The Masala Story set to open new cloud kitchen outlets amidst the pandemic

Times have never been tougher for the restaurant business than it is today. Despite that, The Masala Story, a delivery kitchen that serves authentic North Indian cuisine has opened four new outlets in India during the pandemic. The unpredictable times have urged The Masala Story to innovate and thrive in the business, leading them to the concept of delivery kitchen.

As consumers shift their dining behaviors increasingly to delivery, The Masala Story gears up to open three new ‘cloud kitchens’ outlets that are delivery kitchens, ready for home delivery and take away only. The Masala Story offers premium and authentic north Indian cuisine including freshly cooked dum biryani, kebab, phirni and more at its Haryana and Delhi outlets.

What sets The Masala Story apart is its traditional style of cooking authentic north Indian style food in personalized earthen pots and then carefully placing them in their specially curated boxes. This helps every individual to enjoy delicious food without any mess. The packaging also serves as a sustainable approach to the environment.

Catering to hygiene and safety guidelines, The Masala Story didn’t fold and had to sacrifice some of the energy and character that had defined them in order to operate safely during the ongoing pandemic. The delivery kitchen adds additional sanitary and social distancing requirements like checking temperature, sanitising the kitchen etc.

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Noteworthy Hotel Openings in 2021 | RAKxa Wellness & Medical RetreatBangkok, Thailand

RAKxa Wellness & Medical RetreatBangkok, ThailandOpening early 2021

Tucked in Bangkok’s undiscovered ‘Green Lung’ island on the Chao Phraya River, the RAKxa Integrative Wellness & Medical Retreat is set to deliver tailored wellness programs incorporating both advanced medical treatments and holistic therapies. This groundbreaking wellness retreat will feature 60 private villas, providing guests a fully transformative experience through personalized three-to-fourteen-day programs based on the retreat’s next level wellness testing technology.

opportunities-for-women-in-tourism-increasing-across-middle-east

Fewer than one in 10 tourism workers in the Middle East are women though this proportion is steadily increasing, new research has found. The Regional Report on Women in Tourism in the Middle East, released today by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the Ministry of Tourism of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, highlights the progress that has been made, as well as opportunities to further advance gender equality in the sector.

The new publication, which complements the Global Report on Women in Tourism, Second Edition, was compiled within the framework of the Saudi Arabia G20 2020 Presidency. It highlights the positive steps that have been taken at a policy level in recent years while demonstrating the work still needed to achieve UN Sustainable Development Goal 5 in the Middle East, particularly when compared with other world regions.

The key findings of the report show that:

• 8% of people employed in tourism in the region are women, compared to 16% in the overall economy of the region. At a global level 54% of people employed in tourism are women compared to 39% in the broader global economy

• Women are well-educated but not entering the tourism workforce.
  Women have higher rates of tertiary education than men in general yet remain considerably underrepresented in employment.

• The public sector is leading the way for women in leadership roles.

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Srinivasan Raman appointed as F&B Director at Grand Hyatt Mumbai Hotel and Residences

Grand Hyatt Mumbai Hotel and Residences, has announced the appointment of Srini Raman as Director Food and Beverage. Raman started his career 20 years ago as a Food and Beverage Assistant with the Oberoi Group. Over the years he had worked in different capacities with One & Only and the Shangri La Group before joining Hyatt in 2008 at the Grand Hyatt Muscat, Oman.

His journey of over 10 years with Hyatt has spanned multiple continents in diverse roles and he also worked at the Park Hyatt Goa and the Hyatt Regency Riyadh. His last assignment before joining Grand Hyatt Mumbai Hotel and Residences was with The Ritz-Carlton Bangalore as Director of Food and Beverage.

Speaking on his appointment Raman said, “I am honored to be joining this iconic property and happy to be back with the Hyatt Family. Inquisitiveness to learn and passion towards hotels is the only motivation someone requires to excel.”

