Domino's and Nuro to start robot pizza delivery in Houston

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Domino's Pizza Inc and Nuro Inc, a Silicon Valley startup, said on Monday they will launch a robotic pizza delivery service in Houston this week as they seek to satisfy increasing online orders during the pandemic.

With small, low-speed vehicles to carry packages instead of people, Nuro has been pulling ahead of other autonomous vehicle startups in gaining regulatory approvals. It won U.S. clearance last year to start unmanned delivery services.

Nuro recently secured a $500 million including an equity investment from Woven Capital, the mobility investment arm of a Toyota Motor Corp subsidiary, which made its total valuation more than $5 billion, a person familiar with the matter said.

The delivery service will begin at a Domino's outlet in Houston before expanding to serve customers in many other locations as part of a long-term partnership, said Cosimo Leipold, Nuro’s head of partner relations.

"It’s generally difficult for large companies to hire enough drivers to fill their delivery demand," Leipold said in an emailed statement to Reuters.

Leipold said Nuro, which has already partnered with retailers Kroger Co, Walmart Inc and CVS Health Corp to deliver groceries and prescriptions, said its weekly deliveries had nearly tripled in the first three months of the pandemic.

Houston, the fourth-largest U.S. city, has one of the country's highest road fatality rates. "Houston’s roadways create challenging scenarios for our technology to work with," Leipold added.

Nuro and Domino’s had said in 2019 they expected to launch robot pizza delivery late that year. "Nuro and Domino’s have taken a measured approach to prioritize a smooth and safe deployment," Leipold said.

Nuro, founded by two former Google engineers in 2016, previously raised $940 million from the SoftBank Vision Fund.

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Hilton News | Sustainable Travel Bucket List: 10 of the Best Eco-conscious Hiltons Around the World #3 Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal

Accessible via Mexico’s only privately owned tunnel, this luxury hideaway is an eco-conscious traveler’s dream escape off of the Baja California Peninsula. Nestled into a rocky cliffside offering cerulean views of the Pacific, the resort’s authentic architecture and landscape truly reflect the spirit of Cabo San Lucas by utilizing a number of native desert plants, which require minimal watering, including the Bird of Paradise, Agave Variegata, and Pitahaya, among others. Home to several plunge pools, the hotel uses high-efficiency variable speed pumps, electrical heaters, and gas heaters to help reduce energy by up to 50%. In an effort to also reduce energy use, each of the guest room doors automatically shuts off the cold-water valve when the guest leaves the door ajar, helping to also minimize condensation. Water and electricity consumption have also been greatly reduced with the hotel’s larger capacity machines for laundry enabling housekeeping to run fewer loads of laundry per day. The hotel’s on-site restaurant, El Farallon, offers an ocean-to-table menu featuring daily bounty from local fishermen, with the culinary team practicing sustainable fishing by using fish from certified farms and fish providers for mahi-mahi and more

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Hilton News | Sustainable Travel Bucket List: 10 of the Best Eco-conscious Hiltons Around the World | #2 Hilton New Orleans Riverside

Hilton New Orleans Riverside

Think of New Orleans and it is all about the food and entertainment scene as well as preserving and enriching the Big Easy’s famous culture.  Part of that includes not only creating a future that is exciting for those that visit — but one that enhances the sustainability of the environment in which we all live. At Hilton New Orleans Riverside, living sustainably is imperative to the hotel’s business and a cornerstone of the team’s commitment to guests, partners, and the community. In partnership with the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, for the last five years, Hilton New Orleans Riverside and Drago’s restaurant have participated in the largest shell recycling program in the nation by providing over 700 tons of oyster shells to help rebuild reefs in the Gulf of Mexico. Diverting tons of oyster shells from landfills, the recycling program has reclaimed over one million pounds of oyster shells, while the oyster reefs help improve water quality, provide an ideal fishing habitat, support the local economy and drive positive change in the community. 

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Essential Skills For Food and Beverage Personnel | Basic Restaurant Tools-Part 2 By Dr. Hemant Kumar Singh

Brief About the Vlogger

Dr. Hemant Kumar Singh is an accomplished Trainer and administrator with over 21 years’

of experience in the field of Hospitality. His research work has published in various national & international journals. During his 20 year-long career, he has organized and attended a number of national & international conferences, seminars, workshops, FDPs, MDPs. He is a trained Online Educator certified by American Hospitality Academy.

