Employee Learning And Development: The Secret Sauce Of Success In The Hotel Industry by Saurabh Pande, Master Trainer & Facilitator

In the ever-evolving world of the hotel industry, the secret recipe for an organization's success is deeply anchored in the talents and skills of its workforce. Yet, this secret recipe may lose its magic when the importance of comprehensive employee Learning and Development is overlooked by key executives and supervisors. Often underestimated, this element of professional development is a game-changer in the industry. The Association for Talent Development's 2023 study brings to light a startling revelation, indicating that hotel establishments offering comprehensive Learning and Development programs enjoy an overwhelming 218% higher income per employee than those that do not.

However, on the other side of this encouraging statistic is a concerning insight from a Gallup survey: 70% of employees do not feel they have mastered the skills required for their roles. This stark contrast between the potential and reality of employee Learning and Development in the hotel industry paints a vivid picture. In this thought-provoking article, we focus particularly on India's hotel industry to delve deep into the heart of this issue. We aim to explore the intricate challenges arising from inadequate Learning and Development and examine the sweeping impact such shortcomings can have on team performance.

1. The Keystone of Success: Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) act as the cornerstone of success in the hotel industry. They provide a methodical approach for efficient and uniform operations. SOPs ensure clarity, reduce errors, and promote teamwork, thereby forming a robust foundation for achieving organizational goals. However, a lack of clear SOPs can lead to confusion and inaccuracies, which can negatively impact the service quality in hotels. An effective SOP provides employees with a reference to the most common and vital tasks, procedures, and practices within the hotel. It is an invaluable tool for the Learning and Development of new employees and reinforcing protocols among existing staff.

2. The Downward Spiral: Inadequate Learning & Development

Inadequate Learning and Development can trigger a 'domino effect', where one event sets off a series of subsequent unfavorable incidents, leading to a decline in team performance. This is especially true in the hotel industry where high standards of service are expected. The remedy is clear - hospitality establishments must invest in comprehensive, high-quality Learning and Development to bridge the skills gap and boost productivity. Effective Learning and Development equips employees with the necessary skills and knowledge to perform their roles efficiently and deliver high-quality service to guests.

3. The Silent Adversaries: Complacency and Miscommunication

Complacency and miscommunication, if not addressed, can subtly undermine team performance in the hotel industry. Complacency can set in when employees feel their growth and learning have stagnated, while miscommunication can lead to errors and coordination problems. To counter these issues, it's essential to provide growth opportunities and maintain transparent communication channels to keep employees engaged and motivated. Regular Learning and Development programs and workshops can help employees upgrade their skills and stay updated with industry trends.

4. The Crucial Intersection: Impact on Team Performance

Inadequate Learning and Development harms team performance, resulting in decreased efficiency, complacency, and miscommunication. This is particularly significant in the hotel industry where team performance directly impacts guest satisfaction. Therefore, organizations must invest in comprehensive Learning and Development to foster growth, engagement, and effective communication within teams. A well-trained team can significantly enhance guest satisfaction, leading to repeat business and positive word-of-mouth advertising for the hotel.

In concluding our exploration, it is abundantly clear that addressing the often-hidden consequences of inadequate employee Learning and Development is not just important, but critical for the long-term success of any hotel establishment. The key to unlocking a multitude of benefits is acknowledging these challenges and making a firm commitment to invest in comprehensive Learning and Development solutions. These investments can bolster efficiency, improve quality assurance, reinforce safety protocols, and yield significant returns on investment. By nurturing a culture of continuous professional growth, hotel establishments can help unlock their workforce's full potential. However, the benefits of employee Learning & Development and development extend beyond the employees and the organization. This proactive approach greatly enhances the experience and satisfaction of the guests, contributing to the overall success of the hospitality industry. In essence, by investing in our employees, we are investing in the very heart of our establishments, setting the stage for a journey toward unparalleled success in the exciting world of hospitality.

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About The Author

Saurabh Pande

Hotelier

Master Trainer & Facilitator

Certified Learning & Development Manager

Saurabh Pande, hailing from the charming city of Lucknow, is a passionate hotelier boasting an impressive 20+ years of experience under his belt. With a decade each spent mastering the art of F&B Service and Learning & Development, he has emerged as a dynamic Master Trainer and Facilitator. As a Certified Learning & Development Manager, Saurabh's diverse interests include reading, writing, and singing. Forever fuelled by curiosity, he loves exploring new avenues and delving into the hidden depths of his interests.

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Marriott International Becomes First Hospitality Company to Introduce Neuroinclusive Practices at Its Largest Customer Events

Leveraging work from Google Xi’s The Neu Project, Marriott strives to create a more inclusive experience for meeting attendees

Marriott International, Inc., a hotel industry leader for more than 95 years, today announced its commitment to incorporate neuroinclusive practices at Marriott-hosted customer events of 250 people or more globally. This commitment is a result of joining forces with The Neu Project, an initiative from Google’s Experience Institute (Xi) that aims to share resources designed to better accommodate and create a more inclusive experience during meetings and events for neurodivergent attendees. These practices are initially being previewed at Marriott’s Corporate Partnership Customer Conference, THE EXCHANGE, currently taking place November 28 through December 1, 2023 at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in Palm Springs, CA.

Approximately 15-20 percent of the world’s population has neuro differences, including ADHD, obsessive-compulsive disorder, autism, dyslexia, epilepsy, and Tourette Syndrome.* In 2022, the Google Experience Institute launched The Neu Project in order to demystify and educate event professionals on the design of more neuroinclusive experiences through a helpful guide and checklist.

The following neuroinclusive practices will be incorporated at Marriott-hosted customer meetings and events of 250 people or more:

Quiet Room: A dedicated room will be available during Marriott customer events for recovery from sensory overwhelm, restoration and regulation. Designed to foster the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of attendees, the room will serve as a calming retreat where guests can break from the event to manage fatigue, overload and/or sensory needs.

Tools and Resources: At registration, event attendees will have the opportunity to request various tools to better accommodate their needs, including sensory & fidget toys, noise canceling ear plugs, sleep masks, sunglasses, printed agendas and venue maps, and details about loud music, flashing lights or surprise moments taking place during the event.

Closed Captioning for Main Stage Presentations: Real-time subtitles and captions will be available on-screen during main stage event and conference presentations.

“Grounded in our commitments to innovation and inclusion, Marriott is dedicated to making meetings and events more accessible for everyone,” said Drew Pinto, Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue & Technology Officer, Marriott International. “The Neu Project is a driving force in this space, and we look forward to working jointly with them, along with the neurodivergent community, to deepen our understanding of neurodivergent needs in order to truly welcome all.”

