of design in each recipe, as he has been trained by the country’s best chef, Manish Mehrotra, in preparing the restaurant’s inventive Indian cuisine. Dhiraj has also worked with Old World Hospitality and with the Roseate Group of hotels. His experiences have made him skilled at both Indian and international cuisines, including European and Lebanese.

With wide exposure, Dhiraj is not only brilliant in the kitchen with his cooking, but also valuable outside of it with his excellent organizational skills. His meticulous monitoring of every aspect of the restaurant is one of his key strengths in any hotel. 

In his holistic approach to cooking, he seeks to not just create a sensory feast for his diners but a complete, unforgettable, and mesmerizing experience for his guests.

Adarsh Nair as Director of Sales

Adarsh comes with more than a decade of experience and has worked with a couple of domestic and international hotel brands.

Adarsh is a home-grown talent as he joined Hyatt Group as a Senior Sales Manager and was elevated to deserving levels after looking at his dedication and commitment to his work. His proficiency in understanding competitive landscapes, local and feeder market dynamics, and changing customer needs helps organizations achieve the anticipated results.

He firmly believes that discipline is the touchstone for a balanced life. According to him, having a disciplined work and family life is the key to success for a healthy balance between personal and professional life.

Tarun Goswami as Director of Events

Tarun is an accomplished professional and comes with an experience of close to two decades in sales and marketing functions, including food and beverage operations.

Tarun will be responsible for maintaining relationships with key stakeholders in the wedding and Mice fraternity and executing tactical campaigns to secure a new client base. He will oversee regular events to ensure guest satisfaction and adapt best practices for a seamless experience at all times.

A proven expert in his stream, Tarun has demonstrated his excellence in developing strategic business plans, ensuring overall profitability, and maximizing market penetration and brand awareness in his various previous roles with domestic and international hospitality brands

Jyoti Agrawal as Assistant Director of Finance

Jyoti comes with an experience of 8 years in the fields of finance and accounting. Having previously served as Chief Accountant within the brand, we are confident that she will be a valuable addition to the executive team and will help the organisation attain sustained profitable growth.

Her role entails driving performance by enabling leadership in making effective business decisions, maintaining an effective controlled environment, and achieving a strong and healthy balance sheet. Jyoti holds a chartered accountant degree from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and is a strong accounting professional.

Venkatesh Srinivasan as Materials Manager

Venkatesh brings with him over two decades of extensive experience in procurement, including tendering of new projects, bulk supply sourcing, and strategizing for annual capital expenditure. His last assignment was with SSCL- Columbia Asia, where he was heading the procurement for the projects team responsible for designing high-end apartments. Prior to this, he has also worked with multiple hospitality brands in India and abroad, with the longest stint in the Accor group.

In his new role, Venkatesh will align the procurement team and set up procurement processes and policies for the hotel. In addition, he will also lead the cost-savings initiatives and resource optimization that will help improve profitability. 

Ingredient Ideology | CORN-O-COPIA FIESTA Monsoon Special Tempting & Delicious Recipes to Savour

CORN- O- COPIA FIESTA

Monsoon Special Tempting & Delicious Recipes to Savour!

Corn is one of those interesting ingredients to involve in our day to day cooking in a variety of ways since it not only adds a touch and look of freshness to the dish it is added but also adds a nice bite and crunch as a texture too. The versatility of corn in today’s times has really gone up a lot since not only regular dishes, classic varieties but also contemporary and creative cuisines have incorporated corn in amazing ways!

Do try few recipes using corn adapted with a twist of taste!

Recipe-1] Desi Makkai ka Videshi Chaat

Ingredients:

2 cups sweet corn, boiled.

2 tsp olive oil

1 tsp garlic, chopped

1 tsp green chili, chopped

2-3 spring onions, chopped

½ green capsicum, small dices

Salt and pepper to taste

¼ cup mayonnaise/hung curd/greek yogurt.

2 tsp peanut butter mixed with 1 tsp tomato ketchup

¼ tsp chili flakes

¼ tsp fresh herbs

½ tsp chaat masala powder

2 tsp coriander leaves/basil leaves

2 tbsp. spring onion greens, chopped.

2 tbsp. peanuts, roasted & crushed.

For non-veg options: ¼ cup boiled, diced chicken or 2 hardboiled eggs, diced or 2-3 chicken sausages, sliced.

Method: Prepare all the ingredients as per the recipe for veg/non-veg options. In a mixing bowl combine together the ingredients for the dressing and mix them well. In a pan take 2 tsp olive oil and saute the garlic, chilies, onions, capsicums along with the boiled sweet corn for 2-3 mins and remove. allow it to cool completely and then add it into the prepared dressing and give it all a nice mix-n-toss. Portion the fusion chaat recipe into a serving bowl and garnish with greens and a little dusting of chaat masala, add a slice of lime and serve chilled.

Recipe-2] Creamy Spiced Corn & Celery Soup

Ingredients:

2 cups sweet corn, boiled

1 tsp oil

1 tsp butter

1 tsp garlic, chopped

½ onion, chopped

1 tsp green chili chopped

1/2 cup milk / soy milk

2 tsp maida

Salt and pepper to taste

½ tsp chili flakes

½ tsp mixed herbs

2 tbsp. cheese, grated.

2 tsp parsley/coriander, chopped.

2 tsp cream

2 tsp cashew paste/almond paste

1 pinch of cinnamon powder.

2 stalks celery, chopped.

2-3 cups water/vegetable stock.

For non-veg: use boiled chopped/shredded chicken pieces as a garnish in the soup, saute prawns and add it as well if desired for a variation, in that case avoid the milk and use only cream.

