ARAMNESS GIR OPENS ITS DOORS The Ultimate Luxury Safari Experience in India

November 2021, Mumbai: Situated on the fringe of the Sasan Gir National Park, where the last remaining Asiatic lions in the world coexist with the semi-nomadic Maldhari tribe, ARAMNESS GIR, a new style luxe safari lodge, opened its doors this morning to its first guests. Located within the 18 square kilometre area that skirts the National Park, ARAMNESS GIR sits within a rarely undeveloped natural paradise in a protected teak forest. This forest is home to abundant bird and animal species freely roaming between the park area and the lodge. The property is positioned as an offering to the uber-luxe traveler who not only has sophisticated taste but also seeks the finer details in cuisine, wildlife and has a penchant for the environment and conservation.

ARAMNESS GIR is the culmination of the vision of the owner and founder, Mr. Jimmy Patel. Said Mr. Patel as the first guests arrived “Our entire team has a passion for wilderness and each of us are dedicated to conservation. Our love for Gujarat is reflected in the walls of the kothi’s at ARAMNESS GIR, creating a world class experience entrenched in local culture and designed with authenticity and luxury in equal measure, providing a wildlife experience that is reflective of world class African safaris right here in India. We are a haven for the luxury traveller, who seek meaning from their adventures.”

ARAMNESS GIR is a collaborative effort between internationally renowned Fox Browne Creative and Nicholas Plewman Architects to create a truly unique and immersive experience. The lodge design takes its inspiration from the characteristic local village, Haripur, with its central cobbled streets fringed with courtyard  homes (kothis). Natural forest and meadow gardens have been revived on the property wherever possible and are experienced in and around the kothis and guest areas, merging the natural habitat of the area with the built-up space and paying homage to the original use of  the land as farmland.

The design expression of the lodge is reflected by the interiors, which draw on the honesty of materials and culturally relevant design coupled with local craftsmanship. All inventory has been sourced or made in Gujarat; from the pattern on the large sandstone and steel Jali screens (which is a replica of the perforations of the dried leaf of a sal tree) to the striking wall of Kutchi lipan plasterwork with its intricate inlaid mirrors handcrafted by local artisans. The vintage applique scatter cushions and hand-beaten brass tables add to the detailed layering. 

Each of the 18 sensitively appointed private village-style kothis take their cue from the charmingly informal arrangement of the local Gujarati village homes, whose buildings develop spontaneously with time. True to their name (ARAMNESS – peaceful village), the understated yet utterly luxurious interiors have been designed to instill deep comfort and tranquility and have been constructed using natural materials and craft techniques native to Gujarat and  India.

Guests staying at ARAMNESS GIR have several choices of how they wish to spend their day:  Game drives into the park to view the Asiatic lion, jungle walks in the teak forest, visiting a Maldhari family in their home, sampling delicious Gujarati food, relaxing in the spa or, even  better, doing as little as possible whilst soaking up the natural beauty of the park. 

ABOUT ARAMNESS GIR 

Aramness Gir, is a new 18 roomed, village-style luxury safari lodge, that borders Sasan Gir  National Park, where the last remaining Asiatic lions in the world coexist with the semi-nomadic  Maldhari tribe. It is designed with authenticity and luxury in equal measure, providing a wildlife  experience that rewrites the script. As the first boutique lodge of its kind in the region owner, Jimmy  Patel is setting the bar high with his Gujarati inspired, design-led aesthetic, his dedication to  conservation and a commitment to delivering world class gracious hospitality. 

LUX* Grand Baie Resort & Residences - opening 1 December!

Appointment | Niraamaya Wellness Retreats elevates Jayachandran C R to Area Director - Operations

Niraamaya Wellness Retreats elevates Jayachandran C R to Area Director - Operations

Niraamaya Wellness Retreats has announced the elevation of Jayachandran C R from General Manager to Area Director - Operations.

In his new role, he will be spearheading the operations for all the retreats and private residences situated in Kerala and will be working towards the reinforcement of the core ethos of the brand.

Jayachandran with a career span of 20 years specializes in management experience with luxury hotels across India and abroad overseeing the operations of a pre-opening, opening and functional hotels.

He has also worked with brands like Taj, ITC, Leela, Raviz and MGM Grand Australia prior to joining Niraamaya as a General Manager, Niraamaya Retreats Backwaters and Beyond, Kumarakom.

Appointment | Samit Kazi appointed as Cluster Director of Sales and Marketing – SAMHI Hotels

Samit Kazi has been appointed as Cluster Director of Sales and Marketing – SAMHI Hotels. With total 18 years of hospitality experience, Samit has worked with prominent brands like Leela, Taj, and Marriott & Accor.

