ITC GARDENIA, BENGALURU ACCREDITED THE LEED ZERO CARBON CERTIFICATION BY USGBC

ITC GARDENIA, BENGALURU ACCREDITED THE LEED ZERO CARBON CERTIFICATION BY USGBC

ITC Gardenia, Bengaluru has been accredited yet another distinction by the USGBC (United States Green Building Council), making it the third hotel in the world to achieve the LEED Zero Carbon Certification, after ITC Windsor, Bengaluru and ITC Grand Chola, Chennai.

ITC Hotels’ Responsible Luxury journey started at ITC Gardenia in 2009 when it was conferred the highest rating for green buildings in the world - the LEED India Platinum Rating. This recognition made it Asia’s first platinum rated hotel and is yet another manifestation of ITC's leadership in Sustainability Practices.

LEED Zero encourages a holistic approach for buildings and places, which will contribute to a regenerative future and demonstrates a deep commitment to implementing building and design strategies that assure an enhanced quality of life. 

ITC Gardenia is an inclusive blend of contemporary design and International Green Practices, a beacon in a bustling urban environment. The hotel has utilised innovation, cutting edge technology and design integration to earn new benchmarks in energy efficiency, water efficiency and zero carbon techniques, and is a model of environmental stewardship. A series of sustainable measures and practices were embraced to ensure that elements of nature were effectively harnessed at every level inside this luxury hotel. 

Manas V. Krishnamoorthy, General Manager, ITC Gardenia, added, “Following its philosophy of “Forward to Green. Back to Nature.”, ITC Gardenia exemplifies ITC's vision and is perhaps the perfect example of finding the common rhythm between man-made and natural environment. The LEED Zero carbon certification for ITC Gardenia is a matter of huge pride for us as our journey towards Responsible Luxury started with ITC Gardenia in 2009 when it was conferred the LEED Platinum certification. Guests staying at ITC Gardenia consume lesser carbon footprints, compared to any other hotel of this size. It is our humble attempt to educate them on not only being eco-friendly but also eco-responsible.”

ITC Hotels has pioneered several ground-breaking initiatives on environment, hotel ecosystem, health, and well-being. From LEED platinum ratings, to being one of the first chain to eliminate single use plastic free products, deployment of radiation harmonisers across the chain, farm to fork low carbon footprint cuisine, clean air and more. 

“ITC Gardenia’s LEED Zero [Energy, Water, Waste or Carbon] certification demonstrates a tremendous commitment to implementing building and design strategies that ultimately help improve quality of life for all” said Peter Templeton, president and CEO, USGBC. “LEED Zero was created to give the green building community a new standard to strive for and recognize the leadership of projects that 

have aspired to net zero goals. By prioritizing net zero [energy, water, waste or carbon], ITC Gardenia is pioneering a new way forward for the industry as a whole.”

For more than two decades, LEED has provided a framework for creating high performance green buildings and spaces and is an internationally recognized symbol of excellence. Building on that work, the U.S. Green Building Council has developed LEED Zero, a complement to LEED that verifies the achievement of net zero goals. LEED Zero represents a new level of achievement in green building that is not just attainable but is the goal of LEED certified projects around the world.

 (*LEED - Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) 

About ITC Hotels:

ITC Hotels is the largest chain of hotels in the World, which has maximum number of LEED Platinum Certified Properties (As on June 2020, as per USGBC).  Continuing with its Planet Positive Promise, ITC Hotels launched Sunya Aqua or zero-kilometre water in glass bottles across the chain over a decade back and have taken this lead further and pioneered the mitigation of single use plastic from its operations pan India. While ITC Windsor is the first hotel in the world to achieve LEED Zero Carbon Certification, ITC Grand Chola is the largest hotel in the world to achieve the LEED Zero Carbon Certification.  ITC Gardenia is the third hotel in world to receive the LEED Zero Carbon Certification.

About the U.S. Green Building Council 

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is committed to a healthy, resilient and equitable future for all through the development of green buildings, cities and communities. For more than 20 years, USGBC has been advancing green building practices through the development of LEED, the world’s most widely used green building program. With the support of thousands of members, volunteers and partners, USGBC provides robust green building education courses, a rigorous professional credentialing program, and advocates for effective public policies. It convenes an international network of green building and sustainability leaders through the annual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, and forward thinking programs, including the Center for Green Schools. For more information, visit usgbc.org and connect on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. 

ibis Vikhroli partners with Magenta for EV charging facilities

ibis, a smart economy hospitality brand and a joint venture from Accor Hotels and InterGlobe Enterprises has tied up with Magenta. The latter will install electric vehicle charging stations (EVCS) at ibis Vikhroli, which is strategically located in Mumbai’s corporate hub.

