Singapore Changi Airport named World's Best Airport at the Skytrax World Airport Awards 2023

• This is the 12th time Changi Airport has claimed this title

• Passenger traffic between India and Singapore has recovered to 85% of pre-Covid levels.

INDIA, March 2023- Singapore Changi Airport has been voted the World’s Best Airport at the Skytrax World Airport Awards. This is the 12th time Changi Airport has been awarded this prestigious accolade, a record number since the award was first given out in 1999. In addition to the World’s Best Airport award, Singapore Changi Airport also garnered awards for the World’s Best Airport Dining, Best Airport for Leisure Amenities, and Best Airport in Asia. 

Mr Lee Seow Hiang, Chief Executive Officer of Changi Airport Group (CAG), said, “Changi Airport is honoured to be named World’s Best Airport for the 12th time. This recognition is a great encouragement to our airport community, who stood firmly together to battle the challenges of Covid-19 over the past two years. We thank them for their dedication to serving Changi’s passengers and their perseverance to keep Singapore connected to the world. To our passengers, we are deeply grateful for your vote of confidence. Your continued support encourages us to keep pursuing service excellence as we expand our offerings to redefine the Changi Experience. We look forward to welcoming everyone to Changi Airport as we rediscover the magic of travel again.”

At present Changi Airport is linked to 16 Indian cities, including major hubs such as Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi and Hyderabad, with 7 airlines (Air India, Air India Express, DrukAir, IndiGo, Scoot, Singapore Airlines, and Vistara) providing approximately 241 weekly services. Apart from those visiting Singapore, Changi serves as a major transit airport for Indians travelling to Australia, the USA, Indonesia, and beyond.  With India being a key market for Changi Airport, CAG  has consistently focused on 360-degree marketing efforts to promote Changi through campaigns such as ‘First in Jewel’ in 2019, and ‘Chalo Changi’ in 2022. 

As travel resumed, passenger traffic from India has witnessed a steady recovery with January 2023 seeing the number reaching 85% of pre-covid levels.

The Skytrax World Airport Awards reflect the views of airport customers. Each year, respondents of more than 60 nationalities take part in a global customer satisfaction survey to assess facilities and customer service across more than 550 airports. The World Airport Awards are independent of airport input and fully funded by Skytrax. 

Mr Edward Plaisted, CEO of Skytrax, said, “This recognition for Changi Airport is from the airport customers and serves to underline the airport's popularity with international air travellers. Winning this award as the World’s Best Airport is a very clear recognition of the team effort amongst all staff at the airport who contributed to Changi Airport’s success.” 

Post-pandemic rebound travel from India and beyond

With the roll-back of Covid-19 measures and the return of global travel, passenger traffic at Singapore Changi Airport has recovered to about 80% of pre-Covid levels and is expected to reach 100% by 2024. Changi Airport’s top five passenger markets for 2022 were: Australia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.

Changi Airport re-opened Terminals 2 and 4 in 2022 due to strong travel demand. Terminal 4 (T4) resumed operations in September after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. As part of continuous efforts to enhance the passenger experience, Singapore Changi Airport embarked on expansion and renovation works at Terminal 2 (T2) in 2020. T2’s phased re-opening began in May 2022. 

Enhanced infrastructure and passenger touchpoints for travellers

Upon completion in 2024, T2’s expansion will increase Changi Airport’s total capacity by five million passengers per annum (mppa) to 90 mppa. The project adds 15,500 square metres of space, allowing for larger Departure and Arrival Halls, and consequently, more room for operations including check-in and immigration clearance. 

New leisure, dining, and retail experiences 

At the same time, Changi Airport has been adding to its growing range of offerings that cater to different interests and tastes. Apart from the nature-themed attractions of Jewel, the family-friendly experiences at Changi now also include a rock-climbing attraction and a 16m-tall play structure called Chandelier. Travellers can also catch the latest blockbusters at Changi Airport’s 24-hour movie theatre which offers free movie screenings. 

Dining delights representing culinary influences from around the world include the Flavours of Singapore F&B outlets showcasing local specialities and homegrown brands. Avenues for retail therapy continue to grow with the addition of more international retailers as well as exclusive designer labels. Changi Airport is also ramping up pop-up events to offer travellers exclusive promotions and the world’s first product launches.

ZEE ZEST UNLIMIT AWARDS- The pursuit of excellence from Travel,Hospitality,Culinary

Honouring those who are on a journey to inspire, innovate and lead. 

March, 2023: Zee Zest is a leading multi-platform lifestyle entertainment brand that enables its audiences to discover, engage & broaden their horizons on food, lifestyle, and travel trends. While it creates invigorating content by working with the finest talent in the industry, it is now time to honour the individuals and businesses who have helped this sector grow and prosper. To honour the industry shapers and risk takers, Zee Zest brings to you the first edition of the ZEE ZEST UNLIMIT AWARDS Co-Presented by L’Oreal Paris– New (Hyaluron) Moisture. The awards will recognize and felicitate those who inspire innovation, progress, and challenge the status quo; exemplifying the boundless possibilities in the world of culinary, travel, and hospitality.