He started his career with Marriott’s flag ship hotel Renaissance Mumbai Hotel and Convention Centre back in 2003. He has a wide-ranging sales experience in markets like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune while handling unit, regional, national and global sales profile. During his decade long tenure at Accor Hotels from 2011 to 2021.

Samit was part of Accor Hotels corporate office managing strategic sales for new openings and revival hotels. He successfully managed to open first Global Sales Office for Accor in Mumbai and was heading the west India region for Domestic and International hotels.

Later he took an operational role at Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre and was managing hotel operations and was equally involved in spearheading sales and marketing for the unit. His last assignment was with Novotel Kochi Infopark as General Manager with a successful turnaround of hotel performance within 4 months of his joining.

He will be based out of Sheraton Hyderabad Hotel and will work along with Pranay Verdia – Cluster General Manager for SAMHI hotels. With an objective of improving the hotel’s overall commercial performance by significantly increasing market share and positioning individual property as a market leader, he will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of sales and marketing for these hotels.

Appointment | Hyatt Regency Dehradun appoints Harkaran Singh as their General Manager

Hyatt Regency Dehradun (Pre-opening) appoints Harkaran Singh as their General Manager

In his role as the General Manager, he is leading the multi-cultural team of this stunning 263 keys hotel across all disciplines.

Harkaran Singh has been appointed as the General Manager for Hyatt Regency Dehradun (Pre-opening). Nestled amidst picturesque 4.25 acres, adjacent to the serene Malsi Forest and majestic Himalayan range, on the Dehradun-Mussoorie Road in Uttarakhand, Hyatt Regency Dehradun will be the first 5-star hotel in Dehradun and the largest luxury hotel in the state of Uttarakhand.

Harkaran brings with him 15 years of varied experience across Marriott & Hyatt hotels in India. He began his journey with the Hyatt family 12 years back and has worked across Hyatt Pune in 2010 to Hyatt Hyderabad Gachibowli, Hyatt Regency Kolkata and was General Manager at Hyatt Raipur, before taking on his latest role at Hyatt Regency Dehradun.

Passionate about delivering above-and-beyond moments for guests & colleagues, Harkaran is strategically aligned, financially disciplined and result-oriented with a repertoire of exceeding expectations of all stakeholders.  In his role as the General Manager, he is leading the multi-cultural team of this stunning 263 keys hotel across all disciplines.

A passionate hotelier, who believes in delivering memorable experiences at every touchpoint, driven by service excellence, business acumen and the commitment to care, Harkaran enjoys immersive local experiences, theatre, and golf. 

A quote he lives by – “Realize that everything connects to everything else.” —Leonardo da Vinci.

NEWS | Another feather in the cap as one more tourist destination opens its gates after a long covid wait: TAAI

Another feather in the cap as one more tourist destination opens its gates after a long covid wait: TAAI

A significant drop in Covid-19 cases and increased vaccination pace has led to a rise in tourist footfall in the state of Odisha. Industry insiders are very happy that normalcy is returning and hoped for a fast recovery in business.

Expressing her happiness towards the revival of tourism business and congratulating Government of Odisha, Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) President, Jyoti Mayal commented that it is indeed a much-needed step on the government’s part which will encourage other states too in the same direction. “Covid did take a lot from us, now it is time to compensate for all the losses faced during the pandemic,” she said.

“After the prolonged curbs for over 18 months, tourists are showing a strong desire to travel & are registering a month-on-month increase in demand. It is indeed a brilliant start to the tourist season with rooms almost full during the weekend and a sizeable number of domestic visitors flocking to spots. If the current situation continues then the recovery could be done in lesser time,” mentioned Jay Bhatia, Vice President, TAAI.

Bettaiah Lokesh, Hon Secretary General, TAAI stated, “The government of Odisha is leaving no stone unturned and coinciding with the upbeat mood of tourists by organising series of exciting events, including glamping at seven eco-retreat sites. A collective effort is required for the better and early revival of tourism sector which got massively hit during pandemic days.”

Whereas, Shreeram Patel, Hon Treasurer, TAAI went on to thank the Government of India for a successful vaccine drive in the country which has encouraged travellers and has created a sense of safety amongst people of all walks.

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Eclat Insights | What's Not Going To Change? The Simple Yet Effective Method To Future-Proofing Your Business

The entire Insight is from something Jeff Bezos is quoted as saying on a number of occasions.