With the increasing popularity of EVs in the country, this initiative will further fuel the growth of the EV segment and help in reducing the carbon footprint. Magenta shall install, operate, and manage DC fast chargers initially at ibis Vikhroli followed by other properties across the country.

These charging solutions are mobile-enabled applications (OCCP based) and come with many other consumer-friendly features. These chargers can be accessed by EV users using the ChargeGrid system. The ChargeGrid app provides seamless information from acquiring a charger to completing an online charging session.

Commenting on this tie-up, JB Singh, President and CEO, Interglobe Hotels said, “We’re delighted to cater for the need of our young and modern audience, at a time when we are seeing them gradually shifting towards EVs. This partnership will also provide us with the opportunity to promote environment-friendly options for our target customer segment and meet sustainability goals.”

All charging channels to be used under this partnership will be managed and operated with the Charge Grid internal Magenta software which will enable EV customers to continuously monitor electricity consumption and track the deduction of the wallet value during charging.

Hilton is trying to tap into the $639 billion wellness tourism market with a fitness-focused hotel room.

Hilton has an answer for fitness fanatics who can't take a rest day, even on vacation.

For the last five years, some Hilton locations have included Five Feet to Fitness, an "in-room wellness concept" that offers 11 different fitness machines and exercise tools steps from a guest's bed.

The rooms, which are available in Hilton locations in Atlanta, San Francisco, Shanghai, and more, are equipped with an exercise bike, medicine balls, light-weight dumbbells, bands, TRX ropes, yoga blocks, and other supplies. 

The setup includes a giant TV filled with tutorials on how to use all the equipment, and guided workouts for yoga, high-intensity interval training, cycling, boxing, and meditation. 

It's Hilton's answer to the travel industry introducing new features to cash in on the $639 billion "wellness tourism" trend, or wealthy travelers' interest in retreats focused on self-care, health, and spirituality. 

In 2019, the Four Seasons launched Sensei Lanai, a relaxation resort offering wellness consultations and sensory walking meditation. Marriott will offer wellness-focused suites, complete with deep soaking tubs, bath salts, and wood decor, in its renovated Newport Beach location 

I stayed at Hilton's Five Feet to the Fitness room in the DoubleTree at Newark, New Jersey to see how "well" they made me feel. Here's what it was like.

Constant motivation to move

Upon walking in, I was immediately impressed by the selection of different tools. The hotel gyms I've stayed at typically don't have TRX bands and guided training like Five Feet to Fitness rooms do. 

With weights that ranged between 5 and 18 pounds, the setup felt geared more toward light strength training and might not appeal to guests who are used to heavier weights and more intense reps.

Though the setup could be stressful for people who don't want to workout on vacation, I view physical exercise as a mental health treatment. After struggling with depression and anxiety for years, consistently working out has brought me relief that I struggle to break from during long trips. 

Business travelers could further benefit from having exercise equipment so close to them. Frequent business travelers were more likely to report poor self-rated health, no physical activity, and trouble sleeping, according to Harvard Business Review. Five Feet to Fitness rooms can provide a place to workout late at night, when hotel gyms might close. 

Hilton said the Five Feet to Fitness rooms are ideal for "road warriors, exercise enthusiasts and wellness aspirants who want to maintain their fitness regime, even while on the road."

Sleeep by ITC Hotels - Story of Sleeep Boutique

Sleeep by ITC Hotels - Story of Sleeep Boutique

ITC Hotels’ Sleep journey commenced in an endeavour to provide better quality of sleep as part of our holistic well-being approach & thereby enhancing the guest stay experience. In line with our ethos of Responsible Luxury, it is our responsibility to ensure that guests experience sound sleep in the luxurious environs of our rooms while staying at ITC Hotels. Over two decades of experience backed by extensive research on the Science of Sleep has helped us in our endeavor to enhance sleep comfort in our hotel rooms. 

SLEEEP ENSEMBLE

The ‘Sleeep Ensemble’ is available as an in-room amenity for our premium ITC One & above room categories, at all our Luxury Collection hotels. It consists of a Pillow Menu, Sleep Menu, Sleep Booklet, Eye Mask, Pillow Mist for Sound Sleep and Essential Oils for relieving stress.

The Pillow menu has a selection of 9 pillows to choose from which provide greater personalized comfort for our guests whilst the Sleeep Menu is a curated menu to enable a good night’s sleep.

SLEEEP Boutique

The sleeep boutique presents an array of exclusive products which are used in our rooms for guests to purchase for their personal use at home. We offer a variety of pillows ranging from feather to silk to super soft and cotton, to name a few. Mattress protectors, duvets and bed linen will also be available in various sizes.

Tucked near the Frederick’s lounge the sleep boutique in ITC Grand Central Mumbai, breathes of comfort and spaces. The sleeep boutique marks the concept of upscaling the meaning of luxury to all our customers and redefines what luxury actually is. True luxury is through a sound, deep sleep and that’s what the Sleeep boutique at ITC Grand Central will endeavor to enable.