Over the past two years, Marriott has collaborated closely with The Neu Project to learn directly from the neurodivergent community. The company has already begun implementing various neuroinclusive practices at its recent customer events, including a quiet room and tools and resources at both THE EXCHANGE: Association Masters in Phoenix, AZ and THE EXCHANGE: Europe in Madrid, Spain. Last month, Marriott and The Neu Project also implemented a quiet room for attendees at IMEX America, an annual industry event in Las Vegas, NV where members of the global business events community come together.

Looking ahead to 2024, Marriott will further its neuroinclusion efforts by conducting active listening sessions with the community through conversations with The Neu Project and people who are neurodivergent, which will help shape future content.

“The Neu Project was born out of a desire to rethink event experiences post-pandemic, and has since grown into a major initiative that is driving change at events across industries,“ said Megan Henshall, Global Events Strategy at Google. “Marriott understands that creating environments where differing perspectives and experiences can come together boosts creativity, and we have witnessed their passion for increasing inclusivity at meetings and events. We’re excited to continue working with them as we strive to create more inclusive experiences with and for the neurodivergent community.”

Marriott’s implementation of neuroinclusive practices for meetings at select hotels builds on its fundamental core values of advancing diversity, equity and inclusion. Through third-party partners like Disability:IN, the leading nonprofit resource for business disability inclusion worldwide, Marriott offers a variety of resources to improve accessibility at meetings, events and conferences.

For more information on Marriott International’s meetings and events offerings and capabilities, visit https://marriottbonvoyevents.com/.

Mahindra Holidays to invest Rs 1000 crores in Uttarakhand.

~Signs Strategic MOU with Government of Uttarakhand to build 4 -5 resorts over the next few years ~

New Delhi, Sep 2023: Mahindra Holidays & Resorts (MHRIL) India’s leading vacation ownership and leisure hospitality company under the flagship brand Club Mahindra has signed an MOU today with the Government of Uttarakhand (UK) to invest Rs 1000 crores and build 4-5 large marquee resorts over the next few years in Uttarakhand. Mahindra Holidays aims to become a strategic partner of the state and will support the Government of UK in all its tourism endeavors through the development of these resorts to play their part in growing the prosperity of the state including providing direct employment opportunities.

This would be the biggest investment by MHRIL in any state in the country and part of its robust plans of expansion from 5000 to 10,000 keys by 2030 and is a testament to Devbhoomi-Uttarakhand and its variety of tourism destinations and experiences – whether it be religious tourism at Haridwar and Char Dhams, Wildlife at Rajaji & Corbett National Parks, Ski tourism at Auli, Adventure tourism at Rishikesh to name a few. Uttarakhand is blessed with amazing destinations attracting people of different age groups from across the country and MHRIL aims to tap into this wanderlust. Importantly, this investment will more than double its footprint in Uttarakhand, with Club Mahindra already operating resorts in Jim Corbett, Mussoorie, Kanatal and Binsar.

MHRIL with 143 resorts across the globe, of which eighty-two are in India, has over 2,86,000 plus member families and has in the past created holiday destinations such as Munnar in Kerala, Kumbhalgarh in Rajasthan, Binsar in Uttarakhand to name a few.

As part of MHRIL’s commitment to sustainability and aim to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040, all the new resorts developed In Uttarakhand will target to be champions of Net Zero Energy, Water and waste and in the process become role models for sustainable tourism in the state.

Mahindra Holidays is the only hospitality organization in the country that established experiential family holidays and has inspired many in the industry to follow their lead. Club Mahindra is known for creating an atmosphere for inter-generational holidays with three–four generations rekindling their bonds by engaging in activities to create memorable moments for a lifetime.

Hyatt Reports Second Quarter 2023 Results

Hyatt Hotels Corporation ("Hyatt" or the "Company") (NYSE: H) today reported second quarter 2023 financial results. Highlights include:

Net income was $68 million in the second quarter of 2023 compared to $206 million in the second quarter of 2022. Adjusted net income was $88 million in the second quarter of 2023 compared to $51 million in the second quarter of 2022. Net income in the second quarter of 2022 included $251 million of gains recognized on the sales of real estate.

Diluted EPS was $0.63 in the second quarter of 2023 compared to $1.85 in the second quarter of 2022. Adjusted Diluted EPS was $0.82 in the second quarter of 2023 compared to $0.46 in the second quarter of 2022.

Adjusted EBITDA was $273 million in the second quarter of 2023 compared to $255 million in the second quarter of 2022.

Adjusted EBITDA does not include Net Deferrals of $28 million and Net Financed Contracts of $14 million in the second quarter of 2023, and Net Deferrals of $25 million and Net Financed Contracts of $15 million, in the second quarter of 2022.

Comparable system-wide RevPAR increased 15.0% in the second quarter of 2023 compared to 2022

Comparable owned and leased hotels RevPAR increased 10.1% in the second quarter of 2023 compared to 2022. Comparable owned and leased hotels operating margins were 26.2% in the second quarter of 2023

Comparable All-inclusive Net Package RevPAR increased 9.5% in the second quarter of 2023 compared to 2022.

Net Rooms Growth was approximately 6.9% in the second quarter of 2023.

Pipeline of executed management or franchise contracts was approximately 119,000 rooms.

Shares repurchased was approximately 969 thousand shares for $108 million in the second quarter of 2023.

Mark S. Hoplamazian, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hyatt, said,

"For the fifth consecutive quarter we posted record results demonstrating our unique positioning and continued momentum. System-wide RevPAR expanded 15% year-over-year, generating a record level of total fee revenue in the quarter. We updated our full year RevPAR outlook, and we expanded our pipeline to 119,000 rooms, representing approximately 40% of our existing portfolio. Our outlook remains optimistic, fueled by strong group booking activity during the quarter, resulting in 2024 group pace up 10%. We believe our increasing asset-light 

Banyan Tree Krabi joins hands with a local fishing village, giving visitors an intimate opportunity to help create local products

Banyan Tree Krabi, a luxury 72-key resort situated on secluded Tubkaek Beach, is encouraging its visitors to immerse themselves in the local Southern Thai culture, by joining weekly excursions to a nearby island renowned for producing beautiful batik fabrics and woodcrafts.

The initiative is part of the Banyan Tree Group’s “Stay for Good” programme, launched two months ago, aimed at enticing guests at 5-star hotels worldwide to roll up their sleeves and join neighbouring villagers at work.