Method: prepare all the ingredients for the creamy corn soup and heat oil in a pan add in the oil and saute the garlic, chilies and onions for a minute. Add in the boiled sweet corn and chopped celery, add in the butter and refined flour and saute it for a minute. Add in milk, water/veg stock, salt, pepper, herbs and a dash of chili flakes and mix well. Allow the soup to come to a boil and simmer for 12-15 mins. Cool, puree the soup and strain it. Bring it back to a boil, add in the cashew paste, cream and mix well. Check for seasonings and portion out the soup into soup bowls, garnish with cheese, a dash of cinnamon powder, chili flakes, and some fresh herbs and serve hot.

Recipe-3] CORN SALSA TOSSED RICE

Ingredients:

1 cup sweet corn, boiled

2 cups white/brown rice, boiled and cooked.

2 tsp oil/olive oil/butter

1 tsp garlic, chopped.

1 small onion, chopped

2 tsp green chilies, sliced

2-3 jalapeno pepper, sliced optional

4-5 black/green olives, sliced

½ cup assorted capsicums, small cubes

1 cup red ripe tomatoes, chopped

Salt and pepper to taste

½ tsp mixed herbs

½ tsp chili flakes

2 tbsp. tomato ketchup

2 tsp red chili sauce

2 tbsp. parsley/coriander, chopped

1 cup crispy nacho chips

2-3 tbsp. grated cheese.

For non-veg options: cooked shredded/chopped chicken, sliced chicken salami, tuna fish, boiled/scrambled eggs.

Method: Prepare all the ingredients for the yummy rice recipe. Heat oil/butter in a pan add in the garlic, chilies, onions and saute for 30 seconds. Add in the capsicums and boiled corn/non-veg to be added at this stage if being used, along with all seasonings and flavorings, tomatoes and mix well, cook covered on a medium flame for 3-4 mins, add in the tomato ketchup, chili sauce and a few tbsp. of water if needed to adjust the texture. Now add in the cooked rice, fresh herbs like parsley/coriander/mint/basil and mix well. Cook for another 4- 5 mins on a medium flame add in the olives, jalapenos, grated cheese as well if desired and serve hot with a bowl of crispy nachos and some extra salsa sauce.

Recipe-4] PESTO TOSSED CORN TARTS

Ingredients

10-12 readymade tart shells.

1 and a half cup sweet corn, boiled.

For the Pesto dressing sauce:

1 cup basil leaves

¼ cup coriander leaves

1 tsp garlic, chopped

2 tsp nuts- almonds/pinenuts/cashews.

2 tbsp. olive oil

2 tbsp. cold water

2 tsp lime juice

Salt and pepper to taste

Other ingredients to add into the filling for the corn tarts:

¼ cup assorted bell peppers, cut into small cubes

3-4 sliced olives, black or green

Salt and pepper to taste

2 tbsp. cheese, grated

For non-veg: use assorted cold cuts-sausages/salami/bacon.

Grilled chicken/roast chicken/ tandoori prawns/ chicken tikka can also be added in as variations with corn.

Method:

Prepare all the ingredients for the corn tarts. Using a chutney grinder jar combine all ingredients for the pesto dressing and churn it well, remove into a bowl and keep chilled until used. In a mixing bowl combine together the other ingredients for the filling, add seasonings to taste, add in the pesto and toss it well. Arrange the tart shells on a serving platter/plate and spoon in the prepared filling, garnish with assorted ingredients like olives/cheese/chili flakes/jalapenos/ micro-greens/ cherry tomatoes etc and serve.

Recipe-5] Mini Savoury Corn Cakes

Ingredients:

1 cup sweet corn, boiled and coarsely crushed.

Oil for shallow frying

1 tsp garlic, chopped

1 tsp green chilies, chopped

½ onion, finely chopped

¼ cup red/yellow/green capsicums, small cubes.

Salt and pepper to taste

¼ tsp garam masala powder

¼ tsp chaat masala powder

1 potato medium sized, boiled, peeled and grated. 

2 tsp coriander leaves, chopped.

2 tbsp. cheese, grated.

Maida /corn flour –as needed for binding

1 egg

Method: assemble all the ingredients for the savoury corn cakes. In a mixing bowl combine together the coarsely crushed cooked corn along with grated potato also add in the capsicums and all other ingredients including seasonings, flavorings and mix well. Add in little maida or corn flour to get them all together and add in the cheese and beaten egg for the moisture in the mixture. Heat up a non-stick tava, lightly grease it with oil and spoon this mixture onto the tava and cook on a medium to low heat for 4-5 mins or until nicely set and golden browned. Remove and serve as a snack with assorted dips/sauces/chutneys/flavoured mayonnaise etc.

Recipe-6] CUSTARD CORN –N- CINNAMON PUDDING

Ingredients:

1 cup sweet corn, boiled and semi-crushed.

1 cup vanilla flavoured custard.

¼ tsp cinnamon powder.

2 tbsp. dates, chopped

2 tsp assorted nuts- almonds/pista/cashews.

1 cup bread crumbs, freshly made.

½ tsp vanilla essence

2 tsp butter

2 tsp honey

2 tbsp. sugar/brown sugar/ condenses milk/ jaggery.

Method:

Assemble all the ingredients for this easy to make tasty pudding recipe. In a saucepan combine together butter, dates, corn along with the sweetener of your choice and honey. Cook them all together on a medium flame for 2-3 mins. Add in the nuts, bread crumbs, a pinch of cinnamon powder and mix it well. Finally add in the prepared custard sauce and vanilla essence and cook for another 4-5 mins until it all gets together and leaves the sides of the pan.  Dish out the corn pudding into serving bowls, it can be served warm or chilled as well. We can further bake the pudding as well in the oven with a topping of brown sugar a little dusting of cinnamon powder and serve it with assorted cut fresh fruits

Appointment | Prashant Jha appointed as Executive Housekeeper by Doubletree by Hilton Pune Chinchwad

Prashant Jha appointed as Executive Housekeeper by Doubletree by Hilton Pune Chinchwad

Pune-Chinchwad, July 2022: Prashant Jha has been appointed as an Executive Housekeeper at Doubletree by Hilton Pune Chinchwad. Mr. Jha shows colossal believability towards his role as an Executive Housekeeper, creating standard operating procedures for housekeeping operations, keeping in line with the hotel's service standards to provide the highest levels of comfort and hospitality to guests further leading to achieving maximum guest satisfaction and organisational profitability.

