Event | The Grape stomping & Cake mixing brunch at Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre

October 2021: Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre today hosted their annual cake mixing & grape stomping brunch at the Hotel. The event was planned to welcome the advent of Christmas and New Year and usher in a season of good tidings and happiness.  The grape stomping began with much enthusiasm, with all guests soaking their feet in the barrels, set against the magnificent outdoor space. The participants were observed singing songs and vigorously stomping the grapes, clearly having a good time.

Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre escorted guests to the mixing table which was beautifully arranged with Black currant, Golden Apricot, Rum Soaked Figs, Drunk Resins, Dates, Candied Orange Peel, Candied Ginger, Dry Cherries, etc. The invitees donned aprons, face masks, gloves, and caps, and armed themselves with bottles of liquor, ready to tackle the colorful mounds of dry fruits, nuts, and spices.

All of the guests enthusiastically joined the chef's crew in mixing fruits and nuts with liquor and spirits in preparation for the impending Christmas dessert. They also ate a delicious brunch prepared by the chefs and danced to the beats of a DJ and a live band.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Manish Dayya, General Manager, Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre said, “We have organized this grape stomping & cake mixing ceremony to usher in the festive season. This is just the beginning of the oncoming eventful festive season & celebrations at Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre.  This is a great opportunity for us to bond with our guests and is always a pleasure to see our guests participating in the festivities and enjoying the sumptuous offerings and having a great time. ”

About Novotel-

Novotel Hotels, Suites & Resorts offers destination hotels designed as comforting and energizing places where guests can ‘press pause’ and take time to enjoy the moments that really matter. The brand’s wide array of hotels, suites, and resorts offer a multitude of services for business and leisure guests alike, including spacious, modular rooms with natural and intuitive design; 24/7 catering with nutritious choices; dedicated meeting spaces; attentive and proactive staff; family zones for the youngest guests; multi-purpose lobbies; and accessible fitness centers. Novotel, which has over 530 locations in more than 60 countries is part of Accor, a world-leading hospitality group consisting of more than 5,100 properties and 10,000 food and beverage venues throughout 110 countries.

Appointment | Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Nashik announces the appointment of Mr. Biswa Ranjan Mohapatra as Director of Rooms

Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Nashik announces the appointment of Mr. Biswa Ranjan Mohapatra as Director of Rooms

October 2021: Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Nashik announces the appointment of Biswa Ranjan Mohapatra as Director of Rooms. A seasoned hospitality professional with over 15 years of experience, Biswa brings a

a wealth of knowledge and skills of the housekeeping and front office functions to his current role.

He joins Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Nashik after a successful stint with Ibis Novotel Bengaluru Techpark,

where he was appointed as Rooms Division Manager, managing an inventory of 526 rooms. Biswa began his hospitality career in 2006 with Grand Hyatt Mumbai and worked across various departments in his tenure of over 8 years at the property.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr. Biswa Ranjan Mohapatra - Director of Rooms, Radisson Blu

Hotel & Spa, Nashik said, “I am proud to be part of a team that strives to bring to life the outstanding

experiences and spirit of Nashik –an unexplored destination. I am looking forward to my new role as the

Director of Rooms at Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa Nashik with an endeavor to align the rooms division and

front office operations towards elevated guest experiences and upholding the brand’s global standards.”

Biswa holds a Hotel Management Diploma from the Indo American Hotel Management Academy and is an

avid believer in teamwork. He attributes his success not just to hard work but also to meaningful

collaborations with his team members and peers.

About Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Nashik

A relaxing oasis perched amidst a panoramic location, Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Nashik is nestled at the

foothills of the two-millennia old Pandav caves in Nashik. This modern 5-star urban sanctuary features 224

elegant guest rooms and suites, world-class restaurants, versatile event spaces spanning over 51,000 sq. ft., ideal for large conferences, celebrations, and destination weddings. Redefining luxury in the ‘Wine Capital of India’, the hotel also features premium wellness and fitness facilities, including ATMAN- The Spa, a hair and beauty salon, an exclusive bridal lounge, an outdoor swimming pool, and an internationally acclaimed ASB squash court, against the backdrop of untouched scenery and lush green landscapes.

An idyllic setting for a luxury lifestyle getaway, the hotel is located just off the Mumbai Nashik highway. It's a 30-minute drive from Nashik airport and at a drivable distance from Mumbai and Pune. For more

information, please visit: https://www.radissonhotels.com/en-us/hotels/radisson-blu-spa-nashik

Maldives News | Rajeev Kohli Conferred ‘Hall of Leaders’ Award by EIC

Joint-Managing Director, Creative Travel, Rajeev Kohli has been conferred with the prestigious ‘Hall of Leaders’ award by the Events Industry Council (EIC). As the first Indian to be inducted into the EIC Hall of Fame, where the most remarkable leaders are recognized, this new achievement brings great honor to the Indian travel trade.  

The Hall of Leaders award is the premier recognition program considered the "lifetime achievement award" in the events industry. The award recognizes outstanding leaders who have undoubtedly shaped the industry. The defining quality among these leaders is that the industry would not be what it is today without their contributions. The Hall of Leaders consists of pioneers, influential, prolific, and altruistic members.  

With over 26 years of Luxury Travel & Destination Management (DMC) experience, Rajeev Kohli has immensely contributed to the development of the tourism industry, has been appointed to the role of President of Global DMC group, EURO MEC, the oldest DMC alliance in the industry and becoming the first Asian global President of the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE). He previously held the post of Senior Vice President of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) among many other roles.  

He is professionally certified as a Certified Incentive Specialist (CIS), Certified Incentive Travel Professional (CITP), and Destination Management Certified Professional (DMCP). 

Source

Ingredient Ideology | THE COMFORTING COCONUT By: Dr. Kaviraj Khialani- Celebrity Master Chef.

THE COMFORTING COCONUT

Coconuts have been said to be known as the fruit of the tree of the palm family, while having originated somewhere in indo-Malaya they however remain an important crop of the tropical countries. The term coconut can refer to the whole coconut palm, the seed of the fruit which botanically is a drupe and not a fruit. While being a hard shell on the outside with tender flesh and water within it has a number of culinary applications and uses to offer us in our kitchens.

A preferred choice for a refreshing cool welcome drink coconut water is said to be very beneficial and nutritionally high for us while the tender coconut malai goes well into desserts, puddings, salads. Coconut milk laces our curries quite well and be it Indian or international cuisines recipes with veg, fish, chicken, or prawns it just blends to perfection.

Let us have a look at a few Health Benefits of Coconuts:

Coconut water offers a good source of potassium, a mineral that helps balance sodium levels in the body and regulates blood pressure. But the idea that coconut water is more hydrating than plain water or is a superior post-workout drink is largely a myth. As for coconut flour, which is dried, ground coconut meat, it has 5 g of fiber in just 2 tbsp., making it an impressive replacement for traditional white flour, especially for those following a gluten-free diet.

 Coconut for weight loss is still the stuff of lore, despite what tons of dubious health sites may say. Until more research is done and proves otherwise, you shouldn’t consider coconut a magic elixir for weight loss. What’s more, if you freely eat coconut oil (or other coconut products) believing it will help you lose weight, you can easily take in more calories than your body needs and gain weight.

