Choice Hotels International Reports 2020 Third Quarter Results

In the third quarter of 2020, Choice Hotels continued to provide a broad range of support to its franchisees, guests, and communities while improving its overall financial and liquidity position. Highlights of third quarter and year to date 2020 results include:

• Domestic systemwide revenue per available room (RevPAR) outperformed the total industry by nearly 20 percentage points, declining 28.8% for third quarter 2020 compared to the same period of the prior year, and exceeded the chain scale segments in which the company competes, as reported by STR.

• Fourth quarter domestic RevPAR through October 24, 2020 has continued the pattern of sequential quarterly improvement, and October 2020 RevPAR is expected to decline by approximately 25% from the same period of 2019 (see Exhibit 7 for weekly RevPAR trends).

• The company awarded 232 new domestic franchise agreements year to date through September 30, 2020, a 38% decrease compared to the same period of the prior year. Nearly 70% of the agreements awarded year to date through September 30, 2020 were for conversion hotels.

• Net income was $14.5 million for the third quarter, representing diluted earnings per share of $0.26.

• Third quarter adjusted net income, excluding certain items described in Exhibit 6, decreased 52% to $36.8 million from third quarter 2019.

• Adjusted diluted earnings per share for the third quarter were $0.66, a 52% decrease from third quarter 2019.

• Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) for the third quarter were $74.9 million, a 34% decrease from third quarter 2019.

• The company reported cash flow from operations of over $68 million in the third quarter 2020.

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JA Manafaru Maldives Reopens with New Attractions

Multi award-winning 5-star All-Inclusive resort JA Manafaru Maldives has officially reopened, having spent recent months focused on a remodelling and upgrade of interiors, the introduction of a new lounge concept, new menus in all restaurants and a brand-new Maldivian Cultural Awareness Centre.

Positioned at the most Northern tip of Maldives in the beautiful Haa Alifu Atoll, JA Manafaru offers privacy, and distance from other islands as it sits idyllically where the Arabian Sea meets the vast Indian Ocean. Fringed with exquisite powder beaches and crystal-clear waters teeming with exotic marine life, the chic enclave features 84 luxurious beachfront and over-water villas and residences, each with their own private pool. The accommodation options range from 135 sqm to 1600 sqm, providing complete serenity and the lagoon-ringed island location reassures guests of its safety.

Positioned at the most Northern tip of Maldives in the beautiful Haa Alifu Atoll, JA Manafaru offers privacy, and distance from other islands as it sits idyllically where the Arabian Sea meets the vast Indian Ocean. Fringed with exquisite powder beaches and crystal-clear waters teeming with exotic marine life, the chic enclave features 84 luxurious beachfront and over-water villas and residences, each with their own private pool. The accommodation options range from 135 sqm to 1600 sqm, providing complete serenity and the lagoon-ringed island location reassures guests of its safety.

A wealth of dining options are available, from traditional Indian Ocean cuisine, international fare and seafood feasts, all available on the All-Inclusive meal plan which also offers guests premium beverages from 11am-11pm. One of the most picturesque spots on the island has been transformed into the new White Orchid Lounge - set to open in December, an atmospheric ocean lounge treating guests to balmy breezes, Asian street food and melodic beats. Guests can also enjoy Kakuni, the all-day island hub, Andiamo Bistro with its lush green backdrop and Ocean Grill - incredible beachfront dining under the stars.

Opening soon, the Maldivian Cultural Centre is a highlight for visitors, showcasing traditional arts and crafts from around Maldives as well as artefacts found on the island itself. Complimenting this space will be Utheemu Gallery, showcasing a cultural photography and access to specific publications about the country. Additional activities available for both adults and children include a PADI-certified dive centre, jet-skiing, water-skiing, mono-skiing, fun tubing, wakeboarding, windsurfing, kayaking and catamaran sailing. There is a Marine Awareness Centre, beach volleyball, futsal pitch, tennis court, badminton court, pool table, and games room as well a recently upgraded fitness pavilion, now with the addition of a Yoga deck. Travellers can enjoy Maldivian cooking classes, dolphin-watching, boat cruises, fishing, yoga, eco-golf and the award-winning Calm Spa Sanctuary, offering Ayurveda, aromatherapy, and wellness journeys.