Prashant holds four years of bachelor's degree in Hotel Management & Catering Technology from DSMS College Durgapur, West Bengal. Apart from the 4-year degree course, he brings on the table 12 years of working experience in the Hospitality industry. Prior to joining Doubletree by Hilton Pune Chinchwad he fulfilled his responsibility as a Corporate Executive Housekeeper in a 5 Star heritage property in Kathmandu.

Commenting on his appointment Mr. Jha said, “I am really glad to be a part of the DoubleTree by Hilton Pune Chinchwad family and I really hope to take the hotel to newer and better heights with utmost contribution from my end. I really look forward to giving my 100% to the team and I am sure this place will be a very good milestone for me.”

IHG expands its presence in Bangladesh with the signing of Crowne Plaza Dhaka Gulshan

IHG expands its presence in Bangladesh with the signing of Crowne Plaza Dhaka Gulshan

The company continues growth momentum in SWA by growing its core brands across key markets 

New Delhi, July 2022:  IHG® Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has signed an agreement with Doreen Hotels & Resorts Limited, to open Crowne Plaza Dhaka Gulshan in Bangladesh by the end of 2022. IHG currently has a presence in Dhaka through hotels operating across its leading global brands, InterContinental and Holiday Inn, both of which are located in the old business district of the city. Crowne Plaza Dhaka Gulshan will become IHG’s third hotel to open in the city and will further strengthen the company’s offering for both business and leisure travelers looking for quality hospitality experiences.

Strategically located in the heart of Gulshan 2 area, the Central Business District and the highest-rated market in Dhaka, the hotel is spread over two sites - the first is in the mixed-use Tower block with 119 rooms, while the second Tower is in close proximity featuring 30 suites with independent facilities. Being in an affluent neighborhood and at a convenient distance from the city centre, shopping malls, popular restaurants, as well as from the Dhaka airport, the hotel will be a great choice for leisure travelers. As the highly secure zone of Gulshan also houses multiple embassies, expat residential areas, business houses and head offices of Banks, Crowne Plaza Dhaka Gulshan will also be an excellent option for guests traveling to Dhaka for business.

In addition to well-equipped and spacious rooms which integrates business and leisure, Crowne Plaza Dhaka Gulshan will offer an array of facilities including an all-day-dining restaurant, three specialty restaurants, lounges, outdoor pools and gymnasiums for guests to unwind and relax. The hotel will feature a banquet hall and two meeting rooms, making it an ideal choice for MICE requirements. The guest experience will be enhanced with the signature IHG hospitality, which will reflect the brand’s promise of offering a premium stay experience to guests.

Commenting on the announcement, Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG said, “We are delighted to partner with Doreen Hotels & Resorts Limited to expand presence of our premium brand, Crowne Plaza in Dhaka. Being a commercial hub and centre for all activities in Bangladesh, Dhaka is an important market for us in the region and we are always looking for opportunities to strengthen our offering in line with market demands .

He further added, “We are confident on the hotel being a great success and benefiting from the latent demand that will be generated owing to its excellent location and proximity to business and recreational hubs. The signing also aligns with our strategy to strengthen our footprint across our core brands in key market within South West Asia.”

Tanzeer Alam Siddique, Managing Director, Doreen Group, added, “We are proud to be partnering with InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s most renowned and trusted hospitality brand. Following a conversion process, and as the hotel will become a part of the IHG family, I am confident it will benefit from company’s strong local presence, global scale, enterprise and systems. We look forward to opening the hotel as Crowne Plaza Dhaka Gulshan soon and building a successful partnership with IHG.”

IHG® currently has 44 hotels operating across five brands in South West Asia, 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

DoubleTree by Hilton Pune Chinchwad has announced the appointment of Mr Harshal Tamhaney as the Executive Chef.

Doubletree By Hilton Pune-Chinchwad has announced the appointment of Harshal Tamhaney as Executive Chef

Mr. Harshal Tamhaney

Executive Chef, DoubleTree by Hilton Pune Chinchwad

DoubleTree by Hilton Pune Chinchwad has announced the appointment of Mr Harshal Tamhaney as the Executive Chef. Chef Tamhaney shows immense credibility and promises to shoulder responsibilities in order to carry out all the daily operations of the restaurant / hotel kitchen. Bringing on the table years of experience he is all set to ensure promptness, freshness, and an exclusive variety of dishes keeping in mind hygiene policies and examining the equipment’s for cleanliness and so on.

Harshal has nearly 20 years of experience, prior to joining Doubletree by Hilton Pune – Chinchwad, his last stint was as a chef consultant where his responsibilities were to get involved in the processes right from Kitchen planning, man power management, Purchase to Menu Planning, Costing and Execution.

Harshal holds an Integrated Diploma of three years in Hotel Management and Catering Technology from Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology. He also holds a Food Safety Training Certificate from London Health and HACCP Certification from BCGS. 

Commenting on his appointment Harshal Tamhaney said, “I am delighted to be a part of Doubletree by Hilton Pune - Chinchwad. It is a pleasure for me to have joined a property like this and I'm eagerly looking forward to giving my best to enhance and improve the guest’s dining experience at the hotel.”  

