NEWS | Maharahstra Govermaent Allow restaurants to stay open till 10 pm

The Government of Maharashtra has allowed restaurants to stay open for business till 10 pm on all days with a 50 percent cap on capacity, it was announced on August 11, 2021.

ETHospitalityWorld spoke with Anurag Katriar, the President of the National Restaurants Association of India about this news, something that the entire F&B community in the state had been agitating for, especially after markets were allowed to open till 10 pm last week.

“After the Cabinet meeting today, where the Health Minister announced the extension of business hours till 10 pm for restaurants, we are awaiting the official GR (Government Regulation),” Katriar said adding that earlier in the day, cabinet minister and Guardian minister for Mumbai, Aslam Shaikh had spoken to him on the phone and assured that the timings would be extended.

Malls have also been allowed to stay open till 10 pm but only for people who were double vaccinated, from news which Katriar had received.

Restaurateurs across the state are breathing a sigh of relief. “This is definitely a great step forward, but there is a lot more to be done. The government should now announce the roadmap for further normalisation. Based on whatever criteria on which they will be decided—it cannot be left to the whims and fancies of individuals. Because now it's not only about extension of timing, it's also about when do you improve the capacity utilisation. I'm not saying do it today, but let's come up with a roadmap that when cases come down to a certain levels or hospitalisation comes down to this level, things will be reexamined. That way, we all know what to expect and we don't have to go through what we have gone through the last one week,” he said.

NEWS | 60 percent of travellers will travel within their own countries: Expedia Trend Report

The global vaccination drive has had the most positive impact on searches on the travel website in the second quarter of 2021.

News surrounding the expansion of vaccination by Pfizer in May led to a spike in global travel search by a massive 10 percent in 2021—this and other trends were highlighted in the Trend Report for the second quarter of 2021 by Expedia. The company attributes this consumer trend to broadening global vaccine distribution, growing green list countries, and easing of international travel restrictions by countries.

While the traveler’s preference continues to move around domestic and short-haul globally, the report revealed the pace of growth for international travel searches outpacing the growth for domestic travel searches in the second quarter of the year.

The report cited some positive trends in travel searches during the second quarter which Expedia felt would set the trend for travel revival in the coming months. The search volume in 11 of the 13 weeks in the quarter remained positive. This is in sharp contrast to the largely fluctuating trends in the first quarter of the year.

Insights from the Expedia Group Traveler Value Index indicate that 60 percent of consumers would travel within their home country and 27 percent internationally during the next 12 months. While 4 in 10 consumers want more frequent, shorter trips; 28 percent want fewer, longer trips; and more than 30 percent want a combination of shorter and longer trips.

Source

New Opening | Amintiri opens its first flagship cake store in Bangalore

Amintiri, an online cake store, the first of its kind in India has now opened its first flagship store in Bengaluru’s Museum Street. Priyanka Bhojwani, the co-founder of Amintiri spoke to ET Hospitality World about the journey from the online to the live store..

Amintiri was the first online, social cake store in India. They started operations 2 years ago as an online platform that delivered cakes in Bangalore and cake loaves to Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, Delhi, and Pune. This venture is the brainchild of Suraj Madhnani, a passionate foodie who decided to put his passion for food and entrepreneurial zeal combined with his love for feeding people into an online cake business, and Priyanka Bhojwani who began her tryst with business at 19 with Flaunt, a clothing line.

Speaking about the small beginnings they had, Priyanka Bhojwani says, “Suraj wanted to enter the restaurant space with specialty cakes, and we thought it was better to test the waters with an exclusive online store that caters to the Bangalore market. We decided not to tie up with any of the online delivery stores because we wanted our products to be delivered in a particular style. We would like to call ourselves an affordable luxury cake store because as decadent as our cakes are, they are easy on your pockets.”

This is a crowded market segment with many home bakers and bakeries offering cakes, but our cakes are professionally crafted, made with premium ingredients and packaged extremely well so we stood a better chance amidst the crowd. Also, since food needs to appeal to the senses of sight, feel and taste, initially we sent out samplers to many people to give them a glimpse of our cakes. With time this along with great word of mouth reviews, our business steadily grew,” reminisces Bhojwani.

