WICCI National Hospitality Council Announces Online Classes for hospitality professionals

WICCI National Hospitality and Tourism Council is proud to present a series of online classes for all hospitality professionals in collaboration with the renowned Institute of Hotel Management (IHM), Aurangabad.

This significant endeavour aims to build leaders for tomorrow by up-skilling and imparting knowledge on key subjects such as Empowerment of Hospitality Industry through Education; Financial Acumen (CAGR, NAV, ROI, Working Capital, Cash Flow Statements, Balance Sheet); Zero Based Budgeting; Basics of Revenue Management; Inventory Management; Intricacies of Human Resource Management and Digital Marketing and Understanding.

Speaking on the occasion, Kanika Hasrat, President, WICCI Hospitality & Tourism Council said, “It gives us immense pride to announce this consequential initiative with the sole purpose of creating cornerstones for our industry colleagues to learn and grow. I am sure this initiative will become a people enabler, instil confidence, develop new capacities for action, create unique learning processes and will build change makers for today and for the future! We would like to thank IHM-Aurangabad for their support in this meaningful collaboration.

These online sessions will be hosted by esteemed faculty members of IHM-Aurangabad with the very first one being held on 13th February 2021 by Prof. Satish Jayaram, an impactful Professor of Innovation & Change Management, having won the Best Faculty Award for four years. Dr. Jayaram, Principal IHM Aurangabad said, "IHM Aurangabad is totally committed to the cause of WICCI Hospitality and Tourism and is delighted to help improve knowledge for the industry."

This knowledge-sharing platform will enable and enhance the overall development and open up horizons for better career opportunities of our hospitality colleagues so that they are ready for their next big move! The calendar of classes has been thoughtfully put together to cover all critical aspects of the overall operations of the hotel to think, implement and act like a leader.

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NEWS | Maldives eyes tourism growth with packed 2021 events calendar

The Maldives, unfazed by the Covid-19 pandemic that has wreaked havoc on the travel industry, is planning to promote the destination aggressively at overseas trade exhibitions and roadshows through the year.

Initially, the NTO is preparing to participate at trade events and roadshows in Russia and India next month said Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) managing director Thoyyib Mohamed.

The Maldives drives up promotions with planned participation in more than 40 events this year

The MITT trade show in Moscow, a B2B and B2C event, will take place from March 16-18; coinciding with roadshows in Moscow, Kazakhstan, St. Petersburg and Yekaterinburg. Meanwhile, India’s South Asia Travel and Tourism Exchange will be held on March 22 along with a roadshow.

There are no quarantine requirements for incoming travelers in both Russia and India, apart from having to furnish a negative Covid-19 PCR report on arrival – the same rule applied for arrivals in the Maldives, said Mohamed.

Since reopening its borders on July 15, 2020 after a four-month pandemic closure, the Maldives has seen a steady climb in tourist arrivals which peaked in December, with the island recording more than 96,000 arrivals – a 170 percent increase – during the month.

Tourist arrivals this year from January to February 12 totaled 129,507, as compared to 233,974 in the same 2020 period; while arrivals for the shortened 2020 year was 555,494, as compared to 1.7 million in 2019. This year’s tourist arrival target is set at 1.2 million.

This year, Russia, India, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Romania are the top source markets; while in 2020, India led the way followed by Russia, Italy, the UK, and Germany. Meanwhile, China, for years the Maldives’ biggest generating market, was in sixth place largely due to outbound travel restrictions.

Suresh Dissanayake, assistant vice president – sales & marketing, Heritance Aarah, Adaaran Resorts, said arrivals were steadily picking up and they expect a better season than in 2020. “We also hope to take part in some of the overseas exhibitions,” he added.

According to MMPRC’s fairs, roadshows and events calendar for 2021, the NTO will be participating in more than 40 events in the US, China, India, Russia, Italy, the Middle East, Spain, Poland, Thailand, Singapore, South Africa, the Philippines, Malaysia, France, Australia, Japan and Brazil.

As of February 13, the Maldives recorded 17,716 Covid-19 cases and 58 related deaths. Unlike most countries, tourism is flourishing in the Maldives during the pandemic period as all the tourist resorts are situated on isolated islands distant from the capital city, Male – also an island – where most of the infections and deaths have occurred.

