NEWS | The Burger Club to step outside Delhi NCR

The QSR chain is opening its outlet in Chandigarh in a couple of months following Kanpur, Lucknow, and Hyderabad.

QSR chain, The Burger Club is planning to expand its business outside Delhi NCR. The QSR chain is opening its outlet in Chandigarh in a couple of months following Kanpur, Lucknow, and Hyderabad by the end of 2021.

Established in 2015, the burger joint has outlets across 24 urban areas of Delhi with a presence in South Delhi, North Delhi, East Delhi, Noida, and Gurgaon.

When the founders came back to India from New Zealand, they took quite a lot of time doing research about location, audience, other brands in the market, and how they can stand out with the product they want to bring in.

“We spent adequate time on researching how much investment required according to the current market and spent 60 percent of which to open our first outlet. To achieve so we spent time on controlling our fixed costs and not variable costs as our motto is to bring the best quality to our customers and the company works on the same model,” Jatinder Gill, Founder/Director, The Burger Club stated.

The QSR company will be taking the franchise route for expansion. There are few factors that need to be considered while choosing the franchisee. “The respective franchisee must complete the training program, the adequate investment is a must along with prior knowledge and experience of business is required too. And before signing the franchise agreement the whole process takes place, pre-decided sets of questionnaire, background, and financial status checks,” Gill informed.


He further claims that The burger club franchise model is profitable for an individual as it is designed in a way that it is profit-making at a consolidated level as well as at the store level. “It crosses its break-even point in the first month,” he stated.

“Generally most of the restaurants have a fixed cost higher than variable cost but the burger club model is designed in a way that variable costs exceed the fixed costs due to two major reasons, first the model designed with fixed costs controlled to its peak point and the quality of food is never compromised. Controlling fixed costs and yet coming out with the best is one reason that it takes more time to open a new store than any other fast-food chain,” Gill added.

Like every other food business, the pandemic also affected the QSR chain initially. Gill informed that the major effect was on dine-in sales however, a hike in delivery sales was witnessed. “But once again, due to an unexpected surge in covid cases, we had put that thought on hold. And now our foremost priority is our patrons' safety and which is why we are primarily focusing on food deliveries keeping all the safety measures and protocols in mind,” Gill commented.

NEWS | Lo! Foods to expand its cloud kitchen presence

The startup plans to start operations in Mumbai and Pune in the next 6-8 months and is looking to tie-up with more delivery partners like Magicpin, Dotpe and Peppo.

Bengaluru based startup, Lo! Foods recently raised one million dollars in pre-series A funding. While the FMCG startup offers low-carb and keto-friendly packaged products, it also has a growing cloud kitchen business. ET Hospitality spoke to Sudarshan Gangrade, Founder, Lo! Foods to know more about his plans for the cloud kitchen segment post-investment.

Lo! Foods currently have 20 cloud kitchens across Bangalore, Delhi, Gurgaon and Hyderabad that offer low-carb and keto-friendly food. The company also delivers Parathas, Rolls, Sandwiches on demand through food delivery apps.

“We plan to further strengthen our cloud kitchen business through expanding to new geographies. We plan to start operations in Mumbai and Pune in the next 6-8 months.

We will also look for more delivery partners like Magicpin, Dotpe and Peppo that can help us widen our reach and plans to work more closely with Swiggy and Zomato,” Gangrade stated who also aims to introduce a few new services that can help accelerate the existing cloud kitchen business.

The cloud kitchen business contributes to almost half of the total business of Lo! Foods. Across 20 cloud kitchens, the company has served about one Lakh customers till date and services about 15,000 orders per month.

The company has recently expanded into international markets such as the US, Singapore and the Middle East.

In terms of food products, the company is looking forward to having a strong presence in HoReCa. “We have tied up with five-star chains like Hyatt and Sheraton to offer Low-Carb and Keto friendly menus to customers. B2B sales to the HoReCa segment has also begun to pick up, and we see it contributing significantly to our business over the next few quarters. Currently, it is in its early stages,” Gangrade said.

Source

NEWS | Avani Hotels in Thailand Participates in Vaccination Programme for Team Members

We are pleased to share that two of our properties in Koh Samui and Krabi have now received the second jab, achieving full vaccination. This is in support of the Thai Government’s mission to reopen the country for international tourists.

Also nearing the target 100% vaccination rate is Avani Pattaya Resort, where more than 50% of employees received the first shot in early April 2021. At the same time, the remaining properties have already been registered for the Government’s vaccination program and are expected to commence their drives soon.

Avani Hotels is looking forward to welcoming guests to Thailand for a worry-free holiday at the brand’s properties in Bangkok, Koh Samui and Krabi, among others.

NEWS | Anantara Hotels and Resorts First in Southern Thailand to Fully Vaccinated All Team Members

Anantara’s five resorts located on the islands of Koh Samui and Phuket have become the brands first in Thailand to have 100% of all qualified team members vaccinated as part of its strong commitment to safeguarding visiting guests against the spread of COVID-19. The vaccination drive has team members at Anantara Bophut Koh Samui Resort, Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort, Anantara Layan Phuket Resort, Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas and Anantara Phuket Suites & Villas.

Each resort has also reinforced health and hygiene measures under the “Stay with Peace of Mind” programme. The vaccine drive is part of an ongoing Thai government program to reopen borders to international tourism to Thailand’s two main tourist islands slated for the 1st July, 2021.