“After two years of being an exclusive online store, we finally decided to be a little more daring and went for our first anchor store in Bangalore. This gave us a chance to display our offerings as smaller pastries that were single servings, along with this the freshly brewed coffees, cold chocolate, freshly made pasta etc. have gotten a tremendous response, our regular online shoppers are happy to see the brand presence in a store format. Our price points are what gets people’s attention to begin with, we offer cakes beginning from just INR 860. Our motto is, if there is a cause for celebration we are there and if there isn’t we can speak one,” adds Bhojwani.

New Opening | New Holiday Inn opens in Candolim, Goa

IHG® Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, announced the grand opening of Holiday Inn Goa Candolim. Located in one of the most buzzing streets of North Goa, the hotel is just a few meters away from the pristine beaches, forts and other tourist attractions, creating a perfect setting for leisure and business stays.

Holiday Inn Goa Candolim features 106 spacious, stylish, modern rooms, all with an attached balcony, overlooking the scenic green landscapes of Sinquerim. The fully air-conditioned rooms are soundproof to allow for a great night’s sleep and are fitted with a smart TV plus tea and coffee facilities. All rooms include a dedicated work area with a desk and multiple device connection options is perfect for those who want to get some work done in their room. The hotel offers free Wi-Fi and features an array of food offerings around the clock to ensure that all guests feel welcomed at any time of day or night.

The culinary experts at the hotel have put together a special menu at the Viva lounge & Bar, the all-day dining restaurant and the mixologist at the Atrium bar has created a range of handcrafted cocktails. The guests can also indulge with their favourite drink at the Shell Pool Bar while taking a dip in the swimming pool. The concierge team at the hotel curates customised experiences for guests to explore the tiny emerald state. The hotel also offers a 24-hour fitness centre and a business workspace.

The hotel is an ideal place for intimate weddings, social gatherings and conferences. Coral, the pillar less banquet hall at Holiday Inn Goa Candolim spans over 2,000 sq ft and 12.8ft clear ceiling height which can be converted into two separate venues. The outdoor lawn venue alongside the pool offers a perfect setting for exquisite events in the heart of the bustling Candolim.

Globally synonymous with offering guests an ideal setting to enable connections, Holiday Inn Goa Candolim features spaces to connect and unwind with friends and family. Its popular Kids Stay & Eat Free program welcomes families and ensures that our little guests are always well looked after.

Mr. Surajit Chatterjee, General Manager, Holiday Inn Goa Candolim said: “We are delighted to bring Holiday Inn to North Goa. Every aspect of the hotel from room decor, services and facilities to restaurant and bar offerings is strategically designed to provide guests with the unmatched comfort and hospitality that comes with staying at Holiday Inn. When visiting any IHG hotel, guests can be reassured that cleanliness is top of mind throughout each step of their stay. I am looking forward to present a world class experience for our guests.”

IHG Rewards members will receive exclusive member rates, earn points for future stays and save more when they book direct at ihg.com.

Holiday Inn Goa Candolim and IHG Way of Clean

As part of the IHG family, Holiday Inn Goa Candolim will comply with IHG’s Way of Clean industry-leading standards, including the new IHG Clean Promise. IHG’s global Clean Promise was announced in May as part of an overhaul of IHG Way of Clean to introduce heightened cleanliness standards to protect guests in the wake of COVID. Using new, science-led protocols and service measures, partnering with industry leading experts Cleveland Clinic, Ecolab and Diversey, and launching a global IHG Clean Promise, these strengthened measures will give guests greater confidence and hotel teams the protection needed.

Products | Celebrate Raksha Bandhan with The Lodhi’s Exquisite Gift Hampers

Celebrate your cherished bond with your sibling with exclusive hampers from the bakery at The Lodhi, New Delhi.Especially curated for this occasion, these hampers bring together a choice of carefully selected assortments, including gourmet specials, handmade fruit compote, artisanal chocolates, gluten-free treats, and lots more.