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NEWS | Arne Sorenson, who led Marriott International's transformation into the world's largest hotel chain, has died of cancer at the age of 62

Arne Sorenson, who led Marriott International's transformation into the world's largest hotel chain, has died of cancer at the age of 62.

Mr Sorenson was the first non-family member to head the company when he became chief executive in 2012.

He steered the firm's 2016 purchase of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, which included brands such as the Westin.

Mr Sorenson, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2019, had reduced his role earlier this month.

"Arne was an exceptional executive - but more than that, he was an exceptional human being," Marriott executive chairman JW Marriott Jr said in a statement announcing the death.

"Arne loved every aspect of this business and relished time spent touring our hotels and meeting associates around the world. He had an uncanny ability to anticipate where the hospitality industry was headed and position Marriott for growth."

Marriott, which has more than 7,500 properties around the world and owns 30 brands, said it planned to appoint a new chief executive in the next two weeks.

'Bravura performance'

Born in Japan, Mr Sorenson was the son and grandson of Lutheran missionaries.

He trained as a lawyer and worked in Washington, DC, where he started to represent Marriott in 1992 before being recruited to work in-house for the company a few years later.

Discover India’s Unexplored Destinations with IHCL Hotels

Travellers can imbibe the peaceful and relaxing environment of Madurai, discover the hidden coffee trails of Chikmagalur, and immerse themselves in true royalty at towns such as Gwalior and Jaipur.

Enthusiastic travellers can go off the beaten path and discover India’s lesser known destinations that offer  intimate, exclusive and authentic experiences, away from the crowds. Guests can travel to these hidden jewels with Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) hotels which are ideal for a getaway or for bonding with family and friends. 

From imbibing the peaceful and relaxing environment of Madurai to discovering the hidden coffee trails of Chikmagalur, travellers can enjoy nature at its best. Located at the top of the Pasumalai hill, the hotel in Madurai is a perfect vantage point to enjoy the picturesque views of the temple town and the Kodai hills.  The scenic hillside resort in Chikmagalur is perched on the slopes of the Sahyadris with colonial styled cottages, set amidst lush greenery.

Travellers can immerse themselves in true royalty at towns such as Gwalior and Jaipur. They are known for their vibrant culture with unique art, music and literature, as well as age-old traditions that are still practiced and preserved by the locals over generations. They can live through the bygone era at the authentic palace in Gwalior or experience a slice of history with our hotel in Ramgarh, Jaipur, a favourite getaway for Maharaja Man Singh and Maharani Gayatri Devi. The heritage hotel is a former hunting ground of the Maharajas.

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Faena Group and Accor announces global strategic partnership focused on expanding the Faena brand worldwide

“This new venture will strengthen Faena’s personal and distinctive approach and will become a catalyst for exponential growth. Dubai is slated to be the first international destination.”

Alan Faena and Len Blavatnik of Faena Group, together with Sébastien Bazin, Chairman and CEO of Accor, recently announced the launch of a global strategic partnership focused on expanding the Faena brand around the globe.

Faena, one of the world’s most impactful brands in the luxury lifestyle and hospitality industry, and Accor, a world-leading hospitality group with an unparalleled brand portfolio and more than 5,000 properties across 110 countries, have partnered to expand the Faena brand to strategic destinations worldwide.

Alan Faena will work in partnership with Accor to break new ground, developing Faena Districts in select global destinations.  This new venture will strengthen Faena’s personal and distinctive approach and will become a catalyst for exponential growth. Dubai is slated to be the first international destination.

"We have found in Accor a perfect partner; we have a shared vision and passion. As Faena expands, we plan to continue rethinking hospitality lifestyle and shaping the path for groundbreaking concepts, setting new industry standards in the creation of inimitable environments rooted in culture, positively transforming cities, shifting old paradigms and becoming new international cultural epicenters. It has always been our dream to share the Faena ethos and artistic vision around the globe, and with Accor we are turning this dream into reality,” said Alan Faena.

