Singapore Airlines (SIA) will become the world’s only airline to serve the iconic Cristal 2015 champagne, following an exclusive agreement with leading French champagne house Louis Roederer. Cristal 2015, which is celebrated for its exceptional quality and refined taste, will be served in SIA’s Airbus A380 Suites and Boeing 777-300ER First Class cabins from 1 December, 2024. Initially available on flights between Singapore and Delhi, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, Paris, Shanghai, Sydney, and Tokyo, the offering will rotate to other Suites and First-Class routes on a three-month rotational basis. Crafted by cellar master Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon, Cristal 2015 blends 40 per cent Chardonnay and 60 per cent Pinot Noir, sourced from 45 vineyard plots across Louis Roederer’s seven Grands Crus. It exemplifies meticulous attention to detail, from a bespoke, sustainable viticulture approach of Louis Roederer’s exceptional Grand Cru vineyards to the artful blending and extended cellar ageing that gives the wine its depth and elegance. Yeoh Phee Teik, Senior Vice President Customer Experience, Singapore Airlines, said: “This partnership between two world-class brands demonstrates Singapore Airlines’ commitment to elevating the travel experience for our discerning customers. Exclusively offering a premium champagne like Cristal 2015 will delight our Suites and First-Class customers, and ensures that they continue to enjoy an unparalleled, luxurious journey with us.” Frédéric Rouzaud, Chief Executive Officer, Champagne Louis Roederer, said: “Cristal 2015 delivers intense and delicious aromas with superb energy and an ethereal vibration. This is a timeless champagne of supreme balance and measure, resonating with the chalkiness of its soils, bursting forth in a bracing, vertical effervescence, with an insistent, precise, and finely honed freshness. We are really delighted that our iconic Cristal champagne has been chosen …

The Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), the third largest hospitality association in the world, in collaboration with the National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology (NCHMCT) and the Hotel & Restaurant Association of Northern India (HRANI), successfully hosted the HR Summit on Education and Career in Hospitality on 14th November, 2024 at Hotel Le Meridien, New Delhi. The event was inaugurated by Gyan Bhushan, IES, CEO, NCHMCT, and brought together over 200 industry leaders, educators, and government representatives to discuss the future of hospitality education and career opportunities in India. FHRAI hosted the HR Summit with over 200 industry leaders, educators, and government representatives. The summit focused on major challenges in hospitality, such as the shortage of skilled workers, low student enrolment, and high employee turnover. FHRAI shared a report on the key challenges facing India’s hospitality sector. Discussions emphasised the need for collaboration between industry, educational institutions, and the government to close the skills gap and build a stronger workforce. The summit had three important sessions on career opportunities, improving enrolment and retention, and managing human resources in hospitality. FHRAI, NCHMCT, and HRANI discussed the importance of skill development, as the hospitality sector is expected to create millions of new jobs in the future. The summit focused on key challenges including the shortage of skilled workers, low enrolment in hospitality courses, and high employee attrition rates. Stakeholders discussed strategies to address these issues, including improving the quality of hospitality education, bridging the skills gap, and creating more sustainable career pathways for aspiring professionals. Gyan Bhushan, IES, CEO, NCHMCT & Senior EA(T), Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, said, “I believe today marks a truly …

A transformative new force in travel tech has launched TripXL, a unique holiday marketplace designed to revolutionise travel planning. This innovative platform, which offers expertly curated packages across 50+ domestic and international destinations, is quickly establishing itself as the go-to destination for travellers seeking a seamless and enriching journey. TripXL offers more than a booking service; it is a complete travel solution. By connecting travellers with trusted, expert agents, the platform simplifies every aspect of planning a trip, making it easy, personalised, and stress-free. With user-friendly navigation and round-the-clock assistance, TripXL’s platform bridges the gap between travellers and agents, empowering them both. Agents gain access to tools that streamline their work, while travellers receive a single platform to address all their travel needs. Based in Siliguri, West Bengal, TripXL is putting the city on the map as an emerging hub of travel tech innovation in India. Through a blend of advanced technology and expert guidance, the platform connects travellers with unique, immersive experiences across the world, helping them uncover hidden gems and enjoy authentic travel experiences. TripXL is reshaping travel through several unique features. It offers stress-free planning, handling everything from flights to personalised itineraries. With a range of customisable packages to suit every budget, it ensures each journey is tailored to individual preferences. Additionally, TripXL partners with local agents to create meaningful travel experiences that showcase the true essence of each destination. With its comprehensive support for both travellers and agents, TripXL is poised to redefine the industry, making travel more accessible, personalised, and rewarding. Book your next journey with TripXL and experience travel redefined.

