Appointment | Mr. Anurag Raha is the new General manager,Crowne Plaza Pune

Crowne Plaza Pune appoints Mr. Anurag Raha as its General manager

The Crowne Plaza Pune Centre is set to add a new dimension to its main management with the appointment of Mr. Anurag Raha as the General Manager of Crowne Plaza Pune. 

Mr. Raha brings more than 20 years of managerial expertise to Crowne Plaza Pune, having previously worked at Taj Group of Hotels, The Grand Laxmi Vilas Palace, Radisson White Sands Resort, The New Kenilworth Hotel, Alila Diwa Goa, Pride Hotel, and Holiday Inn. Mr. Raha has a proven track record of running successful operations that nurture and grow the business while reducing costs and improving profits.

“ I am a firm believer in being productive and upbeat in all circumstances. Crowne Plaza has tremendous potential, and I am confident that with my strong commitment and enthusiasm for hotel management, Crowne Plaza Pune will soar to new heights. Crowne Plaza Pune is recognised for its luxury experience and exceptional service, so it's the perfect place for me to tap into my full potential in creating all-new management styles and procedures for a more efficient business. My major goal is to transform Crowne Plaza Pune from a great luxury hotel to a top cuisine destination in the city. ”  - Mr. Anurag Raha, General Manager, Crowne Plaza Pune City Centre  

"Mr. Raha is a creative, talented, and dedicated individual who is passionate about delivering excellent customer service and building strong connections with customers in order to generate repeat business." He has a track record of successfully managing operations that nurture and expand the company while lowering expenses and increasing earnings. He possesses the ideal mix of experience and passion to maintain Crowne Plaza Pune's excellent name and financial success. " Mr. Shiv Raheja, Crowne Plaza Pune's Board Director. 

Mr. Raha looks forward to bringing the expertise and skills that he has built over the past 20 years to bear on bringing success to the near future of Crowne Plaza Pune City Centre. 

J&K government, OYO launch homestays project with 75 villages

Encouraging startup entrepreneurship under the 'Crown of Incredible India' project, it has planned 200 homestays planned in a year in the state

Aiming to uplift the lives of local communities and help the youths of the state become startup entrepreneurs, OYO has partnered with the Government of Jammu & Kashmir to launch a state-wide initiative – ‘Crown of Incredible India’. Under this collaborative approach, OYO will partner with the government’s ‘Mission Youth’ programme to open homestays across 75 villages to promote entrepreneurship and create self-employment opportunities.

The Mission Youth initiative of the J&K Government provides a platform to local youth under multiple schemes. It offers financial assistance, last-mile infrastructure and accessibility to promote sustainable livelihood.

This initiative includes supporting the provision of Livelihood Generation, Skill Development, Education, Counseling and Rehabilitation, Sports and Recreation etc. In its efforts to promote rural tourism, the ‘Tourist village network’ includes 75 villages identified on scenic beauty, landscape, cultural diversity, and heritage parameters. OYO will provide its tech platform to onboard homestays and boost the local economy. J&K Govt under Mission Youth will support 500 youth for establishing homestay, and INR 50,000 financial assistance per homestay will be provided for refurbishment. The venture will help build a tourist infrastructure of world standards in rural J&K.

Manoj Sinha, Honourable Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, inaugurated the ‘Crown of Incredible India’ project. It aims to operationalise upto 200 home stays in Udhampur, Srinagar, Jammu, Anantnag, Doda and other underpenetrated districts in the next year. The company will expand its network across 75 villages under ‘Mission Youth’. OYO will assist in the training of existing and potential homeowners on responsible hosting, hospitality standards, hygiene and basic amenities. OYO will provide a constant stream of guests to these home stays by listing and promoting them on OYO’s customer app.

In addition, the homestays will also be listed on OYO’s website and multiple Online Travel Agent (OTA) platforms. The homestays owners will also be able to use OYO’s technology to run the operations and customer service through the company’s simple to use homeowner facing Co-OYO app. This partnership is a part of OYO’s ongoing efforts to boost tourism across India and empower underserved communities in the process.

The homestay owners in Jammu & Kashmir are primarily engaged in agricultural activities, making it a key source of their income. This includes apple, saffron, corn and walnut cultivation, which are the mainstays of Jammu & Kashmir’s economy. In a background where many migrated to towns, OYO’s rural-home-stay initiative will provide a valuable opportunity for these households to generate more income with minimum additional investment.

The concerted efforts made by the government of Jammu and Kashmir have already started showing results, with many private players from India already investing in the Union Territory. The government regularly organises summer and winter festivals, exhibitions showcasing local handicrafts, handloom, cuisine, sanctions for ropeway projects,  and efforts for new cable car projects at Pahalgam, Shiv Khori and Gulmarg are supporting the local economy.

Manoj Sinha, Honourable Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, said, “Rural homestays in MP, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra have started to rival conventional tourism. This partnership marks the start of a new chapter. OYO has made a great start to onboard J&K’s rural homestays on their platform. Our Mission Youth department has identified 75 villages under the Tourist Village Network, each with its distinct identity. They will partner with OYO, not just to generate jobs, but to improve the local economy and infrastructure. I am announcing that for those youth in this program, who want to start their homestays, we will support them through an incentive of INR 50,000 each.”