Trends | Cheer for your Favourite Team this season with ITC Royal Bengal and ITC Sonar’s Cheering Box

Cheer for your Favourite Team this season with ITC Royal Bengal & ITC Sonar’s Cheering Box The excitement is back, and we’re ready to kick things off with a bang. It’s time to cheer for your favorite teams. Be it your home grown hero or your favourite athlete, we know the excitement will be high. Celebrate with the loudest cheers and our carefully curated selection of delightful meals from Gourmet Couch and Biryani & Pulao Collection by ITC Hotels from

ITC Royal Bengal & ITC Sonar Gourmet Couch Tournament Edition: The all-rounder selection of our award-winning cuisine on Gourmet Couch Box includes a set menu of appetizers (First Innings), main course (second innings) and three-course menu (Super Saver)

First Innings is an array of signature appetizers from our award-winning cuisines. A Box for two is available at INR 2020 + taxes (Veg Selection) and INR 2520 plus taxes (Non-Veg Selection) while INR 3520 is for a Box for 4 (Veg Selection) and INR 4020 plus taxes a Box for 4 (Non-Veg Selection). The offering includes Madhura Tikkiya (Crispy fried patties of clove smoked beetroot stuffed with spiced hung curd, sprinkled with homemade pudina masala) Dudhiya kebab (Roundels of cottage cheese, stuffed with special hand mashed potatoes, shallow fried and finished on Dum.) Fish Takrai (Crispy fried fish with garlic, Thai chili paste and flavored with kaffir lime) Murgh kali Mirch Shami (Pan grilled chicken mince kebab with black pepper and spices), served with Kahri Chutney, Shikampuri kebab (A delicate preparation of lamb minced with hung curd and spices, pan-grilled to perfection.) to name a few across veg and nonveg selections.

The Second Innings offers a delectable set menu from our main course selection Starting at INR 2020 plus taxes for a Box for 2 and INR 3520 for a Box of 4 (Veg Selection) and INR 2520 plus taxes for a BOX of 2 and INR 4020 plus taxes for a BOX of 4 (Non-Veg Selection), it includes Paneer Pudina (Cottage cheese cooked in rich gravy of yogurt and mint with a hint of lemon), Dal Bukhara (A harmonious blend of black lentils, tomatoes, ginger and garlic simmered overnight on a slow charcoal fire and finished with cream and served with a dollop of unsalted butter), Butter naan, Subz biryani Gosht Dum Pukht biryani (Basmati rice simmered with lamb in mace, ittar, and kewra, finished in a sealed handi) Mirch ka salan (Large whole green chilies simmered in a velvet smooth gravy of yogurt, tamarind, coconut and peanuts) gulab Jamun sliced chicken in chili bean sauce Fresh bean curd and mushrooms with spicy chili paste and spring onion Vegetable kra pao (Stir fried vegetable with chili,garlic and basil) Teppanyaki chicken Fried rice classic Chinese Mango Pudding (A set

custard of alphonso mango puree and cream topped with sweetened milk.) to name a few across veg and nonveg selections The Super Over is a signature Three-course meal from our signature kitchens. It includes a selection of Madhura Tikkiya, Paneer khurchan, Dal Bukhara Gosht Galouti kebab, chicken in chili bean sauce, Vegetable kra pao basil, Teppanyaki chicken Fried rice classic Chinese Mango pudding Stir-Fried chicken with chili & soya Wok tossed fried chicken with bell peppers, soya sauce and assorted spices sliced. This menu is priced at INR 2020 plus taxes for a Box for 2 and INR 3520 for a Box of 4 (Veg Selection) and INR 2520 plus taxes for a BOX of 2 and INR 4020 plus taxes for a BOX of 4 (Non-Veg Selection)

The Cheering Box also includes Biryani & Pulao Collection by ITC Hotels, our signature preparations perfectly portioned for a party of four and more. Starting at INR 1900 plus applicable taxes onwards. The Vegetarian selection of the Biryani & Pulao Collection includes Kale Moti Pulao, Subz Paneer Pulao, Nimona Mirch Pulao, Kathal Pulao (Seasonal) priced at Rs 625 plus applicable taxes each, the Mutton Signatures includes Keema Pulao Rs 750 plus applicable taxes, Gosht Bohri Biryani Rs 825 plus applicable, Metiabruz Biryani Rs 825 plus applicable and Serai ki Biryani at Rs 825 plus applicable while the Chicken and Seafood Delicacies include Chemmeen Pulao (Prawn) at Rs 825, Bibi ka Murgh Pulao Rs 750 plus applicable taxes and Konaseema Kodi Pulao Rs 750 plus applicable taxes. Each Biryani (chicken, seafood, mutton, or vegetarian) is an ideal meal for one with a choice of either Mirch Baingan ka Salan or any one of the three raitas: Anar Kheera Raita/ Onion Pachadi/ Sarson Raita. Complete your meal with one of India’s most popular desserts, from the Dum Pukht kitchen, the signature “Shahed-E-Jaam”, with our compliments. The menu comes with dietary indicators, enabling diners to pre-advice on allergy ingredients. The Cheering Box Collection is available on prominent food aggregator’s platform, Zomato, Swiggy & EazyDiner. In addition, the collection can be ordered via the ITC FnB App and Takeaway option. ITC Hotels has also enabled ‘no contact’ deliveries on all pre-paid orders

and has implemented stringent measures and protocols, including mandatory temperature

checks for all Chefs and Food &Beverage associates as part of its safe “We Assure” program. A lot of thought has been put in the packaging after study of factors such as temperature, distance travelled, mode of transport, consumption techniques, re-heating norms, and more. The food is packed in environment-friendly corrugated paper boxes. Easy to have on the go or order in for a celebration or get-together.

For Further Information and to place an order please call 033 44464646

NEWS | Taster grabs $37 million for its native online restaurants

French startup Taster has raised a $37 million Series B funding round from Octopus Venture, Battery Ventures, Latitude (LocalGlobe), HeartCore, Rakuten, GFC and Founders Future. The company operates dozens of restaurants that only exist on food delivery platforms. You can’t book a table — there is no table.

Taster has been focusing on five street food-inspired concepts so far — Bian Dang (Taiwanese food), A Burgers (plant-based burgers), Mission Saigon (Vietnamese food), Out Fry (Korean food) and Stacksando (Japanese street food). After that, Taster has opened dozens of kitchens across 40 different cities and listed its kitchens on food delivery platforms such as Deliveroo and Uber Eats.

