Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

Cygnett Hotels & Resorts, one of India’s fastest-growing hospitality chains, has announced the signing of its latest property, Anamore Select Resort & Wellness at Mopa, Goa. This high-end luxury resort, featuring 150 exquisitely designed villa rooms, is set to redefine high-end travel by combining opulence, sustainability and cultural immersion. Targeted at the upscale market, the brand Anamore is an extension of the hospitality chain’s diversified approach, strengthening its presence beyond the mid segment Indian hospitality market. “Our vision for Anamore is bold and forward-looking. We aim to redefine the future of luxury travel in India. Having successfully established 10-12 hotels in the mid-segment market annually across the country in the past, we are confident in replicating this success in the upscale market with Anamore too. There are five more Anamore properties in the pipeline in destinations including Karjat, Murud, Khalapur (Maharashtra), Srinagar (Uttarakhand) and Pushkar (Rajasthan),” shared Sarbendra Sarkar, Founder & Managing Director, Cygnett Hotels & Resorts. The company has tied with real estate major firm Yugen Infra for its maiden project under the brand portfolio of Anamore. Yugen Infra is the result of a collaboration between two real estate powerhouses, Timespro Consulting and V K Developers. It is spearheading several prestigious projects, including Goa’s first-ever Golf Course township, alongside other landmark initiatives. The resort’s prime location, just a 15-minute drive from the Mopa Airport and directly accessible via the Goa-Mumbai Highway, ensures seamless connectivity. Nestled amidst Goa’s largest golf course township and surrounded by the natural beauty of the Western Ghats, Anamore Select Resort & Wellness promises an immersive experience of serenity and luxury. Apart from its luxurious villas, the amenities at Anamore Select Resort & Wellness include an all-day …

ISKCON Dwarka on Tuesday announced a series of service initiatives for the Kumbh Mela 2025, with support from the Adani Group. The collaboration aims to provide facilities and support for crores of pilgrims attending the event. One of the key initiatives is the provision of 2 lakh meals daily on Amrit Snan days, when pilgrims take the dip in the Ganga. This feeding program, sponsored by Adani, will operate for three days around each Amrit Snan. ISKCON will also distribute 60,000 meals daily throughout the Mela, including 18,000 meals for sanitation workers who maintain cleanliness and safety at the event. To address transportation needs at the Mela grounds, Adani Group is sponsoring golf cart services for elderly pilgrims, differently abled individuals, and mothers with children. The Adani Group is also providing meals for the drivers and conductors of electric buses, which transport over 1 lakh pilgrims daily. For spiritual programs, the ISKCON Kumbh Team, under the guidance of Sanaka Sanatana Prabhu, has arranged accommodations for 3,000 devotees. These facilities will host kirtans, devotional dances, and discourses for attendees. ISKCON’s participation includes the Bullock Cart Sankirtan, a daily procession of devotees chanting the Hare Krishna Mahamantra and playing traditional instruments. The procession moves through the Kumbh grounds, involving pilgrims in the chanting and dancing. Shri Gaur Prabhu, Vice President of ISKCON Dwarka, said: “Serving pilgrims during the Amrit Snan days reflects ISKCON’s mission of compassion and devotion. With Adani’s support and the ISKCON Kumbh Team, we aim to ensure a spiritually uplifting experience for attendees.”

Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, is delighted to unveil the new-look Centara Karon Resort Phuket, which has started welcoming the world’s travellers back to paradise following a remarkable renovation that has transformed every aspect of the guest experience and successfully positioned this flagship resort for a bright and exciting future. Just moments from the soft sands of Karon Beach and the Andaman Sea, Centara Karon Resort Phuket is a haven of tranquility and adventure. Following its dramatic revitalisation, the resort now invites all visitors to unwind in three distinct zones – The Terrace, The Lagoon, and The Tropicale – creating options for couples, families and friends alike. With a contemporary design that harmoniously blends a soothing colour palette with geometric patterns and natural elements, the resort’s newly refreshed accommodation is tailored to the needs of every guest. Highlights include The Terrace’s spacious rooms, which feature balconies with views of the city or sea. Set to be unveiled by the end of 2025, the one-, two- and three-bedroom Pool Villas will be spectacular sanctuaries with outdoor pools and a dedicated check-in area – ideal for romantic getaways or grand celebrations with up to eight guests. A newly-revitalised Deluxe Pool View room at Centara Karon Resort Phuket An eclectic mix of activities and experiences makes this the ultimate tropical oasis for all ages. Immersive adventures unfold at the resort’s 3,000-square metre pool zone, with three separate pools for adults and kids, plus thrilling water slides and fountains. Children and teens can find inspiration at the Chang Dee Kids’ Club or E-Zone, with a full schedule of activities and games. Parents can also enjoy personal moments, including therapies at the …

In a recent development, the IATO (Indian Association of Tour Operators) Executive Committee has appointed Gurinder Singh as the Chairman of the IATO Punjab Chapter with immediate effect from 6 January 2025. Singh, the Managing Director of Discover Punjab Tours & Travels will lead the association’s efforts in fostering ties with the local tourism industry and government bodies. As a seasoned tourism professional, his deep industry knowledge and strong bonds with the Punjab government are likely to play a significant role in achieving the association’s goals and targets. With this appointment, IATO is eyeing to expand its membership base in the state while creating more tourism opportunities.

