Tourism industry should be treated as a “Common Agenda”: HAI

Indian tourism and hospitality industry is going through a bleak phase despite the resilient and brave front by hotel players. The constant pummelling from the pandemic has led to losses exceeding Rs. 1.25 trillion (40%) in revenue and 50 million jobs across the sector.

While travel is still discretionary, for many people it is a necessity. In order to deal with the unprecedented crisis, there is a dire need to develop innovative strategies.

On behalf of the industry during the recent BITB conclave attended by 150 delegates and senior leaders from Travel & Tourism industry, the Hotel Association of India (HAI) called upon industry stakeholders to treat Tourism as a “Common Agenda” and also highlighted the need to make tourism viable, sustainable, accessible and affordable for all.

The apex industry body also suggested that the private sector and state governments should work together to usher the revival of the tourism sector and put it back on the track of recovery. HAI believes that the industry requires integrated and focussed efforts to ease domestic travel.

According to HAI, the ongoing crisis is posing to be an opportunity to plan a better future with people,
society and community being at the centre of future growth.

Some of the key initiatives that can be undertaken to catapult the industry into exponential growth are:

• Revisiting the current funding structure

• Providing institutional access to working capital which will enable liquidity and defer loans

• Repayment for all segments

• Additional taxation relief to promote tourism

• Improve the pace of vaccination for speedy recovery

• Encourage education and wellness tourism

• Creating experiences

• Allow Tourism to form and lay down its own rules

• Integrated taxation policy

“One of the biggest pillars of Indian tourism is its heritage. Today, more than 90% of the country’s heritage is in urgent need of revitalization. Its conservation is important for identifying, analysing, recording and protecting cultural resources. It is also an important tool for defining the landmark within the heritage area as well as to generate economic return and support the tourism industry. It not only preserves our historical legacy from further degradation but also strengthens the essence of the country’s rich past. Travel is not just about a destination; the journey is equally important. Attention to this will enhance tourism business," KB Kachru, Vice President, Hotel Association of India and Chairman Emeritus & Principal Advisor-South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group.

The association believes that granting industry status to the Indian hospitality sector will enable hotels across the country to avail benefits towards power tariff at an industrial rate, lower property tax, investment subsidies & tax holidays, refinancing of existing debts, hassle-Free loans at subsidised interest rates, simplified approval process for hotel projects and other benefits accorded to industries – thus helping in ushering transparency, reduce costs, and encourage reinvestment.

“This will also help strengthen the sector to unlock its potential and generate employment to support the post-pandemic economic revival”, Kachru added while speaking at the BITB conclave.

The apex body has also requested for measures like uniform road tax structure, reinstatement of scheduled flights, restarting of E-Visas, promotion of cruise tourism, creation of additional destinations for domestic travellers and development of infrastructure support in taxation so that the industry can evolve from business slump. Analytical transformation through efficient coordination of marketing budgets, sector promotions and last mile connectivity will ensure sustainable revival for the travel and hospitality sector.

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IHCL introduces bottling plants across its hotels in India, Maldives & Sri Lanka

The initiative to replace all plastic water bottles from the hotels with reusable glass water bottles, bottled with treated water, will avoid the use of 6 million plastic bottles per year.

Further to its commitment of phasing out single-use plastics from across its hotels, Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), South Asia’s largest hospitality company, reinforces its commitment towards sustainable business practices with the introduction of bottling plants across its hotels in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Chennai in India and in the Maldives and Sri Lanka.

The initiative to replace all plastic water bottles from the hotels with reusable glass water bottles, bottled with treated water, will avoid the use of 6 million plastic bottles per year.  

In line with its commitment to safeguard the environment, IHCL, in 2018, announced the elimination of plastic straws from all its hotels, replacing them with paper and bamboo straws. It has taken additional measures to reduce the usage of single use plastics, including replacing plastic-wrapped dry amenities with eco-friendly substitutes.

IHCL is also credited with the introduction of the country’s first ever ‘Zero Single-Use Plastic Hotel’ – Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Andamans. With focus on sustainability to preserve the fragile ecosystem of the island, 72 beach villas at the resort have been constructed without felling a single tree, and the resort has an onsite bottling plant, a waste disposal system that converts wet waste to gas and compost, and a sanitation treatment plant to limit its carbon footprint.

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DoubleTree by Hilton Goa – Panaji's Holi staycation package assures an experiential getaway

This staycation provides a perfect opportunity to reconnect with nature, along with curated destination experience and bespoke hospitality.

Take your festive celebrations a notch higher by indulging in the much-deserved staycation break at DoubleTree by Hilton Goa – Panaji.

For the upcoming long Holi weekend, the hotel is offering discerning travelers and family ways to satisfy wanderlust with the enticing experience package “Great Small Breaks”. This staycation provides a perfect opportunity to reconnect with nature, along with a curated destination experience and bespoke hospitality.

Starting from INR 6500+ taxes, the offer includes daily breakfast and dinner for two at Comida restaurant, complimentary stay and breakfast for up to two children below 12 yrs, signature tour to the Island of Divar to experience Goa or Goan Culinary Master, class. Also, guests can earn points for free stays at all Hilton hotels around the world.

Besides, guests can indulge in the delectable ‘Holi Brunch’ at the property on Sunday, 28th March.

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Appointment | Reema Diwan joins Accor as Director Design and Technical Services

Diwan will lead the planning, design and construction of projects under Accor and will be responsible for designing high-impact guest experiences.

Accor India & South Asia has announced the appointment of Reema Diwan as Director Design and Technical Services, effective from 10 March 2021.

With an extensive background in Hospitality design and a futuristic technical expertise, Diwan will lead the planning, design and construction of projects under Accor and will be responsible for designing high-impact guest experiences.

Diwan has played an important role in crafting immersive experiences for customers and guests alike by reimagining brand landscape for some award-winning hotel projects in the past.  She is a strategic thinker and passionate about storytelling, and design narratives while having the ability to motivate and work within teams. Her forte is putting together an integrated, 360-degree approach to hospitality and the ability to craft high impact design led hotels that leave an everlasting guest experience.