• It is said that Coconut Boosts the immune system since coconuts are anti-parasite, antibacterial, anti-viral and antifungal.

• Coconuts Provide quick energy and improves athletic and physical performance.

• Consuming coconut considerably reduces the risk of heart diseases.

• Having coconut Protects against bladder infection and kidney disease.

• Coconut also Restores and maintains thyroid functionality.

• Including coconut in our diets Makes one look young by preventing age spots, sagging skin, and wrinkles.

Fortunately, there are a ton of recipes out there for ways you can cook various foods using coconut, so there is no way you will get bored with them. Once you stick to a coconut diet, there is no going back! Here are a few of my select favorites with Coconut.

Recipe-1] SOOTHING SUMMER COCONUT SMOOTHIE

Ingredients:

Fresh tender coconut flesh or malai-1/2 cup

Coconut milk- 1 cup

Soy milk-1/2 to 3/4th cup

Banana-1 no ripe

Dates-3-4 no chopped

Honey- 1 tsp

Sliced cashews/almonds/walnuts-1 tbsp.

Flax seeds/ sunflower seeds- 1 tsp

Mint/microgreens/ nuts for garnish.

Method:

1. Prepare all the ingredients for the healthy shake and keep them chilled.

2. Using a jar of a food processor combine all of them and churn them up well to a smooth texture.

3. Adjust texture with milk as needed or add a little yogurt.

4. Pour the smoothie into jars/glasses and garnish with fresh shavings of coconut/sliced nuts/toasted seeds etc

Recipe-2] TROPICAL COCONUT CHICKEN SALAD

Ingredients

For the base of the salad:

Assorted lettuce leaves- 1 cup

For the body of the salad:

Fresh tender coconut malai-1/2 cup

Boiled chicken -1 cup cubes/ shreds

Celery- 2-3 tbsp. cut into small pieces.

Pineapple-1/2 cup cubes

Mango-1 no cubes

For the dressing of the salad:

Olive oil-2 tbsp.

Mustard paste-1 tsp

Salt and pepper to taste

Lime juice- 2 tsp

White vinegar-1 tsp

Sliced red/green chilies-2 no

Mixed herbs-1/2 tsp

Assorted seeds of your choice- 1 tsp

Assorted sliced nuts of your choice- 2 tsp

For the garnish of the salad:

Micro-greens/ cherry tomatoes/ mint/ parsley/ olives.

Method:

1. Prepare all the parts of the salad and keep ready.

2. Assemble the crispy lettuce leaves on a salad serving plate or a serving platter.

3. In a mixing bowl combine together all the ingredients for the dressing and mix them well.

4. Just before serving the salad, toss the body of the salad in the dressing and arrange it on the bed of lettuce, garnish appropriately and serve the delicious salad chilled.

Recipe- 3] COCONUT RIZ PILAF

Ingredients:

Basmati rice- 1 and a half cups, cleaned and soaked in 4 cups water for 20 mins.

Oil-2 tsp

Butter- 1 tsp

Garlic-1 tsp chopped

Lemongrass- 4- 5 pieces

Onion- 1 small chopped

Red/green chilies-2 no slit/shred.

Salt and pepper to taste

Veg stock/water- 2 and half cups

Coconut milk-1/2 cup

Tender coconut malai- 2-3 tbsp. shredded.

Fried cashew nuts and raisins- 2 tbsp. garnish.

Method:

1. Pre-prep all the ingredients for this tasty rice recipe.

2. Heat oil and butter in a pan add in the lemongrass, chili, onions, and garlic, and give it a nice saute for 1 min.

3. Add in the drained rice and fry it for 30 seconds, add in the veg stock or water, salt, and pepper to taste and allow to boil, cover and simmer until almost cooked.

4. Lastly add in the thick coconut milk and tender coconut malai and lightly blend it in, cover and cook in dum for 4-6 mins, garnish and serve hot with your gravies/curries, etc

Recipe-4] COCONUT PRAWN CURRY

Ingredients

Coconut milk-2 cups thick

Prawns- medium to large size-500 gms cleaned, deveined.

Oil/ghee-2 tsp

Butter- 1 tsp

Cumin seeds-1/2 tsp

Bayleaf-1 no

Cinnamon stick-1-inch piece

To make a paste with the following ingredients:

Onions- 1 cup fried, lightly browned

Garlic- 6-8 cloves

Ginger- 1-inch piece

Red chilies- 6-8 boiled

Tomatoes-2 med sized.

Water-1/2 cup

Other ingredients to finish with the curry:

Turmeric powder-1/2 tsp

Coriander powder-1 tsp

Salt and crushed black pepper to taste

Garam masala powder-1/4 tsp

Water-1 cup

Lime juice-2 tsp

Coriander leaves- 2 tbsp.

Method:

1. Prepare all the ingredients and keep aside.

2. In some cases we also marinate the prawns with salt, turmeric, lime and keep aside for 10 mins.

3. Heat oil/ghee and butter in a thick bottomed pan add in the cumin seeds, whole spices and saute for 30 seconds, add in the prepared paste mixture and cook it on a medium flame for 2-3 mins.

4. Add little water if needed and add in the prawns and all other spices and seasonings and give it a nice mix with the masala.

5. Simmer the prawns for 2-3 mins, add in the coconut milk and cover and cook for 4-5 mins, serve hot garnished with coriander, a splash of lime juice, crushed black pepper.

Recipe-5] COCO NAKA PUDDING

Ingredients:

Coconut milk-1 cup thick.

Desiccated coconut-2 tbsp.

Butter-2 tsp

Sponge cake/ chocolate brownie-  200 gms cut into cubes.

Milk- 2 cups

Brown sugar-2 tbsp.

Condensed milk- 2-3 tbsp.

Dates- 3-4 chopped

Assorted chopped nuts- 2 tbsp.

Cinnamon powder-1/4 tsp

Banana-1 ripe peeled and sliced.

Pineapple-1/2 cup cubes

Cherries/ kiwi/ mango etc assorted fruits can be added to the layer of the pudding as well.

Method:

1. Prepare all the ingredients for the pudding.

2. In a sauce pan heat up the milk, add in the dates, brown sugar, condensed milk and cinnamon powder and reduce for 10 mins.

3. Add in the coconut milk, desiccated coconut and bananas, butter and cook for 2-3 mins. Turn off the flame.

4. In a pudding bowl arrange the cubes of cake or brownie and fruits of your choice and top it up with the warm coconut milk mixture and allow to set in the fridge for 1 hour.

5. Serve this pudding with a scoop of ice-cream of your choice and some chocolate sauce and cherries to garnish.

Brief About the Writer:

New Opening | Pride Group of Hotels announces entry at Rishikesh

Pride Group of Hotels announces entry at Rishikesh

Pride Group of Hotels has announced signing up its second property in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand. Located in the Tapovan region of Rishikesh, The resort is surrounded by forested hills and the Ganges, making it a perfect haven for anyone looking for a peaceful yet exhilarating getaway. The resort is scheduled to welcome guests soon.

“We've signed up another location at the mesmerizing Uttarakhand, in Rishikesh. Located at the foothills of the Himalayas of Northern India, Rishikesh attracts an influx of international tourists alongside religious tourists and is a great ground for Yoga & Adventure lovers. We're sure “India Dekho With Pride” will be further strengthened, providing local job opportunities & will help to explore the unexplored with the addition of an equally dynamic location like Rishikesh," said Mr. Atul Upadhyay, Vice President- Pride Group Of Hotels.