Add a special touch to your festivities with a range of traditional Indian mithai crafted by the hotel's Master Chefs. The hampers can also be customized on request. Wrap up a boxful of love for your sibling to show them how much you care.

New Opening | Minor Hotels Announces Upcoming Debut in Bahrain

Minor Hotels is pleased to announce its strategic entrance into Bahrain with the upcoming debut of its Avani and Tivoli brands.

Scheduled to open in 2024, Avani Bilaj Al Jazayer Bahrain Resort and Tivoli Bilaj Al Jazayer Bahrain Resort will be part of Bilaj Al Jazayer, a new waterfront leisure mixed-use masterplan owned by Edamah, the real estate arm of Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund, Mumtalakat.

Bilaj Al Jazayer is located on the south-west coast of Bahrain and encompasses 1.3 million square metres of land with a three-kilometre beachfront. The new development will offer resorts, residential villas and apartments, food and beverage outlets, retail, offices and entertainment.

The new Tivoli and Avani hotels, each with 110 keys, will be located along the main boulevard of Bilaj Al Jazayer on the waterfront and will offer a selection of guest rooms and suites, multiple food and beverage outlets, swimming pools, leisure facilities including gyms, spa and wellness, plus meeting space. In addition, the hotels will share a beach club within the Bilaj Al Jazayer development.

Minor Hotels currently has 29 hotels and resorts in operation and in the pipeline in the Middle East region across its Anantara, Avani, Tivoli and Oaks brands, with the pipeline including the upcoming launch of two new brands to the region – NH Collection and NH Hotels.

New Opening of 2021 | #8 Nobu Hotel in Riyadh , Opening in second half of the year 2021

First announced in 2012, the hotly anticipated opening of Nobu Hotel in Riyadh has been pushed back several times, but is now set for this year. The luxury lifestyle hotel, the brainchild of actor Robert De Niro and chef Nobu Matsuhisa, is a modern, design-led property within 23 story, glass-panelled skyscraper touted as the first five-star luxury boutique hotel in the kingdom. Inside, Nobu Hotel Riyadh will feature 119 stylish guestrooms and suites, a spa, a state-of-the-art fitness facility, executive club lounge. The Kingdom’s very first Nobu restaurant is already welcoming guests.

New Opening | SETTE MARA - A MIDDLE EASTERN LOUNGE, BAR and KITCHEN OPENS AT THE ST. REGIS MUMBAI

Sette Mara, the newest addition to the vibrant F&B offerings at The St. Regis Mumbai is a Lounge, Bar and Kitchen, at Level 9M.

Sette Mara takes inspiration from the rich coastline, linking the vibrant culture of Greece, Turkey, Egypt, Morocco, Lebanon, Persia and Georgia.  Helmed by the charming Chef Reuben, the menu is curated with deep nuances of aromatic spices and wholesome ingredients originating from The Levant.  Chef Reuben, extremely passionate and creative about his craft, has shaped the experience, preserving and celebrating the tradition of the community and family sharing style of the middle eastern countries.   

The menu with ‘The Cold Kitchen’ and ‘The Hot Kitchen’, opens with appetizers of freshly tossed salads and tempting Mezzes that are crafted with a blend of contemporary and traditional recipes.  Cold and Hot Mezzes like Hummus Beiruti, Talatouri, Muhammarah, Garlic Labneh, Kataifi Prawns and Lamb and Bell Pepper Souvlaki begin your journey at Sette Mara.  ‘The Large Plates’ with dishes like Israeli Cous Cous Risotto, Eggplant & Sweet Potato Moussaka, Salt Baked Whole Seabass, Braised Chicken Maqlouba and Dijaj Bil Sanieh are brought fragrant and steaming hot to the table.  The Mangal Grill, a traditional middle Eastern charcoal grill, holds pride of place in the menu with a unique style of ‘grilling to perfection’ mastered by Chef Reuben and his team.  The soft and fluffy Georgian bread under the ‘The Khachapuri Bar’ is aromatic and served freshly baked from the ‘Tone’, a traditional stone oven. The menu closes with luscious desserts and house made ice-creams selections.

