NEWS | Ministry of Tourism Signs MOUs with MakeMyTrip and Ibibo to strengthen hospitality and tourism industry

Ministry of Tourism has already signed MoUs with Easy my Trip, Clear trip and Yatra.com

Ministry of Tourism in its ongoing efforts to strengthen the Hospitality & Tourism Industry especially in the times of the pandemic, has signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MakeMyTrip (India) Private Limited and Ibibo Group Private Limited on 17.08.2021. Ministry of Tourism has already signed MoUs with Easy my Trip, Clear trip and Yatra.com.

The primary objective of this MoU is to provide an extensive visibility to accommodation units, which have self-certified themselves on SAATHI (System for Assessment, Awareness & Training for the Hospitality Industry) on the OTA platform. The MoU also outlines both parties to encourage Units to register on NIDHI and thereby on SAATHI and encourage local tourism Industry with appropriate safeguards for curbing spread of COVID-19. The idea is also to gather more information on accommodation units in order to gain actionable insights & designing evidence based & targeted policy measures and to promote safe, honourable and sustainable tourism.

The event was organized under the arrangement between Ministry of Tourism and Quality Council of India (QCI) for implementing measures for strengthening the Indian Hospitality & Tourism Industry.

The signing MoU was done in the presence of Shri Rakesh Kumar Verma, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Shri Sanjay Singh, Deputy Director General (H&R), Ministry of Tourism, Dr. A Raj, Senior Director, QCI, Shri Mohit Singh, Deputy Director, QCI, Dr. Mahavir Prasad Tiwari, Deputy Director, QCI, Shri. Abhishek Logani, Chief Business Officer-Hotels, MakeMyTrip (India) Private Limited & Ibibo Group Private Limited and Shri. Venkatesh Ramakrishna, SVP – Corporate Affairs, MakeMyTrip (India) Private Limited & Ibibo Group Private Limited.

The Ministry of Tourism and MakeMyTrip (India) Private Limited & Ibibo Group Private Limited will endeavour to take necessary steps to encourage and promote strategic and technical co-operation in the Indian hospitality & tourism sector for overall benefit in the identified areas through the MoU. It is expected, that, in the future more OTAs will come forward for signing such MOUs in order to strengthen the Hospitality & Tourism Industry of India.

NEWS | At less than 45%, home deliveries drop as Puneites return to eating out

With restaurants having either been shut or facing strict restrictions for dining during the pandemic, many people had shifted to ordering food home. Home delivery of food had skyrocketed in the last one-and-a-half years, with awhopping 80 percent of income for restaurants coming from delivery orders.

However, with restaurants reopening for dining in, and the extension in deadlines that followed, there’s been a sudden drop in-home deliveries. The city’s food delivery services have have seen orders go down to below 45 percent as people return to dine at their favorite restaurants.

Dining out > Ordering in
Highlighting the reason behind this drop, Saksham Kathuria, the owner of Tales & Spirits bistro chain, says, “People are tired of sitting at home and ordering food. They want to experience live music, good service, and hot food. And for restaurateurs, it is good to see people dining in after a long time.”

Seconding the thought, Ashutosh Joshi of Unicorn House, Kalyaninagar, says, “There’s been a 40 percent dip in online orders over the last couple of weeks. People are looking to step out and socialize, all the while following safety protocols. The relaxation in norms has given them that freedom. Ordering in was a good option when dine-in was restricted. But now, people want to enjoy good food and a good ambiance. Naturally, there’s been a decline in home deliveries.”

Worrying times for delivery agents?
The sudden drop in orders is a cause of concern for delivery agents. They fear if this continues, they may face financial challenges. Santosh Hedao, a delivery agent, says, “I was delivering 30 orders in a day when the restrictions were in place in the city. Today, I only have 5 to 8 orders, 10 if it’s a lucky day. A drop in orders can mean that delivery agents like us may have to bear the brunt of it financially.” Another delivery agent, Nilesh Pitambar Kadam, shares, “Until about a week ago, I used to deliver about 20 parcels in a day. Now, the orders coming on the app have been reduced to only 8-9. It is concerning.”

