The five-star Sofitel Sydney Wentworth officially unveils its extensive $70 million refurbishment, with final completion set for November. Ushering in a new era of French-inspired luxury and understated grandeur, the rebirth of this Sydney icon coincides with the Diamond Jubilee of the global Sofitel brand, celebrating 60 years. The five-star Sofitel Sydney Wentworth unveils its extensive $70 million (AUD) refurbishment with final completion set for November. Created by Qantas in the 1960s, Sofitel Sydney Wentworth has a storied history, spanning over half a century. Central to the hotel’s refurbishment vision was reigniting the ’60s jet-set glamour that characterised its original charm when it opened as Australia’s premier international 5-star hotel, attracting royals, movie stars, and dignitaries. The aim was to modernise this golden era for the 21st century. The refurbishment encompassed 436 guest rooms and suites, the Sofitel Club Millésime, health and wellness centre (with exciting updates to come), public spaces including the grand entrance lobby, and state-of-the-art conference and event spaces. Pivotal to the transformation is Sofitel Sydney Wentworth’s partnership with prominent Sydney hospitality group House Made Hospitality. They have created an exceptional multi-venue drinking and dining precinct within the luxury hotel, with two restaurants – tilda and Delta Rue, two bars – bar tilda and Wentworth Bar, and one of Sydney’s largest outdoor terrace bars. With much of the refurbishment led by architecture and interior design firm FK, the hotel embodies the essence of ‘Modern Heritage.’ The building was originally designed in a post-war minimalist style, opening in 1966 with a modernist interior, and was the largest brick structure in the southern hemisphere. Enabling the building to reflect the spirit of its time, the design seeks to capture …

Air India and Singapore Airlines (SIA) have agreed to significantly expand their codeshare agreement, adding 11 Indian cities and another 40 international destinations to their network. This marks the first extensive expansion of codeshare arrangements between the airlines since 2010, offering customers enhanced travel options between Singapore and India, as well as beyond. From 27 October 2024, Air India and SIA will codeshare on each other’s flights between Singapore and the Indian cities of Bengaluru and Chennai, increasing their total weekly scheduled codeshare services between the countries to 56 from 14. SIA will codeshare on Air India’s domestic flights between Delhi and Amritsar, Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Lucknow, and Varanasi, between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Goa, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, and Thiruvananthapuram, as well as between Kolkata and Guwahati. Air India customers will be able to access 29 destinations across SIA’s network. These are Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney (Australia), Bandar Seri Begawan (Brunei), Phnom Penh and Siem Reap (Cambodia), Denpasar, Jakarta, Medan, and Surabaya (Indonesia), Fukuoka, Nagoya, Osaka, Tokyo-Haneda, and Tokyo-Narita (Japan), Busan and Seoul (South Korea), Kuala Lumpur and Penang (Malaysia), Auckland (New Zealand), Cebu and Manila (the Philippines), as well as Danang, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam). This includes existing codeshare arrangements to Kuala Lumpur. SIA customers will also be able to connect to Air India’s international services from Bengaluru, Delhi, and Mumbai to 12 destinations across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. These are Copenhagen (Denmark), Paris (France), Frankfurt (Germany), Milan (Italy), Nairobi (Kenya), Amsterdam (the Netherlands), Jeddah and Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), Colombo (Sri Lanka), as well as Birmingham, London-Gatwick, and London-Heathrow (the United Kingdom). Both airlines plan to progressively include other …