I very frequently get the question: “What’s going to change in the next 10 years?”

That’s a very interesting question.

I almost never get the question: “What’s not going to change in the next 10 years?” And I submit to you that that second question is actually the more important of the two.

You can build a business strategy around things that are stable in time. In our retail business, we know that customers want low prices, and I know that’s going to be true 10 years from now. They want fast delivery; they want a vast selection. It’s impossible to imagine a future 10 years from now where a customer comes up and says, “Jeff I love Amazon, I just wish the prices were a little higher.” Or, “I love Amazon, I just wish you’d deliver a little slower.” Impossible.

So we know the energy we put into these things today will still be paying off dividends for our customers 10 years from now. When you have something that you know is true, even over the long term, you can afford to put a lot of energy into it." — Jeff Bezos

Sure, spend time on what might disrupt your business, but I do think that there is a lot of merit and reward if you get what will remain true for your business in ten years. If you can get that right, you will have strengths that will not only create moats and safety nets but also grow.

Why is it relevant to Hospitality & Service Industries?

OTAs (online travel agents) were disruptive to the business model. There was a major shakeout in the way consumers found and booked hospitality services. To survive, everyone had to learn the new tools and work with the new formats. What did not change though, was the age-old hospitality maxim - location, location, location. Even on the OTAs, online booking, social media channels, consumers were still looking and booking for location. Price and Services followed.

Will technology disrupt the hospitality sector, of course, it will. There is so much happening in AI, Data Management, Multiverses, that the landscape of 'what' is a good service offering to have will evolve. As the concept of 24-hour-breakfast has demonstrated, not everything is a fad, some trends become habits.

What has not changed and may not change is a good breakfast spread. The quality of the food and the quality of the service.

Actionable Insights

Set up a leadership session with your top management and call it 'What Will Remain The Same?' or 'What is timeless in our industry?' or 'What do your guests want today, that they will want in 10 years too?'

• Make a list.

• Give a score on the scale of 1 - 10 on each item that is accepted by the group.

• Rank the list in order of the score. 10 being the highest priority.

• Build these strengths. Set up cross-functional, continuous improvement teams with a process champion and have them think of the process from 3, 5, 10 years out.

Real-World Example

Will Check In & Check Out be an important service element in hotels in 10 years? This is the first hurdle that you need to cross.

If you are someone who believes that in the future, there will be no need for a Check-In - since we will all be live on a network, all the time, then maybe you as a leader you need to keep an eye on when the tech comes through and you can make it available to your guests. Phone keys are already here, maybe in the future it will be based on wearables or as sci-fi fiction depicts, based on your eyes or voice etc. Maybe there will be no front desk. Amazon go - talks about no cashiers/checkouts at stores, why not hotels or restaurants?

If you are someone who believes that in the future, human touch, interaction, warmth, security, will play an even bigger role in the service quality and pricing, then you need to imagine what that service will entail and what you need to make it happen. Do you need to start doing better hiring and training? How do you create warmth in a sub-2-minute interaction? What information should you gather on the guest, what preferences should you capture and use? There might still be a tech element, but you will lead with people and build for 'genuine care'.

Want to make this WOW?

If you have read earlier insights published, you will know that one of the recurring themes in this section is the Employee Experience.

Think of this insight from the perspective of your employees. What will your ideal employee want in 10 years? Work-life balance, prosperity, challenges, opportunity to learn & grow? Are you investing in creating those things? For example, are you developing a learning management system for your team?

Something else that you might want to think about, in terms of employees of the future, do you think it will be led by super specialists like the medical/tech/influencer industry and or generalists?

If there is nothing else you do on this insight, do just this - a 2-hour session with your team on what they think the future will look like.

As always, I am happy to assist, lead this session for you. This is with my compliments and on the house. get in touch at p.bedi@eclathospitality.com.

EVENT | Bakery Carnival at Hilton Chennai

Bakery Carnival at Hilton Chennai 

Create magic with your scrummy baking arts. If you've got a relentless passion for baking, or you know someone who does, Hilton Chennai is looking for home bakers who will battle it out to be crowned  Chennai’s Best Home Baker.  

