ARRA Hotel Group is on an expansion spree and has signed up 25 properties across India, which are under various stages of reinvention as per our standards. Anshu Malik, MD, ARRA Hotel Group, says, “We will operate the above properties under our flagship Brand Arra which is our upscale brand and Twist which is Budget young feel brand. We are opening 5 properties by February 2021 in Gurugram, Manesar, Jim Corbett, Nainital and Dehradun with 450-room inventory.”

Hotel Association of India (HAI) has launched its West Bengal Chapter, and has submitted a memorandum of industry demands to West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee and Finance Minister Dr. Amit Mitra, seeking industry status for the hospitality sector. The association has suggested that this will help in reducing costs and encourage re-investment while bringing greater transparency in the sector functioning. A favourable policy decision of according industry status and allowing benefits available to manufacturing will strengthen the Indian hospitality industry, preserve and unlock its immense potential to make a significant contribution to the State’s GDP and jobs, supporting the post-pandemic economic revival of the region. MP Bezbaruah, Secretary General, Hotel Association of India, said, “The Association believes that granting industry status to the sector will enable hotels across the state to avail benefits towards electricity and water tariff at an industrial rate, lower property tax, rationalisation of taxes & license fees, simplified approval process for hotel projects & hotel operations and other benefits accorded to industries – thus helping in ushering transparency, reduce costs, and encourage reinvestment. Such small steps are crucial for revival of the sector after the disastrous impact of the Pandemic and essential considering the extent of employment and income the sector generates.”

STB India Virtual Tradeshow 2021 is all set to kick-off today for South India. The virtual show will begin from 10am till 4pm, where Singapore stakeholders and travel trade from South India can engage in B2B meetings. The subsequent editions of the show will be held on 15th, 19th and 21st of January in North, West and East India respectively. Register on www.stbindiatradeshow2021.com, email: jaspeet.kaur@ddppl.com, or call +919650196532.

IATO, in association with TravTalk University, is hosting a webinar titled ‘Website Secrets Revealed’ today at 11:30 am. During the session, Digital Marketing Specialist Gaurav Gurbaxani will educate attendees on the most common mistakes to avoid in developing a website. To register, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or call +91-9650196532.

Vistara has announced special, non-stop flights between Delhi and Frankfurt, starting 18th February 2020. The twice a week flight will be on Thursdays and Saturdays, as part of the ‘transport bubble’ formed between India and Germany and the aircraft will be Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.

Himanshu Talwar, Assistant Secretary General, FHRAI, has been given the additional responsibility as the Additional Director at FHRAI Institute of Hospitality Management (FIHM), Greater Noida. Management of FHRAI has bestowed the new responsibility on Talwar, where he will be working under the guidance of the Secretary General, FHRAI.

Kashmir Travel trade has opened their residential homes for tourists stuck up due to closure of national highway and the air connectivity, after consistent snowfall in the valley. In a statement issued to press, Travel Agents Association of Kashmir (TAAK) issued a helpline to reach out to the stranded tourists who need any help for accommodation, medical assistance, food, and other services. Farooq Kuthoo, President, TAAK, said, “Many travellers are stranded here in Kashmir due to cancellation of the flights and closure of national highway. Keeping up with the legacy of hospitality that Kashmiris are known for through centuries we would not see our guests’ sufferings.” They have assured the stranded tourists through social media, newspapers and radio not to worry and contact on the helpline numbers displayed for any assistance. He also appreciated the department of Tourism for establishing a helpline for the stranded tourists and offering them free accommodation in department owned hotels.

TAAI has recently concluded its AGM virtually, which saw its national team, heads and ECs state and region chapters, as well as members in presence, revealed Jyoti Mayal, President, TAAI. “We completed first year of our 2019-21 tenure. Our team was appreciated for its hard work. Now, we are working on our way forward. We had also invited Aashish Gupta, Consulting CEO, FAITH and we had a detailed dialogue with the office bearers and the Management Committee, and regional chapter teams, who gave their inputs on how they want TAAI to be a futuristic organisation,” she said.

Nandini Chakraborty, Tourism Secretary, West Bengal, has revealed that the current occupancy at around 30 operational properties of West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation (WBTDCL) is 100%. “We have done extensive promotion on social and other media about our properties as well as the state, and the response has been phenomenal,” she commented. Hotels and guest houses at popular tourist destinations Bengal are seeing over 80% occupancy in the last 2-3 months, which is more than the average occupancy of 60-70% which these properties have recorded in the last 2-3 years. Source: TOI

India’s first hot air balloon wildlife safari in a tiger reserve has been launched in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve by Madhya Pradesh forest minister Vijay Shah. The balloon wildlife safari will be restricted to the buffer area and people can watch tigers, leopards, Indian sloth bear and other wild animals from a height,” revealed Shah. “One more adventure has been added for tourists coming to Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve with the launch of the hot air balloon wildlife safari. It is the first in any tiger reserve in the country. Now like Africa’s forests, tourists in India will also enjoy hot air balloon wildlife safari,” he added. The plan is to introduce this service in Pench, Kanha and Panna tiger reserves as well. The service will be operated by Jaipur-based Sky Waltz, whose official Jai Thakur said that they are hoping for a good response from tourists.