Ahsan Shervani, Vice President, Star Hotels, shared insights into the company’s growth, expansion plans, and strategic focus on the domestic travel market. Shervani Hotels, the brand operated by Star Hotels., currently boasts four properties, with ambitious plans for further expansion. Shervani, an integral part of Star Hotels, oversees the operations of Shervani Hotels. The brand, which currently includes four distinct properties, aims to cater to both business and leisure travellers. With a strong presence in Uttarakhand and recent expansions into other regions, Shervani Hotels is poised for significant growth in the Indian hospitality sector. “Currently, we have four hotels under our portfolio,” Shervani explained during an exclusive interview at their Hotel in New Delhi. “This is a boutique 30-room business hotel, primarily catering to business travellers, with facilities like a conference room, a boardroom, and a banquet hall.” Shervani Hotels’ flagship property, Shervani Hilltop in Nainital, features 48 rooms, an in-house restaurant, and a unique specialty cafe called the Nursery Cafe. “The Nursery Cafe is a greenhouse setup where we serve food and beverages as well as sell plants,” Shervani added. “It’s a big part of our charm, offering little souvenirs that our guests can take home.” The two newest additions to the Shervani portfolio are in Jim Corbett National Park and Mukteshwar. “Our Jim Corbett property has 48 rooms and a large banquet hall accommodating up to 300 people. In Mukteshwar, we have Te Aroha by Shervani, Mukteshwar, a boutique 18-room property with additional cottages for larger groups.” Focusing on the travel trade, Shervani emphasized the importance of both offline and online partnerships. “We participate in various trade shows and have strong relationships with travel agents. About 40-45% of …

The first BRICS Tourism Forum, which brought together over 600 leading experts, business and government representatives from the BRICS countries, has solemnly concluded in Moscow. As part of the business program, 12 commercial agreements were signed among representatives of the tourism business sector. The creation of the BRICS Tourism Cities Club was also announced. On June 21, the BRICS Tourism Forum ended in Moscow – it was the first meeting of the working group to develop practical actions, with participation from all 9 member countries. The initiative to create this platform was first put forward by South Africa in 2018, and finally created under the Russian presidency in BRICS this year. The ideas expressed during the discussions will, in the future, form the basis of the concept of developing co-operation in the fields of innovation, sustainability, digitalisation and co-operation at a city level. Representatives of the participating countries’ tourism businesses held b2b negotiations that led to the signing of the first 12 commercial agreements. Maxim Reshetnikov, Minister of Economic Development of Russia, expressed confidence in the success of tourism development as a significant economic sector for the BRICS countries. He added that in Russia this year more than 90 million tourist trips were expected in the country, which was 30% higher than the pre-Covid figures. “The geography of trips is expanding – foreign tourists are travelling to Russia more often. The growth of foreign tourists’ movements in the first 4 months of 2024, compared to the same period last year, amounted to 50%”. Since the beginning of this year, the Ministry of the Economic Development of Russia has launched a program to promote the tourist product of Russia under a …

Clarks Safari proudly announces the opening of its flagship property, Clarks Safari Haridwar, strategically located in the heart of the city. This luxury property features 22 well-appointed rooms, designed to cater to spiritual travelers, corporates, and families seeking a comfortable stay at competitive rates. Spread over more than 9000 sqmt Clarks Safari Haridwar offers a range of amenities and facilities, ensuring a comprehensive and enjoyable stay for all guests. The property boasts four banquet halls with a combined seating capacity of 500 Pax, making it an ideal venue for conferences, product launches, and corporate events. For entertainment, the resort provides a bowling alley ( 2 Lanes), Arcade games Parlour (8 games ) Digital Archery , board games room, pool tables (2) , Air Hockey , T.T tables (2) , Play stations each having 2 seating and a ball pit for toddlers . Health enthusiasts can enjoy the gym, swim in the heated swimming pool, Zumba and yoga classes, squash court, long tennis court, and skating rink, Nett Cricket pitch , Box Cricket & 2 badminton courts In order to cater to the gamers and the tech savy travelers, the Arcade  game Parlour has all the latest collection of video games. The property offers a plethora of staying options, spread across categories, each room will be furnished with all the amenities, such as a safe box, seating area etc. They also have a state of the art equipped conference room, targeting corporate for organizing conferences, product launches, dealers meet, etc. Various experiential will be curated targeting different sets of audiences. Apart from solo travelers, and families, the brand is heavily eyeing the wedding segment for hosting small events, corporate, and MICE. …

