Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

Sharing his comments on the recent IT outage that crashed 8.5 million computers, Willie Walsh, IATA’s DG, says, “The first lesson is humility. IT glitches happen. And they can happen on a massive scale. My initial thought is to thank travelers for their patience and all those who worked long and hard to return our world to normality. And that is quickly followed by a desire to understand how all industries could be better protected from and prepared for such failures. Indeed, questions are already being raised around the overall resilience of businesses and society to cope, which may lead to greater political scrutiny.”

Best Western Hotels & Resorts is excited to announce the grand unveiling of its latest accommodation innovation: the Family Suite with Private Pool at Best Western Resort Country Club, Manesar – Gurgaon. This new suite promises the ultimate relaxation experience, offering an unparalleled blend of privacy, comfort, and luxury. The new suites, located in a beautifully remodeled section of the resort, include 8 newly designed rooms, 2 of which feature private plunge pools. Each suite showcases thoughtfully crafted interiors that honor the local heritage while providing modern comforts. The highlight of these suites is the exclusive plunge pool, designed to offer a tranquil escape from everyday life. This renovation is also a cornerstone of the resort’s broader refurbishment initiative, which will update the remaining 107 rooms originally built in 1990 as India’s first country club by the late Mr. Ranjit Goel. A standout feature of the Family Suite with Private Pool is its modular furniture. Prefabricated locally, the wardrobes, bedheads, and bathroom vanities are designed to minimize material waste and offer greater flexibility. This approach not only enhances the spacious feel of the rooms but also allows for future adaptability in response to evolving guest preferences and design trends. Situated just an hour from Gurgaon, the resort offers a unique nature-based setting with extensive on-site activities. With 115 rooms, 7 modern conference and banquet facilities, and 3 dining venues, the resort caters to romantic getaways, family vacations, and corporate retreats alike. In addition to the new suites, ongoing improvements include enhancing the tree canopy, advancing water conservation efforts, and installing a 170 kW solar farm on the rooftops. Usha Goel, Managing Director of Raghav Farms & Resorts Private Limited said, …

M/s Sankalp Recreation Private Limited, is a leading hospitality and restaurants company based out of Ahmedabad, announces the signing of a franchise agreement with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, for conversion of an existing hotel to Ramada by Wyndham brand. Ahmedabad is also known for its rich heritage and history beyond being Gujarat’s financial capital and commercial centre. Strategically located next to Narendra Modi Stadium, the hotel will become the preferred hotel in the region for sports enthusiasts in addition to business and leisure guests. It is going to be ground-zero for hotel accommodation demand providing connectivity and accessibility to guests in one of the world’s largest cricket stadiums by seating capacity that has history of hosting country’s popular cricket tournaments including final match of ICC Men’s Cricket World cup towards the end of the last year. The hotel is in close proximity to an under-construction state-of-the-art Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave and once complete, it will be one of the iconic sports centers in India. Expected to open soon in 2024, the hotel is under active renovation to be upgraded to Ramada’s brand standards. The hotel, which overlooks the stadium, will have over 55 contemporary and a host of amenities, including a lobby lounge, an all-day dining restaurant and bar, health club, spa, swimming pool, as well as meeting space and a business centre. Mr. Kailash Ramavatar Goenka, CMD, M/s Sankalp Recreation Private Limited said, “We are pleased to extend our third hotel with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and be part of its expanding hotel portfolio in Gujarat and West India. We are working closely with Wyndham to build the hotel to high international standards and look forward to welcoming guests …

Jumeirah Olhahali Island is pleased to declare the appointment of Joseph Alexander El-Masri as the new Director of Sales and Marketing. A British national and seasoned hospitality professional, El-Masri brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in the luxury hospitality sector. A veteran member of Jumeirah, El-Masri has held significant leadership positions within the brand since 2019. Awarded the brand’s “Rising Star” award in both 2021 and 2022, El-Masri first honed his expertise in sales and marketing as the Associate Director of Sales at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray and Director of Sales at Jumeirah Emirates Towers before evolving into his largest executive role as Complex Director of Sales at Madinat Jumeirah, where he served as the head of all international leisure markets across four premium 5-star hotels, managing and implementing all international strategies for rooms revenue growth and leading his team to success. Mohamed Ashraf, General Manager of Jumeirah Olhahali Island said, “El-Masri’s strong familiarity with the Maldives destination and his profound understanding of the Jumeirah brand and culture make him an invaluable addition to our resort, “His proven track record with Jumeirah, particularly in driving significant revenue growth and building strong partner relationships, will be instrumental in enhancing our market position and delivering outstanding results at Jumeirah Olhahali Island.” His 12-year hospitality career includes roles at prestigious international brands such as JA Resorts & Hotels and Atlantis The Palm by Kerzner before joining the team at Jumeirah. His role will amplify Jumeriah Olhahali Island’s contemporary 67-villa resort, leading a passionate sales and marketing team to further promote its premier beach and overwater accommodations, often regarded as some of the largest entry-level villas in the Maldives and known …

New research from Collinson shows that sports fans are the biggest spenders, with 55% of Indian sports enthusiasts spending over US$500 per trip. Additionally, 69% of Indian sports and music fans fly to see their favorite team or artist. Globally, including in India, 80% of event travellers prefer exploring new destinations over familiar ones.   

Israel Tourism invites the Indian outbound travel trade to attend an exclusive webinar to gain insights and updates on the destination, today at 12 pm. From the ancient streets of Jerusalem to the serene shores of the Dead Sea, experience Israel’s exciting offerings. For more information, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532. 

Gujarat has emerged as a top Indian state for foreign tourists. Foreign tourist visits surged from 11,319 in 2021 to 17,77,215 in 2022, and reached 28,06,871 in 2023, reflecting a 58% increase. This significant growth, highlighted in recent Union Ministry of Tourism data, underscores Gujarat’s rising appeal with 28.06 lakh visitors in 2023. 

Rajiv Mehra, President, IATO said, “Aurangabad will soon become an international airport, with flights from Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur landing there. This will increase inbound tourism to the destination. Similarly, if Bhopal also gains international airport status, it will improve conditions in Madhya Pradesh by attracting international airlines.”  

HVS Anarock in its ‘Hotels & Hospitality Overview’ of June stated that Kochi registered the highest increase in occupancy rate, growing by 7% year-on-year, a notable rise compared to other cities. Meanwhile, both Hyderabad and Mumbai experienced declines in y-o-y occupancy rates but saw substantial increase in average rates, with Hyderabad leading with over a 9% y-o-y increase and Mumbai up by 7%.

Ahead of the Mahakumbh-2025, the new policy of star classification of hotels and resorts which was introduced in December 2023 by Yogi Adityanath government to promote the tourism industry in Uttar Pradesh will now be implemented in Prayagraj to boost tourism. The system will classify hotels based on their quality, services and guest experience, thereby boosting tourism.