Essentially, the startup wants to build new restaurant chains for the 21st century. Instead of opening brick-and-mortar restaurants, Taster focuses on food delivery, as it’s still a booming segment. In Paris, Taster restaurants are the third restaurant group on Deliveroo behind McDonald’s and Burger King — it represents more than 5,000 meals per day.

After operating its own kitchens, Taster now wants to partner with existing restaurants that don’t get a lot of orders on Deliveroo or Uber Eats. Taster brings its own native brands and menus as well as its tech tools.

NEWS | LG ELECTRONICS EARNS LEADER RATING IN MARRIOTT SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENT PROGRAM

LG ELECTRONICS EARNS LEADER RATING IN MARRIOTT SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENT PROGRAM

Commercial Display Supplier LG Achieves Highest Rating in Marriott Sustainability Assessment Program for Sixth Consecutive Year.

BETHESDA, Md., April 15, 2021 – LG Electronics has earned the highest-level rating in the 2020 Marriott Supplier Sustainability Assessment Program (MSAP), administered by MindClick. As a supplier of hotel TVs and digital signage displays for 14 Marriott brands, LG has earned this rating for six consecutive years. 

Announced in advance of Earth Day 2021, the “Leader” rating demonstrates LG’s “exemplary use of environmentally and socially responsible practices throughout the life cycle of all product lines, from material choice to end-of-life solutions,” verified by MindClick through a rigorous audit process. The annual assessment recognizes the Marriott suppliers that have made significant efforts to improve product sustainability and their social and environmental footprint and recognize them in one of three levels: Starter, Achiever, and Leader.

The assessment program evaluates suppliers in their operational footprint with environmental and social metrics such as energy, carbon, and water reduction, and human and labor rights, as well as the products they supply. It also measures metrics such as carbon footprint from product use and distribution, recyclability, as well as the use of sustainable materials and chemicals. In 2020, LG achieved top scores in seven of the nine evaluation categories. 

“Sustainability is a core business principle at LG. We believe we have a shared responsibility to protect the environment, and our alliance with Marriott since 2005 has advanced our collective goals of reducing environmental impact and enhancing the quality of life for Marriott guests,” said Thomas Yoon, president, and CEO of LG Electronics North America. 

Advanced hotel TVs and displays from LG Business Solutions earned the maximum number of points in a number of key categories:

• “Guest Health” with products that reduce toxins through compliance with chemicals of high concern,

• “End of Life” and “Hotel Impact” with products that are recyclable and packaged in recyclable materials, and have end-of-life solutions identified,

• “Distribution” through the use of transportation carriers that are EPA SmartWay certified, and

• “Social” with required human and labor policies in place and third-party audits conducted at all facilities.

Yoon said LG’s recognition in the 2020 Marriott Supplier Sustainability Assessment Program exemplifies LG’s dedication to product stewardship and being a responsible corporate citizen.

For high-res images, click here. 

# # #

About LG Business Solutions USA

The LG Electronics USA Business Solutions division serves commercial display customers in the U.S. lodging and hospitality, digital signage, systems integration, healthcare, education, government, and industrial markets. Based in Lincolnshire, Ill., with its dedicated engineering and customer support team, LG Electronics USA Business Solutions delivers business-to-business technology solutions tailored to the particular needs of business environments. LG Electronics USA Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics Inc., a $55 billion global force in consumer electronics, mobile communications, home appliances, and air solutions. LG is a seven-time ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year. For more information, please visit www.LGSolutions.com.

Media Contact:

LG Electronics USA

Kim Regillio

+1 815 355 0509

kim.regillio@lge.com

Bob Griffin

+1 212 481 3456 x11

Bob@griffin360.com

NEWS | Chef Saransh Goila partners with Fastor to launch #CovidMealsforIndia

This platform connects COVID patients unable to cook and who require daily home-cooked meals with home chefs, volunteers, tiffin services, and delivery kitchens who can provide these meals.

Chef Saransh Goila, Founder of Goila Butter Chicken, has introduced a platform, CovidMealsforIndia.com in association with tech company, Fastor. This initiative connects COVID patients who are unable to cook and require daily home-cooked meals with home chefs, volunteers, tiffin services, and delivery kitchens who can provide these meals.

Chef Goila recently curated a pan-India Google spreadsheet that had details of various home chefs, tiffin providers, cooks, and restaurants. This information was crowdsourced through social media platforms, including Instagram and Twitter. Several volunteers who had already curated regional food services lists also contributed to this list.

Talking about this initiative, Chef Goila said, “This is the most precious excel sheet I've worked on in my life and I've worked on many as an entrepreneur/chef. It's not been easy to read messages where kids are looking for meals for parents who are stuck without help or kids who are stuck alone and don't know how to recover solo or an entire family looking for food providers to meet their needs. Someone has diabetes and as a Covid patient wants their meals tailored to help them out.”

He has joined hands with retail-tech company, Fastor for this initiative. The company is helping digitise the whole platform for food suppliers and COVID patients.

According to Karan Sood, CEO and Co-founder, Fastor all state-wise data has been converted digitally on the platform to make the process easy for the users.

Chef Golia has received a lot of support from celebrities and influencers, including actors Priyanka Chopra, Katrina Kaif and Sonam Kapoor. They promoted the initiative on their social media platforms, which amplified its digital reach.

#CovidMealsforIndia

Source

NEWS | Holiday Inn Jaipur City Centre announces special menu for home delivery in Jaipur.

Holiday Inn Jaipur City Centre announces a special menu for home delivery in Jaipur. 

With the world working toward emerging from the Covid-19 gloom better and stronger, a little dose of happiness goes a long way in keeping the morale high despite the obvious challenges. 