Congratulating Reema Diwan on her appointment, Puneet Dhawan, Senior VP Operations, India and South Asia said “With over 20 years of rich experience in design and previous accomplishments of delivering many award-winning hotels, Reema will drive Accor’s commitment to offer the best experience to our guests and owners. Having worked with diversified hospitality brands, she brings strong domain knowledge, and we are confident that her expertise and approach to hospitality along with her enthusiastic outlook towards each project will enhance our positioning in the industry.”

On her appointment, Reema Diwan, Director Design and Technical Services, India & South Asia said “Accor is a trusted name with exceptional hotels worldwide and I am truly delighted to join the family. It will be my endeavour to work collaboratively to achieve even higher levels of hospitality by crafting immersive guest experience through brand touchpoints. I look forward to adding design led hotels that express their own unique language and experience under the Accor umbrella.”

In the past, Diwan has been associated with Starwood Hotels & Resorts and Taj Hotels, Resorts & Palaces, where she was instrumental in crafting brand identity and conceptualizing various brands under the IHCL portfolio. She was the driving force behind several award-winning projects.

Diwan holds a degree in design and in her spare time, she likes to travel, innovate and explore emerging trends that form the basis for her design inspiration.

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5th INCA edition concludes in Goa

This year’s INCA also witnessed the screening of the Sisterhood Soiree’s achievements over the last two years, which is an initiative to recognise and empower women in the nightlife and hospitality industry.

The 5th India Nightlife Convention & Awards (INCA) edition was held at W Goa on 13th March. The event celebrated India’s nightlife and hospitality industry through insightful panel discussions with industry experts. It also felicitated COVID contributors from the industry.

Some participants at the convention included restaurateurs like Joy Singh, Priyank Sukhija, Zorawar Kalra, AD Singh, Riyaaz Amlani, Gauri Devidayal, Ashish Singh, Rahul Singh, Mariketty Grana as well as musicians like Ayesha Pramanik and DJ Clement. Some of prominent personalities amongst the attendees included vlogger Malini Agarwal, actor-director Pooja Bedi, blogger Parul Kakad and musicians DJ Starling, Divine, Oscar de Lima and Manasi Scott.

As part of the opening panel discussion, special guest NUCLEYA spoke about new partnerships post the pandemic and his new role with RAASTA, the bar chain. The other panels covered topics like ‘What we learned from the pandemic’ and ‘Brands and industry partnerships’.

This year’s INCA also witnessed the screening of the Sisterhood Soiree’s achievements over the last two years. This is an initiative to recognise and empower women in nightlife and hospitality.

The soiree is a platform specifically designed to bring female industry leaders and aspiring women under one roof with an aim to increase female participation in the industry. With women contributing a substantial amount at every level in the nightlife domain, it is imperative to bestow recognition on their achievements to transform the hospitality sector.

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Hyatt News | Hilton Offers Event Planners COVID-19 Testing and Health Screening Resources for Their Event Attendees

After booking a meeting or event at any U.S. property, planners gain access to third-party providers with COVID-19 tests and health screening options.

Event planners continue to look to hospitality industry leaders for solutions that help simplify the complex task of organizing in-person or hybrid events in the current environment – particularly as it relates to COVID-19 testing and health screenings. Throughout the pandemic, Hilton has been listening and responding to the needs of its customers, and now the world’s most hospitable company is providing event planners with COVID-19 testing and health screening resources for their event attendees.

“As more customers book in-person meetings and events, there has been a steady increase in requests and questions around COVID-19 testing and screening options for event attendees,” said Frank Passanante, senior vice president, Hilton Worldwide Sales, Americas. “In response, we expanded the resources within our Hilton EventReady Playbook to include third-party providers that can deliver a seamless experience and offer preferential pricing to our event planners.”

Beginning this month, Hilton’s event planner partners who book or have booked an event at any U.S. property will gain access to the list of third-party providers that can provide a variety of COVID-19 testing and health screening options, including:

• Handheld temperature check devices

• Personal health screening checklists

• COVID-19 self-testing options

• COVID-19 same-day, onsite testing

The COVID-19 testing and health screening options are presented to event planners as the latest evolution of EventReady with CleanStay, Hilton’s global cleanliness, and client service program specific to meetings and events.

The provider list, as well as examples of ways that planners could combine the various options for their events, will be included within the Wellness section of the EventReady Playbook. Introduced this past summer and continuously updated based on evolving needs, the proprietary EventReady Playbook presents event planners with expert guidance and curated resources that address event planning solutions, including the recently expanded hybrid events section.

For more information, visit meetings.hilton.com.

About Hilton

Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 18 world-class brands comprising more than 6,400 properties and more than one million rooms, in 119 countries and territories. Dedicated to fulfilling its founding vision to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality, Hilton has welcomed more than 3 billion guests in its more than 100-year history, earned a top spot on the 2020 World’s Best Workplaces list, and was named the 2020 Global Industry Leader on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices. In 2020, Hilton CleanStay was introduced, bringing an industry-defining standard of cleanliness and disinfection to hotels worldwide. Through the award-winning guest loyalty program Hilton Honors, the more than 112 million members who book directly with Hilton can earn Points for hotel stays and experiences money can’t buy, plus enjoy instant benefits, including contactless check-in with room selection, Digital Key, and Connected Room. Visit newsroom.hilton.com for more information, and connect with Hilton on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.

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Mumbai’s iconic Taj hotels and Tata Power joins Ireland’s “Global Greening” initiative

The flagship Taj Mahal Palace and Taj Land’s End in Mumbai as well as other Taj hotels including the legendary Taj Mahal and Taj Palace Hotel in Delhi and Taj West End, Bengaluru will join global landmarks like the Pyramids of Giza, the Great Wall of China, the Colosseum in Rome and the Sydney Opera House by being illuminated in green to mark Ireland’s national holiday.