With 20 plus years of enriching experience in the hospitality industry, his endeavor is to utilize his immense food and beverage experience in strengthening the Iconic Grand Hyatt Mumbai Hotel and Residences Food and Beverage strategies, guest experiences whilst driving operational efficiency.

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Ginger signs its milestone 75th Hotel, Ginger Aurangabad

Ginger has announced the milestone of its 75th hotel with the signing of the brand’s second hotel in Aurangabad, in the state of Maharashtra. This signing is in line with Ginger’s growth strategy of increasing the brand’s presence in key commercial hubs and state capitals of India. The hotel will be designed around the brand’s lean luxe philosophy of offering a vibrant, contemporary and seamless hospitality experience to its guests.

Commenting on the signing, Deepika Rao, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Ginger Hotels, said, “This is a proud moment for us. Our guests and the investor community have shown great confidence in the new lean luxe offering, which has helped us achieve this key milestone. The journey of the brand has been very exciting. We are very happy to partner with the Aasawa Brothers Group for the onboarding of this landmark 75th hotel in Aurangabad.”

Ginger Aurangabad will be located near Jalgaon Road, in the central business district of the city, and a short drive from the airport. The hotel will feature 64 rooms, an all-day diner, a meeting room and a fitness centre. This will be a fully fitted lease with the Aasawa Brothers Group.

Aurangabad is a popular tourist hub with UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Ajanta and Ellora caves. This city is also a major silk and cotton textile producer for the country.

With the addition of this hotel, Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) will have 31 hotels in the state of Maharashtra.

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Hilton Introduces Hilton EventReady Hybrid Solutions for Meetings and Events

As we emerge from a year of uncertainties, one business reality seems crystal clear: Hybrid meetings and events will be critical in the near-term. To address this dramatic shift in how people meet and celebrate, Hilton is introducing a set of Hilton EventReady Hybrid Solutions. The new suite of offerings, which will continue to evolve, directs event planners to Hilton’s hybrid-ready hotels while also providing them with planning resources – including an expanded Hilton EventReady Playbook and flexible customer offers.

With each meeting and event experience delivered by dedicated team members, as part of the Hilton EventReady Hybrid Solutions, participating hotels will have access to comprehensive team member training resources to build and strengthen their knowledge in hybrid events.

“Hilton has remained a leader in the meetings and events industry for more than 100 years by listening intently and innovating quickly to changing customer needs,” said Martin Rinck, executive vice president and chief brand officer, Hilton. “Hilton EventReady Hybrid Solutions were born out of our continued commitment to excellence – from accessing the capabilities of our global portfolio to rolling out a suite of extensive event planner resources and introducing team member training to ensure we can deliver the optimum overall event experience.” 

The Hilton EventReady Hybrid Solutions will begin rolling out globally this month. Additionally, the expanded Hybrid Events chapter of the Hilton EventReady Playbook – which will include detailed case studies, pro-tips, a glossary of hybrid event terms and more – will also be available in English this month and accessible to customers working with any hotel within the Hilton global portfolio.

The portfolio of hybrid-ready hotels will spotlight the baseline requirements that customers should expect when hosting a small hybrid event, which include:

• IT Readiness: Each hotel will have undergone an evaluation to assess the available IT bandwidth and infrastructure of the hotel to meet the requirements of small hybrid events. To be deemed “hybrid-ready”, hotels are required to have a minimum amount of incremental and available bandwidth that is above and beyond the hotel’s average circuit utilization level. This requirement allows for seamless communication and connectivity to optimize the hybrid experience within the hotel while providing easy access for virtual attendees.

• Multi-Site Offering and Express Agreements: These incentives enable customers to book the in-person portion of their event at multiple hybrid-ready Hilton locations as well as create a more seamless contract experience.

• Expanded Playbook: While the EventReady Playbook is available to customers globally, those looking for in-depth information on planning and executing small hybrid events can access the expanded Hybrid Events chapter, which will continue to evolve alongside customer needs.

