HVS Monday Musings: Food for Thought - Reimagining F&B at Hotels in India

Dipti Mohan, Senior Manager - Research, New Delhi & Mandeep S Lamba, MRICS, President (South Asia), New Delhi

Food & Beverage (F&B) has always been a significant component of hotel operations and revenue. Several hotel chains have created their own iconic in-house restaurant brands over the last few decades. Dining at these hotel restaurants, known for their high-quality cuisine and celebrated chefs, had a novelty factor that was missing from the options available outside of hotels.

However, over the last decade as the retail boom started gaining momentum, hotel restaurants soon began losing guests to the slew of high-end, new-age, standalone restaurant brands that were promising unique dining experiences to guests. Changing demographics, evolving preferences of diners, and the fact that these younger, more trendy and less formal places provided a great variety of quality food and ambience at more ‘affordable’ prices helped increase their popularity. The growth of shopping malls and mixed-use restaurant districts facilitated these chains to expand their presence across the country, resulting in lower footfalls at hotel restaurants. As a result, most hotels started reducing the number of F&B options at their premises to counter the loss in demand.

Is Covid-19 the inflexion point of this trend?

There is no denying that the Hotels and Restaurants sectors have been two of the worst hit by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Though hotels have started witnessing a gradual increase in occupancy, recovery for restaurants, especially for dine-in, has been relatively slow as most people are still worried about dining out.

This model can create a win-win situation for both hotels and restaurants in the current scenario. Hotels not only get an opportunity to win-back the customer share they had lost out to standalone restaurants over the last few years, but can also draw in footfalls and revenues during periods of low occupancy by marketing the restaurant as a destination in itself. Meanwhile, the restaurants get an opportunity to renew operations at much affordable costs with the added benefit of a captive clientele.

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Mandarin Oriental, Doha Debuts Luxury Serviced Apartments

Mandarin Oriental, Doha introduces the ideal solution for extended stays in Qatar: stylishly-appointed Serviced Apartments. Located within the hotel, the Serviced Apartments offer the comforts of home in a residential ambiance, whilst providing access to all hotel amenities and complemented by Mandarin Oriental's intuitive and personalized service. Located in trendy Msheireb Downtown Doha, discover a variety of innovative dining experiences and eclectic cafés, pedestrian friendly streets, and a convenient internal tram network, all just steps from the hotel.

Apartments range from one to four-bedrooms and are ideal for executives or families looking to experience a chic urban environment in Doha's most exciting new neighbourhood. Selected apartments feature a luxurious duplex layout and distinctive features such as an expansive terrace or study.

These bright and spacious apartments include a fully equipped kitchen complete with Gaggenau appliances, washing machine and dishwasher, built-in wardrobe, guest powder room, and bathroom fitted with dual basins, rain shower and stand-alone bath.

Residents of the Serviced Apartments enjoy full use of the hotel's facilities, including the Fitness and Wellness Centre. Guests staying a month or more will receive a host of exclusive benefits including privileged prices at the hotel's restaurants and laundry service, daily housekeeping and a dedicated parking space.

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The Pride Hotel ties up with a financial firm for the ‘Wedding at Pride’ initiative

The Pride Hotel has announced its alliance with a financial firm for the ‘Wedding at Pride’ initiative. The luxury hotel chain will now facilitate financial assistance to guests in order to make their dream wedding come alive and help them create special memories with grandeur and care at Pride.

To relieve the patrons from financial stress, the Pride Hotel has tied up with a financial firm to ensure finance doesn’t stop them in making their dream wedding come true.

“Every Wedding Event that is held at the Pride properties is seen as one of authentic distinction and storied elegance, and we aim to create an unmatched ambience that truly befits our guests’ dream wedding within the specified budget. And if one requires assistance, then our group has the financial partner to help make the event memorable” says Amit Sidana- VP Sales & Marketing, Pride Hotels Ltd.