“Accor is building an experience-based hospitality platform and in doing so, we greatly value the energy and ideas that entrepreneurs, creators and visionaries bring. Alan Faena is a clear leader in the luxury lifestyle sector with his transformative concepts. Faena Districts are shifting the gravitational centers of the cities where they reside, making a true difference in their communities. These will serve as our model as we work hand-in-hand with the Faena team to help achieve their vision and global expansion ambitions. We look forward to a long and rewarding future working with Alan, Len and the entire Faena group,” said Sébastien Bazin, Chairman and CEO, Accor.

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CHINESE NEW YEAR (YEAR OF THE OX) – FOOD FESTIVAL at Chao Chinese Bistro in Holiday Inn Jaipur City Centre

Jaipur: Chao Chinese Bistro, Holiday Inn Jaipur City Centre is back with the most awaited and the annual Chinese New Year Festival, it is the Year of Ox and a 10 days special Food Festival is designed featuring special treats and unforgettable experience that brings you good luck, great health, and prosperity with lots of happiness and fortune.

The Chinese New Year 2021 will be celebrated on Friday, 12th February according to the traditional Chinese calendar. In Chinese astrology, each year is represented by an animal. 2021 is the Year of the Ox, the second of all zodiac animals.

Throughout the festival (10th Feb – 20th Feb 2021), Chao Chinese Bistro will be decked up with Asian Lanterns, Greetings posters & photo booth, Table set-up with mini Ox and will present a special menu that features Chinese New Year elements. Nostalgic dishes such as, “Bao in Chao –Assortment of Baos to choose from along with relishing dips, Mongolian Grill Plates, Steamed Baby Snapper, Singaporean Meal in Bowls, Den Mein Noodles and Mandarin Pan Fried Noodles, 5 Spice Chocolate cake, 8 Treasure sticky rice pudding, Oriental Cocktails, and Mocktails and last but not the least Fortune Cookies” can be found on the menu.

General Manager, Mr. Pankaj Gupta informed that “To mark the Lunar New Year, the Hotel’s master-chefs have curated an extensive array of signature dishes from the 8 great regions of the Orient -- Sichuan, Hunan, Cantonese, Fujian, Zhejiang, Anhui, Jiangsu, and Shandong.” Usher in promising beginnings and boundless joy with time-honored Ox-traordinary indulgences at Chao Chinese Bistro.

At CHAO– Chinese Bistro, like every year we celebrate the new year along with our patrons and bring you delectable flavor’s from the Chinese mainland, fresh and untampered, soulful, authentic, and a delight to your senses. Also, Executive, Chef Mihir Kane informed that “The festival showcases the indigenous delicacies of the Chinese cuisine, some signature dishes include - Dragon Prawns In starter, Asparagus & Water chestnut Dim sum, pork ribs, Singaporean Meal in Bowls, Mandarin Pan Fried Noodles, Mongolian Grills and don’t forget to try our five spice Chocolate Cake in the dessert.

Date – 10th February to 20th February 2021

Timings – 12.30 PM TO 3 PM, 7 PM TO 11 PM

Price – Chinese New Year Set Menu or A-la-carte

For further details, please contact: +91-9116122087

Vidhi Jain | Assistant Manager - Marketing & Communications

Kerala Tourism to launch the Malanad-Malabar River Cruise Project from Feb 15

Kerala Tourism will be launching the pioneering Malanad-Malabar River Cruise Project next week, rolling the first of the 11 types of boat-rides that provide individual thematic experiences and attracts tourists to the less-explored places up the state.

The inaugural cruise boat will enter the waters on February 15 as part of the innovative project that aims to brighten the waterways in the northern districts of Kannur and Kasaragod. The first service will be on the route linking Parassinikkadavu and Pazhayangadi.

The project will also help showcase the Malabar region’s culture, rich with local legends and folk arts. The endeavour envisages 48 boat terminals and jetties along seven rivers across the districts of Kannur and Kasaragod. The work on two terminals is over.

Upholding the principles of Responsible Tourism, the project also ensures the participation of the local population. “It guarantees a better livelihood to the people around,” said Tourism Minister Shri Kadakampally Surendran. “They include the fisher folk, farmers, drivers of cabs and auto-rickshaws, handicraft workers and handloom labourers,” he added.