At the Balinese property of Buahan, A Banyan Tree Escape, for example, guests spend a day with local farmers, foraging for fruits and edible plants, while at Garrya Nijo Castle Kyoto in Japan, visitors learn how to entwine grass to make traditional thatched roofs for villagers’ homes.

“At Banyan Tree Krabi, we invite our guests to embark on a day’s adventure at the quiet fishing town of Ban Koh Klang on a small island in the middle of the Krabi River,” said Sustainability Manager Ms Thepsuda Loyjiw. “It’s a great opportunity to travel by traditional longtail boat along the river where they might spot some rare bird species and wild monkeys among the mangroves. The island itself is a spectacular natural setting and among the hidden gems we visit is a series of majestic limestone caves.”

A lunch, inspired by home-grown fruits, vegetables and recipes passed down from one generation to the next, is served on a floating restaurant among the mangroves, then the guests meet the villagers and interact.

Among the daily pursuits the foreign visitors can experience are: joining the local craftsmen who intricately carve and create wooden models of longtail boats, which are sold in Krabi as souvenirs; and sitting with the women of Ban Koh Klang who are veterans of batik art, mixing organic dyes and skillfully painting colourful fabrics. Harvesting rice in the fields with a local family is included as a seasonal activity.

Launching the programme in May, Banyan Tree said it hopes the visits will “encourage a deeper connection with each destination while honouring the heritage and traditions and contribute to creating more opportunities for local communities.”

Constantly vying to reduce the hotel’s carbon footprint, in December Banyan Tree Krabi partnered with a local artisan, Souvenirs From the Sea, a project involving beachcombing for refuse and waste products that could be upcycled into sellable items such as tote bags.

Banyan Tree Krabi’s other recent sustainability initiatives include an Earth Day beach clean-up, and the introduction of Forest Bathing, a nature-based educational tour for guests, including children, to help raise awareness about environmental conservation and protecting local flora and fauna.

“Of course, many guests come to a serene destination to relax, to enjoy cocktails at sunset, spa treatments, and wining and dining,” said Loyjiw. “However, they also want to see the local customs, and nothing feels better than giving something back to the community.”

For more information, contact Banyan Tree Krabi at: krabi@banyantree.com or tel: +66 75 811 888.

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Chalet Hotels Limited announces its results for the first quarter of the fiscal year 2024 ending June 30, 2023.

Chalet Hotels Limited announces its results for the first quarter of the fiscal year 2024 ending June 30, 2023.

Key Highlights for Q1FY24:

 Total Income at INR 3.1 bn, up 21% as compared to Q1FY23

 Adjusted EBITDA at INR 1.3 bn, up 24% as compared to Q1FY23

 Hospitality Segment Performance:

o Revenue at INR 2.8 bn, up by 23% from Q1FY23

o ARR at INR 10,317, up by 38% over Q1FY23

o Occupancy was at 70%

o RevPAR improved by 24% YoY to INR 7,182

o Adjusted EBITDA was at INR 1.2 billion, up by 26% from Q1FY23

Other Highlights:

 ~68% of the total electricity for hotel portfolio sourced from renewable resources in Q1FY24.

 Newly launched The Westin Hyderabad HITEC City is completely sold out from day 1, operated by an all-women team and is run on 100% Green Power.

Development Pipeline Updates:

 CIGNUS POWAI ® Tower I at Westin Complex, Powai is in its final stages of completion.

 At the CIGNUS Whitefield Bangalore ® Tower I, tenants are moving in by August 2023.

 CIGNUS Whitefield Bangalore ® Tower II is in its final stages of completion.

 88 new rooms at Novotel Pune are ready and awaiting OC to commence commercial usage.

 We are adding ~130 guest rooms at Bengaluru Marriott Hotel Whitefield, designs are in final stages.

 The residential project, Raheja Vivarea, at Koramangala, Bengaluru is progressing well and sales for the project is expected to commence within the calendar year 2023.

Speaking on the financial results, Mr. Sanjay Sethi, MD & CEO, Chalet Hotels Limited, said,

“ARRs have been holding strong with 38% growth year-on-year, a key business performance indicator for the Company. This quarter also witnessed the launch of our first all-women-run hotel, ‘The Westin Hyderabad HITEC City’, a small contribution towards gender equality and empowerment in the hospitality industry. India's strong economic indicators combined with a robust demand-supply environment and our ongoing capex initiatives, bode well for the future of Chalet Hotels.”

IHM Ranchi organizes interactive session themed “Coffee with GMs” at the institute premises

The Institute of Hotel Management (IHM), Ranchi organized an interactive session with the industry leaders on the theme “Coffee with GMs” for the final year students of the institute. The event witnessed the presence of Mr. Hemant Mehta, General Manager, Hotel Radisson Blu, Ranchi, Mr. Amit Kaushik, General Manager, Hotel Royal Retreat, Mr. Asit Kundu, General Manager, Capital Residency, Mr. Kallol Sengupta, General Manager, Hotel Green Horizon and Mr. Brajesh Gupta, General Manager Hotel Le Lac Sarovar Ranchi.

The program was set-up through a casual interaction among the General Managers and the students focusing on the career development tips, success stories and fun- filled memories from their academic and professional journey. Decades of experience and the struggle and success stories of General Managers included focus on the personal development, self-confidence, self-presentation changing industry trends and best practices, hard work and dedication, effective management styles, conflict management, budgeting and financial management in the various roles during the long spanning career in the hospitality industry. The students were enthusiastic and energetic throughout the session and they asked various questions and queries related to personal and professional life and the secret behind their success and management styles to which all the General Managers were humble to address the gathering.

The event was moderated by Dr. Bhupesh Kumar, Principal, IHM Ranchi and all the teachers were also present during this occasion. Coffee with GM is a unique initiative by IHM Ranchi where the industry experts and budding hoteliers come together on the same platform eliminating the hesitations and boundaries of interaction through heart. The program concluded with a hi- tea wherein delicious burgers, pizza and coffee all made by the students were served to the students and guests present on this occasion.

Domino’s Will Deliver, Without An Address

• Domino’s Pizza is rolling out a new technology nationwide that allows customers to receive a delivery almost anywhere, ranging from parks and baseball fields to beaches.

• The Pinpoint Delivery rollout will make the feature available for the first time in U.S. markets.

• Domino’s said a soft launch for Pinpoint Delivery received positive feedback from customers and delivery drivers.

“No address? No problem,” said Christopher Thomas-Moore, Domino’s senior vice president and chief digital officer. “Domino’s is proud to be the first quick-service restaurant brand in the U.S. to deliver food to customers with the drop of a pin.”

The company said a soft launch for Pinpoint Delivery last week across all Domino’s stores nationwide received positive feedback from customers and delivery drivers.