The Consulate General of Ireland in Mumbai has announced that Mumbai’s iconic Taj hotels and Tata Power, India’s largest integrated power company, will join Ireland’s “Global Greening” initiative for the first time on St. Patrick’s Day (17th March) this year.

The flagship Taj Mahal Palace and Taj Land’s End in Mumbai as well as other Taj hotels including the legendary Taj Mahal and Taj Palace Hotel in Delhi and Taj West End, Bengaluru will join global landmarks like the Pyramids of Giza, the Great Wall of China, the Colosseum in Rome and the Sydney Opera House by being illuminated in green to mark Ireland’s national holiday.

The Consul General of Ireland, Gerry Kelly, said; “As the newest Consulate in Mumbai I am delighted that we have been able to include the national capital, Delhi, and the commercial state capitals of Mumbai and Bengaluru in our Global Greening initiative, which includes more than 300 landmarks in 55 countries around the world turning green, to mark our national holiday, St. Patrick’s Day. I would particularly like to thank the leadership team at the Indian Hotels Company Ltd and Tata Power who have made this possible.”

The Global Greening initiative aims to bring some positivity and hope to the 70+ million people around the world who claim links to the island of Ireland. At a time when Irish people overseas cannot travel home, we want to shine a green light in as many locations around the world as possible, giving our Diaspora a sense of connection with home and reminding them that we cannot wait to welcome them back, as soon as it is possible to do so.

“We are delighted to be a part of the Irish Government and Tourism Ireland’s “Global Greening” initiative. The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai; India’s first marquee hotel along with other leading IHCL hotels will join global landmarks by being illuminated in green as a sign of solidarity in these unprecedented times,” said Rakhee Lalvani, Vice President – Public Relations & Corporate Communications, IHCL.

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Appointment | JW Marriott Kolkata appoints Sumeet Suri as their General Manager

The maestro earned his repute over two decades of utmost diligence and his robust leadership qualities, and passion for the industry has contributed to impeccable results across all the properties under his ambit.

JW Marriott Kolkata has announced the appointment of Sumeet Suri as their new General Manager. The maestro earned his repute over two decades of utmost diligence and his robust leadership qualities, and passion for the industry has contributed to impeccable results across all the properties under his ambit.

Upgrading productivity, ensuring patron satisfaction and strategic initiatives are some of his key responsibilities.

Suri brings to the table a huge repertoire of knowledge and expertise in the dynamics of hotel management, administration and operations.

His strong dexterity comes from his vast experience and extensive cognizance from skilfully managing multiple brands at various parts of the country. His dynamism, passion for the industry and leadership skills have contributed to exceptional results.

Other than being a dynamic leader, Suri is also a great coach and mentor who stresses on the fundamentals, the intrinsic skills that make his team a consistent winner. Having proved himself to be an asset to the hospitality industry, Sumeet has received accolades for his keen business acumen which has further bolstered the presence of the hotels in the regions he has catered.

This self-motivated and vibrant leader started his expedition in hospitality after graduating from the Welcomgroup Management Institute. He started his career with ITC Hotels where he fronted the opening of a fine dining restaurant and its success, and overlooked Food & Beverages operations.

Prior to him moving to JW Marriott Kolkata, he assumed the position of General Manager, Kochi Marriott where he spearheaded the operations of the hotel and under his aegis this hotel won the prestigious Mustang Award, Asia Pacific, 2018.

Outside the realm of work the amicable and fun-loving Suri is an ardent fan of cricket and loves spending time with family, watching movies and reading.

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NEWS | Marriott International elects David Marriott and Horacio Rozanski to Board of Directors

Marriott International’s  Board of Directors announced that it has elected David Marriott, President, U.S. Full Service Managed by Marriott at Marriott International, and Horacio Rozanski, President and Chief Executive Officer at Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc., as directors of the company, effective March 15, 2021.

Marriott and Rozanski will also be included in the company’s slate of nominees for election at Marriott’s upcoming 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

The elections of Marriott and Rozanski expand the Board membership to 13, nine of whom are independent.

Last May, the company announced that in consultation with its Board of Directors, J.W. “Bill” Marriott, Jr. – who is currently serving as Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board – plans to transition to the role of Chairman Emeritus in 2022.

With David Marriott joining the Board of Directors and in anticipation of him eventually assuming the position of Chairman of the Board in 2022, he will be formally stepping down from his role as President, U.S. Full Service Managed by Marriott, effective at the end of April.

“We are pleased to welcome David and Horacio to the Board of Directors,” said Chairman Bill Marriott. “They both bring decades of experience and a wealth of knowledge in key areas that will be a tremendous resource for the company as we focus on the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

David Marriott

David Marriott joined Marriott International in 1999 and has held a number of operational roles during his tenure with the company.

As President, U.S. Full Service Managed by Marriott, Mr. Marriott was responsible for oversight of more than 330 hotels operating under 14 brands in 34 states and French Polynesia.

In this capacity, he oversaw Hotel Operations, Human Resources, Sales & Marketing, Finance, Market Strategy, Information Resources and Development & Feasbility.

Previously, Marriott served as Chief Operations Officer - The Americas Eastern Region from 2010 to 2018, where he was responsible for hotel operations in 23 states. During this time, he also oversaw the U.S. integration efforts of Marriott’s acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts.

Prior positions at the company include Market Vice President, where he was responsible for hotel operations in New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia and Baltimore, and Senior Vice President of Global Sales, where he helped lead a comprehensive transformation of Marriott’s U.S. sales organization. 

Marriott is a graduate of the University of Utah. He currently serves as Chair of the Governing Board of St. Albans School in Washington, D.C. and is a member of the board of trustees of The J. Willard & Alice S. Marriott Foundation.

“Like me, David grew up in the hospitality business,” said Chairman Bill Marriott. “While having Marriott as his last name opened the first door for him, he has proven throughout his 21 years with the company that he is a disciplined operator, a thoughtful collaborator with our owners and franchisees, and a passionate steward of our culture. The Board will benefit from his experience and insights.”