He further added, “Under PM Narendra Modi’s guidance, J&K is today the 6th largest tourist destination in India in terms of tourist influx. It has created both jobs and revenue. In Aug-Nov 2021, the state witnessed 52 lakh tourists, growing by the day. With this project, OYO plans to start with 20 homestays, of which ten are already live. I am hoping, as committed, Ritesh will ensure that 200 of our homestays are on their platform by December. This will provide both national and international tourists with the opportunity to experience and live the culture and tradition of JK. We will be able to create the most well developed rural tourism circuit.”

Ritesh Agarwal, Founder and Group CEO, OYO, said, “We, at OYO, are thrilled to be a part of the unique tourism opportunities in Jammu & Kashmir, and are excited to welcome travellers visiting the state for unique stay experience at these homestays. We are proud to extend our partnership with the Jammu & Kashmir Government to generate economic and employment opportunities in the district. The ‘Crown of Incredible India’ will enable socio-economic development, helping people become Atmanirbhar.”

Since entering Jammu & Kashmir in 2015, OYO has hosted thousands of guests at the hotels on its platform while ensuring higher earnings for 140+ hotels and homeowners. The company has further created direct and indirect economic opportunities for 500+ people. Many such patrons have started multiple hotels since joining the OYO family. According to OYO Travelopedia, a travel trend report, in 2022, 61% of Indians would prefer to go local and explore domestic destinations surrounded by nature which is reassuring to boost rural tourism in India. With revenge travel picking up, especially among millennials and Gen Z, Jammu & Kashmir is among the favorite destinations in the North. The affordable tariffs for rooms at OYO rural homestays will cater to experiential and immersive travelers. These come with all basic room amenities, great views, and an opportunity for travelers to experience Kashmiri life in its truest form. These homestay kitchens and dining spaces are stocked with Kashmiri food, including traditional bread – Khambir, local fruits and Kahwa.

Design | Millennium Place Mirdif looks to appeal to the Mirdif residential community

Millennium Place Mirdif has now opened. The sleek lifestyle property brings 248 keys to the area, 132 of which are residential units. It also has six dining outlets.

The F&B venues include Batchig, a modern take of Lebanese-Armenian cuisine, Sala de Cigar, the largest cigar lounge in Dubai, The Urban Bar, Hunter & Barrel Steakhouse, B Social, an all-day dining restaurant, and Vola Rooftop.

Bassam Bou Sleiman, general manager of Millennium Place Mirdif, said, “We are thrilled to finally open our doors and welcome our esteemed guests to their new happy place. Our hotel is intended to be a getaway and a haven for people looking for a vacation, staycation or just a day out. The versatility of the hotel lends to the splendour in terms of venues, leisure, entertainment and so much more. The announcement that we are open is just the beginning, we have so much more planned and we can’t wait to share it with you.”

The hotel makes up part of the wider AED3 billion Mirdif Hills project in Dubai which is building up the area as a hub for retail, hospitality and dining.

On that connection to the residential community, Sleiman added: “We feel very privileged to be a part of the exciting Mirdif Hills project, a fantastic lifestyle destination that fits with the ethos of our hotel.”

Appointment | Aditi Das joins JW Marriott Kolkata as Assistant Director Human Resources

Aditi Das joins JW Marriott Kolkata as Assistant Director Human Resources

She will manage HR operations, including employee welfare, recruitment and selection, talent potential identification and development, conduct satisfaction and engagement survey, budget and revenue

Aditi Das has joined JW Marriott Kolkata as the Assistant Director of Human Resources. With over 12 years of experience in the industry in end-to-end human resource functions, she has worked across multiple hotels like Courtyard by Marriott Pune Chakan, ibis Gurgaon, ibis Jaipur, Lebua Hotels and Resorts, Jaipur Marriott Hotel and Trident, Jaipur (Oberoi group of hotels and resorts).

An alumnus of International College for Girls, Jaipur, Das started her career as Assistant to General Manager at Trident, Jaipur (Oberoi group of hotels and resorts) and moved to take over the position of Human Resources Executive at Jaipur Marriott Hotel. After her three-year stint, she took over the role of Assistant Manager – Human Resources at Lebua Hotels and Resorts before joining the ibis Jaipur (AccorHotels Group) team as Assistant Manager – Human Resources.

Having successfully strategized, co-created, and implemented business transformation through people processes to improve business and accelerate business performance, Das was promoted to Talent & Culture Manager – Human Resources at Human Resources, ibis Jaipur.

In 2016 she joined as the Talent and Culture Manager at ibis Gurgaon where she won the award of HR Manager of the year from Hotelier Awards 2017 and 2018 consecutively. She was also part of the winning team of Courtyard by Marriott Pune Chakan for the JW Marriott Jr. Diversity Excellence Award. She was nominated for Debbie Marriott Harrison TakeCare Award of Excellence (Marriott International Highest recognition, 2019).

After spearheading multiple projects at Courtyard by Marriott Pune Chakan, she was transferred to JW Marriott Chandigarh, as the Human Resources Manager, which was her last stint, before starting her new role at JW Marriott Kolkata.

Aditi has been the driving force behind flawless HR systems implemented and praised for their effectiveness. In her current role at JW Marriott Kolkata, she would manage the daily operations of the Human Resources office with a diverse task list. This would range from Employee Welfare/ Satisfaction, Recruitment, and Selection, Talent Potential Identification and Development, Conduct Satisfaction & Engagement survey, Budget and Revenue responsibilities and many more.