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Samson Mathews joins Crowne Plaza Chennai Adyar Park as Director of Human Resources

Samson Mathews has been appointed as the Director of Human Resources at Crowne Plaza Chennai Adyar Park. Bringing with his 24 years of experience in the service industry, Samson takes on a leadership position to create a positive environment, wherein the whole team is aligned with the goals of the hotel.

As the Director of Human Resource at Crowne Plaza Chennai Adyar Park, Samson will implement his experience in people management, maintaining healthy employee relations, handling employee grievances.

On his appointment, Anand Nair, General Manager Crowne Plaza Chennai Adyar Park, said, “We welcome Samson to our Leadership team at Crowne Plaza Chennai with his rich experience in Human Resources having worked with multiple international hotel brands we believe that he will be a great addition to our team and his experience will add great value to our organization.”

Samson has completed his Master of Business Administration in Human Resources and Bachelor of Economics, from Loyola College, Chennai. His professional journey began as an HR Executive at The Residency Coimbatore a Pre-opening hotel, and he worked almost 10 years in the The Residency Group and opened up new hotels for the group, he worked in various international hospitality brands such as Marriott International, Starwood International, Mahindra Holidays and Sterling Holidays., before taking on his new role at Crowne Plaza Chennai. Samson is passionate in adventure, biking, and all kinds of Sports.

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DESIGN Taj Mahal, New Delhi unveils the new avatar of its dining destination - Machan

The iconic Taj Mahal, New Delhi  has unveiled the new avatar of the Capital’s original and much-loved dining destination Machan.

The hotel also reopened to an elegant new lobby and the Emperor Lounge after a stylish makeover. Taj Mahal, New Delhi has been under extensive renovation since July 2019, reinventing itself to offer the essence of timelessness and heritage of Lutyens’ Delhi, coupled with contemporary flair and impeccable service the hotel has been renowned for.

The next phase of the transformation will include the redesigned rooms and The Chambers – expected to be completed by end of the year. Machan, the international dining destination has been a defining part of the city’s culinary landscape for many decades. 

Machan’s décor is based on Indian wildlife, reminiscent of the days where ‘Machans’, or raised platforms, were built as look-out and observation posts. The redesigned Machan will present a gastronomical confluence of the old and the new with an eclectic menu.

With a state-of-the-art air purification technology for reduction of particulate matter and mitigation of microbes, Machan offers an environment with heightened safety and hygiene protocols. The Emperor Lounge that has been the centre of many conversations and high-powered business meetings returns with elevated style and novel culinary offerings.

With the refreshed Machan and Emperor Lounge, the hotel welcomes its guests once again to relive their old memories and create new ones. With inspired and warm service, the Hotel promises to delight the gourmands of yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Satyajeet Krishnan, Area Director – North and General Manager, Taj Mahal, New Delhi said, “The Taj Mahal, New Delhi remains an ideal location with exquisite dining choices. The re-imagined Machan makes a comeback featuring some of the signature favourites in addition to cuisine inspired by the forests of the world and India. We welcome guests to experience Delhi’s veritable institution once again”.

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Hilton: When Recruiting Talents We Focus On Soft Skills Like Teamwork

What experience and skills do hospitality organizations look for when hiring graduates? What elements should a good resume of young professionals contain?

We spoke with Leonie Trottmann (HR) from the Hilton Garden Inn in Davos, Switzerland.

What skills and qualities do you value most when hiring new employees?

When hiring graduates, we focus primarily on the personality. We look for charisma and self-confidence, a deep understanding of service orientation and the ability to work in a team.

But besides soft skills, abilities like foreign languages and IT knowledge are also very important to us.

What are the characteristics of a good resume for new graduates?

It is important for us to see in the resume that the graduate feels comfortable in different hotel areas and works well in a team.

Since our hotel is located in the mountain area and attracts active vacationers, we are also consciously looking for active employees who feel comfortable outdoors and can achieve satisfaction and a good work-life balance in their free time. Not only the guests but also the employees should feel comfortable with us.

