Proposals invited for two eco tourism projects near Punjab's Ranjit Sagar Lake

Valued at around INR 550 crore, the state government proposes to set up both projects in public private partnership mode

The Punjab state government plans to set up two eco-tourism projects around Ranjit Sagar Lake in Pathankot district. Considered to be around INR 550 crore, it will be set up in public-private partnership (PPP) mode.

Officials at Punjab Infrastructure Development Board (PIDB) stated that the Nalok Tikka Pilangi lake front site is spread over 56.22 acres, while the Kulara Island measures over 18.54 acres. The respective project costs, as per the project proposal, are INR 448 crore and INR 105 crore, totaling more than INR 550 crore.

The selected bidder would also need to pay an upfront premium of INR 25 crore and INR 12 crore for the Palangi and Kurala island project respectively. Interested parties can bid for both the project sites through a single stage two-packet system. The last date of bid submission is 30th June 2021.

As per the proposal draft request, the selected bidder would be required to pay an annual concession fee of INR 3.56 crore for Palangi project and INR 2.65 crore for Kulara island project for 60 years, after which the projects would be handed over to the Punjab government.

The Amritsar Development Authority is the implementing agency for this project. Alongwith the Department of Housing & Urban Development it intends to select agencies for development of the infrastructure of the 74.76 acre area. Officials claimed that both land parcels have pre-approved environment clearance, Stage-1 forest clearance, a clear land title and is free of encroachment. A Stage-2 forest clearance would be applied for once the bidder is selected.

As per the terms and conditions of the projects, the Palangi project is to be constructed within a period of six years and Kulara island project within three years. The eco-tourism project details of Pilangi and Kulara island indicate that it will include an interpretation centre cum convention centre, eco-friendly accommodation villas, eco resort rooms, nature zone, Greens, Support facilities such as facility blocks (reception/dining/gym/club,driver/staff facilities, utilities, boating deck), roads and parking sites.

The project site would have a road connectivity of 25 km from National Highway 1 A that leads to Kashmir valley. It will be 30 km away from Pathankot railway station, 40 km from Pathankot Civil Airport and 155 km from Amritsar Internation Airport.

Source

NRAI seeks CCI intervention into Swiggy, Zomato ‘anti-competitive’ practices

NRAI has asked the Competition Commission of India (CCI) to investigate multiple issues, including deep discounting, data masking and violation of platform neutrality by the restaurant aggregators.

National Restaurants Association of India (NRAI) has sought the intervention of India’s anti-monopoly watchdog to resolve what it alleged were “anti-competitive practices” followed by Zomato and Swiggy, in a fresh salvo against the online food delivery platforms over a long-standing dispute between both sides.

NRAI, which represents over 500,000 restaurants across the country, has asked the Competition Commission of India (CCI) to investigate multiple issues, including deep discounting, data masking and violation of platform neutrality by the restaurant aggregators.

“During the (Covid-19) pandemic, the magnitude of anti-competitive practices of Zomato and Swiggy have increased manifold and despite numerous discussions with them, these deep funded marketplace platforms are not interested in alleviating concerns of the restaurants,” NRAI said in a statement on Monday.

“We have been in constant dialogue with foodservice aggregators over the last 15-18 months to resolve critical issues impacting the sector. However, we have not been able to resolve these issues; we have therefore approached the CCI now to look into the matter and investigate them thoroughly,” Anurag Katriar, president of NRAI, said.

NEWS | Carnival Cruise Line Returns To Guest Operations From PortMiami, Bolstering Local Economic Impact

Carnival Cruise Line Returns To Guest Operations From PortMiami, Bolstering Local Economic Impact

MIAMI, July 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Carnival Cruise Line kicked off its first cruise from in almost 16 months from PortMiami, The Cruise Capital of the World, today with the departure of Carnival Horizon, providing a significant boost to the local economy and the tens of thousands of jobs in South Florida that are supported by the cruise industry.

Carnival's resumption of service in Miami provides guests with a much-anticipated vacation and is a further boost to the economy both locally and throughout the state.  Florida is number one in the nation in cruise embarkations with the cruise industry contributing more than $9 billion in direct purchases and responsible for over 159,000 jobs.  In Miami-Dade alone, cruise activity generates approximately $7 billion of spend and 40,000 jobs annually.  Of the 437,000 cruise industry-supported jobs in the USA, nearly 37% are in Florida.

Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy, Carnival Corporation President and CEO Arnold Donald and Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald kicked off the festivities with a ribbon-cutting ceremony officially welcoming guests on board.  Prior to Duffy's remarks, a moment of silence was held to honor those affected by the tragedy in Surfside.

"PortMiami is our number one homeport in terms of ships and passenger embarkations and today's return to cruising with Carnival Horizon represents an important first step in getting our company back to business while infusing much-needed capital to the thousands of workers who rely on the cruise industry for their livelihood," said Duffy.  "The past year has been challenging to say the least and I wish to thank our state and local officials, PortMiami, and our business partners and suppliers for their incredible support and patience during this time."

 "The restart of cruise ships from Miami is an exciting day for Miami's longshoremen.  We have approximately 800 members at PortMiami and their wages dropped as much as 80% during the nearly 16-month cruise suspension.  Today with Carnival Horizon's first sailing, we get back to work and look forward to supporting our families again," said Torin Ragin, president, International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) Local 1416.

Carnival Horizon will set sail today at 4 p.m. for a six-day cruise with stops in Amber Cove (Dominican Republic) and the private Bahamian island of Half Moon Cay.

In addition to Carnival Horizon's departure this afternoon, Carnival Vista departed Galveston yesterday, with Carnival Breeze departing from Galveston July 15 and Carnival Miracle kicking off the line's Alaska season from Seattle July 27. Mardi Gras, the line's newest ship, sets sail from Port Canaveral July 31.  Other ships in the Carnival fleet will begin service in August.

Hi- and low-res images of today's event are available here.  A video broll package is available here.   

For additional information on Carnival Cruise Line and to book a cruise vacation, call 1-800-CARNIVAL, visit www.carnival.com, or contact your favorite travel advisor or online travel site.

About Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line is proud to be known as America's Cruise Line with a total of 24 ships, sailing from 14 U.S. homeports and employing more than 40,000 team members from 120 nationalities.  The line's newest and most innovative ship, Mardi Gras, featuring the first roller coaster at sea and the first in the Americas powered by eco-friendly Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) starts sailing from Port Canaveral, Fla., on July 31, 2021.  As part of its 50th Birthday festivities, Carnival Celebration, sister ship to Mardi Gras, is scheduled to debut in late 2022 from PortMiami.

NEWS | P&O Cruises Australia Extends Cruising Pause Until Mid-December

P&O Cruises Australia Extends Cruising Pause Until Mid-December

MIAMI, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- P&O Cruises Australia today extended its pause in cruise operations by a further three months until 17 December 2021 because of ongoing uncertainty around a pathway to resume Australia-only cruising.

The extension to P&O's voluntary pause applies to cruises scheduled to depart from 17 September to on or before the new date of 17 December 2021.

The cruise industry has been discussing a framework for the re-start of domestic-only cruising with government and public health authorities since last October.

"These discussions have been underway for some time and we look forward to the opportunity to agree on a pathway for starting cruises that carry Australian residents on Australian itineraries," P&O Cruises Australia President Sture Myrmell said.

"This is about the livelihoods of the thousands of individuals and small businesses, many family-owned businesses, who rely on the cruise sector.

"These businesses cover a range of activities such as the supply of fresh food, entertainment, shore tours, coach operators, and marine engineering services.

"They are like every business in Australia – they need certainty, and I am concerned they may find it increasingly difficult to hang on without a clear pathway forward."

Guests whose bookings have been affected will be notified of the pause and options available either directly or via their appointed travel agent.

Mr Myrmell again thanked our guests for their loyalty, passion for cruising and continued words of encouragement.

"More than one million Australians cruised in Australia prior to the pandemic – and more than half of these guests sailed with P&O Cruises Australia," he said.

"We look forward to the day when a pathway is confirmed for cruising's return so that we can welcome everyone back on-board."

Guests can track the progress of their future cruise credit or refund request via the tracking tool found on P&O's website at www.pocruises.com.au.

SOURCE P&O Cruises AU

Surat Marriott Hotel opens doors to its 3rd restaurant -Vintage Asia -Tastes of Asia

Vintage Asia delivers a sensorial dining experience with its ‘Teppanyaki tales of taste’ and exquisite Asian flavours.

Witness an immersive and splendid dining experience showcasing the exotic ‘Tastes of Asia’ as Surat Marriott hotel unveils their specialty Pan-Asian restaurant ‘Vintage Asia’.

For the first time, Surat will experience Teppanyaki-style cuisine inspired by the celebrated culinary heritage of Asia, featuring a menu that is quintessentially Asian with decadent twists.