Horacio Rozanski

As Chief Executive Officer at Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc., Rozanski has overseen a strategic transformation of the firm, a leader in integrating advanced technology to solve the most complex problems facing government clients and Fortune 500 corporations, through investments in innovation and highly skilled talent.

Rozanski played a central role in the 2008 separation of the firm’s core government and commercial businesses into two distinct companies, Booz Allen Hamilton’s 2010 initial public offering, and its 2011 expansion into international and commercial markets.

He developed and has led the execution of a corporate strategy that has sustained the firm’s role as an industry leader over the last decade. Rozanski joined Booz Allen in 1992 as a consultant to commercial clients, was elected vice president in 1999, and served as chief personnel officer, chief strategy and talent officer, and president and chief operating officer before becoming CEO.

He is a member of the firm’s board of directors. Born and raised in Argentina, Rozanski came to the United States to attend college. He holds a B.B.A. from the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago. He is the chair of the board of directors of Children’s National Medical Center and a member of the board of CARE.

“Horacio’s established track record in innovation, technology, talent management and international expansion makes him a terrific addition to our Board. His perspective and experience will be invaluable to the company as we continue to grow our global footprint, advance our technology transformation and realize the opportunity in emerging businesses,” said Anthony Capuano, Chief Executive Officer, Marriott International. “We look forward to his guidance and counsel as an independent director of the company.”

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Visit Maldives | TOURIST ARRIVAL NUMBERS EXCEED 200,000 SO FAR IN 2021

According to data published by the Ministry of Tourism, The Maldives has welcomed a total of 200,871 tourists so far this year, as of 4th March 2021.

The top source market remains as India, with an arrival figure of 46,541. India is followed closely by Russia with 42,417 tourist arrivals. The third and fourth top source market is Ukraine and Kazakhstan, with a recorded 13,350 arrivals and 8,537 arrivals respectively.

According to the Ministry, The Maldives must maintain an average of 4000 daily arrivals throughout the year or experience a significant influx of tourists during holiday periods in order to reach the set target of 1.5 million tourists in 2021.

At present, 148 resorts and 364 guesthouses are known to be fully operational in Maldives.

Maldives reopened borders to all nationalities from 15th July 2020. All visitors are granted a 30-day free on-arrival visa with a confirmed booking for a stay at any registered tourist facility in the country.

While there is no mandatory quarantine or testing on arrival, tourists traveling to Maldives are required to complete an online health declaration form and provide a negative PCR test result taken at least 96 hours prior to their departure. The negative PCR test result must be attached while completing Traveler Health Declaration form, which has to be submitted online via IMUGA (www.imuga.immigration.gov.mv), by all arriving passengers before arrival (but not exceeding 24 hours before arrival time).

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NEWS | IFC and IHCL launch an open call for innovators worldwide

The program aims to bring efficient, climate-smart, cost-effective cooling solutions to India’s hospitality sector

IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, and Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), South Asia’s largest hospitality company, today launched an open call for innovators worldwide to bring efficient, climate-smart, cost-effective cooling solutions to India’s hospitality sector.

The TechEmerge Sustainable Cooling Innovation Program in the Indian hospitality sector has been funded by the UK Government. It offers innovators market access and a combined pool of up to $500,000 in grant funding to pilot new solutions, including home-grown Indian solutions that reduce the high energy usage and climate impacts of cooling systems.

“IHCL is committed to creating a positive impact on the environment. The company’s annual renewable energy consumption has increased considerably, with many of our key hotels powered by wind and solar energy sources,” said Gaurav Pokhariyal, Senior Vice President & Global Head Human Resources, IHCL. “Our sustainable cooling partnership with IFC is a win-win move that enables us to reduce operating costs, limit our greenhouse gas emissions and help shape hospitality to meet the needs of tomorrow.”

Cooling currently accounts for about 10 per cent of greenhouse gases and 15 per cent of energy consumption worldwide. In a business-as-usual scenario, energy used for cooling is expected to triple by 2050 globally, while demand could increase five-fold in hot tropical countries like India. Cooling innovation offers one of the most cost-effective ways to meet this challenge, while also tackling climate change.

“As countries emerge from the pandemic, a green, resilient recovery is increasingly critical and remains a strategic pillar of IFC’s continued efforts. IFC has financed over $5.4 billion in green buildings, including almost $1 billion in green hotels. Accelerating climate-smart cooling innovations in India—home to an expanding hotel sector and one of the world’s fastest growing cooling markets—paves the way for job creation, business opportunities for innovative companies like IHCL, and their clients and partners while spurring low-carbon economic growth in the region and beyond,” said Jun Zhang, Country Head - India at IFC.

Applications can be submitted at TechEmerge Sustainable Cooling in the Indian Hospitality Sector through April 30, 2021.

Innovative companies will be selected through a competitive process and then invited for matchmaking with IHCL to discuss piloting their solutions at five of its hotels, which include the internationally renowned Taj brand, with the potential for successful innovations to be scaled across its properties.

IFC and a panel of industry experts provide support during market entry and tech transfer, helping innovators mitigate financial and operational risks and lowering adoption risks for companies like IHCL.

TechEmerge has a proven track record of matching cutting-edge tech companies and start-ups with leading corporations and other organizations in emerging markets. Its programs have generated commercial contracts worth more than USD 1 million, helped innovators to raise tens of millions of dollars in financing and investment, and scaled innovations that are expected to benefit millions of people each year.

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Webinar | HTI, in association with the Colaborate app, hosts “The Colaborate Talk Show”.

Flying With The Gig Economy!

HTI, in association with the Colaborate app, hosts “The Colaborate Talk Show”. We aim to create awareness among Out-Of-Work Professionals, Students, Stay-At-Home Moms & Retired Professionals on how they could participate in & benefit from the Gig Economy.

In this particular session, we will be in conversation with Shatbhi Basu, Mixologist, Bar & Beverage Consultant, Trainer, Author, Partner - Creative Consultants & Kasturi Banerjee, Founder & CEO, Stilldistilling Spirits.

