Somali Bajpai has been appointed as the Cluster Marketing Manager for Crowne Plaza New Delhi Mayur Vihar and Holiday Inn Katra, bringing a strategic, dynamic, and creative approach to enhance the brand presence and market penetration for both the hotels. Somali’s strategy will focus on enhancing Crowne Plaza New Delhi Mayur Vihar’s positioning as a vibrant destination catering to both business and leisure travellers in the capital city. She plans to implement innovative storytelling, curated events, and tailored PR and digital campaigns that resonate deeply with diverse set of guests & clients. At Holiday Inn Katra, Somali aims to leverage the hotel’s serene surroundings to attract spiritual and adventure-seeking travellers. Her approach will include crafting unique, compelling narratives and creating memorable experiences that highlight Katra’s tranquil yet adventurous allure. Veenu Rastogi, Area Director of Sales and Marketing, IHG South West Asia and DOSM, Crowne Plaza Mayur Vihar. said, “Somali is known for her knack for creating strategic collaborations with media and industry partners. Her appointment signifies a strategic initiative to innovate marketing strategies and reinforce the market positioning of both Crowne Plaza New Delhi Mayur Vihar and Holiday Inn Katra within the IHG portfolio.” With a robust background at leading PR agencies such as Ad factors PR, PR Pundit, and roles at HT City and DD News, Somali brings a profound understanding of media dynamics and consumer behaviour. Her successful tenure at Crowne Plaza New Delhi Okhla, marked by award-winning food festivals, demonstrates her ability to drive marketing and public relations initiatives. Somali has been recognized as a young achiever with notable awards, including the PR Moments 30 Under 30, Exchange4Media 30 Under 30, and the Women Achiever’s Award by …

Since 2002, dcs plus has empowered travel players to stay relevant in this constantly evolving sector. Backed up by valuable insights gathered while working closely with travel professionals, dcs plus has designed a full software stack of business-critical solutions, addressing the complex needs of all types of travel operators. dcs plus is involved in business transformation projects in more than 60 markets, enabling travel agencies to become more operationally efficient and competitive, through an end-to-end technology platform with Travel ERP at its core. Having 2 of the largest European Venture Capital Funds, EarlyBird and Credo Venture as shareholders reconfirms the sustained dedication and drive of the dcs plus team in helping travel agencies maximize revenue and improve process efficiency while optimizing operating costs. dcs plus is the only travel tech company that offer an enterprise-grade, business critical end to end solution addressing the needs of all types of travel operators at a global scale, regardless of its business model or market. Either if we are talking about travel management companies (TMCs) or destination management companies (DMCs), tour operators, OTAs or the regular business and leisure travel agencies – everything is covered. dcs plus’s solutions perform across the travel distribution chain, from managing the full mid-back office operations (using TINA), creating and managing owned inventory (using AIDA) to aggregating and distributing travel content (using IRIX), developing fully functioning B2C website (using TRIP) or addressing the corporate travel needs (through NOVA). Headquartered in Bucharest, Romania, dcs plus targets the global market with regional offices in Dubai, Singapore, Buenos Aires and Gurgaon. dcs plus India Office 301, Unitech Cyber Park, 3rd floor, Tower A, Durga Colony, Sector 39, Gurugram, Haryana 122003, India