Mc Donalds | Sustainable food packaging for the brand from recyclable or compostable materials

McDonald's says nearly all its paper packaging from sustainable fiberMany restaurant chains are working to reduce environmental harm from packaging, including using more recyclable or compostable materials and letting customers reuse cups or bowls.

NEW YORK: McDonald's Corp said on Thursday it has nearly achieved its goal of sourcing all of its paper food packaging in restaurants from the recycled or sustainable fiber. The Chicago-based global burger chain said in its annual sustainability report that in 2020 99.6% of the paper bags, food wrappers, napkins, cup carriers and other fiber-based materials it used to package meals for customers came from recycled or certified sustainable fiber sources, up from 92% in 2019.

Many restaurant chains are working to reduce environmental harm from packaging, including using more recyclable or compostable materials and letting customers reuse cups or bowls.

An Adweek-Harris Poll survey of U.S. adults in April about single-use fast-food packaging found that 62% of respondents said they would think more highly of a brand that switched to recyclable packaging, and 81% were concerned about litter and pollution from fast-food restaurants.

Because McDonald's has more than 39,000 restaurants globally, small changes can ripple into other companies and industries.

McDonald's has set a larger goal for all of its customer packagings to come from renewable, recycled, or certified sources by 2025. Currently, 80% of its packaging comes from such sources. It is also using paper straws and wooden cutlery in multiple markets, it said, and is exploring fiber lids and reusable cups.

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EVENTS | Expo 2020 Dubai to be “most impactful event ever” for hotels

Expo 2020 Dubai is being touted as the “world’s largest and most impactful event to ever take place in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region,” especially for the emirate’s hotel, travel and tourism sectors.

That is according to state news agency WAM which has reinforced the additional business hotels will enjoy throughout the six-month mega event. “With Expo 2020’s theme of ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’, as well as one or more of its sub-themes of Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability, Dubai will welcome visitors from every corner of the globe to join the making of a new world, as it brings together the planet in one place to reimagine tomorrow,” said the report by WAM.

Wego, which specialises in travel services and online reservations stated that various countries are awaiting the start of Expo 2020 Dubai. The company revealed that it witnessed, through its website, about 533,000 searches during July, on flights and hotels for the period in which this event will be held.

This indicates the increasing demand that Dubai is witnessing, and the rapid recovery of the business tourism sector, noting that in light of the preparations for Expo 2020 Dubai, hotels have begun to allocate packages and extended stay offers specifically for visitors to the exhibition, the company stated.

Notable Dubai hotels

WAM noted that of the 715 hotels in Dubai as of May 2021, 134 fall into the five-star categories. It also noted hotels such as the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, SLS Dubai Hotel, JW Marriott Marquis Dubai and others as icons of Dubai thanks to their soaring heights.

During April this year, as Expo was six months away, Hotelier Middle East published a special report around how hoteliers have been readying for the ‘World’s Greatest Show.’

“Expo is perhaps the greatest opportunity we have in 2021 to show the world that the importance and impact of large-scale events has not diminished after the pandemic, so all of us within the industry need to do all we can to rally round and make it as successful as possible – I for one cannot wait for the challenge,” said Stijn Bastiaens, VP, commercial director, Middle East, Africa & Turkey, knows this feeling better than most.

Expo 2020 Dubai runs from October 1, 2021 until March 31, 2022.

NEWS | Lords Hotels and Resorts upgrades its personalisation initiatives

Lords Hotels and Resorts, a leading player in mid-market hotel segment create memorable guest experiences by enhancing its personalisation initiatives.

Lords Hotels and Resorts have introduced initiatives to pamper its guests, these include complimentary Room upgrade, Early check-in and Late check out (subject to availability), complementary and extended breakfast hours, Chef curated Dining Experience. Hotel staff are trained to ensure guest stay is safe and comfortable while maintaining social distancing.