Webinar Topic:

Women Entrepreneurs - Choosing Offtrack Careers & Excelling

Date & Time - Friday; March 12, 2021; 4-5pm

Moderator - Dominic CostaBir, Director, HTI & Founder, Colaborate

Click the link to join!

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_kHG-6Bb9T1iEXj5UrJsqVg

#gigeconomy #freelancejob #temporarystaff #gigjob #gig #gigculture #parttimework #parttimejob #contractwork #gigworkers #tempstaffing

Chalet Hotels Ltd. announces complete vaccination cover for all its employees, across the country

While the choice to get vaccinated is left to the individual, in the interest of safety and convenience, the Company has provisioned for employees to get vaccinated at any centre of their choice.

As India’s vaccination drive continues to gather momentum, the country’s travel, tourism, and hospitality sector are optimistic about the future. Chalet Hotels Ltd., owner, developer, and asset manager of high-end hotels in key metro cities of India announces complete vaccination cover for all its employees, across the country. This makes it one of the first hospitality companies in India to take this step, joining other leading people-centric organizations from other industries.

As a part of this program, Chalet Hotels Ltd. will cover the vaccination costs for all its employees across its hotels and corporate offices. While the choice to get vaccinated is left to the individual, in the interest of safety and convenience, the Company has provisioned for employees to get vaccinated at any center of their choice.

Speaking about this initiative, Sanjay Sethi, MD & CEO, Chalet Hotels Ltd said, “We are in a people-driven industry and our ‘people’ are our biggest asset. As we march into the new normal, our emphasis on the health and safety of our employees is of highest priority. Their wellbeing is going to be a key enabler in helping us continue to fulfil our commitment of an exceptional hospitality experience.”

Chalet Hotels Ltd. has been recognized in India’s Great Mid-Size Workplaces’ by the Great Place to Work® Institute India- 2020-21. It is also amongst India’s 100 Best Workspaces for Women 2020. The Company has consistently addressed employee wellbeing, and firmly believes that it is crucial to address the safety needs of employees, to build a productive workplace.

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New Austin Marriott Downtown Brings Inspiring Hospitality Experience to the Heart of the Texas Capital

The new Austin Marriott Downtown opens today, steps away from the most popular downtown tourist attractions, bars and restaurants. The hotel represents the newest design vision for Marriott Hotels, the signature brand of Marriott International, where spaces and amenities are crafted to allow guests to achieve moments of creative brilliance.

The 31-story stylishly-designed tower fits seamlessly into the Austin skyline and speaks to the needs of today’s modern traveler, including hand-crafted food and beverage offerings, advanced health and safety features, and plenty of outdoor and socially distant options for connecting with others.

Guests will feel a sense of place the moment they walk in the door, whether they’re in town for a staycation, weekend getaway, business trip, meeting or convention. The hotel’s design is inspired by its home city, with limestone and Texas Cedar native to central Texas used throughout the hotel.

Guest rooms start on level seven to maximize views of Lady Bird Lake, the University of Texas campus, the city skyline, and in the distance, Texas Hill Country. Of the 613 guest rooms the hotel offers 25 luxurious suites. The reimagined rooms offer a spacious and elevated look complete with tailored solutions that are as inventive as its guests.

Based on consumer insights, locally-inspired accents offer a sense of place, and the work surface provides flexibility to freely move and use technology wherever the guest desires. Deluxe walk-in showers and spa-like lighting complete the relaxed experience throughout the room.

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Hyatt Plans to Utilize Mobile Health Passport, VeriFLY, for Meetings, Events

Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) today announced plans to explore VeriFLY + Stay, a mobile health passport for the hospitality industry using the VeriFLY app that provides verification of COVID-19 credentials and travel guidelines. This mobile app can facilitate peace of mind for in-person gatherings by providing meeting attendees and colleagues with a seamless option to directly receive and present COVID-19 test results.  Tens of thousands of travelers already have confidently and safely verified their COVID-19 health status with VeriFLY since January 1, 2021.

“Since the onset of the pandemic, we have believed that accessibility to testing and resources would play a critical role in the travel industry’s recovery,” Frank Lavey, senior vice president of Global Operations, Hyatt. “Collaborating with Daon, a leader in identity assurance, to test VeriFLY + Stay for colleagues and meeting attendees furthers our commitment to our guests’ and colleagues’ wellbeing and represents an important step in providing peace of mind to meeting attendees before, during and after an event.”

As part of these exploration efforts, Hyatt will work closely with meeting planners to identify criteria for meeting attendees, which could include presenting a recent negative COVID-19 test. The criteria can then be communicated to attendees in the VeriFLY mobile app prior to arrival so they can fulfill their requirements and complete all necessary forms. Meeting attendees who satisfy a meeting’s requirements will be able to use the app to display a green checkmark for entry into the meeting or event. Daon will not send any personal or individual information to Hyatt or a Hyatt hotel; Hyatt will only receive aggregated and anonymized data from Daon.

“Throughout the pandemic, we have stayed close to our customers to understand what’s most important to them and focus on solutions that meet their needs,” said Steve Enselein, senior vice president of Events, Hyatt. “In listening to our customers, we know attendee safety and wellbeing remain top priorities for meeting planners, and we look forward to exploring VeriFLY + Stay with meeting planners to provide a new resource that assists with event execution.”

As an extension of Hyatt’s Global Care & Cleanliness Commitment, this is one of Hyatt’s latest initiatives to support guests throughout their entire travel journey as Hyatt maintains its focus on prioritizing safety and wellbeing for guests, colleagues and meeting attendees. Hyatt joins a growing number of travel companies, including American Airlines, utilizing this VeriFLY solution to inspire confidence to return to travel by helping travelers manage new requirements in their destination, complete health questionnaires and adhere to guidelines set forth by travel providers. verify is the world’s first widely adopted digital health credential and has more than 300,000 active users in 55 countries across six continents.