“A pop-up window on the app lets customers know they have four minutes to meet their driver and retrieve their order at the designated pickup spot” near where they placed the order, Domino’s spokesperson Danielle Bulger told CNBC.

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Trainer Tip: PPPP by Annepaul Vemagiri

Trainer Tip: PPPP.

But before that, here is your task of the day.

• Take a Piece of Paper and Paint a P covering the entire sheet.

• Take a Pause and look at your P

• Pick a name that starts with P

• Write 4 Praises for the Person whose name you wrote

My P – Pooja

1.      Pooja you are a superwoman

2.      Pooja you always carry a smile on your face.

3.      Pooja passion towards your work is pure.

4.      I am glad we are friends

Have you got a clue of a Trainer's PPPP ?

If yes, well done! If not, here we go  

PPPP is a technique used by Trainers before, during or end of the training session to test knowledge and to check learning progress while engaging your learners in a classroom or an online session.

Here are the 4 PPPPs in the sequence of their usage

1.      P – POSE A QUESTION

2.      P – PAUSE

3.      P – PICK A NAME

4.      P – PRAISE

1P – Pose a Question

As a trainer we all know that asking questions is one powerful technique that every trainer must use. It is from the list of must have’s.

There are 2 types of questioning and they are Open ended and Closed ended. Both can be used as and when required but the sequence of questioning to test knowledge and learning progress while holding attention of all the attendees at the same time has a trick. Firstly, pose a question towards your learners with your eyes looking around. This would put everyone at attention as they do not know who must answer the question.

While you ask your question, keep your voice loud and clear to be audible to all in the room. Making eye contact is a must, this ensures two things – Get everyone’s attention and also helps you to gauge who could be knowing the answer. The idea is not to embarrass but to encourage participation during the training session.

2P – Pause

Post posing your question, look around, glancing over each one while taking a pause. The pause is to make sure everyone is listening to you. Incase, you notice someone has still not heard you. You may give them time to ask you to repeat.

3P – Pick a name

Out of all the learners sitting in the room, you must pick a name of the person you want to answer your question. Ensure to keep changing the names instead of picking up the same person all the time.

4P – Praise the person

Once you get the right answer, learn to praise. Praise can be in one word like "Bravo", "Superb", "Brilliant" or a phrase like, " that's the right answer". You may also ask everyone in the room to clap for the person. This would also create attention and participation. This also fills your session with good energy. Praise the person and confirm that the answer is right.

As Trainers, you must be able to gauge who has the right answer to avoid embarrassment. To involve all levels of learners, keep a bank of all levels of questions meaning easy to difficult ones so that you can ask as many questions as possible. Make note that you have balanced equally to all.

About The Author

Annepaul Vemagiri

Winner - Asian Education Awards 2023 & Academic Excellence Award for Extraordinary Service & Contribution to Teaching

Jolyon Bulley to become Americas CEO following Elie Maalouf’s appointment to Group CEO

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] today announces that Jolyon Bulley will succeed Elie Maalouf as Americas CEO. Jolyon is currently IHG’s Chief Executive Officer for the Greater China region, and also the Group’s Transformation Lead for Luxury & Lifestyle. The appointment follows the announcement on 5 May that Elie will become IHG’s Group Chief Executive Officer on 1 July following Keith Barr’s decision to step down to return with his family to the US.

Jolyon has been CEO for Greater China since 2018 and is a member of IHG’s Executive Committee. He was previously Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the Americas region from 2014 to 2017. He will take up his new position on 1 July and will be returning to his family home in Atlanta in the US where he will be based.

A career hotelier, Jolyon has held a number of significant roles at IHG since he joined the business in 2001. As CEO for Greater China, he has been responsible for accelerating the growth and driving the profitability of IHG’s second-largest market. Prior to that, as COO for the Americas, Jolyon led the region’s operations for franchised and managed hotels, strengthening owner relationships and hotel operating performance. This led on from Jolyon holding the same role as COO for Greater China, where he similarly oversaw the region’s hotel portfolio and brand performance, new hotel openings and owner relations.

As IHG concludes succession planning for Jolyon’s responsibilities in Greater China, Daniel Aylmer, Managing Director for Greater China, will report into Elie and continue his responsibilities in China. Transition planning is underway for Jolyon’s other commitments.

Keith Barr, outgoing Group CEO, commented: “Jolyon has made an enormous contribution to the success of IHG over his more than two decades in the business, including holding senior roles in our two biggest markets. His appointment as Americas CEO demonstrates IHG’s commitment to invest in our leaders’ development potential, our robust succession planning and a continuation of our existing growth strategy for the Americas region.”

Elie Maalouf, outgoing Americas CEO and Group CEO Designate, said: “Jolyon is returning to the Americas business where he has a proven track record of supporting the growth of IHG’s largest region. When he was COO he redesigned and strengthened how we work with and deliver for our hotel owners. Over the last five years, Jolyon has guided Greater China through the pandemic and into the recovery, further strengthened our owner relationships and continued to grow the business at pace. I am pleased to be able to move into the Group CEO role knowing that Jolyon will further strengthen the Americas leadership team.”

Jolyon Bulley, outgoing Greater China CEO and Americas CEO Designate, added: “I am proud to have the opportunity to lead our Americas business alongside our many talented colleagues and in partnership with our hotel owners. I have worked in the hospitality industry my entire career and I’m looking forward to building on Elie’s legacy in the region, remaining focused on capitalising on strong owner and guest demand for our amazing brands and our attractive enterprise platform.”

AI planning Travel Itinerary

I asked AI to plan my travel itinerary to Japan 🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/J0ijeeqFLK

— Easlo (@heyeaslo) May 12, 2023

IHCL ANNOUNCES RECORD FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR Q4 AND FY 2022-23

IHCL ANNOUNCES RECORD FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR Q4 AND FY 2022-23

• FY23 REVENUE AT INR 5,949 CRORES, UP 85% YoY

• FY23 EBITDA MARGIN AT 32.7%, UP 1523 BPS YoY

• FY23 PAT AT INR 1,003 CRORES, OFFSETS COVID LOSSES

The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company, reported its consolidated financials for the fourth quarter and full ending March 31st, 2023.

Commenting on the FY23 performance, Mr. Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director & CEO, IHCL, said, “IHCL achieved a record setting year with a number of significant accomplishments including the highest ever full year consolidated revenue, an all-time high and industry leading EBITDA margin and PAT of over INR 1,000 crores a historic first for the company. This performance was enabled by consecutive four quarters ofsustained high demand, additionally bolstered by IHCL demonstrating RevPAR leadership across its brandscape in all its key markets.