Vikas Suri Senior Associate Vice President – Operations,Lords Hotels and Resorts commented “In this post-pandemic world, we can’t miss the opportunity to delight our returning guests. At the end of the day, personalized experiences are all about “thoughtful” gestures, these include outreach emails, following up once the guest is at the property and delivering our promise to delight all our guests. We have also introduced a lot of new technology to reassure our guest of both care and commitment.”

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Doha hotel payroll higher than anywhere else in Middle East

Payroll per available room (LPAR) in Doha hotels is currently higher than anywhere else in the Middle East.

As explained by STR: “LPAR is used to calculate hotel labour costs on a per-available-room basis to produce a clear picture of how much a hotel spends in labour expenses across all rooms available in any given time period.”

Doha hotels for H1 2021 had an LPAR of US$53, down 23 per cent from 2019’s US$68. Gives the Qatari capital the highest LPAR, with Jeddah next at US$50, a 22 per cent decrease against H1 2019. Abu Dhabi had US$38; Bahrain had US$45; Cairo had US$24; Dubai had US$39; Kuwait City had US$40; Muscat had US$46 and Riyadh had US$48.

HotStats, the firm that reported the results explained: “Labour, a hotel’s largest cost, was first to be stomped out, either through layoff or furlough. The result was that most global regions saw payroll costs drop precipitously in April 2020, a short time after the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus a pandemic.

“A year later, payroll costs are inching back up, closer to pre-pandemic levels as hotels reopen and demand increases. The challenge for operators will be their handling of a scarcity of qualified labour and the cost to secure it.”

Looking at another KPI, Doha is predicted to boast higher occupancy rates this year than both Dubai and Riyadh – long two of the busiest tourist hubs in the region. The city is forecast 70 per cent FY occupancies compared to 69 per cent on Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. Colliers International’s August 2021 MENA Hotel Forecast expects a 16 per cent YOY improvement for Doha’s hotel occupancies.

“As we move through 2021, we begin to observe several markets build on recovery began in Q4 2020. Ongoing monitoring of the Covid-19 pandemic by government entities and other key touristic stakeholders has informed how markets open and close. While travel restrictions are easing, controlled and consistent growth is key to recovering, and in the future, improving on the hospitality performance in the key markets,” said Colliers. 

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NEWS | Wat-a-Burger to touch 100 outlets by the end of current fiscal

Currently, the company is registering 50,000 orders every month and expects to recover 100 percent and see additional sales to touch a mark of one lakh orders per month by next year.

With 63 outlets currently, homegrown burger company Wat-a-Burger plans to touch a mark of 100 outlets by the end of the fiscal. The company’s target is to tighten the grip in Maharashtra and Karnataka.

Currently, the company is registering 50,000 orders every month and expect to recover 100 percent and see additional sales to touch a mark of one lakh orders per month by next year.

“Currently, the primary challenge is the broken supply chain as most of the manufacturing units were disturbed during the lockdown. Hence, the turnaround time got pushed by a week for the orders at the manufacturing units. We are trying to streamline the same,” Farman Beig, Co-founder & CEO, Wat-a-Burger said.

Beig informed that after the second wave, the company is still signing at least two franchisees monthly. “Pre covid we were serving 80,000 orders on an average, per month. Currently, we have recovered to 50,000 orders per month. We are recovering,” he added.

Commenting on how prepared Wat-a-Burger is for the anticipatory third wave, Beig said “We have been following all the safety measures within the outlets. We had issued SOPs after the first wave itself, which we are still following anticipating the third wave. However, we all will have to move in accordance with the government guidelines. If there appears a scope of maneuvering through the difficult situation, we will close the dine-in option first. Nevertheless, the majority of the business is still being catered through online delivery options, we will focus on that only in case the situation becomes difficult. The idea is to mitigate any chances of infection spread.”

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Appointment | Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi brings in new director of F&B

Driss Bajtit brings more than 14 years of experience to the hotel

Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotels and Villas has appointed Driss Bajtit as director of food and beverage. He will handle the operations of six F&B outlets at the Saadiyat Island hotel.

Bajtit brings more than 14 years of experience across international markets in Spain, China, Morocco, and the UAE. He will be responsible for identifying new business opportunities and streamlining resources to maximize performance and quality standards. He is also expected to focus on creating new F&B concepts.