Teppanyaki- derived from the words ‘teppan’ (iron plate) and ‘yaki’ (grilled, boiled or pan-fried) - literally means ‘grilling on an iron plate’. Vintage Asia serves a range of Asian delicacies like Sushi and Sashimi, Dimsums, Tom Kha soup, Laksa soup, Udon noodles, Kafir lime crème Brulee, Tab Tim gob and Sweet sticky rice among others.

Vintage Asia will be pioneering performance-oriented exciting and theatrical cooking style, giving the guests a unique, mesmerizing, and one-of-a-kind dining experience!

Chef de Cuisine – Chef Mingwal and his team have crafted a menu that can be savored and enjoyed - presented and performed with finesse and flair.

The entire dining affair will be an enthralling offering to behold, featuring a bouquet of progressive Asian selections that blend the flavors, and essence of cuisine paired with dynamic theatrical cooking techniques. 

The ambiance boasts of an inviting vibe that is modern, alluring, and welcoming; crafted with a combination of vibrant contemporary lines and textured wooden traces.

 On this momentous launch, Amit Mehta, Area Director & General Manager, Surat Marriott hotel said, “We at Surat Marriott have constantly strived to craft unparalleled experiences for our guests, that are embedded as extraordinary memories. With Vintage Asia our skilled team has carefully curated a menu that combines a creative style of cooking with unique Asian flavours and exotic fresh produce. We look forward to serving the most delectable cuisine to the city of Surat in a very vibrant atmosphere. 

Tourism industry''s share in GDP falls 120 bps to 4.7 pc in 2020 due to pandemic impact: Report

The share of the travel and tourism sector in the GDP reduced by 120 basis points to 4.7 per cent in 2020, from 6.9 per cent in 2019, due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic that led to a de-growth of over 36 per cent in the sector, according to a report.

Quoting data from the World Travel and Tourism Council, SBI Research in a report said contribution of the travel and tourism sector to GDP went down from 6.9 per cent in 2019 to 4.7 per cent in 2020.

The first wave of the pandemic led to a whopping 36.3 per cent de-growth in the the travel and tourism sector, according to the report.

This has led to the number of jobs going down from 4.01 crore in 2019 to 3.18 crore in 2020, indicating a 20.8 per cent decline in employment, indicating the massive hit the sector took in the year, it added.

The major revenue for the tourism sector comes from domestic travellers, which in 2019 stood at 82 per cent and increased to 89 per cent in 2020, as airlines were not allowed to operate scheduled commercial flights, the report said.

To boost international travel, on the demand of industry, the government on Monday announced free tourist visas till the end of March 2022, or till five lakh visas are issued, whichever is earlier.

The overall expenditure is expected to be Rs 100 crore on free visas, the report said.

The government had on Monday extended 100 per cent credit guarantee of Rs 10 lakh to each agency for 904 travel and tourism stakeholders recognised by the Union tourism ministry, as well as Rs 1 lakh per guide for 10,700 tourist guides licensed at regional or state level.

The Reserve Bank of India had earlier announced a special window for contact-intensive sectors like tourism. Loans will be provided with a 100 per cent guarantee and will cover 10,700 regional-level tourist guides recognised by the states. PTI BEN HRS hrs

Accor leads in Treebo’s INR 118 crore Series D funding round

Other participants include BCCL, Elevation Capital, Matrix Partners, Bertelsmann, Ward Ferry and Mozambique Holdings’ Deputy MD Deepak Parayanken

Treebo Hotels has raised Rs 118 crore ($16 million) in its Series D funding round from a group of investors, led by French hospitality major Accor. Other participants in this funding round included its existing investors – Elevation Capital, Matrix Partners, Bertelsmann and Ward Ferry.

Media company Bennett Coleman & Co. Ltd and Mozambique Holdings’ Deputy MD, Deepak Parayanken, also invested in the Bengaluru-based hotel company. Nine months ago, Treebo had raised a bridge round of $6 million from its existing investors, including SAIF Partners.

Talking about this development Accor’s CTO Floor Bleeker, said, “We are delighted to partner with the talented team of Treebo. Their software solution, Hotel Superhero, is exactly the kind of technology that the hospitality industry needs today. It is cloud based, intuitively designed, and comprehensive in its functionalities. We are looking forward to using their solutions to improve guest experience and operational efficiency.”