IHCL crossed 260+ hotels in its portfolio including 36 signings at a rate of 3 hotels a month and 16 openings or a new hotel every three weeks in the year. IHCL’s vast footprint now covers 31 States and Union Territories in India. We were also able to achieve an optimal 50:50 mix between our owned/leased and managed hotels.”

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

TAJ REACHES LANDMARK 100TH HOTEL MILESTONE

• The iconic brand Taj has reached a portfolio of 100 hotels and has more than doubled its room inventory over the past five years

• Key signings under the brand:

  • Taj Dhaka, a 230-room hotel in the capital city of Bangladesh

  • Taj Riyadh, a 205-room hotel in the heritage city of Diriyah in Saudi Arabia

  • Two Taj resorts in Lakshadweep, 110 room resort each on Suheli and Kadmat islands

  • Taj added to its presence with a hotel each in key cities of Chennai, Bengaluru and Cochin

  • Taj marked its entry to the state capitals of Raipur and Gandhinagar with a 150-room hotel and 118 room resort and spa respectively

• Opened three new Taj hotels across Kolkata, Wayanad and Jaipur and an addition to its palace portfolio with Sawai Man Mahal, Jaipur

• Taj continues to retain the dual honour of World’s Strongest Hotel Brand and India’s Strongest Brand as per Brand Finance Hotels 50 Report 2022 and India 100 Report 2022

RECORD PORTFOLIO GROWTH & ACHIEVES BALANCED PORTFOLIO

• With a record signing of 36 hotels in FY 2022-2023, IHCL portfolio now stands at 260+ hotels

• Achieved industry leading performance with 16 new hotel openings this fiscal. This included four hotels each under Taj and SeleQtions brands, three Vivanta and five Ginger branded hotels.

• In line with its initiative to restructure its portfolio under Ahvaan 2025, IHCL has attained a balanced portfolio mix between its owned/leased and managed hotels

REIMAGINED AND NEW BUSINESSES

• Ginger hotels has reported a turnaround in FY 2022-23, led by a 50% Lean Luxe portfolio, the company achieved Revenue of INR 307 crores, EBITDA margin of 37.4% and a PBT of INR 48 crores

• TajSATS captured a market share of 58% in FY 2022-23, clocking a Revenue of INR 641 crores a 53% growth over pre-Covid, EBITDA margin of 19.7% and a PBT of INR 107 crores

• Under the new businesses, Qmin has now grown to 34 outlets with a presence across 24 cities and amã Stays & Trails has witnessed a 42% growth in portfolio this fiscal reaching 114 bungalows across 50+ locations

DRIVING SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS

• Paathya - IHCL’s ESG+ framework, key highlights for the year include:

  • IHCL’S FLAGSHIP TAJ MAHAL PALACE, MUMBAI IS NOW 100% GREEN

  • 310 EV charging stations across 129 locations in India

  • 32.5% renewable energy and 42% water recycled usage across operating hotels

  • 20 hotels equipped with bottling plants to eliminate use of single use plastic bottles

  • 16 skilling centres across the country with a presence in Gwalior, Lucknow, Jaipur, Jamshedpur among others

NOESIS Report: “India Hospitality Overview 2022” Reveals Strong Recovery and Positive Growth

NOESIS Report: “India Hospitality Overview 2022” Reveals Strong Recovery and Positive Growth

NOESIS, a leading hospitality consulting and hotel investment advisory firm in India, is pleased to announce the launch of its latest report, "India Hospitality Overview 2022." The report provides an in-depth analysis of the current state of the hotel and tourism industry in India and offers valuable insights into the future prospects of the sector.

Despite the challenging period caused by the pandemic, the Indian hotel industry is showing signs of recovery and gaining momentum. According to the report, the majority of markets have surpassed 2019 levels, indicating a positive trend for the industry. In 2022, the industry experienced a critical year with unique opportunities, and domestic businesses seized the chance with 66% of hotel signings. Meanwhile, international brands signed 44% of the total keys, resulting in the opening of 10,138 keys. This exciting future is set to continue with a pipeline of 7,163 keys being added from 2023 onwards.

North India will account for 38% of all hotel signings in 2022, with Himachal Pradesh (8.6%) and Rajasthan (8.1%) leading the way. This is followed by India's Western region, which is driven mostly by Gujarat (10.4%) and Maharashtra (9.5%), as well as other states. Tier 2 cities accounted for 46% of hotel signings, with untapped destinations accounting for 33%, and Tier 1 and Tier 3 cities accounting for around 10% of hotel signings each.

The tourism industry in India is also growing strongly, with a total of 294 million passengers moving through the country's airports in 2022. Of these, 49 million were international travellers, while 245 million were domestic travellers. December recorded the highest air passenger movement, with 5 million international and 25 million domestic passengers. In contrast, January was still affected by pandemic restrictions and recorded only 2.5 million international and 13 million domestic air passengers. While there is a significant difference between the first and fourth quarters, the summer season (Q2) saw a total movement of 76 million air passengers, with Q3 receiving 73 million total air passenger movements.

The "India Hospitality Overview 2022" report is a valuable resource for businesses and investors looking to understand the current state of the Indian hospitality industry and the future prospects for growth.

NOESIS Report- “India Hospitality Overview 2022” Reveals Strong Recovery and Positive Growth

ITB India 2023 | Mumbai | 26 - 28 April 2023

Co-located with MICE Show India, Travel Tech India and the ITB India Conference, the annual trade show is making a strong comeback as an in-person event in Mumbai from 26 – 28 April 2023. Among the top exhibitors and industry leaders are Atout France India, German National Tourist Office, Saxony Tourism, Tourist Office of Roissy, Tourist Office of Spain and Visit Sarajevo.

Happening in the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai, the three-day B2B trade show and conference will build the bridge to the Indian and South Asian travel markets. After two digital editions, the show will offer a face-to-face exhibition experience to the travel industry and bring together key travel industry leaders and international exhibitors from various segments of MICE, Leisure, Corporate and Travel & Technology.
 
Guest of honour Mr Achim Fabig, Consul General, Federal Republic of Germany in Mumbai, together with Mr David Ruetz, Senior Vice President, Messe Berlin, and Mr Stefan Halusa, Director General at Indo-German Chamber of Commerce will usher the opening of ITB India 2023 with a traditional lamp lighting and ribbon cutting ceremony.
 
The promising exhibitior participation facilitates business meetings and drives engagement for attendees from around the world through ITB India’s live format. The various representations by destinations are impressive and feature stands of Spain, France, Germany, Sarajevo, Vietnam, Iceland, Thailand, Fiji, Japan and many more.
 