Bajtit said: “I am thrilled to join the team at Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel & Villas. As we look towards the high season, I will ensure smooth operations at all the outlets in this world-renowned property.

“Moreover, guests will be delighted to witness the new and bespoke F&B concepts that will roll out across the resort soon.”

The majority of Bajtit’s experience has been in Abu Dhabi but one of his earliest positions was in Beijing, China. He started out as an F&B management trainee for Ritz-Carlton, later joining Mandarin Oriental in Sanya City.

He moved to Abu Dhabi in 2014, working as the assistant F&B venues manager for The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort.

His most recent role was with Abu Dhabi National Hotels as an operations manager for Venetian Village, later promoted to multi-property director of F&B.

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Marriott International | JW Marriott Charlotte Debuts in North Carolina

Charlotte’s Newest Hotel is Set to Redefine Luxury Hospitality with Stunning Design, Exceptional Service and a Holistic Approach to Well-being

JW Marriott, part of Marriott International, makes its debut today in North Carolina with the opening of JW Marriott Charlotte, located in the bustling Southern city’s dynamic Uptown neighborhood. The 381-room luxury hotel, including 34 custom suites, offers discerning guests an urban retreat with inspired surroundings in which to relax and be present.

“With the opening of JW Marriott Charlotte, we will make sure every detail is taken care of, so our guests can focus on themselves during their stay,” said Bruce Rohr, Global Brand Leader, JW Marriott. “With thoughtful details throughout the property, holistic programming, and an array of wellness offerings, guests will be encouraged to experience every moment to the fullest.”

Inspired Culinary Creations
JW Marriott Charlotte embraces the brand’s focus on authentic dining experiences that are gratifying and refined with three new concepts for guests and locals alike:

• Dean’s Italian Steakhouse – A classic American steakhouse with Italian expression set in a modern, rustic open space. Dean’s features a show kitchen where guests can watch American Wagyu beef and other prime cuts - as well as authentic homemade pasta dishes - being prepared.

• Caroline’s Oyster Bar – A fanciful take on coastal seafood celebrating the neighborhood charm and fresh flavors of the North Carolina coast. The scene is set by a 360-degree centerpiece bar and an 8-seat Carolina-style raw oyster bar.

• Aura Rooftop – Hidden atop the fifth floor, this lush botanical paradise includes a bar and pool serving up magnetic vibes and a regal tone. When night falls, the building’s mirror-like exterior reflects the city back onto itself, creating a powerful aura, softened by lush greenery, similar to English gardens and conservatories. The menu features botanical craft cocktails, boutique wines, and small bites.

“We couldn’t be more proud to introduce the JW Marriott brand to the Carolinas,” said David Malmberg, General Manager, JW Marriott Charlotte. “With its seamless integration into the bustling Uptown neighborhood, modern design, well-being amenities, and inspired culinary concepts, JW Marriott Charlotte brings excellence and legacy to life to another new city.”

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NEWS | 700 Delhi guesthouses, hotels told to shut over borewell use

DPCC in its notice has asked the guesthouses to take corrective measures within 15 days, failing which would result in disconnection of electricity and water, along with the cancellation of licence.

over 700 guesthouses and small hotels in Paharganj and Karol Bagh have been issued closure notices by Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) for illegal extraction of groundwater using borewells.

DPCC in its notice has asked the guesthouses to take corrective measures within 15 days, failing which would result in disconnection of electricity and water, along with the cancellation of licence.

“According to Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA), Paharganj in New Delhi has been declared as an overexploited area, and illegal extraction of groundwater by the hotels/guesthouses without having any valid NOC from CGWA are thereby violating the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986,” said one such notice issued by DPCC to a guesthouse in Paharganj, a copy of which is with TOI.