KTDC will run the boats, six of which are being manufactured, in the first phase, by the Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation. The project is being implemented by the government’s Inland Navigation Department and state-owned KEL, with Mr T V Madhukumar as the architect.

Ms Rani George, Principal Secretary, Kerala Tourism, said the state-of-the-art boat terminals at Parassinikkadavu and Pazhayangadi in Kannur district have been completed involving a cost of Rs 7.5 crore. “Both the government and private parties would run the cruises,” she said. “As for the rest of the project, 90 per cent of the work on the terminals and jetties is complete.”

The cruise project had, in September 2018, been sanctioned Rs 80.37 under the Swadesh Darshan scheme that promotes rural tourism circuits. Kerala Tourism Director Shri P Bala Kiran said the developmental work was “fast progressing” under the scheme. “The Malanad-Malabar project will get world-class cruise packages once the Swadesh Darshan enters its second phase,” he informed.

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Bahrain to ban restaurant dine-in for three weeks due to new coronavirus strain

Restaurants and cafes in Bahrain will no longer be able to serve customers for dine-in from January 31.

A statement released by the Ministry of Health said the temporary suspension would last for three weeks and is in light of recommendations made by the national medical team to address the problems caused by a new strain of coronavirus.

According to the statement, the reopening of the sector will depend on how seriously the preventative measures are adhered to.

Cases in Bahrain have been rising steadily for the past month, from a seven-day average of 212 at the end of December to an average of 347 and a high of 459 this week.

It comes as Dubai has also increased its restriction on dine-in, although the emirate stopped short of going for a full ban on dine-in, instead of eliminating live entertainment, increasing social distancing, and limiting table numbers.

As of last week, the UAE and Bahrain were two of the countries leading the way in vaccinating their residents, coming second and third in the world respectively proportional to their populations..

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UAE Opens Citizenship to Select Foreigners to Boost Economy

The United Arab Emirates plans to offer citizenship to a select group of foreigners, the first Gulf Arab nation to formalize a process aimed at giving expatriates a bigger stake in the economy.

The major policy shift unveiled on Saturday is aimed at attracting talent in a way that will boost growth in the UAE, home to the Middle East’s finance and travel hubs and millions of expatriate residents.

Stock markets in Dubai and Abu Dhabi largely shrugged off the move -- benchmark indexes in both cities lost about 0.5% on Sunday.

Foreign residents make up more than 80% of the population of the UAE’s seven sheikhdoms and have been a mainstay of the economy for decades. But they lacked a clear path to citizenship, including if they were born and raised in the country.

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Merging sustainability with luxury is the new way to travel, but are travellers ready?

“Travellers are slowly and gradually opening up to the idea of choosing sustainability over luxury, feel many hoteliers who promote sustainble travel”

Every business needs today has to aim at being sustainable first to continue being beneficial to all,” said Prasoon Pandey, General Manager at Vana. As the idea of sustainable travel comes in the forefront, travellers are now seeking brands to reflect its genuineness towards environment and conservation.

“Though deemed as a trend today, which is here to stay, at Vana, sustainability is a way of life. Our emphasis is on the procurement of seasonal, local and indigenous produce, which allows us to develop a supply chain that is as sustainable as possible, working with a network of regional vendors and suppliers,” Pandey commented.

Kolahoi Green Heights Hotel in Gulmarg lures tourists with igloo cafe

Tourists in Kashmir's Gulmarg ski resort have a new place to chill out - an igloo cafe that serves hot food and drink on tables made of ice and snow.

Staff at Kolahoi Green Heights hotel on the Indian-administered side of the region took inspiration from Arctic shelters and added a few local touches - an arched door and patterns on the curved walls.

The long-running conflict in the Himalayan region has hit Kashmir's once-booming leisure industry. But crowds still come to its snow-bound slopes every winter.

The igloo, 26 feet around and 15 feet high, holds four tables with enough room for 16 guests.

