Cross Hotels & Resorts has signed a Hotel Management Agreement (HMA) with Geonet Developments International for ELLE Resort & Beach Club by Cross Collection, a high-style beachfront destination set to open in 2028 in the heart of Seminyak, Bali. This bold signing marks another key milestone in Cross Hotels & Resorts’ mission to become APAC’s Leading Alternative to Global Hotel Operators, while spotlighting the brand’s growing expertise in managing lifestyle experiences. Located along Seminyak’s legendary coastline, ELLE Resort & Beach Club by Cross Collection is poised to deliver a refined yet vibrant stay, blending the sophistication of the ELLE brand with Bali’s iconic beach energy. The resort will feature 170 ultra-luxury hotel rooms & suites, each designed to reflect a modern, effortless glamour. At its heart, the signature beach club will serve as a cultural and social anchor, offering music, fashion, mixology, and cuisine in a setting that invites day-to-night celebration. Chad Egan, CEO & Founder, Geonet, added “We are so excited to bring ELLE into this collaboration. It marks our first project together with the globally iconic brand. This is also our second collaboration with Cross Hotels & Resorts, which reflects the strength of our partnership and our shared commitment to delivering exceptional hospitality assets. Backed by the global reach of Flight Centre Travel Group, Cross brings the operational focus and brand energy we were looking for. Together, we are creating a bold new beachfront destination that speaks to style, connection, and commercial performance.” Evan Burns, Country Manager, Indonesia, Cross Hotels & Resorts, added “ELLE Resort & Beach Club by Cross Collection is a fresh, magnetic addition to Seminyak, delivering the vibrancy of a modern beach club lifestyle with …

SriLankan Airlines completes another journey around the sun on 1 September 2025, celebrating its 46th Anniversary by giving its valued customers more reasons to explore the world with special anniversary offers. A pioneer in the region, SriLankan Airlines has long been a true ambassador for Sri Lankan hospitality on the global stage. Local in spirit, global in operations and renowned for its award-winning service, the airline looks ahead to many more years of seamlessly connecting people, cultures and trade. Spreading the cheer, customers can enjoy 20% off Business Class and 15% off Economy Class return fares to all online destinations when booked via the SriLankan Airlines website between 1 to 5 September 2025. Members of the airline’s loyalty programme, FlySmiLes, who book within the first two weeks of September will also earn 46% bonus miles, symbolising 46 years in the skies. No anniversary celebration is complete without recognising the airline’s own internal customers – its dedicated employees. Throughout September, SriLankan Airlines will host a series of special programmes for staff, including religious services to invoke blessings on the airline. Over the years, SriLankan Airlines has proven its versatility in an ever changing and challenging aviation landscape. Today, it remains one of the major international airlines from South Asia, having achieved numerous milestones and accolades along the way. In 2025 alone, SriLankan Airlines has garnered several prestigious awards including, Best People’s Airline of the Year at the Hybiz TV Business Excellence Awards; Outstanding Food Service by a Carrier – South Asia at the PAX Readership Awards; Most Loved Brand in Aviation in LMD’s Most Loved Brands; Silver in the Best Regional Airline category at the ShareTrip–Monitor Airline of the Year; and …

Event and Entertainment Management Association (EEMA) signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with FICCI FLO (FICCI Ladies Organisation). This has opened new avenues of collaboration with the shared goal of empowering women and creating value within the dynamic and fast-growing wedding and events industry. Ruchin Kohli, Vice President – North, EEMA, along with Shalini Beriwal, National Initiative Head – Weddings, FICCI FLO played instrumental roles in shaping this partnership and help realise the vision of Poonam Sharma, National President FICCI Flo to grow the number of women entrepreneurs in the experiential sector, by creating structured pathways for women to enter, grow, and lead within the industry. By combining FLO’s national reach with EEMA’s deep expertise, the partnership provides women with the tools, mentorship, and platforms they need to thrive. As a Knowledge Partner, EEMA aims to skill, mentor and create entrepreneurial opportunities with a larger commitment to promote inclusion, innovation and industry integration for women. Areas of focus being event planning, artist curation, design, gifting, AV Tech and more. Samit Garg, President, EEMA said that “This partnership is not just a collaboration, it is a step towards shaping the future of our industry in a more inclusive, equitable, and progressive manner. At EEMA, our vision has always extended beyond managing events—we see ourselves as custodians of an ecosystem that can truly inspire change. Through our initiative WeCare, we have consistently championed critical conversations around inclusion, safety, and sustainability, ensuring that these values are not merely words but guiding principles for the way our industry evolves.” “By joining hands with FICCI FLO, we are now able to take those conversations beyond awareness and translate them into tangible platforms, opportunities, and …