Hilton News | Sustainable Travel Bucket List: 10 of the Best Eco-conscious Hiltons Around the World | #1 Conrad Washington DC

Conrad Washington DC

Located in downtown Washington, D.C., Conrad Washington DC is a contemporary urban oasis that embeds sustainability into the heart of its hotel operations. In an effort to reduce the burden on the city’s stormwater infrastructure and improve water quality, the hotel features an onsite stormwater management system where it is able to capture 97 percent of rainfall and use it to irrigate the hotel’s outdoor terraces and to cool its air conditioning towers. From a food and beverage perspective, in addition to integrating food waste training into the hotel’s kitchen operations, the hotel has launched a new rooftop concept at Summit the Rooftop at Conrad, which features a subtly progressive vibe, driven by an eco-friendly and socially conscious approach to food and drink. The new concept places an emphasis on supporting community partners through local sourcing throughout the mid-Atlantic region along with support of local and regional distillers and brewers and female winemakers. In addition to cooking select menu items in a solar oven, guests staying at the property can indulge in cocktails with garnishes from the rooftop garden in partnership with the Up Top Acres urban farming group.

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How Hotels Can Leverage Channel Management to Increase Profit By Karan Iyer

All hotels across the industry share a common goal – maximizing hotel revenue to be able to maximize profits. But that isn’t possible unless you leverage every booking opportunity. And that’s exactly where the channel management system comes into play.
What is hotel channel management?

Channel management is the process of managing hotel distribution channels and making your property available for booking to not one, but many distribution agents. Channel managers for hotels ensure that the potential guests have access to live availability and rates at all times so that you can sell maximum rooms. 

Here are a few benefits of having a channel manager for your hotel:

• No errors in rate adjustments and inventory updates

• Connection to a wide network of OTA profiles to increase conversions

• No risk of overbooking

• Dynamic pricing to increase bookings even during the off-season

• Tracking of competitors’ room rates available 

• Easy monitoring of room rates and OTA performance

Hotel Distribution Channels that You Need to Leverage 

Every hotel distribution channel has its own importance. Let’s understand each one separately. 

OTAs – OTA stands for an online travel agency. OTAs are third-party travel agents who showcase your OTA profile and get you bookings. A few examples would be Trivago, MakeMyTrip, Expedia.com, HomeAway, Booking.com, etc. 

Travellers today prefer booking online after rate comparison on various OTAs. In fact, as per a survey by Adara, a travel data company, 52% of millennials surveyed said that they prefer booking hotels through OTAs. Therefore, as a hotel manager, you should create an OTA presence of your hotel to increase your reach.  And a channel manager will synchronize your hotel PMS and data with the OTAs to maximize your bookings. 

Direct Channel – A direct channel is your hotel website. A lot of travellers visit the hotel website to make their final decision. Therefore, you must ensure a great user experience to make your website stand out. Moreover, with direct bookings, you will be able to save on commissions. 

Here are a few tips to increase direct bookings:

• Ensure rate parity across all channels but offer discounts on registration on your website.

• Allow flexible cancellations and easy refunds.

• Offer freebies with bookings that may include drinks, spa services, etc. 

• Offer cost-effective packages to encourage direct bookings. 

• Allow subscription to newsletters so that guests can receive promotions and discount details.

Global Distribution System (GDS) – A GDS is somewhere between offline and online channels. It is one of the most far-reaching channels that can target travellers that you may never be able to reach on your own. 

Leverage GDS to attract corporate bookings since it connects you to the world’s most recognized travel agents and companies. Create value-rich deals so that you can encourage these agents to make mass bookings for their clients with you. 

Offline Bookings – Offline bookings should never be overlooked since many travellers still find booking rooms online uncomfortable. Always keep some rooms available for guests who walk indirectly. It will also improve your brand reputation. 

A good hotel channel manager will create a mix of all these channels to ensure that your overall booking rate is maximized, and so is your revenue. Do your research and choose a reliable channel management system for your hotel. 

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Brief about the writer

Karan Iyer is an end-to-end digital marketer and blogger at Aiosell who inherently understands the hotel industry with his hospitality background. Karan knows how to convert the pain points and challenges of the hotel industry into business opportunities, and that’s what he writes about for his readers. He also shares industry trends, insights, and news to help his readers stay up-to-date. 

Appointment | Mr. Mandar More Appointed as Executive Housekeeper at Hilton Mumbai International Airport.

We are delighted to welcome Mr. Mandar More as Executive Housekeeper at Hilton Mumbai International Airport.

Join us in extending a warm welcome to him as he becomes part of the Hilton Mumbai International Airport family.

Mr. More aims to make an effective change in the domain of Housekeeping within the daily operational practices at Hilton Mumbai International Airport.

New Opening | The Fern Hotels & Resorts opens The Fern Brentwood Resort & Spa, Mussoorie

The Fern Hotels & Resorts, has opened The Fern Brentwood Resort & Spa in the picturesque mountains of Mussoorie in Uttrakhand. This is the second resort the company has opened in the state, after Bhimtal (Nainital). This takes the tally to 80 operational properties in India, Nepal and Seychelles.

