Marriott News | Marriott International Announces David Rodriguez to Retire as Global Chief Human Resources Officer

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) announced today that Executive Vice President and Global Chief Human Resources Officer David Rodriguez, Ph.D. will step down from his role at the end of October and retire at the end of 2021 after a distinguished 23-year career with the company. The company also announced that long-time Marriott Human Resources executive, Ty Breland, Ph.D., has been named to succeed Rodriguez.

“David’s impact on Marriott – our business, our associates and our culture – has been significant,” said Anthony Capuano, Chief Executive Officer, Marriott International. “He has partnered with our company’s leaders to take Marriott to new heights, always with a focus on the heart of our business – our people. Among David’s many accomplishments, I think the one that has touched the most lives is his work to build our TakeCare culture. David believes that the surest path to sustainable success is to promote the wellbeing of our people. His intuitive sense of what our associates need, coupled with his work analyzing best human resources practices, is the foundation of Marriott’s award-winning approach to associate wellbeing. David will be sorely missed, but his work will live on in Marriott’s people-first policies and practices, and the genuine care that exists among our associates across the world.”

Rodriguez began his career at Marriott in 1998 as a Senior Vice President, Human Resources, where he played a key role in creating the talent and organizational capabilities to fuel Marriott’s international expansion. In 2003, he was appointed Executive Vice President with responsibility for corporate HR as well as for the human resources function for North America Lodging. Rodriguez was named a corporate officer in 2000, and in 2006, he was named to his current role leading Marriott’s global talent strategy. Rodriguez was instrumental in co-founding Marriott’s Board of Directors’ Inclusion and Social Impact Committee (formerly known as the Committee for Excellence), which oversees efforts undertaken by the company to promote associate wellbeing and inclusion and to address environmental, social and governance issues. Rodriguez also serves as Marriott’s Chief Diversity Officer.

Under Rodriguez’s leadership, Marriott is the only hotel company to be named to Fortune’s 100 Best Places to Work For list every year since its inception in 1998, the first hotel company to be ranked #1 by DiversityInc, and the only hotel company to be named to the organization’s Hall of Fame. During Rodriguez’s tenure, Marriott has been recognized by America’s Best Employers for Women (Forbes), 50 Best Companies for Latinas to Work for in the U.S. (LATINA Style), Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality (Human Rights Campaign Foundation), and Best Places for Disability Inclusion (Disability: IN), among many other accolades.

NEW LAUNCH | After The Cocktail Story, Vidhi Puri to announce a subscription-driven club

The Cocktail Story has evolved and grown from a recognized content platform to a marketplace that connects consumers with brands to help them choose ingredients, mixers, recipes, bar tools, and more. Products listed on their website are available across the country, with more than 95 brands on the platform.

Launched in 2018, The Cocktail Story is a digital platform dedicated to building an ecosystem of the hospitality industry, alco-bev brands and spirit enthusiasts. It is, as of now, the only platform in India promoting the cocktail culture, highlighting bartenders, more so women bartenders with updates of local and international brands in India and the globe.

The Cocktail Story shop was launched with the founder Vidhi Puri’s aim to elevate the drinking experience at home. The e-commerce platform is an extension of The Cocktail Story that is an educational platform on Instagram. The e-commerce platform is a destination for all brands that will provide cocktail-making products and solutions under one roof to its patrons.

NEWS | Corbett Tiger Reserve reopens for night stays, sold out in 48 hours

After staying out of bounds for five and a half months, the Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) has reopened for night stays, with bookings selling out within just 48 hours. This comes even as hill towns of Mussoorie and Nainital recorded heavy tourist influx for the long weekend on Dussehra.

Corbett director, Rahul (who only uses his first name), said the stays inside the reserve were closed for tourists in May, but Bijrani, Jhirna, and Dhela zones have reopened for tourists.

“We were flooded with requests within hours of reopening and because of the long weekend, all accommodation inside the reserve is full until Tuesday,” he said. According to the Corbett administration, 80 bookings were received in just 48 hours after the reopening on Wednesday. While the day safaris were already permitted in other zones, the administration has now allowed tourists to travel into the Bijrani zone, which is popular for tiger sightings.

NEWS | Treehouse Pugmark Resort witnesses increase in weekend occupancies

The resort is running on an occupancy of 30 to 35 percent during the weekdays and 75 to 80 percent during weekends. After the second wave of Covid-19 hit, the Ranthambore National Tiger Reserve has seen moderate footfalls, weekdays saw only around 300 to 400 visitors and around 1,200 on weekends. But the number is steadily increasing The Treehouse Pugmark Resort is running on an occupancy of 30 to 35 percent during the weekdays and 75 to 80 percent during weekends. For the property, MICE is around 25 percent of the business and weddings constitute around 15 percent.

These are, however, pre-Covid figures. “Currently, our market mix is 80 percent domestic leisure and 20 percent weddings. The MICE business is very slowly returning. We have had a few small conferences but certainly, hope that this segment picks up quickly,” Jayant Singh, managing partner, Treehouse Hotels and Resorts said while discussing the revival of the business.

“Weddings have kept the hospitality business alive. Most of the hotels including ours have survived the pandemic because of small weddings. We had spotted this trend very early and started a campaign called classy bespoke weddings at Treehouse. All our hotels really benefited from this campaign,” Singh added.