How important is practical experience for career starters?

Besides theoretical knowledge, practical experience is very important. This strengthens the ability to grasp interrelationships in the company with logic and the self-confidence in dealing with people. When starting a career, it is an advantage to have some initial experience already.

What do you think makes graduates of the EHL Passugg particularly interesting for employment?

We especially appreciate the strong foundation in theory and practice of graduates of EHL Passugg. But it is also an advantage for us as an alpine hotel that they speak the languages, feel comfortable in the Alps and are familiar with the Grisons region.

What advice do you have for young talents interested in a career in hospitality?

It is important to gain a lot of practical experience and start lifelong learning.

"You should first get to know different companies, from 5-star hotels to small private hotels, gain valuable experience and feel confident in different hospitality areas before focusing on one area and building your career."

Hotel management school's provide exactly this, the insight into different companies and areas.

Americans Aren’t Staying Home for the Holidays

The pandemic has snarled leisure and business travel this year, but the latest travel horizons™ survey, conducted by MMGY Travel Intelligence, found that the travel industry is likely to get a significant boost over the holidays. The survey, which queried people planning to travel in the next six months, found that half of respondents intend to take trips between November and early January, with 25% traveling for Thanksgiving, 31% traveling for the December holidays and 15% for New Year's celebrations.

The holiday season is being met with optimism, as 67% of those who will travel indicated that they are enthusiastic about their upcoming trips. Much of that fervour is from Millennial travellers - a generation that outpaced its older counterparts1. Thirty-five percent of Millennials will travel for Thanksgiving, compared to only 23% of Gen X, 18% of young Boomers and 8% of older Boomers. For the December holidays, Millennials also led other generations with 43% planning to travel, while only 26% of Gen X, 19% of younger Boomers and 8% of older Boomers will travel.

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Hilton expands flagship presence in India with opening of Hilton Goa Resort

Hilton has announced the opening of Hilton Goa Resort under the hotel company’s flagship brand, Hilton Hotels & Resorts. This opening marks Hilton’s third property in Goa. Hilton Goa Resort is located at Pilerne Candolim Road, Saipem Hills, Candolim, Goa.

The chic full-service resort is 34 kilometers from the Goa International Airport and is ideally located 10 minutes away from the popular Candolim and Calangute beaches. The resort is operated by Hilton and owned by Soham Leisure Ventures Pvt. Ltd.

Speaking on the launch, Navjit Ahluwalia, Senior Vice President, and Country Head, Hilton India, said, “Hilton Goa Resort marks a significant milestone in our journey to expand our presence in India and also gives us an added opportunity to offer our world-class hospitality to Guests and Hilton Honors members. Opening of our third Hilton property in Goa, is a testament to our commitment to expand our presence in destinations that are popular with travelers. The resort is equipped with all world-class amenities to offer exceptional experiences to our guests.”

The resort offers three unique food and beverage options. Guests can relax at @Saipe, the all-day dining restaurant offering a unique menu with a modern twist and unobstructed views of the pools and river; or treat themselves to assorted artisanal coffees, sweet treats, bakes and brews at Doce, the charming coffee lounge. Alternatively, they can choose to unwind and lounge at Coco, the transformative high-octane bar and restaurant featuring a Mediterranean- inspired menu.

Suraj Morajkar, Managing Director - Soham Leisure Ventures Pvt. Ltd., said, “The tranquillity and serene villages with their beautiful architecture have always mesmerized me since my childhood. Goa being the tourism capital, I have always dreamt of building an iconic address through the medium of hospitality, which brings people from all over the world together. I am delighted to bring grander hospitality to Goa in partnership with Hilton. Being a first-generation entrepreneur, achieving this monumental task, which will highlight my village on the world map and create ample of employment opportunities, is simply a dream come true.”