The energetic Bar and Lounge at Sette Mara features a collection of handcrafted cocktails and Negronis, freshly concocted by our interactive and spirited bartenders.  The Negroni, with equal parts Campari, Gin, and Sweet Vermouth are barrel aged and served from a barrel making the drink, bitter, sweet, dry and refreshing all at once.  The selection of a variety of cocktails like Oak Barrel Aged Negroni, The Luxury Boulevardier, Sette Mara Aromatic Spritz, Turkish Old Fashioned and Crystal Truffle Negroni can be relished at Sette Mara.

Sette Mara is an exhilarating, vibrant and energetic space set against the backdrop of deep, marine blues.   From azure to Prussian blue, Chef Reuben’s menu comes alive under the magnificent navigational constellation compass suspended above the dining area.  The Lounge and Bar are reminiscent of the exciting middle Eastern ports with burnished rusts, burgundies and cinnamon tones reflective of the precious cargo of spices, wines and perfume.  The intricate mural behind the long bar and the iconic motifs harken on the stories of dancing against flickering candlelight unbelievable adventure in exotic locales.  Welcome to Sette Mara.

About St. Regis Hotels & Resorts

Combining classic sophistication with a modern sensibility, St. Regis is committed to delivering exceptional experiences at nearly 40 luxury hotels and resorts in the best addresses around the world. Since the opening of the first St. Regis hotel in New York City over a century ago by John Jacob Astor IV, the brand has remained 

News | Khyathi bags integrated sales, marketing and communications mandate for Anuraga Palace and Rajasthali Resort & Spa

Khyathi bags integrated sales, marketing and communications mandate for Anuraga Palace and Rajasthali Resort & Spa

Jaipur, August 2021: Khyathi, a coming of age sales and marketing brand, has won integrated marketing and communications mandate for the luxury boutique property, Anuraga Palace in Ranthambore and the luxurious Rajasthali Resort & Spa in Jaipur. As part of the mandate, Khyathi will be innovating and strategizing on their sales, marketing- digital and social media, creatives, visual content, and public relations to promote their unique offerings and top-notch services.

Anuraga Palace, one of the oldest in Ranthambore has over the years transpired itself into one of the finest luxurious palace resorts, while still preserving ancient heritage. It is a perfect amalgamation of wilderness and luxury along with a touch of history, culture, and tradition at Ranthambore. Whereas, Rajasthali Resort & Spa is a luxury resort spread across 25 acres and located against the picturesque backdrop of the Aravalli ranges. A unique blend of affordability and luxury experience is what defines the truly magnificent and rejuvenating stay experience.

“We are excited on our partnership with the hospitality brands such as The Anuraga Palace and Rajasthali Resort & Spa. We are working towards strengthening the brand's visibility and recall value by positioning it amongst the best hotels. Through our extensive marketing strategies that resonate with the brands’, we will build on creating a strong customer base for them.” - quoted Varun Mehrotra, Co-Founder and CEO of Khyathi.

"It gives us immense pleasure to be associated with two distinct hospitality brands. With a 360 degree integrated mandate, we are aiming to re-inforce on their online and offline presence and work as their partner in increasing sales" - quoted Anubha Srivastava, Co-Founder, Khyathi.

Khyathi assists their patrons to amplify their incremental revenues, gain a loyal customer base and market their name to become a known brand and expand their accounts. As a brand, they work to provide a variety of solutions for sales and marketing including digital and social media marketing, campaign strategizing, visual content creation, revenue maximization, content marketing and strategy and brand management amongst the others.

Khyathi strives to bring the well-deserved fame to the name. One can reach the company for business association through https://khyathi.co/.

Brand Hilton | The Wakao Food Fest brings a unique Menu across Hilton properties

India, August 2021- Inspired by the growing appetite among consumers for sustainable and naturally available alternatives to animal-based meat, Hilton India, in partnership with Wakao Foods, has put up a sustainable food showcase for guests. The exciting food festival - 'The Wakao Fest,' aims at offering an unforgettable dining experience through an exquisite menu with jackfruit as the core ingredient. The innovative food menu will be available across dining outlets at Hilton properties in the country. 