Being an international stage, the exhibition will also feature many global national tourism organisations (NTOs) including Atout France India, German National Tourist Office, Saxony Tourism, Tourist Office of Roissy, Tourist Office of Spain and Visit Sarajevo.
 
International airlines, hotels, travel agencies and tour operators are also highly represented with their products at this year’s show, they will include AVIS, Collinson Group, Fiji Airways, Mize, IDeaS, Prince Hotels & Resorts, TravelLine, Uzbekistan Airways and Vietnam Airlines to name just a few.
 
"With less than a week to go before ITB India open its doors, the number of bookings and the feedback we are receiving from industry experts in discussions underline that all signs point to a successful live premiere. I am convinced that ITB India will help create the best possible business opportunities for all participants and accelerate the international recovery and upswing. The Indian and South Asian outbound travel markets are becoming increasingly important for many countries: ITB India is simply an unmissable event, and I am delighted that the show happens 100 per cent live”, says Ms Sonia Prashar, Deputy Director General, Indo-German Chamber of Commerce.
 
Leading minds will take the stage at the ITB India Conference, set to take place parallel to the trade show in three conference tracks: Knowledge theatre, MICE Show India & Travel Tech India. “Connecting You to the Indian Travel Market” will be the overarching theme of the conference, where high-level experts will exchange their insights into the future of the industry.
 
As part of the exciting keynote line up on Day 1 (26 April 2023), Daniel D’souza, President & Country Head, Leisure, SOTC Travel Limited and Rakesh Bansal, CEO, Amadeus India will address the future of travel and give strategic insights to South Asia's tourism reboot.
 
Knowledge Theatre: Leaders in the industry gather to share their insights and thought leadership
 
In the “Hospitality Leaders’ Panel: Adapt and Grow”, senior level speakers including Parveen Chander, Executive Vice President – Sales & Marketing, Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), Vikramjit Singh, President, Lemon Tree Hotels, Amit Sidana, Vice President Sales & Marketing, Pride Group of Hotels, Vivek Shukla, CEO, The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group and Nikhil Sharma, Market Managing Director, Eurasia Region, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts will share their thoughts on how the hospitality industry has adapted and transformed to stay relevant and grow in a new world of travel. This session will be moderated by Aindrila Mitra, Editor-in-chief, Travel + Leisure India & South Asia.
 
The growth of India's unique accommodation market has opened up opportunities for micro-entrepreneurship and deeper connections with local communities. Amanpreet Singh Bajaj, General Manager for India, SEA, HK and Taiwan, Airbnb, will talk about “Responsible Tourism - Key to Resurgence of the Travel Industry”.
 
In the session named “Travel Influencer Marketing: The Good, the Bad and the Brilliant”, Megna Shankaranarayanan, Industry Head - Travel & FoodTech, Google, will highlight the growing importance of video in the discovery, research and planning phases of a traveler’s purchase journey
 
In the “NTOs’ Talks: Destination Rediscoveries”, leaders from NTOs across the region and beyond share insights and plans for their destinations to come back stronger than before. Key speakers of the NTOs Talk series will include Sheetal Munshaw, Director of India, Atout France, Romit Theophilus, Managing Director, German National Tourism Organisation, GB Srithar, Regional Director, India, Middle East & South Asia, Singapore Tourism Board, Neliswa Nkani, Hub Head – Middle East, India and South East Asia, South African Tourism, Nishant Kashikar, Country Manager – India & Gulf, Tourism Australia, Vishal Bhatia, Country Manager - India, VisitBritain and Sara Sodhi Juneja, Country Head - India & UAE, Visit Finland.
 
MICE Show India: The Conference for the meeting industry in APAC
 
Most meetings and events have returned in person worldwide. Yet that does not take away the challenges that the entire industry is facing. The “MICE Leaders’ Panel: Return to a World Transformed: Revitalising MICE for a New Era in South Asia” explores how different players in the MICE ecosystem can work together to deliver a better bottom line and future for the industry. The panel discussion features top experts from the MICE sector including Chander Mansharamani, Managing Director, Alpcord Network Events and Conferences Management Company, Harshad Donde, Country Director - India, BCD Meetings & Events, Manpreet Bindra, President - FCM Meetings & Events, FCM Travel India, Vijay Sharma, General Manager, Koelnmesse India and Renjie Wong, Area Director, India and South Asia (Mumbai), Singapore Tourism Board.
 
In the “C-Suite Talk: Emerging Trends Shaping the Future of Event Technology”, Anupam Arun, Senior Vice President & Country Head, India, Cvent, will foretell event trends of the future and unveil the magical uses of event technology.
 
The “Buyers Meet TMCs Panel: The State of Corporate Travel 2024” gathers corporate travel managers, meetings and event executives, travel management companies (TMCs) and leading business travel thought leaders from South Asia to discuss how the industry is evolving. Gaurav Sundaram, President, ProKonsul Consulting will discuss the corporate travel trends in 2023 and beyond with his panellists, including Akhil Shah, Director - Global Market Management, India, CWT, Tanvi Mazmudar, Global Business Travel Leader, Lowe's India, Jasminder S Brishan, Senior Manager - Global Travel, Ocwen Financial Solutions and Sangitha Shetty, General Manager Global Travel & Mobility, Tata Communications.
 
Corporate travel ecosystem is going through a transformation. The “Fireside Chat: Transformation in the Corporate Travel Space” welcomes Anuj Razdan, Vice President & Head of Products & Supplier Relations, FCM Travel India and Deepesh Jethwani, Senior Director - Strategy and Operations, FCM Travel Asia as speakers. They will give insights on how to navigate the changing corporate travel landscape, adapt to new trends and technologies, and ensure the safety and well-being of employees while traveling.
 
Travel Tech India: Latest technologies, emerging trends, leading travel brands and innovative startups at one place
 
The “Tech Leaders’ Panel: The Next Frontier” will address what digital transformation in hospitality looks like today, and why tomorrow’s leaders need to understand both customer needs and how technology can support them. Moderated by Prasad C G, Hospitality Tech Evangelist, Jio Platforms Limited, the panel discussion features top technology experts including Anshul Gupta, Managing Director, Travel & Hospitality Industry, Accenture - Advanced Technology Centers in India, Pratik Modi, VP Engineering and Head of Egencia, India, AMEX GBT, Darshana Shirodkar, Senior Director, Lodging Market Management -Southeast Asia and Indian Subcontinent, Expedia Group and José María Pestaña Sartorius, High Performance Director, Hotelbeds.
 
