Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

Collinson International released its new Asia Pacific (APAC) research titled “2025 Asia Pacific Consumer Happiness Report: How to Generate Lifetime Customer Value in a Transformation Economy”. Surveying over 4,000 respondents across eight markets in Asia Pacific and conducted in partnership with renowned behavioural psychologist Dr. William von Hippel, the report explores the role of brands in driving consumer happiness in today’s transformation economy where the pursuit of happiness is becoming a defining priority. Findings reveal that brands have an opportunity to become powerful drivers of happiness, with customers increasingly turning to loyalty rewards and benefits to access unique, transformative experiences. “Consumers’ expectations for how they find satisfaction from brands have evolved. In today’s transformation economy, consumers are drawn to experiences that enrich their lives far beyond basic consumption – experiences that nurture connection, inspire personal growth and help bridge the gap between the world they live in and their aspirations,” said Rohan Bhalla, Vice President of Business Solutions for Asia Pacific at Collinson International. “This transcends rational rewards or simple engagement, delivering true meaningful moments – whether it is travelling to see their favourite band perform live or attending a global sports tournament.” This shift is well under way in India, where 92% of consumers rely on brand rewards for unique and exclusive experiences, compared to 81% across APAC. Younger millennials (98%) and Gen Z (93%) respondents in India resonate strongly, and both demonstrate a clear preference for experiential activities in recent years. Compared to 66% of APAC respondents, 80% of respondents in India reported being satisfied with the rewards and benefits they receive from brands. Amongst the respondents in India, Millennials (84%) indicated the highest levels of happiness, followed …

Building on the successful rollout of its Premium Economy product in Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Ahmedabad, Emirates has now announced the introduction of its Premium Economy class on flights to and from Kolkata, effective 18 July 2025. The move marks the continued expansion of Emirates’ award-winning offering across key Indian cities, with the aim of providing customers more choice when making travel plans. Passengers traveling on the Dubai-Kolkata route can now book Premium Economy seats on flight EK573, which will operate four times weekly (Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays), departing Kolkata at 20:45 hrs and arriving in Dubai at 00:05 hrs. Flights to Kolkata, on EK572, depart Dubai at 13:05 hrs and arrive in Kolkata at 19:15 hrs. All times are local. Tickets can be booked for travel starting from 18 July. Mohammad Sarhan, Emirates’ VP – India and Nepal said: “We are delighted to introduce our highly-acclaimed Premium Economy experience to Kolkata, marking another significant milestone in our commitment to the Indian market. The response to our Premium Economy product in Mumbai, Bengaluru and Ahmedabad has been overwhelmingly positive, and we are confident that travellers in Kolkata will appreciate the blend of comfort, value, and thoughtful touches that make Emirates’ Premium Economy stand out. We remain dedicated to elevating the travel experience for our customers and offering them more choice and flexibility.” The Premium Economy cabin is thoughtfully-designed to offer an enhanced experience, combining comfort and aesthetically-pleasing features, including wider cream leather seats, increased legroom, adjustable headrests, deeper seat recline and raised cushioned leg rests.  For those seeking additional comfort and privacy during their journeys, the understated luxury cabins offer a refined upgrade from Economy Class.

A bold new ocean experience is surfacing on 23 July! Find out what your next student group can explore at the new Singapore Oceanarium at this webinar on 11 July at 3pm hosted by Resorts World Sentosa. It is slated to open in Q3 2025 and will have immersive exhibits, digital storytelling, and a focus on marine research, redefining how we experience the ocean. For more information, contact jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or call ‪+91 96501 96532.

Le Méridien Hotels & Resort, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s global portfolio of over 30 extraordinary hotel brands, announced the opening of Le Meridien Ahmedabad. The hotel opens doors following the transformation of Courtyard by Marriott Ahmedabad. Set in the heart of India’s first UNESCO World Heritage City, where centuries-old façades and bustling bazaars coexist with riverfront promenades and modern architecture, the hotel invites guests to experience Ahmedabad anew—through moments that are quietly luxurious and instinctively refined. This is a destination for those who seek not only to stay, but to soak in every moment of their travels. “We are excited to introduce the Le Méridien brand to Ahmedabad, bringing the brand’s essence of savouring the good life to global tastemakers and locals” said Ranju Alex, Regional Vice President, South Asia, Marriott International. “Ahmedabad is a destination known for its rich history and thriving art, culture, and culinary scene, which makes it the perfect fit for Le Méridien. This hotel is a celebration of detail and design – inviting travellers to explore Ahmedabad with curiosity, in style.” The property features 164 guest rooms and suites, each designed with a calm palette, mid-century silhouettes, and bespoke accents that nod to Ahmedabad’s textile legacy and architectural landmarks. Poised as the visual anchor, the bespoke lobby art is an ode to the rich heritage of Ahmedabad representing a confluence of movement, culture, and life – inviting guests to explore Ahmedabad’s layered legacy at a single glance. Celebrating the city’s identity as the once textile capital of India, the design elements of Le Méridien Ahmedabad pay homage to the local craft and its deep ties to the Sabarmati River. In a poetic gesture, slender panes of transparent …