Accor had engaged with Treebo for investment opportunities for close to two years, though this did not materialise. The French hospitality major’s recent investment in the budget hotel chain is part of its broader partnership under which Treebo will deploy its cloud-based, SaaS hotel management software (HMS), Hotel Superhero, at various Accor hotels globally. The software is already operational at select Accor properties, Treebo said in a statement.

Hotel Superhero is an integrated HMS for hospitality chains and standalone hotels, which Treebo relaunched last year. It includes modules like property management, point of sale, rate planning and inventory management, housekeeping, and guest assist. Treebo’s SVP for engineering, Mayank Khandelwal, will head this business unit.

Sidharth Gupta, Rahul Chaudhary and Kadam Jeet Jain co-founded Treebo in 2015 as a tech-enabled manchised aggregator for budget hotels. It currently manages a network of over 500 hotels across 100 cities in India.

News| Goa's Club Tito's Sold Off, Owner Announces In Emotional Post; Says 'tired Of Harassment

Established in 1971, Goa's most iconic club, Tito's has been sold off, announced Ricardo Joseph D'Souza, whose family owns the club, in an emotional post

Established in 1971, one of Goa's most iconic clubs, Tito's has been sold off, announced Ricardo Joseph D Souza, whose family owns the club, in an emotional post on Facebook on Monday. Labelling it as the 'end of an era,' D Souza attributed the sellout to harassment meted out to Club Tito's at the hands of officials including the police, the excise, MLAs and others. However, in the same post, D Souza thanked CM Pramod Sawant, IAS officers and people of Goa for contributing to Tito's. 

Speaking to a local news channel, Tito's outgoing owner clarified that he had nothing against the present sarpanch of Calangute or IAS officers who, he said had been “brilliant”, adding that the the “crab mentality” of local Goan officials had made it increasingly difficult for Goan businesses to continue. Narrating the ordeal faced by businesses, D Souza claimed that several departments of the government including IT and GST strive to shut down businesses by harassment. 

Proudly asserting that he is a nationalist, Ricardo D'souza stated that Tito's does not evade tax and that he was the one who sued the Queen of England to bring back the Kohinoor diamond. While he did not disclose who the buyer of Tito's is, there are reports indicating that a Punjab-based casino operator has bought the iconic club. It is unclear whether the new owner will persist with the brand and the usual setting of the club in Calangute. Meanwhile, Ricardo D'souza has said that the family has plans to set up operations in Toronto, Dubai, parts of Ukraine, and Africa and also spread Tito's franchise across India.

According to the club's official website, over the years since it was established in 1971, the club has played over 87,600 hours of music, hosted 16,425 parties and on average had 90,000 visitors every month.

DESIGN | New Look Naladhu Private Island Maldives to Relaunch in November

Naladhu Private Island, the exclusive luxury island resort in the Maldives, has closed for six months for a complete renovation and is due to relaunch in November with an impressive new look and feel. The resort will undergo a total redesign with all the accommodation and public areas including the restaurant, bar, wine cellar, spa room and gym receiving a complete new look.

Naladhu Private Island Maldives - Ocean House with Pool and Private Cabana - Bathroom

• Located in the South Malé Atoll, Naladhu is just 30 minutes by luxury speedboat from Malé’s international airport

• Naladhu is home to just 20 keys, offering the ultimate in privacy and seclusion

• New York based designer Yuji Yamazaki is redesigning the resort, which will reopen with a modern colonial look

• The resort’s top suite, the Two Bedroom Pool Residence, will have its own 20 meter private beach

• Butler service is offered Naladhu-style by a Kuwaanu, meaning ‘storyteller/guide’ in Dhiveli, the Maldivian language

• Each Ocean House will have its own private beach cabana, so guests also have the option to relax on their super king-sized day bed on the beach and enjoy drinks and snacks delivered by their Kuwaanu

• Naladhu will be expanding its no-menu dine anywhere concept, enabling guests to choose their favorite dishes and dining spots round the clock

• The resort will be renewing its focus on wellness with a new dedicated spa treatment area including a double treatment room and bathing and changing area, plus a resident Naturopath and Nutritional Therapist

Appointment | Anantara Iko Mauritius announces appointment of new General Manager

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Pascal Bertrand as the new General Manager at Anantara Iko Mauritius Resort & Villas.

Bringing over 35 years of luxury hospitality experience to his new position, Pascal joins the Mauritius property, which opened in late 2019, to take it forward with his visionary leadership, which he has gained working with international brands in numerous regions.