Appreciation | Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre celebrates “Heartiest Gratitude Week 2021”

Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre celebrates “Heartiest Gratitude Week 2021” 

Hyderabad: October 2021: Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre organized “Heartiest Gratitude Week 2021” with an aim to acknowledge and recognize the employee’s relentless efforts in delivering the highest standards of services, contributing towards the success of the hotel. The Heartiest Gratitude Week 2021 was organized with a sole intention to recognize and appreciate Heartiest who have served selflessly and supported and provided their service during this pandemic. The celebration was done for three long days at Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre from October 12th to October 14th, 2021. The main aim is to recognize Heartiest and take time to appreciate them by saying out loud “We Thank You and Value You”.

For the staff, the hotel has organized many entertainment activities. The management has taken an opportunity for recognizing and address the core human emotion of grief, loss, and anxiety in their personal and professional space due to COVID’19 and thereby living Accor’s Heartiest philosophy of ‘We are One’. The event is a combination of Physical Presence as well Virtual presence for outstation warriors. The event started by welcoming the employees with a red carpet and music followed by the special banthi bhojanam (lunch) for employees.

Hotel have organized a ceremony to pay tribute to Heartiest or their close ones who have lost their lives to Covid’19. Also, the team NHCC had the honour of felicitating the Covid Warriors (Heartiest + Their Family Members), for their relentless efforts. The second day of the event was also packed with various fun-filled events for the employees starting with breakfast, morning tea, and a special food festival during lunchtime also with the interesting games like Anonymous Message Game and Flash Dance Reel.

To encourage the random act of kindness the HOD’s have given creative surprises to their team. Hotel General Member which helped them to get nominated to the Unsung Hero. Overall, it focused on discovering the crisis and celebrating the value of ‘Care Limitless’.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Manish Dayya, General Manager, Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre, said, “We are glad to see the response from the team during the “Heartiest Gratitude Week 2021”.  The three days event is our way to show our gratitude towards our employees who served relentlessly during the COVID’19’ also we are so proud of their efforts that they put in to make our guests feel safe & welcome throughout the pandemic. We have received outstanding service and support from our employees and we are always looking for activities to gather and motivate our team."

NEWS | Carnival Corporation Named by Forbes as one of World's Best Employers

Carnival Corporation Named by Forbes as one of World's Best Employers

World's largest cruise company honored on Forbes' annual list of best global employers of 2021, based on employee rankings and public perception for key factors such as working conditions, salary, potential for growth and diversity

MIAMI, Oct.ober, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL;NYSE: CUK), the world's largest cruise company, today announced it has been named as one of the World's Best Employers of 2021 by Forbes, a leading source of business news worldwide.

Presented by Forbes and Statista Inc., the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider, the prestigious annual listing honors the best international employers from over 35 major industries, including travel and leisure. In Forbes' fifth annual survey, Carnival Corporation – whose nine popular cruise line brands include namesake Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and Seabourn in the U.S., along with AIDA Cruises, Cunard, Costa Cruises, P&O Cruises UK and P&O Cruises Australia – was ranked among the best 750 employers in the world based on results and feedback from 150,000 full- and part-time workers at multinational companies and institutions from 58 countries. The full list of the World's Best Employers for 2021 is available on the Forbes website.

"We are honored to be recognized by Forbes as one of the top employers in the world, and we are extremely proud of our talented and passionate team members whose dedication and commitment is the foundation of our success," said Roger Frizzell, chief communications officer for Carnival Corporation. "We fully embrace the importance and value of providing an inclusive and supportive work environment for all of our colleagues, and operating with integrity, trust and respect for each other. We are grateful to see the hard work of our entire team lead to recognition of this magnitude."

Frizzell added: "Our ongoing focus to create one of the best places to work in the world is reflected in our highest responsibility and top priority, which is compliance, environmental protection, and the health, safety and well-being of our guests, the people in the communities we visit, and our shipboard and shoreside personnel."

The Forbes World's Best Employers list was determined through a globally administered independent survey of more than 150,000 employees in 58 countries working full- or part-time. Participants were asked to anonymously evaluate their current employer based on factors such as willingness to recommend their company to family and friends, while also providing recommendations for other employers in their industry. Respondents also ranked their satisfaction with various aspects of the overall employee experience, including working conditions, salary, potential for growth and diversity. Based on these direct and indirect employee recommendations, along with public perception scores, Forbes included only the top 750 companies out of thousands of organizations considered for the recognition.

This latest honor as a top international employer is the most recent in a series of recognitions Carnival Corporation has earned for excellence in the workplace in 2021, including a separate listing from Forbes as one of America's Best Large Employers. Earlier this year, Carnival Corporation was named a Glassdoor Employees' Choice Award Winner honoring the best 100 U.S. places to work and earned a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's 2021 Corporate Equality Index, designating the company as a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality. Carnival Corporation was also recognized for its commitment to corporate social responsibility leadership by Newsweek on its second annual list of America's Most Responsible Companies for 2021. Most recently, the company was named as one of the Best Companies for Latinos by Latino Leaders Magazine.

The recognition for excellence in the workplace underscores Carnival Corporation's commitment to support diversity, equity and inclusion throughout its companywide operations and to provide a positive and empowering corporate culture for all its shipboard and shoreside employees. The company's success is a direct result of its employees, who represent nearly 150 countries across the globe and have helped create a collaborative and dedicated workforce committed to consistently exceeding guest expectations and providing extraordinary vacations for millions of guests around the world.