Novotel Jaipur Convention Centre and Jaipur Exhibition & Convention Centre – Managed by Accor, announced key appointments to its leadership team. Manik Vishnoi has been appointed as the new Director of Operations, bringing with him nearly two decades of experience in the Food & Beverage industry, having worked with brands like Marriott International, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), and Hyatt Hotels Corporation. Throughout his career, he has managed diverse teams across various cities. His journey includes positions at Hyatt Regency New Delhi, Grand Hyatt Mumbai, JW Marriott Mumbai, JW Marriott New Delhi Aerocity & Marriott Jaipur Convention Centre. Manik’s experience spans key locations such as Mumbai, Jaipur, Bengaluru, New Delhi and Kolkata, allowing him to cultivate a deep understanding of regional tastes and service styles. Most recently, he served as the Director of Food & Beverage at Hyatt Regency Kolkata, West Bengal. His expertise includes managing topline budgeting, revenue strategy, F&B promotions, along with cost control, pricing, guest satisfaction, and team development, making him a valuable asset to the company. Neha Choudhary joins as the Marketing & Communications Manager, bringing over 14 years of experience, including 10 years in journalism with leading publications like The Times of India Jaipur, Daily News and Analysis, and Rajasthan Patrika. After transitioning into corporate communications at AU Small Finance Bank, Neha moved into the hospitality sector, taking on marketing and communications at DoubleTree by Hilton Jaipur Amer. Her shift into hospitality has brought a fresh perspective, blending her expertise in content writing, public relations, marketing, and brand-building. Neha’s strategic leadership will be pivotal in driving the marketing efforts of this massive hotel complex and enhancing the brand image. Abhishek Sharma has been appointed as the …

Planning a visit to one of Australia’s wine regions? Get cosy with these Ultimate Winery Experiences, Australia overnight escapes, from luxury studios in Orange to charming cottages in the King Valley. Go glamping at Sirromet near Brisbane Just 40 minutes from Brisbane, Sanctuary by Sirromet offers a tranquil escape with a touch of luxury. Nestled amongst the native paperbark and giant scribbly gum trees, the luxurious tented glamping pavilion offers elegance, comfort and style, allowing guests to escape the everyday, reconnect with nature and experience everything Sirromet has to offer. Stays include breakfast each morning. TIP: Enjoy a mid-week stay when Sirromet is quieter, and take the time to explore the winery with a behind-the scenes tour and tutored wine tasting, followed by an onsite picnic in the beautiful surroundings. Kick back at Mandoon in the Swan Valley Located onsite at Mandoon Estate, Maya Maya is a luxurious gateway to the enchanting Swan Valley near Western Australia’s capital city of Perth. Nestled within this exclusive enclave are 32 elegantly appointed rooms looking out over the historic verdelho vines planted in 1895, and the serene banks of the Swan River. Meaning ‘camp’ in local Indigenous language, Maya Maya pays homage to the ancestral legacy of the Whadjuk Noongar people. TIP: Taste traditional bush foods and learn about local Indigenous culture from Noongar Elder, Dale Tilbrook with Mandoon’s Bush Tucker Tasting and Talk Experience. Pamper yourself near Printhie in Orange A 3.5-hour drive from Sydney in Orange, Printhie Wines has partnered with local luxury accommodation Basalt to offer an exclusive dine and stay package. The stay includes two nights at the architecturally designed luxury studios, set amongst a beautiful cherry orchard, each …

The Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) will hold its 16th annual Adventure Convention in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, from 3rd to 8th December 2024. The six-day convention will bring together adventure tourism professionals from across the country to explore and highlight Arunachal’s immense potential as India’s next premier adventure destination. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu firmly believes that the state holds incredible promise as India’s leading adventure tourism destination and expressed optimism that the convention will showcase the untapped opportunities Arunachal has to offer, bringing both economic growth and global recognition of Arunachal. State’s Tourism Minister P D Sona too underscores the importance of investment in adventure tourism that will not only drive economic development but also preserve the natural and cultural heritage of Arunachal Pradesh. He is of the opinion that nurturing sustainable tourism will create a bright future for India as a global adventure hub. The convention will feature a packed schedule of sessions, panel discussions, and awards recognising excellence in the industry. Adventure tourism leaders from across India will join local operators to foster partnerships, with an aim to create sustainable tourism models for Arunachal and beyond. Exclusive familiarisation (FAM) trips will allow attendees to explore the state’s breath-taking, unexplored terrains, showcasing its adventure potential. Preceding the convention, a specialised adventure guide training programme will be held in Itanagar, the state’s capital, led by experts to help build local capacity and professionalism in the adventure tourism sector. The unveiling of ATOAI’s roadmap for Arunachal Pradesh will further outline future growth and investment opportunities in the region. As per Ajeet Bajaj, President, ATOAI, the association is dedicated to making India one of the world’s premier destinations …