The awards have been broadly divided into key pillars of cuisine, beverages & nightlife, travel, and individual achievers operating in this space. The winners will be decided by a combination of jury selection and viewer’s choice via voting process. A distinguished panel known for their limitless contribution to the industry has evaluated and reviewed all entries from each category and the consumers have voted for their favourites to arrive at the winners.

The jury comprises of tastemakers who evaluated the entries based on their deep understanding and expertise of the industry. They have been responsible for carefully reviewing the entries and making a fair and unbiased decision to recognise ‘people and institutions’ for their excellence. The jury has a healthy mix of food and wine experts, writers, influencers, chefs, consultants and more. 

This esteemed jury panel includes industry connoisseurs like chef Ranveer Brar, food expert and chef Vinesh Johny, chef and restaurateur Anahita Dhondy, celebrity chef & TV presenter Kunal Kapur and Shipra Khanna, actor and TV presenter Maria Goretti, chefs and food historians Rakesh Raghunathan and Shri Bala, chefpreneur Ajay Chopra, actor and comedian Jaaved Jaaferi, eminent food columnists Anoothi Vishal, content creators Ashwin Rajagopalan and Indrajit Lahiri, entrepreneur Aneesh Bhasin, author & liquor baron Rocky Mohan, hotelier Diwan Gautam Anand, beverage expert Keshav Prakash. 

The top 5 nominations from each category were open to public voting on www.zeezest.com/unlimitawards from 10th to 24th February following by the jury deliberation at ITC Maratha on 28th February for winner selection of each category. The entries included top luxury hotels & resorts to fine-dining restaurants, best home-grown wines to best nightclubs, and key influential mavericks in food and travel space that are carving the path of this industry with innovation, inventiveness, and consistency.

The award function will be held on March 21st, 2023 at ITC Grand Central, in Mumbai and will be hosted by famed voice over artist and actress Simaran Kaur and actor Harman Singha. It will be an evening to remember with celebrations and felicitations honouring the grit, vision, and hard work of those who have set new benchmarks in their respective field.

Speaking about the event, Mr. Amit Nair, Chief Channel Officer, Zee Zest said, "UNLIMIT represents the pursuit of unbound opportunities, innovation and excellence by breaking constraints and taking risks. It's about being a visionary, leading by example, inspiring others to reach for the stars and to strive for excellence. It is a mindset that encourages individuals to live a life that is limitless in its potential and possibilities. It will be exciting to see the industry influencers come together and celebrate each other’s work and glory at this event.”  

The first edition of the ZEE ZEST UNLIMIT AWARDS Co-Presented by L’Oreal Paris– New (Hyaluron) Moisture will be telecast on 31st March on Zee Zest, Zee Zest HD, Zee Café and will be available to stream on zeezest.com

Dr. Vikram Kamat was honored as an "Iconic Personality in Hospitality" by Shri Bhagat Singh Koshiyari, Honorable Governor of the state of Maharashtra

Kamats Restaurants  bags the best highway restaurant chain award by the Food Connoisseurs India Convention (West India Edition)

Mumbai, February 2023: Whether it be a planned road trip or a spontaneous getaway, restaurants on highways plays a crucial role in providing travelers with comfort food and washrooms to freshen up. With there being a plethora of options to choose from, one brand that has stood out for the last 80 years is 'Kamats Restaurant'. With a concept of an open kitchen, a variety of cuisine to hygienic washrooms, they have always been a companion in the pleasant journey experience of commuters traveling especially on either Maharashtra or Gujrat highways. To add a feather to the cap, The founder and chairman of the Vitskamats Group, Dr. Vikram Kamat was honored as an "Iconic Personality in Hospitality" by Shri Bhagat Singh Koshiyari, Honorable Governor of the state of Maharashtra, for his exemplary contribution to the hospitality industry. He has been recognized for his contribution towards the upliftment of social infrastructure and for successfully running the iconic brand Kamats across highways and Vits Hotels and Resorts across the country. This year was also special for Kamats Restaurant as the restaurant chain also bagged the 'Best highway restaurant chain of the year' awarded by the Food Connoisseurs India Convention (West India Edition).

When asked Dr. Vikraam Kamat, about how he feels after being honored by such a prestigious award, he humbly mentioned, "Being born in the F&B industry, I always have had an attachment with food, and since the very beginning I knew I wanted to give my 100 percent to this industry. It is indeed a fulfilling feeling to be honored by such a prestigious honor from the hands of Shri Bhagat Singh Koshiyari, Honorable Governor of the state of Maharashtra, for doing what I love the most. Also, winning the award for Kamats feels surreal. I am truly thankful to my family and also my team for helping me in embarking on this journey towards providing the best hospitality to my country and even abroad."

Dr. Kaviraj Khialani awarded INDIA PROUD BOOK OF RECORDS RECOGNITION FOR THE YEAR 2023.