The event served as a vibrant platform for industry leaders, hotel owners, restaurateurs and professionals from across the western region to collaborate, share insights and recognize excellence in hospitality leadership. The event commenced with an inaugural session graced by Chief Guest – Shri Mohamed Farouk, Regional Director (Western Region), India Tourism Mumbai, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. The conclave also featured thought provoking sessions led by prominent voices in policy, sustainability, food safety and operations. “The 5th edition of the Empowering Hospitality Conclave and Awards is not just a celebration of achievement; it is a reaffirmation of our industry’s resilience and commitment to progress. The hospitality sector has demonstrated remarkable grit during the pandemic and is now embracing a new era of growth powered by innovation, collaboration and forward-looking policies. This platform is a testament to the incredible talent, dedication and dynamism that define our fraternity. Today, we not only honour excellence but also strengthen the dialogue that will shape the future of Indian hospitality,” says Mr Chetan Mehta, Vice President, HRAWI. Opening the conclave on a congratulatory note, Shri Mohamed Farouk underscored the sector’s role in nation building. “It is a privilege to be part of the 5th edition of HRAWI’s ‘Empowering Hospitality’ Conclave, a platform that brings together some of the most visionary minds in the western region’s hospitality sector. The hospitality industry is not just a key driver of tourism; it is the first impression of India for many visitors. This industry’s services reflect the warmth, culture and professionalism of our nation. As India charts its course on the global tourism map, I urge the industry to focus on inclusive growth, accessible tourism, technological innovation and …

Cunard is a luxury British cruise line, renowned for creating unforgettable experiences around the world. Cunard has been a leading operator of passenger ships since 1840, and this year celebrates an incredible 185 years of operation. 2025 is a momentous year in Cunard’s history, which will be marked with several iconic land-based events and special Event Voyages. The Cunard experience is built on fine dining, hand-selected entertainment, and outstanding White Star service. From a partnership with a two-Michelin starred chef, to inspiring guest speakers, to world class theatre productions, every detail has been meticulously crafted to make the experience unforgettable. A pioneer in transatlantic journeys and round world voyages, destinations sailed to also include Europe, the Caribbean, Alaska, the Far East and Australia. There are currently four Cunard ships, Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria and new ship, Queen Anne, which entered service in May 2024. This investment is part of the company’s ambitious plans for the future of Cunard globally, with the brand now boasting four ships in simultaneous service. Special low fares have been launched on 7 nights Europe sailings for Sep – Oct – Nov 2025. For brochures and booking, kindly contact M/s Griffon, agent of Cunard in India at 91 9820060421 or send email to sales@GriffonCruises.in

Skål International’s 2025 World President, Denise Scrafton made a powerful and symbolic visit to India, a first in many years, reaffirming India’s rising prominence in the global Skål movement. Her presence inspired renewed energy and deeper alignment across clubs, with a focus on future leadership, sustainability, youth engagement, and international cooperation. “India is fast becoming a vital force in global tourism and an emerging powerhouse within Skål. It’s time we lead today to shape a stronger tomorrow — together,” said Denise Scrafton, echoing her presidential theme and setting the tone for her impactful journey. NSN Mohan, Deputy Vice President of Skål International and Director of Region 10 (India), who accompanied her throughout the journey added, “Denise’s visit comes at a time when Skål India (Region 10) is evolving into a mission-driven force in global tourism. We are focused on collaboration, youth engagement, sustainability, and responsible tourism — values that align beautifully with her leadership vision.” Sanjeev Mehra, President of Skål International India, shared, “Her presence energized our movement and inspired our clubs. We are proud of the momentum we’re building — launching new clubs, driving inclusive leadership, broadcasting powerful and meaningful communications. India is on the path to becoming Skål’s top-performing nation. With 91 years of legacy, Skål International stands as the world’s largest and oldest organisation of tourism and hospitality professionals. Remarkably, three of its top ten clubs globally — Delhi, Chennai, and Kolkata —are proudly from India.” Ms. Scrafton, who joined Skål in 2002, has held every major leadership role — from President of Skål International Melbourne and Skål International Australia to President of the Skål International Council and now World President. She pioneered the Membership Development Fund …

