Mr. Prakash Bedi, Vice President of Clarks Safari The budget sounded optimistic and growth-oriented. The doubling of FDI to 596 billion US dollars, is an encouraging sign for the whole economy. The main push in this interim budget is boosting tourism at the state level. The announcement of interest-free loans to the state for maintaining iconic tourist centers will witness more footfalls. We always believed that India needs more tourist spots, and monuments, to be branded and marketed. This budget addressed this need. The government showed will towards further developing rail and air infrastructure. Opening of 517 new routes carrying 1.3 crore passengers boosted domestic travel, and seeing the surge in demand the Indian carriers have placed orders for 1000 new aircraft. The focus on tourism is back, also with the opening of Ram Mandir, spiritual tourism is back in focus. Recently members of the Karak Clan from South Korea visited the temple and paid tributes to Lord Rama. This is a positive signal, in the coming days we can witness more international tourists from South East Asia visiting India for spiritual purposes. The surge of the Indian middle class will further boost domestic tourism.

M/s Akama Hotel Ltd. a hotel development and investment company based  in Nepal, today declare the signing of a franchise agreement with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts for a new hotel development under the midscale Ramada by Wyndham brand in Kathmandu, Nepal. Kathmandu is the capital and most populous city of Nepal. It is located in the Kathmandu Valley, a large valley in the high plateaus in central Nepal, at an altitude of 4,600 feet. It lies in a hilly region near the confluence of the Baghmati and Vishnumati rivers, at an elevation of 4,344 feet above sea level. The city was the royal capital of the Kingdom of Nepal and hosts palaces, mansions and gardens built by the Nepali aristocracy. Nepal is the headquarters of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. The city is home to several World Heritage Sites: The Durbar Square, Swayambhu Mahachaitya, Bouddha and Pashupatinath. Proposed hotel is situated just 3 kms from the Pashupatinath Temple a UNESCO world heritage site and 4.5 kms from the Tribhuvan International Airport and have great views of the Kathmandu Valley. Expected to open in 2024, Ramada by Wyndham Kathmandu Dhumbarai will have a modern design 109 contemporary rooms and a host of amenities including a lobby lounge, an all-day dining restaurant & bar, health club, spa, swimming pool, meeting room and a business center. Mr. Binaya Kumar Shrestha, Chairman, M/s Akama Hotel Ltd said, “We are pleased to partner with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, which is the world largest hotel franchise company in the world and introduce the Ramada by Wyndham brand in the city of Kathmandu. We are working closely with team Wyndham to convert the hotel to …

JW Marriott New Delhi “Celebrate love this Valentine’s Day with ADRIFT Kaya’s special dinner for two. Indulge in a three-course meal featuring delicious options such as yellowtail sashimi in hot ginger oil, chicken karaage with karashi mayo, and spicy salmon chirashi with black tobiko furikake. The menu is inspired by Chef David Myers’ love for Japan and features pristine quality produce carefully. Enjoy the sumptuous but relaxed surroundings designed by world-renowned Timothy Oulton Studio. End your meal on a sweet note at the Chocolate Room with assorted chocolates, chocolate fountain, and heart cake on center. Book your table now at ADRIFT Kaya for an unparalleled hospitality experience this Valentine’s Day”

The Clarks Hotels & Resorts, has launched its second property in beautiful Sri Lanka, this move puts the chain well in place to enter into the luxury leisure segment and increase the brands international footprint further. Celestial Hills, a boutique luxury resort, is nestled in the picturesque city of Kandy, the resorts blending in seamlessly with nature, features 11 luxury private villas, each with their own private plunge pools, an outdoor shower and a large balcony all looking into Hatana and Knuckle mountain ranges. The resort also features a local cuisine restaurant, where guests can experience local flavors looking over some fabulous views. The spa, consists of 2 treatment rooms with a range of therapies that our guests can choose from. The pool, nestled in between the trees, is a perfect afternoon spot to relax. The visitors can explore Kandy, which is  a cultural jewel with UNESCO-listed sites, vibrant markets, and tranquil lakes and immerse in a cultural odyssey with the rhythmic beats of Kandyan drums and engagements with local artisans. Mr. Rahul Deb Banerjee, Vice President of The Clarks Hotels & Resorts, ‘Our strategy involves both national and international expansion. With our unique property in Sri Lanka, we aim to provide travellers with exceptional experiences. As the Sri Lankan government promotes tourism and domestic interest grows, we anticipate a surge in tourism. We are actively promoting Sri Lanka as our new international destination, offering Indian travellers our renowned hospitality globally.’