An avid reader and listener of good music, Aditi is an animal lover and enjoys her leisure time by going on long spontaneous trips. She is a self-motivated team player who can work with speed and stretch herself professionally in the pursuit of client satisfaction. Known for her dedication and passion, Aditi strives to focus on maintaining a professional yet friendly relationship with everyone she encounters and enhancing the overall growth of the organisation.

Appointment | Santanu Guha Roy joins Radisson Blu Resort and Spa Karjat as General Manager

He looks forward to lead with team work, determination and dedication to pave way for quality service and to ensure overall guest satisfaction

Santanu Guha Roy has been appointed as the General Manager of Radisson Blu Resort and Spa Karjat. A seasoned hotelier, he completed his graduation from Kolkata University in 1995 and Diploma in Hotel Management, Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition from IHMCTAN, Kolkata in 1993.

With a broad spectrum of hospitality experience of close to three decades, he has worked with hospitality brands like The Taj Group of Hotels, Intercontinental Group of Hotels and Carlson Rezidor Group. He has been with the Radisson Hotel Group since 2007.

Under his able leadership, Radisson Blu Resort Alibaug was recognized as the top performer in Net Promoter Score amongst all the Carlson Rezidor Hotels in APAC region in 2015 and 2016 and was also awarded the ‘Best 5 Star Destination Wedding Hotel’. He helped the hotel earn the “Tourism Torch Bearer award” for two consecutive years.

He was then transferred to Radisson Blu Hotel Ranchi in 2017 where he played a key role in flipping the F&B revenue. The hotel was awarded the 5 Star Deluxe Hotel Classification under his leadership in 2021.

In his new position, Santanu looks forward to lead with team work, determination and dedication to pave way for quality service and to ensure overall guest satisfaction.

Appointment | Satyadeep Mishra joins OYO as CHRO for Tech, Corporate teams

Satyadeep Mishra joins OYO as CHRO for Tech, Corporate teams

Global hospitality technology platform, OYO, has announced the appointment of Satyadeep Mishra as the Chief Human Resources Officer for its Technology, Product, Shared Services and International Markets teams.

Satyadeep joins OYO from Jio and brings with him 20+ years of experience in co-creation and execution of people strategy and a track record of end-to-end HR programs and service delivery management to align with key business priorities. He previously worked as the HR Leader for Jio Platforms Limited and over the last 6 years has been associated with the transformational growth journey of Jio’s core telecom and digital platform initiatives in retail tech, health tech, media tech, fintech and other domains. Prior to Jio, he worked with Microsoft, Infosys, Bajaj Finance, Barclays Bank & the Natwest Group (erstwhile RBS). Satyadeep is an alumnus of Xavier Institute of Management.

At OYO, Satya will lead all aspects of people operations for teams specifically of Product, Engineering and Shared Services. In addition to these, Satya will also be responsible for teams that serve international markets of  OYO including the USA, UK, LatAm and others. With OYO’s continued focus on launching new features for its technology products for hotels and homes (Co-OYO App) and customers (OYO App)  in 2022, Satya’s appointment comes at a time as the company scales its data science, design, engineering and product teams.

Commenting on his appointment, Satyadeep said, “To me, the story of OYO is a story of focus, resilience and transformation. I am delighted to be a part of OYO’s journey and super excited to help build a culture of solving problems and creating solutions with a technology-first approach, for our OYOpreneurs, patrons and customers.” 

Commenting on the recent addition to OYO’s leadership team, Ritesh Agarwal, Founder and Group CEO-OYO said, “I am excited to welcome Satyadeep to OYO’s management team. I am looking forward to partnering with him in further building and scaling our teams. ”

Satya’s appointment comes in the backdrop of OYO’s recent announcement of strengthening its technology and product talent pool. In October 2021, OYO had announced its intent to hire 300+ technology professionals – including software development, engineering and product managers, designers, data scientists across entry-level to senior leadership roles in the coming months. OYO has in the past mentioned that nearly 30% of its workforce now constitutes product and technology experts.

Eclat Insights | Everything Is Created Twice. A Step-By-Step Approach To Envisioning Amazing Services WIth Your Team

According to Dr Stephen Covey, everything is created twice. There is a mental (first) creation and a physical (second) creation. The physical creation follows the mental, just as a building follows a blueprint.

The act of creating the mental creation is called visualization.

Visualization is the process of creating a visual image in one's mind or mentally rehearsing a planned movement in order to learn skills or enhance performance.

This is generally considered an individual activity. I am asking you to make it a collective one. Get your team together, and then follow this process.

Step 1 - Collective Visualization

• Get the team to sit in a circle.

• Move around the circle in a clockwise fashion.

• Tell your team that they will be collectively imagining a perfect scenario. A happy outcome for the guest, the team and the company. Tell them everything in this will be bright and shiny. The only rules are: Do not negate anything your team member imagines & Always take it further by saying 'yes, and...'. (this is an improv tool)

• Tell them to make it real with smells, sounds, and the like. As much or as little detail as they need to make it feel real.

• Take any process that the team is involved in or responsible for.

• Ask everyone to close their eyes, listen & imagine.

• Starting with any one member, ask them to describe the mental picture they see. They can share how much they want and then say 'continue' when they want their team member to take it forward.

• At 'continue' the next person in the circle should take the story forward.