The Safest Hotels During The Covid-19 Crisis

If you're thinking of traveling during the second wave of the coronavirus outbreak, you might be wondering: Is there a list of the safest hotels during the COVID-19 crisis?

There is. The Safe Travel Barometer, a startup that ranks travel companies based on their cleaning and sanitation practices, released the list exclusively to FORBES. It's a handy guide for anyone interested in staying somewhere that takes safety seriously.

Why is a list of the safest hotels for coronavirus so important? Because too many hotels have said too little about their sanitation efforts. They've either published a vaguely worded press release, meant to soothe worried guests but short on specifics, or they've said nothing substantive other than, "We'll do better."

But the most alarming result of the Safe Travel Barometer research is that there just isn't a lot of information on hotel safety out there. Many properties have said little or nothing about their cleaning practices. That should be troubling to every guest, but also something worth remembering. It's not the hotels on this list that you should worry about — it's the ones that are not on this list.

A Hilton CleanStay seal at the Canopy by Hilton Scottsdale Old Town in Scottsdale, Ariz.

CHRISTOPHER ELLIOTT

How to tell if your hotel is safe during the COVID-19 crisis

Of course, some hotels go above and beyond, which is something else to look for. At the Canopy by Hilton Scottsdale Old Town in Scottsdale, Ariz., each door has a Hilton CleanStay seal, signifying that it’s been sanitized to the hotel chains high standards. The property, Old Town Scottsdale’s first new hotel in over a decade, opened just a month ago, so it its cleaning protocols have been there from the start. (One hotel guest told me that he always travels with sanitizing wipes and cleans surface areas himself. At the Hilton, he says, the wipes remained white. “I was impressed,” he says.)

After the housekeeping staff at the historic Beverly Hilton services a room, they bring in an ultraviolet light to sanitize even more deeply, says hospitality expert Anthony Melchiorri.

"If you have questions or would like to know more about the exact safety measures put in place to protect your health, call the hotel where you plan to stay and ask them what to expect," he says.

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Peru enters phase four and begins tourism reactivation

Tourism is currently one of the most affected sectors and it represents the third largest economic activity in Peru, generating more than 1.4 million jobs. In this sense, and given the reduction in the numbers of the pandemic, the South American country has been reactivating the sector in a gradual, responsible and sustainable way, applying bio-safety protocols to travel with safety and confidence.

Several indicators of this reactivation have been seen recently: last Tuesday 13th, Peru received the Safe Travels seal from the WTTC, a certification endorsed by the UNWTO and the CDC. Furthermore, the country has doubled the number of domestic flights and recently PROMPERÚ launched the 'Volver' campaign, which seeks to reactivate domestic tourism.

Important museums and archaeological sites in the country were also reopened in October, with all the biosecurity measures needed and receiving only 50% of their usual capacity in visitors. Added to this is the expected reopening of Machupicchu, scheduled for the first days of November receiving only 30% of its capacity in visitors.

FSSAI extends upgraded Food Safety Compliance platform for food businesses to entire country

Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) has been operational in 9 States/UTs viz. Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Gujarat, Odisha, Chandigarh, Goa, Manipur, Puducherry and Ladakh wef 1st June 2020. FSSAI is now ready to extend FoSCoS to entire country wef 1st November 2020.

Since 2011, the FSSAI’s online licensing platform FLRS (Food Licensing and Registration System) is the soul of the licensing ecosystem with 100% India (all State and UTs) coverage, 70 lakh licenses/ registrations issued till date, over 40 lakhs licensees/ registrants actively transacting on it.

FSSAI is launching its cloud based, upgraded new food safety compliance online platform called Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS, URL – https://foscos.fssai.gov.in). It will replace the existing FLRS (URL – https://foodlicensing.fssai.gov.in).

FoSCoS is conceptualized to provide one point stop for all engagement of an FBO with the department for any regulatory compliance transaction. FoSCoS has been integrated with FoSCoRIS mobile app and will soon integrate with present IT platforms of FSSAI such as INFOLNet, FoSTaC, FICS etc.