The Hosteller, India’s largest backpacker hostel chain, is elated to announce the launch of Bam Hotels, a new venture aimed at catering to a broader audience in the hospitality sector. Recognizing the evolving needs of travelers, The Hosteller Management identified an opportunity to extend their offerings beyond the backpacker demographic. With 95% of The Hosteller’s customer segment falling between the ages of 18-30, Bam Hotels seeks to provide a seamless experience for travelers aged 30 and above, offering a sophisticated and comfortable stay while retaining the essence of The Hosteller’s ethos. Bam Hotels are conceptually founded on five key elements designed to cater to the evolving needs of modern travelers. Embracing a smart approach, these hotels are set to feature tech-first innovations such as zero touchpoint check-in/out and digital room and concierge services. The minimalistic design ethos intertwines luxury with simplicity, offering guests a refined experience. Always aiming to stay ahead, Bam Hotels adopts a futuristic mindset, continuously innovating to disrupt traditional hospitality norms. The accommodations are chic, crafted to appeal to the sophisticated tastes of contemporary travelers. Additionally, the hotels promote community living, encouraging connections and interactions among guests. In the short term, Bam Hotels plans to launch a pilot project with fewer than 10 properties in 2024. The goal is to establish Bam as India’s smartest direct-to-consumer (D2C) hotel brand, creating excitement around its innovative features like zero touchpoint check-in/out and reception-less hotels. Looking ahead, Bam Hotels aims to expand to over 100 properties in India within the next five years, becoming the preferred choice for tech-first, mid to high-level income group travelers. Addressing the occasion, the spokesperson for The Hosteller, said, “Imagine staying in a hotel where there …

–  International Museum Day on 18th May – The first City Museum of the state will be built in the left wing of Moti Mahal in Bhopal, while the right-wing will house the Mahapratapi Raja Bhoj Sangrahalaya – New cultural experience to be gained at Tribal Museum with 7 additional houses of 7 major tribes of the state In a historic move, the Government of India has approved the establishment of the first-ever City Museum in Bhopal. The Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board is setting up the Bhopal City Museum at the left wing of Moti Mahal is a one-of-its-kind project of the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board to bring forth a Tourist Interpretation Centre / Citizen Engagement Centre for the heritage and culture lovers. Principal Secretary of Tourism and Culture and Managing Director of the Tourism Board Mr. Sheo Shekhar Shukla said that Moti Mahal is an important heritage site in the city and with the high significance of the building, the proposed museum with 11 galleries will focus on the rich history of Bhopal and Madhya Pradesh covering the Historical and Geographical context of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal district and the formation of the city of Bhopal in particular. This highly anticipated museum will showcase the rich tapestry of the region’s history and culture. Visitors can expect to be dazzled by a collection of prehistoric rock paintings, stone tools, archaeological finds, stamps, attire of king and queens from Bhopal and surrounding areas, ancient sculptures, temple remains, and exquisite art from the Bhopal Nawab period. Modern technology will be utilised to create an engaging and informative experience for all age groups. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Government of Madhya Pradesh is …

Leading the visionary path of the new wave in cruising is Avalon Waterways. Avalon Waterways has redefined river cruising by blending luxury, customization, and attention to detail to create unparalleled travel experiences. With their innovative Suite Ships, featuring the only Open-Air Balconies, and delivering immersive local experiences, Avalon invites travelers to see the world from the unique perspective of the legendary European rivers. In the mission to ensure their travel partners receive a sample of what the experience offers, Avalon Waterways, in partnership with Ottila International hosted a memorable river cruise familiarization on the Danube River, sailing from Vilshofen, Germany to Budapest, Hungary. The select partners sailed on “Danube Dreams” which is a favorite program with many discerning cruisers. They were hosted aboard “Avalon Envision” from amongst the youngest fleet of ships on Europe’s waterways – and witnessed some of Europe’s most spectacular picture postcards views. Mr. Varesh Chopra, Managing Director – Avalon Waterways, South Asia & Middle East said, “Along with Ottila International, we got the privilege of introducing our esteemed partners to the magic of Avalon Waterways cruises and also enriching the knowledge of those already familiar with the brand. The feedback from the advisors has been truly overwhelming!” This demonstrates our dedication to providing unforgettable travel experiences and fostering lasting relationships within the travel agent community. It also underscores the growing interest in river cruising, with Avalon Waterways leading the charge of Mission River Cruising in India. Adding more excitement to this entire effort are the unbeatable deals being offered aboard Avalon waterways in 2024 – so, if your savvy travelers have been looking to explore Europe in a whole new way – There is no comparison …