Expressing happiness on the latest addition in the portfolio, the CEO of the company Suhail Kannampilly said, “The Fern Hotels have been looking at opening hotels & resorts in various leisure destinations across India. We recently opened a hotel in Gangtok. We will be opening a few more properties in such beautiful and scenic locations”.

Situated amidst The Queen of Hills- Mussoorie, The Fern Brentwood Resort & Spa comprises 73 well-appointed rooms. The hotel offers multiple dining options and state-of-the-art banqueting facilities. Ideally suited for both nature & religious travel, the resort is centrally located just off The Mall.

The hotel provides different room categories namely Winter Green, Winter Green Premium, Fern Club, Hazel Suite, Fern Club Suite, Family Suite and Presidential Suite. Guest room facilities include High-speed Wi-Fi internet, LED television, in-room heating, complimentary in-room tea & coffee facility, digital in-room safe, pillow menu, eco-friendly room lighting & bathroom amenities to name a few.

Whistling Pines- the multi-cuisine restaurant, offers an array of carefully curated culinary options for our guests to choose from. Open daily: 07:00 am to 11:00 pm.

The Winterline Deck offers a wide range of delicacies along with spectacular views of the valley. It is a perfect place for soaking up the atmosphere while enjoying a hot beverage. Open daily: 12 noon to 03:00 pm & 07:00 pm to 11:00 pm.

Smart cities are the next step for urban tourism post-pandemic, says GlobalData

Aiding the visitor experience, mitigating the effects of overtourism and leading to more sustainable management, smart cities are the way forward in post-pandemic travel. Digital ‘vaccine passports’ continue to create headlines worldwide and are meant to ensure the safe recovery of international travel post-pandemic. This concept paves the way for a closer relationship between technology and travel in the near future and smart cities will undoubtedly play a key role, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

According to GlobalData’s survey, 78% of respondents expect technology to change the way they do their job over the next three years. It will also affect the way individuals travel and their experiences at an attraction or destination.

Johanna Bonhill-Smith, Travel & Tourism Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “COVID-19 has brought forth more opportunity for destinations to rebuild and re-think their tourism policies, working towards a more sustainable future. Many destination management organizations (DMOs) have been assessing their tourism source markets and working on adjusting their image to attract more ‘civilized tourists’ post-pandemic. Others, however, have been working on a ‘smart concept’ to ensure a seamless visitor experience post-pandemic and monitor tourism more closely through capacity management as they work towards a more responsible tourism model.

“Even though the ‘smart city’ concept has been mentioned frequently in the past, the reality is there are only a few destinations actively working towards it. Many DMOs were behind the curve pre-pandemic. However, with businesses more heavily focusing on incorporating technology to improve the visitor experience through no touch and ‘contactless’ services alongside smart app engagement, there is clearly greater leverage for DMOs to utilize data in future management.”

Both Singapore and Venice are prime examples of destinations that are advocating the benefits of smart technology. Singapore has consistently been awarded the title of the ‘world’s smartest city’ in the IMD Smart cities index and Venice has accelerated its development with Internet of Things (IoT) and capacity management to build more responsibly post-pandemic.

Bonhill-Smith adds: “With businesses adapting to consumer preferences post-pandemic, this brings further opportunity for DMOs to collaborate with local stakeholders to build more responsible tourism policies post-pandemic.

“It is known news that stakeholder engagement is a critical factor in a tourism destination’s success. Technological and smart solutions alone will continue to be important in future travel, but the combination of technology and collaboration are the two prime factors that will lead to more responsible tourism in a post-pandemic environment.”

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Appointments| Grand Mercure Bengaluru Gopalan Mall appoints Sachin Maheshwary as General Manager

Grand Mercure Bengaluru Gopalan Mall appoints Sachin Maheshwary as General Manager

Sachin Maheshwary joins Grand Mercure Bengaluru Gopalan Mall – the sixth property by Accor in Bengaluru, as the General Manager.

In his leadership role, he has spearheaded the opening of the 212-keys property and is responsible for leading the operations and business development of the recently launched hotel.

In his previous role, Maheshwary opened the first Novotel in Kerala, successfully introducing the brand to the city of Kochi.

A seasoned hotelier with extensive experience in operations and food & beverages, he started his journey with AccorHotels in 2016 following his appointment at the Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach as an Executive Assistant Manager. He was responsible for the hotel operations along with guest engagement and experience in a very competitive market.

Prior to joining AccorHotels, Maheshwary has worked with Taj Hotels and Resorts for over 14 years across multiple disciplines, including the front office, food & beverage, and sales.