Sample management, improvement notices, adjudications, audit management system etc activities/ modules will be enabled in phased manner in future. Technologies such as GPS location tagging, picture capture etc will be utilised in future to ensure transparent and accountable extension field services such
inspections and sampling.

In future it will be integrated with other platforms of Government of India such as GST, PAN, MCA etc. to ensure a 360 degree profiling and validation of businesses. A single regulatory platform will enable pan India integrated response system to any food fraud and ensure an advanced risk based, data driven regulatory approach.

FoSCoS will be offering licensing, registration, inspection and annual return modules. It essentially has flows similar to FLRS, so that users have convenience in migrating to FoSCoS.

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Vikram Choubal joins The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts as their Senior Vice President Design

The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts has appointed Vikram Choubal as Senior Vice President, Design and Technical Services.

Prior to joining The Leela, Choubal was Vice President, Project Management at Marriott International for South Asia.

In his new role, Choubal will provide technical support and oversee the design, planning and execution of all hotel projects within The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts portfolio. With over three decades of experience in hotel project management, Choubal has had a solid grounding in hospitality engineering, architecture, design, and construction.

“We are delighted to welcome Vikram to The Leela family and to have someone of his calibre and extensive experience lead our design and technical services team. Vikram brings with him the necessary expertise and a proven track record in project management and design development across  multiple brands, which will be extremely valuable to us as we embrace the next new phase of our growth trajectory,” said Anuraag Bhatnagar, Chief Operating Officer, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts.

Choubal began his career in the merchant shipping industry, sailing on oil tankers for 14 years, gaining hands-on experience of working with people across the world, before moving to the hospitality industry. His experience in the hospitality sector includes a stint with The Oberoi Group, heading engineering, operations and projects as Vice President, and IHCL (TAJ Hotels) as Vice President Projects prior to joining Marriott International.

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Tabish Siddiquie Named General Manager At The Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club

As the resort's general manager, Siddiquie will be responsible for all aspects of daily operations, including sales and revenue generation, marketing, guest and employee satisfaction, human resources, financial performance, and the membership club. Siddiquie will be actively involved in the St. Petersburg community, building strong relationships with local officials, businesses, and guests to continue The Vinoy's legacy as an iconic pillar on downtown St. Petersburg's welcoming waterfront.

Siddiquie's appointment reflects his impressive 20-year track record successfully running exceptional properties across the globe. Most recently, he served as the general manager of The Ritz-Carlton Denver, which attained its highest ever revenue and profit under Siddiquie's leadership. Prior to his time in Denver, Siddiquie honed his hospitality skills around the world at luxury hotels and resorts such as The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi Grand Canal, The Ritz-Carlton Almaty in Kazakhstan, The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman and The Ritz-Carlton San Francisco. This will not be Siddiquie's first time on Florida's Gulf Coast, as he oversaw food and beverage at The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota, including the hotel's members club and golf course, from 2008 to 2011.

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The Abu Dhabi hotel has partnered with the Emirates Agency for Kosher Certification

Armed Forces Officers Club and Hotel (AFOCH) in Abu Dhabi has been certified as kosher compliant by the Emirates Agency for Kosher Certification (EAKC).

EAKC representatives guided the AFOCH team through the certification process, providing consultation on implementation of a designated kosher certified kitchen, selection of kosher certified food, procurement of relevant ingredients and a guide on kosher catering.

Kosher, meaning fit or proper in Hebrew, is a term given to foods which have been properly prepared to meet the strict religious dietary requirements of Jewish people. Abu Dhabi began establishing official kosher certification services shortly after the historic UAE-Israel peace treaty in September.

As per Circular 65 from Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), all hoteliers are advised to include kosher food options on their menus.

The rules around kosher catering are extensive and complex, demanding many F&B venues to learn an entirely new set of practices. The rules cover where/when ingredients are sourced, the cleaning process of fruit and veg, the slaughter and preparation of meat, the fish used, the avoidance of mixing meat and dairy and many other guidelines. 