Roseate Hotels & Resorts has partnered with Paris-based hospitality AI SuperApp, Quicktext to benefit from cutting-edge AI technology for their hotels based in the UK. The brand proffers a collection of seven luxury hotels across India and the United Kingdom, characterised by their unique charm, immaculate hospitality, highest standards of service and attention to the finest detail. Each of the hotels is strategically located and offers its guests a bespoke experience that has been well recognized and featured by key travel and hospitality media across the world. Following an engaging and meticulous process of research, this strategic partnership began with the introduction of Rose, the virtual assistant modelled specifically to reflect the benchmark service standards the brand is synonymous with: optimize guests’ interactions, enrich communication at every touchpoint, boost guest satisfaction, streamline operations and, last but not least, immaculate service. Best of all, the continuous analysis of big data (via (Q-Data & Q-Channel) is delivering actionable insights to Roseate Hotels & Resorts for new high value services, revenue management and personalized marketing campaigns. Quicktext also provides services to optimize sales and content (Q-Sales, Q-SEO, Q-Dynamic). Quicktext, the hospitality AI SuperApp is deeply impacting the world of hospitality marketing and operation with its outstanding, innovative solutions based on Q-Brain+, the hybridisation of classic conversational AI and generative AI. Ravi Birdy, Executive Director, Roseate Hotels & Resorts said, “We encourage and thrive on a culture of immaculate service, evolution, dynamism and growth! As part of our brand vision, we are on a constant quest to improve our products and services in order to offer an enriched, bespoke experience to our guests. The promising avenues that AI has opened today in the world …

LOT Polish Airlines to lease three new E195-E2s from Azorra. All deliveries to take place between end July and Q3 2024. LOT Polish Airlines was the launch customer for Embraer’s first E-jet in March 2004. LOT Polish Airlines will add the Embraer E195-E2 to their fleet to enhance operational flexibility and accommodate network expansion. LOT will lease three new E195-E2 from Azorra, reaffirming their commitment to sustainable growth with the addition of the 25% more efficient E2 to their fleet. The first jet will arrive by the end of July this year, with all aircraft deliveries completed in Q3 2024. LOT requires a flexible solution for its capacity needs as the airline’s network grows. The E2 allows a seamless transition over just a few days for LOT’s existing E1 flight crews, and offers a spacious and comfortable cabin experience for passengers, delivering an unmatched travel experience with no middle seats. The new E2s also add flexibility, complementing LOTs larger narrow body aircraft at similar seat costs. Michał Fijoł, CEO of LOT Polish Airlines said, “Embracing the future with a nod to our pioneering past, we are pleased to announce the lease of three state-of-the-art Embraer E195-E2 jets from Azorra. This enhancement to our fleet not only marks our continued commitment to sustainable aviation but also celebrates our partnership with Embraer since the introduction of the first E-jet in 2004. With the E195-E2’s efficiency and passenger comfort, we are set to enhance our network, introducing additional frequencies to selected destinations.” Arjan Meijer, President and CEO, Embraer Commercial Aviation, said, “LOT is a pioneer airline, the global launch customer for the E-jets, and though 90 airlines have since operated the aircraft – …