Maheshwary holds a diploma in hospitality from the Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology in Mumbai, a Post Graduate Diploma from Symbiosis Pune, and then went on to earn a Master’s in Hospitality Management from Cornell University and Nanyang Technological University.   

Maheshwary is a passionate explorer and ventures out on several long drives seeking new experiences. He is also a movie buff who enjoys action thrillers.

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Lords Hotels and Resorts expands its footprint in Gujarat with the signing of Lords Eco Inn at Amreli

Lords Hotels and Resorts expands its footprint in Gujarat with the signing of Lords Eco Inn at Amreli

Lords Hotels and Resorts has announced the signing of Lords Eco Inn at Amreli. With this, the hotel has expanded its footprint in Gujarat.

With the demand for hotel rooms outpacing supply, the hotel chain is not only aiming at increasing its foot-prints at a faster rate but is also looking to venture into new geographies and focus on niche segments.

Amreli is well known for scenic beauty, historical monuments, edible oil mills, cotton mills, cement industries and electrical equipment factories to mention a few. Lords Eco Inn is equipped with 37 rooms, 42 cover multi-cuisine Blue Coriander and 2 banquet halls with a total capacity to cater to 1400 people.

Commenting on the occasion Pushpendra Bansal, COO – Lords Hotels and Resorts stated “We are delighted to announce our latest venture in Amreli. Lords Eco Inn will engage guests in one of the finest hospitality in India.  Amreli has emerged as a vibrant destination thus offering tremendous scope for the hospitality industry to grow.

The promoters of Lords Eco Inn said “There was a pressing need for a branded hotel of this caliber in this location and we found Lords Hotels and Resorts to be the best partner for the project.”

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Ingredient Ideology | IMMUNITY BOOSTING FOODS: Dr. Kaviraj Khialani- Celebrity Master Chef.

Keeping in mind the current situation of the pandemic around us we all need to be extra careful, cautious, and composed in our approach towards facing the unprecedented times not to forget the most important fact being “Health is Wealth” It becomes unavoidable to ignore some of the simplest and easy to procure commodities around us in order to keep ourselves in high spirits and maintaining our body temperature during the scorching summer season as well.

Here are a few tried and tested tips and suggestions on what can be on our list of welcome on board ingredients utilizing their beneficial properties in boosting our and our family’s immunity system as well during these trying times. 

1] Drumsticks: this is one of the popular ingredients from our daily pick on vegetables which is said to be a good contributor towards boosting our immunity and also applies for its benefits like shielding protection against any viruses entering our system, an incredible source of minerals, calcium and iron helps to keep us fit, preparing drumstick soup/shorba/curry and subzi is a good way to include it in.

2]Coconut Water: the refreshing beverage as it is known for its intake should always be had fresh and good to have a few times in a week. The nutrients in the water have a ravishing positive effect on our system but if you wish to add a twist into it and a booster of Vitamin C, try adding a splash of fresh lime juice into the coconut water!

3]Garlic: it is called as a sense sensation ingredient, high on Vitamin C content, helps to cure colds, flus and other everyday illnesses. It naturally and painlessly detoxes the body by its inclusion in our diets. It is regarded as a great anti-oxidant as well and has a lot to offer us keeping us safe and sound having garlic around our kitchens and in our plates, soups, sauces, spreads, bread, and our subzis all can include it wholeheartedly.

4] Onion: known as one of the most staple humble vegetables in our kitchens for a long time now, most of us complain of watery eyes when we cut and slice onions, but not to forget the powers it possesses like being helpful in weight loss, it is rich in folate and calcium, potassium as well and our foods mostly revolve around onions from Chaats to gravies to biryanis and to having it sliced with salt and lime to the all-time favorite kachumber.  

5]Turmeric: it seems to be related to the ginger family and has a classic look back with our Indian kitchens. We probably know turmeric well being used in our curries, subzis, and not to forget the turmeric latte these days. It has a warm flavor and loads of medicinal properties. The primary active component turmeric is curcumin which also gives it a nice color and other values as well including potential biological properties.

6]Pumpkin Seeds: These are also regarded as superfoods, varieties of seeds can provide us with substantial quantities of healthy fats like magnesium and zinc which are vital for immune functions in our body, having a few teaspoons of pumpkin seeds in a week in our diets like salads/ health shakes, etc can add a lot of value.

7]Red Capsicums: this vibrant color of our capsicum has been rated highest in the quantity of vitamin c which it offers and is almost 3 times higher than the vitamin c found in an orange. Therefore, strongly recommended to include it into our salads, stir-fries, etc and in our meal schedules during the week to seek its benefits. I also recommend using it in a roast form into sauces, dips, and dressings for salads as well.