Chef Kaviraj is a Mumbai based food and hospitality industry expert and with quality experience with hotels, airlines, educational institutions,media and more

since over 25 years now. he has not only won several national awards like the Bharat vidya ratan and golden peacock national award but also the man of excellence award for 2020, wow award for excellence in culinary and hospitality, Best Chef Asia award, most inspiring chef award and recently he also received the topmost hospitality icon award for 2023 by Asia food congress and awards held in Mumbai.

A passion and a zeal to achieve nothing but the best with complete commitment and dedication has ever since been his motto and principle in life. The journey of 25 years although has not been a very rosy one and it has had its own pros and cons. Chef Kaviraj started his journey with food at the age of seven and since then he learnt his basic cooking skills at home and moved on with them on a serious note to take this interest and hobby into a profession. his education in india and overseas certifications have moulded him in such a way that a complete 360 degree approach towards the hospitality industry can be worked upon and this has been a highly inspiring and motivating factor for thousands and lakhs of budding professionals who consider him as an iconic name in this field of expertise.

Glamour and fame always comes to those who work hard for it and who aspire and aim to dream beyond the horizons is one of his beliefs and factors behind achieving global recognition as well. Academics and experience go hand in hand and it is important to be a successful name in this field and to be able to set examples for people one needs to be constantly on the move and towards setting standards of performance and quality as well. His story of success is known across the globe today and his followers look up to his work and his list of achievements as well constantly and continuously. 

This recent award and recognition conferred upon Dr.Kaviraj is yet another example of setting records in the India proud book of outstanding contribution to the field of hospitality education and support extended towards students, fresh graduates and professionals who are a part of this industry. It is a matter of national pride on having received this prestigious place in the book of records and it will not only inspire others but also motivate him to set even higher and further records of excellence and his great work will surely be noticed hereafter as well. Our publication and team wishes Dr. Kaviraj Khialani all the very best in all his future and upcoming endeavours.

Dr. Kaviraj Khialani ( Celebrity Master Chef ) bags the prestigious Award and title of Top Most Hospitality Icons ( Chefs )

Presented by Asia Food Congress endorsed by the World federation of Hospitality Professionals.

This valentines day has truly been a memorable one for Chef Kaviraj since it not only was a special moment being awarded this special title and award for his very first love being cooking since the age of seven. Becoming a Chef was always his very focused goal and ambition since childhood and his perseverance and continued hard work- dedication and being creative has ever since kept him on top of the charts in his area of expertise and in the Hospitality Industry at large as well since over 25 years now.

Cooking and innovating with ingredients, trying out new and unusual combinations with home recipes and international classics as well has impressed a very huge audience and fan following in his case which makes him a class apart.

Having worked with some of the finest hotels and Hospitality companies in India and overseas which has made him not only learn his subject to the very best but has also helped him achieve milestones at a much younger age.

I always wanted to be different and stand out from the regulars through my work and my passion. There have been a number of instances and experiences during the journey which were not very pleasant as well but for me not getting distracted was the prime focus in life and through constant self motivation I work on my ambitions one by one and ensure they are achieved. In today's times and with the current generation of those who want success and popularity there needs to be a lot of mentorship and coaching sessions planned and executed so that experience of people like me are able to offer our best and help the young aspirants be more inclined with passion and not moving off track at any given point especially during the struggle phase.

The Hospitality industry is vast and there is a place for everyone as long as there are basics in place and a grounded attitude which wants to have an open mind and wishes to learn at the same time with a little patience and cool mind.

Asia food congress has always made me feel special and has honoured me third time in a row this year for which I'm truly humbled.

Awards and Recognitions are part of the journey where it keeps us pepped up and on the toes to continue doing our very best and offer our expertise in the best possible ways.

Dr. Kaviraj Khialani bags Pride of India Award this Independence Day 2023

Dr. Kaviraj Khialani bags Pride of India Award this Independence Day 2023.

Celebrity Master Chef Kaviraj, a well known and iconic name in the field of Culinary & Hospitality with quality experience of over 25 years now has been presented with the Pride of India Award 2023.

Chef Kaviraj started his journey into this Industry from having cooking as a hobby since age of seven years, growing up to pick the same and develop it into a profession.

Having no one in this industry from his parental background he has carved a humble niche for himself from having reached out to the world and having won several national awards of Excellence and international Recognitions as well.

He is an author- writer and consultant for hotel management colleges and Universities across the country where he not only shares his expertise designing curriculums and syllabus etc for courses related to Hospitality Management and culinary arts, besides this he also conducts workshops- seminars and webinars as well for students all over India mentoring them, answering their queries, offering career guidance and even coaching them to make the right step and make a strong foundation in this Industry. He has also been a part of various 5 star hotels in Mumbai and beyond for menu planning - recruitment and training as well for professionals.

He is specialised in over 33 plus International cuisines and loves to do creative and fusion food as well. He has been known for doing things differently over the years and has been in the list of young Achievers of India as well. On the auspicious occasion of republic day of India- 26th January 2023 - he has been appreciated and conferred upon the title of Pride of India ! We are very happy to be a part of this Celebration sharing this wonderful news with all our readers. Wishing Chef Kaviraj all the very best in all his upcoming endeavours.

Dr. Chef Kaviraj Khialani awarded with India News Index- city excellence awards 2023.