Bird Academy, the esteemed educational arm of Bird Group, a prominent conglomerate, has received a ground-breaking invitation from the Odisha Government’s Skill Development & Technical Education Department. This collaboration aims to pioneer skill development and technical education among the youth in Odisha under the innovative scheme named Nutana Unnata Abhilasha , Odisha. In response to this invitation, Bird Academy is committed to meticulously designing specialized education and training programs tailored for the youth in Odisha. The primary focus is on providing them with the skills necessary to secure sustainable employment opportunities in the rapidly expanding fields of Aviation and Hospitality, where currently no such facilities exist in the state. The overarching objective is to cultivate a multi-skilled, competent, and efficient workforce that bridges the considerable skill gap prevalent in these sectors. According to the skill gap report from the Aerospace and Aviation Sector Skill Council, there is a potential for over 1.5 lakh jobs in the ground handling segment alone. In the hospitality sector, as per the Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council, there is a shortage of about 3.5 lakhs skilled individuals. Bird Academy, drawing from its expertise, will offer specialized training in airport ground handling at its facility in Kochi, Kerala, and pilot training in housekeeping, food & beverage, and front office management at Roseate Hotels & Resorts in New Delhi. The initial phase will witness pilot batches undergoing training, with the first batch of 17 students already joining the institute in Cochin on December 14, 2023. Subsequently, a batch of 60 students will undergo training in Delhi for various roles in hospitality, including Room Boy, Steward/Waiter, and Kitchen – Commi. Radha Bhatia, Chairperson of Bird Group, expressed her …

JW Marriott New Delhi is delighted to declare the appointment of Neha Kapoor as its new Director of Rooms. Ms. Kapoor brings a wealth of experience to this role, boasting over 14 years of success in the hospitality industry. Throughout her career, she has consistently demonstrated a commitment to driving guest satisfaction, revenue growth, and operational excellence. Having received prestigious accolades such as the BW Hotelier – Director of Rooms award (East) for 2023 and the Hotelier India – Best Front Office Manager award for 2021, Neha brings a proven ability to drive results. Her career spans across renowned hospitality brands, where she consistently demonstrated outstanding leadership and achieved remarkable milestones. In her most recent position as Director of Rooms at the JW Marriott Kolkata, Ms. Kapoor spearheaded all aspects of the rooms division. This included overseeing room inventory management, guest experience, and maintenance. A seasoned leader with a passion for hospitality, Ms. Kapoor is highly respected within the industry for her exceptional skills across various areas. Her comprehensive understanding of both rooms and engineering operations allows her to ensure seamless guest experiences while maintaining the highest standards of quality and comfort. A champion of guest satisfaction, she boasts a proven track record of exceeding expectations. Ms. Kapoor is also a strategic thinker with a keen focus on maximizing revenue and profitability, while her natural leadership abilities inspire and motivate her team members to achieve their full potential. In her own words, Neha Kapoor shares, “My vision is to curate an unparalleled guest experience defined by impeccable service, exquisite comfort, and unwavering attention to detail. With a dedication to innovation and personalized hospitality, we strive to exceed every expectation, creating …

Enhances permissible weight of pet carriage to 10kgs in cabin Achieves milestone of carrying more than 3,200 pets since the launch of Pets on Akasa service Akasa Air, India’s most dependable airline, recently declare key enhancements to its pet-travel service – Pets on Akasa. Moreover, the airline has also crossed the milestone of carrying 3,200+ pets since the service launched in November 2022. As part of the enhancements, Akasa Air now allows customers to travel with pets weighing up to 10 kgs in the cabin – an increase from the previous limit of 7 kgs. This change has been introduced keeping customer feedback in mind, reflecting the airline’s commitment to continuously enhance its services to meet the evolving travel needs of its customers. In addition, Akasa Air is implementing an enhanced travel certificate policy to provide greater flexibility for customers. Travel certificates issued for pets will now remain valid for up to 15 days instead of three days, adding convenience for customers booked on return for short-term travel. Customers travelling for longer than 15 days will be required to obtain a new travel certificate. Customers booked with their pets on Akasa Air, also enjoy a host of complimentary value-added services such as a pre-booked window seat, priority baggage delivery and priority boarding that elevates their flying experience. Akasa Air has invested in extensive research and training across its customer care centre, airports, and in-flight teams, underscoring the airline’s dedication towards maintaining the highest standards of care, safety, and comfort throughout the journey. Furthermore, Akasa Air has also partnered with Umeed for Animals Foundation to implement best practices by collaborating across processes and policies to continuously enhance pet comfort and safety. …