Step 2 - Capturing The Visualization

You may want to have a few practice rounds first, but sooner than later, you should capture this amazing process. Your team will start creating a superlative memory, a story, that can or has the potential to become your ideal or perfect customer service experience. 

The first thing would be to record the narration on audio. Capture the energy, the intonation, the highs and lows, the pitch and the texture of the voices.  

When the process is done, play the audio to the team. They might laugh, cringe, or even be embarrassed, but you will see that they are listening and feeling it even more intently. Ask them if they want to do another round or are good for now.

Step 3 - Revisiting The Visualization

Post the activity in Step 2, let the result simmer in everyone's mind for a week or so. Then, gather them around again, and this time, just tell them 'you know what to do'.

• Repeat step 2, record the audio.

Now play the old audio and the new one. You will see so much more detail emerge. Some team members will have added elements you did not think of or imagine could be part of the process. 

Ask the team if they want to create a video using the audio as a script. Get the team to act in various roles. Keep improving as you go along.

Step 4 - Reimagining / Improving The Visualization

The last step is to keep improving. There are two ways to do this:

• You can ask the team to work on the same process and keep adding more details, depth.

• You can ask the team to start creating versions of the process for different situations or customer segments.

Want to make this WOW? 

• Let every team member lead at least one visualization. Break down the process to as small a sequence of steps as you need to in case you have a large team, but let everyone be activated by this activity.

• You can also ask team members to visualise a particular detail that is unique or different from everyone else's. When this manifests in the real world, it is a light bulb moment. For example, one team member that I ran this with, imagined a whole family wearing identical clothing at the time of check-in. She couldn't stop smiling when it really happened a few weeks later.

Do this for me right now. Close your eyes and imaging yourself doing this at your workplace. Imagine getting everyone together, sharing what you want them to do and leading the session. Imagine each and every one of them enjoying the exercise. 

As always, please allow me to lead a team visualization session for your team. This is with my compliments. I am on p.bedi@eclathospitality.com

Prabhjot Bedi

The one thing you can do right now is going on a walk. I would love to either go on a virtual walk with you or see your recorded walk to discuss tons of improvement ideas. As always, write to me at p.bedi@eclathospitality.com

Appointment | W Marriott Mumbai Sahar Appoints Chef Asif Qureshi, As The Indian Specialty Chef

Mumbai, February 2022: JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar, renowned for its gastronomic prowess since its launch in 2015 is pleased to announce the appointment of Chef Asif Qureshi, as the Indian Specialty Chef, effective as of February, 2022. With his appointment, Chef Asif will play a key role in leading the hotel’s illustrious Indian kitchen to scale newer culinary heights.

Chef Asif hails from Lucknow and has been showcasing the classical grandeur of Awadhi cuisine and the magic of Nawabi delicacies having worked with some of the leading hospitality chains in India. Chef Asif Qureshi brings with him over 17 years of hospitality experience in curating stellar Indian meals and showcasing age-old recipes from the land of the Nawabs and taking their rich culinary legacy forward. 

In his new role, Chef Asif will showcase his expertise of Indian cuisine, developing and innovating on new food trends, training his team and curating new indigenous menus. He will focus on sourcing quality produce, ingredients, and spices to curate an authentic experience for our guests.  He will also present his specialties in Awadhi cuisine at the hotel.

A coherent hospitality professional with meticulous skills in gastronomy, Chef Asif will ensure that guests have an authentic experience. His management style, attention to detail, and result-oriented approach makes him the perfect choice for this role. 

About JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar

JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar offers effortless elegance and sophistication. Just a short drive from Mumbai's international and domestic airports, the luxury hotel makes for an ideal destination for business and stay. Our 5-star hotel accommodation features 588 spacious rooms with pillow-top beds, marble bathrooms and high-speed Wi-Fi, as well as generous work desks and 24-hour room service. Our Hotel’s dining options reflect the city’s rich culture and culinary tradition. Romano’s, JW Café, JW Lounge and JW Baking Co. showcase the gastronomic prowess of the talent we have at JW Sahar.  Our 29,837 sq.ft. of indoor conventional and meeting spaces are a blend of beauty, authentic hospitality and world-class audio visual services. Spa By JW, the first of its kind in Asia Pacific, extends its host of therapies so one can experience holistic wellness. Visit us online on www.JW mumbai.com. For social media updates, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter on @JWSahar. For more information, follow us on LinkedIn, YouTube, Google Plus. 

Appointment | Le Meridien Gurgaon promotes Rahul Mahindroo to Front Office Manager

He will be in charge of directing front-office operations, providing quality services to guests, and maintaining service standards for business excellence

Rahul Mahindroo has been promoted as Front Office Manager at Le Meridien Gurgaon. In his new position, he will be in charge of directing front-office operations, providing quality services to guests, and maintaining service standards for business excellence. He has a quick learning curve and the capacity to adapt to changing industry trends, as well as proven problem-solving and analytical thinking skills.

Rahul is a devoted professional with the passion and skill set to succeed in a fast-paced leadership role that improves a company’s capacity to increase customer retention and revenue growth. He has excellent project leadership and personnel management capabilities, as well as a solid understanding of the hospitality business, based on his fourteen years of experience.

He began his career in 2008 at The Grand Hotel New Delhi, followed by stints at Crowne Plaza Today, Gurgaon in 2010, Shangri La Eros Hotel in 2012, and Le Meridien, Gurgaon in 2015.