8] Ginger: a popular root a well-wisher and a versatile player in our kitchens, I often prefer being used in my chai for its truly robust pungent flavor, be it a common cold or a throat irritation ginger has always been at the helm of assistance. One of the most easily available ingredients must include it in our kadha concepts with lime juice, a little black pepper, and mint and have this reduced in water and a few small sips during the day are extremely beneficial.

9] Jeera Pani: one of the major benefits of having jeera pani is that it offers us a great intake of iron and dietary fiber. It also serves as an effective natural remedy to combat all our gut problems too. Cumin water is also effective in weight reduction and helps in regulating blood sugar levels and lowers cholesterol and is good for our skin as well. 

10] Lemons: they are yet again one of the most popular must-haves in our kitchens at all times, a good dose of this with warm water, regular water all day through in small quantities keep us refreshed and hydrated. Its juice and peel/zest both being useful it is truly a flavor enhancer in our recipes as well. Starting the day with a cup of hot/lukewarm water with a little lemon juice and a touch of honey is truly one of the good options.

Brief About The Writer:

Dr. Kaviraj Khialani- Celebrity Master Chef, is a Mumbai based Author, Writer, Healthy Eating - Lifestyle Specialist, Food Designer, Academician & having mastered over 33 International Cuisines, is also a Food & Beverage Consultant. He has worked with esteemed properties like the Taj Group of Hotels, Kuwait Airways to name a few, he has been awarded several Global and National Awards for his outstanding performance in his chosen field he loves to share his knowledge and experience of over 2 decades with the Food & Hospitality Industry.

Event | Ugadi Special Lunch Buffet at Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre.

To usher in the auspicious lunar new year, ‘Ugadi’ Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre brings the Ugadi special Lunch buffet at Food Exchange for all its patrons. This festive buffet  consists of a range of authentic traditional dishes popular during Ugadi. Chef Kailash  Gundupalli has specially curated this Spread featuring traditional delicacies like Ugadi  Pachadi, Pineapple Panakam, Masala Vada , Munakayaka Iguru, Poornalu, Kobdari paravannam and inspired from his childhood. Usher and celebrate the festival in high spirits and enthrall your taste buds with the Ugadi Special Buffet at Novotel Hyderabad  Convention Centre. 

All the guests can celebrate the festival of new beginnings and indulge in a wholesome  buffet only at Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre 

Date: 13th April ‘2021 (Tuesday) 

Venue: Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre, Near Hitec City, Kondapur, Telangana  500081, 

Price: Lunch buffet will be priced at 1699/- plus taxes per person 

Contact: Call + 9642326162 to reserve your slot

NEWS | Marriott Bonvoy along with Mumbai Indians introduce unique experiences for IPL season for its members

After a successful year of creating unforgettable memories for its members, Marriott Bonvoy, the globally awarded loyalty program by Marriott International, announces an exclusive series of experiences in store for Marriott Bonvoy members during the upcoming cricket season for the second year running. As part of its multi-year partnership with Mumbai Indians, Marriott Bonvoy will launch once-in-a-lifetime exclusive Marriott Bonvoy moments, the program’s experiential platform, with players and legends - including the opportunity to travel with members of the team for a holiday getaway.

Marriott Bonvoy members will be able to use their points to bid for fun and exciting experiences for their families including coaching clinics for their kids. In addition, members also have the opportunity to go live on a social media channel with the Mumbai Indians and bid for signed memorabilia. One of the top highlights for members is the chance to bid on a once-in-a-lifetime holiday experience with the Mumbai Indians’ players at a Marriott property in India.

As part of this partnership, the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio of hotels across the country will roll out the blue carpet in anticipation of the upcoming cricket festivities with themed décor and gastronomic delights inspired by the Mumbai Indians. The special F&B menu themed around the game will be available to order and relish across hotels, or guests also have the option of home deliveries through “Marriott on Wheels”. Enhancing the fun quotient, the hotels will also introduce staycation packages allowing guests to cheer for their favorite teams with friends and family amidst the comfort of good food and assured hospitality.

Commenting on the second year of the partnership, Neeraj Govil, Senior Vice President, Operations - APEC, Marriott International Inc. said, “The previous year saw members join in the celebration of cricket with much fervor and we are delighted to continue connecting guests with more of what they love. This year, we have further elevated the personalized engagement opportunities for Marriott Bonvoy members with the Mumbai Indians players. From a chance to go live on social media channels with their favorite player to availing of a family getaway with them, the events have been curated to offer unforgettable experiences that come only with a Marriott Bonvoy membership.”