Pride Resort, Rishikesh has proximity to popular tourist spots like the famous Lakshman Jhula and Triveni Ghat. The resort will comprise well-appointed rooms with aesthetically designed interiors. The warm & stylish ambiance of the property is sure to pamper the trend-conscious and upbeat traveler with its personalized services, premium in-room amenities, restaurants, and fun experiences.

With its presence around 34 great locations across India, Pride Group of Hotels boasts of 3213+ Rooms, 70 Restaurants, 92 Banquets, and Conference Halls, reinforcing itself as a one-stop destination for MICE. Currently, Pride Hotels operates and manages a chain of hotels under the brand name “Pride Plaza Hotel” an Indian Luxury Collection, at Aerocity – New Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Kolkata, “Pride Hotel” at Bangalore, Chennai, Nagpur, Pune, Indore, Udaipur & (soon) Bharuch, Haldwani along with “Pride Resorts” at Goa, Puri, Jaipur, Rajkot, Bharatpur, Gangtok, Dapoli, Mussoorie & (soon) Aatapi, Rishikesh, Daman, Bhavnagar, Dwaraka, Nainital, Jim Corbett, and also Mid-Market Hotels under “Pride Biznotel” at Anand & (soon) Jabalpur, Agra, Bhopal, Surendranagar, Rajkot, Somnath & Haldwani.

Chefs Day | International Chef’s Day Special- INSPIRED TO ACT!

International Chef’s Day Special- INSPIRED TO ACT!

On the occasion of International Chef’s Day, Auro University School of Hospitality Management presented Chef Jerson Fernandes, Executive Chef of Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach a dynamic platform to engage aspiring hospitality professionals with ‘The Art of Food Plating’.

With plant-based diets on the rise, the value of bringing knowledge via a workshop  with a focus on ingredients that benefit the planet and sustainability helped emphasize the theme ‘Healthy Food for the Future’ on International Chefs’ Day. 

According to Chef Jerson, art inspired presentations of food influence the diner’s perceptions and responses. The visual tasting experience adds to the complexity of the composition, and represents the culture of the food, through traditional or contemporary techniques. 

Food presentation, Chef Jerson avowed is a reflection of the personality of the chef, and being artistic and original in plating, further amplifies  the delightful flavour experience.   With detailed principles of plate presentation being demonstrated, the importance of  communicating quality through the components of the visual aesthetics were reiterated.  

The interactive session concluded with essential wisdom: “plating is the final step of respecting  food to creating that final first impression. 

In the words of Amreesh Misra, Registrar and Head of School of Hospitality Management, AURO University, “By being able to see the structured process and not just the final product, on the plate made the session relevant, and the content comprehensive for the student community. A true collaboration that promotes ongoing learning, and an opportunity of the wealth of  knowledge and insights; from Chef Jerson Fernandes.”

Appointment | Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Nashik appoints Mr. Manikandan Marar as Director of Finance

Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Nashik appoints Mr. Manikandan Marar as Director of Finance

October 2021: Mr. Manikandan Marar has been appointed as Director of Finance at Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Nashik. Mr. Marar brings over three decades of deep understanding and commands over domain experience in financial planning and analysis, financial control, taxation, and budgeting. Spearheading the hotel’s business strategy he will continue to evolve innovative finance structures and mentor the team towards success. 

With a postgraduate degree in Mathematics and as a certified degree holder from The Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of India (ICMAI), Mr. Marar started his journey in the hospitality industry with a renowned Indian luxury hotel group, devoting ten years to nurturing it. Following this, he also had the opportunity to work with notable hotel groups including – Le Méridien, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, and Hilton Hotels & Resorts. 

Commenting on his appointment, Mr. Manikandan Marar - Director of Finance, Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Nashik says, “I am truly honored to join Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Nashik and be a part of such a dynamic team. I am excited about this new chapter, and together with the team I am confident that the hotel will thrive towards an elevated revenue growth for a strong and sustainable future”. 

In his current role as Director of Finance at the upcoming Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Nashik, he will oversee all the hotel’s financial operations; namely accounting, auditing, budgeting, financial reporting and purchasing functions.  Mr. Marar’s expertise and foresight will effectively guide the hotel to strive towards productivity with valuable financial principles to build on and grow.

About Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Nashik

A relaxing oasis perched amidst a panoramic location, Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Nashik is nestled at the foothills of the two-millennia old Pandav caves in Nashik.  This modern 5-star urban sanctuary features 224 elegant guest rooms and suites, world-class restaurants, versatile event spaces spanning over 51,000 sq. ft., ideal for large conferences, celebrations, and destination weddings. Redefining luxury in the ‘Wine Capital of India’, the hotel also features premium wellness and fitness facilities, including ATMAN- The Spa, a hair and beauty salon, an exclusive bridal lounge, an outdoor swimming pool, and an internationally acclaimed ASB squash court, against the backdrop of untouched scenery and lush green landscapes. 

Appointment | Lilian Roger is new GM of Riyadh’s Rosh Rayhaan by Rotana

Rotana Hotels has confirmed that Lilian Roger has been appointed as general manager at Rosh Rayhaan by Rotana in Riyadh. He was previously in the same position at ART Rotana in Bahrain.

Roger said: “I am thrilled to be joining the team at Rosh Rayhaan by Rotana Riyadh. I look forward to working with the team to continue our efforts to create a lifelong relationships with our partners and guests. We are focused on delivering moments that will be remembered for years to come.

“Saudi hospitality sector is one of the most growing sectors and we are committed to playing a key role in supporting its overall development.”

He was at ART Rotana – now the Art Hotel and Resort – for almost five years, before that, he was posted at Downtown Rotana in Manama.

Most of his 25 years in the industry were with Hilton. He started as an F&B management trainee for Hilton Roissy in 1995, moving up to F&B coordinator of Hilton Cannes a year later. After almost four years in France, he began to travel the world, taking up roles in Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt and Japan through a series of progressively senior roles.

He went on to hold two general manager positions for Hilton in China, at both the Hilton Guiyang and Xian.

Visit Maldives | MALDIVES IS READY TO WELCOME OVER 1 MILLION TRAVELERS IN 2021

The isles of Maldives are truly beyond compare. Scattered like pearls across the crystalline waters of the Indian oceans, travelers all across the world dream of Maldives. Last year, Maldives was one of the first destinations to open borders for international travelers. We entered 2021 with hope and optimism, and in a few weeks, we will welcome the millionth traveler to visit the Maldives this year.

A Reflection

The Maldive’s success and achievements is a reflection and testament to the perseverance, ingenuity, creativity, and passion of the tourism industry, the health sector, and beyond. As we approach the milestone of welcoming the one-millionth visitor for the year, we at Maldives Marketing Public Relations and Corporation (MMPRC) take a look back at the effort, dedication, and work we have done, with the sincere aim of making this a reality.

We entered 2021 with a difficult task at hand. At a time when people across the world showed increasing reluctance to travel, and with travel restrictions in place across the globe, it was our mission to promote the Maldives and show the world that we are a safe haven.