Dive right in at The Residence Maldives at Dhigurah and The Residence Maldives at Falhumaafushi

Dive right in at The Residence Maldives at Dhigurah and The Residence Maldives at Falhumaafushi

Home to some of the best beaches in the world, the Maldives offers an assortment of unrivaled luxury, white sandy beaches, and a supreme underwater world, making it the perfect choice for a trip of a lifetime. Both The Residence Maldives at Dhigurah and The Residence Maldives at Falhumaafushi define many people's idea of balmy perfection: blissful blue lagoons, coral reefs, and seclusion, offering privacy like no other.

Surrounded by a beautiful, untouched reef and set on one of the deepest and untouched atolls, with more than 250 species of coral and 1,200 species of marine life, both Falhumaafushi and Dhigurah are must-visit resorts for keen snorkelers and divers. The waters are home to hard and soft corals, sponges, sea fans, triggerfish, parrot fish, fusiliers, tunas, turtles, and barracudas. There is also an array of sharks including grey reef sharks, white and black tip reef sharks, nurse sharks, leopard sharks, eagle rays, and stingrays.

Offering some of the best and most remote diving spots in the world, the resorts have their own PADI 5* Dive Centre and are surrounded by exceptional dive sites. With some of the best diving and snorkeling in the world, the clear waters of Maldives are a magnet for anyone with an interest in marine life. The Residence Maldives offers a variety of sea-borne experiences, suited to those who love life inside and out the water. From sunset dolphin cruises and scuba diving experiences to big game fishing and local island excursions, the beautiful island offers it all. The team can also accommodate a number of different diving levels and provide all the tools for those who want to secure an official qualification. From Discover Scuba Diving to Dive Master, the team offer a variety of specialties. What’s more, it is suitable to dive all year around at The Residence Maldives with the water temperatures around 28-30°C.

DoubleTree by Hilton Goa - Panaji elevates Amar Albuquerque to Director of Operations

Amar Albuquerque

DoubleTree by Hilton Goa - Panaji elevates Amar Albuquerque to Director of Operations

July 2022: DoubleTree by Hilton Goa – Panaji, Goa’s most preferred family-friendly destination is pleased to announce the appointment of Amar Albuquerque as Director of Operations. With an industry experience of over 12 years, he brings on board an in-depth understanding of rooms division.

Amar has vast experience in leading teams with hands-on exposure and has been successful in building strong operational functions. Amar will manage a wide portfolio of verticals related to food and beverage, safety and security, and culinary operations along with front office and guest relations. His primary role will be to develop and execute a strategic plan to ensure that the operations of the hotels are as per the brand standards and guests’ expectations.

Commenting on Amar’s appointment, Shiv Bose, General Manager of DoubleTree by Hilton Goa – Panaji expresses, “We are delighted to have Amar Albuquerque as part of our core leadership team.  With his extensive experience and invaluable insights in the hospitality industry, he has been a promising asset to our hotel. His association with our hotel began in 2019 as Director of Rooms and we are confident he will continue to contribute to the growth of the hotel with his innate skills”.

Amar graduated from the Institute of Hotel Management Catering Technology & Applied Nutrition, Goa with a B.Sc. degree in Hospitality & Hotel Administration. In his career, he has been associated with some of the biggest names in the hospitality industry, including Taj Hotels and the Accor group of hotels. In his leisure time, Amar likes to travel to quaint locations along with his family.

SUMMER STAYS AT CAESARS PALACE DUBAI 1 SUMMER, 3 UNIQUE EXPERIENCES

SUMMER STAYS AT CAESARS PALACE DUBAI 

1 SUMMER, 3 UNIQUE EXPERIENCES

There’s something for everyone this summer at Caesars Palace Dubai 

New Delhi, India, July 2022: Located in the heart of the sought-after Bluewaters island, Caesars Palace Dubai invites guests of all ages for an unforgettable summer filled with good times all day, every day! 

The oceanside resort is the perfect holiday destination for families, party-seekers and those looking for a chic getaway with luxe beachside stays, incredible multi-cuisine dining choices, chilled pools and a private beach, complimentary all-day kids’ recreation activities and giveaways, spa, beauty treatments and much more.

With its prime location, guests can explore the charming urban setting of Bluewaters, with a variety of attractions within easy walking access, from the iconic Ain Dubai, Madame Tussauds and Tr88house, to enjoying summer promotions on shopping, entertainment, and nightlife.

Make the most of Caesars Palace Dubai’s exclusive summer offers on room stays and dining, valid for the whole season! 

For room bookings, stay longer and pay less– stay for 7 nights, pay for 5 or stay for 5 nights, pay for 3 (Valid until 2nd September 2022) 

Also avail of delicious dining deals at Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen, Demon Duck and Havana Social Club with 30% Off on weekday dinners, 6-8pm; and Kids Go Free (up to 12 years) per paying adult at Bacchanal and Venus Ristorante (from 15th June to 30th September 2022).

1 SUMMER, 3 EXPERIENCES

Caesars Palace Dubai brings together three unique experiences to suit all ages this summer - for a fun family holiday, party vibes for the fun-seekers and those looking for a relaxed, sophisticated getaway. 

Family Fun in the Sun 

Treat the family to an unforgettable summer break with access to everything from chilled pools, a private beach, water sports, incredible dining, Young Caesars all-day kids’ recreation and summer giveaways with toys, activity books and a Kids Passport to Fun. Fortuna Pool & Bar’s relaxing atmosphere is perfect for an active or lazy family day, with a refreshing poolside menu, and a variety of non-alcoholic and alcoholic cocktails.

Young Caesars, the resort’s kids’ recreation programme, provides action-packed days from morning till sunset, with a fun roster of indoor & outdoor activities for 3-12 years olds, designed to engage little ones through exploration, fun learning, connecting with nature and disconnecting from technology. 