About Carnival Corporation & plc
Carnival Corporation & plc is one of the world's largest leisure travel companies with a portfolio of nine of the world's leading cruise lines sailing to all seven continents. With operations in North America, Australia, Europe and Asia, its portfolio features Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn, P&O Cruises (Australia), Costa Cruises, AIDA Cruises, P&O Cruises (UK) and Cunard.

NEWS | St. Regis Hotels & Resorts Plans to Double Its Global Resort Portfolio Over the Next Five Years by Debuting in the World’s Most Glamorous Destinations

Iconic Luxury Brand to Usher in a New Era of Enchantment in the World’s Most Exquisite Leisure Locales in Bermuda, Mexico, Morocco, Aruba, China, the Dominican Republic, Oman and Qatar

Solidifying St. Regis Hotels & Resorts’ position as a leader in luxury, the iconic brand expects to expand its existing portfolio of 15 curated resorts with plans to debut eleven new enchanted escapes by 2025 in some of the world’s most coveted leisure destinations, including locales most desired by the next generation of luxury travelers within the Caribbean, North America, North Africa, Middle East and the Asia Pacific. St. Regis has 49 open hotels and resorts today, with 29 hotels and resorts in its pipeline, representing expected growth of nearly 60 percent over the next five years in both urban and leisure destinations.

“This is a pivotal moment for St. Regis as we expect to nearly double our existing resort portfolio by 2025. Our resorts offer a leisure experience inspired by the glamorous private retreats of St. Regis’ founding family, the Astors, and we cannot wait to bring the brand’s spirit of invention and cherished traditions to some of the world’s most beguiling destinations,” said George Fleck, Vice President and Global Brand Leader for St. Regis Hotels & Resorts. “From Los Cabos to Sanya, and Marrakech to the Riviera Maya, we are thoughtfully expanding the brand while marking a commitment to providing extraordinary resort experiences in the places where we know global luminaries want to travel.”

These highly anticipated new resorts will introduce the brand’s visionary spirit, avant-garde style and bespoke service in some of the most dynamic and compelling markets across the globe. Expanding its footprint in Mexico, St. Regis is expected to debut The St. Regis Kanai Resort in 2022 and The St. Regis Los Cabos Resort in 2023. Located in the captivating Mayan Riviera, The St. Regis Kanai Resort will feature a sophisticated design that boasts breathtaking ocean views from every vantage point, with plans that call for 124 guest rooms and suites, as well as 32 exclusive villas with private pools. The striking St. Regis Los Cabos Resort will be located on 33 pristine acres in Quivira, Los Cabos, featuring 1,200 ft. of panoramic coastal views. The resort is expected to offer 120 rooms and 60 residences, as well as a spa, golf course, beach club and three distinctive dining experiences. In the Middle East, the brand plans to grow its presence in Qatar with the expected early 2022 opening of The St. Regis Marsa Arabia Island, The Pearl, which will feature architecture influenced by the distinct Andalusian and Arabesque style and offer stunning views of the Arabian Gulf.

With a continued focus on the Caribbean in the coming years, in 2024 St. Regis is expected to debut in Aruba with The St. Regis Aruba Palm Beach Resort, as well as in the Dominican Republic with the highly anticipated opening of The St. Regis Cap Cana Resort.

The brand also anticipates celebrating its entry into Oman in 2024 with The St. Regis Al Mouj Resort in Muscat, and in the same year, expects the debut of The St. Regis Sanya Haitang Bay Resort in Sanya, Hainan’s most southern tip, which is often referred to as the “Hawaii of the East”. Additionally, St. Regis is expected to open a property in Africa, with the debut of The St. Regis Marrakech Resort slated for 2025.

St. Regis’ existing resort portfolio touches all corners of the globe, ranging from Bal Harbour to Bora Bora and Aspen to Abu Dhabi. Most recently, in May 2021, The St. Regis Bermuda Resort opened its doors in the historic town of St. George’s. Just steps from the soft white sands of St. Catherine’s Beach, the resort boasts 120 elegant guestrooms including 29 exquisite suites and an ultra-luxury residential development offering two- and three-bedroom residences. Each guestroom is designed to bring the outdoors in, with custom furnishings, marble bathrooms, and a private balcony with breathtaking ocean views. Guests are able to enjoy unparalleled leisure and wellness facilities, including the historic Five Forts Golf Course, St. Regis Spa, and state-of-the-art cuisine. The St. Regis Qingdao debuted in August 2021 and features 233 guest rooms designed to pay homage to the destination and welcomes guests to enjoy one of China’s most beautiful coastal cities. Travelers can experience winding cobbled streets and heritage German architecture, or they can relax at one of the beaches nestled against the Yellow Sea. Additionally, The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort in Puerto Rico recently reopened following a $60 million renovation inclusive of the resort’s 139 guestrooms and suites, seaside pool and esplanade, and the spa.