Commenting on the association, Mr. Prashant Kulkarni, Director F&B, India-Hilton said, “At Hilton F&B, we wanted to keep innovation, sustainability, and deliciousness at the front and center of the creative process, and we challenged our Chefs to take Jackfruit, the humblest of ingredients, and come up with a menu which will excite and intrigue the palate. With Wakao we have been able to do just that. Wakao is an expression that perfectly captures the flavourful twist of our dishes as well as the guests' reaction when they dine at any of our Hilton outlets." 

"The shift towards plant-based alternatives is the most dominant trend of 2021 triggered by the growing consciousness about mindful and healthy eating. The Wakao Fest explores unique dishes that are sustainable to serve and bring guest delight.” Prashant added.

With the joint vision of placing jackfruit as a sustainably sourced plant-based meat substitute, the collaboration between Hilton and Wakao Foods aims at supporting local producers and products, as well as bringing plant-based alternatives prominently to the food and beverage scene in India. A sustainable crop, sourced locally, which does not need irrigation, pesticides/herbicides, Jackfruit can be intergrown with other crops to create a regenerative ecosystem. 

Sairaj Dhond, Founder & CEO Wakao Foods said, "As the world looks at more plant-based alternatives, which are healthier and more sustainable options, there is a growing interest in meatless meals off late. The versatile and indigenously grown jackfruit is bursting onto the scene and finding itself being used more often. The pop-up, therefore, explores the versatility of the humble jackfruit, which is considered a superfood but needs to be more relevant across the cuisine culture of the country." 

“It is a great honor to be associated with an international brand like the Hilton, so early in our life cycle. These kinds of platforms and collaborations give brands and start-ups like ours a fillip to take our efforts to more people and educate the consumer as well. The collaboration brings Hilton’s culinary expertise to one of our most loved indigenous products - Jackfruit.” Added Sairaj.

The artisanal menu at The Wakao Fest has been curated by the culinary experts at Hilton to offer multiple cuisines and gourmet delights comprising starters, main course and desserts, by leveraging the versatility and richly layered flavors and textures of the Jackfruit. Guests can sample dishes like Faux Pao, The Wakao Krapow, Parmesan Polenta, and “Bar of Bliss” and much more during this festival across the FnB outlets at @SAIPE at Hilton Goa, Coriander Kitchen at Conrad Pune, The Amber Kitchen at DoubleTree by Hilton Jaipur Amer,Terazzo at Hilton Shillim Estate Retreat & Spa to name a few. The festival will be celebrated from August to November 2021 across Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Goa, Bangalore, Chennai, Lucknow, Agra, Jaipur and Trivandrum.

New Opening | Anantara Announces Upcoming Launch of New Resort on Dubai’s World Islands

We are pleased to announce an exciting addition to the brand’s portfolio in Dubai with the upcoming launch of Anantara World Islands Dubai Resort in Q4 of 2021. The new resort will be the first hotel in the South American continent of the World Islands development.

The island will be completely dedicated to the resort, with guests able to access by boat in just 15 minutes from the jetty at Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort. The property will feature 70 keys comprised of villas and suites. Villas will have a private pool, an outdoor dining area and direct access to the beach, making the perfect retreat for families and couples.

The new resort will offer multiple dining options, in addition to a stylish bar lounge with magnificent panoramic views of the Dubai skyline, including the famous landmarks Burj Khalifa and Burj al Arab. In-room spa treatments, a gym and a kid’s club will also be part of the new resort's amenities.

New Opening | Rakabi The Fern opens in Igatpuri

Rakabi The Fern opens in Igatpuri

The Fern Hotels & Resorts, India’s leading environmentally sensitive hotel chain has opened Rakabi The Fern, Igatpuri in Nashik District in Maharashtra. This is the 18th hotel which the company is managing in the state. This takes the tally to 81 operational properties in India, Nepal and Seychelles.