• Children from 3 - 6 years can dive into day-long activities from scavenger hunts, sandcastle building, dance, pool volleyball and basketball, diving games and much more!

• Kids from 7 - 12 years are sure to have a fun summer stay with activities specifically designed to keep them creatively stimulated & active while developing new life and social skills, with Nature Crafts, Shell Art, Gardening, Healthy Cooking classes in addition to virtual reality games, Zumba classes and paddleboarding.

Live it Up with Beach Club Stays 

For those seeking a bit of fun, guests can soak in brilliant views of the Arabian Gulf and Ain Dubai with Beach Club rooms designed to create epic memories this summer. With many benefits including complimentary access to Venus Beach Club, the resort’s Amalfi-coast inspired beach club, party seekers can enjoy 2 hours of unlimited hops and grape, and an Italian canape platter between 5-7pm daily whilst basking in the panoramic ocean views and breath-taking backdrop of Ain Dubai.

Escape the Everyday Guests can escape the hustle and bustle of a busy life and experience pure relaxation with chic stays at Caesars Palace Dubai, inclusive of luxurious rooms and suites, chilled pools, private beach, award-winning Qua Spa treatments, aesthetic beauty services from Young LDN and custom-blended vitamin boosts from Beverly Hills Vitamin Therapy. Indulge in world-class F&B and unwind in the sophisticated setting of Neptune Pool & Beach, surrounded by breath-taking views and flowing summer cocktails.

SUMMER 2022 OFFERS:

• Stay for 7 nights, pay for 5 or stay for 5 nights, pay for 3 all summer long 

• Complimentary breakfast

• 30% Off on Weekday Dinners from 6-8pm at Hell’s Kitchen, Havana Social Club and Demon Duck. 

• Kids Go Free (up to 12 years) per paying adult at Venus Ristorante and Bacchanal. 

• Access to private beach and outdoor chilled pools

• Access to Cove Beach Club and Venus Beach Club

• All-day indoor and outdoor activities at Kids Club and summer giveaways

• Discounts and offers on Bluewaters Island attractions, dining, shopping & more

• Award-winning spa, hair, nails, and beauty treatments

T&Cs:

• The room stay offer is valid for stays from 1st May till 2nd September 2022. 

• Subject to availability at the time of booking.

• Inclusive of daily breakfast for two people per room, per night.

• The offer is not valid in conjunction with any other promotion. 

• The offer is non-refundable and non-cancellable.

• Subject to prevailing taxes and service fee. 

• Dining offers cannot be combined and are valid from 15th June till 30th September 2022. 

For reservations, contact 04 556 6666 or stay@caesarsdubai.ae

About Caesars Palace Dubai

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

Positioned at the western edge of Bluewaters for stunning sunset views, the resort has the ambiance of a sleek island getaway complete with temperature-controlled pools, luscious palm tree-lined grounds and a pristine 500-metre private white sandy beach. 

Home to an array of five-star amenities, guests can dine at some of the city’s best restaurants, helmed by Michelin-starred chefs, relax and rejuvenate at the award-winning Qua Spa and enjoy state-of-the-art fitness facilities. Visitors can experience the ultimate daycation at stylish beach club Cove Beach, check out The Rotunda, the centre of entertainment, or make use of the Caesars Forum, a one-of-a-kind meetings and events venue.

Offering a diverse portfolio of luxury accommodation, the resort comprises two stunning beachfront locations, Palace and Julius, plus The Residences, which are made up of chic apartments with panoramic island views.

Caesars Palace Dubai is a joint venture between Caesars Dubai, LLC, an indirect subsidiary of Caesars Entertainment Corporation, and Meraas. 

Appointment | JW Marriott Bengaluru Prestige Golfshire Resort & Spa appoints Dushyant Singh as the Executive Assistant Manager - Food & Beverage

JW Marriott Bengaluru Prestige Golfshire Resort & Spa appoints Dushyant Singh as the 

Executive Assistant Manager - Food & Beverage 

Dushyant Singh

Bengaluru,July 2022: JW Marriott Bengaluru Prestige Golfshire Resort & Spa announced the appointment of Dushyant Singh as the Executive Assistant Manager - Food & Beverage. In his new role, Dushyant will be overseeing the end-to-end F&B operations while managing the forecasting, budgeting, sales and marketing, and implementation of brand service strategy and initiatives. His responsibilities also include ensuring that product and service strategies are designed effectively to exceed expectations of the brand’s target customers, property associates and provide effective returns on investment.

A career spanning over 18 years in luxury hospitality with Marriott International across Asia and Middle-East, while operating in multi-cultural, competitive environments leading diverse operations teams, has contributed to Dushyant’s knowledge of exceptional experiences in F&B, business acumen and intuitive leadership. In his new role, he is keen to elevate F&B operations to drive business success and identify new revenue streams for the hotel. He also looks forward to aligning the young and dynamic F&B team towards operational excellence while enriching the strong culture of exceptional JW treatment for hotel guests.

On Dushyant Singh’s appointment, Ronan Fearon, General Manager, JW Marriott Bengaluru Prestige Golfshire Resort & Spa said, “It’s a pleasure to have Dushyant Singh join our team as the Executive Assistant Manager - Food & Beverage. I’m confident that his expertise of helming F&B operations in pre-opening phases will contribute significantly to our growth and enhance our core offerings. We look forward to developing the F&B operations team with his people-oriented management style and versatile work ethic.”