Mumbai Indians Spokesperson said, “It has been a fulfilling year for us with Marriott Bonvoy. Our multi-year partnership started off last year amidst testing times for the world, aiming to spread smiles across geographies. They have been able to amplify the enriching experiences that we aim to provide our fans through their exciting program and activations.”

Marriott Bonvoy members will be able to directly redeem their points through the Marriott Bonvoy MomentsTM platform to closely feel the euphoria of engaging with their sporting idols and relish the distinctive hospitality across hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program. Enrolment to Marriott Bonvoy is complimentary (a mere 3 click process to follow) via Marriott.com.

As a Loyalty Partner for the Mumbai Indians, the Marriott Bonvoy logo will feature on the upper right side-chest of the Mumbai Indians jersey. Marriott Bonvoy branding will also appear prominently on ground-level perimeter boards, giant screens, and LED Walls for home matches.

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NEWS | Bihar Tourism cancels all April events amid spike in Covid cases

Bihar Tourism Department has cancelled all events planned for April and is considering revising events planned for May amid the spike in Covid-19 cases, reports Roopa Sopam for Hindustan Times.

As per this year’s calendar released by the department, Patna Sahib Festival, to be held on the occasion of Vaishakhi on April 13, has been cancelled. Later in the month, Vaishali Mahotsav, which was planned for April 25, has also been cancelled. The Department has been hosting the mahotsav for decades to mark birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir.

Besides this, events such as Kundalpur Mahotsav in Nalanda, Lacchuar Mahotsav at Lacchuar in Jamui, Thawe Mahotsav in Gopalganj and Mundeshwari Mahotsav in Bhabua, also scheduled for this month, have been cancelled.

“The events have been cancelled due to the growing Covid threat. No tourism festival will be held in April. The government has already issued guidelines for public functions,” State Tourism Minister Narayan Prasad said.

The Ministry is yet to take a call on events planned for May. Prasad said though there are prescribed precautions to be taken to stop the spread of coronavirus infection, it will be difficult to keep things under control during such public functions.

“Even the programme of Union tourism minister Prahlad Singh Patel has been revised due to Covid. He was to visit west Champaran to attend the Azaadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav on April 10. Now, the programme has been postponed to May 1,” he said.

In 2020 as well, the state had to cancel a majority of events because of the pandemic. Mukesh Kumar, manager at a hotel run by the Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation, said, “Events such as Buddha Purnima, Rajgir Mahotsav and Sonepur fair had to be cancelled.” (Source: Hindustan Times)

Appointments | Nithilavalavan Baskar joins Park Hyatt Chennai as Director of Food & Beverage

Baskar will be responsible for the entire Food & Beverage operations of Park Hyatt Chennai and delivering a unique, worldly, and sophisticated approach to food and wine.

Nithilavalavan Baskar has been appointed as Director of Food & Beverage at Park Hyatt Chennai. A native of Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu he holds a Diploma in Hotel Management and Catering Technology.

With his strong Food & Beverage understanding and fresh insights, Baskar will be responsible for the entire Food & Beverage operations of Park Hyatt Chennai and delivering a unique, worldly, and sophisticated approach to food and wine.

Baskar began his career in 2008 with The Oberoi Amarvilas and then went on to work with brands like Madinat Jumeirah, ITC Hotels, Alila Hotels, and The Leela. He joined the Hyatt family in 2017 at Grand Hyatt Goa as Assistant Director of Food & Beverage, which was also his last assignment.

In his leisure time, he enjoys biking and adventure sports.

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NEWS | Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers launches employment programme for people of determination

Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers launches employment programme for people of determination,The Inclusive Internships and Employment Programme has been created in partnership with SEDRA

Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers has launched an initiative that seeks to coach, train and support young people - including people of determination - looking for employment or internships at the property.

Person of determination is a term first introduced in 2016 by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to describe anyone living with special needs or disability outlined in the Federal Law No. 29 of 2006 Concerning the Rights of People with Special Needs.

For its Inclusive Internships and Employment Programme, Conrad Abu Dhabi has teamed with SEDRA, a non-profit organization in emirate focused on removing the barriers to entry for people of determination to excel in the workplace.

The hotel issued a statement saying: ”In a rapidly changing world, and with over one billion people with determination on our planet, it has become increasingly important to Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad towers to ensure that it is creating a diverse and cultural work which benefits its team.

"Partnering with the SEDRA Foundation, the hotel is intent on coaching, training, and supporting persons of disability, leaving no one behind. Intending to lead by example, the luxury property aims to assemble the best team possible and empower them to use their talents. Hoping that by gaining economic inclusion through their own career, young people will benefit from an increased feel of self-sufficiency and belonging, ultimately creating a better quality of life.”