Chef Kaviraj khialani has been recently awarded with the city excellence awards for 2023 for his untiring efforts and dedication towards the food and Hospitality industry and Education sector.

Besides being actively associated with the hotel and Hospitality industry and sector involving various verticals and branches associated with Hospitality he has been assisting and helping thousands of skilled and professional entities from the industry at various levels and has also been an active mentor and coach - an iconic name in the field of Hospitality Education as well.

We congratulate chef kaviraj on this very much well deserved award and recognition at the start of 2023.

Dr. Kaviraj Khialani Celebrity Master Chef - Author & Academician has been recently honoured with the build India achievement award 2023.

This recognition is for all the efforts put in to revive and extend support to all those who wished to continue their education since the Covid Times.

The fact that thousands of skilled professionals lost their jobs and had tough times to face it is here when support and compassion came into the picture. Chef Kaviraj not only extended his very best towards hundreds of students who wanted to study and work on their careers but he also sought potential jobs for those in need at that hour and got them some stability and life-saving mechanics.

Chef Kaviraj has been known for his knowledge and his passion towards the Hospitality fraternity and his continued dedicated approach towards offering nothing but the best to all truly makes him an iconic name with a class apart.

Culinary arts and skills is a very different kind of sector where not everyone can succeed or make a career at all times. It is important to be persistent and work hard every single day and make it different and worthwhile.

It is rightly said do good and nothing but good comes back ! The Jury at Build India achievement awards were highly impressed with Chef Kaviraj's journey of around 25 years now which has been a one with outstanding performances, distinctive outcomes and a zeal to do something new all the time made them decide him as the awardee of this prestigious honor.

We congratulate Dr. Kaviraj Khialani for for this well deserved acclaim and recognition and wish him more success and awards coming his way in 2023 and beyond.

Shangri-La Abu Dhabi’s chef Manoj Lasantha wins at the global culinary contest

Over 55 countries were in attendance at the Villeroy & Boch Culinary World Cup

Manoj Lasantha, the executive pastry chef at Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi, was an integral part of the award-winning Emirates Culinary Guild team at this year’s EXPOGAST Villeroy & Boch Culinary World Cup. The event was held in Luxembourg in November.

The Villeroy & Boch Culinary World Cup is one of the biggest culinary contests in the world. This year over 55 countries were in attendance, seeing top chefs from around the globe compete against each other.

Lasantha brought home three gold medals under the Pastry Art categories, winning two for his Petit Four Plated Dessert and one for his Wedding Cake display. The UAE sent 27 chefs, including a support team from across the Emirates, to make up a collection of pastry chefs and artists from restaurants and hotels across the country. The team was awarded a total gold medal tally of 43 in all.

At Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri, Lasantha is responsible for the smooth operation of the pastry kitchen whilst ensuring his team is constantly innovating. The hotel’s changing afternoon tea offering is popular amongst foodies in Abu Dhabi and has received several awards over the years under his tenure.

Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach Bags “Best Contribution to Hospitality in South India" by SIHRA

Visakhapatnam December 2022: Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach located centrally facing the Bay of Bengal, is a go-to destination for every traveler in the SouthEast region. With all Sea-facing rooms and a fitness center, the property is for leisure holidays. The property overlooks the scenic view of the Bay of Bengal with all 225 rooms having a panoramic view of the ocean. With exquisite features like a rooftop pool & jogging track, a gym with a scintillating view of the ocean and 5 multi-cuisine restaurants, owing its beauty to the beach and the views, the property was awarded two prestigious awards this year as “Best Contribution to Hospitality in South India" by SIHRA.

In this glamorous affair led by SIHRA, Southern Region of the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), comprises of the smallest Restaurants to the Five Star deluxe Hotels in the Southern States of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu and the Union Territory of Puducherry. On this occasion, Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach was recognized for its contribution towards the tourism industry in South India as the “Best Contribution to Hospitality in South India" award presented by Shri Basavaraj Bommai, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka.

The glittering ceremony of SIHRA was held under the presence of dignitaries such as Shri G. Kishan Reddy, Hon’ble Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Development of North East Region, Shri Anand Singh, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism, Govt of Karnataka, Dr Mathiventhan, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism, Govt of Tamil Nadu, Smt R K Roja, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism, Govt of Andhra Pradesh, Shri V Srinivas Goud, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism, Govt of Telangana, among others.

On the joyous occasion, Ravi Rai, Cluster General Manager, Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach, Novotel Vijayawada Varun, and The Bheemili Resort expressed his gratitude and said, “Hotels are part of the infrastructure, and it’s the backbone of the growth of Tourism in the country. We are delighted to receive this award where we have been appreciated as one of the top pioneering leaders in the hospitality industry that has played a significant role in promoting Tourism in Southern India”

Novotel Visakhapatnam aims to continue serving its guests by providing expansive wellness services, and world-class amenities with its 225 rooms and suites to grand ballrooms and dining spaces. 

Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach Bags “Best Contribution to Hospitality in South India” by SIHRA

Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach located centrally facing the Bay of Bengal is a go-to destination for every traveler in the SouthEast region. With all Sea-facing rooms and a fitness center, the property is for leisure holidays. The property overlooks the scenic view of the Bay of Bengal with all 225 rooms having a panoramic view of the ocean.With exquisite features like a rooftop pool & jogging track, a gym with a scintillating view of the ocean and 5 multi-cuisine restaurants, owing its beauty to the beach and the views, the property was awarded two prestigious awards this year as “Best Contribution to Hospitality in South India” by SIHRA.

In this glamorous affair led by SIHRA, Southern Region of the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), comprises of the smallest Restaurants to the Five Star deluxe Hotels in the Southern States of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu and the Union Territory of Puducherry. On this occasion, Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach was recognized for its contribution towards the tourism industry in South India as the “Best Contribution to Hospitality in South India” award presented by Shri Basavaraj Bommai, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka.

The glittering ceremony of SIHRA was held under the presence of dignitaries such as Shri G. Kishan Reddy, Hon’ble Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Development of North East Region, Shri Anand Singh, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism, Govt of Karnataka, Dr Mathiventhan, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism, Govt of Tamil Nadu, Smt R K Roja, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism, Govt of Andhra Pradesh, Shri V Srinivas Goud, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism, Govt of Telangana, among others.

On the joyous occasion, Ravi Rai, Cluster General Manager, Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach, Novotel Vijayawada Varun, and The Bheemili Resort expressed his gratitude and said, “Hotels are part of the infrastructure, and it’s the backbone of the growth of Tourism in the country. We are delighted to receive this award where we have been appreciated as one of the top pioneering leaders in the hospitality industry that has played a significant role in promoting Tourism in Southern India”

Novotel Visakhapatnam aims to continue serving its guests by providing expansive wellness services, and world-class amenities with its 225 rooms and suites to grand ballrooms and dining spaces.

Woods At Sasan wins Destination Deluxe Awards 2022, "Hotel Design of the Year”

The Biophilic wellbeing retreat in Sasan Gir, Gujarat, is honoured for being recognized for its unique architecture and interior design.

December 2022- Woods At Sasan, a modern well-being retreat in the Sasan Gir forest in Gujarat has been awarded the “Hotel Design of the Year” and has been nominated under the “Wellness Cuisine of the Year” category by Destination Deluxe Awards 2022, an international platform that honours the leaders and pioneers in wellness and travel.

Nestled in the forest, this modern retreat in the woods is the first of its kind in India – a wellbeing retreat that is based on biophilia, slow living and is grounded in sustainable practices.

Destination Deluxe Awards’ recognition drives the remarkable luxury standards of hotels, spas, treatments, skincare and wellness brands from across the globe.. The retreat of Woods At Sasan, a flagship venture by 1000 Island Hotels & Resorts, is honoured by this prestigious recognition of  its unique design and architecture.

Established on the principle of a sustainable system of hospitality through observation, engagement, learning, and design, Woods At Sasan, a forward-thinking, design-driven brand with nature and humanity at its core, draws upon the natural terrain of the land and the culture of the people to shape its philosophy which  inspires the the retreat’s architecture, environment and spirit of hosting.

The built environment at Woods At Sasan is an amalgamation of contemporary architecture guided by biophilic guidelines and infused with the spirit of the local culture and the craft of the land. Keeping the essence of land as the focus, the Stays at Woods At Sasan are designed for an immersive experience of nature and  feature a creative use of locally sourced materials. Every Stay has ample natural light and ventilation and offers glimpses of the textures of the local environment in its design and construction.

With a biophilic design led approach and conscious design decisions to maximize the affiliation of humans with nature and natural processes, Woods At Sasan has attempted to invest in building a property that aligns design thinking with wellbeing.

Quality, transparency, and originality are the fundamental criteria of the Destination Deluxe Awards, as they recognize and praise the change-makers of today who go beyond the set boundaries and innovate in their respective fields and are evaluated by a group of 17 judges, who are well-respected industry experts.

“As the exclusive winner from India in the Destination Deluxe Awards, 2022, we are excited and grateful for the recognition; which is a true testament of our Design Atelier’s efforts towards creating a biophilic space that aligns design-thinking with wellbeing at its core”, says Maulik Bhagat, Founder & MD, 1000 Island Hotels & Resorts.

Wood At Sasan wins Destination Deluxe Awards 2022, "Hotel Design of the Year”

 

The Biophilic wellbeing retreat in Sasan Gir, Gujarat, is honoured for being recognized for its unique architecture and interior design.

 

December 2022- Woods At Sasan, a modern wellbeing retreat in the Sasan Gir forest in Gujarat has been awarded the “Hotel Design of the Year” and has been nominated under the “Wellness Cuisine of the Year” category by Destination Deluxe Awards 2022, an international platform that honours the leaders and pioneers in wellness and travel.

Nestled in the forest, this modern retreat in the woods is the first of its kind in India – a well-being retreat that is based on biophilia, slow living and is grounded in sustainable practices.