The blessings of our unique geography, with our scattered islands and our unique ‘one-island-one-resort’ concept, makes us one of the safest destinations in the world. And ultimately, we were responsible for regaining travelers' trust and confidence by promoting the Maldives as a safe haven during those challenging times. Needless to say, it was not an easy feat.

Ever since the onset of the pandemic, our strategy was to maintain destination presence across the globe so that travelers will keep dreaming of the Maldives. We aimed to position Maldives as the top of the mind destination for travelers as soon as borders opened for leisure travel once again in these markets.

The Work of MMPRC

So far in 2021, we have taken part in 25 leading fairs across the world and conducted five physical roadshows and one virtual roadshow. At each of these events, we provided the opportunity for our industry partners to take part along withVisit Maldives to showcase their sought-after products and unique experiences.

The Maldives pavilions are always beautifully constructed - designed carefully to showcase the aesthetics that makes the Maldives so beautiful. It is not rare for us to hear that the Maldives stands out at fairs and events that we have been part of.

So far this year, we have conducted over 39 campaigns with various stakeholders on a variety of platforms. We have conducted campaigns with leading travel agencies across the globe, world-famous publications, major airlines such as Qatar Airways, and on TV channels such as CNN, among many others. These are simply a few of the many countless stakeholders we have conducted campaigns with.

If you have seen pictures of the turquoise waters of Maldives flood social media, part of it is due to the many familiarization trips we have conducted with leading media, celebrities, and so on. In fact, we have conducted 22 familiarization trips so far this year.

We have also conducted six global campaigns this year. We are collaborating with Expedia, InsideFlyer, Skyscanner, Qatar Airways and CNN on these global campaigns. Through these campaigns, we have reached a staggering 59,738,116,794 potential travelers, with an estimated media value of $119,595,365.

Each marketing activity is possible due to the hard-working marketeers, industry partners, stakeholders and others. It is our mandate to provide equal and fair opportunities for all our industry stakeholders in all of the marketing campaigns we conduct. Whichever fair we take part in, we do so with our industry partners. Whichever roadshow we host, we provide the opportunity for our partners to showcase their products and connect with the global travel trade.

Want to work in maldives

NEWS | Imagicaa to welcome back guests from 22nd October

Imagicaa, India's largest themed entertainment park is set to reopen and welcome back guests w.e.f. from 22nd October 2021. After a 6 month long hiatus post second lockdown, sounds of glee and laughter will again echo loud and wide at Imagicaa that has always provided an escape from the daily chaos.

Patrons can revel once again in the power-packed entertainment the park has ranging from uniquely designed thrilling rollercoasters and outdoor rides, indoor thematic attractions, and daily in-park activities. From free-falling rides to family fun, entertainment quotient will remain the same; just laced with guided safety measures.

Taking a unique measure towards social distancing, Imagicaa has introduced India’s first Virtual Queuing app by facilitating skip long physical queue-rides and managing customer ride journey in the digital space through a mobile app. This not only aids regulation and management of customer flow per ride but also reduce on-site time spent and increased guest satisfaction and enjoyment levels.

Commenting on the re-opening, Dhimant Bakshi, CEO – Imagicaaworld Entertainment Ltd, said, “We are delighted to welcome everyone again in by providing them an adventurous, fun, and a complete safe entertainment experience where they continue creating memories with Imagicaa. This news is perfectly timed with the commencement of the festive season where everyone is looking for something to enjoy. Credit this reopening to the combined representative efforts of our apex body IAAPI, and support from the Government of Maharashtra. Prioritising safety and in lines with prescribed SOP; we have implemented all necessary safety measures at Imagicaa including the conscious decision of being operational on weekends(Friday to Sunday) and public holidays only. Introduction of ‘Virtual Queuing’ is an extended effort in this direction. Our endeavour is to deliver the best and safest guest experiences that will aid in reinvigorating the domestic tourism market.”

On reopening, Imagicaa will operate at 50% capacity and have alternate seating to ensure utmost safety to all patrons along with all ICMR and WHO guidelines. To celebrate this joyous reopening occasion, Imagicaa has introduced 30% off on Imagicaa Theme Park tickets as a re-opening offer.

Guests who have pre-booked previous Imagicaa offers can visit the website to check for operational days and select their preferred date of visit to this perfect destination that is geared up for a thoroughly safe and joyous experience.

Source

News | Restaurants in Maharashtra must shut at midnight, says govt

A day after two state ministers, Mumbai island city guardian minister Aslam Shaikh and health minister Rajesh Tope, said deadlines for the city's restaurants and eateries would be restored to pre-pandemic timings of 1.30am and for shops up to midnight, the state government issued an order allowing restaurants and eateries to operate till midnight and shops till 11pm.

Business hours of these establishments had so far been curbed to 10pm. With the extension, shop timings are back to pre-Covid times. While pre-Covid closing timing for vegetarian restaurants was 12.30am, restaurants and bar owners, who had hoped the state would restore their 1.30am deadline, were left disappointed."Many sectors like colleges, theatres and amusement parks will reopen this week, and we want to see the impact on cases. We want to give further relaxations, but in a phased manner," an official said. District administrations can curb timings depending on conditions, but cannot give an extension without the disaster management authority's consent.The order issued by the state government said that with the extension of timings, all other guidelines like 50% capacity for restaurants and the need to have fully vaccinated staffers in shops will continue. “The government observed that in light of the upcoming festive season, staggered timings for functioning of establishments like shops, restaurants and hotels will only lead to more crowding, hence a decision was taken to extend the timings,” the official said. District administrations have been allowed to restrict timings considering local conditions, but they cannot give further extension without the consent of the state disaster management authority.

The hospitality industry felt the timings should have gone back to the pre-Covid hours. Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI) senior vice-president Pradeep Shetty said, “We welcome the Maharashtra government’s decision of extending the time of operations for restaurants till midnight. The additional two hours will provide much-needed succor to the beleaguered hospitality industry. The sector has been one of those most affected by Covid restrictions. However, we wish an extension had been granted till the pre-Covid deadline of 1.30 am and, considering the onset of the wedding season, it had been accompanied by the lifting of restrictions on banquets, weddings and events. The current limit of a hundred guests for weddings and social events is prohibitive and unviable under present circumstances.”AHAR president Shivanand Shetty said, “We will comply with the order, but it would have been better if timings had been extended till 1.30am as it is festival time and people like to spend time outside with friends and relatives. Restoring timings to pre-Covid days will help the industry recover quickly from the state of disorder it has been pushed into for the past 18 months.”Viren Shah of the Retailers Federation said that although most standalone shops in the city shut by 10pm, the 11pm deadline will help malls do some additional business.

Marriott News | The Spotlight on Iceland’s Capital City Shines Even Brighter with The Arrival of the Reykjavik Edition

With typical élan, Ian Schrager has captured the spirit of Iceland and set a new standard of luxury in its capital city.

A flourishing culinary hotspot with cool cafés, a rollicking nightlife and an epic music scene, the spotlight is shining brightly on Iceland’s hip capital city and, with typical finesse, the arrival of The Reykjavik EDITION further cements EDITION Hotels' uncanny ability to land in just the right place at the right time. “Reykjavik is a really cool, young city -perfect for our brand,” says Ian Schrager, the visionary pioneer of the boutique hotel concept, PUBLIC and EDITION creator. “We think this is Reykjavik’s time and we’re right here at the very heart of it and at the perfect time.”

