Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau (HVAB), the official destination marketing organization for Centre County, Pennsylvania, announced that visitation to the destination has already reached the 5 million visitor mark, an ambitious goal set for 2024. This milestone reflects a significant achievement for the region, showcasing its growing appeal as a prime destination for travelers. Surrounding The Pennsylvania State University, commonly known as Penn State, this picturesque county is just a 3.5-hour drive from New York City and Washington DC. With a focus on being a four-season destination with an array of recreational, cultural and entertainment offerings, Happy Valley hosted 3.2 million day-trippers and 1.8 million overnight visitors. With an average spend of USD $200 per visitor, the total tourism expenditure has exceeded USD $1 billion. Happy Valley is an affordable destination catering to a variety of interests and budgets. Visitors will find diverse lodging options and wide range of dining experiences, including exceptional field-to-fork cuisine for all palates. “I am optimistic about the future of Happy Valley tourism,” said Fritz Smith, CEO of The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau, who noted that visitation is a crucial economic driver for Centre County, significantly impacting employment opportunities and job creation. “We have ambitious plans to elevate tourism in Happy Valley to the next level, including the development of new hotels within the region. These efforts are grounded in a county- and organization-wide commitment t tourism, and strengthened by ongoing collaboration with the community and university.” Along with the recent launch of a comprehensive, visitor-focused website – happyvalley.com — another significant milestone in Happy Valle, PA tourism is the allocation of nearly USD $1 million to 77 tourism projects for the 2024-25 fiscal year. These initiatives are expected …

Appreciating the response on investment and subsidies offered in Uttar Pradesh Tourism Policy 2022, Mukesh Kumar Meshram, Principal Secretary, UP Tourism, said, “We have received a tremendous response following the implementation of our new policies. The Global Investors Summit attracted over ₹1 lakh crore in investment in the tourism sector.”

On its 18th anniversary, IndiGo has launched its new business product, ‘IndiGoStretch,’ for 12 domestic routes starting in mid-November. Booking for the Delhi-Mumbai route will open on 6 August, with fares starting at ₹18,018. The airline also announced plans to add flights to 7 more international destinations in the current fiscal year, bringing the total to 40.

Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of Tourism, GOI, said, “Tourism has the potential to contribute to India’s achievement of being the third-largest economy. India has all the resources to present a world-class tourism sector. We are witnessing diversity and new business opportunities in this sector. The progress and development in this field are crucial.”

Switzerland Tourism invites the Indian outbound travel trade to attend an exclusive webinar on 8 August at 3pm highlighting the unique experiences of BLS Interlaken’s lake cruises, Aletsch Arena, Swissminiatur and Foxtown factory stores. Attend all webinars for a chance to win a trip to Switzerland in 2025! For more details, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com.

By Claudia Unger, Executive Coach and Hospitality Expert We all understand the importance of a resume in showcasing our skills and experience to potential employers. A strong resume is key to progressing to the interview stage. However, meeting every requirement of a job description is rare, especially in hospitality. The gap often grows as we aim for higher leadership roles, leading some to not apply at all. Yet, the extensive skill requirements in job ads mean few can tick all the boxes. If we met every job requirement, the role would likely lack challenge and growth opportunities. Therefore, when considering hospitality skills for your resume, view the job description as a chance for personal and professional growth. Clearly outline what you lack and express your eagerness to develop these skills. This approach not only demonstrates your self-awareness but also your commitment to growth and learning, qualities highly valued in the hospitality industry. Key Hospitality Skills Hospitality resumes should highlight both ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ skills. Soft skills are particularly crucial for managerial positions and help differentiate you from other candidates. Let’s explore some of these essential soft skills in more detail: Teamworking: Essential in a dynamic environment like a hotel, where various departments must work in harmony to deliver a seamless guest experience. Your resume should demonstrate successful teamwork, understanding of roles, strong interpersonal relationships, delegation skills, and more. Highlight specific instances where your teamworking skills contributed to successful outcomes in previous roles. Empathy: Critical in hospitality, a people-centric business. Demonstrating empathy means prioritizing guest satisfaction. My experience as a flight attendant taught me that truly caring about guest needs is vital for career advancement. Illustrate how your empathetic approach has …