Guesthouse owners, however, said borewell water was being used only for bathing purposes, with no commercial activities, kitchens or laundries functioning at any of these smaller units. “The need to use borewells arose as the Delhi Jal Board water only comes for around four hours each day – two in the morning and two in the afternoon. A number of hotels and guesthouses took permission from CGWA to use borewells prior to 2014, but what will the new ones do that came up after 2014?” asked Sourabh Chhabra, secretary, Paharganj Guesthouse Owner’s Association, adding that until Monday, at least 700 notices had been issued in the area.

Ashwini Arora, general secretary of the association and another guesthouse owner in Paharganj, said sewer charges of Rs 2,000 for extraction purposes were already being paid by guesthouses, as was stated on Delhi Jal Board (DJB) website, however, they were still being targeted by the authorities. “Community borewells have been created by DJB nearby, but guesthouses that are doing no commercial activity are now being penalised. The industry has already suffered a lot,” Arora said.

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NEWS | Maharahstra Govermaent Allow restaurants to stay open till 10 pm

The Government of Maharashtra has allowed restaurants to stay open for business till 10 pm on all days with a 50 percent cap on capacity, it was announced on August 11, 2021.

ETHospitalityWorld spoke with Anurag Katriar, the President of the National Restaurants Association of India about this news, something that the entire F&B community in the state had been agitating for, especially after markets were allowed to open till 10 pm last week.

“After the Cabinet meeting today, where the Health Minister announced the extension of business hours till 10 pm for restaurants, we are awaiting the official GR (Government Regulation),” Katriar said adding that earlier in the day, cabinet minister and Guardian minister for Mumbai, Aslam Shaikh had spoken to him on the phone and assured that the timings would be extended.

Malls have also been allowed to stay open till 10 pm but only for people who were double vaccinated, from news which Katriar had received.

Restaurateurs across the state are breathing a sigh of relief. “This is definitely a great step forward, but there is a lot more to be done. The government should now announce the roadmap for further normalisation. Based on whatever criteria on which they will be decided—it cannot be left to the whims and fancies of individuals. Because now it's not only about extension of timing, it's also about when do you improve the capacity utilisation. I'm not saying do it today, but let's come up with a roadmap that when cases come down to a certain levels or hospitalisation comes down to this level, things will be reexamined. That way, we all know what to expect and we don't have to go through what we have gone through the last one week,” he said.

News | Khyathi bags integrated sales, marketing and communications mandate for Anuraga Palace and Rajasthali Resort & Spa

Khyathi bags integrated sales, marketing and communications mandate for Anuraga Palace and Rajasthali Resort & Spa

Jaipur, August 2021: Khyathi, a coming of age sales and marketing brand, has won integrated marketing and communications mandate for the luxury boutique property, Anuraga Palace in Ranthambore and the luxurious Rajasthali Resort & Spa in Jaipur. As part of the mandate, Khyathi will be innovating and strategizing on their sales, marketing- digital and social media, creatives, visual content, and public relations to promote their unique offerings and top-notch services.

Anuraga Palace, one of the oldest in Ranthambore has over the years transpired itself into one of the finest luxurious palace resorts, while still preserving ancient heritage. It is a perfect amalgamation of wilderness and luxury along with a touch of history, culture, and tradition at Ranthambore. Whereas, Rajasthali Resort & Spa is a luxury resort spread across 25 acres and located against the picturesque backdrop of the Aravalli ranges. A unique blend of affordability and luxury experience is what defines the truly magnificent and rejuvenating stay experience.

“We are excited on our partnership with the hospitality brands such as The Anuraga Palace and Rajasthali Resort & Spa. We are working towards strengthening the brand's visibility and recall value by positioning it amongst the best hotels. Through our extensive marketing strategies that resonate with the brands’, we will build on creating a strong customer base for them.” - quoted Varun Mehrotra, Co-Founder and CEO of Khyathi.

"It gives us immense pleasure to be associated with two distinct hospitality brands. With a 360 degree integrated mandate, we are aiming to re-inforce on their online and offline presence and work as their partner in increasing sales" - quoted Anubha Srivastava, Co-Founder, Khyathi.