Suhail Kannampilly, the CEO of the company said, “The Fern brand is extremely popular in the state. We have as many as 18 hotels in the state. Within the next few weeks we are going to open another two hotels in Maharashtra. All our hotels are environment-friendly and follow all health and safety protocols for our associates and our guests.”

Rakabi The Fern, Igatpuri is an upscale 76 room hotel, offering four different categories of rooms-Winter Green, Fern Club, Fern Club Premium and Hazel Suite.  The rooms are fitted with all modern amenities.  All the rooms have digital in-room safe, weighing scale, bedroom slippers, pillow menu, eco-friendly room lighting, eco-friendly  bathroom amenities and rain showers.

The hotel boasts of a finely designed multi cuisine restaurant, an authentic Indian vegetarian restaurant, bar, swimming pool and state of art banquet halls. The hotel is situated on National Highway 3 with easy access to public transport and  major sightseeing attractions. The hotel offers spacious banquet and meeting rooms, business centre facilities, and huge lawns for open air banqueting. The hotel also has a swimming pool, spa, gym, activities centre and children’s play area. 

DINING: The hotel provides ample dining and entertaining options to its guests.

 Mélange, a multi cuisine restaurant offers a wide range of Indian, Asian and international spreads and non-alcoholic beverages.

Spice Della, the Indian vegetarian restaurant, gives the best experience of a wide range of exotic flavors and ingredients.

Cake Boy, a bakery serving light snacks, freshly baked goods along with hot & cold beverages.

Ecstasy Bar, a contemporary bar offering a mix of appetizers and cocktails from a wide range of outstanding liquors and spirits. It is the perfect place to come and unwind after a busy day.

Location: The hotel is 120 km from Mumbai Airport, 3 km from Igatpuri Railway Station, and 48 km from Nashik city. 

Address:

G.N.431 433, NH-3

Talegaon TQ, Igatpuri 422 403

Nashik, Maharashtra, India

T: +91 97678 99526

E: fom.tf.igatpuri@fernhotels.com

Insights | This Independence Day, National Geographic to premiere ‘Buried Seeds’; the inspiring journey of world-renowned Indian Chef Vikas Khanna

“Buried Seeds uncovers many memories and emotions that were hidden inside me for so long” – Chef Vikas Khanna

For the first time on television, catch the inspiring and invigorating story of Vikas Khanna, directed by Andrei Severny on 15th August 2021 at 9.00 pm on National Geographic in India

India,  August, 2021: National Geographic, known for bringing stories that take you on an enlightening and transformative journey, is celebrating this Independence Day with the premiere of Buried Seeds, the life story of Michelin chef Vikas Khanna. National Geographic in India is bringing to its viewers the timeless and true story of human passion and willpower on television for the first time. 

Directed and produced by contemporary filmmaker Andrei Severny, the film traces the journey of Vikas Khanna from his beginnings as a child with misaligned feet to the man who took Indian cuisine to the world. Vikas narrates the incredible story of how he learned to walk and won people’s hearts with the magic of his cooking. Along the way, he becomes one of the most influential chefs in the world and a cultural ambassador of India. The film also captures the true essence of Indian culture, heritage, and customs through kaleidoscopic visuals of India, with all the beauty, bonding, and sacrifices made by an Indian family to fulfill the dream of their child. 

“At National Geographic, we believe in telling stories that are perspective-shifting, eye-opening and sometimes even life-changing. This Independence Day, we wanted to celebrate by giving our viewers an exclusive access to the story of an Indian icon – Vikas Khanna. Buried Seeds is a transformational story of passion, devotion, faith combined with Vikas’ immense love for Indian culture. We are confident that this storytelling will give viewers an incredible perspective into the chef’s life. It is truly a moment of pride to associate with Vikas and Andrei and bring their film to our audiences for the very first time on television on such a significant day,” said a National Geographic spokesperson  

“Buried Seeds is very personal to me. It’s a collective wisdom of everybody that influenced and inspired me, from poets, philosophers, mentors to family members. Their words are with me through every struggle or triumph. Buried Seeds uncovers many memories and emotions that were hidden inside me for so long. It is my hope that people will see something of themselves in my story. I hope they will see the possibilities for what they can become. The music does not end in us. Sometimes we need to open our hearts and listen. That’s what Buried Seeds helped me do in my life - and that’s what I believe it can offer to others,” said Vikas Khanna