Appointment | Crowne Plaza Greater Noida appoints Sharad K Upadhyay as General Manager

With over 20 years of experience across a broad spectrum of hospitality functions, he holds specialisation in hotel operations with an avid interest in F&B, sales and marketing

Crowne Plaza Greater Noida has appointed Sharad K Upadhyay as the new General Manager. With over 20 years of experience across a broad spectrum of hospitality functions, he holds specialisation in hotel operations with an avid interest in F&B, sales and marketing. He has held various leadership positions and worked with renowned domestic and international hospitality brands across the country and beyond.

In his new role, Upadhyay will spearhead the business operations, overall implementation and business development at Crowne Plaza Greater Noida, ensuring its growth and expansion through innovative strategies. He brings with him an extensive array of proficiency and a deep understanding of operational knowledge especially in pre-opening set ups and managing the financial sustainability of hotels.

His impeccable attention to detail and hardworking nature has led to him being awarded with the Outstanding Leadership Award in 2017 and Leadership Recognition Award in 2018 by IHG Group. In January 2021, he was awarded the Best General Manager award by Empower Business Awards 2022 for his leadership contribution towards running a highly successful and profit-making hotel during the pandemic of 2020-21 from the hands of Padma Shree Kalapana Saroj. In his last stint, Upadhyay was the General Manager of Holiday Inn Mumbai International Airport. He completed his General Management Program from Cornell University Ithaca, New York.

He began working with IHG Group in the year 2002, which was at the Crowne Plaza North Beijing, PRC and has worked with leading hospitality brands in Nepal, India and Thailand over his tenure with the parent brand. Thereby gaining proficiency in handling various aspects of hotel functions, including Sales and Marketing, Relationship and Management Contract, and Finance.

The ITC Hotels app, a one-stop destination for guests, debuted

Gourmet food delivery, room reservations, table reservations and loyalty membership management are enabled through this App

Keeping pace with the dynamically changing consumer preferences, ITC’s Hotel Group have launched an app. Through this guests will be able to access services like room reservations, restaurant reservations, food delivery and takeaway, loyalty membership essentials and much more across ITC Hotels, Welcomhotels and select Fortune Hotels. 

The ITC Hotels App enables guests to book their stay at over 55 hotels and resorts through a simple process giving them access to the best rates. 

Club ITC members can also save up to 10% on room reservations through Club ITC exclusive member rates and earn and redeem Club ITC Green Points for their stays booked directly. 

Club ITC members can earn 500 bonus Green Points for materialized room reservations as an exclusive limited time offer. Business travellers can book their stays at their organisations contracted corporate rates via the App, making the whole reservation process hassle-free and easily accessible at all times. 

Anil Chadha, Divisional Chief Executive, ITC Hotels, stated, “The new ITC Hotels mobile app is a natural progression for the brand that prides itself on moving with the times and serving its customers in the most modern and efficient way possible. We are living in a digital world and want our guests to enjoy the ITC Hotels experience with the convenience, efficacy, innovative and interactive interface that the new ITC Hotels app offers, along with multiple benefits and privileges.”

The App enables food delivery and takeaway across 14 cities — Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Goa, Agra, Jaipur, Vadodara, Amritsar, Coimbatore, (Bhubaneswar and Guntur coming soon). Whether you are planning a leisurely lunch, coffee with friends or a celebratory dinner, scores of options are available on the App, just a click away. 

Guests can now order home their favourites from the iconic cuisine brands through Gourmet Couch – ITC Hotels pan India food delivery initiative via the App. Guests can order through a Common Cart where they can place an order from multiple signature menus in one order, order combos or curated set menus. 

To add to guests’ gourmet experience is the ease of table reservations at 75 plus restaurants at ITC Hotels & Welcomhotels at just one touch on the App. 

Members of Club ITC and those who hold the Club ITC Culinaire membership have reason to celebrate the new App as it manages the account on their phones and keeps track of member’s points, transactions, tier status and much more. Guests can earn and redeem Club ITC points on eligible orders, gift a meal, or schedule using the new App. For those who want a new Club ITC membership, the App enables easy and free registrations instantly, welcoming them to enjoy the membership benefits. 

Visit Maldives | Julien Royer’s Three Michelin-starred Odette Arrives at Soneva Fushi

Julien Royer’s Three Michelin-starred Odette Arrives at Soneva Fushi

Singapore’s famed three Michelin-starred restaurants Odette has arrived at Soneva Fushi for an exclusive 10-week residency at Flying Sauces. Reflecting the Odette experience, Julien Royer’s evolving multi-course menu showcases produce at its seasonal peak with an emphasis on native ingredients. 

Across 10 weeks, Odette’s Singaporean Chef de Cuisine, Naka Xiong, will bring his reverence for nature and affinity with seafood to realize a gastronomic experience infused with vibrant tropical flavors and an ingenious Southeast Asian identity, befitting Soneva Fushi’s idyllic island setting. 