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The St. Regis Cairo St. Regis Cairo, Egypt Now Open

St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott International, today announced the highly-anticipated opening of The St. Regis Cairo. Rising tall on the banks of the River Nile, The St. Regis Cairo is an illustrious icon weaving a powerful story of luxury in the region. Located at the North end of the Corniche, in the heart of Egypt's bustling metropolis, the 39-story hotel offers easy access to the magnificent monuments of a city steeped in history.

Modern Egyptian Grandeur

With its striking architecture, created by renowned architect Michael Graves, The St. Regis Cairo firmly establishes itself as a pivotal landmark in the city and beyond, carefully balancing opulence with refinement and elegance to evoke a profound sense of grandeur. Uncompromising in its decadence, the hotel is an exquisite reflection of a passionate vision that conscientiously draws on the city's influential and storied past while confidently introducing its vibrant future.

Graceful geometric lines flow throughout the interiors, creating a repeated structural motif that quietly references the heritage of the region. Dark wood and rich textures combine with intricate embroidery, bejeweled paneling, bronze and wood carvings embellished with flashes of shimmering gold, mother of pearl inlays and imposing crystal chandeliers creating a dramatic Egyptian aesthetic with modern execution. A striking mural entitled "The Pink Sun" graces The St. Regis Bar. Staunchly modern in its execution, the mural references ancient Egypt and the birth of a modern civilization.

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John Hazard Appointed General Manager At The Ritz-Carlton, Turks & Caicos, Turks and Caicos Islands

The Ritz-Carlton, Turks & Caicos, is pleased to announce that John Hazard has been appointed General Manager of the highly anticipated resort, slated to debut in Summer 2021. John is a passionate global hotelier with over 19 years of hotel management experience across the United Kingdom, Middle East and the Caribbean. An industry expert, John will be responsible for all aspects of operations, bringing the legendary Ritz-Carlton service to this world-renowned beach destination.

In his most recent role as General Manager of the Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort, the hotel developed one of the most innovative restaurant concepts in the region and reimagined and launched a new Spa & Retail operation. Under his leadership, John led the team to several years of consecutive great success and growth.

Born and raised in Bath, west of England, John has served as General Manager across various brands in Marriott International's portfolio including, Courtyard by Marriott, Renaissance Hotels, and Marriott Hotels & Resorts. His career with Marriott International in United Kingdom marked many successes including being recognized as Renaissance Hotels international GM of the Year in 2006, overseeing a full hotel renovation, partnering with a Michelin star restaurant, and navigating the London Olympics as a 'tier 1 sponsor hotel'.

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Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels unveils new brand, Zone Connect

Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Limited launches Zone Connect, a limited service brand under its Zone by The Park portfolio. Zone Connect channels its inimitable spirit and design ethos of Zone by The Park. The brand has been launched with 4 Zone Connect hotels, all under management contract, in Coimbatore, Goa and Port Blair. The hotels are slated to open in the first half of 2021.

Zone Connect Coimbatore will have 55 contemporary designed rooms, an all-day dining, bar and a banquet which makes it an ideal business hotel. This is the group’s second hotel in the city, after Zone by The Park Coimbatore, which was launched in 2014.

Zone Connect Goa in located in bustling Bandez (north of Goa) and will house 49 rooms with an all-day dining, a bar, banquets, a pool, a spa and a salon. It is expected to open in the first quarter 2021.

Zone Connect Port Blair will consist of 25 rooms, a restaurant, a bar, a banquet, a spa, and a pool.

Zone Connect Tirupati with 88 rooms, all day dining and banquets.

Vijay Dewan, Managing Director, Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Limited said, “We are delighted to launch Zone Connect under our social-catalyst brand, Zone by The Park. It borrows from the ethos of Zone by The Park in being interactive, creative and contemporary. We are excited to have signed three hotels so early on. Zone Connect will bridge the gap for quality accommodation in Tier II and Tier III cities and will give the hotel owners opportunity to grow their business with a reliable and thriving brand.”