The 3rd Edition of the Autumn Festival, a precursor to the landmark 25th Edition of the iconic Hornbill Festival, concluded with grand success at Nagaland House on Sunday, 20 October. Organised by Nagaland Tourism in collaboration with the Chief Resident Commissioner of Nagaland House, and with the invaluable support of the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, the festival brought Nagaland’s rich cultural diversity to life over three vibrant days. From 18 to 20 October, visitors were treated to an immersive experience of Nagaland’s finest offerings in food, textiles, handicrafts, art, and music. The festival also showcased an impressive line-up of esteemed artists, local enterprises, and cultural treasures. Notable among them was Kintem, the renowned textile brand, which wowed audiences with a stunning fashion show, reflecting Nagaland’s artistic prowess and deep-rooted traditions.   BL Verma, Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Social Justice and Empowerment, graced the inaugural function along with Mugdha Sinha, IAS, Director General, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, as the chief guest, and Javier Manuel Paulinich Velarde, Ambassador of Peru in India, as the honoured guests for Day 1. Mugdha Sinha, IAS, Director General, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, who served as the Chief Guest, in her address, Sinha applauded the significant contributions of the Northeastern states, saying, “The Hornbill Festival has earned its place as a cherished cultural event, a brand that has come to symbolise the vibrancy of Nagaland. I hope the Autumn Festival gives Delhi’s residents a glimpse of Nagaland’s extraordinary handloom, handicraft, and culinary traditions, inspiring many to join us in celebrating the grand 25th Edition of the Hornbill Festival in Kisama, Nagaland.” Day 2 was …

SKAL International India announced the recent appointments of four distinguished members to key positions at SKAL International, the world’s leading organisation of travel and tourism professionals. These announcements were made at the ongoing 83rd Skal World Congress 2024 at Izmir, Turkey. This marks a significant milestone for SKAL India, reflecting its growing influence within the global tourism industry. N S N Mohan has been nominated and elected as Deputy Vice President of SKAL International, a testament to his leadership and dedication to fostering camaraderie within the travel and tourism community. His appointment is expected to strengthen SKAL’s global initiatives and further enhance cooperation among international chapters. This historic moment marks the first time in the 90-year history of Skål International that an Asian and Indian has been elected to this prestigious position. N S N Mohan is currently serving as Director of Finance for Skål International in 2024. Valmiki Kishan has been named Deputy Auditor of SKAL International, taking on a crucial role in overseeing financial transparency and accountability within the organisation. His expertise and commitment will ensure SKAL’s continued financial integrity. P Saravanan Palanivelu from SKAL International India – Chennai and Vani Subhas of SKAL International – Hyderabad have been honoured as Membre D’Honneur, one of the highest accolades within SKAL International, recognising their extraordinary contributions and lifelong commitment to the organisation. These prestigious appointments highlight the exceptional leadership emerging from SKAL India, further solidifying the country’s position within the global tourism industry. Speaking on the appointments, Sanjeev Mehra, President, SKAL International India, stated, “We are extremely proud of NSN Mohan, Valmiki Kishan, P Saravanan, and Vani Subhas. Their achievements reflect not only their personal dedication but also SKAL …