To learn more about this solution, please visit: myverifly.com

The term “Hyatt” is used in this release for convenience to refer to Hyatt Hotels Corporation and/or one or more of its affiliates.

For further information:

About Hyatt Hotels Corporation

Hyatt Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading global hospitality company offering 20 premier brands. As of December 31, 2020, the Company's portfolio included more than 975 hotel, all-inclusive, and wellness resort properties in 69 countries across six continents. The Company's purpose to care for people so they can be their best informs its business decisions and growth strategy and is intended to attract and retain top employees, build relationships with guests and create value for shareholders. The Company's subsidiaries operate, manage, franchise, own, lease, develop, license, or provide services to hotels, resorts, branded residences, and vacation ownership properties, including under the Park Hyatt®, Miraval®, Grand Hyatt®, Alila®, Andaz®, The Unbound Collection by Hyatt®, Destination by Hyatt™, Hyatt Regency®, Hyatt®, Hyatt Ziva™, Hyatt Zilara™, Thompson Hotels®, Hyatt Centric®, Caption by Hyatt, JdV by Hyatt™, Hyatt House®, Hyatt Place®, tommie™, UrCove, and Hyatt Residence Club® brand names, and operates the World of Hyatt® loyalty program that provides distinct benefits and exclusive experiences to its valued members. For more information, please visit www.hyatt.com.

About VeriFLY

VeriFLY is developed and managed by the biometric authentication and identity assurance solutions provider, Daon. VeriFLY offers travelers and event attendees a secure and simple way to confirm COVID-19 requirements. After creating a secure profile on the VeriFLY app, Daon verifies that the customer’s data matches necessary requirements and displays a simple pass or fail message. This simple message streamlines the documentation verification process either at airport check-in or when attending a meeting or event. The VeriFLY app is continually updated to meet the changing requirements of local governments and organizations.

Visit Maldives | 8,800 WORKERS IN THE MALDIVES TOURISM INDUSTRY VACCINATED

According to information published by the Ministry of Tourism, over 8,800 of frontline workers in the tourism industry have been vaccinated. The Ministry states that the number of vaccinated frontline workers represents over 30% of all workers within the tourism industry.

The Tourism Ministry and HPA started vaccination drives in resorts on 14th February 2021. The first vaccination center in a resort opened in Bandos Island Resort & Spa. The government prioritized 10,000 doses from the first shipment of vaccination doses for the frontline workers in the tourism industry. The priority is set not only for resort workers, but also includes workers in guesthouses, liveaboards, and airport representatives.

Over 137,120 people have received the first dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, produced by the Serum Institute of India under the name ‘COVISHIELD’.

Source

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Visit Maldives | CSMIA expands its Maldives reach with Mumbai-Male direct flights

Since the commencement of the air bubble arrangement with Maldives on August 13, 2020, CSMIA has seen a rise in passenger traffic catering to over 56000 passengers across an approximate total of 410 flights to and from CSMIA till date.

Witnessing a steady increase in passenger traffic from Mumbai to the Maldives, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) is expanding its existing reach to Male, by adding a new flight operated by Vistara, from March 3, 2021 onwards.

Since the resurgence in air travel and ease in travel restrictions, Maldives has emerged as a preferred destination for passengers traveling from Mumbai. CSMIA has been working diligently to foster accessibility and profound connectivity to the destination while offering best-in-class facilities and services to travelers.

Since the commencement of the air bubble arrangement with the Maldives on August 13, 2020, CSMIA has seen a rise in passenger traffic catering to over 56000 passengers across an approximate total of 410 flights to and from CSMIA to date.

During this period, the airport had catered to the region through Indigo and GoAir, wherein Indigo catered to the highest passenger traffic, with over 32000 passengers from the airport. The increase in frequency to the destination through the addition of the new Vistara flight with effect from March 3, 2021 comes as a boon to travelers from and around Mumbai.

The ease in travel restrictions has made the Maldives a preferred destination amongst leisure travelers. Through the added frequency between Mumbai and Maldives, CSMIA provides passengers with easy accessibility to the region even for a short weekend trip.

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NEWS | Jumeirah Group appoints Connect Worldwide (CWW) as its global sales agent in India

Jumeirah Group appoints Connect Worldwide (CWW) as its global sales agent in India

Jumeirah Group has announced the appointment of Connect Worldwide (CWW) as its global sales agent in India. The partnership will include sales and marketing management for clients from the corporate, MICE and leisure segments, and support services for the luxury hotel Group from the Indian market.

Jumeirah Group is a global luxury hotel company and member of Dubai Holding, a diversified global company with operations in 13 countries and 130 billion worth of assets across 10 sectors, including hospitality as well as leisure and entertainment.

Jumeirah Group has had a distinct impact on the global hospitality market for the past two decades, transforming the way in which luxury is defined, as exemplified by its flagship hotel, Burj Al Arab Jumeirah. As a luxury hospitality leader, the UAE born Group operates 26 Jumeirah branded properties internationally across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Its latest addition to the Dubai portfolio, Jumeirah Living Marina Gate, offers the elevated hospitality synonymous with the brand to guests looking to enjoy longer stays in the city.

India has always been a strategic partner to the UAE, and Jumeirah Group embodies the Arabian hospitality much loved by the Indian market, continuing to be the preferred choice for various a-list actors, businessmen, film makers, extravagant weddings, and more. MICE and corporate travel are also significant drivers of inbound tourism to the UAE, as trade increasingly flourishes between the countries. Business partnerships, healthcare, and tourism, which is reflected in the continuous rise in inbound Indian travellers to the UAE, is anticipated to grow further once travel restrictions ease.

Alexander Lee, Chief Commercial Officer of Jumeirah Group, commented: “Indian guests have always been of great importance to Jumeirah as one of our top source markets across the global portfolio. We see Connect World wide’s appointment as a reflection of the immense efforts invested in this market, and as a further step to ensuring our exemplary offering is aligned with their unique needs, whether that’s for leisure, dining or family experiences or the crafting of unique, personalised stays. We see great potential in India – a market that has always appreciated the luxury hospitality that Jumeirah offers, and our attention to personal touches, especially when it comes to sentimental lifetime special events such as weddings. The decision to appoint Connect Worldwide as our sales partner in India signifies our continued focus on this region, as well as the promising future that lies ahead for the Jumeirah Group in India.”