“It is Odette’s greatest pleasure to share our experience with our friends at Soneva. We’re delighted to take the heart of Maldives’ terroir to greater heights, with the show-stopping creativity of our Chef de Cuisine, Xiong,” said Julien Royer, Chef-Owner of Odette 

“This menu showcases the nostalgic Southeast Asian flavors that I’m familiar with. Surrounded by fresh produce from Maldivian waters and cooking among the lush treetops of Soneva is a dream come true for me,” said Naka Xiong Chef de Cuisine, Odette 

Taking fine dining to exhilarating new heights 

Flying Sauces is the world’s first fine dining zipline experience. Glide along the 200-metre zipline route through the leafy jungle to the island's treetop table and open kitchen – at 12 metres above the ground, it has exceptional views across the sparkling ocean. The menu is expertly paired with a selection of wines from its extensive cellars, which house the largest collection of wines and Champagnes in the Indian Ocean. During the 10-week Odette residency, Flying Sauces will be serving its usual breakfast menu, while the Flying Sauces Featuring Odette’s Julien Royer menu will be served for dinner. 

An experience to remember… 

The Flying Sauces zipline takes a scenic route through the forest at a height of 5 to 10 metres – with towering platforms and rope bridges along the way, it ends at an elevated dining tower, raised 12 metres above the ground with exceptional views over the ocean. Operating during daylight hours only, the zipline takes approximately 1 hour 15 minutes; the Flying Sauces dining experiences take an additional 1 hour for breakfast and high tea, and 2 to 3 hours for dinner. Each Flying Sauces experience is suitable for a maximum 10 to 12 guests aged 8 and above, divided into 2 groups of 6 guests. 

Celebrate the Chinese New Year with variety of Mooncakes at Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre

Celebrate the Chinese New Year with variety of Mooncakes at Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre  

Hyderabad: February 2022: Celebrate the auspicious lunar New Year with our classic flavours of mooncakes selected from premium ingredients and created by specialty chefs… Moon cake symbolizes family reunions and is a must during festival seasons. This dessert is given to people while greeting them and is considered to bring good luck.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Manish Dayya, General Manager, Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre, said, “We are happy to announce the MOONCAKE FESTIVAL at Le Cafe’ to celebrate the New Year. Lunar New Year is the most important festival as it it symbolizes a time for families to sit together, share their blessings, and also celebrate the new beginning. Mooncake is a dessert that is essentially served with tea or coffee while family greets each other during the festival period. 2022 is the year of the Tiger which symbolizes a year of power, confidence, and strengths and will bring in good luck and fortune for everyone. We are sure that the specially curated moon cakes will bring in a lot of happiness and joy to your family and loved ones’ 

NHCC has created 5 flavourful varieties for you to choose from White Lotus Seed, Black Sesame, Fruit & Nuts, Durian, and Custard while each flavour has its meaning for your beloved one.    The Mooncakes are available from 1st -28th February 2022 at LeCafe Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre

Appointment | Binayak Tamang appointed executive chef at Sheraton Grand Bengaluru Whitefield Hotel & Convention Center

He will extensively plan the menu, buffets, executing policies, procedures and maintaining quality

Sheraton Grand Bengaluru Whitefield Hotel & Convention Center has recently appointed Binayak Tamang as the Executive Chef. He has over 17 years of experience in the culinary industry.

Chef Tamang will bring his expertise in F&B and culinary operations to his new role and introduce new trends. He has extensive knowledge of Italian, French and Asian cuisines, which can be witnessed in his creative recipes.

Over the years, Chef Tamang has developed his own standard of cuisine with deep commitment to hospitality. From customizing and catering every palate, to understanding the nitty-gritties of various techniques, he expresses his love for food by playing with ingredients from around the world. He excels in the culinary domain and would be responsible for spearheading restaurant operations, kitchen management, banquet event operations and ensuring high quality services to achieve customer satisfaction. He will extensively plan the menu, buffets, executing policies, procedures and maintaining quality.

Chef Tamang holds a bachelor degree in hotel management and has graduated from IHM Bhubaneswar. His last assignment was at The Leela Palace Chennai.

Prior to The Leela Hotels and Resorts, he worked as a chef de cuisine for the signature gourmet award-winning restaurant; Dolce Vita and Italian fine dine restaurant; Melt café at the Mandarin Oriental, Singapore. In his previous roles, he has worked at Taj Lands End Mumbai, The Oberoi New Delhi and The Oberoi Rajvilas Jaipur.

Appointment | The Westin Pune appoints Apratim Gole as Marketing & Communications Manager

He will elevate and sustain the hotel’s brand positioning, driving engagement and additional revenue through marketing and PR campaigns

The Westin Pune Koregaon Park has appointed Apratim Gole as Marketing and Communications Manager. He will shoulder the responsibility of managing all marketing and PR activities, elevating and sustaining the Hotel’s brand positioning, driving engagement and additional revenue through invigorating Marketing and PR Campaigns.

Gole has over six years of experience in hospitality sales and marketing and communications. Before joining The Westin Pune Koregaon Park, he was responsible for Marketing and Communications for Courtyard by Marriott Raipur and Courtyard by Marriott, Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh.

Gole holds a Master’s in Business Administration in Marketing, from Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), and a BA (Hons) Hotel Management, from IHM-A, Aurangabad, University of Huddersfield, UK.

Commenting on his appointment, Gole said, “I am truly excited to be a part of the Westin family, and I look forward to forming a warm connection with associates, great repertoire with the guests and long-lasting connect with the media fraternity. I’m honored by this opportunity and will continue to do my best in elevating the Hotel’s status to remarkable excellence.”