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Pride Group of Hotels wins Indian Affairs Best Managed & Most Valuable Hotel Chains 2020

Pride Group of Hotels awarded with the ‘Indian Affairs Best Managed & Most Valuable Hotel Chains 2020’ Award at the 11th Annual India Leadership Conclave & Indian Affairs Business Leadership Awards 2020 on 26th December.

Winners and finalists were announced at the 2020 ceremony held virtually on 26th December at 6:00 PM. Many stalwarts from the hospitality industry attended the event. The event was designed to applaud the success & achievement of the hospitality fraternity.

The Chambers launches Rendezvous at The Taj Mahal Hotel, Mumbai

The Chambers, India's very first exclusive business club, today launched Rendezvous - a collection of intimate, immersive and indulgent events, tastefully curated for discerning guests at IHCLs landmark hotels across the country. Designed to engage and entertain, these evenings focus on creating bespoke experiences that are unique and niche for a select few.

The first of a series of events, the launch saw Global Actor, Anupam Kher, unveil his latest book ‘Your Best Day Is Today’, in conversation with Philanthropist, Neerja, Birla; Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Indian Hotels Company Limited; along with Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of the Aditya Birla Group. The discussion covered a compendium of experiences, lessons and positive takeaways, which will help people deal with dark times, an extremely relevant conversation in today’s day and age.

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Chef Dayashankar Sharma bags Chef Of the Year Award Greater London 2020

The Asian Food and Restaurant Awards (AFRA) paid homage to Asian hospitality, services and supplier sectors through an online event recently. Born & brought up in a small village- Bhojpura Kalan (Rajasthan, India), Michelin Plate Winner Chef Dayashankar Sharma was awarded as the Chef of the Year Award Greater London 2020 by the fraternity.

AFRA recognized the achievements made by industries leading figures from “South Asians across the UK”. Continuing its winning ways, Michelin Plate Winner Chef Dayashankar Sharma being declared Chef of The Year for Greater London continuously second time. Known for pairing classic flavours with sumptuous new ideas, Chef Sharma’s new vegan dishes including Lotus root & asparagus with red peppers, cooked with cumin, turmeric & dry ground mango, and Stem broccoli with crushed black pepper, roasted cumin & lime juice gained lot of traction earlier last year among customers.

Trained from honing an impeccable reputation right from the beginning across 32 years of culinary experience, Chef Dayashankar Sharma has become recognized for pairing time-honored tradition with contemporary ideas and creating his food with full commitment and passion for every occasion. Chef Sharma also holds classes on Heritage recipes of India for Foreign Hospitality students in London.

The Resort, Mumbai appoints Chef Amit Kocharekar as Executive Chef

With over 17 years of culinary experience, Chef Amit brings a dynamic and innovative energy to The Resort’s varied gastronomy scene. An ambitious professional who loves to combine his creative talent and high calibre in hospitality management, Chef Amit thrives on challenges and adapts easily to new environments and responsibilities. His passion to continuously learn and explore his craft has resulted in an impressive career spanning various stints that include working for the Renaissance hotel, The Oberoi hotel for four years and then moving to JW Marriott where he served for 12 years.

Chef Amit began his journey as an associate at The Renaissance Hotel and went on to become a Chef de Cuisine. Among the many assignments he handled, one of his major achievements has been managing a 700 to 1000 banquet capacity that involved intricate guest detailing and menu planning.

Chef Amit was also involved in planning of World cuisine and breakfast spreads for some of the best breakfasts and dining restaurants in the city for up to 600 covers including the one at The Oberoi Hotels. Here he was responsible for training and co-ordination of different departments to ensure smooth operations and provide best quality control of hygiene and services offered.

From The Oberoi Hotel, Chef Amit moved to JW Marriott Mumbai as Chef de Cuisine where he was overall in charge of the main kitchen and was responsible for inventory and food cost, launching new menus, conducting regular demonstration classes for staff and creating innovative menus for special occasions among other things.