As the city’s most loved hospitality destination, Holiday Inn Jaipur City Centre has announced that it is going on wheels to deliver love through food at the doorsteps. In line with a directive from concerned authorities and their ongoing efforts to safeguard public health, Holiday Inn  Jaipur City Centre is now offering signature delicacies from its award-winning restaurants – Monarch, Chao Chinese Bistro, and The Bakery via its new initiative called “Door to Door Home  Delivery Service”, which serves the best of world cuisine in the comfort of customers’ home. 

Hearty Indian meals, fresh bakes, and desserts, delectable Pan Asian or fancy Western cuisine – the MasterChef’s of the hotel have curated a special menu consisting of signature dishes and buffet meals for two most suited for safe consumption and secure deliveries. 

“Door to Door Home Delivery Service by Holiday Inn Jaipur City Centre” empowers the residents of Jaipur to order delectable specialties they have loved over the years. With the wellbeing of its patrons holding paramount importance, complete caution with regards to hygiene levels is maintained as per the guidelines. Every dish that goes out contains a  Takeaway Disclaimer mentioning the 8 Steps for the safety of guests taken by the hotel in compliance with HACCP & FSSAI. It highlights the name of the server, the dish and the packers’  body temperature, and the temperature of the food at the time of packing. The food is freshly prepared and consumers are encouraged to consume it within two to four hours. The orders are safely packed and customers instructed to dispose of the containers and exterior bag. Further,  to ensure a contactless payment, the customers simply need to scan a QR code to pay directly via payment getaways. 

Expressing his views on the launch of “Door to Door Home Delivery Service by Holiday Inn  Jaipur City Centre”, Pankaj Gupta, general manager, Holiday Inn Jaipur City Centre said, the hotel shares a strong commitment towards delivering a responsible guest experience, ensuring absolute safety from preparation to delivery of each order. Apart from the in-house delivery by the hotel sanitized car we have also tied up with food aggregators such as Swiggy and Zomato to serve the patrons as per their need, creating new experiences that are meaningful, valuable, and convenient for the customers. From practicing ‘zero touches’ during food preparation to 

ensuring an elegant and secure double packaging of the food, we are leaving no stone unturned  in delivering a delectable, safe and secure culinary experience to our patrons within the  confines of their homes.” 

Guests can avail of free home delivery within a 10-km radius and on a minimum billing of Rs 1000  +taxes. For longer distances, a delivery fee shall apply. To place orders, call or Whatsapp on +19  141 4222 444; +91 9799393659  

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For further details, please contact:  

Vidhi Jain  

Assistant Manager Marketing  

+91-9116122087

Home Delivery – Door to Door Menu 

NEWS | Ramada by Wyndham signs property in Jaipur

Paradise Properties, a hotel & development company based out of Jaipur, announced the signing of a franchise agreement with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts for conversion of Paradise Hotel in Jaipur under the Ramada by Wyndham brand.

Ramada by Wyndham Jaipur North is situated on Sikar Road. Guests of Ramada by Wyndham Jaipur North can enjoy great views and connectivity to the Jaipur International Airport (17 km), Jaipur junction railway station (5 km), and other popular tourist destinations such as Hawa Mahal, Gated Old City, Jantar Mantar, Jal Mahal and more. The hotel will have a modern design and will feature 108 contemporary rooms and a host of amenities including a lobby lounge, an all-day dining restaurant, and bar, as well as meetings & event space of more than 7000 SQ. FT, a business center, and an outdoor rooftop pool.

Pankaj Saboo, Partner, Paradise Properties said: “We are pleased to franchise our existing hotel with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts under their popular Ramada by Wyndham brand and become part of its rapidly expanding hotel portfolio in India and particularly in the state of Rajasthan. We are working closely with Wyndham to upgrade the hotel to high international standards and look forward to welcoming guests to our hotel in the next few months.”

Nikhil Sharma, Regional Director Eurasia, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts added: “We are delighted to announce the signing of Ramada by Wyndham in Jaipur, Rajasthan, further strengthening our mid-scale presence. Adding to an existing portfolio of three Wyndham-branded hotels in Jaipur and seven hotels in the state of Rajasthan, this latest signing reaffirms our commitment to continued growth in this important market. We look forward to our partnership with Paradise Properties and to providing another truly international standard hotel to the city of Jaipur.”

Source

Post Pandemic | How Smart Food Technology can aid Restaurant Growth

In the restaurant area, there are multiple spaces where technology plays an important role.

echnology in restaurants has come a long way. From a simple cash register to a central point of control for all functioning, technology has made a quantum jump. In the restaurant area, there are multiple spaces where technology plays an important role, one of the most crucial ones being restaurant operations.

Now, let’s get the fact understandable that there are a lot of things that an owner must look into. The types of Restaurant operations start from getting the high standard ingredient from the right vendor, ensuring that the kitchen never runs out of stock, checking if all the employees are tirelessly performing their tasks are just a few to start with.

How to Grasp Technology to Streamline Restaurant Operations

Technology streamlines your end-to-end restaurant operations and helps you deliver compatible customer service. The restaurant requires quality ingredients, with freshness and nutrition value being key desired attributes which in-turn affects the quality of the dish which Chef is making. Indoor smart garden technology offers Chefs access to fresh and healthy ingredients which increases the overall quality of dishes served. Read below and gather the knowledge about how using technology productively can help you in streamlining restaurant operations:

1. Hassle free Order Taking
You must maximize the growth of cloud technology to support your restaurant operations. A point of sale software that is browser-based and can work easily on any hardware such as a laptop, tablet, even a Smartphone enables Hassle-free order-taking mobile ordering, table reservations, automatic loyalty rewards, and taking orders from outdoor diners. Various food reservation apps are creating the task of table reservations very easy for both the customers and the restaurants.