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The Resort's staff become eco warriors to clean up Aksa beach with help from locals

The Resort’s staff become eco-warriors to clean up Aksa beach with help from locals Mumbai, January 2021: A day after Republic Day, Mumbai’s serene Aksa Beach donned a spic, span & clean look. This was following a massive clean-up that was undertaken by the staff of The Resort, Mumbai along with locals from the neighbouring areas on Wednesday.

For the past few years, The Resort has been conducting clean-up activities on the beach annually with help from locals while also creating awareness among beach-goers to stop littering. Aksa beach is one of Mumbai’s most beautiful beaches located along the Arabian Sea. It is an ideal tourist destination with people thronging to enjoy its pristine beauty and surrounding.

In a day, The Resort staff and locals collected around 120 kgs of plastic bottles along with other litter. The collected garbage was then taken by the municipal trucks and disposed of in a proper manner. Most of the garbage collected included plastic bottles and cans which are non-degradable and pose a major threat to birds, animals as well as aquatic life. There have been several instances of birds and animals getting caught up in the choke-hold of plastic such marine debris is a hazard to the sea eco-system.

The Resort initiated this clean-up drive as part of its move to maintain the sanctity of the beach which lends the property its tranquil charm since it is located right near Aksa. While the Brihanmaharashtra Municipal Corporation (BMC) carries out regular mechanical cleaning of the beach, it is man-made litter and waste that are the real culprits in spoiling the purity of the beach.

Satyajit Kotwal, General Manager of The Resort Mumbai said, “We often see the beach strewn with litter especially during festivals and on public holidays when huge crowds gather here. It’s an ugly sight despite the beautiful surroundings. The litter and garbage spoil the scenic beauty of the sea and also creates environmental hazards for the aquatic life and land animals. It is our duty as citizens to ensure that our beaches are well maintained and clean. We hope more and more people join in the effort and we can maintain this beach with their participation.”

Interestingly, as The Resort team and locals toiled to deal with the trash on the beach, it caught the eye of many a passer-by who showed keenness to join the drive. The Resort is known for its scenic location near Aksa beach and is often flocked by people who wish to seek respite from the bustling urban life while being in the city itself.

Impresario Handmade Restaurants Moves Towards sustainability through Accelerator Partnership

Impresario Handmade Restaurants, which runs some of the country’s most innovative food experiences brands like Social, Smoke House Deli, Ishaara, and more - is getting serious about sustainability and environmental impact.

Organizations that heavily utilise plastic products and packaging are in dire need of interventions and solutions to address the waste they generate. Starting 2021 on a positive note, the L-Catterton-backed F&B company is partnering with AtWorks, an impact-focused entrepreneur support organisation that runs the Circular Impact Market Accelerator (CIMA). The goal of this first-of-its-kind partnership is to find entrepreneurs who can help the F&B industry adopt innovative new solutions to deal with plastic use and waste generated by their operations.

As part of this pan-India pilot covering over 20 Impresario restaurants across 3 cities (Bangalore, Mumbai, New Delhi), the six-month program will offer a platform to find solutions that help reduce the amount of plastic used by Impresario’s restaurants. By using alternatives and channelling plastic waste to recyclable and recoverable means, the two companies will seek to eliminate plastic waste from reaching landfills via a serious push towards plastic circularity.

Says Riyaaz Amlani, CEO & MD, Impresario Handmade Restaurants, “Sustainability is an important part of our DNA, and our philosophy of ‘minimal intervention, maximum upcycling’ has played a big role in our design process over the years. While we’ve been taking small steps here and there to run a more environmentally conscious enterprise, this partnership with AtWorks will really help us channel that vision into concrete action. Our internal teams are constantly thinking about how we can reduce our plastic usage and look to more sustainable alternatives, and this accelerator program will help us identify entrepreneurs and startups that can provide real-world solutions. At the end of the study, we hope to create a playbook of sustainable practices for the F&B industry in India, and drive adoption of the same over time.”