Prior to his current role, Dushyant has garnered valuable experience at renowned Marriott properties such as the Batam Marriott Hotel, Indonesia, Doha Marriott Hotel, Qatar, JW Marriott Hotel, Dubai and JW Marriott Hotel South Beach, Singapore, in addition to The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Qatar, Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel, Malaysia and more.Dushyant holds a Bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management from the Institute of Hotel Management Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition, Goa. A sports and travel enthusiast at heart, Dushyant enjoys spending time with his family, with cricket and basketball topping the list of his favorite sports

LUX* South Ari Atoll Welcomes The World’s First Solar-powered Vessel

The 36-meter-long vessel has 515 square meters of solar panels on board capable of propelling the boat

LUX* South Ari Atoll, known for its passion for sustainable travel and development, is proud to be the main partner and welcome the Blue Odyssey sailing project spotlighting Porrima – the world’s first vessel powered solely on renewables by solar, wind and hydrogen energy. It will venture for the first time to the Maldives.

Sailing under the Swiss flag, Porrima has just set sail from Dubai to the Maldives as part of its circumnavigation of the globe and will end its ambassadorship voyage at the opening of Osaka World Expo in 2025, where the innovative experience will be presented in the Blue Pavilion.

The 36-meter-long vessel has 515 square meters of solar panels on board capable of propelling the boat. Its excess energy also converts seawater to hydrogen. Within the Blue Odyssey project, Porrima has already crossed every major ocean twice, with the main purpose of inspiring entrepreneurs and companies to take on planet-friendly initiatives and the best technology to create an impact.

LUX* Hotels & Resorts under The Lux Collective hospitality group has always been in tandem with scientific breakthroughs, especially future-oriented sustainable projects. In the second week of July 2022, LUX* South Ari Atoll will host the legendary boat and its crew on its beautiful island of Dhidhoofinolhu. Besides inviting the resort’s guests and visitors to explore the vessel and attend the conference held on the island, the tour will include dialogues with the government officials in Malé. The resort’s objective of initiating such projects aims to help the Maldives become one of the pioneers of the hydrogen economy.

“We are delighted to be the key partner of Porrima’s Blue Voyage, where this partnership reinforces our Group’s strategic focus on sustainable development and sharing pioneering breakthrough concepts of zero-emissions facilities that operate within natural boundaries. In addition to utilising solar energy at our resort, the support of this project is our way of caring for the ocean and the planet, especially in the Maldives where we are located,” says LUX* South Ari Atoll General Manager Patrice Aira.

“This is a revolution; this is a milestone for the world,” says Professor Gunter Pauli, Founder of The Blue Economy and owner of Porrima. “We want to share how Porrima generates more than enough power and uses this surplus energy to clean the ocean from nano plastic. We want to set new global standards rather than building museum pieces.”

While visiting Maldivian atolls, Porrima will showcase its power solutions: two skysails that offer electric power during the day and night. The combination of solar power and ‘intelligent’ kites, along with the production of drinking water and hydrogen energy will be the main discussion topics during the visit.

Demonstrating how organizations can realise the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this project has also received 2022 WISe.ART NFT Awards for the first-ever sustainable NFT project using solar panels that powered Porrima.

The Porrima Foundation managing the vessel, complements high-tech development strategy with commitment to preserving and regenerating nature. One of these areas is its long-term research of sea life in general and turtles in particular. The network of scientists will record and transmit health data of the Maldivian turtle population for further development. The project team will also learn how local communities create special living conditions for the endangered turtles by visiting dedicated research centers.

Recognised numerously for its sustainable approach, LUX* South Ari Atoll is proud to be associated with this meaningful project with a global impact on the planet’s wellbeing.

Indians emerge as APAC’s most confident travellers with 86% of Indian travellers intending to travel in the next 12 months

Indians emerge as APAC’s most confident travellers with 86% of Indian travellers intending to travel in the next 12 months

Booking.com’s inaugural APAC Travel Confidence Index also reveals an appetite for sustainable travel amongst Indian travellers, the highest in APAC with 82% of Indian travellers willing to pay more if it means they can make more sustainable travel choices

Key Highlights:

• 78% of Indian travellers consider leisure travel as important while COVID-19 restrictions are still in place

• 87% of Indian travellers feel comfortable about India reopening its borders to international travellers

• 93% of Indian travellers agree on the importance of making sustainable travel decisions, with 77% of Indian travellers okay with less accommodation variety as long as their travel decisions are sustainable

Mumbai, July , 2022 – New research released by Booking.com, the world’s leading online travel company, shows that Indians are eager to hit the roads and the skies for a leisure trip despite some COVID-19 restrictions. 

As the world starts to emerge from strict border closures, Indians are eager to make their travel dreams a reality in the next few months. 86% of Indian travellers stated that they intend to travel in the next 12 months. And despite some COVID-19 restrictions, travel optimism continues to remain high with 70% of Indian travellers accepting of anticipated travel disruptions and 78% considering leisure travel as important while keeping their overall health and safety in mind.

The insights have been drawn from Booking.com’s inaugural APAC Travel Confidence Index, which provides a snapshot of how confident consumers feel about exploring the world again and their motivation to travel. The commissioned research, which polled 11,000 travellers from 11 countries and territories¹ across Asia Pacific, combined with the company’s proprietary data and insights as a digital travel leader for the past 25 years, offers insights into the region’s travel confidence. 

India ranks first on the Travel Confidence Index

The Travel Confidence Index explores the overall comfort levels, motivators and concerns of consumers across Asia-Pacific and how this varies across the region. Amongst the 11 APAC markets, India has emerged as the most confident, followed closely by Vietnam and China. While North Asian markets of Korea, Taiwan and Japan ranked lower on the index in terms of overall confidence, travel intent among respondents remained relatively high (above 60%). 

Top travel considerations and motivators

The desire to travel remains strong amongst Asia Pacific as well as Indian travellers, with ease of planning and booking travel as well as cost being the top two considerations. Both ranked consistently high across all markets, even as restrictions continue to ease around the region. 