Known for his astute knowledge of the food industry, Chef Amit holds an excellent track record of managing budgets and resources to facilitate streamlined operations. He boasts of a vast experience in developing and following sterling service standards and operational policies while planning business strategies. He loves interacting with guests on a regular basis to understand their requirements. He is also known to be proficient in planning and organizing manpower and resources for the success of daily operations. In all his roles, he has been appreciated for ensuring that high quality standards are maintained in all spheres of operation.

Chef Amit has completed a Diploma in Hotel Management and Catering Technology from Bharati Vidyapeeth College. He was awarded a Silver Medal for ‘Nestle Young Star Chef of the Year 2003’, organized by the Institute of Hotel Management Catering Technology & Applied Nutrition & Western India Culinary Association.

At The Resort Mumbai, Chef Amit plans to introduce a range of new fares with local flavours and fresh ingredients to create the ultimate dining experience.

Talking about the new appointment, Satyajit Kotwal, General Manager, The Resort Mumbai, said, “Chef Kocharekar is an extremely passionate and creative chef and we are delighted to welcome him to the team. His undoubted experience will be a great asset to food and beverage within the hotel. Known for his innovative ideas and focus on fresh and healthy cuisines, an Executive Chef of Chef Kocharekar’s calibre will give a fresh new perspective to what we offer and provide a solid foundation for what is to come.”

With its unrivalled setting and relaxed ambience, The Resort has become one of Mumbai’s most desirable destination restaurants and weekend getaways.

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Rustic Art launches Serve Clean to preserve the essential nutrients in your Vegetables and Fruits

“ India’s only powdered fruit and vegetable wash

- 100 percent Natural and Organic Wash that helps retains freshness for nearly a week

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Rustic Art, a home-grown organic personal & homecare brand recently launched Serve Clean – a 100 per cent natural and organic Vegetable & Fruit Wash. The Soapnut Tamarind powdered formulation is curated to get rid of wax, dirt, bacteria and pesticides from vegetables and fruits. Enriched with Colloidal Silver, it has a strong anti-bacterial property that works effectively against all types of fungus, bacteria, and pathogens. Colloidal Silver combined with other ingredients makes the formula more potent and invincible.

 The extremely porous skins on vegetables and fruits easily absorb the chemicals from soap. While consuming these food items, the residues of soap or detergent absorbed by the vegetable might get ingested directly. This could lead to various health troubles like diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain, nausea and other such issues. Some of these issues may falsely look like COVID-19 symptoms causing panic. Therefore, it is imperative to opt for an organic wash that helps cleanse the dangerous carcinogens without leaving any residue.

Sunita Jaju, Founder & Director, Chief Formulator, Rustic Art (Brand owned by Erina Eco Craft Pvt. Ltd.) said, “Our endeavour has always been to serve consumers with sustainable solutions derived from natural sources. In view of the pandemic, consumers are more inclined towards eco-friendly products for safety and hygiene. We curated a 100% organic powdered wash that is free of chemical fragrance, preservative, sulphate and synthetic colour. Most vegetable and fruit washes in the market use up a lot of water to get rid of the residue from the surface. Serve Clean is a highly water efficient and safe formula which requires very less water to rinse off. “

Rustic Art’s Serve Clean powder consists of Baking Soda which eliminates pesticides and dirt while Sodium Per Carbonate retains the nutrients and vitamins in the food & keeps them fresh for a longer time period. With natural cleansers like Soapnut (Reetha), it helps to get rid of the wax and other toxic chemicals on the surface. It also removes dubious elements from the surface of vegetables and fruits with Tamarind. The natural chelating agents like Sodium Gluconate and Potassium Alum helps to bind the heavy metals and dirt & help them settle down into the water bath.

The powdered formula is water-efficient in nature while making the waste-water recyclable for urban-gardening and other household chores. It requires much lesser water to wash and a simple water bath can be used to clean the produce. It also helps to retain the freshness in the fruits and vegetables post washing for at least twice the usual time-frame and hence prevents food wastage.