Ranjith Krishnan will be heading the Sales Department of Imperience Hotels & Resort as their new Director of Sales. Ranjith moved from Accor Group, where he was the Director of Sales at Novotel Kochi Info Park. Ranjith comes with twenty years of experience in hospitality industry that too in Sales and Marketing with leading international brands like Le Meridien, Starwood, Marriott and Accor Group. Ranjit started his career with Le Meridien Kochi in Reservations and while leaving them he was the head of room sales division as Associate Director of Sales. Imperience Hotels & Resorts currently handles the Sales & Marketing of six boutique resorts located in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Their product portfolio includes Chandy’s Windy Woods Munnar , Chandy’s Drizzle Drops Munnar Top Station, Reen Resort, Anavilasam, Thekkady and their associates Vythiri Resort, Wayanad, Vayal Veedu, Muthanga and Kaav Safari Lodge, Kabini. ‘Since Ranjith has got the opportunity to handle all major segments of Hotels Sales like Travel Trade, Corporate, MICE, Retail and Airlines, his joining will further strengthen the Salesforce of Imperience Hotels & Resorts and will benefit its member hotels in channelising business from all these major segments’ says Dileep Kumar P I, CoFounder & CEO of Imperience Hotels & Resorts.

Delhi Airport is first in India and Second airport in world to introduce the Self Service Bag drop facility At present, 50 SSBD units have been installed at Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 SSBD to reduce the processing time from about a minute to 30 seconds Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), a subsidiary of GMR Airports Infrastructure Limited, today proudly announces the launch of its state-of-the-art Self Service Bag Drop (SSBD) Quick Drop Solution at Delhi Airport. With this, Delhi Airport become the first airport in India and the second in the world after Toronto, Canada to implement this cutting-edge technology. This initiative marks a significant milestone in redefining the passenger experience by streamlining the baggage drop process and reducing wait time. With approximately 50 Self Service Bag Drop units now operational across Terminal 1 and Terminal 3, passengers can enjoy a seamless and efficient check-in experience. The conventional SSBD units enable travelers to bypass check-in desks, allowing them to print their boarding passes and baggage tags at Common Use Self Service kiosks. Upon reaching the SSBD unit, passengers have to scan their boarding passes or face through biometric cameras, and proceed to drop their bags on the conveyor belt, with the entire process taking around a minute. To make the SSBD process still more efficient, DIAL has come out with a new innovation – QUICK DROP SOLUTION. It is a one step process where need for boarding pass or biometric validation is removed since these details are already available on the baggage tag. This reduces the processing time from about a minute to 30 seconds. Speaking on this occasion, CEO-DIAL, Mr. Videh Kumar Jaipuriar said, “We are thrilled to …

SalamAir, Oman’s fastest-growing value-for-money airline, has announced the launch of its latest destination in India – Delhi. Starting July 2, 2024, SalamAir will operate two weekly flights on Tuesdays and Thursdays to the Indian capital. The introduction of flights to Delhi marks a significant milestone for SalamAir as the airline continues to expand its network to meet the growing demand for affordable and convenient travel options to the Sultanate. This new route is expected to enhance connections between Oman and India, providing more travel options for the expat community, leisure travelers, and business professionals, as well as supporting cultural exchange and fostering economic collaboration. We are thrilled to announce the launch of our new direct flights from Delhi to Muscat,” said Mr. Mazin Al Salmani, Director of Sales at SalamAir. “This new route underscores our commitment to expanding our network and offering our passengers more convenient and affordable travel options. We look forward to welcoming travelers aboard and providing them with our exceptional service and hospitality. “Mr. Abhishek Goyal, Executive Director of Aeroprime Group GSA, SalamAir, said, ‘’We are proud to support SalamAir in launching their upcoming new route to New Delhi. This expansion strengthens the bond between Oman and India and enhances travel options for travelers. We are committed to ensuring that passengers enjoy seamless and affordable travel experiences with SalamAir.’’ For more information on flight schedules and bookings, please visit the SalamAir website www.salamair.com or contact our reservations team at 0114323 2222 or res.del@salamair.com.