2. Improved Front-end Operations
There are a lot of daily tasks that need to be done on the front end to ensure that you have Hassle-free operations in the day ahead. The several ways by which technology can smooth your front end restaurant operations are:
• Technology can enable your restaurant staff to provide wonderful guest service. Based on the order history of the customer, the staff can advise and upsell items.
• Self-ordering stands are making news nowadays that let customers order food themselves without the help of a waiter to take their orders.
• Digital menu boards are also an alluring way to display your menu items quickly.

3. Greater Efficiency in Kitchen Operations
The food which is the soul of your restaurant is prepared in the backend. This raises the importance of having operations at the back-end on the mark. The time consumed to prepare a dish, the inventory, the menu, the generation of kitchen waste, cleaning and hygiene, all need to be checked always, and it will now be made easier with the help of technology.

• A Kitchen Display System is an essential part of the restaurant kitchen operations. The Kitchen Order Ticketing (KOT) goes to the separate food-prep station directly, and the approximate delivery time becomes more accurate. Proper communications improve the customer experience and reduce the scope of mistakes on the part of the kitchen staff.
• Executive chefs or kitchen managers can easily make menus and generate food costs for standard or special-order items
• Keeping a check on inventory becomes simple with a restaurant management POS. The software sends you real-time alerts whenever an item gets to its reorder level. This makes sure that you never order an item that is already available or your kitchen runs out of an essential item in a busy hour of the day.

Yash Vyas is the Founder of Agro2o
Source

Marriott News | Marriott International Signs Agreement to Debut JW Marriott Brand in Spain

JW Marriott Madrid expected to feature 139 rooms and a fresh perspective on luxury hospitality in Spain’s capital.

Marriott International today announced it has signed an agreement to introduce the JW Marriott brand to Madrid, offering discerning guests a new destination to rediscover a balance in mind, body and spirit, in the heart of the city. Located in the central Plaza de Canalejas, JW Marriott Madrid will be developed by Millenium Hotels Real Estate as part of their lease agreement with a wholly owned subsidiary of Belagua and is expected to open in 2022.

“Having recently opened our 100th JW Marriott hotel worldwide, we are excited to debut the JW Marriott brand in Madrid. This incredible city is home to iconic architecture, an enviable culinary scene as well as stunning parks and botanical gardens, and the new JW Marriott Madrid is located in the heart of it all,” said Jenni Benzaquen, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Design Hotels & Europe, Middle East and Africa Brand portfolio, Marriott International. “JW Marriott encourages guests to be mindful and present, and we believe the brand is particularly suited to today’s luxury traveller who seeks enriching, rejuvenating escapes paired with rich culture and exceptional service.”

The hotel’s design will be led by local architects Arvo Arquitectura de Juan, with interiors by the Madrid team at Rockwell Group. Design plans are expected to offer a sense of balance and warmth, inspired by the principles of mindfulness, using natural elements, interesting textures and tactile spaces. The restored property is expected to offer 139-guestrooms which will include two floors of suites, all featuring outdoor terraces. Plans for public spaces include a lobby bar, a distinctive restaurant and wellbeing spaces.

“We are delighted with the acquisition of this spectacular, historical asset and to announce that it will become part of the iconic JW Marriott brand and the first JW Marriott hotel in Spain,” said Javier Illán, President of Millenium Hotels Real Estate. “This property will perfectly demonstrate Millenium Hotels’ investment focus to acquire incredible properties to become the very best luxury hotels in prime areas of major cities, operated by the finest brands. In this case, the hotel is in an extraordinary location in Plaza de Canalejas, one of the most exclusive areas of Madrid, with an even brighter future ahead as one of the capital’s leisure, cultural, and culinary centers.”

JW Marriott Madrid’s central location will offer guests the ideal base from which to explore the city’s key cultural attractions including three museums, the Prado, the Thyssen-Bornemisza and the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia. Next to the hotel, a luxury shopping experience can be enjoyed at Galeria Canalejas which offers more than 40 boutiques. The hotel is just 20 minutes by car from Madrid-Barajas International Airport.

Marriott International currently operates 93 properties in Spain across its portfolio. JW Marriott Madrid will join Marriott Bonvoy’s growing portfolio of over 7,600 hotels globally.

About Marriott International
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of more than 7,600 properties under 30 leading brands spanning 133 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company offers Marriott Bonvoy™, its highly-awarded travel program. For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com. In addition, connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on Twitter and Instagram.

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

NEWS | Party package holidays may suffer in post-pandemic travel as young generations turn to adventure holidays

‘Party package’ holidays were already declining pre-pandemic in terms of both demand and supply. Fears of infection and the process of organizing group travel will further delay recovery. It is likely that demand will never fully return as both individuals and destinations are drifting away from this party concept, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

Johanna Bonhill-Smith, Travel & Tourism Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Operators and destinations that typically cater to the ‘mass party concept’ need to carefully reconsider their product and promotion in a post-COVID era amid changing consumer behaviors. Party holidays are now less desired by young generations and destinations in post-pandemic travel.”

GlobalData’s Q3 2019 consumer survey found that respondents aged between 16-24 and 25-34 covering Gen Z and millennials were the most likely to take an alternative holiday with a specialized focus on areas such as adventure/sport, wellness/medical, sustainability, gastronomy and culture than their older counterparts. Therefore, it was already clear that these generations desired more authentic and transformational travel experiences pre-pandemic.

Bonhill-Smith continues: “This is far different to an alcohol-filled getaway that has been typically associated with younger generations in the past. Holidays for 18-30 year olds typically catered for those that were not married and on the search for ‘sun, sand and sea’, not particularly featuring the authenticity or culture of a destination in their visit.” 

Many destinations that were once known as ‘party havens’ have adjusted their tourism strategies to appeal to more responsible travelers post-COVID-19. Examples can be found in actions from respective destination marketing organizations (DMOs) in Amsterdam, Prague, Mallorca and Barcelona, that are aiming to adjust their destination images encouraging more sustainable tourism post-COVID-19.