•  Bakery Carnival Contest: 11th December 2021 

• Last Date of Application: 30th November 2021 

• Participation Fee: INR 1,999 only 

• Shortlisting Criteria (Elimination Round): Online technical test on 4th Dec’21 (Saturday) |  Test format: will have 20 questions, each carrying 1 mark | Questions will be basic of bakery and  pastry | Results will be declared on: 6th Dec’21 (Monday) 

• Final Stage of Competition: 11th Dec’21 (Saturday) | Practical baking & Presentation at the  hotel | Contestant will be asked to prepare one creative dish (Pastry) & one traditional dish (any  baked item) 

• Things to know: Menu should be shared with us by 7th Dec’21 (Tuesday) | All ingredients will  be organized by the hotel | Briefing & doubt clarification session by Chef on 9th Dec’21  (Thursday) 

• Registration Details: +91 95000 11940, 044 2225 5555 | dining.chennai@hilton.com o Giveaway: 01 night stay at Hilton Guest Room, Winners will be rewarded with a  certificate & a trophy | The contest winner photo will be published across all our channels  (Hilton Chennai) and Trade Magazines | Winning recipe to be made available for sales at the EST  for about 01 months. A part of the revenue generated will be donated for a noble cause  

• Terms & Conditions Apply:  

About Hilton 

With more than 580 locations across six continents, Hilton Hotels & Resorts provide an authentic and contemporary experience for our guests worldwide. Our hotels and resorts are where Hilton really comes to life — an actual place where Guests and Team Members can touch and experience everything Hilton.

NEWS | Decrease in Covid-19 cases is the new key to revive and evolve business: TAAI President

According to the aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), domestic airlines flew 8.99 million passengers last month, as against 5.27 million in October 2020. The number of passengers who flew on domestic carriers in October 2021 increased by more than 70 per cent over the corresponding figures during the same period last year.

Commenting on the development, Jyoti Mayal, President, Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) expressed her gratitude to the Union Civil Aviation Minister, Jyotiraditya Scindia and the DGCA for working tirelessly in the direction and allowing airlines to operate services at full capacity from last month.

TAAI has been linked with various airlines, travel agents and tour operators at the grass root level for making travel hassle free keeping in mind all the safety measures and guidelines released by the Government of India and various state governments for providing an easy passage for intra-state travel.

Welcoming this news and congratulating the authorities, the TAAI President said “Our association has always been an active participant and such good passenger statistics will work as a morale booster for the travel trade. For several months, air carriers operated under various restrictions which refrained people from travelling thus not doing any good to the business post Covid. Now with the services operating at full capacity there is a huge hike in travellers which is a good sign.”

She further added, “Reversing an order which came into effect in April this year, during the second wave of the Covid pandemic, meals can now be allowed on flights with a journey time of less than two hours. This will further enhance the travel experience.

NEWS | Emirates plans to issue IPO, prepares for recovery in 2022

The Dubai-based airline Emirates may become a publicly-traded company. Sir Tim Clark, President, Emirates at the Dubai Airshow 2021, said that that it could happen as the city-state tries to boost its local financial market while promising that its fleet of iconic double-decker jumbo jets would soon fly the skies again. This comes after Dudai announced plans to list its state-owned electricity company and other government-backed firms to raise liquidity and expand the local Dubai Financial Market so it can compete with bigger counterparts in the region.

Following the news that Dubai-based airline Emirates could be included in plans to issue initial public offerings (IPOs) on the city’s stock market, Neha Bhatia, Construction & Infrastructure Editor at GlobalData’s MEED, said that Emirates appears to be on the path to recovery, and the airline’s potential listing could further buoy optimism around its post-pandemic growth prospects. “Emirates’ listing – should it proceed – could restore confidence in the airline’s financial position and reiterate its reputation as Dubai’s most valuable asset. However, the company’s significance to the local economy has already been established over the past two years. The contributions could pay dividends as the airline looks to secure post-pandemic growth,” she said.

Net losses of Emirates in April to September narrowed to AED5.7 billion from AED14.1 billion in the first half of 2020-21. The half-year loss in 2020 was Emirates’ first in more than 30 years, and, after having largely weathered the global financial crisis of 2008-10 and the oil price crash of 2014-16, the airline laid off around 30,585 staff in 2020-21.

Emirates received a capital injection worth over AED11 billion from the Investment Corporation of Dubai – the city’s sovereign wealth fund and its ultimate owner – to sustain its operations in the 2020-21 financial year. It was a pivotal development for Emirates, which has historically provided a dividend to the wealth fund. The wealth fund injected a further AED2.5 billion in Emirates during the first half of 2021-22.

NEWS| Sayaji Hotels enters into strategic partnership with majority stake in Intellistay Hotels

With this move, Sayaji Group of Hotels will now operate 2,772 rooms across 41 operational hotels with a series of new hotel launches in the pipeline.

