Category Archives: Breaking News (All Categories)

As technological advancements continue to reshape industries, the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2024 projects that 44% of core skills will require adaptation by 2028. This transformation highlights the increasing significance of continuous learning. According to LinkedIn Learning’s 2024 report, 79% of professionals now regard continuous learning as essential for career advancement—an increase from 64% in 2020. In the hospitality sector, a Sommet Education European survey revealed that 30% of young professionals prioritize personal growth, while 29% consider professional development to be a crucial factor in their careers. Addressing these trends, Sommet Education, a global leader in hospitality, luxury, gastronomic education and training, has launched Sommet Education Business Solutions. This initiative offers bespoke training and leadership development solutions, drawing on the expertise of world-renowned institutions such as Glion Institute of Higher Education, Les Roches, École Ducasse, Indian School of Hospitality, and Invictus Education. These solutions are designed to unlock the potential of in-house talent, leveraging insights from over 300 educators, world-champion chefs, and seasoned industry leaders. Benoît-Etienne Domenget, CEO of Sommet Education, emphasized: “Leveraging our world-class educational institutions to enhance corporate talent development models is a strategic evolution. By integrating foundational with lifelong learning, we provide a holistic solution that empowers businesses and their teams to thrive in an ever-evolving industry landscape.” Demonstrating the impact of this approach, luxury hospitality leader Mandarin Oriental has partnered with Sommet Education. Their collaboration focuses on enhancing student learning experiences, supporting underserved communities, and empowering employees through tailored training solutions. Laurent Kleitman, CEO of Mandarin Oriental, shared:“The next generation of talent is a vital force in shaping the future of luxury hospitality. They bring fresh perspectives, set new benchmarks, and contribute to the continued …

This February, the Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru unveils Mystical Moods, the latest instalment in its newly launched rotating exhibition series. Hosted at CUR8, the hotel’s elegant all-day dining destination, this month-long showcase will feature the evocative works of five of the city’s most celebrated contemporary artists, promising art connoisseurs an immersive exploration of the human experience. Mr. Biswajit Chakraborty General Manager said, “At the heart of this exhibition, hosted at CUR8—our dining venue that is now taking art beyond the confines of galleries—lies the Four Seasons ethos to inspire connection, foster kindness, and celebrate shared stories across cultures and generations. With each new showcase, we want to offer a fresh perspective on the ever-evolving artistic landscape of the city, appealing to both seasoned art lovers and casual observers alike.” The exhibition presents a range of pieces from renowned artists, including the late Yusuf Arakkal, Meena Das Narayan, Ganesh Doddamani, Prabhu Harsoor, and C.F. John, each contributing a unique artistic voice to the on-going dialogue of human connection and spiritual experience. Rich in emotion and symbolism, the display invites guests and casual observers to embark on a journey that transcends the ordinary. Each piece explores powerful themes such as spirituality, identity, and searching for meaning in an often chaotic and uncertain world. The showcase brings Ganesh Doddamani’s artistic vision to the forefront, where he draws inspiration from personal memories and folklore, creating familiar and ethereal landscapes. It also celebrates the work of the late Yusuf Arakkal, whose signature style, characterised by its brooding figures and melancholic hues, explores themes of isolation and longing. Meanwhile, Meena Das Narayan, a master of capturing the nuances of human expression, adds vibrancy to the artistic …

Björn Bender, CEO & Executive Chairman, RailEurope, says, “India is now proving what we have promised and expected for a while—Indian travellers love Europe. They are no longer just visiting the classics—they are venturing into new regions, discovering hidden gems, and making the most of Europe’s extensive rail network. With train travel being hassle-free and often even hands-free (luggage service), they are unlocking Europe in a way that feels natural and effortless.”

South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs’ ground-breaking digital platform for the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS) has gone live. This platform will drive increased tourism from the major source markets of India and China by enabling vetted and approved tour operators to submit group applications for large tour groups from these two countries. This addresses a long-standing obstacle to tourism growth, whereby long queues, red tape and the inability to process group applications timeously led to inefficiency in the issuing of visas for tourists from these countries. To illustrate the scale of the change: before TTOS was created, there were only two South African missions in China, and only two missions in India, to serve the 2.8 billion people living in those two countries who wanted to come as tourists to South Africa. But under the new TTOS digital-first system, tourists from India and China who use approved tour operators will no longer have to visit a mission, will no longer fill in a single form, will not need to stand in a single queue, and will receive their visas digitally within three days. In 2023, South Africa only received 37 000 tourists from China and only 79 000 from India. By enhancing visa efficiency and security through TTOS, Home Affairs looks forward to enabling much faster tourism growth from these two burgeoning source markets. The Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, said: “The fact that Home Affairs took the TTOS from conceptualisation to implementation in less than six months demonstrates our commitment to embracing digital transformation and to playing our role as an economic enabler to create jobs. Research has shown that for every twelve new tourists attracted by TTOS, we …