On 14 November 2024, the Consulate General of Italy in Bengaluru and VFS Global inaugurated the new VFS Global Visa Application Centre in Bengaluru, exclusively dedicated to Italy. The new Centre is centrally located in the Vasanth Nagar area, close to the Government seat of Vidhana Soudha and easily accessible from the city international airport. The event was attended by representatives from the public sector and other Consulates, and by selected professionals from the travel and tourism industry. Alfonso Tagliaferri, Consul General of Italy in Bengaluru, said in his welcome remarks: “We are very satisfied to inaugurate the new Bengaluru Visa Application Centre, dedicated exclusively to Italy. The new Centre will allow us to significantly increase the quality of the service provided to the public, which will enjoy a less-crowded experience, tailored for their Italian trip. At the same time, through this new application centre we will be able to better meet the ever-increasing demand for Italy as expressed by Indian citizens. A demand that will grow even further, with the implementation of the Mobility and Migration Partnership Agreement recently signed by Italy and India. The Bengaluru Consulate has been opened since only a year, serving the population of four large Southern States like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The new VFS centre, together with a more pleasant experience for the public, will allow us to better streamline our procedures, in order to process more visas, faster.” Yummi Talwar, Chief Operating Officer, South Asia, VFS Global, said, “VFS Global shares a long-standing relationship with the Government of Italy since 2004 and we are excited to expand our partnership further. We currently operate 11 Italy Visa Application Centres in …

Global Destinations, a leading destination marketing company, announced a strategic collaboration with Sapporo City to promote Sapporo City, Hokkaido as a top travel destination for Indian tourists along with All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan’s largest airline.  This collaboration comes at a time when Japan is witnessing a surge in demand among Indian travellers, with Sapporo being positioned as a must-visit locale. Sapporo is the capital of Hokkaido, located in the north of Japan, which is renowned for its pristine natural beauty, vibrant culture, and world-class powder snow. The collaboration aims to introduce more Indian travellers to the unique experiences the city offers, including its famous snow festivals, gourmet cuisine, and scenic landscapes. Tomonori Aoyama, Director General, Tourism & MICE Promotion Department, Sapporo City, also welcomed the collaboration, noting, “Sapporo is proud to collaborate with All Nippon Airways and Global Destinations to showcase the beauty and culture of our city to the Indian market. We look forward to sharing Sapporo’s magnificent nature, beautiful four colourful seasons, and delicious food and unique cultures with Indian travellers. This partnership is an important step in building a strong relationship between our city and the growing number of Indian tourists visiting Japan.” Speaking on this exciting partnership, Shigeru Ishimoto, General Manager, ANA Mumbai, said, “We are thrilled to collaborate with Sapporo City, Global Destinations to promote Sapporo as a premier travel destination for Indian tourists. Japan is seeing tremendous growth in interest from India, and we believe Sapporo, with its natural beauty and cultural richness, will resonate strongly with Indian travellers. ANA is committed to providing exceptional service and seamless connections between India and Japan, ensuring that travellers experience Japanese hospitality from the moment they …

Polaris Tourism has joined hands with RedFox Event Company, a leading destination management company in Southeast Asia with its head office in Thailand and offices at Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. RedFox offers is a member of TICA (Thailand Incentive and Conference Association) & TCEB (Thailand Conference and Exhibition Bureau), empowering travel partners to grow and distribute the products and services via online and offline channels for FIT, groups & MICE. REDFOX, with its own online booking platform XConnect aims to provide real-time availability, multicurrency options, packages, standalone products like hotels, sightseeing, and transport. This partnership aligns with a commitment to growth, innovation, and delivering the best experiences to our customers. This alliance further adds to Polaris’s portfolio, which already includes CHR Travel (UK & Europe), Take Me 2 The World (New Zealand & Latin America) and Turtle Down Under (Australia).    

Expanding its portfolio beyond gifting, weddings, and premium hospitality, India’s leading experiential brand Ferns N Petals (FNP), announces the launch of Soulebration, an exclusive holistic wellness centre located at Chattarpur, New Delhi. With an emphasis on comprehensive well-being, Soulebration is set to become a revitalisation haven for those seeking wellness without venturing far from the city. Located near CDR Chowk, Plot No 4 the holistic wellness centre, spans eight acres of lush green landscape, alive with over 100 species of flora and fauna, and a pristine water body that exude serenity. Patrons will step into a realm where nature’s pure beauty seamlessly merges with the soul-enriching practices of yoga, meditation, and mindful rejuvenation awaiting at every turn. The emphasis is on creating an integrative experience that harmonises body, mind, and soul. Speaking on the launch, Vikaas Gutgutia, Founder & Managing Director, Ferns N Petals (FNP) shared, “With Soulebration, we are extending our brand’s dedication to creating meaningful and memorable experiences into the wellness domain. Positioned conveniently within the heart of the city, the centre will provide an immersive escape where clients can embrace a holistic approach to well-being without the usual travel constraints that such healing and restoration centres often entail. We have thoughtfully crafted an environment that supports physical health and mental clarity while fostering soulful connection. Our approach integrates high-quality, personalised service into every wellness practice, building on the excellence that defines Ferns N Petals across all our verticals.” Soulebration features three distinct categories of offerings. Core services include Yoga, Meditation and Mat Pilates, designed to foster inner balance and physical rejuvenation. It will host a range of unique, engaging workshops focusing on creative expression, such as sound …