Product: Rustic Art’s “Serve Clean Soapnut Tamarind” Vegetable & Fruit Wash

Price: INR 225 for 300g

Availability: www.rusticart.in, Amazon, Flipkart, etc

Hyatt Regency Phnom Pehn Opens in Cambodia

 today announced the opening of Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh, the first Hyatt hotel in the Cambodian capital and the second Hyatt hotel operating in Cambodia. The 247-room property is the largest hotel from a global brand in the city and is located in the heart of the cultural and business district of Doun Penh, which is a 30-minute drive from the airport and within walking distance to the Royal Palace, National Museum and the riverside.

“We are excited to open our doors and introduce the Hyatt Regency brand to Cambodia, supporting the country’s hospitality industry as well as reinforcing Hyatt’s steady and thoughtful growth in Southeast Asia,” said Herman Kemp, general manager, Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh. “We look forward to welcoming business and leisure guests to an energizing new space where they can recharge, discover locally inspired culinary experiences and stay connected during a stress-free travel experience, all delivered with the warm comfort of Cambodian hospitality.”

Design and Guestrooms

Conceived by award-winning Singapore-based SCDA Architects and leading Thailand-based PIA Interior, the hotel’s stylish interiors reflect Cambodia’s unique history, seamlessly blending Khmer architectural accents with French colonial influences alongside specially commissioned artworks by contemporary Cambodian artist, FONKi.

As guests pull into the hotel’s driveway, they are greeted with a welcoming centerpiece, a beautiful French heritage building flanked by frangipani trees. Originally built as a Colonial villa in the early 20th century, the carefully restored lemon-colored Colonial House with wooden shutters, arched doorways and terracotta-tiled roof now serves as the hotel’s entrance, providing guests with a nostalgic arrival experience.

Behind the Colonial House stands the newly-constructed, 14-story main building, featuring 247 guestrooms, including 43 residential-style suites, all with hardwood floors and marble bathrooms. Starting at 328 square feet (30.5 square meters), the guestrooms offer modern comforts, including complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, 65” TVs, a walk-in rain shower, Staycast systems, and Hyatt Mobile Entry technology for keyless entry. Distinct Khmer touches are found throughout the rooms, including an intricately carved headboard depicting Bayon Temple, one of the most celebrated temples at Angkor. The 1,087-square-foot (101-square-meter) Royal Suite features two ensuite bedrooms, a walk-in closet, separate living and dining areas and floor-to-ceiling views of the city.

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Hyatt Celebrates the Opening of the First Five UrCove Hotels in China

Hyatt today announced that UrCove, the new hospitality brand developed under a joint venture between Hyatt and BTG Homeinns Hotel Group affiliates, opened its first five properties – UrCove Shanghai Jing’an, UrCove Shanghai Lujiazui EXPO, UrCove Shanghai Wujiaochang, UrCove Chengdu City Center and UrCove Nanjing South Railway Station. These new additions to Hyatt’s portfolio in these popular destination cities in China aim to better serve the highly mobile travelers in the upper-mid segment, which will contribute to Hyatt’s commitment to further expand its brand footprint and achieve meaningful growth in the region. Further, these properties increase the World of Hyatt loyalty program’s presence in China, providing World of Hyatt members more unique stay options to choose from and more opportunities to earn and redeem points on hotel stays along with exclusive in-hotel benefits.

“China remains a priority market for Hyatt’s growth, and we are committed to unlocking the huge potential of the country’s emerging middle class and growing domestic travel trends,” said Stephen Ho, president of growth and operations, Asia Pacific, Hyatt. “UrCove hotels cater to the underserved premium upper-midscale segment and with five UrCove hotels open in the major gateway cities of Shanghai, Chengdu and Nanjing, the brand is more accessible for this large, attractive and growing customer base. This also marks a tremendous business opportunity for Hyatt and BTG Homeinns Hotel Group, as we continue enriching guests’ and World of Hyatt members’ experiences with more unique stay options, now including the UrCove brand.”