Khyathi assists their patrons to amplify their incremental revenues, gain a loyal customer base and market their name to become a known brand and expand their accounts. As a brand, they work to provide a variety of solutions for sales and marketing including digital and social media marketing, campaign strategizing, visual content creation, revenue maximization, content marketing and strategy and brand management amongst the others.

Khyathi strives to bring the well-deserved fame to the name. One can reach the company for business association through https://khyathi.co/.

New Opening | Anantara Announces Upcoming Launch of New Resort on Dubai’s World Islands

We are pleased to announce an exciting addition to the brand’s portfolio in Dubai with the upcoming launch of Anantara World Islands Dubai Resort in Q4 of 2021. The new resort will be the first hotel in the South American continent of the World Islands development.

The island will be completely dedicated to the resort, with guests able to access by boat in just 15 minutes from the jetty at Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort. The property will feature 70 keys comprised of villas and suites. Villas will have a private pool, an outdoor dining area and direct access to the beach, making the perfect retreat for families and couples.

The new resort will offer multiple dining options, in addition to a stylish bar lounge with magnificent panoramic views of the Dubai skyline, including the famous landmarks Burj Khalifa and Burj al Arab. In-room spa treatments, a gym and a kid’s club will also be part of the new resort's amenities.

Insights | This Independence Day, National Geographic to premiere ‘Buried Seeds’; the inspiring journey of world-renowned Indian Chef Vikas Khanna

“Buried Seeds uncovers many memories and emotions that were hidden inside me for so long” – Chef Vikas Khanna

For the first time on television, catch the inspiring and invigorating story of Vikas Khanna, directed by Andrei Severny on 15th August 2021 at 9.00 pm on National Geographic in India

India,  August, 2021: National Geographic, known for bringing stories that take you on an enlightening and transformative journey, is celebrating this Independence Day with the premiere of Buried Seeds, the life story of Michelin chef Vikas Khanna. National Geographic in India is bringing to its viewers the timeless and true story of human passion and willpower on television for the first time. 

Directed and produced by contemporary filmmaker Andrei Severny, the film traces the journey of Vikas Khanna from his beginnings as a child with misaligned feet to the man who took Indian cuisine to the world. Vikas narrates the incredible story of how he learned to walk and won people’s hearts with the magic of his cooking. Along the way, he becomes one of the most influential chefs in the world and a cultural ambassador of India. The film also captures the true essence of Indian culture, heritage, and customs through kaleidoscopic visuals of India, with all the beauty, bonding, and sacrifices made by an Indian family to fulfill the dream of their child. 

“At National Geographic, we believe in telling stories that are perspective-shifting, eye-opening and sometimes even life-changing. This Independence Day, we wanted to celebrate by giving our viewers an exclusive access to the story of an Indian icon – Vikas Khanna. Buried Seeds is a transformational story of passion, devotion, faith combined with Vikas’ immense love for Indian culture. We are confident that this storytelling will give viewers an incredible perspective into the chef’s life. It is truly a moment of pride to associate with Vikas and Andrei and bring their film to our audiences for the very first time on television on such a significant day,” said a National Geographic spokesperson  

“Buried Seeds is very personal to me. It’s a collective wisdom of everybody that influenced and inspired me, from poets, philosophers, mentors to family members. Their words are with me through every struggle or triumph. Buried Seeds uncovers many memories and emotions that were hidden inside me for so long. It is my hope that people will see something of themselves in my story. I hope they will see the possibilities for what they can become. The music does not end in us. Sometimes we need to open our hearts and listen. That’s what Buried Seeds helped me do in my life - and that’s what I believe it can offer to others,” said Vikas Khanna

“Buried Seeds offers a fresh perspective in these challenging times. The seeds are inside each of us; they unite us and will only grow strong. The old “you” will die to give space to the new “you” – a particle in the long chain of generations, a speck of dust of collective wisdom and an everlasting sacrifice for the children and those who come after. I am very grateful to National Geographic and its magnificent team for a chance to share the film with its audience. I hope this film will make the viewers think and look at their own lives and dreams in a new light,” said Andrei Severny

The film has been distributed by FilmKaravan

Buried Seeds will air on 15th August 2021, at 9.00 pm on National Geographic in India