Hospitality brand Sayaji Hotels on Tuesday announced a strategic partnership with a majority stake in integrated asset-light hotel management company Intellistay Hotels that will add 27 hotels to its current collection of 14 properties. The partnership will add 27 hotels in 15 cities to Sayaji Hotels' current collection of 14 properties with its existing brands 'Sayaji Hotels', 'Effotel by Sayaji' and 'Enrise by Sayaji', the company said in a statement.

"We are delighted to welcome Intellistay Hotels with its portfolio of highly successful brands to the Sayaji Hotel family.

"This strategic alliance gives us a significant presence in key leisure and metro markets where Intellistay Hotels has already established its footprints," Sayaji Hotels Managing Director Raoof Dhanani said.

Currently, Intellistay Hotels operates 1,350 rooms and plans to add 1,000 rooms with 20 hotels across the country by the second half of 2022.

With this move, Sayaji Group of Hotels will now operate 2,772 rooms across 41 operational hotels with a series of new hotel launches in the pipeline.

"We will leverage our shared expertise to enhance our market share, expand our product portfolio and provide best-in-class offerings for the guests.

"We believe this partnership will create new avenues for growth and reinforce Sayaji Group of Hotels as one of the fastest-growing hotel chains in the country," Sayaji Hotels Vice-President (Operations and People) Rakshit Sharma said.

EVENT | Hyatt Place Gurgaon Welcomes the Season of Christmas with Cake Mixing Ceremony

Hyatt Place Gurgaon Welcomes the Season of Christmas with Cake Mixing Ceremony

The countdown to Christmas has begun! It’s that magical time of the year when cake mixing celebration is something that everyone looks forward to. Hyatt Place Gurgaon celebrated its Cake Mixing ceremony and ushered into the joy of Christmas thus marking the onset of this festive season.

Christmas is no fun without the traditional Christmas cake.  The timeless tradition of cake mixing is definitely setting the mood for the festivity letting people enjoy the simple pleasure of the Christmas season. The celebration at Hyatt Place Gurgaon was hosted to create everlasting special memories among everyone. The ceremony held this year was an intimate affair while maintaining the highest levels of hygiene and safety. It was led by the hotel’s Head Chef, Rick Kundu along with the team who took part in the merriment with great excitement, mixing traditions and cultures. Select liquor and red wine were poured over delightful dried fruits, nuts and spices to soak and were married well to give the Christmas plum cakes their characteristic taste and mesmerizing aroma. 

On this, Head Chef, Rick Kundu says, “When it comes to Christmas, it seems incomplete without the signature plum cakes, mulled wines and traditional cookie. Cinnamon is one of my favorite spices to play with if we talk about cakes and Christmas cakes are just a perfect marriage of robust aromas and delicate palate. Come, let’s have a toast to life while we prepare to welcome 2022 “

ABOUT HYATT PLACE GURGAON UDYOG VIHAR

Hyatt Place Gurgaon, one of the finest business hotels in Gurgaon (Gurugram). Located just 20 minutes away from the International airport and in close proximity to Ambience Mall, Cyber City, Unitech Infospace, Infotech Center and DLF Cyber Park 2, the hotel is a place where conveniences, uncomplicated service and flexible spaces help guests move seamlessly from work to play. The hotel is ideal for both the business and leisure traveler. The hotel offers convenient access to Gurgaon’s most famous sites and attractions, ideal places to experience a perfect blend of India’s art, culture and heritage in the form of cinematic and theatrical musicals, all under one roof.

NEWS | Top celebrity chefs joins OneRare, the world’s first Food metaverse

Arnold Poernomo, Saransh Goila, & Jaimie Van Heije

Top celebrity chefs joins OneRare, the world’s first Food metaverse

New Delhi,November, 2021- OneRare, the first-ever project to build a metaverse for food, gaming, and NFTs on the blockchain ecosystem have announced their collaboration with top celebrity Chefs Arnold Poernomo, Saransh Goila & Jaimie Van Heije. 

With this collaboration, OneRare’s revolutionary concept of the world’s first Food Metaverse on the blockchain has caught the eye of foodies around the world. OneRare will be tokenizing the Chefs’ signature dishes as NFTs, and players will be able to claim these special artworks by collecting ingredients and playing the game. 

Supreet Raju, Co-founder, OneRare said on the collaboration "We are very excited to collaborate with the best forces in the Food & Beverage industry celebrity Chef Arnold Poernomo, Chef Saransh Goila, and Chef Jaimie Van Heije.  We would like to expand the idea of Foodverse with the help of these pioneers and celebrate their culinary journey as NFTs in the foodverse at a Global scale.