“We are excited that our collaboration with Hyatt has come to realization after 17 months of hard work,” said David Sun, general manager of BTG Homeinns Hotels Group, chairman & chief executive officer of Homeinns Hotel Group. “By combining our extensive knowledge of the local market with Hyatt’s experience in premium care and hospitality, UrCove hotels are setting a new benchmark in the local hospitality industry.”

All UrCove hotels are conveniently located in the heart of bustling cities, blending comfort and convenience for modern travelers.

• UrCove Shanghai Jing’an: 265 guestrooms; located in the Jing’an central business district, which is one of the most vibrant areas in Shanghai.

• UrCove Shanghai Lujiazui EXPO: 142 guestrooms; located in the South of Lujiazui CBD, one of the busiest financial centers in Shanghai, surrounded by shopping centers, upscale office buildings and distinguished schools, with close proximity to popular attractions like the Oriental Pearl Radio & TV Tower.

• UrCove Shanghai Wujiaochang: 199 guestrooms; located in the Wujiaochang business circle, which is the busiest business hub in northern Shanghai and one of the most popular leisure and shopping areas.

• UrCove Chengdu City Center: 204 guestrooms; located in the center of Chengdu Digital Square business district. The hotel offers guests travel and business convenience to reach every corner of the city where they could experience the authentic Chengdu life and culture in the heart of Chengdu.

• UrCove Nanjing South Railway Station: 205 guestrooms; adjacent to Nanjing South Railway Station, one of the largest railway transportation hubs in China, offering convenience for guests to explore the city while indulging in the rich culture of Nanjing, the ancient capital of six China dynasties.

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Andaz Shenzhen Bay Opens its Doors Opening in the city’s burgeoning commercial district, the property offers a locally immersive experience for well-traveled guests

NYSE:H) announced today the opening of Andaz Shenzhen Bay in Shenzhen, China. The hotel is a significant addition to Hyatt’s growing portfolio in Shenzhen, joining Park Hyatt Shenzhen, Grand Hyatt Shenzhen, Hyatt Regency Shenzhen Yantian, Hyatt Regency Shenzhen Airport, Hyatt Place Shenzhen Dongmen, Hyatt Place Shenzhen Airport and Hyatt House Shenzhen Airport.

Located in the southwestern tip of the metropolis, Shenzhen Bay is the rapidly growing commercial district, home to offices for 80 Fortune 500 companies. Andaz Shenzhen Bay is part of a 212 acre (860,000-square-meter) mixed-use development that includes the striking bullet-shaped landmark of the China Resources Headquarters, the high-end Shenzhen Bay MixC mall, Shenzhen Bay Sports Center and China Resources Financial Building. Overlooking breathtaking Shenzhen Bay, the hotel is a 30-minute drive from Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport and a short walk to Houhai Metro station.

“We are thrilled by the introduction of the inspiring, immersive Andaz brand to this dynamic city,” said Stephen Ho, president of growth and operations for Asia Pacific, Hyatt. “Rapidly developing Shenzhen Bay is the perfect location for our vibrant Andaz brand, and we sincerely appreciate our hotel owner, China Resources Land, for its trust and support with entrusting this iconic hotel to Hyatt. With China Resources Land’s rich experience in real estate management, together we are bringing an unscripted local experience to Shenzhen.”

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St. Regis Hotels Heralds a New Beacon of Luxury on the Nile with the Opening of the St. Regis Cairo

St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott International, today announced the highly-anticipated opening of The St. Regis Cairo. Rising tall on the banks of the River Nile, The St. Regis Cairo is an illustrious icon weaving a powerful story of luxury in the region. Located at the North end of the Corniche, in the heart of Egypt’s bustling metropolis, the 39-story hotel offers easy access to the magnificent monuments of a city steeped in history.