NOESIS successfully transacts SUBA group and 1589 Hotels merger

The transaction sees SUBA hotels adding 35 hotels and resorts across India and Nepal to its existing portfolio of 15 Hotels spread across India & UAE with significant growth to come in South Asia & the Middle East.

NOESIS announced the hotel merger and acquisition of the year, with the SUBA group of hotels acquiring a significant majority stake in 1589 Hotels. The transaction sees SUBA hotels adding 35 hotels and resorts across India and Nepal to its existing portfolio of 15 Hotels spread across India & UAE with significant growth to come in South Asia & the Middle East.

1589 Hotels operates hotels in the economy to mid-segment space predominantly in the offbeat leisure locations and tier-II & III cities. They are present in 22 cities such as Jaipur, Lucknow, Jim Corbett, Ranthambore, Dalhousie, Ajmer, Pushkar, Udaipur, Mirzapur, Vadodara, Bhavnagar, and others under the Genx and RNB brands. It also operates several properties in Nepal. The company will continue with its asset-light approach to hotel management.

NOESIS acted as an exclusive transaction advisor and Nandivardhan Jain, CEO of NOESIS led the transaction with an internal team. Entire transaction was completed in three months including the execution of the definitive agreements.

Nandivardhan Jain, CEO - Noesis Capital Advisors said, “The opportunity to acquire 1589 Hotels which have operations across India & Nepal attracted the SUBA group of Hotels. This transaction reflects great Indian entrepreneurialism creating a sustainable conversion-friendly hotel management platform suiting independent hotel owners and domestic traveler’s requirements. The acquisition of this platform will enable SUBA Hotels to fast track its growth across South Asia.”

NOESIS Capital Advisors, Asia's largest Hospitality transaction advisory company currently mandated for more than 12000 plus keys for operator search assignment on the lease, revenue sharing, management, and franchise contract. NOESIS is also working on an exclusive buy-side mandate from the family office and special situation funds to invest 1.5 billion dollars in distressed hospitality assets in South Asia.

INITIATIVE | ibis hotels have joined hands with The Robin Hood Army

ibis hotels along with The Robin Hood Army is extending their support to the community by providing meals to the less privileged.

Empathy is the need of the hour: Sylvain Laroche

ibis hotels have joined hands with The Robin Hood Army to extend their support to the community by providing meals to the less privileged. Through this initiative, ibis aims to deliver over 5000 meals every month across Delhi, Gurgaon, Jaipur, Nashik, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Kolkata.

“13 hotels from the ibis network have partnered with the local Robin Hood Army representatives to deliver cooked wholesome nutritious meals packed in biodegradable material to the needy. These meals are specially cooked for this initiative,” Sylvain Laroche, Director of Operations, ibis & ibis Styles, India informed ET HospitalityWorld.

In many cities ibis employees are delivering these meals themselves as some of the Robin Hood Army representatives were affected by Covid-19. This gave the employees an opportunity to go that extra mile.

“These are exceptionally challenging times, but we feel confident that as a community, we can get through this together,” said Laroche adding that as we recover from the deadly second wave of the pandemic, it is important to support each other and the community. “Empathy is the need of the hour. As an organization that prioritizes the safety and wellbeing of its guests and employees, we are doing everything we can to support those who need us,” he said.

The Robin Hood Army is zero funds, volunteer-based organization that has thousands of young professionals and citizens who have taken to the streets in their free time to fight global hunger, the team collects surplus food from restaurants and distributes it to the less fortunate.

“It makes me very proud to see our team members who continue to push their limits every day and have gone out of their way to help those who need us the most at this time,” Laroche mentioned.

In some cities, the ibis hotel teams are also doing their bit by distributing meals to frontline workers, traffic police who are working tirelessly round the clock. Few hotels have also associated with local NGOs to extend support to Covid-19 patients, nursing homes, and the needy.

Source

HRAWI Holds Online Training On FSSAI’s COVID19 Focused FoSTaC Programme

 The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI) in association with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) recently conducted a COVID-19 focused Online Food Safety Supervisory Training in Advance Catering (FoSTaC) programme. The programme was created especially, for personnel employed in hotels and restaurants so that they are fully equipped with the required information to ensure guest safety and hygiene during the pandemic.

The course covered all the basic principle rules of personal hygiene and also introduced some special provisions to cover any emergencies. The programme stressed on the need for designated Special Officers in case of a COVID-19 emergency. Among other safety protocols to be followed, the trainees were imparted in-depth info on guest handling, kitchen best practices including man power planning and chefs’ responsibilities. 40 Hospitality personnel were trained under the programme which was conducted in collaboration with Parikshan.