NEWS | MINT TO BRING NEW LEGAL ACTION AGAINST MARRIOTT

MINT TO BRING NEW LEGAL ACTION AGAINST MARRIOTT

Further to its obligation to keep stakeholders informed of material events, Minor International (“MINT”) makes the following statement:

MINT has filed a legal claim in Thai court against Marriott International, Inc. (“Marriott”) in relation to the JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa (the “JW Marriott Phuket”) which is owned by MINT and operated by the Marriott group. MINT’s claim is for THB 570.6 million and alleges that Marriott has committed a number of offenses under Thai law, including:

·        competing with the JW Marriott Phuket through its operation of competing Marriott portfolio hotels;

·        using the JW Marriott Phuket facilities to promote Marriott’s other competing hotels;

·        misappropriating MINT’s confidential and proprietary information to benefit Marriott’s own interests;

·        operating its loyalty program in bad faith and against the interests of MINT as hotel owner;

·        failing to manage the JW Marriott Phuket in a manner to protect and benefit the owner’s interest; and

·        unduly enriching itself at the expense of the hotel and MINT, through hidden license fee arrangements and supplier rebates and use of monies in the Marriott loyalty program fund.

MINT is pleased to confirm that its legal action in Thailand remains ongoing (although slowed by Covid) and will be pursued until MINT’s claims are fully addressed. Further updates will be provided to the market in due course.

In addition to its legal claims in the Thai courts, MINT is also imminently initiating further legal action against Marriott, claiming breaches by Marriott of its fiduciary duties toward MINT as the owner of the JW Marriott Phuket. MINT expects that this case will have wide-ranging relevance to the hotel market and highlight a number of problematic business practices by Marriott. Further details will be shared with the market in due course, in the interest of keeping MINT’s stakeholders fully informed as this matter progresses.

About Minor International: Minor International (MINT) is a global company focused on three core businesses: hospitality, restaurants, and lifestyle brands distribution. MINT is a hotel owner, operator, and investor with a portfolio of 527 hotels under the Anantara, AVANI, Oaks, Tivoli, NH Collection, NH Hotels, how, Elewana, Marriott, Four Seasons, St. Regis, Radisson Blu, and Minor International brands in 55 countries across the Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, the Indian Ocean, Europe, South, and North America. MINT is also one of Asia’s largest restaurant companies with over 2,300 outlets system-wide in 26 countries under The Pizza Company, The Coffee Club, Riverside, Benihana, Thai Express, Bonchon, Swensen’s, Sizzler, Dairy Queen, Burger King and Coffee Journey. MINT is one of Thailand’s largest distributors of lifestyle brands and contract manufacturers. Its brands include Anello, Bodum, Bossini, Charles & Keith, Esprit, Joseph Joseph, Radley, Scomadi, Zwilling J.A. Henckels and Minor Smart Kids.

For more information, please contact Stephen Chojnacki at +34669387385 or visit www.minor.com.

NEWS | Indian cloud kitchen startup Rebel Foods valued at $1.4 billion in $175 million fundraise

Indian cloud kitchen startup Rebel Foods valued at $1.4 billion in $175 million fundraise

Rebel Foods, which operates a large network of dark kitchens in nearly a dozen markets, is the latest Indian startup to attain unicorn status.

The 10-year-old Indian startup said on Thursday it has raised $175 million in its Series F financing round that valued it at $1.4 billion, up from about $800 million last year. Qatar Investment Authority, sovereign wealth fund of the State of Qatar, led the financing round with participation from existing investors Coatue and Evolvence. Rebel Foods also counts Sequoia Capital India and Goldman Sachs among its investors.

Rebel Foods is the third Indian startup to become a unicorn this week, and 31st to become a unicorn this year as scores of high-profile investors including Tiger Global, SoftBank, Sequoia and Temasek aggressively double down on their bets to back young firms in the world’s second-largest internet market. (And many more are beginning to explore India. A16z made its first investment in an Indian startup this week.)

Rebel Foods operates the world’s largest number of what it calls “internet restaurants” in 10 countries including the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia and Malaysia. Over 45 brands, many of which Rebel Foods owns and also several from partner firms such as Wendy’s and Mad Over Donuts, prepare food exclusively for delivery rather than serving dine-in or takeaway customers. The startup says it operates over 4,000 of these internet restaurants.

The idea behind dark kitchens — also known as ghost or cloud kitchens — is to make food serving operations more economical. Setting up and operating a restaurant is expensive as they are also, after all, pieces of real estate. Setting up cloud kitchens allows partner restaurants and brands to move away from pricey retail locations and also streamlines the business by focusing on just producing food.

“The big disruption that the cloud kitchen model brought about is that you don’t have to put up five real estates [locations] to run five different restaurants,” said Jaydeep Barman, founder, and chief executive of Rebel Foods, in a virtual conference earlier this year. As carmakers produce dozens of models from one factory, “using technology, supply chain, and workflows, you can actually have one kitchen for five restaurants,” he explained.

Many investors say that the cloud kitchen model is also crucial for food delivery firms, restaurants and brands to reach a larger market. In many developing markets including India, the ticket size for a lunch or dinner order is $3 to $5, which makes the existing business models unviable for firms to turn a profit.

This would explain why both Swiggy and Zomato — the two top food delivery firms in India — have made several efforts to explore setting up their own cloud kitchens.

Swiggy, for instance, announced in late 2019 that it had invested in more than a million square feet of real estate space across 14 cities in the country to help restaurant partners of all sizes expand to more locations both within their city and across new cities through cloud kitchens. The firm, which invested over $25 million into its cloud kitchen business, significantly scaled it down last year after the pandemic hit. Like Swiggy, Zomato has also struggled to make inroads with its cloud kitchen efforts.