With the rapidly growing reach of the blockchain, the Chefs will get to interact with international audiences for the first time and introduce them to exciting culinary concepts from their part of the world. 

With the recent successful fundraise of $2M from notable angels & the biggest funds in crypto, OneRare is now ready to grow their Foodverse. OneRare’s engaging gameplay brings the global F&B industry onto the blockchain for the first time, and keeping in mind the global appeal of Food, the project is striving to partner with top chefs from various countries to celebrate culinary delights from every corner of the world.

Speaking about the collaboration- Chef Arnold Poernomo said, “The success to my passion for the food industry & is now making his way to the blockchain to explore the new realms of Food. “Food brings people together. Combined with metaverse and Onerare, the possibilities are endless and for sure delicious”. 

Sharing his thoughts on the collaboration, Chef Saransh Golia said, “From being a chef in my home kitchen to teaching and creating recipes virtually I've learned that food really has no boundaries. Super excited to explore this new chapter of food in the metaverse by OneRare. The fact that you can create your favourite recipes in the metaverse and own dish NFTs is fascinating for me. I'm really looking forward to showcasing my favourite dishes on OneRare, and hoping to make the metaverse a delicious space. 

Sharing his thoughts, Chef Jaimie Van Heije said, “I love to create the best dishes out of nearly nothing. “I’m very in love with the idea of OneRare, like there is a connection in my restaurant with the food and the client. There is also a connection between crypto, the food, and the beverage sector. I truly love the idea and I can’t wait to play!”

Distant from the regular noise with a completely different dimension, OneRare is penetrating the blockchain metaverse and it is poised to be a major milestone in this sphere. The project is leveraging the increasing number of GameFi buffs and a growing community of food lovers spread across various parts of the globe to redefine the concept of an existing virtual realm.

With OneRare, the blockchain metaverse will cater to global audiences as food mavens will have an opportunity to come into the Foodverse and monetize it while exploring it to the fullest. Foodies can farm for ingredients, trade them at the Farmer’s Market, or head to the Kitchen to claim Dishes. The Foodverse also features a Playground where users can use their NFTs to battle in mini-games.

NEW LAUNCH | Cocoberry soon to announce FMCG products, to open 200 outlets

10 outlets are already in line and will be opened soon, covering Srinagar, Dimapur, Nagaland, Kolkata, and Faridabad.

The frozen yoghurt chain Cocoberry is expanding into the FMCG sector. The products are right now in stealth mode and will be launched in Q3 2022. The company wants to expand to 200 outlets in India, mostly company-owned. The company is expanding after a decade of operations in Delhi NCR while having a very strong and retained customer base. There are 10 outlets that are already in line and will be opened soon, covering Srinagar, Dimapur, Nagaland, Kolkata, and Faridabad. Launched in 2009, Cocoberry specialises in frozen fresh yoghurts and also offers beverages, sandwiches, and more.

“An acquired taste strategy is adopted and the outlet is opened to its customers. Once they begin to flow, a basic market activation and a successful launch are undertaken. Month on month, growth is recorded,” Laksh Yadav, CEO, Cocoberry India commented.

Yadav informed that the brand is showing better response in tier 2 cities as well. “If I compare to Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, for a brand that resides in South Delhi and in a niche area of Delhi, Gurgaon, or Noida, we have been further working in Srinagar, Kanpur, and Jamshedpur, and right now we are opening in Dimapur and Kolkata as well” he added. The company is working with a lot of tier 2 cities, and they are showing a good response.

India's frozen dessert market is projected to grow at a CAGR of over 19 percent by 2023, on the back of rising GDP per capita and growing demand from expanding middle-class population.

While choosing locations, Yadav stated that with a vision for each outlet to perform for a longer time, the company purposely give up on the mall location because of the management changes, the rental changes etc. “I would say the first thing we look for is a good high street in a good residential area, and that is how we get good retention. For example, I would prefer GK1 market over Saket mall,” he added.

For each outlet to reach its break-even point it takes roughly around 18 to 24 months, rentals being the major factor. “For a franchise to break even, since our capex is quite low compared to the other brands, I have to compare them with any other brand. That is the only way a franchise would understand,” he commented.

NEWS | Accor re-hires one-third of 1,500 employees laid off during Covid in India

Accor re-hires one-third of 1,500 employees laid off during Covid in India

Thanks to a strong recovery following the deadly second wave, French hospitality major Accor Group says it has started re-employing staffers laid off during the pandemic. Based on the bounce-back rate the group, which currently has 55 properties in India, now is banking on October-December 2022 being back at the level of the same period in pre-pandemic 2019. Since international travel still has some restrictions, the bounce back is almost entirely on domestic travelers in the form of holidays, staycations and workations.