As we bask in the glory of Independence Day, Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru is extending the celebration with a culinary fiesta with Desi Chaat at the popular all-day modern kitchen-style dining room, CUR8. This gastronomic journey is one to look forward to as it brings the vibrant and diverse street foods of India right to the plate for a 10-day celebration from the 16th to 25th of August, with special Sunday brunches on the 18th and 25th of August. Imagine the hustle and bustle of India’s famed Khau Gallis, where the air is thick with the mouth- watering aromas of sizzling spices and fresh ingredients. CUR8’s talented chefs have meticulously crafted a menu that celebrates diverse street food from Maharashtra, Delhi, Kolkata, South India, and Lucknow from across the country in the most luxurious setting at Four Seasons Bengaluru. While adults indulge in the delightful chaat, kids can revel in their own world of fun. The dedicated play area is a paradise for little ones, featuring face painting and engaging activities that will keep them entertained for hours. It's the perfect Sunday family outing where everyone finds their own slice of joy. At the heart of this spirited Indian celebration is an array of chaat – the quintessential Indian street food that promises an explosion of flavours in every bite. Watching the chefs in action as they create favourite dishes right before the eyes of diners, blending spices and flavours to perfection, is an immersive experience that combines culinary artistry with the vibrant energy of India's streets, forever celebrating the people and cultures of this country. From the iconic Chowpatty Chat of Maharashtra, the juicy Puchkas of Kolkata, and steamy …

Cygnett Hotels & Resorts, one of India’s fastest-growing hospitality chains, proudly announces the opening of Cozzet Sonipat, A Cygnett Hotel in the heart of Sonipat. This vibrant and budget-friendly hotel is designed for business and leisure guests, offering exceptional banqueting facilities that make it a prime venue for large-scale events such as weddings, receptions, corporate gatherings, and board meetings. With two expansive banquet halls, Columbia, which spans 10,000 square feet and accommodates 500 to 1,000 guests, and Summit, covering 6,000 square feet and accommodating 100 to 300 guests, Cozzet Sonipat is equipped with advanced technology to ensure successful and memorable events. The hotel’s strategic location on National Highway 44, between Delhi and Panipat, enhances its accessibility for local and out-of-town guests, making it an ideal choice for various celebrations and business events. Cozzet Sonipat’s modern and contemporary guest rooms are meticulously designed with international amenities, including plush bedding, air conditioning, high-speed internet access, flat-screen TVs, minibars, tea and coffee makers, and eco-friendly toiletries, ensuring a comfortable stay for all guests. Mr. Sarbendra Sarkar, Founder & Managing Director of Cygnett Hotels & Resorts said, “As we advance with our expansion plans for this financial year, we reinforce our presence in Pan India’s hospitality market. We will soon open doors for our guests in destinations like Jaipur, Jamshedpur, Mahad, Puri, and Dibrugarh this year. We will continue to explore destinations with a demand for branded, value-for-money hotels. The Cozzet brand offers comfortable rooms, convenient locations, modern amenities, and excellent service. Guests staying at a Cozzet property can expect a ‘star’ hotel escapade at an affordable price.” Mr. Sarkar added, “Positioned as a smart, safe, and sensible budget segment brand, Cozzet properties offer …

Murlidhar Mohol, MoS, Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), informed that as per DGCA, currently, 56 Boeing 737 Max aircraft are registered and operating in India without engine failures. DGCA ensures aviation safety through rigorous audits. It publishes its Annual Surveillance Plan on its website providing details of the planned surveillance for the year.

According to the Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI) 2024 report published by the World Economic Forum (WEF), India ranked 39th among 119 countries. In the previous index published in 2021, India was ranked 54th. However, due to a revision in the WEF’s methodology, India’s 2021 rank was adjusted to 38th place.