VisitBritain, the national tourism agency for Britain, has appointed Ritu Varma as Country Manager for India. Based in Mumbai, Varma will lead VisitBritain’s activity in India to boost inbound tourism to Britain. The role will focus on product development and implementing VisitBritain’s distribution strategy, working closely with travel trade and industry partners to encourage Indian visitors to discover more of Britain. Gary Robson, Deputy Director Europe, GCC & India, VisitBritain said, “We are thrilled to welcome Ritu Varma to the VisitBritain team. Varma brings with her over two decades of extensive experience in business development, most recently at Tourism Australia.” “Varma has a strong record in product innovation and market growth, making her well placed to lead our team here in India and drive our ambitious market strategy in this key inbound market for Britain.” Ritu Varma, Country Manager, India, VisitBritain, said, “I am delighted to take on this responsibility and lead the VisitBritain team in India. It is an exciting time with India showing such strong growth and with Indian visitors forecast to spend a record £1 billion next year on their trips to the UK.” “I look forward to working with the excellent VisitBritain team to boost this even further, encouraging Indian visitors to explore dynamic and diverse destinations right across Britain. Equally, I am committed to working closely with our partners across the UK travel and tourism industry to ensure they are part of one of the fastest-growing markets, creating opportunities that deliver long-term growth and shared success.” India is an important inbound market for Britain, with 666,000 visits forecast from India this year with those visitors set to spend a record £900 million on their trips. …

Summit Hotels & Resorts, one of Eastern India’s leading hospitality brands, has announced the opening of Summit Enigma Resort & Spa in Lamahata, a luxury mountain retreat set to redefine high-altitude hospitality. Strategically located just 22 kilometres from Darjeeling town and within easy reach of Tiger Hill and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, the resort offers a rare combination of accessibility and tranquillity, making it West Bengal’s newest destination for discerning travellers. Summit Enigma Resort & Spa sets itself apart with unobstructed views of the entire Kanchenjunga range, a privilege often reserved for sunrise treks to Tiger Hill but now available from the privacy of a guest’s balcony. The property features 16 elegant rooms designed to showcase nature’s grandeur, including intimate Premium Rooms and spacious Balcony Rooms that invite guests to experience the ever-changing Himalayan skies. The resort emphasises wellness and sustainability as cornerstones of its philosophy. The signature Meta Spa introduces therapies inspired by the region, complemented by steam and sauna facilities, and a Kanchenjunga-facing Jacuzzi that blends luxury with natural immersion. Dining at the in-house CloudSong Restaurant celebrates the bounty of the mountains with farm-to-table menus, locally sourced produce, and delicacies such as the much-talked-about Desi Kukkad Curry. Beyond luxury, Summit Enigma promises an immersive cultural connection. Guests can walk to nearby farms, experience sustainable mountain agriculture, and interact with local communities where traditions continue in harmony with nature. Wildlife too plays a role in the experience, with deer sightings on the property underscoring the seamless coexistence of wilderness and hospitality. The resort’s strategic location enhances its appeal. While Darjeeling offers the bustle of a celebrated hill station, Lamahata provides a peaceful alternative, close enough to access iconic attractions …

Indian hospitality sector witnessed a 12.9% year-or-year growth in RevPAR during April-June quarter of this year, according to JLL’s Hotel Momentum India report. The growth accompanied 10% sequential acceleration, demonstrating strong recovery and expansion of the sector. Bengaluru stood out as a market leader, with a RevPAR growth of 29.4% in the same period.

The Odisha government is planning to come up with a new heritage policy for conservation, preservation and beautification of 3,000 monuments across the state, said Pravati Parida, Deputy Chief Minister. The decision, aimed to attract more tourists, was made at a meeting organised to discuss conservation and beautification of the unprotected heritage monuments of Odisha.

CB Ramkumar, Vice Chair, Global Sustainable Tourism Council, emphasised that India can lead in sustainable tourism by integrating GSTC’s global criteria into its state and national policies. He called for measurable goals and credible certifica- tion, stressing that such steps oil enhance India’s global competitiveness while ensuring resilence and long-term growth for the tourism sector.

Cross Hotels & Resorts participated in a three-city roadshow organised by TravelBullz from 18 to 22 August, covering Kolkata. Ludhiana and New Delhi. “This roadshow gave us the perfect platform to connect with key agents, showcase our Thailand portfolio and launch Away Bangkok Sukhumvit,” said Sandeep Raghav, Director, Business Development – India, Cross Hotels & Resorts.

Alex to lead Accor’s business and growth strategy in the region Accor announces the appointment of Ranju Alex as its CEO for South Asia (covering India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka). Alex is a highly accomplished hospitality professional who has until recently been the Regional Vice President for South Asia for Marriott International, running over 170 hotels across the region. Alex began her career with The Oberoi Group in 1993 and has been in several leadership positions with Marriott International in a highly successful career which spans three decades. She was recently conferred with the Bharat Gaurav award, a prestigious honour, recognising her several achievements in the industry. Accor and InterGlobe earlier this year announced the creation of a new joint venture consolidating all their businesses into a single entity/vehicle, subject to receiving the necessary regulatory approvals. Gaurav Bhushan, Chairman, Accor/ InterGlobe JV said, “We are extremely pleased and excited to welcome Alex to the Accor and InterGlobe Family. She brings a wealth of rich experience, skills and relationships into our business and we look forward to building the foremost hospitality platform in the region under her leadership.” Ranju Alex said, “I am delighted to join an organisation with the most comprehensive and exciting portfolio of brands in the region. It will be an honour to lead the Group’s vision in this region, and I eagerly look forward to this exciting role.”