Round-the-clock concierge service is available for guests to customise their own experiential packages to explore the plethora of sights and landmarks of Goa. Guests could also indulge in curated experiences @YourBalcony such as wine tasting, yoga, BBQ, cocktail making and culinary masterclasses.

For Guests looking for adventure, the resort offers bicycle trails, underwater escapades and luxury cruises along the backwaters of Goa. There are a lot of activities curated for children too – be it participating in a baking or cooking class or they could enjoy an exciting chocolate or colour canvas painting session.

The resort features four outdoor pools with a temperature-controlled whirlpool, dedicated kids’ pool, Fun N Frolic, an aqua themed kids’ club, soon to open full-service spa and salon and 17,600 sq ft of event space. 

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InterGlobe Hotels wins the 7th IGBC Green Champion Awards 2020

InterGlobe Hotels Private Limited has been conferred the prestigious 7th IGBC Green Champion Awards 2020 under the category of 'Pioneer in large scale adoption of green buildings in hospitality sector in India'.

InterGlobe Hotels Pvt. Ltd. has been involved in the development of around 6 IGBC green ibis hotel projects so far in the country. The award was presented to JB Singh, President and CEO, InterGlobe Hotels in a virtual event organised recently. 

The Green Champion Awards is an annual flagship event organised by Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), part of CII. The award is the most prestigious honour bestowed by IGBC upon the leaders of the green building movement in India. In line with the global spotlight on people and health, the theme for this year is: 'Hygiene, Health and Wellbeing' in Green Built Environment. Each year, organisations are felicitated as recognition of the efforts of organisations that strive to further advance green building movement in the country.

Commenting on the win, JB Singh, President and CEO, InterGlobe Hotels, said that,”We are honoured and delighted to be the recipients of the prestigious ‘Green Champion award’. Our teams work with a deep commitment to ensure best ethical practices are adopted, and this recognition would go a long way to motivate us to remain steadfast in this effort. It is our belief that the natural environment is a vital part of our business environment and this must form a part of our strategic perspective. We also believe that as a leading and a responsible industry player, we have a special role and responsibility to confront the challenges of climate change and sustainability and take a long term and a broad view. We will continue to remain committed to this effort and I would like to congratulate our teams, and everyone involved in our company who continue to work behind the scenes, helping us set new benchmarks.”

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Subhrajit Bardhan Appointed General Manager At DoubleTree by Hilton Ahmedabad, India

Subhrajit Bardhan has been appointed as the General Manager at DoubleTree by Hilton Ahmedabad. Bardhan comes with 25 years of work experience in domestic and international markets, with notable expertise in food and beverage, revenue management and operations management. His work achievements indicate him to be an innovative and result-oriented business leader with extensive knowledge in all aspects of the hotel industry.

His last assignment was General Manager at Swissotel Hotels Kolkata. Prior to that he was associated with Park Hyatt Goa as Executive Assistant Manager - Rooms.

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This Is Why You Keep Your Restaurant’s Signature Dish

Chefs are creative individuals and I'm continually blown away by what these professionals can do when challenged to explore their passion. But a restaurant needs some marketing sensibility if it going to thrive, especially in a hotel or urban capacity where there are numerous other independent and more agile operations to compete with.

While some executive chefs are themselves tremendous impresarios or, dare I say, celebrity chefs, many others need to be reined in so that the menus are in stride with what the market wants and so that they fit with the dining outlet's theme for an easily digestible brand narrative. One aspect of this is whether or not to replace the most popular dish, something I recently encountered at a property for which I was asset manager.

The argument in favour of this substitution was that a new season called for a whole new menu in order to truthfully advertise it as such. And as political as any other organization, most of the senior team at the resort did not want to besmirch their camaraderie with the executive chef by testing his ego. But even though it may not be the chef's favourite, if it's the guests' favourite then isn't that what counts?