But the model is here to stay — and investors are buying. “Working in Rebel’s favor is the loss of investor interest in single-brand entities given that these brands don’t have the ability to drive profitable unit economics from just operating one brand. Scaling a single brand across cities requires capital investments far higher than for brands that are part of a larger portfolio, where fixed costs are controlled,” reported Indian news and analysis publication CapTable, which also scooped the fundraise talks last week.

Why have big firms struggled to make inroads with cloud kitchen? TechCrunch spoke with Ravi Golani, the chief strategy officer at Rebel Foods, who said a challenge that he sees with the cloud kitchen model is that there are several different strategies at play and they are yielding different results.

“We are combining the best of both worlds — digital and physical — to understand how to expand a particular brand, to make unit economics work, and to ensure adequate supply chain and leveraging technology. It’s a different ball game altogether,” he said, adding that some of the other firms have only succeeded in achieving some of these. Rebel Foods works with food delivery firms as its delivery distributing partners.

“If you think about cloud kitchens generally, you would imagine five or more different booths in a kitchen. They have their own staff, production material and delivery tie-ups. In our kitchens, what we have done is organize the entire layout by workflows rather than restaurants,” he said.

The startup said it plans to deploy the fresh funds to expand its international footprint and also explore acquisition opportunities. It’s also eyeing becoming a public company within two years, said Piyush Kakkad, the startup’s chief financial officer. Rebel Foods’ current annual run rate is $150 million.

Award | Minor Hotels Sweeps Another Big Win With 38 Accolades In 2021 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards

Minor Hotels, the parent company behind the Anantara, Avani, Tivoli, NH Collection, and Elewana hotel brands, is pleased to announce a total of 38 accolades awarded to its properties worldwide in 2021 Condé Nast Traveler US and UK Readers’ Choice Awards. The trove of prestigious accolades is a resounding vote of confidence in the group’s ability to lead the sector as it emerges from months of disrupted travel.

Leading these great results, two resorts have been named in the overall Top 50 Resorts globally, placing these properties among the most inspirational, trusted and loved hotels in the world. Naladhu Private Island Maldives, the exclusive luxury island resort was voted #4, closely followed by Anantara Chiang Mai Resort in Northern Thailand as #8. Furthermore, two hotels were included in the Top 50 Hotels globally, Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels by Tivoli in Doha as #13 and The Marker Hotel in Dublin ranked #46.

Continuing the top rankings of the world’s most prestigious hotels, the uber-exclusive Naladhu Private Island Maldives was also voted #1 among Top 30 Resorts in the Indian Ocean for the fourth time in five years, while fans of Anantara Chiang Mai Resort helped the serene riverside property retain its #1 ranking in the Top 20 Resorts in Thailand.

Award | Naladhu Private Island Maldives Named #1 Top Resort in Indian Ocean & #4 Best Resort in the World

Naladhu Private Island is excited to share that it has once again been named the #1 Top Resort in the Indian Ocean in the annual Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards. In addition Naladhu has been named #4 in the Best Resorts in the World.

The annual Readers’ Choice Awards are the longest-running and most prestigious recognition of excellence in the travel industry. For the 2021 vote, the readers were asked to draw on their happiest travel moments, spotlighting the places that made those magical moments possible, in a show of support for the travel industry.

Located on the edge of a pristine lagoon in the South Malé Atoll, Naladhu will reopen on November 1st after a complete renovation, revealing an impressive new look and feel, with the public areas and accommodation being redesigned and the resort’s top suite, the Two Bedroom Pool Residence, reopening with its own 20 metre private beach.

The new product will further support the amazing service and experience that the Naladhu team has delivered over recent years, with the resort being internationally recognised as #1 in the Indian Ocean for four of the last five years and two years in a row being named in the top five of the Best Resorts in the World.

New opening | Guggenheim Abu Dhabi set to open by 2025

The Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is on track to open by 2025, authorities in the emirate have confirmed. Facing numerous delays over the years, the museum was first announced in 2006.

Joining a collection of Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation museums, including arguably the most famous in Manhattan, the Abu Dhabi museum has been designed by Frank Gehry. When it opens, it will present a range of global modern and contemporary art pieces, with a specific focus on West Asia, North Africa and South Asia.

Gehry commented: “It is truly thrilling to see this project enter into this new phase. I am immensely proud to work closely with our partners, DCT Abu Dhabi and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, to create a home for their ground-breaking cultural program. I hope that this building is embraced by the people of the UAE and that this work will endure as a landmark for the country for many years to come.”

“Guggenheim Abu Dhabi fosters a deeper understanding of how different art perspectives have shaped the interconnected histories and cultures of our time. With both Emirati and regional experts playing a key role in the development of the museum’s collection and programmes, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi will provide a first-of-its-kind platform for artists from the UAE and the Gulf,” said The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) in a statement.

H.E. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, continued: “Guggenheim Abu Dhabi advances Abu Dhabi’s position as a dynamic centre for arts and culture. The region’s pre-eminent museum of global modern and contemporary art, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi will present an equitable platform for art from all over the world. The museum will also play a civic role through its mission to spark wider interest in global modern and contemporary art, fostering diversity and inclusion in a meaningful cultural exchange.

“As we move forward with our plans, it is crucial to recognise the impact of this museum in realising our vision for the Emirate’s culture and creative industries. Investing in these industries is pivotal to the economic development of our Emirate, and to our contribution to the global art world. Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, along with other cultural institutions such as Louvre Abu Dhabi and Zayed National Museum, will undoubtedly contribute significantly to a thriving creative scene.”