Stone Wood Hotels & Resorts announced the opening of its newest property in Rishikesh, located in the serene and spiritual heart of Uttarakhand. Nestled in the prime location of Upper Tapovan on the Badrinath Highway, the new Stone Wood Rishikesh offers an unparalleled blend of modern amenities and natural beauty, making it the perfect destination for travellers seeking both relaxation and adventure. This new hotel offers easy access to the region’s most iconic attractions, including the famous Laxman Jhula, Parmarth Niketan, Ram Jhula, Beatles Ashram, and several rafting points along the Ganges. Conveniently situated just 8.7 kilometers from Rishikesh Railway Station and 23 kilometers from Jolly Grant Airport, Stone Wood Rishikesh is ideally placed for visitors to explore Rishikesh and the nearby town of Haridwar. The property features 37 spacious and well-appointed rooms, each designed to provide comfort and relaxation with private balconies, high-speed Wi-Fi, LED TVs, tea/coffee makers, and more. Guests will also enjoy a variety of premium amenities, including a multicuisine restaurant offering Indian, Chinese, and Western dishes, a coffee shop, and an inviting swimming pool. Stone Wood Rishikesh also boasts a luxurious spa, indoor games for children, banquet spaces, and conference facilities, catering to a wide range of guest needs—from family vacations to business conferences. “As we expand into Rishikesh, we are excited to offer guests a unique stay that combines the comforts of home with the luxuries of a resort in one of India’s most spiritually significant and naturally beautiful locations,” said Shikhar Kumar, MD, Stone Wood Hotels & Resorts. “Our goal is to elevate the travel experience in Rishikesh, catering to the diverse needs of families, solo travellers, and adventure enthusiasts,” he added. With this …

Located in Maharashtra, close to the Khawasa and Khursapar Gates Four acres of secluded wilderness setting Spacious rooms and tents with sit-outs Alfresco restaurant and treetop machan for private dining experience Sterling Holiday Resorts – India’s leading leisure hospitality brand has announced its second resort in Pench, on the Maharashtra side of the Pench wildlife sanctuary. The resort is conveniently located just off NH44 and easily accessible from Nagpur. The four-acre property is embellished by manicured lawns and flagstone paths and is a green haven, making it an ideal getaway from Nagpur. Located close to and midway between the Khawasa and Khursapar Gate, it can be an ideal base to explore the Pench wildlife sanctuary. The resort has a choice of villa-styled rooms and large Luxury Tents, all equipped with a sit-out for guests to relax and enjoy the serene surroundings especially in the evenings. The rooms give a rustic look from outside, blending well with the surroundings, while they are equipped with all the modern amenities for a comfortable stay. Special features include open-to-sky showers, bathtubs with a separate shower area and premier rooms have a dedicated powder room within and a private lawn space outside. “Sigri” is an open-format restaurant that provides a unique dining experience with beautiful views of the serene surroundings. One can enjoy popular favorites and delicious local dishes from Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. The “Machan” provides a tree-top dining experience ideal to enjoy a private celebration dinner, or a special gathering while enjoying the views of the surroundings. The resort also boasts of a 4,500 sq.ft. banqueting space, and a 20,000 sq.ft lawn, ideal for small conferences, intimate gatherings and celebrating social events and …

New Indonesia Electronic Visa on Arrival (e-VoA) service to commence in the first half of December 2024. Dedicated email and live support to be available in seven languages – English, Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, German, and French. Multilingual website to be available in seven languages – English, Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, German, and French. Group booking facility to be available for the benefit of travel trade and conventions. The Directorate General of Immigration under the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, Indonesia has appointed VFS Global, the world’s largest outsourcing and technology services specialist for governments and diplomatic missions, as the exclusive private service provider for Electronic Visa on Arrival (e-VoA) to make the process seamless, promote inbound tourism, increase investments into Indonesia, and enhance overall traveller experience. VFS Global’s new e-VoA platform, set to commence in the first half of December 2024, will be available for nationals of the 97 countries eligible for e-VoA, including India. Travellers will soon be able to enjoy a quicker and smoother visa application journey through VFS Global by completing the entire process online before departure and receiving a pre-approved e-VoA. The e-VoA can be easily obtained by visiting VFS Global website, submitting all the required documents, and paying the necessary fees online prior to travel. Once the application is submitted, travellers can receive their visas on their email before departure. With the payment having been made online, travellers can enjoy a smoother and faster entry experience through E-gates or immigration counters. Silmy Karim, Director General, Immigration of Indonesia, said, “The Directorate General of Immigration offers the latest digital solutions that enhance the experience for foreign nationals who wish to visit Indonesia. In our …