The India Convention Promotion Bureau (ICPB) announced the election of its new office bearers for the 2024-26 term. The new leadership team was appointed unopposed at the Annual General Meeting held on 29 October, 2024, in New Delhi, marking a significant step toward advancing India’s standing as a world-class destination for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE). The new office bearers include Chander Mansharamani as Vice-Chairperson, Sudeep Sarcar as Honorary Secretary, and Amit Saroj continues as Honorary Treasurer. With their combined industry expertise, the team is poised to drive the ICPB’s mission to position India at the forefront of the global MICE market, amplifying its unique advantages and extensive infrastructure to attract large-scale international conventions. Chander Mansharamani, Vice-Chairperson, ICPB, shared his vision for restructuring the bureau’s operations to align more closely with international standards. He highlighted that in many countries, similar bureaus receive substantial government support for both operational expenses and financial backing for conference organisers, particularly when bidding for international conferences. He emphasised the need for a more aggressive strategy to promote India as a top MICE destination. This involves close collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, to enhance ICPB’s presence at international trade fairs, secure financial support for roadshows within India and abroad, and allocate a separate advertising budget focused specifically on the MICE sector. “Our goal is to transform ICPB into a truly pan-India organisation that reaches every region of the country, engaging more regional players in the MICE industry,” he stated. “By expanding our membership base nationwide, we are paving the way for a stronger, unified approach. This strategy will ensure that ICPB’s initiatives are inclusive and reflect the diversity and energy of …

The India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), a key player in India’s hospitality sector under the Ministry of Tourism, observed ‘Vigilance Awareness Week,’ themed “Culture of Integrity for Nation’s Prosperity,” from October 28th to 3rd November, 2024. The campaign emphasised the importance of integrity in our society. During this week, hotel units and divisions of ITDC organised various activities to raise awareness about corruption and how various stakeholders can work together to combat it. The organisation’s Director Finance and Chief Vigilance Officer led the integrity pledge, taken at ITDC Headquarters in Delhi. ITDC also hosted an important session on ‘Cyber Hygiene & Security’ at the Ashok Institute of Hospitality and Tourism Management (AIHTM) at Hotel Samrat, New Delhi. This session brought together AIHTM students and ITDC employees to highlight the importance of staying safe online. Additionally, ITDC organised a “POSH Session” for its officials to promote awareness and adherence to the organisation’s rules and regulations. A training session on “Preventive Vigilance” was also held at ITDC Headquarters, aimed at educating employees about integrity in their work. A highlight of the week was a walkathon involving AIHTM students and ITDC employees. The students also performed a powerful street play “Say No to Corruption.” Lokesh Kumar Aggarwal, Director Finance and CFO, ITDC, said, “Promoting a culture of integrity is vital for both our organisation and the nation. By raising awareness about corruption and its impact, we empower people to contribute to a more transparent society.” To engage AIHTM students, ITDC held fun activities such as poster making, slogan writing, essay contests, and debates, all focused on the theme of fighting corruption. The week concluded with a ‘Vendors Interaction Meet,’ where ITDC officials, including …

Regal Hotels International has launched its ‘Green Meetings’ initiative globally on 29 October, introducing sustainable meeting solutions to minimise environmental impact. Powered by the Institute of Sustainability and Technology, Regal Hotels provides clients with detailed carbon accounting reports to measure event emissions, following their carbon accounting methodology. Clients also have the opportunity to manage their environmental impact through carbon credits, each representing the removal or avoidance of one ton of carbon dioxide or its equivalent in greenhouse gases. Represented by IRIS Reps in India, Regal Hotels offers eco-friendly practices such as sustainable catering, waste management, and low-carbon options, benefiting companies seeking Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, enhanced brand reputation, and community engagement. The campaign is specifically targeted at Travel Management Companies (TMCs) and corporate clients in India, aligning with the growing demand for sustainable event practices.