While corporate travel is beginning to make a comeback, the shift to remote working and virtual meetings has perhaps brought about a shift in the way we work. Despite many employees having returned to the office across India, only 25% of Indian travellers (Average of 13% in APAC) indicated that work was a reason for them to book a trip. This signifies a slower revitalisation in corporate vs leisure travel.

Top travel deterrents amidst uncertainty 

Unsurprisingly, uncertainty due to the constantly evolving COVID-19 situation continues to plague travellers. When asked about their top concerns and what would prevent them from booking a trip, ‘possibility of getting stuck because of frequently changing border regulations’ was listed as the top deterrent by 35% of Indian travellers (APAC 37%). This was followed by ‘travel cost’ and fear of having to undergo quarantine both at 33% each (APAC average of 38% and 37% respectively). 

In fact, the research findings put an increased emphasis on flexibility in travel bookings, as 89% of Indian travellers would postpone or cancel a trip if they saw a rise in COVID-19 cases at their travel destination. 

State of international travel with borders reopening 

The impact of the kind of trips we take, thanks to COVID-19 is likely to continue in the near future as the Booking.com research reveals a preference for domestic travel, despite resumption of international travel. 87% of Indian travellers are likely to travel domestically, even when international travel restrictions are completely lifted.

In addition, Indians continue to remain welcoming to tourists and visitors, with 87% of Indians polled comfortable with India reopening its borders to international travellers. 84% of Indian travellers stated that they are confident about their country’s preparedness to safely receive international travellers. 

Sustainable travel remains important & top of mind

Out of the 11 markets polled across the APAC region, India once again topped the index in terms of intent to travel sustainably, with 93% of respondents agreeing on the importance of making sustainable travel decisions followed by Vietnam (83%) and China (77%). The intent also translates into action as 82% of Indian travellers are willing to pay more if it means they can make more sustainable travel choices and 77% of Indian travellers are okay with less variety in options as long as their travel decisions are sustainable. 

On the other hand, for travellers from markets such as Australia, New Zealand and Japan, cost and a wide variety of sustainable stay options are core considerations when it comes to making sustainable travel decisions. 

Ritu Mehrotra, Commercial Director, APAC at Booking.com said, “It is exciting to see India emerge at the top of Booking.com’s APAC Travel Confidence Index. The findings highlight Indian travellers' love for travel and readiness to explore the world once again. And while travel optimism remains strong, it's inspiring to know that the intent to travel sustainably is also a key consideration for Indian travellers. The overall insights are a promising indication of the opportunities available for the industry to adapt and collaborate now to bolster the overall confidence of travellers, so we can truly make it easier for everyone to travel and experience the world again - now and in the years to come” 

Factors propelling the growth of the Airport Lounge Industry’ by Liberatha Peter Kallat, Chairperson and Managing Director, DreamFolks Service Limited.

Factors propelling the growth of the Airport Lounge Industry

The aviation sector is one of the fastest-growing sectors in India. The need for high-speed mobility across the subcontinent facilitates the growth of the aviation sector in India. Passengers carried by domestic airlines during January 2022 to April 2022 period were 356.80 lakhs as against 291.08 lakhs during the corresponding period of the previous year, registering an annual growth of 22.58% and monthly growth of 90.05%. The upward trend in passenger traffic indicates that consumer demand is also demonstrating an upward trend. The Global aviation sector had taken a hit due to the COVID-induced lockdowns, however, as of today, the revival phase has been smooth, with the accelerated pace and coverage of the vaccine roll-out as well as an easing of travel restrictions domestically and globally. Over the years, the government has taken crucial steps to tide over the pandemic-induced crisis and further the growth of the Indian aviation sector.

In April 2022, all Indian airports together handled 198.22 thousand aircraft movements and 24.34 million passengers. As of 2022, there were roughly 130 operational airports in India. To speed up the momentum, the Indian Government plans to spend around INR 1 trillion to set up new airports by 2024. The Indian Government has planned on investing roughly USD 1.83 billion by 2026 for the development of airport infrastructure. It is expected to increase to 295 operational airports by 2040, which are a combination of the second airport within the same city and new Greenfield projects. The initial regulations that hindered the development of a second airport within the same city have been removed. With such development underway, India is expected to be the third-largest air travel market by 2030 according to IATA (International Air Transport Association). The Indian aircraft fleet is also expected to grow 3X and reach around 2200 aircraft by 2040. India’s GDP growth to domestic air traffic growth is 1.8x and on total air traffic growth is 1.4x from FY 2010 to FY 2020. The aviation sector’s direct impact on GDP is recorded to be USD 3.5 Trillion, i.e., 4.1% of Global GDP in 2019. By the year 2038, the aviation sector is expected to account for USD 6.3 Trillion of the Global Economy (Source: Frost & Sullivan Industry Report).

A major asset monetizing exercise has also been undertaken by the Indian government, i.e. the privatization of 13 airports. The government has been aiming for the private investment of Rs 3,660 crore in airports by FY24. Presently, the AAI has approved the privatization of 6 major airports which include, Bhubaneshwar, Varanasi, Amritsar, Trichy, Indore, and Raipur. Therefore, the privatization of airports can be viewed as a key opportunity for lounge operators, as the upgradations for these airports are expected to enhance the overall customer travel experience. Airport authorities and airport service providers are now focusing on adapting to the new normal and the ideas of how to best cope with challenges as well as enhance the overall travel. They are overhauling their business models to survive in a newly competitive and dynamic market.