Bonhill-Smith adds: “COVID-19 has accelerated many changes for the travel sector. Party package holidays were already declining in both demand and supply pre-pandemic and therefore this is another area where COVID-19 is likely to have accelerated change. The re-opening of venues that hold mass crowds including nightclubs, events and festivals remains uncertain. Thailand’s Bangkok is recognized as an ultimate party destination, but the government recently closed 196 nightlife venues throughout April amid a new cluster of COVID-19 cases. While this move is not permanent, demand for nightlife is likely to be reduced in the longer term due to ongoing fears around COVID-19.

“Many destinations are simply focusing on how to resume domestic and international travel safely. The concept of holding mass groups of boozy tourists, all adhering to social distancing rules seems extremely uncertain and potentially off-putting for destinations, meaning the recovery of this type of tourism is unlikely for the foreseeable future.”

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Event | Ramadan Special Offerings at ITC Royal Bengal & ITC Sonar

Ramadan Special Offerings at ITC Royal Bengal & ITC Sonar

Embrace the spirit of Ramadan, as you savor a wide selection of mindfully curated exquisite dishes by our master chefs for your well-being.

The caringly selected delights for iftaari feature traditional delicacies in the ‘Ruhaniyat’ edition of Gourmet Couch and Biryani & Pulao Collection including delectable treats from Nutmeg- The Gourmet Shop. The offer is available till 16th May 2021

Gourmet Couch a curated menu from globally acclaimed restaurants brings alive exquisite epicurean delights with signature preparations to suit discerning palates. The Ruhaniyat Edition by Gourmet Couch includes Seekh Gilafi Dum Pukht (Minced chicken kebab, laced with crispy juicy tomatoes and capsicum complimented with pungent green chilies and onions) and Galouti Kebab (Classic melt in mouth lamb kebab smoked with cloves and spiked with potli masala, slow-cooked on mahi tawa) served with laccha pyaaz, mint chutney, Khajoor and B Natural juices. The main course includes Murgh Handi Qorma (Boneless drumsticks of chicken simmered in brown onion, garlic and yoghurt gravy. Perfumed with saffron, rose water and garnish with almond silvers), Shahi Nehari (Prime cuts of lamb cooked overnight on low heat in a sealed handi with seasonal vegetables and aromatic herbs sprinkled with mace and cardamom), Bibi ka Murgh Pulao (This spring chicken and long-grained basmati rice pulao is flavoured with aromatic spices and generous amounts of slow-cooked onions that both tinge and enrich this preparation), Haleem (A traditional recipe dating back in time, this preparation is made with ground wheat, lamb lentils and select spices), Dal Bukhara (A harmonious blend of black lentils, tomatoes, ginger and garlic simmered overnight on slow charcoal fire finished with cream and served with a dollop of unsalted butter) accompanied with Mirch Baingan Ka Salan, Laccha Paratha and Dessert Seviyon ka Muzzafar (A classic dessert of saffron-infused vermicelli, doused in sugar syrup and drizzled with almonds and cashew. 

Ruhaniyat by Gourmet Couch is available as a Box for two at Rs 3250 plus taxes, a Box for Four at Rs 6200 plus taxes and a Box for 6 at Rs 9000 plus taxes from 4:30pm to 11:30 hours 

Biryani & Pulao Collection by ITC Hotels brings together a fine curation of authentic recipes and culinary classics perfected by our master chefs. The Ruhaniyat Edition by Biryani & Pulao Collection is available from 11:30 am to midnight and offers a choice of any one chicken delicacy and one mutton signature for a box for two at Rs 1800 plus taxes and choice of any two chicken delicacies and any two mutton signature at Rs 3200 plus taxes for a Box for four. The Mutton Signatures includes Keema Pulao, Gosht Bohri Biryani, Metiabruz Biryani and Serai ki Biryani while the Chicken Delicacies includes Bibi ka Murgh Pulao and Konaseema Kodi Pulao.  Each Biryani (chicken/ mutton) is an ideal meal for one with a choice of either Mirch Baingan ka Salan or any one of the three raitas: Anar Kheera Raita/ Onion Pachadi/ Sarson Raita. Complete your meal with Murgh Shammi Kebab, one of India’s most popular desserts Gulab Jamun and B Natural Juice with our compliments. The menu comes with dietary indicators, enabling diners to pre-advice on allergy ingredients.

The Festive Offerings from Nutmeg includes a Signature Ramadan Collection in a Box of 18 with 6 variants of Tahini & Rose Halva, Almond and Saffron Ashrafi, Chocolate dipped Dates with Cashew Marzipan, Apricot & Pumpkin Seed Nankhatai, Jamun & Blackberry Halva and Walnut & Orange Blossom Kunafa at Rs 1999 plus taxes, Tahini & Rose Halva (Box of 9) at Rs 999 plus taxes, Almond & Saffron Ashrafi (Box of 9) at Rs 999 plus taxes, Chocolate dipped dates with Cashew Marzipan (Box of 9) at Rs 999 plus taxes and Jamun & Blackberry Halva (Box of 9) at Rs 999 plus taxes. Avaialble from 11 am to 9:00 pm.

A lot of thought has been put in the packaging after study of factors such as temperature, distance traveled, mode of transport, consumption techniques, re-heating norms and more. The food is packed in environment-friendly corrugated paper boxes.

Ruhaniyat Collection is available on prominent food aggregator’s platform, Zomato, Eazy Diner & Swiggy. In addition, the collection can be ordered via the ITC Hotels App and Takeaway option. All deliveries will be enabled via ITC Hotels’ in-house car fleet with the ‘SAFE Car Promise’. The special take-out counter at each ITC Hotel has also been enhanced with hand sanitizers and thermometers to corroborate the health parameters of local food delivery partners. ITC Royal Bengal & ITC Sonar have also enabled ‘no contact’ deliveries on all pre-paid orders and has implemented stringent measures and protocols, including mandatory temperature checks for all Chefs and Food & Beverage associates as part of its safe 'WeAssure' program.