“Buried Seeds offers a fresh perspective in these challenging times. The seeds are inside each of us; they unite us and will only grow strong. The old “you” will die to give space to the new “you” – a particle in the long chain of generations, a speck of dust of collective wisdom and an everlasting sacrifice for the children and those who come after. I am very grateful to National Geographic and its magnificent team for a chance to share the film with its audience. I hope this film will make the viewers think and look at their own lives and dreams in a new light,” said Andrei Severny

The film has been distributed by FilmKaravan

Buried Seeds will air on 15th August 2021, at 9.00 pm on National Geographic in India

About National Geographic Partners 

National Geographic Partners LLC (NGP), a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company and the National Geographic Society, is committed to bringing the world premium science, adventure, and exploration content across an unrivaled portfolio of media assets. . NGP returns 27% of the proceeds to the non-profit National Geographic Society to fund work in the areas of science, exploration, conservation, and education. In India, National Geographic Channel and Nat Geo Wild are available across six languages and have a wide-ranging mix of international shows which are made local relevant and shows that are developed and created locally 

About FilmKaravan

FilmKaravan is a streamlined aggregation & delivery solution house that aggregates, encodes, packages, and delivers films and web-series to major digital platforms. Having produced the recently International Emmy award winning series Delhi Crime their production house has churned out coming of age original content like What Are the Odds? & Leeches streaming on popular streaming platforms. To raise the banner of independent cinema, Filmkaravan has also collaborated with YouTube by launching an online non for profit film festival called Bandra Film Festival early this year showcasing innovative, cutting edge films & hidden gems made by prolific film makers on their exclusive YouTube channel. For more information, visit www. http://www.filmkaravan.com/

New Opening of 2021 | #7 Habitas AlUla , opening in second half of the year 2021

Millennial-focused Habitas, which began life as a brand that brought a like-minded community of travellers together around immersive events, will open a 100-room, luxury eco-resort in the desert canyons of Ashar Valley this October. Self-described as a brand that prioritizes “human connection and experiences over the traditional luxury experience of five-star hotels”.

IHCL reports Q1 revenue from operations at INR 345 cr; losses at INR 301.5 cr

IHCL reported revenue from operations of INR 344.55 crore for the quarter ended June this year, up from INR 144 crore in the corresponding period of the last fiscal. On a quarter on quarter basis though, it reported a 44 per cent fall in revenues.

It reported losses of INR 301.5 crore down from INR 313 crore in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, losses were up by 102 per cent.

IHCL said business for the quarter was severely impacted on account of the second wave and the chain witnessed softer revenues due to partial or complete lockdowns in several states of India.

---

---

Zomato Indian Food Delivery INR 4538 Crores this quarter.

Domestic food delivery business reported the highest ever gross order value (GOV) in the quarter under review, increasing by 37 percent to around INR 4,538 crore, compared to INR 3,315 crore in the previous quarter.

Zomato said its operational revenue increased by 22 percent to INR 844 crore in April-June, while net losses rose over 168 percent from the previous quarter to INR 360 crore, as the food delivery platform presented its maiden quarterly earnings as a public company on Tuesday.

While INR 806 crore of operational revenue came from India, revenue of INR 31 crore was logged from the UAE, and the balance from other markets.

Zomato said its adjusted revenue — which is a combination of revenue from operations and customer delivery charges — increased 26 percent to INR 1,160 crore in the June quarter, compared to around Rs 920 crore in the March quarter.

“Revenue growth was largely on the back of growth in our core food delivery business, which continued to grow despite the severe Covid-19 wave starting April,” said cofounder and chief executive Deepinder Goyal in the company’s filings to the Bombay Stock Exchange.

Zomato said the increase in losses is due “largely on account of non-cash Esop (employee stock ownership plan) expenses, which have increased meaningfully in Q1 of FY22 due to significant Esop grants made… pursuant to creation of a new Esop 2021 scheme.’