This is where I had to step in and apply some marketing wisdom as well as some statistics. The item deemed most popular was corroborated against POS sales data and a myriad of anecdotal evidence scraped from online reviews to verify it as a bona fide 'signature dish' (although if we had a social media aggregating platform this could likely have been used as well).

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Choice Hotels International Reports 2020 Third Quarter Results

In the third quarter of 2020, Choice Hotels continued to provide a broad range of support to its franchisees, guests, and communities while improving its overall financial and liquidity position. Highlights of third quarter and year to date 2020 results include:

• Domestic systemwide revenue per available room (RevPAR) outperformed the total industry by nearly 20 percentage points, declining 28.8% for third quarter 2020 compared to the same period of the prior year, and exceeded the chain scale segments in which the company competes, as reported by STR.

• Fourth quarter domestic RevPAR through October 24, 2020 has continued the pattern of sequential quarterly improvement, and October 2020 RevPAR is expected to decline by approximately 25% from the same period of 2019 (see Exhibit 7 for weekly RevPAR trends).

• The company awarded 232 new domestic franchise agreements year to date through September 30, 2020, a 38% decrease compared to the same period of the prior year. Nearly 70% of the agreements awarded year to date through September 30, 2020 were for conversion hotels.

• Net income was $14.5 million for the third quarter, representing diluted earnings per share of $0.26.

• Third quarter adjusted net income, excluding certain items described in Exhibit 6, decreased 52% to $36.8 million from third quarter 2019.

• Adjusted diluted earnings per share for the third quarter were $0.66, a 52% decrease from third quarter 2019.

• Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) for the third quarter were $74.9 million, a 34% decrease from third quarter 2019.

• The company reported cash flow from operations of over $68 million in the third quarter 2020.

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Chef Sabyasachi Dashampatra joined Ambassador Mumbai as Executive Chef.

Chef Sabyasachi Dasmahapatra regards himself as an artistic Cook. His preparations echo

innovation, keeping the authenticity intact in the recipe with diversities of dishes for every

palate. He has acquainted Fiesta and Organic Menu among the food connoisseurs in his early

professional carrier.

Re- discovered and familiarized the almost elapsed British Raj (Colonial) Cuisine to the main

stream culinary platform. He has introduced Churrascaria (Brazilian Barbeque) & Passador

(Meat Waiters) concept to City of Joy (Kolkata) which has been cherished and recognized by Mr. Nandan Bagchi (Food Critic) and Mr. Vir Sanghvi..!

He has contributed in various Food projects with the culinary stalwarts -Chef Tarla Dalal, Chef

Bobby Chin, Chef Sanjeev Kapoor & Chef Vikash Khanna to name few.

He brings 19+ years of opulent culinary proficiency with diverse cuisine expertise.

The Ambassador Grand Mumbai Pleased to Welcome Chef Sabyasachi onboard.

Radhika Dewan joins Renaissance Bengaluru Race Course Hotel as Director of Sales & Marketing

Radhika Dewan has been appointed as the Director of Sales & Marketing at Renaissance Bengaluru Race Course Hotel.

Dewan’s core responsibilities at the hotel will include planning and implementing of the hotel’s sales and marketing strategy, maximizing hotel’s revenues, exploring business opportunities through events, setting annual budgets, forecasting, analyzing revenue reports and strategy amongst others.

Hailing from a background in hospitality with over 13 years of experience spanning across India preceded by her stint in Sri Lanka at Sheraton Colombo, Dewan is a result-oriented and passionate sales professional with a wealth of experience in enhancing sales, marketing and revenue streams. Her portfolio boasts a proven track record of outperforming market-leading competitors through astute planning, account management, market and customer insight, and identification of innovative solutions.