Jumeirah’s spectacular spaces, including the opulent Ottoman inspired Jumeirah Zabeel Saray and Jumeirah Beach Hotel that was named by Travel+Leisure India as the Best Destination Wedding Hotel in 2020, serve as the perfect backdrop for Indian weddings.

All of Jumeirah Group’s properties place emphasis on memorable events, through the dedicated efforts of its specialised teams delivering thoughtful service, as well as its pristine décors, bespoke touches, and awe-inspiring settings.

"We welcome Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts as our newest travel partner," said Eric Otto President and CEO of Connect Worldwide. "We are proud to partner with such an iconic hotel group and our experienced team is excited to represent and enhance the brand further within the Indian travel market.”
"The CWW India team with its robust sales and distribution support looks forward to re engaging the market  with Jumeirah's portfolio of hotels", said Vasudha Sondhi MD CWW India.

CWW is a global sales, marketing, and digital services company with a focus on international market expansion and revenue development. Their clients include tourism destinations, independent hotels, hotel brands, and travel-related companies.

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RARE India pivots to RARE 2.0 to encourage travellers to explore the world

RARE India pivots to RARE 2.0 for encouraging travellers to explore the world around them through the lens of sustainability and ownership for the health of the planet. With Planet and People first being the core of its ethos, India’s leading hospitality marketing company launches its new website and logo.

New Delhi, March 1, 2021: Climate crisis is real, and the travel industry is affected in so many ways that there is an immediate need to address the ‘how we travel’. RARE India – a collection of some of the finest conscious luxury heritage palaces, boutique hotels, conservation based wildlife lodges, homestays and retreats of the Indian subcontinent, has responded by unveiling RARE 2.0 with a pledge to urge the travel community to explore differently and redefine its narrative for luxury and experiences – one that is people sensitive and planet friendly yet where service quality and transformative travel is a given.

The new RARE Logo is a simple, stylized leaf in gold of Ginkgo biloba, familiar to many as the maidenhair tree and is a metaphor for change to be led by travel and the community. Originally from the east, Ginkgo is a living fossil and has been around since before the Dinosaurs, deliberately propagated by avid horticulturists, it is found almost everywhere from the gardens in Kashmir to Oxford Street in UK, to the lanes of Manhattan. Change is driven deliberately when we inspire others to commit to a life that puts Planet and People first.

As part of its responsible tourism agenda under RARE 2.0, the organization has launched its new website and logo, which symbolize RARE India’s commitment towards conscious and mindful travel where luxury is redefined as experiences beyond excesses, stays that are sustainable and regenerative. Speaking about her vision for RARE 2.0 and the newly launched website, RARE India’s Founder Ms Shoba Mohan said, “For the longest time choices for hotels, lodges and boutique stays have been based on their price points and excesses that passed off as luxury. Every popular destination has suffered the consequences of placing the needs of the traveller’s demands without a thought to the integrity of the destination and the effects of unchecked tourism on its culture and environment. The community of hotels promoted under RARE India is designed to uphold the cultural and environmental integrity of the destination by engaging visitors in experiences to celebrate its people, diversity, cultural richness, authenticity and natural beauty. In destinations that are culturally fragile and are in the fringes of pristine natural habitats, travellers are urged to understand and participate in its preservation thus creating exceptional transformations.”

The new website emphasizes on the nine RARE Touchstones as unique value propositions of every hotel of the community that will be a benchmark for a conscious choice and will create value beyond the ubiquitous luxury and service quality. The attributes that every hotel will be measured against are their attitude towards Single Use Plastic, Local Community Engagement, Safe Garbage Disposal, Water Conservation, Low Impact Tourism, Living Heritage and its preservation, Wildlife, Nature & Habitat Conservation, Sensitive Destination Discovery and the power of Human Touch.

Since its inception in 2004, RARE India promoted the idea of unique owner-run boutique hotels that operate with an evolved consciousness towards environmental conservation, cultural and heritage preservation as well as community engagement. Currently, 63 hotels in the Community are free from or removing single-use plastic, 60 have implemented water conservation practices and 55 are working on safe garbage disposal. RARE India hotels also rank high on the wildlife conservation front wherein 10 partner hotels are TOFTigers PUG Nature Friendly Certified and 33 work toward nature and habitat conservation. Almost every hotel on board (77) run their operations with teams trained from the local community, 61 work towards promoting local arts, crafts, festivals and traditions along with incorporating farm-to-table food practices, and 84 member hotels focus on destination discovery through walks, bicycle rides and local immersions.

While all the RARE India Community hotels are audited for experience, quality, style and conscious luxury before they come on board, as part of its RARE 2.0 agenda the organization through campaigns and workshops aims to motivate its hotel partners to assess, adopt and improve their ‘sustainability quotient’ through training and knowledge. RARE India will also explore partnerships with like-minded organizations globally to strengthen the ethos of responsible tourism and share best practices. One such alliance was undertaken by RARE India a few months ago with Secret Retreats, which is headquartered in Singapore. The company is proud to be an Ally of Transformational Travel Council, USA, TOFTigers and Responsible Tourism Society of India.

In its technology upgraded version, the RARE India Community aims to be a consortium that is able to change traveller mindset towards destinations and experiences in the subcontinent that are alive, authentic, set in stylish and restful spaces, earth happy, conscious of their impact on the environment and committed to the land and the community. The Community will offer an opportunity to the travellers to explore differently and have mindful interactions with people, culture, nature, wildlife, crafts and traditions, create transformational experiences that will nudge them to live consciously.

Hyatt House Atlanta / Perimeter Center and Legacy Ventures proudly announced today the hotel’s opening in the Georgia state capital.