About National Geographic Partners 

National Geographic Partners LLC (NGP), a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company and the National Geographic Society, is committed to bringing the world premium science, adventure, and exploration content across an unrivaled portfolio of media assets. . NGP returns 27% of the proceeds to the non-profit National Geographic Society to fund work in the areas of science, exploration, conservation, and education. In India, National Geographic Channel and Nat Geo Wild are available across six languages and have a wide-ranging mix of international shows which are made local relevant and shows that are developed and created locally 

About FilmKaravan

FilmKaravan is a streamlined aggregation & delivery solution house that aggregates, encodes, packages, and delivers films and web-series to major digital platforms. Having produced the recently International Emmy award winning series Delhi Crime their production house has churned out coming of age original content like What Are the Odds? & Leeches streaming on popular streaming platforms. To raise the banner of independent cinema, Filmkaravan has also collaborated with YouTube by launching an online non for profit film festival called Bandra Film Festival early this year showcasing innovative, cutting edge films & hidden gems made by prolific film makers on their exclusive YouTube channel. For more information, visit www. http://www.filmkaravan.com/

IHCL reports Q1 revenue from operations at INR 345 cr; losses at INR 301.5 cr

IHCL reported revenue from operations of INR 344.55 crore for the quarter ended June this year, up from INR 144 crore in the corresponding period of the last fiscal. On a quarter on quarter basis though, it reported a 44 per cent fall in revenues.

It reported losses of INR 301.5 crore down from INR 313 crore in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, losses were up by 102 per cent.

IHCL said business for the quarter was severely impacted on account of the second wave and the chain witnessed softer revenues due to partial or complete lockdowns in several states of India.

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Zomato Indian Food Delivery INR 4538 Crores this quarter.

Domestic food delivery business reported the highest ever gross order value (GOV) in the quarter under review, increasing by 37 percent to around INR 4,538 crore, compared to INR 3,315 crore in the previous quarter.

Zomato said its operational revenue increased by 22 percent to INR 844 crore in April-June, while net losses rose over 168 percent from the previous quarter to INR 360 crore, as the food delivery platform presented its maiden quarterly earnings as a public company on Tuesday.

While INR 806 crore of operational revenue came from India, revenue of INR 31 crore was logged from the UAE, and the balance from other markets.

Zomato said its adjusted revenue — which is a combination of revenue from operations and customer delivery charges — increased 26 percent to INR 1,160 crore in the June quarter, compared to around Rs 920 crore in the March quarter.

“Revenue growth was largely on the back of growth in our core food delivery business, which continued to grow despite the severe Covid-19 wave starting April,” said cofounder and chief executive Deepinder Goyal in the company’s filings to the Bombay Stock Exchange.

Zomato said the increase in losses is due “largely on account of non-cash Esop (employee stock ownership plan) expenses, which have increased meaningfully in Q1 of FY22 due to significant Esop grants made… pursuant to creation of a new Esop 2021 scheme.’

Zomato | Zomato's revenue grows to INR 844 crore as losses widen 168% for April-June quarter

Zomato's revenue grows to INR 844 crore as losses widen 168% for April-June quarter

While INR 806 crore of operational revenue came from India, revenue of INR 31 crore was logged from the UAE, and the balance from other markets.

zomato said its operational revenue increased by 22 percent to INR 844 crore in April-June, while net losses rose over 168 percent from the previous quarter to INR 360 crore, as the food delivery platform presented its maiden quarterly earnings as a public company on Tuesday.

While INR 806 crore of operational revenue came from India, revenue of INR 31 crore was logged from the UAE, and the balance from other markets.

Zomato said its adjusted revenue — which is a combination of revenue from operations and customer delivery charges — increased 26 percent to INR 1,160 crore in the June quarter, compared to around Rs 920 crore in the March quarter.

“Revenue growth was largely on the back of growth in our core food delivery business, which continued to grow despite the severe Covid-19 wave starting April,” said cofounder and chief executive Deepinder Goyal in the company’s filings to the Bombay Stock Exchange.