Opening in preview on November 9th, 2021, The Reykjavik EDITION will set a new standard as the city’s first truly luxury hotel experience, combining the best of the Icelandic capital with the personal, intimate and individual experience that the EDITION brand is known for. The result is a vibrant and sophisticated urban hub with 253 rooms, an outstanding line-up of bars, signature restaurant and nightclub and, in true EDITION style, the introduction of a new kind of modern social wellness concept. In the land of hot springs, mineral waters and natural fjords, this creative innovation, visceral emotional experience and authenticity of Ian Schrager, together with Marriott International’s long-standing operational expertise and global reach, results in a totally distinct offering that further boosts Reykjavik’s growing allure as a world class international cosmopolitan destination.

Iceland is an aspirational destination for many, in-between North America and Western Europe - increased flight routes, and its otherworldly landscape, drawing visitors from far and wide. The Reykjavik EDITION is the first true luxury brand entering the market which has facilities and services like no other. First appearing on the map when American chess grandmaster Bobby Fischer won the World Chess Championship in Reykjavik in 1972, Schrager, who was following the event at the time, says he was taken aback by the country’s unspoiled, natural beauty. Indeed, marooned in the North Atlantic Ocean, just beneath the Arctic Circle, Iceland is quite literally in the making, its constantly evolving landscape the result of rumbling volcanoes, bubbling hot springs, erupting geysers and shifting tectonic plates. All of this has resulted in a spectacular, mystical medley of bright green moss-carpeted lava fields, soaring glaciers and rugged mountains sliced by deep, river-cut valleys. “In Iceland, you’re getting to see things you won’t see anywhere else,” says Schrager. “More so than any other place in the world, it’s a real opportunity to get in touch with earth and nature and we’re proud to further expand the EDITION brand in an incredible place with an incredibly exciting hotel that gives you a true sense of place.”

Using his Midas touch, Ian Schrager has carefully conceived, concepted and programmed the hotel to create alchemy and sense of magic exclusive to this hotel. The Reykjavik EDITION designed in partnership with local architecture firm, T.ark and New York-based studio, Roman and Williams with guidance of ISC (Ian Schrager Company) design, subtly captures the spirit of Reykjavik while avoiding the clichés and remaining firmly rooted in the EDITION brand’s strong sense of refined sophistication and style. On a harborside perch, against glorious mountain views, the hotel is in a flawless location at the heart of the city: adjacent to Harpa, the landmark concert hall and conference center - whose multicolored glass façade was designed by the celebrated Icelandic and Danish artist Olafur Eliasson - and just minutes from Laugavegur, the main shopping street in downtown Reykjavik.

From the outside, The Reykjavik EDITION is a striking addition to this downtown neighborhood. Its ebony façade of shou sugi ban timber has been charred to be blacked using an ancient Japanese technique, and blackened steel frames is a clear nod to Iceland’s dramatic lava landscape. The simple, clean-lines of the building itself have been angled to make the most of the views and its lively harborside setting with a double-entrance lobby accessible either from the pedestrian Harpa plaza, or the Harbor. The latter - in a grand sense of arrival similar to The Times Square EDITION - features a canopy, its underside illuminated by 12,210 glass LED nodes.

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New Opening | World’s first Warner Bros. Hotel to open its doors to guests in November

The Warner Bros Abu Dhabi hotel on Yas Island will be operated by Hilton under the Curio Collection brand

Miral, Abu Dhabi’s leading curator of magnetic experiences in collaboration with Warner Bros., home to one of the most well-known and successful collections of brands and characters in the world, announced today that The WB Abu Dhabi hotel on Yas Island, operated by Hilton under the Curio Collection brand, will open its doors to guests on 11 November 2021, inviting guests to see their favorite stories and characters brought to life through unique hospitality experiences that only the rich history and storied legacy of Warner Bros. could offer.

Featuring one of the finest collections of Warner Bros. archives, guests at the world’s first Warner Bros. hotel will be treated to a journey of discovery through film and television, enjoying Warner Bros.’ rich history and library of timeless productions at every touchpoint from arrival to check-out. While dining in one of five restaurants on the property, you can listen as the piano from “Westworld” plays a familiar tune. Visitors can stroll through the lobby or admire the 360-degree city and sea views alongside their favorite props and costumes from Warner Bros. films and TV shows.  And kids and families can ring up one of their favorite Looney Tunes characters for a room service treat brought to them by the Wascally Wabbit, Bugs Bunny himself.

HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Miral, said: “We are proud to be launching another first with the opening of the only Warner Bros. hotel in the world. This new story-driven hospitality experience is set to excite guests from all over the world, further reinforcing Yas Island’s position as a global entertainment, leisure and business destination and supporting Abu Dhabi’s ambition to attract greater numbers of local and international tourists. We are delighted to be strengthening our partnership with Warner Bros. Themed Entertainment and Hilton with this unique one-of-a kind experience.”

Pam Lifford, President of WarnerMedia Global Brands and Experiences said: “Opening the doors to the first ever Warner Bros. branded hotel is a moment that we have long dreamed of, and it’s truly magnificent. The Warner Bros. Themed Entertainment team and our incredible partners at Miral and Hilton, designed this with fans in mind and have curated an outstanding hospitality experience that gives guests from around the world a unique way to further connect with the iconic Warner Bros. brands, franchises, and characters they love. The WB Abu Dhabi truly is the perfect experience to enjoy and relax while visiting Warner Bros. World right next door!

Guests of The WB Abu Dhabi hotel begin their story as they pull up to the hotel and are greeted by digital screens that span the height of the building, playing original content created for the hotel. Before entering the hotel visitors won’t want to miss the iconic “Friends” fountain, guests will then enter the lobby and be drawn to the hotel’s uniquely designed lobby columns. As guests continue their journey, the storytelling experience is further enriched with guest room corridors displaying a curated gallery of artwork.

Each of the hotel’s 257 rooms is furnished with touches that tie to the legacy of rich storytelling that makes Warner Bros. unique. The curated guestroom artwork will be inspired by three themes. The first theme, “From Script to Screen,” highlights standout moments from Warner Bros.’ movies and shows and documents the journey from the written page to the final shot. The second theme, “Artist Confidential,” celebrates a variety of talent in front of and behind the camera in some of Warner Bros.’ favorite productions. The third theme, “The Vault” features rarely seen images from Warner Bros.’ most memorable archives.

Complementing the hotel’s unique design is an extensive and world class food and beverage program featuring five dining options catering to both adults and children. Craft Services, located in the lobby lounge, offers a relaxing coffee break after a busy day, while Sidekicks is the perfect place for socialising and interacting while enjoying a flavorful international menu. For those lounging by the pool in cabanas and sunbeds, The Matinee provides a casual dining option. Additionally, guests looking to indulge in an elegant dining experience, can visit The Director’s Club, or enjoy an experience at The Overlook, a fabulous lounge with a relaxing infinity pool and beautiful 360-degree city, theme park and sea views.