To ensure all these rules are respected, venues must have a separate area for kosher food preparation.

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Marriott to become sole owner of luxurious boutique hotel company

Marriott International has made a formal request to acquire 100 percent ownership of boutique hotel company Design Hotels. Starwood Hotels snapped up a 72 percent stake in Design Hotels in 2011 and once Starwood was acquired by Marriott in 2016, that stake moved over to the Marriott also. Since then, Marriott has gained 95 percent ownership of Design Hotels and is now planning to acquire the remaining five percent. According to various news sources, Marriott hopes for the deal to conclude within three months from now, making a cash offer to the existing shareholders of Design Hotels.
  
A spokesperson for Marriott International explained, “Marriott now has 95 per cent ownership of Design Hotels shares, and German law permits a company owning 90 per cent or more to initiate a process to obtain the remaining shares. ”Design Hotels said the move would not change how the company does business. A spokesperson said, “As the merger squeeze-out is a corporate organisational development and we do not plan changes to the way we operate the business, there is no impact to the senior leadership team.”

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Coralie Morales Appointed Director of Sales At Al Maha Arjaan by Rotana in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Al Maha Arjaan by Rotana recently announced the appointment of Coralie Morales as the hotel's Director of Sales. In this role, Coralie will be an integral part of the hotel's commercial strategy committee and will be leading the sales team towards achieving the property's sales and revenue targets.

Coralie has almost ten years of hospitality experience in the UAE with various positions in sales. In 2017, she joined Rotana as a Sales Manager and her last position was Assistant Director of Sales at Rotana's Capital Centre Complex.

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Hotel Internet Services Showcases Advances in Contactless Guest Service and Entertainment Personalization Along With Latest in Wi-Fi Connectivity at Cyber HITEC 2020

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Hotel Internet Services (HIS), a full-service provider of internet services and solutions for the hospitality industry, is set to offer an opportunity for industry professionals to learn about the latest technologies capable of meeting new guest expectations for safer, more connected and personalized hotel experiences at this year's Cyber HITEC. As an official exhibitor of the virtual event taking place October 27-29 and with attendees able to visit the virtual booth until November 25, HIS will demonstrate how comprehensive in-room entertainment and guest service solutions such as BeyondTV can enhance social distancing and contactless interaction while maximizing convenience and satisfaction. HIS will further provide insight into how hoteliers can cost-effectively update their Guest Wi-Fi networks to meet demands for ever faster, more secure and always reliable online connectivity.

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UAE affirms commitment to rescuing travel & tourism

The UAE has affirmed its commitment to supporting global travel and tourism at a time when the coronavirus is causing havoc. Speaking at the G20 Tourism Ministers Meeting in Saudi Arabia, Dr. Ahmed Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SME), said the pandemic has brought about an opportunity for tourism to come back triumphant.

Al Falasi explained that the virus has transformed not only travel and tourism but the entire globe, changing daily lives and behaviours of billions.

He added: "We, in the UAE, believe that there is an opportunity generated along with every challenge and that the exposure to shocks makes us stronger and resilient in the face of future crises. Therefore, we are confident that the tourism sector, although it is the most affected by the pandemic, will emerge stronger, faster and more resilient."

While the oil-rich UAE capital continuously works to diversify its economy, the emirate of Dubai has long been a tourism hub in the Middle East. The modern metropolis saw an all-time high of 16.73 million overnight visitors in 2019 according to The Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism). Tourism spending last year amassed to US$27.9 billion.

Stacey Washburn Appointed Director of Sales and Marketing At Cambria Hotel Sonoma Wine Country

As Director of Sales & Marketing, Washburn played a key role in the hotel's grand opening this summer, by leading the sales and marketing team and overseeing all revenue and distribution management. After obtaining her Masters of Arts in Marketing Communications from Emerson College.

Washburn spent 10 years in various sales and marketing roles with industry-leading organizations such as Marriott International, including Sales Manager, Western Mountain Pacific; Sales Executive, Marin County and Emeryville; and Assistant Manager of Room Operations. She was also Sales Manager at Oxford Inns, Suites & Hotels, where she prospected new business leads and negotiated accounts. While Washburn has lived on both coasts, she has found a true home in Sonoma County, where she currently resides with her husband and beloved cat.