Zomato said the increase in losses is due “largely on account of non-cash Esop (employee stock ownership plan) expenses, which have increased meaningfully in Q1 of FY22 due to significant Esop grants made… pursuant to creation of a new Esop 2021 scheme.’

The Gurgaon-based company, which listed successfully on the BSE last month, reported total losses of INR 134 crore in the March quarter, with revenue at INR 692 crore. In the June quarter, it earned revenue of INR 266 crore, with losses of nearly INR 100 crore.

Zomato’s market capitalisation stood at a little over INR 98,000 crore as of Tuesday, as the stock closed at INR 124.95, down by more than 4 percent.

Spike In Orders
The company said the domestic food delivery business reported the highest ever gross order value (GOV) in the quarter under review, increasing by 37 percent to around INR 4,538 crore, compared to INR 3,315 crore in the previous quarter.

GOV is the total monetary value of all food delivery orders placed on Zomato India, including taxes, customer delivery charges, gross of all discounts, excluding tips.

National Geographic has teamed up with Michelin Starred Chef Vikas Khanna to delight viewers with something special this Independence Day

What's cooking between National Geographic and Chef Vikas Khanna ahead of Independence Day? 

National Geographic, a brand known for its rich legacy of authentic and impactful storytelling has teamed up with Michelin Starred Chef Vikas Khanna to delight viewers with something special this Independence Day. In a special teaser, Vikas Khanna can be seen cooking a tricolor dish as a homage to the ancestors. The dish truly represents the essence of India with its vibrant colors.

Born in Amritsar, Vikas Khanna had the disability of misaligned legs. He endured overwhelming obstacles to achieve his dreams and become a successful Michelin-starred chef. Today, he is known to many as India’s favourite Chef and one of the best-known Indians in the world of food.

NEWS | Chhattisgarh Tourism to formulate guidelines for homestay and water-based tourism soon

hese guidelines are being planned to make tourism development in the state more inclusive, community-oriented and sustainable.

Chhattisgarh Tourism will formulate guidelines for homestays and water-based tourism activities in the state soon. These guidelines are being planned to make tourism development in the state more inclusive, community-oriented and sustainable.

Informing this at an e-conclave on tourism organized by the Industry Chamber, FICCI, Shubhda Chaturvedi, Head - Communications and Marketing, Chhattisgarh Tourism has said that the tourism board is working with self-help groups in the state to ensure community participation in the tourism activities in Chhattisgarh so that the benefits of tourism development can reach the rural communities and deliver gainful employment opportunities.

Chaturvedi informed that the state tourism board is working closely with the agencies like ToFTigers and Responsible Tourism Society of India (RTSOI) to advance the potential in eco-tourism and agri-tourism in Chhattisgarh.

As far as connectivity and accessibility are concerned, she said that the state is well connected by road, rail, and air. The opening of airports at Jagdalpur and Bilaspur, in addition to the Raipur airport, has considerably improved the accessibility to the state in the last year, she said.

Source

IHCL reports Q1 revenue from operations at INR 345 cr; losses at INR 301.5 cr

IHCL Board approves raising of long term funds not exceeding INR 250 crore by way of secured or unsecured long term financing.

Tata Group backed Indian Hotel Company's board has approved raising of long term funds not exceeding Rs 250 crore by way of secured or unsecured long term financing in one or a combination of external commercial borrowings, foreign currency borrowings, non-convertible debentures, term loans or through any other debt instrument in one or more tranches on Monday.

At a board meeting, the board also authorised a committee to determine and approve the quantum, timing and nature of terms and conditions of the instrument to be issued.

IHCL reported revenue from operations of INR 344.55 crore for the quarter ended June this year, up from INR 144 crore in the corresponding period of the last fiscal. On a quarter on quarter basis though, it reported a 44 per cent fall in revenues.

It reported losses of INR 301.5 crore down from INR 313 crore in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, losses were up by 102 per cent.

IHCL said business for the quarter was severely impacted on account of the second wave and the chain witnessed softer revenues due to partial or complete lockdowns in several states of India.