FHRAI urges GOI to promote domestic tourism through Dekho Apna Desh Pledge campaign

The Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) has appealed to the Government of India to aggressively promote domestic tourism in the New Year. The apex Hospitality Association has pressed on the need to encourage local tourism under the Ministry of Tourism’s Dekho Apna Desh Pledge campaign while the country remains closed to international tourists. India’s Tourism and Hospitality sectors have incurred the largest collateral damage of the COVID19 pandemic and every small or big step to revive the sector will be crucial in the long-term health of both the sector and the country’s economy. The FHRAI has recommended incentivizing domestic tourism by offering tax exemption under 80C of up to INR 50000/- to Indians which will encourage them to travel.

“The Hon’ble PM has always spoken about how important Indian Tourism is to the country. We believe that with the right kind of messaging and support from the Government, India’s domestic tourism could flourish. Make in India or Vocal for Local initiatives are on the same line as Dekho Apna Desh and there couldn’t be a more opportune time to push the throttle on promoting domestic tourism. The Government could allow valid GST hotel bills of any State other than the home State of the Individual assessee exempt under section 80C for an additional amount of INR 50,000/-. The potential additional tax saving will encourage citizens to travel within India and will give impetus to hotels as well as ancillary industries,” says, Gurbaxish Singh Kohli, Vice President, FHRAI.

The hospitality and Tourism sector accounts roughly for 10 percent of India’s GDP and employs nearly 9 per cent of India’s working population. With zero foreign exchange earnings and less than 25 per cent of pre-pandemic revenues, the sector is facing an existential crisis. The total loan outstanding to the Hospitality industry is approximately INR 55,000 Cr and the value at risk for the hospitality and tourism sector is at approximately INR 10 lakh Cr. If favourable initiatives and policies are not drawn for survival of the Hospitality sector then at least 40 to 50 per cent restaurants and 30 to 40 per cent hotels in the country will shut down, resulting into millions of job losses.

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opportunities-for-women-in-tourism-increasing-across-middle-east

Fewer than one in 10 tourism workers in the Middle East are women though this proportion is steadily increasing, new research has found. The Regional Report on Women in Tourism in the Middle East, released today by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the Ministry of Tourism of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, highlights the progress that has been made, as well as opportunities to further advance gender equality in the sector.

The new publication, which complements the Global Report on Women in Tourism, Second Edition, was compiled within the framework of the Saudi Arabia G20 2020 Presidency. It highlights the positive steps that have been taken at a policy level in recent years while demonstrating the work still needed to achieve UN Sustainable Development Goal 5 in the Middle East, particularly when compared with other world regions.

The key findings of the report show that:

• 8% of people employed in tourism in the region are women, compared to 16% in the overall economy of the region. At a global level 54% of people employed in tourism are women compared to 39% in the broader global economy

• Women are well-educated but not entering the tourism workforce.
  Women have higher rates of tertiary education than men in general yet remain considerably underrepresented in employment.

• The public sector is leading the way for women in leadership roles.

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Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels unveils new brand, Zone Connect

Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Limited launches Zone Connect, a limited service brand under its Zone by The Park portfolio. Zone Connect channels its inimitable spirit and design ethos of Zone by The Park. The brand has been launched with 4 Zone Connect hotels, all under management contract, in Coimbatore, Goa and Port Blair. The hotels are slated to open in the first half of 2021.

Zone Connect Coimbatore will have 55 contemporary designed rooms, an all-day dining, bar and a banquet which makes it an ideal business hotel. This is the group’s second hotel in the city, after Zone by The Park Coimbatore, which was launched in 2014.

Zone Connect Goa in located in bustling Bandez (north of Goa) and will house 49 rooms with an all-day dining, a bar, banquets, a pool, a spa and a salon. It is expected to open in the first quarter 2021.

Zone Connect Port Blair will consist of 25 rooms, a restaurant, a bar, a banquet, a spa, and a pool.

Zone Connect Tirupati with 88 rooms, all day dining and banquets.

Vijay Dewan, Managing Director, Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Limited said, “We are delighted to launch Zone Connect under our social-catalyst brand, Zone by The Park. It borrows from the ethos of Zone by The Park in being interactive, creative and contemporary. We are excited to have signed three hotels so early on. Zone Connect will bridge the gap for quality accommodation in Tier II and Tier III cities and will give the hotel owners opportunity to grow their business with a reliable and thriving brand.”