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Kempinski Hotel Muscat appoints first Omani female hotel manager

Kempinski Hotel Muscat has become the first hotel in the Sultanate to employ an Omani female hotel manager. Nadine El Assaad Al Bulushi will now be at the forefront of hotel operations, moving up from her previous role as EAM.

El Assaad brings more than 20 years of experience to her new position, having previously supported the openings of Hyatt Regency Taba, Egypt, and Park Hyatt Dubai, UAE, as part of the opening task force.

In 2006, she became director of revenue and later DOSM with Radisson Hotel Group, supporting the opening of Radisson Blu properties across South Africa. She later moved onto a cluster role as EAM and director of revenue at Radisson Blu Muscat and Sohar.

Speaking about its new hotel manager, Kempinski Hotel Muscat said in a statement: “Her excellence and hard work, during these unprecedented times of the Covid-19 outbreak, even beyond her duties, have been a great inspiration to us all, and her compassion for each employee has proven her truly worthy of this promotion.”

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John Burns Appointed Senior Advisor At PROVision Partners in New Smyrna - FL, USA

PROVision Partners ("PROVision"), a leading global travel and hospitality advisory firm, announces the appointment of John Burns as a Senior Advisor. Burns, identified by Lodging Magazine as one of the top ten hospitality experts changing the travel industry, brings over 28 years of consulting expertise to the firm. In his role with Provision Burns will not only support the firm's growth strategy but will also be available as a resource on key engagements.

Burns has performed consulting services on an international basis specializing in assisting chains and independent hotels. He is recognized as a leading expert in planning, assessing, and optimizing core technologies including central reservations, property management, electronic distribution, revenue management, and call centres.

In 2006 Burns was inducted into the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) International Hospitality Technology Hall of Fame. That same year he also received the International Society of Hospitality Consultants' Pinnacle Award recognizing his expertise as a consultant in his field of specialization. He is active in HEDNA, HFTP, HTNG, and HSMAI.

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Vishal Daga Appointed Vice President of Business Development At Capella Hotel Group in Singapore, Singapore

Capella Hotel Group has appointed Vishal Daga as Vice President of Business Development. A proven track record for developing luxury hotel brands including Taj Hotels, Six Senses Hotels & Resorts and Rosewood Hotel Group, Vishal will play an instrumental role in growing Capella Hotel Group's global portfolio of award-winning hotels and resorts.

Vishal joins Capella Hotel Group from Rosewood, where he was most recently the Senior Director of Development for APAC, in charged of sourcing and acquisition of new projects within the region. Prior to this, he spent almost ten years with Six Senses; joining as a Development & Corporate Finance Manager before being promoted to Corporate Director of Development with the primary responsibility of negotiating agreements with owners, investors and developrs to expand the company's portfolio. Nicholas Clayton, CEO of Capella Hotel Group, said, "We are delighted to welcome Vishal to the team. 2020 has been an important year for the development and growth of our brands. Vishal's substantial experience, coupled with his passion for pursuing excellence, will only further our efforts to be the undisputed service leader in each of our destinations."

Capella Hotels and Resorts was recently voted No. 2 Hotel Brand in the World.[1] Their global expansion plans are on track; the highly-anticipated Capella Bangkok opened in October this year, featuring expansive suites and villas overlooking the Chao Phraya River, as well as three-Michelin-starred chef Mauro Colagreco's first foray into Asia. Also set to unveil in December 2020 is Capella Hanoi, a Bill Bensley-designed boutique hotel with 47 individually-styled suites that celebrate Opera In the Roaring Twenties. Next year, Capella Hotel Group will be launching a new sophisticated lifestyle brand - Patina Hotels & Resorts. Patina Maldives, Fari Islands will be the first opening, with properties in Ubud, Bali, Sanya, China, and Osaka, Japan also in development.