Destination Deluxe Awards’ recognition drives the remarkable luxury standards of hotels, spas, treatments, skincare and wellness brands from across the globe. The retreat of Woods At Sasan, a flagship venture by 1000 Island Hotels & Resorts, is honoured by this prestigious recognition of  its unique design and architecture.

Established on the principle of a sustainable system of hospitality through observation, engagement, learning, and design, Woods At Sasan, a forward-thinking, design-driven brand with nature and humanity at its core, draws upon the natural terrain of the land and the culture of the people to shape its philosophy which  inspires the the retreat’s architecture, environment and spirit of hosting.

The built environment at Woods At Sasan is an amalgamation of contemporary architecture guided by biophilic guidelines and infused with the spirit of the local culture and the craft of the land. Keeping the essence of land as the focus, the Stays at Woods At Sasan are designed for an immersive experience of nature and  feature a creative use of locally sourced materials. Every Stay has ample natural light and ventilation and offers glimpses of the textures of the local environment in its design and construction.

With a biophilic design led approach and conscious design decisions to maximize the affiliation of humans with nature and natural processes, Woods At Sasan has attempted to invest in building a property that aligns design thinking with wellbeing.

Quality, transparency, and originality are the fundamental criteria of the Destination Deluxe Awards, as they recognize and praise the change-makers of today who go beyond the set boundaries and innovate in their respective fields and are evaluated by a group of 17 judges, who are well-respected industry experts.

“As the exclusive winner from India in the Destination Deluxe Awards, 2022, we are excited and grateful for the recognition; which is a true testament of our Design Atelier’s efforts towards creating a biophilic space that aligns design-thinking with wellbeing at its core”, says Maulik Bhagat, Founder & MD, 1000 Island Hotels & Resorts.

American Brew Crafts’s Blockbuster wins ‘Bronze’ at Brewski Awards

Only Indian beer brand to be recognized at Brewski Awards 2022 (an international beer competition)

Hyderabad November 2022: American Brew Crafts Pvt Ltd, a modern-day independent brewing company making the highest quality products with the best ingredients won a Bronze Medal for its BlockBuster beer at the 2022 annual Brewski Awards, an international beer competition that recognizes beers brands with extraordinary quality and integrity that resonate with the consumers. Blockbuster was the only Indian Beer recognized at Brewski Awards 2022. It was rated as a good solid-tasting beer in the category Australasian, Latin American, and Tropical Style Light Beer. 

Brewski Awards 2022 is an International Beer Competition with the participation of more than 600 beer brands. The event is judged by highly experienced beer consumers, that taste beers independently. The director of the judging panel is a Certified Cicerone that oversees the entire tasting process as well as the selection of judges. The judges are an enthusiast not in the industry. All entries to Brewski Awards, an international beer competition are scrutinized thoroughly for aroma, appearance, flavour, mouthfeel, and overall to identify the products that stand out.   

Expressing ecstasy over receiving the award, Mr. Nagendra Tayi, Chief Executive Officer, American Brew Crafts Pvt Ltd said, “We are delighted to receive the Bronze Medal for BlockBuster at the Brewski Awards 2022. This is a credible recognition of the excellence of taste, flavour, overall experience, and quality of Blockbuster beer from the connoisseurs. Our unwavering commitment to quality and perfection at American Brew Crafts is what has allowed us to garner such prestigious awards in such a short time. We are delighted that ABC Ltd. has been acknowledged for its efforts in the brewing industry, and this recognition is evidence of our consistency.” 

Recently the variants Blockbuster Lager and Blockbuster Strong were rated GOLD in two categories – Packaging and Liquid Tasting at Spiritz Selection 2022.

Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach conferred the Excellence Award for "Best Coastal Hotel in India"

Visakhapatnam, October 2022: Surrounded by mesmerizing skyline with the gorgeous sights of the Bay of Bengal, Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach is a sought-after destination in the erstwhile state of Andhra Pradesh. This property promises its true exclusiveness and unparalleled celebration drenched in its charm. Popular in India for its understated grandeur and warm hospitality, Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach acquired the Excellence Award for "Best Coastal Hotel in India" at the latest edition of the Haute Grandeur Global Hotel Awards. 

Haute Grandeur is the world's most prestigious Global Hotel, Spa & Restaurant Awards worldwide. It recognizes remarkable achievements in delivering consistent, exceptional experiences in the global luxury hospitality industry. Moreover, the awards discern excellence through feedback from guests , industry experts and not the number of votes by the general public or a panel of judges.

Speaking of the award, Ravi Rai, Cluster General Manager, Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach, Novotel Vijayawada Varun, and The Bheemili Resort expressed his gratitude and said, “We are honored to receive this prestigious award from Haute Grandeur. We believe this will strengthen our position in the market as this recognition encourages our team to exceed our patrons' expectations. In the hospitality industry, it is all about creating the right experiences, and Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach aims to further facilitate the hotel’s promise of delivering unique and unparalleled hospitality for guests.” 

Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach basks in the "Jewel of the East Coast" with beautifully appointed 225 rooms and suites to grand ballrooms and dining spaces; expansive wellness facilities and salon. 