NEWS | Doha restaurant to welcome lauded Mexican chef

Chef Auilles Chavez will post up at Vertigo within Banyan Tree Doha

Mexican chef Anquiles Chavez is flying over to Qatar for a guest appearance at Vertigo – Banyan Tree Doha at La Cigale Mushaireb’s latest restaurant.

Though the panoramic restaurant is centered on Pan-Asian cuisine, chef Chavez will be in the kitchen from October 5 to 9 injecting some of his own cultural influences into the menu.

Starters include guacamole as well as tuna tartare, while the main dishes feature the flauta de Borrego, a lamb stew, the hamour en mole, a catch cooked with a green mole sauce, and the signature wagyu slow-cooked short rib. For dessert, the chocolate Jango will be the star with chili chocolate mousse, raspberry jelly, and caramel glaze.

Chavez will conduct two live cooking masterclasses, on the sixth and seventh of the month. Those interested will be able to join the class for QAR300 per person.

Aurelio Giraudo, cluster general manager, Banyan Tree Doha at La Cigale Mushaireb, commented on the event: “We are extremely excited about the imminent visit of Chef Chavez. We are committed to delivering on our promise to bring unique activations through our brands and restaurants in Doha, and we are certain that this event will bring our guests in Qatar a sensational experience never to be had before.”

NEWS | Carnival Corporation Names Company Veteran Sture Myrmell to Lead Carnival UK; Appoints Global Tourism Leader Marguerite Fitzgerald to Lead Carnival Australia

MIAMI, Sept. 28, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), the world's largest cruise company, today announced two appointments within its global leadership team, naming industry veterans to lead operations for Carnival UK and Carnival Australia.

Effective Oct. 18, Sture Myrmell, currently president of P&O Cruises Australia and president of Carnival Australia, will begin his new role as president of Carnival UK, the UK's largest cruise operator, overseeing the Cunard and P&O Cruises UK cruise line brands. Myrmell, who will be based in Southampton, England, will also serve temporarily as president of Cunard during the recruitment for that position. He will report directly to Josh Weinstein, chief operations officer for Carnival Corporation, who also has responsibility for Carnival UK.

Effective Jan. 10, 2022, Marguerite Fitzgerald, most recently serving as the lead for Boston Consulting Group's (BCG) global lodging and leisure practice, as well as its global strategy business, will assume Myrmell's prior position serving a dual role as president of P&O Cruises Australia and Carnival Australia. Fitzgerald, a global travel and tourism veteran bringing deep expertise in all aspects of cruise operations to Carnival Corporation, will be based in Sydney and report directly to Jan Swartz, group president, Holland America Group.

"Sture is a two-decade-plus veteran at our company, so we look forward to him bringing his deep experience, excellent leadership skills and proven track record of success to a new leadership opportunity," said Weinstein. "He will play a crucial role in our success in the UK, and we look forward to his contributions as we deliver to our guests the best vacation experiences in the world."

With over 20 years of experience with Carnival Corporation, Myrmell has served in multiple positions across the Princess Cruises, Cunard, Seabourn and P&O Australia brands. In his new role with Carnival UK, Myrmell replaces Simon Palethorpe, who will be leaving the company at the end of November after six years for a new opportunity.

"Simon has been a true asset for the company these past years, and we wish him the best with this new opportunity," said Weinstein. "He successfully revitalized the Cunard brand and then ably stepped into the role of president of Carnival UK for the past 15 months, leading both P&O Cruises and Cunard back into guest operations this summer with the Carnival UK executive team."

Australian-born Fitzgerald brings two decades of strategy and operational experience in retail and leisure travel to her dual-role position with Carnival Australia, replacing Myrmell.

Fitzgerald has worked across global geographies developing international strategies for travel and tourism companies, including over 10 years working with cruise lines – including several Carnival Corporation brands – in virtually every area of operations, from commercial to hotel to maritime. Prior to her time at BCG, Fitzgerald served for several years in the Australian power industry.

"Marguerite is a trusted global authority in the travel and tourism industry with extensive expertise in the worldwide cruise passenger market, including direct experience working in the Australian and New Zealand region," said Swartz. "With the insight she brings from consulting with some of the world's most well-known travel and tourism companies, including several of our brands, she is uniquely qualified to make a strong contribution to Carnival Australia's continued success. We are delighted to welcome her to the team."

About Carnival Corporation & plc 
Carnival Corporation & plc is one of the world's largest leisure travel companies with a portfolio of nine of the world's leading cruise lines sailing to all seven continents. With operations in North America, Australia, Europe and Asia, its portfolio features Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn, P&O Cruises (Australia), Costa Cruises, AIDA Cruises, P&O Cruises (UK) and Cunard.

NEWS | HRAWI Petitions To The Govt. For Timing Extension For Hotels And Restaurants In The State

HRAWI Petitions To The Govt. For Timing Extension For Hotels And Restaurants In The State

Mumbai, September: The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI) has submitted a representation to the Hon’ble Chief Minister - Shri Uddhav Thackeray, Hon’ble Chief Secretary - Shri Sitaram Kunte (IAS) and to the Hon’ble Environment, Tourism and Protocol Minister - Shri Aditya Thackeray requesting for an extension of operation timings for hotels and restaurants in the State. The Association has recommended restoring the operation timings of hotels and restaurants as per the license held by establishments, on all days of the week from Monday through Sunday. It has also requested the Government offers relaxation on the condition that restaurant staff be fully vaccinated for resumption of operations.