“Among the several places open to public, hotels and restaurants are by far the safest and most hygienic spaces. HRAWI wants it members to be doubly cautious and fully prepared for any contingencies. The programme was organised to enable people working in hotels and restaurants to not only ensure guest safety but also their own. The programme was developed by FSSAI especially for the purpose and we are glad that there was proactive participation from our members for this programme. The trainer - Dr Pashupathy is an expert in the field and imparted in-depth knowledge on the finer nuances of food handling and safety to the participants,” says Mr Sherry Bhatia, President, HRAWI.

The programme also covered processes on scheduled housekeeping and disinfections procedures, and the role of Human Resources in a Hospitality establishment. The HRAWI has successfully trained and certified 1675 hospitality professionals across India’s Western region.

About Hotel & Restaurant Association Western India (HRAWI)

The Hotel and Restaurant Association (Western India) is a 71 years old Association of Hotels and Restaurants in Western India. Its members include various restaurants and smaller Hotels up to 5-Star Deluxe categories. The bulk of its members like any growth economy are made up of restaurants and budget hotels. With membership base spread across Western India, HRAWI covers Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Goa and the Union Territories of Daman, Diu & Silvassa, and is considered to be the voice of the Hotel Industry. The association is part of the national body of Federation of the Hotels & Restaurants Associations of India (FHRAI), located in New Delhi, which was originally founded in Mumbai in 1950 by the late Mr J.R.D. Tata. 

NEWS | Avani Hotels Blends Retro Flair with Samui's Paradise Island Vibe in Chaweng

Avani Hotels Blends Retro Flair
with Samui's Paradise Island Vibe in Chaweng

It’s not only time to travel again – it’s time travelling back to the retro ’50s with Avani Hotels and Resorts latest resort on the popular Thai island of Koh Samui.

The brand new Avani Chaweng Samui Resort that is scheduled to launch by mid-2022 has a 50’s beach vibe seen in its geometric patterns and curves, mirrored furniture, abundant use of metallic and opulent fabrics. Keeping things modern, the retro space is decorated using contemporary materials and techniques, creating spaces that are ideal for relaxation and socializing in style.

So grab your longboards and head down to the beach with Avani!

A sneak peek of the upcoming resort:

The property will introduce all-new 76-room and suites, designed in 50’s vibe and elements.

The lobby will double as a check-in and social space to interact with other travelers.

A social pool hangout space and AvaniFit inspired gym to keep an active lifestyle for travelers.

The resort will enjoy exclusive access to the hottest club on the island - SEEN Beach Club Samui.

PRODUCT | HEALTHY, HEARTY, WHOLESOME; Introducing a New Menu at Bombay Baking Company, Mumbai’s Iconic Patisserie-Deli.

HEALTHY, HEARTY, WHOLESOME; 

Introducing a New Menu at Bombay Baking Company, 

Mumbai’s Iconic Patisserie-Deli.

Mumbai, 28th June 2021 – “Coffee and conversation” gets a whole new meaning as Bombay Baking Company, the much sought-after patisserie-deli at the JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu presents an all-new menu this season. 

The thoughtfully curated menu features nutritious breakfast bowls, all-time deli favorites, and fresh house-made  smoothies made with superfoods and immunity-boosting ingredients to offer flavorsome, power-packed meals. 

It’s the perfect place for a catch-up with friends or to just sit by yourself and indulge in your creative side. Delve into morning essentials such as Acai Bowl, Granola Yogurt Parfait and Omega Bowl which are sure to get your  creative juices flowing, and everyone’s favorite Pancakes and Waffles for that feel-good sweet indulgence. 

The menu also includes hearty and wholesome meals including BBCo. Signature Club Sandwich, Croissant  Sandwich, Lox and Bagel, Mushroom Bruschetta, Farmhouse Panini along with fresh, nutrition-packed  smoothies like Avocado & Blueberries, Beetroot & Banana, Date & Cinnamon, Avocado & Moringa and Spinach & Kale. What’s more, indulge in fresh treats from the oven such as Quiches, Danishes, Cruffins,  Cronuts, Brioches and more. 

Refresh your palate as you enjoy the ultimate Bombay Baking Company experience beginning 1st July, 2021. 