"We have 6,000 employees in India. During Covid and either no or very low revenues, unfortunately, 25% of them had to be laid off. We created a fund for employees from the amount that was to be paid as a dividend to shareholders just before the pandemic struck. The recovery following the second wave has been much stronger than anticipated and we have started re-employing the laid-off workforce in India," Marc Descrozaille, Accor's COO for India, Middle East and Africa, told TOI Tuesday.

So far about one-third of those laid back have been invited to join back. Some of those who got this call declined the offer as they had started doing something else during the pandemic, he said.

"While occupancy is looking up, average room rates (ARR) are lagging behind. People are now spending more on hotel stays on other things like food and beverage or upgrading their chosen hotel/room. A large number of guests are these days driving for breaks. Saving on airfares allows them to spend more on hotel stays (not rates which are still low but other amenities)," Descrozaille said.

The ongoing wedding season is bringing some more respite for hotels. "Since there are restrictions on the size of gatherings (200 in Delhi for instance), people are spending more (per guest) due to that," he said.

With pandemic fatigue setting in, hotels have to remind guests to adhere to Covid protocol. Guests walk into restaurants with masks on and a few drinks later the masks are off. Hotels then politely remind them to do so sending masks on a tray as a reminder.

While footfalls are up, revenue overall is still nowhere close to pre-pandemic levels. "We will end the calendar year 2022 at half of CY 2019 levels," Descrozaille said.

Accor has big growth plans for India and it plans to add 20 more hotels to its current portfolio of 55 properties over the next five years. The additions will include its top of the line Raffles in Jaipur and a Fairmont in Mumbai, apart from 6 Novotels and 4 Ibis.

NEWS | Another big tick on the list as Singapore & India reaches agreement on commercial flights: TAAI

Another big tick on the list as Singapore & India reaches agreement on commercial flights: TAAI

Commenting on the proposed resumption of flights between India and Singapore from November 29 under the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL), Jyoti Mayal, President, Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) extended her warm wishes and gratitude to the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation on the resumption of scheduled commercial flights between the two countries.

Singapore’s VTL with India will start with six designated flights daily from Chennai, Delhi, and Mumbai. Applications for vaccinated travel passes for short-term and long-term pass holders from India will start from November 29. ‘’Taking such a step-in time of Covid prevalence is indeed a bold move which will not only strengthen the relations between the two countries but will also work as a revival of tourism sector’. I strongly feel that more commercial flights are needed to revive inbound tourism to India,” she further quoted.

Airlines can also operate non-VTL flights between the two countries, although passengers on non-VTL flights will be subjected to the prevailing public health requirements. “We at TAAI have been in constant dialogue with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India. The opening of the skies for international commercial passenger routes highlighting our concerns on ease of doing business,” commented Jay Bhatia, Vice President, TAAI.

Taking positive efforts, TAAI Southern Region in association with the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) organised a travel webinar earlier this year in July which witnessed a large participation. “Such productive decisions are always welcomed by tourism sector and travel associations as the good part of the economy is dependent on travel and tourism. Economy everywhere needs a good revival especially after Covid trauma,” Bettaiah Lokesh, Hon Secretary General, TAAI.

“Travel agents continue to be acknowledged as one-stop solutions for customers, guiding and professionally managing all aspects of domestic and/or international travel which now includes complying with Covid requirements of departing and arriving at destinations,” said Shreeram Patel, Hon Treasurer, TAAI as he also extended his thanks to the authorities of both the countries.

Visit Maldives | Conrad Maldives Rangali Island Announces Grand Relaunch in February 2022 Following Multi-Million-Dollar Refurbishment

The first international resort brand to arrive in the Maldives and soon to complete 25 years, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island readies to introduce its next chapter filled newly designed accommodation and experiences with massive multi-million-dollar refurbishment. The relaunch will officially happen in February 2022.  

Renowned for delivering authentic barefoot luxury and leading the way as the ‘Island of Firsts’, the twin-island property is home to the world’s first undersea restaurant Ithaa, first underwater bedroom set within the two-level residence The MURAKA, and first twin-island resort experience in the Maldives, amongst others. 

According to Carla Puverel, General Manager, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, guests can expect “newly-designed water villas, refreshed restaurants, new experiences, brand new Teens Club and various other exciting additions. As the ‘Island of Firsts’ we pride ourselves on remaining innovative and offering a level of personalized service unique to our resort.” 