The Association has stated that since October 2020, restaurants in Maharashtra were allowed to operate under restrictions at 50 per cent capacity with restrictions on timings. But the second wave of the pandemic led to another complete lockdown and later more severe restrictions were imposed on restaurants.

“The rental and salary expenses, servicing of old debts, negative cash flows, and the statutory payment obligations have made running a hotel or restaurant a most unviable and unsustainable business under the present situation; and all its revival efforts have gone down the drain. However, things are looking up for the State with around three crores of its population having received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine and the number of new cases is steadily on the decline. Under the circumstances, we request the Government to take immediate measures to restore economic activities in the State and help its citizens to come out of the huge financial losses they have suffered during the last 18 months. For businesses such as restaurants, the curtailed timings of 7am to 10pm is just not viable so we request the Government to restore the timings of restaurants to the operation timings as per the license timings of each establishment on all days of the week,” says Mr Sherry Bhatia, President, HRAWI.

Amongst all the sectors, the hospitality sector in the country has taken the biggest hit due to the pandemic. Business came to a complete standstill after the lockdown came into effect. As of today, 30 per cent of hotels and restaurants in the country have shut down permanently due to financial losses. Over 20 per cent of hotels and restaurants still haven’t opened fully and the remaining 50 per cent are running in losses with revenues below 50 per cent of the pre-COVID19 levels.

“The present timings for restaurants from 7am to 10pm do not complement this business. This is only adding to the losses caused due to the two lockdowns. We recommend that the Government allows hotel and restaurants to revert to the pre-pandemic timings through the week. This will not only benefit restaurants but it also will promote staggered venturing out of the public. Other than this, we also request the Government to be considerate and provide hotels and restaurants relaxation on the condition that the staff be fully vaccinated for resuming operations. We request that the Government allows hotels and restaurants to undertake the pending vaccinations if any, in a gradual manner. We are sure that these positive measures would immensely benefit the people of Maharashtra to come out of the huge economic turmoil caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” concludes Mr. Pradeep Shetty, Sr. Vice President, HRAWI.

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 and Restaurant 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.

Visit Maldives | Niyama Private Islands Maldives Hosts Surf Week 2021 with Professional Surfer, Shaper and Photographer

Niyama Private Islands is launching its 2021 Surf Week from 1 to 7 November, hosting Josh Kerr and Matt Parker, two big names in the world of surf, and with a full programme of surfing and socialising for participants.

Josh Kerr, former Australian pro surfer and two-time world surf air show champion, will be sharing his expertise during daily surf clinics as well as one-to-one surfing coaching sessions. Josh has also been Todo Santos Big Wave Champion and a ten times top ten finisher in the WSL championship tour.

Matt Parker of Album Surfboards will be analysing guests’ surfing style and producing a tailormade board for each participant. Matt was the 2021 Electric Acid Surfboard test winner with surfer Coco Ho and has been shaping one of a kind, innovative surfboards since 2001.

In addition renowned professional surf photographer, Erick Proost, currently resident at Niyama, will be there to capture action images of the guests riding the waves.

Niyama is the only luxury resort in the Maldives with its own wave breaking onto the shore – Vodi – which is a powerful and sometimes hollow left hander. Off to the west and five minutes away by speedboat, Kasabu is a rippable and hollow right hander. There are also a number of other surf spots in and around the Dhaalu Atoll that can be easily reached from Niyama by speedboat or seaplane.

Marriott News | Marriott International signs 22 new agreements in south Asia

The hotel chain plans to add more than 2,700 rooms to its portfolio in India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Nepal.

Marriott International announced that it will add more than 2,700 rooms with the signing of 22 new hotel agreements in south Asia over the past 18 months. These include India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Nepal.

Rajeev Menon – president of Asia Pacific (excluding Greater China), Marriott International, said, “It is a sign of confidence from our owners and franchisees who have been an integral part of our growth journey. We are grateful for their continued support and trust in the power of our brands as we continue to welcome back travelers.”

More than one-third of the newly signed projects include hotels and resorts in the luxury tier, comprising brands such as JW Marriott and W Hotels. This reflects travelers’ growing demand for bespoke and top-of-the-line amenities and services. Travelers can anticipate the debut of the W Hotels brand in Jaipur with W Jaipur in 2024.

Hilton News | Hilton launches large-scale Franchise Model in Asia Pacific

Owners can now operate franchised hotels under the award-winning Hilton Garden Inn brand, part of a new holistic business model in China

Hilton, the fastest growing hotel company in Asia Pacific and a recognized global leader in franchising, has announced the launch of its large-scale franchise model in China. The business model will allow independent hotel owners in China to benefit from Hilton’s innovative commercial strategies and extensive support network, as the company welcomes investors and owners to explore franchising opportunities with its award-winning upscale focused-service brand, Hilton Garden Inn.