Travel customers are increasingly moving online to not just research but book their vacations online, and hotels can benefit immensely by building their strategy around the changing online trends. In the “C-Suite Talk: Test and Analyze: Get to Know How Your Guests Like to Travel”, Krishna Rathi, Country Director-India, Sri Lanka & Nepal, Agoda, shares key tips on how best to test, analyze, and ultimately grow.
 
The rise of Superapps in travel is the focus of an upcoming industry conference session, with an emphasis on both the Asian market and India-focused potential players. In the fireside chat, titled, “Superapps and the Impact on the Tourism Industry”, Brett Henry, President Director, MG Group and Kei Shibata, Co-Founder & CEO, Venture Republic – TRAVEL jp & Trip 101 discuss how Superapps have become crucial distribution channels for travel brands across Asia and how they can offer a range of services such as payments, ride-hailing, and e-commerce. They will also share what to expect from Superapps and marketplaces in the travel space moving forward.
 
The session, titled, “Evolution of B2B Distribution Technology – Opportunities & Challenges” opens the dialogue on the NDC - New Distribution Capability journey from an Airline, Travel Technology Partner, and Travel Trade Partner perspective. Paurus Nekoo, Regional Distribution Manager, APAC, Lufthansa Group, Sanjeev Bhasin, Vice President - Airline Contracting, MakeMyTrip and Abdul Bijur V A, Chief Growth Officer, Verteil will explore the current status of the industry’s approach to NDC.
 
Trade visitors can register online at itb-india.com/visit-register for USD16 and get access to all three shows over three days. Listed Rate at USD16 ends 25 April.
 
For more information on ITB India 2023, visit itb-india.com.

Mulberry Shades Bengaluru Nandi Hills, a Tribute Portfolio Resort in Bengaluru, Now Open!

Tribute Portfolio- part of Marriott Bonvoy’s growing collection of characterful, independent Resorts, welcomes its latest addition with the opening of Mulberry Shades Bengaluru Nandi Hills- A Tribute Portfolio Resort .This serene property is nestled at the foot of the historic Nandi Hills and is a 25-minute drive from the Kempegowda International Airport. Rooted in the ethos of meaningful travel, the 102 key property nurtures an intimate design that invites the return to a simplistic life. The Resort is a beautiful confluence of natural elements like sweet bird song, earthly textures accentuating rustic shingle roofs, dark wooden pillars, natural stonework, brass artifacts, walkways interluded with lush greenery and panoramic views of the Nandi Hills lend a sense of space and home coming, encouraging the free spirited and curious minded traveller to forge deeper connections with the locale and community when travelling.

“We’re thrilled to welcome this vibrant new Resort within Tribute’s Portfolio to Bengaluru, one of the most cosmopolitan and progressive cities of India. This opening marks the eighteenth property to join our growing portfolio of brands in this city” said Ranju Alex- Vice President South Asia, Marriott International. This new hotel is set to present captivating design and truly authentic experiences tailored to the locale in Bengaluru.”

One of the leading real estate developers in the country, The Prestige Group has a legacy of over three decades in real estate development. It has diversified business models across the Residential, Office, Leisure, Retail, and Hospitality segments with operations across 8 key locations in India. Commenting on the launch, Mr. Irfan Razack, Chairman & Managing Director of Prestige Group, said, “we are thrilled to add to our hospitality portfolio- Mulberry Shades Bengaluru Nandi Hills, - A Tribute Portfolio Resort which has its own unique characterful personality where guests can seek to immerse themselves in the richness of the locale, to discover what defines Nandi Hills as a leisure destination and to experience a one-of-a kind warm boutique ”

Mulberry Shades Bengaluru Nandi Hills, a Tribute Portfolio Resort is inspired by a beautiful story woven around the small joys and simplicity of childhood. The vibrant paintings, naturalistic murals and hand painted artwork adorning the resort, tell the story of a young girl named Santi who lived in an idyllic, rustic setting against the backdrop of the majestic Nandi Hills. Santi grew up on a Mulberry farm, under the watchful care of doting parents and a loving grandmother. Her childhood was spent in the company of warm cinnamon aromas, wild lush greenery, home grown herbs and the earthly fragrance of silkworms. Her lazy summer afternoons were filled with fun-filled explorations, gardening, plucking fruit, adventurous treasure hunts and unending stories. Mulberry Shades Bengaluru Nandi Hills, a Tribute Portfolio Resort embodies the beauty of Santi’s childhood, with its imaginative spaces and thoughtful experiences that will evoke a sense of warm nostalgia

The resort comprises 102 vibrant villas and suites, each featuring bespoke, handmade furniture, eye-catching wall murals and local artwork. A three-fixture bathroom enhanced with natural stone and warm lighting with private verandahs favoring views of the foliage integrated into the landscape, are some of the unique features of the room categories. The resort has a carefully thought-out wellness and recreation calendar for guests to get busy and engaged – early morning somatic workouts, moonlight yoga, wine stomping, board games, pottery classes, books and binoculars for bird watching and musical evenings are some of the fun experiences lined up. Digital distractions are discarded in favour of spending time with loved ones in the company of nature.

Guests can enjoy an immersive culinary experience across three unique restaurants. Terra, the all-day dining offers a refreshing mix of seasonal and local specials with international favourites, enjoyed over uninterrupted views of the beautiful hotel landscape. The swim-up pool bar Asri serves small plates and creative cocktails that bring the garden to glass concept to life. Kokoon, the quaint cozy cafe next to the lobby is the perfect place for coffee brews, choicest selection of teas and baked local specialties available from early morning to late evening.

Guests can relax at the Ksema spa at the hands of expert therapists who offer a full range of spa treatments, facials and body wraps. A Turkish hammam, a couple jacuzzi, an open-air pool, a well-equipped workout studio, a pickleball court and a yoga and meditation room complete the wellness checklist. Kreo the game zone for grownups and a kids play area are open for some spirited fun with family and friends. The resort is pet-friendly, allowing guest to enjoy their stay with their furry friends in tow.

The resort is poised to be a sanctuary for small and intimate business meeting and social events with a banquet space measuring 2200 sq ft and a pre function area with abundant daylight and inspiring design. Additionally, Aurora the poolside deck measuring 1000 sq ft and an outdoor lawn Shanti measuring 2600 sq. ft allows for intimate cocktail evenings and open-air celebrations in the benevolent climate of Bengaluru.