Conrad Maldives Rangali will offer elevated guests experiences through the enhanced brand-new spaces including Majaa Explorers Hub, Furaavaru Teens Club, adults only gym and the luxurious water villas of Rangali Island. Inspired itineraries offer unique experiences to guests like swimming with whale sharks and manta rays, turtle safari, sunset dolphin cruises and coral planting in the house reef with the marine biologist. 

With the upgraded experiences, the twin-island resort ensures that it continues to offer authentic barefoot luxury that guests have long enjoyed since the resort landed in the shores of the Maldives. 

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NEWS | EaseMyTrip makes 2nd acquisition, buys Spree Hospitality

Online travel platform EaseMyTrip continues to aggressively expand its hotel and holiday businesses by acquiring Spree Hospitality. This is EaseMyTrip’s second acquisition where Spree Hospitality will add a new revenue vertical for the company and enable it to scale up its hotel and holiday portfolios rapidly.

Additionally, customers will be offered exclusive deals and offers on Spree Hospitality while doing bookings from EaseMyTrip, EMT said in a statement. EaseMyTrip’s expertise and data on the evolving travel market will enable Spree Hospitality to efficiently choose new property locations and offer dynamic pricing options, the statement added.

Earlier this month, EaseMyTrip, which announced its listing on the stock market in India earlier this year, acquired B2B travel platform Traviate for an undisclosed sum.

Spree was founded in 2011 by Keshav Baljee, who has more than 15 years of hospitality experience and is also co-promoter of Royal Orchid Hotels (a publicly listed company with a market cap of Rs 252 crore). It has a diversified portfolio across hospitality verticals such as hotels, corporate guest homes and residential clubs. 

The company is debt-free, cash-rich, and follows an asset-light model, which claims to have enabled it to record profitability even during the pandemic. Spree Hospitality has an established footprint of 1220 operational keys across hotels in Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Goa, Hyderabad, Kochi, Manali, Amritsar, Dehradun, Coimbatore and Delhi, amongst others.

Prashant Pitti, Co-founder, EaseMyTrip said, 

“There is a synergy between EaseMyTrip and Spree Hospitality where we leverage the asset-light model to build a lean and efficient infrastructure. With this acquisition, we believe that EaseMyTrip is well-positioned to unlock the market potential of a recovering hospitality sector and quickly scale up the business to meet the evolving needs of the modern traveller.”

“We will enable Spree to expand to 200 properties in the next five years becoming one of the biggest names in the Indian hospitality sector,” Prashant added.

During the pandemic, Spree Hospitality had signed 18 new hotels and hired over 250 additional employees to support the expansion. With a team that comes with several decades of hospitality experience, Spree is poised to revolutionise the Indian landscape through its brand of hospitality.

NEWS | Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels collaborates with Laxmi Nivasam Developers They will develop Zone Connect Yadagirigutta, an upscale hotel at the pilgrimage destination in Telangana

Laxmi Nivasam Developers and Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Limited have announced their collaboration for developing Zone Connect Yadagirigutta, an upscale hotel at the pilgrimage destination in Telangana, 60 km from Hyderabad.

Zone Connect Yadagirigutta is being developed by Laxmi Nivasam Developers, a Hyderabad-based real estate company. It will be developed in phases and will feature 400 suites, Café C, an all-day dining restaurant, a speciality restaurant, 10000 sq. ft. of banqueting space, and a host of leisure activities for all age groups.

Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Limited will be managing the property and the first phase with 150 rooms is expected to be operational in 2022. Speaking on the occasion of signing at THE Park Hyderabad, Rajendra Prasad, Chairman, Laxmi Nivasam Developers said, “Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao has a special focus on the development of the destination and has been very supportive in guiding and creating world-class facilities for the devotees. We are excited to take this vision forward by developing this property. We are happy to partner with Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Limited which has experience of over 50 years in developing and managing hotels in the country, to manage Zone Connect Yadagirigutta. We are looking forward to taking this relationship to other religious destinations across the country.”

Commenting on the signing,  Vikas Ahluwalia, General Manager and National Head, Zone by The Park Hotels stated, “We are delighted to expand our presence in the state of Telangana and the religious tourism sector, and extremely excited to partner with Laxmi Nivasam Developers. We are thrilled to bring to the city our social-catalyst brand Zone Connect. Zone Connect is conceived as the nucleus of all things social for modern corporate travelers. It is the social catalyst that connects you to the city and to all things urban and modern. We are looking forward to bringing Zone hospitality to the divine destination of Yadagirigutta."