Jochem-Jan Sleiffer, President, Middle East Africa & Turkey, Hilton said: “Hilton is proud to be continuing our partnership with Miral as part of the ongoing transformation of Yas Island into a world class entertainment destination.  We look forward to the WB Hotel joining our Curio Collection soon, following on from Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island as the second of our three hotels to be opening on Yas Island with Miral.”

The hotel is home to a host of leisure amenities for guests to enjoy, whether that’s lounging by the family pool area, working out in the fitness center, relaxing in the spa, exploring the artwork and props or shopping in the Warner Bros. store, the Prop Shop. For younger guests, the Kid’s Club will offer a vibrant and playful space designed to bring Warner Bros. characters to life. Some of WB’s world-renowned characters such as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and others will participate in entertaining activities throughout the hotel providing guest memories that will last a lifetime. The hotel also caters for business meetings and events with a large ballroom and expansive meeting room facilities.

The WB Abu Dhabi is located adjacent to the award-winning Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, the world's largest indoor theme park which features six truly immersive lands, including DC's Metropolis and Gotham City, Cartoon Junction, Bedrock, Dynamite Gulch and Warner Bros. Plaza, along with 29 state-of-the-art exhilarating rides, interactive family-friendly attractions and unique live entertainment. The hotel is also a walking distance from Yas Waterworld and a 5- minute drive to all other Yas Island unique attractions and experiences.

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NEWS | Jellyfish Watersports & Kerala Tourism to kickstart Chaliyar River Paddle from 12th November

Jellyfish Watersports & Kerala Tourism to kickstart Chaliyar River Paddle from 12th November

The 7th edition of Chaliyar River Paddle will be held from November 12th to November 14th, 2021 with a message to go ‘plastic negative’.

The three-day paddling event organized by Jellyfish Watersports in association with Kerala Tourism promotes an eco-friendly watersports experience that connects younger and grownups to our waters.

The 68 km paddle will start from Nilambur, located on the foothills of Western ghats in Malappuram, and conclude at Beypore in Kozhikode district, where the river meets with the Arabian Sea.

The Chaliyar River Paddle offers opportunities at various levels from beginners to non-swimmers to well-established water sports enthusiasts, nature lovers, tourists, children, and people from all walks of life. The event naturally promotes our rivers, their beauty, authentic Malabar cuisine, and offers a unique opportunity to meet like-minded individuals. Local music bands will be joining hands to promote their talent and offers a relaxing evening to the paddlers. Food will be catered by the best local restaurants such as Calicut Paragon. 

Covid safety protocols will be followed throughout the event and a Covid vaccination certificate is a prerequisite to participate in the event. This year, given the situation, this event will be promoted as a phoenix event to boost tourism activities in Kerala. The event will offer an expedition, camping, and a source to the sea paddling experience, using Kayaks, SUP's, Raft and this year on 3rd day, the organizers are introducing sculling (rowers) and dinghy sailboats making it a wider range of non-motorized, human-powered watercraft used.

“Chaliyar River Paddle has been focused on saving our rivers from urban pollution and promote recreational kayaking for everyone. It is a plastic negative event, hence the paddlers will help clean the river while kayaking. We have partnered with a local NGO, who will provide the participants a collection bags and carry the waste to their recycling and waste management facility. They will also educate participants on proper segregation, responsible consumption, and waste management. It is all about getting the Kerala tourism sector to bounce back from the Covid pandemic along with spreading awareness about the environment and particularly the rampant plastic pollution in the river,” says Kaushiq Kodithodika, Founder, Jellyfish Water Sports.

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New Opening | IHG Hotels & Resorts debuts Holiday Inn Express brand in Jaipur

IHG Hotels & Resorts debuts Holiday Inn Express brand in Jaipur

The company continues to build on its growth momentum in India by                        strategically expanding the brand portfolio across key cities

New Delhi, October 2021:  IHG® Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has signed a management agreement with notable real estate developer, Dinesh Kumar Choudhary (HUF) for a new hotel – Holiday Inn Express & Suites Jaipur Karoli Bagh located at Gopalpura Byepass,  in the capital of Rajasthan. The brownfield hotel featuring 141 keys is expected to be operational by the first quarter of 2023. 

Jaipur is the largest city in Rajasthan and one of the most popular leisure destinations, both for domestic and international travelers. It is an integral part of the Golden Triangle, a prominent tourist circuit connecting the national capital Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur, and is also a preferred wedding destination in India. Furthermore, the city houses numerous industries and is considered as the economic capital of Rajasthan. With the new signing of Holiday Inn Express & Suites Jaipur Karoli Bagh, the city will now have three IHG hotels between Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, and Holiday Inn Express, catering to varied guest profiles. 

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Jaipur Karoli Bagh will be located on the Gopalpura Bypass road, at a convenient 15-minute drive from the airport. The hotel will also be at a short driving distance from the city center, business district, tourist attractions, as well as key dining and shopping destinations. With excellent visibility and access, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Jaipur Karoli Bagh will provide a convenient stay experience to both business and leisure travelers.

The newly signed hotel will feature well-appointed modern guest rooms and all the necessary facilities for a comfortable stay experience. The hotel will also have the brand’s signature ‘Great Room’, ‘Small Bar’, a specialty restaurant, and a lounge to relax and unwind. Other essential facilities will include a fitness room and meeting spaces for business and social gatherings.  

Commenting on the new development, Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said, “We are thrilled to announce the signing of a new Holiday Inn Express & Suites hotel in Jaipur and solidify our presence in the state of Rajasthan. With a rich culture, history and cuisine, Jaipur is one of the most popular tourist destinations of India. With diverse guest profiles visiting the city, there is an increasing need for mainstream accommodation, and we are confident that Holiday Inn Express & Suites Jaipur Karoli Bagh will be a great choice for travelers looking for a simple and engaging hotel stay experience. 

He added: this new signing is also in line with our strategy to expand our ‘essentials collection’ across key markets in India and further strengthen our mainstream presence in the country, in line with market demands.” 

Mr. Dinesh Kumar Choudhary, Head of Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) added, “We are excited to partner with an internationally and domestically known and trusted hospitality brand like IHG. With a combination of an excellent location, the power of IHG’s distribution system, strong loyalty programme and expertise in the hospitality segment, we are confident that Holiday Inn Express & Suites Jaipur Karoli Bagh will emerge as a popular choice amongst the travellers visiting Jaipur.”

Holiday Inn Express is one of IHG’s fastest-expanding hotel brands. It is designed for smart travelers who are looking for a simple, yet engaging place to reconnect and refresh. 

IHG® currently has 41 hotels operating across five brands in SWA, including Six Senses, InterContinental Hotels and Resorts®, Crowne Plaza®, Holiday Inn® , Holiday Inn Resort® and Holiday Inn Express®, and a strong pipeline of 50 hotels due to open in the next 2-3 years. 

Numbers as of June 30th, 2021.

About IHG Hotels & Resorts

IHG Hotels & Resorts [LON: IHG, NYSE: IHG (ADRs)] is a global hospitality company, with the purpose to provide True Hospitality for Good.

With a family of 16 hotel brands and IHG Rewards, one of the world’s largest hotel loyalty programs, IHG has nearly 6,000 open hotels in more than 100 countries and a further 1,800 in the development pipeline. 