DreamSetGo has been appointed as an Official Travel Agent for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, bringing cricket fans closer to the action with personalised, high-end travel and hospitality experiences. As one of the select authorised travel agents for the tournament, DreamSetGo will provide seamless, customised travel solutions for cricket enthusiasts worldwide. These premium packages will feature official match tickets, luxury accommodations, VIP hospitality, exclusive fan interactions and meet-and-greet sessions with cricketing icons, ensuring a once-in-a-lifetime sporting adventure tailored to each fan’s passion. “At DreamSetGo, we believe sports travel should go beyond just attending matches. It should be a gateway to immersive, unforgettable experiences,” said Daniel D’Souza, Co-founder, DreamSetGo. “As an Official Travel Agent for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, we are elevating fan engagement through bespoke offerings that provide top-tier hospitality and exclusive access beyond the stadium. Whether it’s soaking in the electrifying atmosphere of a marquee match or getting up close with cricketing legends, we are committed to curating extraordinary journeys for fans. With personalisation at its core, DreamSetGo’s offerings blend sport, luxury, and exclusivity, ensuring fans don’t just watch history unfold, but become part of it.”  

WTTC’s latest report ‘Bridging the Say-Do Gap: How to Create an Effective Sustainability Strategy by Knowing Your Customers’ focuses the gap between travellers’ desire for sustainable options and their actual behaviour. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “Travellers care about sustainability but when buying travel, cost and quality are king. Customers expect businesses to create affordable sustainable options.”

While growth in foreign tourist arrivals is on the lower side at 3%, it is better than industry average, said Goa’s tourism minister Rohan Khaunte. Addressing the controversy of losing popularity among tourists, he added, “All is well. Posts by many influencers of deserted beaches, empty hotels in Goa flooded the internet last December. We didn’t want to respond to every social media influencer who took Goa for a ride in the last quarter. We will address the issues raised. However, the way they took it up was something, which we need to condemn.”

Tourism minister of Andhra Pradesh, Kandula Durgesh, has requested Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat for fast-track approvals for Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for proposed Swadesh Darshan projects. He informed the minister that tourism development in AP would proceed through central government schemes like PRASAD, Swadesh Darshan 2.0 and the special assistance to states for capital investment Scheme. “Development work at the Simhachalam temple in Visakhapatnam is complete by 60 per cent and the tendering process for the Annavaram temple development in Kakinada district has been finalised,” he said.

Six Senses has received the highest level of certification by Control Union – a certification body accredited by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. Six Senses properties underwent an extensive audit by Control Union to verify their efforts in sustainability planning, reducing negative environmental impacts, enhancing cultural heritage, and maximizing social and economic benefits for surrounding communities. Jeff Smith, Vice President of Sustainability, Six Senses shares, “GSTC Certification is a mark of trust and credibility in sustainability. While this certification is issued globally, it marks a proud moment for our individual Six Senses properties included in this certification and their sustainability teams, who work proactively to provide uncompromising hospitality, environmentally cognizant operations, an outstanding guest experience, and high levels of engagement among colleagues and the local community.” The GSTC Certification is a respected seal of sustainable travel and tourism, offering an antidote to “greenwashing” in the hospitality industry. The extensive certification criteria aim to give credibility to sustainability claims, ensuring they are both measurable and can be upheld through meaningful action. Certification is based on third-party audits of hotels and corporate processes by accredited auditors, and is granted for a period of three years, providing a continuous commitment to improvement and accountability. Six Senses Vana, a pioneering wellness retreat nestled in the Himalayan foothills, has made significant contributions to achieving this prestigious certification, embracing sustainability as a core value since its inception. The GSTC certification further validates Six Senses Vana’s efforts to minimize environmental footprint, preserve cultural heritage, and cultivate meaningful connections with the local community, thereby marking a proud moment in its long-standing sustainability journey. Jaspreet Singh, General Manager, Six Senses Vana, added, “The recent GSTC certification is a testament …

Two hospitality companies have aligned forces, creating one powerhouse organization strategically positioned for the future of the Indian hospitality industry: LaRiSa Hotels and Resorts that owns and operates hotels with a portfolio of 8 properties across India and AM Hotel Kollection that manages experiential boutique hotels with 18 properties have a combined annual operating revenue of more than INR 100 Crore with 26 operational units comprising 950 keys and another 6 hotels with 120 keys on the anvil. In its new avatar, the new company under the brand LaRiSa Hotels and Resorts captures the passions and unique strengths of AM Hotel Kollection, an established operator managing independent and lifestyle properties, and LaRiSa Hotels, known for its owned and operated hotels, as well as curated and experiential hospitality. This merger will drive greater success and provide the necessary momentum for accelerated growth – giving the company an opportunity to participate in Branded and Co-branded ownership and management space. Their combined centers of excellence will make it the property manager and employer of choice as it delivers improved and accelerated results focused on service to owners and hotel guests. Over the next few years, the merged entity expects a 20-25% growth from the existing and also hopes to enhance the revenue through new acquisitions and management contracts. Hospitality innovators join forces Leading the new company are Ms. Priya Thakur – Owner and Director of Larisa Hotels and Mr. Randhir Narayan—Founder and CEO of AM Hotel Kollection. This transformative partnership merges Larisa’s signature collection with AM Hotel Kollection’s unique hotels across India and beyond, creating a collective portfolio of 32 diverse hotels, resorts and villas. This landmark merger cements Larisa’s position as a …