The three new team members joining the Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers team are Vincent Baur, Marc-Alain Gauer, and Cristina Pozzi.

Baur, an ambassador of Inclusion at SEDRA Foundation has to experience in Dubai hotels. Meanwhile, Gauer, studying at Ecole Hôtelière Lausanne in Vaud, Switzerland, has already gained work experience at Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Beach Resort. Finally, Pozzi, the property’s most recent recruit, gained valuable experience working in restaurants and hotels in her native Italy while simultaneously studying for a four-year diploma in catering, hospitality, travel, and tourism.

Employment rates among those who would be considered a person of determination of working-age remains an issue to this day. While the United Nations does not have data for any of the Gulf states, it does say that disabled people in the EU are two to three times more likely to be unemployed; 90 percent in developing countries are unemployed; 65 percent are unemployed in the United States; 50 to 70 percent in industrialized countries are unemployed; and in the UK, unemployment is three times as likely.

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NEWS | Signum Hotels & Resorts and Leading Global IPC IQI Announce Joint Venture To Promote Domestic Tourism In The Post Covid India

 Signum Hotels & Resorts and Leading Global IPC IQI Announce Joint Venture To Promote Domestic Tourism In The Post Covid India 

Plan an investment of USD 150 Million in developing hospitality assets across India, and globally

New Delhi, 7 April 2021: Signum Hotels & Resorts Pvt. Ltd, a hospitality brand operating hotels in India as well as overseas, today announced a strategic joint venture with the leading real estate player, IQI India. The joint venture committed an investment of USD 150 Million in developing hotel assets across the country, and globally, over a period of 2 to 5 years.

The joint venture, announced at a press event in the city, comes at a time when the Indian hospitality industry is triggering a recovery phase. Though the investments in the sector are at its lowest, the partnership will capitalize on the opportunity to identify and acquire assets at competitive deals, and aims to develop 5000 keys over a period of next 2-5 years. The expansion will be fueled through mergers, acquisitions and property investments across metros, tier 2 and 3 cities in India to promote domestic as well as inbound tourism to experiential destinations, pilgrimage, getaways and key places of interest. 

Addressing media at the event, Mehul Sharma, Founder & CEO, Signum Hotels & Resorts Pvt. Ltd. said, ‘We are pleased to be forming this strategic joint venture with IQI India to accelerate our expansion in the country where IQI brings in assets and Signum operates these assets. No hotel brand is successful without a real estate partner, and this joint venture will capitalize on IQI’s global real estate prowess to identify and develop the right assets.’ Mehul further added, ‘At present, domestic tourism is the leading light to recovery for the Indian hospitality industry, and our partnership aims to further fuel growth in the domestic sector, in turn generating more employment opportunities and contributing to government’s #vocalforlocal initiative.’

IQI India, is the India arm of the Global IPC IQI based in Malaysia having operations in 17 countries through PaMa D’Globizen. Pankaz Jaiin, Chairman and Managing Director, IQI India and Chairman PaMa D’Globizen said, ‘Our team experience of decades in the India Real Estate and Retail Market coupled with our access and network through more than 200 cities across India fosters our confidence in the Indian hospitality market and we are eyeing an aggressive expansion in commercial real estate segment. It is about time Bharat gets an experience that has been closely nestled in the urban India and at the same time open up the gateways of the real Bharat to the world to relish and capture in their selfie moments.’ 

While expansion in the Indian market will remain the focal point of this collaboration, opportunities to expand overseas will also be explored given IQI’s strong International presence. Regions in South East Asia like Singapore, Bangkok and Indonesia, significant parts of Europe and Americas will remain of particular interest for any expansion opportunities. 

About Signum Hotels & Resorts Pvt. Ltd.  https://www.signumhotels.com/ 

Signum Hotels and Resorts Pvt. Ltd. is a hotel management company operating hotels and resorts across the globe. It offers exceptional service provided by a diverse team with a remarkable combined experience of over 1000 years across varied hospitality verticals. The emerging hospitality company has already made its mark with 12 hotels across India, 18 service apartments in London, property signings in Greece, Israel, USA, Dubai, Belgrade, and vies to manage 5000 keys by 2023. 

The India based, global hotel management company provides B2B services in the form of hospitality solutions and caters to the B2C market as well. In addition to India, brand Signum currently operates offices across Dubai, Canada, Belgrade, US as well as London. The group is fiercely determined to be the best choice for large scale as well as medium scale investors and developers by lending its expertise in developing remarkable hotels. The company is a beacon of elegance and a treasure trove providing contemporary facilities.

As a brand, Signum Hotels strive to provide exemplary service and deliver “experiential stays”. By combining luxury with simplicity, the brand helps customers to revitalize and experience elegance at a price that would not burn a hole in their pockets. Since the inception of the brand, Signum Hotels has soared to new heights with properties at best locations in India and abroad, and continue to expand aggressively.