Bombay Baking Company New Menu  

▪ When : 1st July, 2021 onwards 

▪ Time : 9:00 am - 4:00 pm  

▪ Where to Buy: Bombay Baking Company, JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu  

To place your order, dial +91 22 6693 3344 / +91 90046 16506 or visit our social handles @jwmarriottjuhu  across Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. 

About JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts  

JW Marriott is part of Marriott International’s luxury portfolio and consists of beautiful properties in gateway  cities and distinctive resort locations around the world. These elegant hotels cater to today’s sophisticated,  self- assured travelers, offering them the quiet luxury they seek in a warmly authentic, relaxed atmosphere  lacking in pretense. JW Marriott properties artfully provide highly crafted, anticipatory experiences that are  reflective of their locale so that their guests have the time to focus on what is most important to them.  Currently, there are 70 JW Marriott hotels in 26 countries; by 2019 the portfolio is expected to encompass  more than 100 properties in over 30 countries. Visit us online, on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.  

About Marriott International, Inc  

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of more than 7,500 properties under 30 leading brands spanning 132 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.

New Opening | At 2,000 feet, Shanghai opens world's highest hotel

At 2,000 feet, Shanghai opens world's highest hotel

A restaurant on the 120th floor, yes you read that right, Shanghai has opened the world’s highest luxury restaurant, situated on the 120th floor of a skyscraper.

Apart from the height, this eatery named ‘J Hotel’ boasts of 24-hours personal butler service and is now open for the deep-pocketed guests in China.   

The restaurant is located in the city’s financial capital, at the top of 632-meter (around 2,000 feet) long Shanghai Tower, which is the world’s second-tallest building after Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

Guests are whizzed up in the blink of an eye. Elevators running at the speed of 18 meters per second take them up the intimidating skyscraper, to the J Hotel.

Although the hotel’s opening was delayed by the pandemic, it has now started receiving guests, calling on the services of a dedicated butler at all times of day and night.

Source

STR: Canada Hotel Performance For May 2021

HENDERSONVILLE, Tennessee — Canada’s hotel industry reported slightly lower performance from the previous month, according to STR’s May 2021 data.

While year-over-year percentage changes show significant increases because of comparison with a pandemic-affected period in 2020, the country’s performance levels remained well below the pre-pandemic comparable of May 2019

• Occupancy: 28.1% (-58.6%)

• Average daily rate (ADR): CAD113.40 (-32.0%)

• Revenue per available room (RevPAR): CAD31.87 (-71.9%)

“Despite subdued performance in May due to continued travel restrictions and lockdown measures, RevPAR increased in each of the first three weeks of June, signaling the start of recovery now that provincial travel restrictions are in the process of being lifted,” said Laura Baxter, CoStar Group’s director of hospitality analytics for Canada. CoStar Group is the parent company of STR.

As long as Canada keeps up the vaccine momentum and variants are controlled, hotel performance will continue to recover. Recovery will be led by pent-up leisure demand this summer. In Q3, we expect occupancy and ADR to reach 47% and CAD146, respectively, thus resulting in a 34% increase in RevPAR from Q3 2020. We anticipate a particularly strong recovery in smaller cities and resort hotels. Recovery in urban markets is expected to lag until corporate, group and international demand returns. Urban markets with large development pipelines will also experience downward pressure on recovery as new rooms are added to the inventory.”

“International demand plays an incredibly important role in the recovery process, and we expect a jump in hotel leisure and corporate demand once the U.S./Canada land border reopens. The relaxed quarantine requirements for those who are fully vaccinated is a step in the right direction. However, the catalyst for even stronger hotel performance recovery will be an extension of those loosened requirements for international travelers.”

Among the provinces and territories, Prince Edward Island recorded the lowest May occupancy level (16.8%), which was 71.5% below the pre-pandemic comparable.

Source

AIDA Cruises opens cruise season in Hamburg on July 31

After Kiel and Rostock-Warnemünde, AIDA Cruises today announced it will open the 2021 season at a third German cruise port, Hamburg, with AIDAmar on July 31. Every Saturday, the Hanseatic city will be the port of departure and destination for seven-day voyages initially sailing to the Dutch metropolises Amsterdam (Ijmuiden) and Rotterdam. In both ports AIDAmar will stay overnight, giving guests additional time for AIDA-organized shore excursions to the Dutch capital Amsterdam and the fashion and culture metropolis Rotterdam.

As soon as more destinations open for cruise tourism, the company intends to complement these voyages with calls at further ports.

Bookings for these new cruises between July 31 and October 16, 2021, start today, June 25.