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Chef Dayashankar Sharma bags Chef Of the Year Award Greater London 2020

The Asian Food and Restaurant Awards (AFRA) paid homage to Asian hospitality, services and supplier sectors through an online event recently. Born & brought up in a small village- Bhojpura Kalan (Rajasthan, India), Michelin Plate Winner Chef Dayashankar Sharma was awarded as the Chef of the Year Award Greater London 2020 by the fraternity.

AFRA recognized the achievements made by industries leading figures from “South Asians across the UK”. Continuing its winning ways, Michelin Plate Winner Chef Dayashankar Sharma being declared Chef of The Year for Greater London continuously second time. Known for pairing classic flavours with sumptuous new ideas, Chef Sharma’s new vegan dishes including Lotus root & asparagus with red peppers, cooked with cumin, turmeric & dry ground mango, and Stem broccoli with crushed black pepper, roasted cumin & lime juice gained lot of traction earlier last year among customers.

Trained from honing an impeccable reputation right from the beginning across 32 years of culinary experience, Chef Dayashankar Sharma has become recognized for pairing time-honored tradition with contemporary ideas and creating his food with full commitment and passion for every occasion. Chef Sharma also holds classes on Heritage recipes of India for Foreign Hospitality students in London.

Hotel occupancy levels improved to 35% in November 2020 on back of domestic travel: JLL

With the emergence of recovery indicators, the hospitality sector has also witnessed a revival in room night demand in the last quarter of 2020, as compared to the previous quarters of the year. Occupancy levels have grown month on month since September 20 to cross 35% sector-wide in November 20 (as per STR data), which is the highest since beginning of the nation-wide lockdown in March 20. The revival of the sector has primarily been driven by leisure ‘revenge travel’ during weekends and the festival season, weddings and food & beverage demand.

Goa, India’s most sought-after leisure market, witnessed considerable growth in recent months achieving a market-wide occupancy level of almost 55% in November 20. Luxury and upper upscale hotels in Goa performed well in November 20, achieving healthy occupancy levels ranging between 60% and 70% as compared to occupancy levels in Nov’19 that ranged between 65% and 75%.

“Domestic business travel is expected to pick-up pace from March-April 21 onwards, as employees return to workplaces and travel advisories by companies are softened. Additionally, domestic leisure will continue to drive occupancies across the country. F&B demand will continue to grow as eating out will increase albeit cautiously” said Jaideep Dang, Managing Director, Hotels and Hospitality Group, South Asia, JLL.

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NEWS | Service industry staff in Abu Dhabi must have fortnightly COVID-19 tests

From January 10, 2021, employees working in the sectors outlined above will be required to get tested for COVID-19 every two weeks. Employers are required to cover the costs of testing.

The directions are “in line with the COVID-19 preventive measures in Abu Dhabi and aim to create a safe and healthy environment while limiting the effects of the pandemic”.

All individuals who have been vaccinated are exempt from testing.

MoT conducts 'Dekho Apna Desh' webinar on ‘Secrets and Delights of Indian cuisine’

In partnership with the National e-Governance Department, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Ministry of Tourism recently conducted Dekho Apna Desh Webinar series called 'Secrets and Delights of Indian Cuisine.' Presented by Dr. Aruna Sharma, retired IAS officer of MP Cadre batch 1982, the webinar was held to discuss the significance of Indian cuisine. She highlighted the role of immunity-boosting locally grown food grains and vegetables.

India is a melting pot of different cultures as it incorporates various regional dishes, cooking styles, locally available unique spices, grains, vegetables, and fruits.   Indian cuisine provides a balance of taste and health.

With the landscape, dialect, culture, and food habits changing every few kilometres, the country offers a plethora of food varying in cooking styles across different regions. This aspect reflects in forms of food available at homes, streets, or fine dining venues in India.

The 'Dekho Apna Desh' series captured this diversity to reverberate 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.'

Rupinder Brar, Additional Director General, concluded the webinar by mentioning the variety of cuisines, food trails accessible in India. She further highlighted the Ministry of Tourism's initiative called Incredible India Tourist Facilitator (IITF) Certification. This certification encourages the citizens of India to participate in the Tourism Industry actively.

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