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Claire Van Eeghen Appointed COO At Eden Hotels in Amsterdam, Netherlands

Eden Hotels expands its management. Claire van Eeghen will start this week, on 19 October, as Chief Operation Officer (COO) and in that capacity will be operationally responsible for the hotel group. This new development is in line with Eden Hotels' intended growth strategy, which focuses not only on Dutch cities but also abroad. Van Eeghen studied commercial economics and business economics and previously worked as Director Customer Service Europe at Air France and KLM Cargo. She will be the third board member of the hotel group next to General Manager Léon Dijkstra and Financial Director Joost Peeperkorn.

Commercial and customer service experience Van Eeghen sets to work with the objective of further improving Eden Hotels' customer and quality experience. She has broad commercial and customer service experience, of which the last fourteen years have been with KLM. In her new role at Eden Hotels she manages the General Managers of the hotels and the heads of the expertise teams. In addition to operational management, Van Eeghen will also be responsible for human resources, brand experience, commerce, quality and operations / purchasing. Joost Peeperkorn will be in charge of finance and ICT and will also focus on financing options for further growth of the hotel group.

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Herman Kemp Appointed General Manager At Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Hyatt has appointed renowned hospitality professional Herman Kemp as general manager of Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh, the largest internationally branded hotel in the heart of Cambodia's capital.

A Dutch national with extensive experience in Southeast Asia, Kemp will oversee the pre-opening of the 247-room property, which will become the first Hyatt Regency hotel in Cambodia when it opens its doors in the first quarter of 2021.

Kemp brings more than 20 years of hospitality experience to Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh, in a career that has taken him to acclaimed hotels and resorts in The Netherlands, Indonesia and Cambodia. Most recently, he was general manager of Park Hyatt Siem Reap from 2016 to 2019, before relocating last year to lead the new Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh and its team of local talent and hotel Ambassadors.

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Salah Hamdan Mohammed Al Mamari Appointed General Manager At Radisson Blu Hotel, Sohar, Oman

Radisson Hotel Group has appointed Salah Hamdan Mohammed Al Mamari as general manager of Radisson Blu Hotel, Sohar, strengthening local employment in the hospitality sector.

Born in Oman, Al Mamari has worked in hospitality since 2004 where he joined the InterContinental Muscat. He was soon offered a position at Crowne Plaza, Muscat as duty manager, before rejoining the InterContinental heading up the front office and rooms division department.

In his new capacity, Al Mamari will lead the entire hotel's management and operations, deploying plans to strengthen the hotel's performance.

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An Initiative to Train & Certify the Rural Pockets to Boost Rural Tourism amidst Pandemic by NOM

An initiative to educate communities all across rural villages and empower them with various facets of health, hygiene, sustainability, and responsible tourism practices 

India, October 20, 2020: NotOnMap and Help Tourism in association with ICRT India (The International Centre for Responsible Tourism) backed by Booking.com, has come up with an ingenious project, “TraVival”. NotOnMap is a sustainable and Socially-driven initiative that works with an aim to empower local and rural communities. The initiative TraVival has come up at a time when the entire world is struggling to keep up with the pandemic; this project aims to aid rural India to manage the impact of COVID crisis on Travel and Tourism.

The initiative will be coming up with a series of 150+ training videos in over 18 regional languages divided in 12 modules for Homestay owners, Village Panchayats, Teachers/Youth and Women of villages and travelers across India thus covering all stakeholders of ‘Rural Tourism’ in India. The entire training will be kept as open source, free of any expenses and it aims to touch around 1 lac villages in India in next 1 year. The project is an outcome of 3 months of continuous efforts after conducting more than 30 webinars involving over 2000 community members and around 50 organizations from across 17 states in India.

NotOnMap is a sustainable and Socially-driven initiative with an aim to empower local, rural communities by helping them capitalize on their untapped culture and heritage value, realized the need for this in these times for rural pockets and created pool of expert think tanks from industry who came together to conceptualize, design and execute “Project TraVival- Training for Travel Revival” exclusively for Rural communities. Today in these times, when rural pockets of India are dried up economically and socially due to no business, TraVival plans to help in such rural parts categorically with the training for travel revival, and follow the extensive SOP for the COVID-19 prevention while enabling the business to sustain and grow.

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Time to explore Areas which are not on the map