For further details please call 033 44464646

NEWS | Mercure Hyderabad KCP 5th Year Anniversary Celebrations

20th April ‘2021, Hyderabad: Mercure Hyderabad KCP celebrated its 5th anniversary with its associates. The hotel which is part of Accor Group has been the pioneer in offering local experiences to its guest in since its inception and has successfully set new standards of hospitality in the City of Nizams. 

Mercure Hyderabad KCP had a wonderful journey over the last five years marked with many glorious milestones including distinguished awards, events, movie promotions, well-appreciated food festivals, and many more to keep the momentum going and charting new heights of success. Mercure Hyderabad KCP was awarded by Hotel Investment Conference South Asia (HICSA) as the “Best New Hotel of The Year” award in the mid-market segment. Also, the hotel was honored as the “Best Debut City Hotel” at the India Hospitality Awards - West & South. Mercure Hyderabad KCP has also been honored by Telangana Tourism as a winner for their extraordinary showcase of local cuisine by way of Telangana FoodFestival. 

For the celebration of the 5th anniversary, Mercure Hyderabad KCP has unveiled exclusive offers and unique experiences for guests and travelers. The hotel offers a birthday staycation package, the birthday person will be offered an exclusive 50% discount on staycation and for dining a group of 5 guests 1 dines free (Offer valid for lunch and dinner). Make a reservation and mention the Anniversary Package to the hotel associate to enjoy these discounts.  The guests can enjoy a range of authentic traditional and international cuisines to cocktail and wine specialties. 

Speaking on the joyous moment, Soumitra Pahari, General Manager, Mercure Hyderabad KCP said, “We are happy and delighted to pay tribute to an extraordinary past, it has been a wonderful journey for us over the last five years. We thank our guests, our management associates, shareholders, and team for the wonderful support all through the years. To celebrate this occasion and to express our appreciation towards our guests, we have unveiled special offers for guests. We continue to celebrate and aim for a bigger milestone in the future” 

About Mercure Hyderabad KCP -

Mercure is a rare midscale brand that combines the strength of an international network with genuine and local hospitality experiences. The brand’s unwavering commitment to quality ensures a consistent and reliable standard of service at every Mercure around the world, while the design of each hotel reflects the distinct character and culture of its location. Going beyond the ordinary for business and leisure travelers, Mercure team members are known for their passion, enthusiasm, and warmth, sharing their knowledge of the local scene, providing insider tips, and entertaining guests with tales of history and local folklore. Mercure hotels are conveniently located in city centers, by the sea, or in the mountains, with more than 810 hotels in 60+ countries.

Mercure is part of Accor, a world-leading augmented hospitality group offering unique experiences in 5000 hotels and residences across 110 countries.

NEWS | Fortune Hotels lands in Hubballi with an airport hotel

Fortune Park Hotels Limited, the wholly-owned subsidiary of ITC Ltd, now has six hotels with 671 rooms across four cities in Karnataka.

Fortune Hotels, a member of ITC’s hotel group, announced the opening of its first hotel in the historic town of Hubballi, Karnataka making it their sixth hotel alliance in the State.

Marking the celebrations, Samir MC, Managing Director, Fortune Park Hotels Limited, said, “We are delighted to bring the Fortune Park brand to the progressive and culturally rich city of Hubballi. Located close to the airport, we are confident that the hotel will see great success as it offers a branded alternative and best-in-class guest experience to city residents as well as our existing customers traveling to the twin cities of Hubli-Dharwad, for both business and leisure.”

Joining him for the launch of Fortune Park Airport Road Hubballi was Dhananjay Saliankar, Head – Sales & Marketing and Govindappa B. Dandagi, the proprietor of the hotel. With this inauguration, Fortune Hotels now has an operating portfolio of 39 hotels across 34 cities of India.

An iconic city landmark, Fortune Park Airport Road Hubballi is strategically located opposite the Hubballi airport, offering easy access to corporate establishments, key shopping areas and other important monuments of the city.

The newly launched property can host corporate events, weddings and social gatherings the stellar hotel has 4800 sq. ft. of versatile banquet spaces along with around 15,000 sq. ft. of lush green party lawns to add to the charm. Its modern banquet halls come with a spacious pre-function area, dedicated entry, and ample parking. The hotel also features two well-equipped board rooms ideal for corporate meetings, presentations, brainstorming sessions, and discussions.

Well connected by rail, road and air, the hotel is 428 km away from Bangalore and 20 km from Dharwad. It also offers easy access to Belgaum (98 kms), Hampi (150 kms), and Goa (155 kms).

With this addition, Fortune Park Hotels Limited, the wholly-owned subsidiary of ITC Ltd, now has 6 hotels with 671 rooms across 4 cities in Karnataka.

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Lords Hotels and Resorts expands its footprint in Gujarat with the signing of Lords Eco Inn at Amreli

Lords Hotels and Resorts expands its footprint in Gujarat with the signing of Lords Eco Inn at Amreli

Lords Hotels and Resorts has announced the signing of Lords Eco Inn at Amreli. With this, the hotel has expanded its footprint in Gujarat.

With the demand for hotel rooms outpacing supply, the hotel chain is not only aiming at increasing its foot-prints at a faster rate but is also looking to venture into new geographies and focus on niche segments.

Amreli is well known for scenic beauty, historical monuments, edible oil mills, cotton mills, cement industries and electrical equipment factories to mention a few. Lords Eco Inn is equipped with 37 rooms, 42 cover multi-cuisine Blue Coriander and 2 banquet halls with a total capacity to cater to 1400 people.