• Luxury & Lifestyle: Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas, Regent Hotels & Resorts, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Hotel Indigo

• Premium: HUALUXE Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, EVEN Hotels, voco Hotels

• Essentials: Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Express, avid hotels

• Suites: Atwell Suites, Staybridge Suites,  Holiday Inn Club Vacations, Candlewood Suites 

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Hilton News | Hilton Introduces Industry-Leading Tech Enhancements

Hilton Introduces Industry-Leading Tech Enhancements, Improving Guest Experience with Shareable Digital Room Keys, Automated Complimentary Room Upgrades and Confirmed Connecting Rooms

MCLEAN, Va. - Hilton today announced the latest in a series of technology innovations that enhance the guest experience across the company’s 18 world-class hotel brands.  In a first for a major hospitality company, Digital Key Share will allow more than one guest to have access to their room’s Digital Key, which turns the free Hilton Honors app on their smartphones into a room key.

Hilton also announced an enhancement to a highly valued Hilton Honors benefit, providing members with early confirmation of a favorite perk – complimentary room upgrades.  Eligible Gold and Diamond Hilton Honors members will be notified of their space-available upgrade 72 hours prior to arrival, enabling the member to choose their upgraded room directly when they check-in via the Hilton Honors app. 

These two enhancements join the recently launched Confirmed Connecting Rooms, another industry first that allows individuals to easily and instantly confirm at least two connecting rooms at the time of booking. 

“We’ve always had our guests at the heart of everything we do, and we continue to listen, evolve and innovate to give them more choice and control over their hotel stay,” said Chris Silcock, executive vice president, and chief commercial officer, Hilton. “Our approach to technology always starts with the guest experience, and as travel returns, we are pleased to provide Hilton guests with enhancements to their stay that are seamless, flexible, and allow them to focus on what matters most – creating new memories.”

Sharing Your Digital Key with Travel Companions

Since its 2015 launch, Hilton’s Digital Key has expanded rapidly.  The technology is now available at more than 80% of Hilton’s portfolio, or close to 5,400 of Hilton’s more than 6,600 properties worldwide.  It has been used to open more than 135 million guestroom doors, and has reduced plastic waste by 125 tons, furthering Hilton’s Travel with Purpose commitment to cut its environmental footprint in half by 2030.  In the coming months, Digital Key Share will roll out globally to all hotels currently offering Digital Key technology.

How it Works: The primary guest can share their active Digital Key with up to four additional people or devices from the Hilton Honors app.  For the secondary guest to gain access to the Digital Key, they must receive an invitation from the primary guest, be logged into the Hilton Honors app and pass a security check that happens instantly in the background.  Guests who accept a share will have access to the room throughout the duration of the stay and, for security purposes, cannot further share the Digital Key. 

Enhancing the Complimentary Room Upgrade Benefit for Elite Members

Celebrating elite Gold and Diamond Hilton Honors members with complementary, space-available upgrades at the time of check-in is one of the program’s most important perks, and now, Hilton Honors is enhancing this valued benefit even further.  When possible, Hilton will notify Gold and Diamond members of their complimentary upgrade 72 hours prior to arrival.  This will enable the member to choose their upgraded room directly via the Hilton Honors app.  

How it Works: Eligible members will receive an email and a Hilton Honors app push notification alerting them of their complimentary upgraded room.  Once received, if the hotel offers Digital Check-In, the member can easily choose the location of their upgraded room through the app 36 hours prior to arrival.  All stays under seven nights are eligible for this confirmation, and it will be available in the coming months at all Hilton brands globally where space-available upgrades are currently offered, including Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, LXR Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Canopy by Hilton, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Curio Collection by Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton, Signia by Hilton and Tapestry Collection by Hilton. 

Easily Book and Instantly Confirm Connecting Rooms 

Earlier this year, Hilton launched a solution for a long-time travel planning frustration and was the first major hotel company to introduce a booking experience that allows individuals to easily book and instantly confirm at least two connecting rooms.  This innovative technology, Confirmed Connecting Rooms by Hilton, is rolling out globally and is available when booking on Hilton.com or through the Hilton Honors app at participating hotels within any of the portfolio’s 18 brands. 

How it Works: Individuals can book and instantly confirm connecting rooms in three easy steps. First, the guest selects the number of desired rooms, along with the destination and dates.  Then, when selecting a room, the guest checks the box to indicate “connecting rooms.”  Finally, the guest selects their desired connecting rooms and books their stay with instant confirmation. 

These innovations are a continuation of Hilton’s mission to further the digital welcome experience for valued guests and Hilton Honors members.  These enhancements increase flexibility for travelers so they can relax and enjoy their destination, whether traveling for business or leisure, with family or friends. Learn more at HiltonHonors.com.

Eclat Insights | The Compound Effect In Service Design

The idea is from the book 50 Activities For Achieving Excellent Customer Service by Darryl Doane.

I love compounding. The quote 'Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world' is attributed to Einstein. Until recently, I thought of it merely in terms of finance or rather growing money. When you think of it in terms of life, productivity, personal, team or business growth, it is even more potent. 

3 lines of What The Idea Is

• The compound effect is the strategy of reaping huge rewards from small, seemingly insignificant actions.

• Small choices + consistency + time = significant results #formulasforlife

• Using learning from each interaction, each incident, to shape future interactions and responses.

Why is it relevant to Hospitality & Service Industries

The number of interactions one of your guests has with your team over a 24 hour period could vary from type of service to type of guest, but for simplicity let's say it is just 2. Just 2 interactions, in 24 hours, per guest.

If you serve 100 guests a day, that is 200 interactions, which is 73,000 interactions in a year.

Imagine if you could record the learning from each of those interactions, and keep improving all future moments of truth.

Real-World Example

A guest asks a steward if there are any vegan options because he can't find them on the menu. You may not have vegan options or the options may not be visible easily. This is a service design flaw.

First, the steward helps the guest, if he can himself or by talking to the chef/manager.  

He makes a note of the request.

At the end of the shift, he hands over that to the manager or adds it to an online list.

A vegan menu is then created by the chef/manager.

When other guests inquire about a vegan menu, instead of pointing to some dishes on the menu, the guest is offered a special, standalone vegan menu.

If every interaction that is warranted a new, different response from the standard operating practices is recorded and actioned, you get a compound effect.

Actionable Insights

1. Ensure your team captures any situation, request, demand, question, that is not already framed and featured in your SOPs.

2. It could be as simple as where is the restaurant to who owns this place? No management judgement should be used to document. No filtering. 

3. Make it simple for your team to record all such incidents. Create a voicemail box, a simple email address, pen & paper, anything that they can do to capture the details where they work. If there is too much effort required to do so, it will not happen.

4. Create a Chief-Moment-Of-Truth Officer position to ensure that all such records are accessed, actioned and added to SOPs. p.s. Your SOPs are supposed to be living, breathing entities and not something that is filled away in vaults. 

 5. Reward the people who add/create more knowledge for everyone. 

Want to make this WOW? 

• Have a competition. See who can add the maximum new service intentions.

• Create customer personas to go through all your SOPs and see how to improve the experience.

The 5-second rule! - Do something about this right now!

Look at the last customer complaint you got. Was it something new? If it was, make sure you create a response for it and add it to your SOP.