Cunard has reported a significant uplift in demand following the launch of its 2027 programme, with a 55% increase in nights booked during the first seven days compared to the equivalent period for the 2026 launch. Both the UK and North American markets contributed significantly to this success, with bookings up almost 50% in the UK and more than 100% in North America. There has also been a notable surge in demand for Cunard’s most exclusive luxury suites. Bookings for Queens Grill and Princess Grill suites rose by over 100% compared to the same launch period last year, reflecting growing global interest in Cunard’s distinctive Grills experience. Queen Mary 2’s Transatlantic Crossings continue to perform strongly. This iconic route remains one of Cunard’s most popular and continues to attract strong interest from guests around the world. Summer 2027 programme: Cunard’s latest programme of extraordinary voyages boasts 195 new itineraries across its iconic fleet, visiting 115 destinations in 32 countries between April 2027 and January 2028. The new itineraries include 93 UNESCO World Heritage sites. And with 18 overnight port calls and 33 late-evening departures, the programme offers even more opportunities to explore the world. The programme offers more variety and choice than ever before, with three of Cunard’s iconic Queens offering roundtrip voyages from the UK for the first time since 2018 – increasing the capacity of Southampton departures by 54% year on year. Katie McAlister, President of Cunard, said: “We’re delighted with the response to our 2027 launch. It’s wonderful to see so many guests choosing to sail with us, and the rise in bookings shows just how much people continue to value the Cunard experience. Demand for our Queens Grill and …

IHCL has announced the signing of a new hotel in Jaipur, Rajasthan. This greenfield project will be branded a Vivanta. Suma Venkatesh, Executive Vice President – Real Estate & Development, IHCL said, “Fuelled by major infrastructure developments, Jaipur has rapidly evolved as key regional hub, significantly boosting demand from business and MICE segments apart from the long established leisure segment  This signing aligns with IHCL’s strategy to expand presence in such high-growth micro markets of metros an state capitals across India. We are delighted to collaborate with Dinesh Choudhary, Vivek Choudhary and Rajat Choudhary for this project.” The 160-key Vivanta Jaipur in Jagatpura is the closest hotel to the newly renovated Terminal 1 of Jaipur International Airport. The hotel features an all-day dining restaurant, a bar, a fully equipped gym, swimming pool, health club, specialty roof top restaurant and state-of-the-art conference facilities, catering to both leisure and business guests. Vivek Choudhary, Director, Wonder Build Developers Private Ltd, said, “We are proud to partner with IHCL to bring the Vivanta brand to Jaipur. This collaboration will contribute to the city’s growing hospitality landscape and offer a world-class experience to travelers. With IHCL’s expertise and the strong brand recognition of Vivanta, we are confident that the hotel will emerge as a preferred destination for travellers.” With the addition of this hotel, IHCL will have 31 hotels in Rajasthan including 8 under development.

Ventive Hospitality along with its Promoter Group Companies, announced the expansion of their strategic partnership with Marriott International, by signing management contracts for seven luxury, upper upscale and upscale hotels comprising of 1,548 rooms across India and Sri Lanka. This partnership marks multiple brand debuts in key locations including Sri Lanka, Varanasi, Mundra, Pune, and Navi Mumbai. Further, Ventive Hospitality also announced its plans to develop a hotel on its existing leasehold land in Mundra, India. Of the seven hotels, three hotels are being developed by Ventive Hospitality and its subsidiaries – the Ritz-Carlton Reserve (73 villas along with 80 branded residences for sale) at Pottuvil, near Yala East National Park in Sri Lanka; Varanasi Marriott Hotel (161 rooms) at Varanasi, India and Courtyard by Marriott (200 rooms) at Mundra, India. The remaining four hotels – the proposed JW Marriott Navi Mumbai (450 rooms), Moxy Navi Mumbai (200 rooms), Moxy Pune Wakad (264 rooms) and Moxy Pune Kharadi (200 rooms), are being developed by the Promoter Group companies on Right Of First Offer (ROFO) or alternative structure basis for the Ventive Hospitality and will be transferred to the Company under a suitable arrangement that maximizes value for all stakeholders equitably. This partnership, one of India’s largest in the luxury and upper-upscale hotel sector, leverages the strength of Ventive Hospitality’s project execution capabilities along with Marriott International’s renowned brands and hotel management expertise. Both companies are poised to unlock significant growth opportunities by capitalizing on a favorable demand-supply dynamics. This strategic partnership was formally announced by Atul Chordia, Chairman and Executive Director of Ventive Hospitality Ltd, and Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific (excluding China), Marriott International. Also present at the event were Ranju …