Passengers also have now evolved and are expecting superior services, earlier restricted to only business or first-class travelers, to be made accessible to a large chunk of economy travelers. The focus has shifted towards passenger experience, with the number of Indian passengers traveling by air increasing from approximately 99 million in CY 2015 to 167 million in CY 2019. The number of passengers availing of lounge facilities has also increased from 5.1 million in FY2018 to 7.5 million in FY2020. The number of lounges is expected to grow at an average of 10% YoY between 2021 and 2040. Over the next two decades, the number of lounges is expected to increase to 193 from the 50 lounges operating at present. The airport lounge access market in India is expected to grow at a CAGR of 43.11% by FY2030 to Rs 5,861.9 crore from Rs 358.9 crore in FY22. 

Government initiatives like UDAN, roll out of ePassports in 2022-23, airport infrastructure development in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, increase in the demographic dividend, increase in per capita income and GDP growth are expected to increase the percentage of air traffic from even smaller airports, which will augur well for airport lounge service providers, due to the improved connectivity and convenience for commuters.

Thus, an increase in passenger traffic and growth in demand within the air travel industry is expected to boost the market growth of airport service providers. The opportunity is driven by technology, social and demographic trends and growth opportunities in Asia and other emerging market economies. By understanding the new landscape, airport lounge service providers can identify the most promising opportunities, manage risks, and mitigate the odds of gaining the best returns. The onus lies on them to create sustainable bespoke solutions that provide a truly differentiated superior global experience, through the use of robust technology, thereby enhancing the overall traveler experience.

Source: 

• Monthly Summary of May 2022.pdf (civilaviation.gov.in)

• Frost & Sullivan Industry Report (Dec 2021)

Drunken Monkey set to launch operations in the United States

Drunken Monkey set to launch operations in the United States

July 2022: Drunken Monkey – India’s premier and largest smoothie chain brand has announced its expansion into the overseas market. In the coming months, White Monkey F&B LLP (the holding company behind DM) will launch its first-ever international outlets in the United States, which is considered one of the biggest markets for smoothies in the world. In fact, it singly-handily accounts for over 35% of the global smoothie market share.

Founded in 2016 by Samrat Reddy, Drunken Monkey is the only Indian smoothie brand with a pan-country presence. Headquartered in Hyderabad, the brand has grown exponentially since its launch and the consistent success and growth of the brand can be gauged from its growth from four smoothie bars in Hyderabad in the first year, to over 130 outlets in 45+ Indian cities by 2022. The brand has grown from strength to strength and has successfully brought about a ‘smoothie revolution’ in India.

Taking this vision and its blends of immensely popular smoothies and smoothie bowls further into newer territories, Drunken Monkey plans to start with two retail outlets in Western America before expanding into other parts of the country. The initial set of smoothie bars will be launched in the states of Georgia and Texas, which have shown tremendous growth in the fresh beverage category over the past few years.

Post expansion into the United States, Drunken Monkey will be further sailing to other parts of the world. By the end of the 2022-23 fiscal year, the brand will open multiple stores in the Middle East and Southeast Asian countries in addition to the United States.

“India has a lot to offer to the world in every way imaginable. And its high time we showcase our home-grown brands to the rest of the world. This is in fact Drunken Monkey's first baby step, in the exciting journey of having our footsteps across the globe.”  Said, Samrat Reddy, Founder Drunken Monkey.

About Drunken Monkey:

Drunken Monkey is one of India’s fastest-growing smoothie chains founded by Samrat Reddy. The brand believes that nature has a lot to offer to us and strives in creating unique and delicious smoothie blends that are both functional and fun-ranging from detox, meal replacements, hydration, and protein smoothies, to healthy veggie smoothies and hangover warriors. Drunken Monkey has one of the most versatile menus on the planet and offers over 200 types of Smoothies and Smoothie Bowls made from specially blended combinations of fruits, healthy veggies, dry fruits, and healthy seasonings like sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, chia and basil seeds. All the blends are completely natural and are made fresh with zero addition of any artificial flavors, sugars, preservatives or any kind of concentrates.

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.

Appointment | Sayaji Raipur Appoints Mr. Anurag Mathur as General Manager

Sayaji Raipur Appoints Mr. Anurag Mathur as General Manager

Raipur, July, 2022: SAYAJI, Raipur is pleased to announce that Mr. Anurag Mathur has been appointed the hotel’s new General Manager. 

At the onset of his career in 1995 Mr. Anurag Mathur was appointed as a Chef in Charge at the Jaypee Vasant Continental, Delhi. He also worked as an Executive Chef at the Hotel Jaypee Residency Manor, Mussori from 2007 to 2012, and at Hotel Jaypee Palace, Agra from 2012 -2013. Mr. Anurag has demonstrated effective leadership and efficient management in all aspects of the hotel’s operations of 6 F&B outlets and extensive banqueting of Jaypee Hotels

Mr. Anurag holds a Diploma from the Institute of Hotel Management Catering & Nutrition, Bhopal (1990-1993) and is an ISO lead auditor (Level -2). Aforetime joining Sayaji he fulfilled his responsibility as a General Manager (Operations) at Isthara Parks Private Limited Bangalore, as a city head responsible for managing operations of India’s leading Co-living Brand. And as a Room Division Manager at DoubleTree Suites by  Hilton , Bangalore.

Mr. Anurag Mathur had the following to say about his appointment: “I am delighted to have been granted this opportunity to become the hotel’s General Manager. I will be working hard to achieve even higher levels of hospitality, delivering our guests the kind of resort experience that only Sayaji Raipur can offer and building an enduring love for our hotel.”

With his 26-year career in the hospitality industry and extensive knowledge and experience of luxury brands at DoubleTree Suites by  Hilton , Bangalore, and Hotel Jaypee, General Manager Mathur is a great asset to Sayaji, Raipur. The hotel will continue to provide guests with memorable experiences and uphold the traditions of which Sayaji is so proud while striving to further enhance service quality and brand value in the future.

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.