Prior to joining Renaissance Bengaluru Race Course Hotel, Dewan was associated with Sheraton Colombo Hotel in the capacity of Director of Sales. After completing her degree in Hotel Management, she started her career in Marriott International Inc.at Renaissance Hotel & Convention Centre, Mumbai as a Management trainee in the Executive Development Program. Her career has also seen her through other managerial and directorial roles in some of the leading hospitality brands including JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar, JW Marriott Hotel New Delhi Aerocity, Courtyard by Marriott International Airport, Mumbai among others.

Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels to manage the historic Ran Baas part of Qila Mubarak, Patiala as a heritage hotel

Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Limited (ASPHL) has announced that it has been selected by the Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Punjab to upgrade and operate Ran Baas part of Qila Mubarak, Patiala as a Heritage hotel.

Qila Mubarak was built by the first Maharaja of Patiala, Baba Ala Singh in 1763. This heritage property stands in 10-acre complex in the heart of the Patiala city. The sprawling complex houses the Qila Androon (Inner Fort) or main palace, Ran Baas the guesthouse and the Darbar Hall. The majestic fort is an outstanding example of a synthesis of the late Mughal and Rajasthani architectural styles.

Ran Baas was the guest house for the Maharaja of Patiala’s guests and will now be developed into a 28-room luxury boutique hotel reflecting THE Park Hotels’ design ethos, and its quintessential hospitality experiences. The palace will have an all-day dining, bar, spa, and multiple indoor and outdoor banqueting spaces with THE Park’s anything but ordinary services. Ran Baas hotel is slated to open in 2022, post-restoration.

Priya Paul, Chairperson, Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Ltd. said, “I am delighted that we will bring Ran Baas back to life as a jewel-like Heritage hotel under THE Park Collection. Punjab is special for us as the roots of Apeejay Surrendra Group are in Jalandhar. We are thankful to the Government of Punjab for entrusting us to partner with them to make Ran Baas a showcase for Punjab, nationally and internationally.”

Vijay Dewan, Managing Director, Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Ltd. remarked, “We are honoured to add the iconic Ran Baas to our collection of heritage hotels which include THE Denmark Tavern and THE Park Chettinad. We are equally pleased that Zone by The Park, Amritsar would open in the State within a few months to cater to a new audience. We look forward to more openings and growth in the region.”

THE Park Collection has hotels in Goa - THE Park Baga River and THE Park Calangute; heritage hotels - THE Denmark Tavern in Serampore, and THE Park Chettinad. 

FabHotels joins hands with Godrej Protekt and Godrej Proclean as their sanitization partner

FabHotels has joined hands with Godrej Protekt and Godrej Proclean, a newly launched range of surface disinfectant cleaners, as their official sanitization partner. With the government issuing Unlock 5.0 and trains, flights, etc. slowly opening up, people have started to plan traveling with precaution. To cater to this demand, this strategic partnership will ensure customers the best experience, without having to worry about their safety.

FabHotels recently introduced their ‘100% Safe Place to Stay’ initiative, which includes all the end-to end sanitization measures, to address traveler’s higher sensitivity towards hygiene in the COVID era.

The hotel chain will be utilizing the vast portfolio of personal hygiene and sanitization products from Godrej Protekt and Godrej Proclean to offer guests a 100% disinfected and safe experience to the guests.

These include the following upgraded protocols using products from the Godrej portfolio:

Sanitization every 2 hours using Godrej Protekt disinfectant sprays: All the high touchpoints in the room and around the property like a TV, AC, phone, switches, doorknobs, bathroom surfaces & bath fittings will be disinfected every two hours.

Sanitizers for all using Godrej Protekt handwash and sanitizers: Alcohol-based hand gel will be made available at all key entrances, exits, and common areas for the FabHotels’ guests

Sanitized common areas using Godrej Proclean floor cleaners: Common areas (registration desk, lobby, elevators, business centers, dining rooms, etc.) will be cleaned every two hours.