About IQI India https://iqiindia.com/ 

IQI India is the India arm of leading Global IPC IQI Global and Juwai IQI, based out of Malaysia. The India operations are headed by Pankaz Jaiin as Chairman and Managing Director. IQI India team comprises team with expansive background in retail & real estate pan India. 

At IQI we do things differently. Our strong desire to improve the way the industry operates means that we are constantly challenging tradition and adapting to the needs of a rapidly changing world. We are committed to offering you an extensive range of properties and comprehensive services worldwide. 

Combining global insight and industry practices with local knowledge ensures that IQI maintains a structured and disciplined approach with the goal to create wealth for investors. We have a reputation for uncompromising professionalism and honesty and have earned the trust of our clients around the world.

For more information, please contact:

Manika Bassi / Manauti Walecha

99997 89946 / 9810864864

Independent PR Consultants

Delhi & NCR

NEWS | Chalet Hotels recognised as Great Places to Work for the second consecutive year

Chalet Hotels Ltd., owner, developer and asset manager of high-end hotels in key metro cities of India, has been recognized and certified in the 2021 list of Great Places to Work (GPTW) for the second consecutive year by Great Place to Work® Institute (India). 

With its people-first approach and policies paralleled to the best globally, Chalet Hotels believes that employee satisfaction is key to business. The Company invests in its people along its journey to strengthening a high trust, high-performance culture at work.

The last year saw Chalet Hotels quickly adapt and institute processes to ensure smooth workflow while keeping employee well-being at the core.

Some of the initiatives introduced by the Company include 1to1Help – Reach Out, in partnership with 1to1Help aimed at addressing mental health concerns, virtual town halls and meetings with the CEO to keep employees connected and motivated, rewards and recognitions to celebrate milestones together, knowledge enhancement sessions, and skill upgrading modules, to name a few.

In addition to this, as a step towards safeguarding its people, Chalet Hotels Ltd. also announced vaccine coverage for all employees.

Speaking on the certification, Sanjay Sethi, MD & CEO, Chalet Hotels Ltd., said, “The certification from GPTW is an endorsement of the positive experiences at work that our colleagues deliver to each other. With people practices, benchmarked to global standards, we endeavor to create a ‘workplace of choice and of pride’. In very trying circumstances my team walked that extra mile, exemplifying team spirit, agility, and resilience which were enablers for this recognition. As always, truly grateful for their contribution.”

Great Place to Work is the global authority on building, sustaining and recognizing High-Trust, High-Performance Culture at workplaces. Chalet Hotels has earned this certification from amongst a large number of entries across various sectors like entertainment, media, technology, financial services and more, who went through a meticulous screening and selection procedure including culture audits and validated employee feedback.

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NEWS | Phuket to welcome international vaccinated tourists from July 1 with no quarantine restrictions

Considering the opening up of vaccination to all Indian citizens over 45 years of age – this is the perfect opportunity for Thailand to attract wealthy, older Indian tourists.

The popular island of Phuket is all set to welcome international vaccinated tourists from July 1, 2021 with absolutely no travel restrictions.

Considering the opening up of vaccination to all Indian citizens over 45 years of age – this is the perfect opportunity for Thailand to attract wealthy, older Indian tourists.

Thai authorities have confirmed that travellers who have been fully vaccinated will not have to undergo any quarantine upon arrival in this picture-perfect Thai holiday destination. By July, the country plans to have inoculated about 70% of its population as well. This is going to be a pilot program and if all goes well, Koh Samui will also open up its borders to international tourists.

After more than a year of strict restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19, Thailand is gearing up to gradually reopen its most popular destinations to travelers.

The reopening news comes as a relief to many Indian tourists, who form a major part of the tourist fabric of Thailand.

Luxury Escapes India has historically seen Thai destinations like Phuket, Krabi, Bangkok and Koh Samui as a popular getaway for Indian travelers. Almost one in every ten packages purchased by Indian members happens to be for Thailand making it a key destination alongside Maldives and Dubai. Resorts like Sofitel Krabi, Bangkok Marriott and Le Meridien Phuket are hot favourites since these packages not only offer attractive pricing but also come in the form of all-inclusive packages with daily dining, free massages, etc.

Arun Ashok, Regional Head, Luxury Escapes India & Middle East, has this to say – “Thailand has historically been a key market for India but post-July, we expect to see an explosion in enquiries the likes of which have never been seen before. It also helps that Luxury Escapes appeals to an older, wealthier audience than most travel companies in India automatically positioning us to benefit from this opportunity.”

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