Alan Watts, president, Asia Pacific, Hilton, said, "As a leading global hospitality company with over 100 years of experience managing world-class brands and operating industry-leading hotels, Hilton has always been committed to delivering best-in-class returns for owners and safeguarding the interests of our partners. We remain optimistic about travel industry recovery in the long term as we continue to see strong domestic leisure demand in various parts of Asia Pacific, and investors remain bullish on the hotel sector. Providing opportunities for franchised partnerships with Hilton Garden Inn – one of the strongest focused service brands in the market – is a great step towards winning the hearts and minds of strong, savvy independent hotel owners in China. We are confident that the new model will serve as a great opportunity for our owners to access one of Hilton’s iconic brands and bring an exciting new entrant to their respective destinations.”

With the launch of the new franchise model, Hilton is offering a Hilton Garden Inn brand prototype developed specifically for the Chinese market, which was originally launched in 2019. This prototype fulfils Hilton’s commitment to providing guests with exceptional stay experiences, while also driving long-term investment success for owners. Under the program, owners can take advantage of attractive upfront investment costs, while the leaner operating model drives profitability and provides ease for day-to-day operations.

To date, Hilton has inked more than 100 deals to develop Hilton Garden Inn hotels in China, bolstering the company’s confidence in the long-term growth of the focused service brand and its ability to cater to a rising middle class. The anticipated growth momentum also corresponds with the increasing demand for internationally branded hotels to meet evolving consumer needs, especially within second and third tier cities in China.

Clarence Tan, senior vice president, Development, Asia Pacific, Hilton, said, “The launch of the pure play franchise model and corresponding prototype enables independent owners to leverage the award-winning international brand recognition and build quality of Hilton Garden Inn. We have also heavily invested in our systems, training and processes to support owners as they adapt their hotels to local demand drivers. Beyond China, we are confident that this development model will thrive in key destinations across Asia, as we anticipate rising demand for hotels in this segment in the long term. We are always on the lookout for the right partners in the right locations, and we will absolutely be assessing the right time to introduce the franchise model to regional investors in Asia Pacific – helping them to capture the strong demand for midscale lodging solutions.”

Alexandra Jaritz, senior vice president, Brand Management, Asia Pacific, Hilton, said, “As the fastest growing hospitality sector in China, focused service brands are primed to capture further market share. Hilton Garden Inn, our award-winning upscale focused service brand, currently has a global footprint of over 900 hotels, with 35 in China and 44 across Asia Pacific. The guest experience at our Hilton Garden Inn hotels in China has been tailored to the evolving preferences of Chinese consumers – all while remaining true to the brand’s global pillars of positive, upbeat service, luminous spaces, modern amenities, and stylishly approachable design delivered at an affordable price point.”

NEWS | Teardrop Hotels Sri Lanka appoints BRANDit as India Representative

Teardrop Hotels Sri Lanka appoints BRANDit as India Representative

Teardrop Hotels, a chain of luxury boutique hotels in Sri Lanka has appointed BRANDit, a specialist in tourism marketing, as its representation partner in India. BRANDit will be responsible for shaping the travel trade strategy, promoting sales and executing PR campaigns. This marks a new chapter for Teardrop Hotels as it looks to invest and strengthen its presence in the Indian market.

Speaking of the appointment, Mr. Henry Fitch, CEO, Teardrop Hotels said, “We are pleased and excited to introduce our brand of unique hotels to the Indian market through BRANDit. The hospitality sector has endured tremendous change in the recent past, impacting behaviours across the paradigm from travellers to hoteliers alike. The travel hiatus has resulted in a renewed enthusiasm, with visitors wishing to see the destination from a different perspective. With the sturdy track record that the BRANDit team has held over the years, we are confident of achieving greater visibility in India and will leverage this opportunity to elevate the Indian travellers’ experience with the finest indulgences that we as a brand have to offer.”

Teardrop is a collection of small, stylish, service-driven hotels that prides itself for contemporising centuries-old heritage buildings and vintage tea bungalows-with-views in distinct regions across the island nation. Each property is defined by its atmospheric destination, encouraging guests to engage in experiences that shape their own narrative of Sri Lanka.

“We are delighted to be able to promote Teardrop Hotels, especially at this juncture. Travel trade and consumers are both yearning for new experiences as we begin planning our next escape. With great connectivity, scenic landscape and a number of attractions, Sri Lanka has always been a perfect short-haul getaway for Indian travellers. Now, with borders re-opening, we are committed towards accelerating demand and increasing visitation by putting Teardrop Hotels on the radar of the travel trade and media stakeholders in India,” said Ms. Lubaina Sheerazi, CEO & Co-founder, BRANDit.

Hospitality startup Oyo likely to file for $1.2 billion IPO next week

Of the total issue, up to $250 million could be in secondary share sales and early-stage investors of Oyo are likely to make a partial exit through this IPO

Oyo Hotels and Homes is expected to file an IPO next week, Reuters news agency reported. After the stellar debut of food aggregator Zomato, the hospitality startup OYO is likely to go public and is eyeing between $1 billion and $1.2 billion, which is approximately between ₹7,300₹8,800 crore. 

According to reports, this will consist of a fresh issue of shares and an offer for sale from existing shareholders. After Zomato, CarTrade, Paytm, PolicyBazaar, Nykaa, and Mobikwik, Oyo would be the seventh Indian tech unicorn to roll out an IPO. While Zomato and CarTrade have already rolled out their IPOs, the others have filed papers with SEBI.

Oyo grappled with an existential crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic. It laid off staff and instituted salary cuts to stay afloat. The SoftBank-backed startup has appointed bankers and lead book managers for its listing, and is expected to file its draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) by mid-October.