In conjunction with the state visit of the French President Emmanuel Macron to India, Akasa Air and CFM International today declare an agreement to purchase CFM LEAP-1B engines to power 150 Boeing 737 MAX airplanes, the sale of which was announced last week. The agreement also includes spare engines and a services contract. The Mumbai-based operator launched its operations in August 2022 and had previously ordered a total of 76 LEAP-1B- powered 737-8 aircraft, of which 22 are currently in service. Mr. Vinay Dube, Founder and CEO of Akasa Air said, “This significant, long-term agreement is a testament to the confidence that CFM International has in Akasa Air. Continuing to partner with CFM as our engine maintenance provider not only reaffirms our focus on operational reliability but equally underscores Akasa Air’s relentless pursuit of world-class safety.” “With CFM as our long-term engine maintenance provider, we remain confident in our path to becoming one of the top 30 leading airlines in the world, by the turn of this decade”, he added. This new order grows CFM’s footprint in India, with more than 400 CFM-powered aircraft in service and 2,500 LEAP engines in the backlog. Both CFM’s parent companies GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines have also significantly invested in India to build state-of-the-art facilities dedicated to LEAP production and maintenance, while signing strategic partnerships with Indian aerospace companies as part of the “Make in India” policy. Gaël Méheust, president & CEO of CFM International said, “Our customers, including Akasa, are seeing 15 to 20 percent better fuel efficiency with their LEAP-powered fleets and it has the highest reliability and daily utilization rates in this thrust class.” “Today’s order will continue to bring these benefits …

The Lalit has become the first hotel chain globally to have all its hotels accredited by International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association’s (IGTLA) program. This milestone reflects the group’s unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusivity. DEI practices have been at the heart and helm of all endeavours at The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group. The group is one of the first hotel chains in India to have initiated conversations and curated safe spaces for the inclusion of LGBTQIA+ communities across their hotels, restaurants and nightclub. The Lalit is often considered as a leader for the Corporate India as far as DEI initiatives go. There are more than 200 openly LGBTQIA+ team members in The Lalit’s workforce. The group has not only met, but exceeded the IGTLA framework of eight key criteria, namely diversity, equity, inclusivity, policy, community, advocacy, transparency, and sensitivity. Mr. Keshav Suri, Executive Director of The Lalit Hotels stated, “Securing IGLTA accreditation goes beyond recognition; it underscores our unwavering commitment to fostering a travel industry that celebrates diversity, inclusivity, and the freedom to explore without judgment. We’re dedicated to empowering marginalized communities, providing dignified livelihoods, and creating an environment where everyone is genuinely embraced for their authentic selves. This achievement not only fills us with pride as the first global hotel chain to attain it but also positions India as an inclusive nation, ready to elevate LGBTQIA+ tourism experiences.”  

When Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer meets Indian Olympic Gold medalist Neeraj Chopra in Zurich, the world sits up and takes notice. After all, not often do you see two dedicated, charming, and passionate sportspersons who’ve done their respective countries proud, occupy the same space! Switzerland Tourism, however, has set the ball rolling by uniting these two great icons who belong to different worlds of sport — Tennis and Javelin Throw — at Zurich’s La Réserve Eden au Lac for a casual and free-flowing conversation. The rendezvous was marked by mutual respect, admiration, and shared stories of triumph and dedication between the two stars. Federer, known for his longevity and prowess on and off the tennis court, warmly welcomed Neeraj who is also Switzerland Tourism’s Friendship Ambassador, to his home country. Neeraj Chopra said, “It’s a dream come true for me to meet Roger Federer here in Zurich. I have always admired his skill, his spirit of true sportsmanship and his ability to inspire millions around the world. Today, however, what inspired me the most was his humility and his easy-going charm that made me feel so comfortable in his presence. We had a wonderful time exchanging notes about our respective passions and life’s experiences on and off the field.” Roger Federer was equally excited meeting Neeraj and shared, “I am amazed by how much Neeraj has achieved personally and for his country through his grit and determination. It’s been great to meet him here in Zurich.” Other than sharing a great love for sports, they also share a common love for Switzerland! Roger Federer is the global ambassador for Switzerland Tourism and Neeraj Chopra is the board’s Friendship Ambassador …