Vaibhav Aggarwal, CEO & Founder, FabHotels, comments, “We are delighted to have partnered with a strong brand like Godrej to further instill confidence in our guests that each FabHotel is a 100% Safe Place to Stay. With Godrej and their trusted products, we would be able to help guests and our staff to stay safe during this pandemic and beyond. We are committed to working closely with our hotel partners to provide 100% Safe stays across the nation as India starts traveling again.”

Sunil Kataria, CEO – India & SAARC, Godrej Consumer Products Ltd (GCPL), said, “As we move from restricted living to new normal living, hygiene and cleanliness will be of paramount importance to keep ourselves safe. We are pleased to have our two key brands, Godrej Protekt and Godrej Proclean partner with FabHotels to provide their guests a safe experience for their stay. With initiatives like Protekt India Movement and hygiene program with India Railways, we have contributed our bit to empower consumers during the pandemic. FabHotels is another strong partner who shares our common vision of keeping our community safe and provide the best experience.”

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JA Manafaru Maldives Reopens with New Attractions

Multi award-winning 5-star All-Inclusive resort JA Manafaru Maldives has officially reopened, having spent recent months focused on a remodelling and upgrade of interiors, the introduction of a new lounge concept, new menus in all restaurants and a brand-new Maldivian Cultural Awareness Centre.

Positioned at the most Northern tip of Maldives in the beautiful Haa Alifu Atoll, JA Manafaru offers privacy, and distance from other islands as it sits idyllically where the Arabian Sea meets the vast Indian Ocean. Fringed with exquisite powder beaches and crystal-clear waters teeming with exotic marine life, the chic enclave features 84 luxurious beachfront and over-water villas and residences, each with their own private pool. The accommodation options range from 135 sqm to 1600 sqm, providing complete serenity and the lagoon-ringed island location reassures guests of its safety.

Positioned at the most Northern tip of Maldives in the beautiful Haa Alifu Atoll, JA Manafaru offers privacy, and distance from other islands as it sits idyllically where the Arabian Sea meets the vast Indian Ocean. Fringed with exquisite powder beaches and crystal-clear waters teeming with exotic marine life, the chic enclave features 84 luxurious beachfront and over-water villas and residences, each with their own private pool. The accommodation options range from 135 sqm to 1600 sqm, providing complete serenity and the lagoon-ringed island location reassures guests of its safety.

A wealth of dining options are available, from traditional Indian Ocean cuisine, international fare and seafood feasts, all available on the All-Inclusive meal plan which also offers guests premium beverages from 11am-11pm. One of the most picturesque spots on the island has been transformed into the new White Orchid Lounge - set to open in December, an atmospheric ocean lounge treating guests to balmy breezes, Asian street food and melodic beats. Guests can also enjoy Kakuni, the all-day island hub, Andiamo Bistro with its lush green backdrop and Ocean Grill - incredible beachfront dining under the stars.

Opening soon, the Maldivian Cultural Centre is a highlight for visitors, showcasing traditional arts and crafts from around Maldives as well as artefacts found on the island itself. Complimenting this space will be Utheemu Gallery, showcasing a cultural photography and access to specific publications about the country. Additional activities available for both adults and children include a PADI-certified dive centre, jet-skiing, water-skiing, mono-skiing, fun tubing, wakeboarding, windsurfing, kayaking and catamaran sailing. There is a Marine Awareness Centre, beach volleyball, futsal pitch, tennis court, badminton court, pool table, and games room as well a recently upgraded fitness pavilion, now with the addition of a Yoga deck. Travellers can enjoy Maldivian cooking classes, dolphin-watching, boat cruises, fishing, yoga, eco-golf and the award-winning Calm Spa Sanctuary, offering Ayurveda, aromatherapy, and wellness journeys.

Vijesh Yoganathan Appointed Chapter Leader Singapore At WHTT (Women in Hospitality and Travel-Tech)

With vast experience in travel technology as well as the hospitality side of things, Vijesh has helped hotels maximise their online booking revenues using advanced digital marketing & distribution strategies across Asia-Pacific.