We love creating amazing service processes. If you want to ideate on any of your processes write to me at p.bedi@eclathospitality.com. It's free coz it is fun for us.

Prabhjot

Bedi

is an Hospitality Ideator. A process innovator, trainer, and professional speaker, he has worked with the Taj Group of Hotels, conducted training programs for hospitality leaders, launched a National Council Accredited Hospitality Institute as Principal, successfully launched and sold three hospitality businesses. He now assists hospitality leaders and educators in creating superlative services and products. He also edits the very popular www.hospemag.com - the largest hospitality career e-mag

NEWS | Cygnett Hotels & Resorts to add nine new properties to its portfolio

The new properties will come up in Dehradun, Jaipur (2 hotels), Bhiwadi, Dalhousie, Solan, Kolkata, Rajkot, and Goa

Cygnett Group of Hotels and Resorts plans to launch 9 new properties across multiple cities in different regions of India over the next six months. The new properties will come up in Dehradun, Jaipur (2 hotels), Bhiwadi, Dalhousie, Solan, Kolkata, Rajkot, and Goa.

The Cygnett Group is in the process of finalizing another 6 hotels, details of which will be announced soon. Like all Cygnett Group hotels, the new properties will target both business and leisure travelers. “There is a lot of pent-up demand, especially in the smaller cities and towns, and we want to aggressively capitalize on that demand,” said Sarbendra Sarkar, MD & Founder Cygnett Hotels & Resorts.

Speaking about the growth opportunities in India, Sarkar said, “We believe that the disruption created by the COVID-19 pandemic is now behind us and people have begun traveling again. The economy is steadily coming back on track and therefore the demand is accelerating, especially in non-metro cities.”

Pointing out that occupancy rates in Cygnett Group hotels have been going up for the past few months, Mr. Sarkar said that recovery in the hospitality sector has been faster than expected after the devastation caused by the pandemic.

Sarkar added that Cygnett properties are currently running at 70% occupancy as against India's average of 52% occupancy. He also highlighted the challenge of a declining Average Daily Rate (ADR). “ADR has gone down by 30% this season. That’s a little worrying for the industry,”  Sarkar said, adding that it would take another 8-10 months for the ADR to up to the pre-pandemic levels.

Initiative | Radisson Hotel Group becomes world’s first hotel group to offer carbon negative meetings

For every event taking place at its participating hotels, Radisson Hotel Group will offset double the carbon footprint, to ensure that every meeting has a positive impact on the environment

Radisson Hotel Group is set to become the world’s first hotel group to make all meetings and events across 400+ hotels in its EMEA portfolio carbon negative. For every event taking place at its participating hotels, Radisson Hotel Group will offset double the carbon footprint, to ensure that every meeting has a positive impact on the environment.

For meetings booked between 18 October 2021 and 31 January 2022 and taking place before 31st March 2022, Carbon Negative. Planet Positive will set a new sustainability standard in the global hospitality industry. The program allows clients to host meetings in a sustainable way by offsetting double the CO2 emissions from meetings and events free of charge to the client, making meetings that take place during this period at participating hotels carbon negative.

Carbon Negative. Planet Positive reinforces the Group’s 100% Carbon Neutral meetings offering, in place across the Group’s 1,600 hotels worldwide since 2019. The initiative forms part of the Group’s wider Responsible Business program which targets reducing the Group’s carbon footprint by 30%, and which aims to set science-based targets. Since the launch of the 100% Carbon Neutral Meetings program, the Group has offset over 30,300 tons of CO2 at no cost to its clients, which is the equivalent to removing more than 6,500 fuel driven cars1 off the road.

Carbon Negative, Planet Positive meetings complement the Group’s Hybrid Meetings solutions which launched in 2020 and offer owners and guests the flexibility and space optimization they require to better meet the rapid lifestyle changes of today’s travelers. Hybrid Meetings are available across more than 100 hotels in EMEA and contribute to a lighter scope 3 footprint for the client.

“The upcoming COP26 conference will see world leaders come together to discuss climate change which needs all our attention. At Radisson Hotel Group, we are constantly reviewing how we as a global business can influence positive climate action, and how we can encourage the hospitality industry to push the boundaries on green meetings and events. We are proud to be pioneering this initiative and trust that meeting organizers around the globe recognize the positive impact they can have on the environment as face-to-face meetings increase,” says Eric de Neef, Executive Vice President, Global Chief Branding & Commercial Officer.

“Carbon Negative. Planet Positive allows you to make your meetings carbon negative and your impact planet positive. With the return of business travel, now is the time to have a positive impact. For Radisson Hotel Group, it is important that we offset carbon emissions according to the highest quality standards and in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This is why we select offsetting projects that are not only good for the environment, but also socially relevant. This initiative plays a key role in helping us achieve our Responsible Business targets to protect people, planet, and community,” says Inge Huijbrechts, Global Senior Vice President Sustainability, Security and Corporate Communications.

For each meeting, the carbon footprint is calculated using the HCMI methodology2 and then offset through projects which are Gold Standard or Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) recognized. These projects combat climate change and contribute to sustainable development in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and include a clean cooking and safe water program in Kenya, wind farm projects in Turkey, India, and the US to generate green electricity, a forest protection program in Peru to reduce deforestation sustainably, and a biogas project in rural China. In addition, members of Radisson’s Radisson Rewards loyalty program can also choose to redeem their loyalty points to offset their stay.

New Launch | The Leela Gandhinagar introduces bespoke staycation packages

The Leela Gandhinagar has introduced three bespoke staycation packages for families of all kinds, that are sure to create memories during this festive time.

For a family that enjoys spending time together and yet loves individual spaces, the hotel offers the ‘Togetherness’ package. This includes a family stay in interconnecting rooms and more space for a memorable time together.

To add a luxurious indulgence to your stay, book the ‘Suite Life’ package. This offers families with children a lavish stay - a Royal Suite for parents and Premier Club Room for the children. The stay is complemented with a special high tea and a delectable spread.

Rekindle romance with your special one while staying at this luxurious hotel. Book the ‘Intimate Escape’ package for a extravagant stay, including a seven-course dining experience, exclusive access to Royal Club Lounge and afternoon tea / coffee.

All three packages come inclusive of meals, advantage of early check-in and late check-out and a host of other services.

“Following the successful opening of the hotel, we have been receiving great feedback and a lot of warmth from our guests. Our special inaugural package drove very good response with staycations for guests from the twin cities of Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar. We are sure that our festive-special packages will serve as great options for our guests to enjoy a festive indulgence while staying with us.” said Jaideep Anand, Vice President and General Manager, The Leela Gandhinagar.

The Leela Gandhinagar is the first luxury hotel in India to be built on the airspace of a conventional railway station, 22 metres above the ground. The 318-room property combines modernity with subtle inspirations from local Gujarat architecture and culture and sits proudly atop the railway tracks.
The hotel also offers the finest in gourmet fare at various dining alternatives spanning a host of cuisines, served in picturesque environs.

To ensure that every guest stay is not only the most memorable but also the safest, the hotel has implemented enhanced safety and hygiene protocols under ‘Suraksha by The Leela’ - a comprehensive safety program in partnership with Bureau Veritas. The Leela Gandhinagar also has a 100% vaccinated workforce reassuring guests of complete safety in their care.