Commenting on the occasion Pushpendra Bansal, COO – Lords Hotels and Resorts stated “We are delighted to announce our latest venture in Amreli. Lords Eco Inn will engage guests in one of the finest hospitality in India.  Amreli has emerged as a vibrant destination thus offering tremendous scope for the hospitality industry to grow.

The promoters of Lords Eco Inn said “There was a pressing need for a branded hotel of this caliber in this location and we found Lords Hotels and Resorts to be the best partner for the project.”

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NEWS | Marriott Bonvoy along with Mumbai Indians introduce unique experiences for IPL season for its members

After a successful year of creating unforgettable memories for its members, Marriott Bonvoy, the globally awarded loyalty program by Marriott International, announces an exclusive series of experiences in store for Marriott Bonvoy members during the upcoming cricket season for the second year running. As part of its multi-year partnership with Mumbai Indians, Marriott Bonvoy will launch once-in-a-lifetime exclusive Marriott Bonvoy moments, the program’s experiential platform, with players and legends - including the opportunity to travel with members of the team for a holiday getaway.

Marriott Bonvoy members will be able to use their points to bid for fun and exciting experiences for their families including coaching clinics for their kids. In addition, members also have the opportunity to go live on a social media channel with the Mumbai Indians and bid for signed memorabilia. One of the top highlights for members is the chance to bid on a once-in-a-lifetime holiday experience with the Mumbai Indians’ players at a Marriott property in India.

As part of this partnership, the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio of hotels across the country will roll out the blue carpet in anticipation of the upcoming cricket festivities with themed décor and gastronomic delights inspired by the Mumbai Indians. The special F&B menu themed around the game will be available to order and relish across hotels, or guests also have the option of home deliveries through “Marriott on Wheels”. Enhancing the fun quotient, the hotels will also introduce staycation packages allowing guests to cheer for their favorite teams with friends and family amidst the comfort of good food and assured hospitality.

Commenting on the second year of the partnership, Neeraj Govil, Senior Vice President, Operations - APEC, Marriott International Inc. said, “The previous year saw members join in the celebration of cricket with much fervor and we are delighted to continue connecting guests with more of what they love. This year, we have further elevated the personalized engagement opportunities for Marriott Bonvoy members with the Mumbai Indians players. From a chance to go live on social media channels with their favorite player to availing of a family getaway with them, the events have been curated to offer unforgettable experiences that come only with a Marriott Bonvoy membership.”

Mumbai Indians Spokesperson said, “It has been a fulfilling year for us with Marriott Bonvoy. Our multi-year partnership started off last year amidst testing times for the world, aiming to spread smiles across geographies. They have been able to amplify the enriching experiences that we aim to provide our fans through their exciting program and activations.”

Marriott Bonvoy members will be able to directly redeem their points through the Marriott Bonvoy MomentsTM platform to closely feel the euphoria of engaging with their sporting idols and relish the distinctive hospitality across hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program. Enrolment to Marriott Bonvoy is complimentary (a mere 3 click process to follow) via Marriott.com.

As a Loyalty Partner for the Mumbai Indians, the Marriott Bonvoy logo will feature on the upper right side-chest of the Mumbai Indians jersey. Marriott Bonvoy branding will also appear prominently on ground-level perimeter boards, giant screens, and LED Walls for home matches.

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NEWS | Bihar Tourism cancels all April events amid spike in Covid cases

Bihar Tourism Department has cancelled all events planned for April and is considering revising events planned for May amid the spike in Covid-19 cases, reports Roopa Sopam for Hindustan Times.

As per this year’s calendar released by the department, Patna Sahib Festival, to be held on the occasion of Vaishakhi on April 13, has been cancelled. Later in the month, Vaishali Mahotsav, which was planned for April 25, has also been cancelled. The Department has been hosting the mahotsav for decades to mark birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir.

Besides this, events such as Kundalpur Mahotsav in Nalanda, Lacchuar Mahotsav at Lacchuar in Jamui, Thawe Mahotsav in Gopalganj and Mundeshwari Mahotsav in Bhabua, also scheduled for this month, have been cancelled.

“The events have been cancelled due to the growing Covid threat. No tourism festival will be held in April. The government has already issued guidelines for public functions,” State Tourism Minister Narayan Prasad said.

The Ministry is yet to take a call on events planned for May. Prasad said though there are prescribed precautions to be taken to stop the spread of coronavirus infection, it will be difficult to keep things under control during such public functions.

“Even the programme of Union tourism minister Prahlad Singh Patel has been revised due to Covid. He was to visit west Champaran to attend the Azaadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav on April 10. Now, the programme has been postponed to May 1,” he said.

In 2020 as well, the state had to cancel a majority of events because of the pandemic. Mukesh Kumar, manager at a hotel run by the Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation, said, “Events such as Buddha Purnima, Rajgir Mahotsav and Sonepur fair had to be cancelled.” (Source: Hindustan Times)

Appointments | Nithilavalavan Baskar joins Park Hyatt Chennai as Director of Food & Beverage

Baskar will be responsible for the entire Food & Beverage operations of Park Hyatt Chennai and delivering a unique, worldly, and sophisticated approach to food and wine.

Nithilavalavan Baskar has been appointed as Director of Food & Beverage at Park Hyatt Chennai. A native of Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu he holds a Diploma in Hotel Management and Catering Technology.

With his strong Food & Beverage understanding and fresh insights, Baskar will be responsible for the entire Food & Beverage operations of Park Hyatt Chennai and delivering a unique, worldly, and sophisticated approach to food and wine.

Baskar began his career in 2008 with The Oberoi Amarvilas and then went on to work with brands like Madinat Jumeirah, ITC Hotels, Alila Hotels, and The Leela. He joined the Hyatt family in 2017 at Grand Hyatt Goa as Assistant Director of Food & Beverage, which was also his last assignment.

In his leisure time, he enjoys biking and adventure sports.

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