New Opening of 2021 | #6 Waldorf Astoria Kuwait, opening in second half of the year 2021

Kuwait’s largest shopping and entertainment destination, The Avenues, will welcome the prestigious Waldorf Astoria Kuwait later this year. Slated for an autumn debut, guests will be able to enjoy direct access to Avenues Mall, with more than 1,100 shops plus a 28-screen cinema. The portfolio of 200 rooms and suites will offer panoramic views of the Kuwait skyline, and guests will also be serviced by the 13,560 square foot Waldorf Spa and signature lobby lounge, Peacock Alley.

Eclat Insights | How To Teach So People Learn

The art historian Gustav Friedrich Waagen on how to teach so people learn: "First delight, then instruct."

If you wanted to teach magic, you would want to start with a magic trick. Not any magic trick, a trick that may seem simple to someone who does not want to learn magic, but to the eager student, that trick should be awesome, awe-inspiring. It sets the tone for what's coming.

Having delighted someone, you have their heart's attention, not just the mind.

Why is this relevant to Hospitality & Service Industries

• The concept of inseparability in service means that one cannot separate the production of service from the consumption of it.

• Front Line staff training is therefore critical for any exceptional service design and delivery.

• This insight will help you create better training programs for your teams.

• This can be particularly useful for managers that work with skill-oriented workers. You may find that you need to correct them, instruct them in the middle of their work and sometimes in front of their peers. This advice could do wonders for you.

Actionable Insights

Find something to say, do, show, tell, share that will delight them, then when you have their attention, instruct them.

Real-World Example

• Want to teach your team about welcoming guests? Don't start with a PowerPoint presentation in a dark room. Welcome them into the training room like you would welcome a guest!

Want to make this WOW?

• Give them a welcome drink or a treat! Or

• Welcome them in the local language Or

• Welcome them in their native language

As always, do share your implementation of this insight with us.

Brief About writer:

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

Zomato | Zomato's revenue grows to INR 844 crore as losses widen 168% for April-June quarter

Zomato's revenue grows to INR 844 crore as losses widen 168% for April-June quarter

While INR 806 crore of operational revenue came from India, revenue of INR 31 crore was logged from the UAE, and the balance from other markets.

zomato said its operational revenue increased by 22 percent to INR 844 crore in April-June, while net losses rose over 168 percent from the previous quarter to INR 360 crore, as the food delivery platform presented its maiden quarterly earnings as a public company on Tuesday.

While INR 806 crore of operational revenue came from India, revenue of INR 31 crore was logged from the UAE, and the balance from other markets.

Zomato said its adjusted revenue — which is a combination of revenue from operations and customer delivery charges — increased 26 percent to INR 1,160 crore in the June quarter, compared to around Rs 920 crore in the March quarter.

“Revenue growth was largely on the back of growth in our core food delivery business, which continued to grow despite the severe Covid-19 wave starting April,” said cofounder and chief executive Deepinder Goyal in the company’s filings to the Bombay Stock Exchange.

Zomato said the increase in losses is due “largely on account of non-cash Esop (employee stock ownership plan) expenses, which have increased meaningfully in Q1 of FY22 due to significant Esop grants made… pursuant to creation of a new Esop 2021 scheme.’

The Gurgaon-based company, which listed successfully on the BSE last month, reported total losses of INR 134 crore in the March quarter, with revenue at INR 692 crore. In the June quarter, it earned revenue of INR 266 crore, with losses of nearly INR 100 crore.

Zomato’s market capitalisation stood at a little over INR 98,000 crore as of Tuesday, as the stock closed at INR 124.95, down by more than 4 percent.

Spike In Orders
The company said the domestic food delivery business reported the highest ever gross order value (GOV) in the quarter under review, increasing by 37 percent to around INR 4,538 crore, compared to INR 3,315 crore in the previous quarter.

GOV is the total monetary value of all food delivery orders placed on Zomato India, including taxes, customer delivery charges, gross of all discounts, excluding tips.