Hyatt House Atlanta / Perimeter Center and Legacy Ventures proudly announced today the hotel’s opening in the Georgia state capital. 

Located in Sandy Springs’ “Pill Hill” medical district, the extended stay property is comprised of 186 guestrooms.  Hyatt House Atlanta / Perimeter Center features an elevated pool, the H Bar with a Sip + Snack menu, as well as indoor and outdoor communal spaces, including fire pits and outdoor games.

In collaboration with general contractor Choate Construction and architecture firm Cooper Cary, Hyatt House Atlanta Perimeter Center is Legacy Ventures’ fourth ground-up hotel developed in the Greater Atlanta area.  Ameris Bank provided the construction financing. The hotel’s interior design brings Atlanta’s forested landscape into the hotel and emphasizes a focus on wellness, a complement to the surrounding medical offices. Its location benefits from The Simpson Organization’s redevelopment of Peachtree Dunwoody Pavilion, newly renamed Altmore, into a more dense, mixed-use and walkable environment.  The transit-oriented development features a pedestrian bridge directly to MARTA’s Medical Center Station, and The Simpson Organization also plans to add multi-family housing and a multi-use trail in a later phase of the development.

“In many ways, our Design & Construction team has had a vastly different experience with the pandemic than our hotel and restaurant operations teams; the lack of activity in the community and lower business levels in our hotels enabled them to move at an accelerated pace through the construction process,” said David Marvin, President and Founder, Legacy Ventures. 

Leading Legacy Ventures’ operations team at Hyatt House Atlanta / Perimeter Center is led by Zsuzsa Nagy, who will serve as the hotel’s General Manager. Kevin Richards, Legacy Ventures’ COO, Hotels, notes “Nagy’s wealth of preopening experience and results-driven attitude showed us that she’ll embody our ‘Make It Happen’ culture. With her leadership, we are excited to provide a compassionate and thoughtfully-curated experience for all guests, whether visiting the nearby medical offices or one of the many other demand generators of Sandy Springs and Atlanta’s central perimeter area.” 

Hyatt House Atlanta / Perimeter Center offers:

• 186 guestrooms, including 46 apartment-style Kitchen Suites with fully equipped kitchens, comfy living rooms, spacious bedrooms and stylish bathrooms

• Free Wi-Fi throughout hotel and guestrooms

• The Commons, a comfy lounge with an open and welcoming space for guests to relax, gather and socialize, and the Outdoor Commons, which includes an outdoor fire pit and BBQ, the perfect place to sip cocktails and enjoy savory bites

• Complimentary Morning Spread, a full hot breakfast served daily for guests, featuring a build-your-own Omelet Bar and assorted Breakfast Breads + Bowls Bar with steel-cut oatmeal, fresh fruit and more, along with vegetarian and gluten free options

• The H BAR, which features the Sip + Snack Menu, a delicious menu with items including soups and sandwiches, plus premium beers and wines, offered seven days a week

• 24-hour H Market to meet the everyday needs of guests, from snacks and sundries to freshly prepared salads and sandwiches

• 24-hour Gym to keep fitness routines going

• Gathering Rooms with more than 3,200 square feet of flexible meeting spaces, a tasty food and beverage menu, audiovisual equipment and a House Host to make sure events are a real crowd pleaser

• Borrows Menu with often-forgotten items from phone charges to razors

• A Very Important Resident (VIR) program, including complimentary grocery shopping, and other personalized perks, for guests with 30 or more consecutive nights

To learn more or book a stay at Hyatt House Atlanta / Perimeter Center, please visit the hotel’s website. 

World of Hyatt Gives Members 500 Reasons to Stay Somewhere New

To provide World of Hyatt members even more ways to be rewarded, World of Hyatt is offering members the opportunity to earn 500 Bonus Points for qualifying nights at Hyatt House Atlanta / Perimeter Center, from March 3 – June 30, 2021 as part of World of Hyatt’s new hotel member offer. Additional participating hotels and their offer stay periods can be found at worldofhyatt.com/newhotelbonus. No registration is required and members can earn on top of other offers.

Guided by its purpose of care, Hyatt’s multi-layered Global Care & Cleanliness Commitment further enhances its operational guidance and resources around colleague and guest safety and peace of mind. More information on Hyatt’s commitment can be found here: hyatt.com/care-and-cleanliness.

For further information:

About Hyatt House Atlanta Perimeter Center 

Hyatt House Atlanta Perimeter Center is a 186-key upscale suite hotel purpose-built to serve the Atlanta Perimeter market, as well as the popular Buckhead markets. The hotel is located next to the Medical Center Marta station, which will provide easy access to Buckhead, Midtown and Downtown Atlanta, GA. Located at heart of two major interchanges, I-285 and SR-400, the hotel is easily accessible from all areas. The hotel features roughly 4,000 SF of flexible meeting, event and prefunction space.

About Hyatt House 

Hyatt House hotels are designed to welcome guests, including World of Hyatt members, as extended stay residents seeking the conveniences of home. Modern, apartment-style suites with fully equipped kitchens and separate living and sleeping areas provide guests a stylish and comfortable environment so they can better maintain their work and personal routines while traveling. At more than 100 locations, the Hyatt House brand delivers home-like amenities, neighborly service and upscale spaces, including free hot breakfast for guests with made to order omelets; H Bar with a Sip + Snack menu; and indoor and outdoor communal spaces for productivity or relaxation. For more information, please visit hyatthouse.com. Join the conversation on Facebook or Instagram and tag photos with #HyattHouse and #WhySettle.

About Legacy Ventures, founded in 1994, is a best-in-class hospitality investment, development, and management company.  Legacy Ventures’ management portfolio focuses on full-service hotels and restaurants in city-center, suburban, and resort markets, and it has a proven record of success in ground-up development, repositioning, and value-add opportunities. Legacy Ventures delivers exceptional guest experiences through an engaged and passionate team, yielding measurably better results for owners, partners, and investors.  For more information visit LVmgt.com.