Hyatt Announces Plans for Two New UK Hotels with Hyatt Regency London Stratford and Hyatt House London Stratford

Hyatt Announces Plans for Two New UK Hotels with Hyatt Regency London Stratford and Hyatt House London Stratford

The announcement signals Hyatt’s continued brand growth in the UK

CHICAGO (January 2022) Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into management agreements with Stratford City Hotels Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of M&L Hospitality, for Hyatt Regency London Stratford and Hyatt House London Stratford. The 225-room Hyatt Regency London Stratford and the 127-room Hyatt House London Stratford are expected to open in Q2 2022 following an extensive refurbishment. Both hotels will be conveniently located within one of Europe’s largest urban shopping and entertainment complexes, Westfield Stratford City, and a short walk to Stratford Station and Queen Elizabeth Park.

“The addition of these two hotels will be another exciting step in growing Hyatt’s brand presence in the United Kingdom and in creating a network of hotels across the key commercial and leisure markets in the country,” said Felicity Black Roberts, vice president of development Europe, Hyatt. “We worked closely with M&L Hospitality to choose the right brands for the location and are pleased to be continuing our relationship with them following the successful openings of Hyatt Regency Manchester and Hyatt House Manchester in 2019.”

Designed with productivity in mind, Hyatt Regency London Stratford will offer business and leisure travelers alike a stress-free and seamless environment to stay connected. Guests can enjoy 6,673 square feet (628 square meters) of meeting space, along with a spacious restaurant, bar and an open-air terrace. Hyatt House London Stratford will provide guests with modern, apartment-style suites with fully equipped kitchens and flexible workspaces, designed to make them feel at home, especially during extended stays.

The hotels are located close to Stratford Station, one of the UK’s busiest train stations, giving guests swift access to Central London in only seven minutes. Stratford International Station connects guests to St Pancras International Station and transfers to the Eurostar train, which provides services to Paris, Brussels, Rotterdam and Amsterdam.

The properties will also be easily accessible to Heathrow International Airport via the new Queen Elizabeth Crossrail line due to open mid 2022, which will offer services to Stratford in approximately 45 minutes. Furthermore, London City Airport is only 20 minutes from Stratford on the Docklands Light Railway, making it an ideal location for business and leisure guests.

Guests can enjoy easy access to local events at the nearby O2 and ExCel London convention center, home to many concerts, exhibitions, and corporate events. The burgeoning Stratford City is also fast becoming the most exciting cultural region in the UK with major new developments at Queen Elizabeth Park (home to London Stadium, London Aquatics Centre, Lee Valley Velopark and more) currently underway including the proposed new future home of BBC studios, along with the exciting new museum project, V&A East. Further, nearby universities include the new world-class East campus of the University College of London and the new College of Fashion.

“We are pleased to be able to continue our work with Hyatt in the United Kingdom,” said Neil Maxwell, chief executive officer of M&L Hospitality. “Our strategy focuses on identifying key gateway cities with strong economic growth. Stratford is experiencing a real boom and our plans to introduce these Hyatt House and Hyatt Regency hotels to London will capitalize on this.”

The announcement of Hyatt Regency London Stratford and Hyatt House London Stratford marks Hyatt’s continued growth in the UK market. The hotels will join M&L Hospitality’s existing Hyatt properties including Hyatt Regency Manchester and Hyatt House Manchester, Hyatt Place London Heathrow Airport. Other Hyatt properties in the UK include Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill, Hyatt Regency Birmingham, Great Scotland Yard Hotel, Andaz London Liverpool Street,  Hyatt Place West London Hayes, Hyatt Centric Cambridge and Hyatt Place London City East.

For more information about Hyatt Regency hotels, please visit:

https://www.hyatt.com/brands/hyatt-regency

Appointment | Mr. Ravikant Tibrewal, appointed as Director of Finance at Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre & Hyderabad International Convention Centre

Mr. Ravikant Tibrewal, appointed as Director of Finance at Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre & Hyderabad International Convention Centre

Hyderabad 08th February: Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre announced the appointment of Mr. Ravikant Tibrewal as Director of Finance for the complex. In his present role, Ravikant will be spearheading the day-to-day financial operations. As a dynamic professional, he brings over 17 years of domain experience in financial planning and analysis, accounting control, budgeting, taxation, and statutory audit.

Prior to joining Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre, Ravikant has led finance operations for hospitality brands such as Taj Exotica Resorts & Spa Goa, Taj Ambassador New Delhi, Usha Kiran Palace, Gwalior primarily working in the accounts, taxation, Finance Polices, audit, and finance operations.

Speaking on the appointment Mr. Manish Dayya, General Manager, Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre & Hyderabad International Convention Centre said “We are thrilled to have Ravikant join our team and spearhead our finance department. He brings significant financial and commercial experience with a clear understanding of the hospitality sector. He will be a valuable addition to the Board as we continue to execute on our sustained profitable growth.”

Ravikant is an alumnus of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and likes to read and travel in his leisure time.

New Opening | Minor Hotels Announces New NH Collection Property in Qatar to Open in Mid-2022

We are pleased to announce the signing of an upcoming addition to Minor Hotels’ portfolio in Qatar. NH Collection Doha Oasis Hotel & Beach Club is in the later stages of development and is slated to open in mid-2022. The property will be the first NH Collection property globally with a beach club.

The new 300-key hotel is located in the Ras Abu Abboud area along Doha’s eastern coast, midway between the city center and Hamad International Airport, and has a rich history. The previous Oasis Hotel, from where the new property takes its name, was in the same location and was Doha’s first-ever hotel when it opened in the 1950s.