JW MARRIOTT MUMBAI JUHU RECOGNIZED WITH CONDE NAST TRAVELER’S 2022 READERS’ CHOICE AWARD #17 OF BEST HOTELS IN INDIA

The RCA’s celebrate the world’s top hotels, resorts, cities, countries, islands, spas, trains, airlines, airports, cruises, and more.

Mumbai, October 2022 - Condé Nast Traveler earlier this month announced the results of its annual Readers’ Choice Awards with JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu recognized as the #17 Best Hotel in India.

More than 240,000 Condé Nast Traveler readers submitted responses rating their travel experiences across the globe to provide a full snapshot of the top places they enjoyed this year and can’t wait to return to next.

“As we celebrate our 20th year, we feel honored that the discerning readers of Condé Nast Traveler again recognized our hotel for being among the very best of the best. This win is a true testament to the passion and commitment of our associates,” says Nikita Ramchandani, General Manager at the JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu.

The Readers’ Choice Awards are the longest-running and most prestigious recognition of excellence in the travel industry and the full list of India winners can be found here.

About JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts

JW Marriott is part of Marriott International’s luxury portfolio of brands and consists of beautiful properties and distinctive resort locations around the world. Inspired by the principles of mindfulness, JW Marriott is a haven designed to allow guests to focus on feeling whole – present in mind, nourished in body, and revitalized in spirit – through programs and offerings that encourage them to come together and experience every moment to the fullest. Today there are more than 100 JW Marriott hotels in over 30 countries and territories worldwide that cater to sophisticated, mindful travelers who come seeking experiences that help them be fully present, foster meaningful connections and feed the soul. Visit JW Marriott online, and on Instagram and Facebook. JW Marriott is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit MarriottBonvoy.marriott.com.

Anantara Spa Scoops Wins at 2022 World Spa Awards

Anantara Spas worldwide has received 13 top accolades in the World Spa Awards 2022, a tourism industry awards programme that recognises leading spas from across the globe.

From Sri Lanka to the Seychelles, Anantara Spa was privileged to receive several awards, including Zambia’s Best Safari Spa, Oman’s Best Resort Spa and Dubai’s Best Wellness Retreat.

Drawing on Thailand’s wellness traditions, Anantara Spa offers unique signature journeys deeply rooted in indigenous experiences. Centred on movement, nutrition, mindfulness and innovative technology, Anantara Spa takes a holistic approach, providing personalised solutions to optimise health and wellbeing.

Ohri’s Sahibs Barbeque awarded as “Best Restaurant” at the Telangana Tourism Awards 2022"

Hyderabad: October , 2022: Ohris Sahibs BBQ has been awarded the prestigious “Best Restaurant” award by the State Government of Telangana on the occasion of Telangana Tourism Awards 2022 Hyderabad. Ohri's Sahib's Barbeque is the latest offering from the house of Ohri's delicious traditional Hyderabadi and Awadhi cuisine. This unique recognition has come for 2nd year in a row and is a huge reinforcement of the brand name and customer satisfaction offered by Ohris Group.

Ohri’s Group, with over four decades of culinary legacy, provides its connoisseurs with thematically designed restaurants offering experiential dining. Ohris is also known for its world-class facilities and exceptional service standards and has been winning accolades for the same since its inception. In the recently organized Telangana Tourism Awards ceremony held at Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre in Hyderabad, Ohri’s Sahibs Barbeque has won “Best Restaurant” two years in a row. Telangana Tourism Awards celebrates the best in the Telangana & Hyderabad Culinary Industry and provides a platform to recognise their talent. Ohris Shaibs has won this reward amongst leading restaurants, in Hyderabad through an online voting system.

Expressing delight over achieving the award, Mr Amar Ohri, Managing Director Ohris Group said, “We are truly honoured to receive affirmation from industry experts and guests for two years in a row. We want to thank our patrons and guests who have experienced delectable cuisines and services at our restaurant and have forwarded and voted for us. The award acknowledges Sahibs BBQ unique offering as one of the best grills offering unmatched food and experiences to the customers. We are planning to open more branches of Sahibs BBQ in Hyderabad and other cities so that more people can experience our hospitality.”

Freedom Healthy Cooking Oils receives ‘AIMA – RK Swamy High-Performance Brand Award 2022’

Hyderabad: September 2022: Freedom Healthy Cooking Oils, the flagship brand of Gemini Edibles & Fats India Ltd (GEF India) received the prestigious AIMA-R K Swamy High-Performance Brand Award 2021  in a Special Session at AIMA's 49th National Management Convention which was held with the theme 'Advantage India: Thriving in the New World Order. The award was received by, Mr. P Chandra Shekhara Reddy, Senior Vice President - Sales & Marketing, Freedom Healthy Cooking Oils from Shri. Nitin Gadkari, Hon'ble Minister of Road Transport & Highways, Government of India in the presence of other dignitaries.