“Egypt has historically been one of our key markets and strategically significant to our growth in the region,” said Satya Anand, President for Europe, Middle East and Africa, Marriott International. “Cairo is a storied destination that has long mesmerized the global traveler with its incredible energy offering a vibrant mix of history, culture, tradition and glamour. The St. Regis Cairo is an exciting addition to our fast-growing brand portfolio and is set to elevate Cairo’s luxury hospitality landscape with its remarkable design, uncompromising service, and exceptional culinary venues.”

Eng. Abdullah Bin Hamad Al Attiyah, CEO of Qatari Diar commented, “We are delighted to strengthen our global portfolio of hospitality developments with the opening The St. Regis Cairo. This luxury landmark will introduce higher standards of hospitality to this beautiful destination with its unparalleled levels of luxury and exceptional service – both of which the iconic St. Regis brand is renowned for.”

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Luxury Hotels To Benefit From Vacayz, An Options Service For Hotels

The hardest-hit sector of the pandemic has undoubtedly been hospitality. By April of this year nearly half of the jobs that make up this sector were lost, a bleak statistic only made bleaker by the fact that of the 22m jobs lost in total this year it’s predicted they won’t return until early 2024.

Hotels, one of the biggest segments of the market left in the lurch, are either completely closed or operating at a skeletal capacity due to restrictions or little to no demand. The entrance of Vacayz to the market proposes to ease the stress hotels are feeling while giving consumers price benefits by mimicking the financial industry’s model of options in application to lodging.

“Travelers help hotels survive the pandemic by generating ongoing cash flow, and for consumers, it saves money on future travels,” explains Vacayz co-Founder Ally Wolodarsky. “People still want to travel, now more than ever. But when? And to where? Maybe they can’t even afford the same planned vacation any more since the pandemic affected their income. The purchased options secure an attractive booking price that can be used for up to 5 years.”

Like financial options, Vacayz gives its customers the ability to keep their travel options open as a traveler can book a hotel stay for a guaranteed discounted rate and flexible dates, or choose to resell the option at any time.

“The main benefit is the significant savings that come from flexible booking. It's a model that allows you to invest in future travel by buying the discount in advance, without having to commit to any dates,” she explains. “All discounts are fully secured and insured. In addition, in case your plans change, it's global and you can always resell your Travel Options, or change the location or hotel chain.”

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Ramada Varanasi Katesar appoints Anuj Chaurasia as the hotel’s General Manager

The underconversion Grapevine Hotel in Varanasi which will be soon branding itself as Ramada Varanasi Katesar has appointed Anuj Chaurasia as the hotel’s General Manager. Located in the ancient city of Varanasi, Once operational, the hotel is spread over 4 acres and will offer 68 guest rooms with flat-screen TVs, power showers. Other facilities will include a lobby lounge, an all-day dining, roof top specialty restaurant, multiple meetings and event venues, outdoor lawns, business center, as well as a spa, an outdoor swimming pool and a fitness area, the hotel is to be rebranded and open as Ramada by April 2021.

Located in the Katesar area of Varanasi, Ramada by Wyndham Varanasi Katesar will be located close to Ramnagar Fort and Ganga Kinare Ghat, offering views of the popular ghats of Varanasi with  great connectivity from Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (32 Km) and Varanasi Railways Station (13 Km).

Anuj started his career with Leela Hotels as a Management Trainee, then worked with brands like Lemon tree hotels, Taj Hotels, SATS, Spree Hospitality and his last assignment was with Averina Hotels as Corporate General Manager.  

Anuj is an accomplished hotelier and brings more than a decade of hospitality experience with him with a strong Management background, having pre opened  various domestic hotels with brands like Lemon Tree Hotels, Spree Hospitality, Averina Hotels etc. His multi property operational experience, leadership skills and comprehensive understanding of the business are distinguishing facets of his career.

Anuj is an alumnus of the IAM Kolkata. He is passionate about travelling and loves to spend his spare time with his family.