Ivory Destinations Pvt. Ltd. further plans to expand its footprint by opening 2 new leisure properties in the mountain state of Uttarakhand.  The properties with be located in Mukteshwar & Ranikhet and are expected to be operational by 2024 & 2025 respectively. While both will provide a different flavor of the holiday experience, both will be family holiday retreats, like its flagship property The Golden Tusk. The Company also recently concluded expansion in its flagship property The Golden Tusk in Jim Corbett National Park taking its inventory to 64 Suites & Villas. The Golden Tusk, a property spread in over 10 acres of land is located at a short 5-minute drive from the Jhirna & Dhela safari zones of Corbett Tiger Reserve. The exquisitely landscaped resort is home to exotic flora from across the globe and over 100 species of Birds. With this immersive backdrop of nature, the Resort offers a complete offering guaranteeing a memorable holiday experience to the travelers – wildlife itineraries, excursions, daily in-house activities, play zones, 2 swimming pools, a spa, bar, unique dining venues & banqueting facilities are some such experiences that guests can indulge in. The Resort also adheres to Responsible tourism practices and constantly strives to work closely with local communities and authorities, creating opportunities for the local economy, and implementing systems to optimize its operational footprint. Mr. Anirudh Lakhotia, Director, of Ivory Destination shares, “We feel immensely happy & excited about our plans to open two properties in Uttrakhand which should be the next milestone in our growth story. Our forte is to deliver a unique & memorable holiday experience to leisure travelers and both the new properties will only be a …

To mark its 25th anniversary and to signal its future-driven business approach, Hahnair is introducing a new brand identity. The contemporary logo, vibrant colour palette and visual appearance underscore the company’s position as a global force in aviation distribution and its commitment to taking a leading role in the distribution landscape of the future. The new brand appearance is the first step in a series of new developments to accompany the company’s anniversary celebrations. Kirsten Rehmann, CEO of Hahnair, comments on the company’s past and future developments: “25 years ago, Hahnair transformed airline distribution and moved to become a connecting force between travel agents and airlines. The travel industry has always been competitive and dynamic. We are proud to have been contributing to our partners’ successes over the past two and a half decades and we extend a heartfelt thank you for their trust and collaboration. Our exceptional team of experts has always been supporting them with the right solutions at the right time. It is therefore only a natural continuation of our story to offer airlines and travel agencies smart and forward-looking solutions that equip them for the future. We are proud to be sharing exciting new developments throughout our anniversary year.” In 1999, the founders, Hans Nolte and Nico Gormsen, started Hahnair’s ticketing business to expand airlines’ distribution reach beyond their key markets, while at the same time providing travel agencies around the world with additional ticketing opportunities. Today, the partner portfolio of the distribution specialist spans more than 350 partner airlines and more than 100,000 travel agencies in 190 markets. To learn more about Hahnair and its solutions for travel agencies and airlines, visit www.hahnair.com.  

The historic Ram Raja Temple in Orchha celebrated the momentous occasion of Pran Pratishtha, marking the consecration of Lord Shri Ram’s divine presence in Ayodhya on January 22, 2024. This unique temple holds a distinctive position as the only place where Lord Shri Ram is worshipped not only as a God but also as a King. Originally the palace of Queen Orchha, the temple’s fascinating history traces back to the 16th century AD as a testament of queen’s profound devotion. When the Chaturbhuj Temple was undergoing its finishing stages, the queen acquired a statue of Lord Shri Ram from the sacred Sarayu River in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. Due to the temple’s ongoing construction at the time, the queen placed the statue in the palace’s kitchen overnight. Miraculously, the next day, Lord Ram refused to be moved from that spot, turning the palace into a divine temple. Since that miraculous day, the Ram Raja Temple has been witness to the daily Guard of Honour bestowed upon King Shri Ram, emphasizing the unique dual role of the deity as both a divine figure and a royal sovereign. Under the dedicated leadership of Commissioner Smt. Urmila Shukla, the Directorate of Archaeology, Archives, and Museums, Government of Madhya Pradesh, has been steadfast in its efforts to preserve and protect the rich cultural and heritage assets of Orchha. The Directorate’s commitment extends to safeguarding prestigious monuments such as the Chaturbhuj Temple, Jahangir Mahal, Cenotaphs of Orchha, Raja Mahal, Laxmi Temple, and numerous other historical marvels. The Directorate of Archaeology has garnered commendable recognition for its relentless work in the conservation and preservation of the state’s monuments and artifacts. Smt Urmila Shukla’s leadership has been instrumental …