Accommodation options will include a mix of guest rooms and over 50 suites, the largest being the Royal Duplex Suite with 332 sqm of luxurious space. The F&B offering will be very strong, with six restaurants and bars, including two specialty restaurants and a rooftop bar. In addition, the hotel will have a beach club with a swimming pool set amidst gardens, padel tennis courts, both male and female spas and gyms, a large ballroom and substantial parking.

Qatar Tourism announces new superyacht luxury cruises to set sail from Qatar

Qatar Tourism announces new superyacht luxury cruises to set sail from Qatar

• Emerald Azzurra to launch in January 2023 with seven-night cruises from Doha

• Extensive tourism development is underway in Qatar as the country prepares to host the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022TM

• A new Grand Cruise Terminal also under construction in Qatar will host two mega-ships at one time and have an aquarium and art gallery 

 February 2021: Qatar Tourism has announced new superyacht luxury cruises in partnership with Emerald Cruises, sailing from Doha launching in January 2023. 

Emerald Azzurra will offer seven-night, eight-day itineraries from Doha, with stops at Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi; Khasab, Oman; Fujairah, UAE; Zighy Bay, Oman; and Dubai and vice versa. 

Pre and post-cruise tours are available where guests can opt for a three-day package to explore the sites and culture of Qatar. Highlights include the National Museum of Qatar, designed by French architect Jean Nouvel, in the style of a desert rose; or a visit to Souq Waqif, to purchase local souvenirs and spices. Visitors can take a trip into the desert and visit the Inland Sea, before enjoying dune bashing and a camel ride.

The news comes as construction continues on the new Grand Cruise Terminal located in central Doha, near the Museum of Islamic Art and Souq Waqif. The terminal will have the capacity to host two megaships and will offer various attractions, including an aquarium and art gallery. 

Chief Operating Officer of Qatar Tourism, Berthold Trenkel, said: “In line with the national strategy, Qatar National Vision 2030, we are expanding our tourism value proposition and are excited to welcome travellers from around the world to experience the best of Qatari hospitality both on sea and land. The new itineraries launching with Emerald Cruises are another step towards achieving this vision.

“Qatar has an incredible range of hotels, restaurants, activities and cultural landmarks which can be enjoyed pre and post the cruise, allowing guests the freedom to explore Qatar at their leisure. We welcome travellers from around the world to experience our beautiful country and the best of the Middle East, all in one easily accessible place.” 

Rob Voss, COO, Scenic Group, which includes Emerald Cruises, comments: “We are delighted to be taking our new superyacht, Emerald Azzurra to Qatar’s vibrant city of Doha next winter. In partnership with Qatar Tourism our guests will experience first-hand and in luxury yachting style the immersive beauty and hospitality The Gulf region and specifically Qatar has to offer. It will be magical.”    

The superyacht, Emerald Azzurra, can accommodate 100 guests, at an impressive 110 metres in length. Guests can enjoy a Sky Bar, observation deck and lounge, wellness area, an infinity pool and marina platform which hosts several marina toys including sea bobs and paddleboards. 

For more information on Qatar and details om how to plan your stay, please visit https://www.visitqatar.qa/en/plan-your-trip/travel-tips. For more information on the cruise programmes, visit: https://www.emeraldcruises.co.uk/Qatar 

Appointment | Sheraton Grand Bengaluru Whitefield Hotel & Convention Center brings on board Nitin Varshney as the Director of Engineering

Sheraton Grand Bengaluru Whitefield Hotel & Convention Center  brings on board Nitin Varshney as the Director of Engineering 

Nitin will be responsible for the efficient operations of Engineering, and to achieve the highest level of  guest satisfaction, sustainability and safety standards. 

Bengaluru, February, 2022: Sheraton Grand Bengaluru Whitefield Hotel & Convention Center has  recently appointed Nitin Varshney as the Director of Engineering. 

Varshney began his career in 2003 at Trident, Jaipur, and since then, has held multiple level positions with  eminent brands such as The Oberoi, Aman and Ista hotels. In 2011, he joined Taj hotels as the Chief  Engineer where he was a crucial part of the team that launched a 180 keys property at Coimbatore.  

Nitin has a track record for successfully transforming team productivity, minimizing breakdowns with  effective implementation of preventive maintenance programs, and strategizing the engineering  operation to support the business bottom line. His passion for sustainability and safety has earned him  the highest level of certifications, and these values will be at the foundation of his mission here at  Sheraton Grand Bengaluru Whitefield Hotel & Convention Center.  

Consistent results and an eye for detail got him his last assignment with Taj hotels at The Rambagh Palace,  Jaipur where he successfully acquired a platinum certification for the hotel, through year on year energy  savings via upgradation of chillers, transformers & installation of energy efficient equipment. During his  tenure, he also successfully launched new banquet halls and turned around the technical capacity of the  F&B outlets. 

With his maiden stint at Marriott International, Nitin will be responsible for the efficient operations of  Engineering, and to achieve the highest level of guest satisfaction, sustainability and safety standards. He  will also plan the next 10 years’ investment in capital expenditure considering the present health of the  property and services. 

In his leisure time, Nitin is fond of travelling and exploring new places with his family, playing cricket with  his two sons, and reading about the latest technology. He is also extremely fond of cars and gadgets. 

About Marriott International 

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a  portfolio of roughly 7,900 properties under 30 leading brands spanning 138 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.