As Head of APAC at Oaky, she now leads the expansion of Oaky in the region, spearheading Sales, Customer Success, Partnerships and all other key activities for the region. An avid traveller, Vijesh loves to discover cool & quirky restaurants in new cities and is a bit of an adrenaline junkie. A master at problem solving and optimising business processes, she is also a champion of diversity and inclusivity in organisations.

Vijesh Yoganathan's appointment to WHTT is further the organisation's mission to increase the success and engagement in the workplace for women and other underrepresented groups, and to enable companies to attract, develop and retain potential diverse talent, nurtured by a powerful community. WHTT believes that by inspiring communities to enter the industry and organizations to leverage and retain in the sector, will create more diverse and inclusive leadership. Vijesh will take WHTT's mission to the next level by opening the first chapter in the Asia-Pacific Region.

Fenwick Shores, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

Real Hospitality Group, Inc. (RHG) today announced the opening of Fenwick Island's first and only upscale hotel. The 65 guest room Fenwick Shores, Tapestry Collection by Hilton is nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and Little Assawoman Bay with sweeping views and beach access. The quaint island is home to some of the region's most pristine beaches and charming collection of shops and dining. Designed to celebrate the island's unique past, Fenwick Shores honors the local history of merchant ships and the tradition of extending hospitality to travelers with nautical details, textures and finishes that are woven into the guest experience. In keeping with the rich history of the island, interior designer Susan Kirkpatrick reached out to several local artisans and historians who were engaged to contribute. Town Historian Dale Clifton, and Winnie and Tracey Lewis provided detailed accounts that inspired the names of the lounges and event rooms.

The opening of this property marks the continued growth of RHG's portfolio which has added seven additional properties and more than 1,300 guest rooms in the past six months to its management portfolio.

Located beachfront on historic Fenwick Island, the hotel is two miles from Fenwick Island State Park and less than five minutes from the Discoversea Shipwreck Museum, the Fenwick Island Lighthouse and the Fenwick Boardwalk. The focal point of the hotel's public space is a custom crafted blown glass chandelier by artist Jeffery Auxer. The large guest rooms and suites are designed to accommodate families with kitchens, a sectional sleeper sofa and private balconies with ocean or bayside views.

For dining, Mooncussers offers fresh American dishes or guests may enjoy the more casual Shipwrecked, for poolside dining and signature cocktails. Resort amenities include an outdoor swimming pool, beachside lounge chairs, a fitness center and 24-hour market. Some 1,560 square feet of well-appointed event space provide a beautiful venue for events and small meetings.

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How a Maldivian Hotel bounced back using THN Vouchers & Gift Cards

Amidst today's situation, hotels need to find new and creative ways to encourage reservations. Dealing with skeptical travelers and managing re-openings after months of closure is a completely new setting for many hotels, and trying to capitalize on new ideas to attract potential guests has become more important than ever. Seducing guests on the hotel website through vouchers and gift cards is becoming a reality for many, and some hotels are hitting the perfect notes in creating clever deals that re-spark the interest of their future guests.

Hard Rock Hotel Maldives, an elegant Maldivian resort-feel hotel merged with the nuances of the Hard Rock music culture, understands the importance of retaining loyal customers and engaging with potential new guests. By offering tempting and flexible deals on their website, the brand is able to effectively win over visitors during these times. "Guests always visit the website at least once, no matter where they decide to book", says Phromporn Sumatepimolchai, cluster E-commerce manager of SAii Lagoon Maldives and Hard Rock Hotel Maldives. "This is the most important touchpoint where we need to grab their attention and inform them about what we have to offer." 

In June 2020, Hard Rock Hotel Maldives decided to partner with The Hotels Network (THN) to take their hotel website experience to the next level. After THN's Vouchers & Gift Cards product launch, the brand was able to explore a new way to attract post COVID-19 guests, as this tool removed any uncertainty potential guests may have had around dates and encouraged immediate reservations.

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