Akasa Air, India’s fastest-growing airline, announced the appointment of Belson Coutinho as its Chief Operating Officer, effective January 6, 2025. Belson will lead Akasa Air’s crucial operational functions as the airline continues its path to becoming one of the top 30 airlines in the world by the turn of this decade. In his new role, Belson will be responsible for Inflight Services, Airport Services, Maintenance & Engineering, Flight Operations, IOCC, Operational Excellence while also spearheading Akasa Air Learning Academy. With over two decades of experience in the aviation industry, Belson has delivered multiple industry-first initiatives in Indian aviation, underpinned by his strong operational, strategic and leadership skills. Commenting on the appointment, Vinay Dube, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Akasa Air, said, “We are delighted to have Belson step into the role of Akasa Air’s Chief Operating Officer. Belson’s multifaceted role over the years had him successfully collaborate with cross-functional teams across airline operations, developing a good understanding of the functioning of operational departments. His passion for brand building, service excellence, training, technology, processes, employee centricity and sharp focus on cost leadership equips him to bring tremendous value to his new role as our COO. We are confident that under his leadership, we will continue to enhance our operational efficiency, deliver on our values of service excellence, and make significant strides toward achieving our vision of becoming a world-class airline.” Belson has been a part of Akasa Air’s executive committee since the airline’s inception in 2022. Prior to assuming the role of Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer, Belson held the position of Co-Founder and Chief Marketing & Experience Officer at Akasa Air where he was instrumental in shaping the brand’s vision, …

With the start of the new year, the Israel Ministry of Tourism (IMOT) announced the launch of an e-visa system specifically designed for Indian travellers from 1 January. This marks a new era in Israel-India tourism relations, making the visa application process more efficient and user-friendly than ever before. It represents Israel’s ongoing efforts to enhance the tourist experience and streamline entry procedures for international visitors.

According to HVS Anarock’s latest report, the Adani Group plans to spend US$2 billion to build Mumbai’s largest international convention centre (ICC), around 1 million square feet near the international airport. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has also agreed to its design, but approval for the full blueprint is expected soon.

After a detailed process, the much-awaited de-merger of ITC Hotels finally took place on 6 January. ITC would retain a 40 per cent stake in the hotel business, while the remaining 60% would be distributed to shareholders through rights entitlements. Shareholders will receive one ITC Hotels share for every 10 ITC shares held.

To captivate international audiences, the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department is set to elevate the state’s global presence by showcasing Maha Kumbh 2025 at FITUR in Madrid, Spain, and ITB Berlin in Germany. With this, the tourism dept aims to position UP as a premier tourist destination, highlighting its rich cultural heritage and the significance of the Maha Kumbh mela.

Emirates Airlines first Airbus A350-900 takes flight with the next-generation version of ice inflight entertainment (IFE) system powered by Thales’s AVANT Up, the first in a fleet of 65 new aircraft. The system features the best picture quality on any aircraft with stunning 4K HDR ultra-responsive touchscreens for seamless navigation, along with 60W USB-C fast charging for customer devices, and the ability to simultaneously pair two Bluetooth connections. The Emirates A350 will introduce a next-generation version of the ‘ice’ IFE system with a suite of groundbreaking features enabled by Thales technologies designed to enhance the customer experience. Together, Thales and Emirates celebrate the entry into service of the Airline’s first A350-900 aircraft with a flight from Dubai to Edinburgh (Scotland) on January 3, 2025. The aircraft is equipped with Thales’s state-of-the-art AVANT Up inflight entertainment system. Ushering in a new era of inflight entertainment, Emirates has introduced on the A350 the next-generation of the ‘ice’ IFE system with a suite of groundbreaking innovations enabled by Thales technologies designed to enhance the flying experience. The system features over 30 new features with many more to come over the coming months. Thales’ 4K QLED HDR displays offer a cinematic experience, with the best picture quality on any aircraft and ultra-responsive touchscreens for seamless navigation across ‘ice’ vast catalog of entertainment. The display features two Bluetooth connections for passengers to pair multiple devices and built-in Wi-Fi. The system is equipped with Thales’ award-winning power management solution that supports up to 60W of in-screen charging capacity, ensuring passengers arrive at their destination fully charged. Unique passenger experiences at every seat AVANT Up provides a wide range of digital services and applications enabling Emirates to uniquely configure and continually elevate services onboard …