Le Meridien Gurgaon, Delhi NCR invites families to create unforgettable memories this Father’s Day with its exclusive “Culinary Sunshine” brunch. Set for June 16, 2024, from 12:30 PM to 4:00 PM, the event promises a perfect blend of sumptuous cuisine and heartfelt celebration at the hotel’s renowned restaurant, Latest Recipe. The special event is thoughtfully curated to honour the cherished bonds between fathers and their loved ones. In the spirit of Father’s Day, Le Meridien Gurgaon, Delhi NCR aims to blend the elegance of fine dining with the warmth of family gatherings, offering both alcoholic and non-alcoholic buffet options. Guests can indulge in a non-alcoholic buffet priced at INR 3200/- plus taxes and an alcoholic buffet at INR 4250/- plus taxes. Adding to the festivities, the hotel is also offering a flat 50% discount on surprise goodies for fathers, making the day even more special with thoughtful gestures and gifts. “Father’s Day is a celebration of love and gratitude for the special men in our lives,” said, General Manager at Le Meridien Gurgaon, Delhi NCR. “Our ‘Culinary Sunshine’ brunch is designed to provide an exquisite dining experience that fathers and their families will remember for years to come. We are excited to host our guests and offer them the quality and service that Le Méridien is known for.” Reservations for the Father’s Day brunch are now open. Guests are encouraged to reserve their tables early to ensure availability. For reservations, please contact +91 7065011521.

The menu features over 45 unique and varied meal options to cater to diverse dietary and culinary preferences • Exciting fusion meals that blend the best of global cuisines with traditional Indian flavours • Industry-first options like Chaat, and Malabari Wrapper launched in June followed by Basil Shikanji and Khow Suey to be launched in July. Akasa Air, India’s fastest-growing airline, has announced an enhanced inflight food and beverage menu for Café Akasa, its onboard meal service. The new menu has been thoughtfully curated to include a variety of gourmet meals, snacks, and refreshing beverages to ensure there is something to cater to a wide range of dietary and culinary preferences. The menu refresh is a result of an extensive exercise undertaken by the airline, to understand customer preferences and consumer dining trends while staying true to its promise of delivering a unique and differentiated gastronomic experience in the skies. Elaborating on the menu refresh, Belson Coutinho, Co-Founder and Chief Marketing & Experience Officer, at Akasa Air said, “India’s rich food heritage and cultural diversity have been at the heart of our Café Akasa offering since inception. We constantly upgrade our menu in line with our promise to share the diverse essence of India and provide a memorable experience to our valued customers. With a commitment to inclusivity and culinary creativity, the new menu features over 45 meal options including fusion meals, appetizers with a regional twist, and decadent desserts – all of which present a unique fusion of Indian flavours and international favourites. Each dish has been meticulously craftedand is served with Akasa’s signature warm service to deliver an unforgettable gastronomic journey”. A fusion of global flavours and regional …

For every child, a father is an idol. He silently sacrifices his own happiness for the sake of his children, deserving to be cherished and respected. Celebrate the spirit of fatherhood at Soul Stories, where every moment is designed to create lasting memories. Whether your father enjoys adventure, relaxation, or simply spending quality time with loved ones, our resort has something special for everyone. To make this Father’s Day special, Soul Stories presents exclusive packages tailored to provide a memorable escape for fathers and their loved ones. Choose from a variety of accommodations, each offering breathtaking views, unparalleled service, and warm hospitality. To make your day more special, Soul Story has planned a special celebration with your father as a complimentary Fathers’ Day cake will surprise you at your room with complimentary cookies platter and 2 welcome drinks in the room as a welcome gesture. At an additional cost, you can book a special Live BBQ and Bonfire for your family. As the sun sets, enjoy an evening at our bar lounge with live BBQ and a cozy bonfire, creating the perfect atmosphere for fathers to unwind and connect with their families. The cost for 1-bedroom villas, The Thymos and The Eros starts at 15,000 per night, including breakfast.  Don’t miss out on this exclusive opportunity to make Father’s Day truly special. Book your stay at Soul Stories and give your father a celebration he’ll cherish forever.

Tittu Koikkaran , the Director of Sales & Marketing at Crowne Plaza Kochi, has been recognized as the best commercial leader on the property across all IHG hotels in the IMEA region. The prestigious award was presented by Mr. Tarek Labib, Head of Director – IMEA, along with Mr. Simon Augustus, Director of Commercial – IMEA Luxury & Lifestyle, and Mr. Morris Ryan, Regional Sales Director – IMEA. This accolade signifies Koikkaran exceptional leadership and strategic acumen in driving sales and marketing efforts at the hotel. Dinesh Rai, the General Manager of Crowne Plaza Kochi, expressed his pride in the achievement, stating that it is a great honor for the entire team. Such recognition also highlights the commitment of Crowne Plaza Kochi to excellence in hospitality and customer service within the IMEA region.