“We’re thrilled to welcome guests to Mulberry Shades Bengaluru Nandi Hills, a Tribute Portfolio Resort. Its true Indie spirit, vibrant social spaces and thoughtful experiences will help create meaningful connections for the bold and intrepid traveller seeking to connect with the true spirit of the destination” said -Devidyuti Ghosh, Hotel Manager – Mulberry Shades Bengaluru Nandi Hills, a Tribute Portfolio Resort

Theobroma, India's foremost bakery & patisserie brand expands to Gujarat Two Stores to open in Surat this March, 2023

Surat, March 2023: We are delighted to announce the launch of Theobroma, India’s much-loved and largest premium bakery & patisserie brand known for its bestselling brownies, cakes and desserts in Gujarat with two stores opening in the city of Surat this March 2023.

Theobroma opens its two outlets with an all-vegetarian menu and exclusive products on 24th March. The first outlet opens at Unit no. 1, Wood Square, Near Madhuvan Circle, L. P. Savani Road, Adajan, Surat, and the second outlet at Unit no.7, Western Vesu Point, Surat.

Theobroma started its journey in 2004 in Mumbai as a family-run bakery. Over the next eighteen years, the brand built an unparalleled reputation for exceptional products, honest pricing, and warm service. Today it is known for its wide, much sought-after product range spanning multiple categories such as brownies, cakes, desserts, cookies & crackers, bread and savories, as well as its viennoiseries, beverages and unique festive & seasonal offerings. 

Last year Theobroma crossed a milestone of 100 outlets spread across eight cities – Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Delhi NCR, Chandigarh-Mohali, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Chennai, including new format stores like delivery-only ‘cloud’ outlets. The brand also successfully launched its online brand store 1.5 years ago. Their signature products are bestsellers on third-party platforms like Zomato, and Swiggy and the brand has partnerships with e-commerce platforms such as Amazon and SuprDaily to retail select categories via their platforms.

“We are very happy to bring our signature offerings to the land of foodies in Surat and make our foray into the Gujarat market. The city has a large community of discerning food lovers who have a high level of awareness about food, food trends and ingredients. And we are excited to open our first store in the city’’ says Mr. Rishi Gour, CEO, Theobroma.

NAAC Supported 13th India International Hotel Travel and Tourism Research Conference “Green Investment, Inclusive Growth & Digital Futures”

It gives us immense pleasure to invite you for the 13th India International Hotel, Travel & Tourism Research Conference 2023 on “Green Investment, Inclusive growth & Digital Futures in Tourism & Hospitality”  during 4th - 5th April 2023 aimed at learning from the best practices adopted by the active players in the Hospitality & Tourism trade around the world. The Conference will provide a distinctive opportunity to share knowledge with the experts and focus on revised strategies in the Tourism and Hospitality field with a global perspective.

Amidst the theme of Tourism & Green Investment proposed by UNWTO for the year 2023, the conference intends to address, discuss and devise future strategies also for Inclusive growth and Digital futures along with Green Investment in Hospitality & Tourism Sector. The aim of 13 th India International Hotel, Travel Tourism Research Conference is to bring together a unique and international mix of experts, researchers and decision makers both from academia and industry across the globe to exchange their knowledge, experience and research innovations to highlight and deliver best possible outcome to discourse the chosen components of the theme i.e. Green Investment, Inclusive Growth & Digital Futures. 

Conference Highlights will be:-

1. International Collaboration with Euro Asia Tourism Research Association (EATSA).

2. Eminent Speaker from Industry & Academic to share their expertise, learning and experience with the conference audiences.

3. Expert delebrations on key themes of the conference, but not limited to Green Investment, Inclusive Growth & Digital Futures in Tourism & Hospitality by Researchers & Academicians from India & Abroad.

4. Two Research workshops on Bibliometric Research & Systematic Literature Review to promote and support quality research learning among the Phd Scholars, Young Researchers and Students of Hospitality & Tourism.

5. Excellent opportunity for networking and collaboration with Researchers and Academicians across the globe.

We look forward to your kind presence in the IIHTTR Conference 2023.

An Intimate Meal in the Majesty of a Private Waterfall in Vietnam

A secluded retreat in Mai Chau launches new dining options for waterfall dining experience

HANOI (March 23, 2023) - While hotels often serve up a unique dining opportunity or two for guests, few can compete with Avana Retreat, a resort in Vietnam that evolved around a once hidden waterfall deep in the mountains of Mai Chau. This month the hillside resort is rolling out a selection of new menus to be enjoyed by this one-of-a-kind waterside perch.

The towering limestone cliffs, where the waterfall reaches its peak height, form the backdrop for intimate meals set to the sounds of nature at its most raw. The setting has been left as untouched as possible. A raised walkway weaves through the old growth trees to a wooden platform at the waterfall’s base. Bookable for private dinners and intimate group parties, the deck features a kitchen, where chef and server work in unison to deliver multi-course meals, and an elevated platform area where a small band could share a performance. The whole scene is lit by the warm glow of dozens of handcrafted lanterns that are peppered throughout the space.

The experience is private with only one small group, family, friends or couples able to book the waterfall dining experience each evening. Guests have the choice of four five-course menus, two of which have just been launched. The Vietnamese Signature menu is abundant in seafood with dishes such as grilled catfish served with rice noodles and local herbs and Vietnamese spicy & sour seafood soup. A plant-based option has been added with creative fare including a burrata and tomato salad with asparagus saffron dressing and mushroom tortellini with a carrot puree and almond foam.

The Chef’s Special and a Sense of Romance, have a European touch with courses like Beef Wellington, a popular British dish, and Lobster Cognac Flambe. Local elements include a Cao Phong Orange Mousse, made from the Cao Phong oranges that are a specialty of the province, and smoked duck breast.

As an avid explorer, Avana Retreat’s founder Mr. Vu Huy, was hiking in the region over a decade ago when he had a gut feeling there was a waterfall hidden amid the forest. Locals couldn’t confirm his hunch so he set out to follow the stream and was rewarded for his efforts. The majestic cascade inspired him to develop the property to share his find, but to do so in a way that would protect the surrounding environment while giving travelers a chance to experience the awe he felt.

“Our waterfall is the heart of the retreat,” said Mr. Vu Huy. “We also realize that the way to a person’s heart is often through their stomach. We wanted to combine stellar food with an incomparable backdrop to touch their hearts and help our guests create a lifelong memory of their time in Vietnam.”

Course menus start at 4,500,000 VND ++ / pax or 9,000,000 VND ++ for two people, exclusive of wine. Reservations are essential with a recommendation to book well in advance as there is only one seating per evening. The waterfall area is also bookable for small group celebrations with the capacity to cater for up to 30 guests. For more information visit: https://avanaretreat.com/cuisine