The AIMA-R K Swamy award was instituted in 2009 by the advertising agency R K SWAMY and All India Management Association, in memory of the founder of the agency Sri R K Swamy, who also was a past president of AIMA. The award is to be given to a high-performing Indian-grown brand. Sri Swamy was a true nationalist who felt that Indian companies and brands are as good as MNCs and to honor his view on the subject, AIMA and R K SWAMY instituted this award. The High-performance brand is identified by a panel of leading Industry leaders. The winning brand must consistently outperform others in the category in terms of revenue and profitability as well as satisfy the Jury that the brand has performed well across other categories as well. 

Freedom Healthy Cooking Oils was chosen for the aggressive growth seen from Rs 6,500 Cr to over Rs 10,000 Cr with similar growth in profitability in the last couple of years.  

Past President of AIMA and the Chairman & Managing Director of R K SWAMY Pvt. Ltd, who was the Jury Chair said "We reviewed several categories and studied the performance of various brands before we zeroed in on Freedom. They join several other illustrious brands over the last 12 years like LIC, SBI, Tata, Amul, Titan, HDFC Bank, Bajaj Auto, Wipro, etc. So many congratulations to them and wish them continued success."

Reacting to receiving the award, Mr. Pradeep Chowdhry, Managing Director, Gemini Edibles & Fats India Ltd said "We are delighted to win this award. This was made possible by the hard work put in by our employees and the distributors as well as our agency partners over the last several years. My special thanks to every one of them."

Speaking on the occasion Mr. P. Chandra Shekhara Reddy, Senior Vice President – Sales & Marketing, Freedom Healthy Cooking Oils said, "We are happy to receive the AIMA-RK Swamy High-Performance Brand Award 2021 for Freedom Healthy Cooking Oils. The brand 'Freedom' is built on the fundamentals of consistently providing good quality products, attractive packaging, deep market knowledge and penetration, innovative marketing, customer outreach, and communication strategy. It has helped us grow and become the No.1 brand by volume sales in the country in the sunflower oil category (Neilsen IQ – MAT March 2022) in an extremely competitive marketplace."

Recently Freedom Healthy Cooking Oils bagged the 'Pride of India Brand Award 2022' in the category 'Best Brands of South India'. The Pride of India Brand awards 2022 recognizes and rewards some of India's most loved, home-grown brands.

About GEF India (Freedom Healthy Cooking Oils):

'Freedom' is the Flagship brand of Gemini Edibles & Fats India Limited (GEF India). Freedom Healthy Cooking Oil Range is available as Freedom Refined Sunflower Oil, Freedom Physically Refined Rice Bran Oil, Freedom Kachi Ghani Mustard Oil, and Freedom Groundnut Oil.

The ‘Freedom’ brand was launched in 2010 in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. Freedom Refined Sunflower Oil is the No.1 Brand by volume sales in India in the sunflower oil category (according to Nielsen IQ data on the Refined Oil Cons Pack (ROCP) market in India (U+R) for the year ending (MAT) March 31, 2022).

Freedom Rice Bran Oil was launched in 2015 in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

‘Freedom’ was ranked among the top five cooking oil brands in India according to the India Today ‘Ipsos Urban Consumer Sentiment Survey 2020’.

Social Media handles 

FreedomHealthyOil @freedomhealthyoil

For Media Queries: 

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GEF India is proposing, subject to applicable statutory and regulatory requirements, receipt of requisite approvals, market conditions and other considerations, to undertake an initial public offer of its Equity Shares and has filed the DRHPdated August 7, 2021. The DRHP will be available on the websites of SEBI at www.sebi.gov.in, stock exchanges i.e., BSE at www.bseindia.com, NSE at www.nseindia.com, respectively and is available at the respective websites of the BRLMs, i.e. Axis Capital Limited atwww.axiscapital.co.in, Credit Suisse Securities (India) Private Limited at www.credit-suisse.com/in/en/investment-banking-apac/investment-banking-in-india/ipo.html, Kotak Mahindra Capital Company Limited at www.investmentbank.kotak.com and Nomura FinancialAdvisory and Securities (India) Private Limited at www.nomuraholdings.com/company/ group/asia/india/index.html. Potential investors should note that investment in equity shares involves a high degree of risk and for details relating to such risk, see the section titled "Risk Factors" of the Red Herring Prospectus, when filed. Potential investors should not rely on the DRHP filed with SEBI for making any investment decision

Dr. Chef. Kaviraj bags the Prestigious Human Rights Nobel Award for 2021 - 2022.

Having known for his outstanding achievements, dedication and winning attitude since over two and a half decades Chef kaviraj has been one name which is synonymous with quality and perfection.

His passion of being known for his creativity and out of the box thinking, impressing foodies and guests with his art - skills, and talents have made success stories the world over since around 25 years now.

This Human Rights Nobel Award has been conferred upon him for his untiring efforts and support extended to the food and Hospitality industry including operations to Academics and beyond.

Hundreds of Hospitality industry employees were helped get back into their jobs and also the fresh graduates were shown directions on how to start up and find the right place to Kickstart a successful career, being stable in a job and not changing often have been a few of his contributions to name a few which have been of true help to professionals.

We are happy - proud and wish him all the very best for the kind gestures extended towards humanity and the development of quality manpower for the industry on the whole. Wishing Chef kaviraj all the very best in all his upcoming endeavors.