New to the program of AIDA Cruises is a 40-day voyage in the Caribbean with AIDAsol from/to Hamburg between October 16 and November 25, 2021, followed by two 43-day “Great Caribbean Winter Break” voyages, also from/to Hamburg starting on November 25, 2021, and January 7, 2022. These two cruises were originally scheduled with AIDAvita.

All cruises are carried out in compliance with AIDA’s enhanced health and safety protocols, as well as applicable laws and regulations. More information is available at www.aida.de/sichererurlaub.

With the "AIDA Promise”, AIDA Cruises offers more flexibility, peace of mind and confidence when planning and booking vacations. Generous booking options are part of the offer, from low deposits to free rebooking. The "AIDA Promise" is already included in the travel price for new bookings up to July 31, 2021, and is valid for departures up to March 31, 2022.

All AIDA cruises can be booked at travel agencies, on the Internet at www.aida.de, and at the AIDA Customer Center.

Carnival Corporation Brands Resume Cruising in US, Caribbean and Europe

Eight of the corporation's world-leading cruise line brands - including US-based brands Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and Seabourn, as well as UK-based brands Cunard and P&O Cruises - are resuming guest operations with gradual, phased-in voyages and enhanced health protocols
Lineup of currently planned sailings represents 52% of corporation's total capacity and builds on recent restarts of its Germany-based AIDA Cruises and Italy-based Costa Cruises brands

Eight cruise line brands from Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), the world's largest cruise company, have announced plans to resume guest cruise operations, with AIDA Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, Cunard, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, P&O Cruises (UK) and Seabourn sailing in the United States, the Caribbean and Europe.

The brands are resuming operations using a gradual, phased-in approach, with sailings announced on 42 ships to date through the end of fiscal year 2021 (Nov. 30), representing 52% of the company's total capacity across its global fleet of 91 cruise ships. The initial cruises will take place with enhanced health protocols developed in conjunction with government and health authorities, and informed by guidance from the company's public health, epidemiological and policy experts.

Carnival Corporation's most recent brand restart announcements are summarized directly below, with a full list of initial restart plans by brand, ship and expected start date available further below. Additional brand updates on the resumption of guest cruise operations for the remainder of fiscal year 2021 will be announced as further restart plans are finalized.

North America Brands:

• Carnival Cruise Line has announced it will resume guest cruise operations with eight ships by the end of August, including sailings out of Galveston, Miami, Port Canaveral, Long Beach and Seattle (to Alaska). Included in that roster is Mardi Gras, the line's newest and most innovative ship, and first cruise ship in North America powered by eco-friendly liquefied natural gas (LNG), with sailings from Port Canaveral starting on July 31.

• Princess Cruises expects to resume guest cruise operations in July with Alaska sailings and a series of cruises around UK coastal waters, as well as cruises out of Los Angeles, San Francisco and Fort Lauderdale to the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Mexico, Hawaii and California coast starting in September.

• Holland America Line expects to resume guest cruise operations in July with Alaska sailings, followed by sailings from Greece in August, and from Italy and Spain in September, as well as sailings to Mexico, Hawaii, the California coast and the Caribbean this fall.

• Seabourn expects to resume guest cruise operations in July sailing from Greece and Barbados, along with the beginning of the Antarctica season in November.

Europe & Asia Brands:

• Costa Cruises resumed guest cruise operations in May with sailings in Italy and Greece, and is now offering sailings to France and Spain in July, followed by Portugal and Turkey in September.

• AIDA Cruises resumed guest cruise operations in March sailing in the Canary Islands, in May with sailings in Greece and Germany, and is now offering additional sailings out of Germany as well as sailings in Spain, Italy, Portugal and Malta from July, and the Persian Gulf from November.

• P&O Cruises (UK) will offer a series of cruises this summer sailing around UK coastal waters beginning in June, expanding to the Mediterranean and the Atlantic coast starting in September.

• Cunard will offer a series of cruises this summer sailing around UK coastal waters in July, followed by voyages to the Iberian coast and Canary Islands. In November, Queen Mary 2 returns to service with a combination of transatlantic crossings and Caribbean cruises.

Carnival Cruise Line to Grow Fleet with Two Additional Ships by 2023

Carnival Cruise Line to Grow Fleet with Two Additional Ships by 2023 https://t.co/yl5fmXMD3J pic.twitter.com/V0Y1iLB4S5

— Carnival Cruise PR (@CarnivalPR) June 23, 2021