Women-run food brand Naario raises pre-seed funding from a group of women angel investors & entrepreneurs

Women-run food brand Naario raises pre-seed funding from a group of women angel investors & entrepreneurs

The group of Angel Investors also include Sairee Chahal of Sheroes, Harshita Singh of Times Prime, Ankit Mehrotra of Dineout, amongst others

New Delhi, December 8th,2021 In its bid to build scale and a diverse pan-India presence, women-led and run organic food brand Naario has raised an undisclosed sum in pre-seed funding from a group of angel investors led by women entrepreneurs.

Started by a young and dynamic Anamika Pandey, 24, Naario is India’s first women-led and run food product brand that offers organic cereals, condiments, and beverages. An engineering graduate from NIT Warangal and a Booth School of Business and BigBasket Alum, Anamika started Naario in January 2021 out of her hometown, Gorakhpur, in eastern Uttar Pradesh, over a cup of tea with her mom.

Some of the notable members of the group of Angel Investors included Sairee Chahal of Sheroes, Harshita Singh of Times Prime, Ankit Mehrotra of Dineout, amongst others. The pre-seed funding will help Naario invest in brand building, develop tech-based solutions to scale operations and expand distribution channels as it chases growth in a highly fragmented D2C market.

Commenting on the pre-seed funding, Anamika, Founder and CEO, said: “Naario is a brand built for women whose passion for cooking goes unrecognized. It was built with the mission to touch the lives of millions of women who have talent but no resources to realize their dreams. Ever since the launch, Naario has grown fast and this round of funding will help us to move rapidly in a highly competitive market,” explains Anamika Pandey, Founder and CEO, Naari

Commenting on the investment, Sairee, said: “Our strategic investment in Naario is in line with our endeavour to create a wide and diverse ecosystem of women entrepreneurs, who are working towards supporting women’s and their aspirations. In a short period, Anamika and her team have built something truly commendable.”

Within a few months of launch, Naario has expanded its product range from four to seven and its reach from Gorakhpur, a small city in Eastern UP, to more than 10 states across the country. The current product portfolio includes everyday favourites like 9-in-1 flour mix, South Indian Filter Coffee decoction, All Rounder Garam Masala, Lucknowi Masala, Classic Muesli, Jaggery powder with Chai Masala, South Indian Filter Coffee decoction and Rose Sherbet to name a few.

Naario combines the essence of two words- Naari and Opportunity - happens to be one of India's first women led and run food brands. Naario is democratising good food while building a community of women who are more than ready to tie their creative talents to their identity. Naario, as a brand, comes in at a time when health has become an average Indian’s prerogative and women have realised that they need their own identity and financial freedom.

Future Assistants | Automation in Cullinary industry

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Initiative | Radisson Hotel Group becomes world’s first hotel group to offer carbon negative meetings

For every event taking place at its participating hotels, Radisson Hotel Group will offset double the carbon footprint, to ensure that every meeting has a positive impact on the environment

Radisson Hotel Group is set to become the world’s first hotel group to make all meetings and events across 400+ hotels in its EMEA portfolio carbon negative. For every event taking place at its participating hotels, Radisson Hotel Group will offset double the carbon footprint, to ensure that every meeting has a positive impact on the environment.

For meetings booked between 18 October 2021 and 31 January 2022 and taking place before 31st March 2022, Carbon Negative. Planet Positive will set a new sustainability standard in the global hospitality industry. The program allows clients to host meetings in a sustainable way by offsetting double the CO2 emissions from meetings and events free of charge to the client, making meetings that take place during this period at participating hotels carbon negative.

Carbon Negative. Planet Positive reinforces the Group’s 100% Carbon Neutral meetings offering, in place across the Group’s 1,600 hotels worldwide since 2019. The initiative forms part of the Group’s wider Responsible Business program which targets reducing the Group’s carbon footprint by 30%, and which aims to set science-based targets. Since the launch of the 100% Carbon Neutral Meetings program, the Group has offset over 30,300 tons of CO2 at no cost to its clients, which is the equivalent to removing more than 6,500 fuel driven cars1 off the road.

Carbon Negative, Planet Positive meetings complement the Group’s Hybrid Meetings solutions which launched in 2020 and offer owners and guests the flexibility and space optimization they require to better meet the rapid lifestyle changes of today’s travelers. Hybrid Meetings are available across more than 100 hotels in EMEA and contribute to a lighter scope 3 footprint for the client.

“The upcoming COP26 conference will see world leaders come together to discuss climate change which needs all our attention. At Radisson Hotel Group, we are constantly reviewing how we as a global business can influence positive climate action, and how we can encourage the hospitality industry to push the boundaries on green meetings and events. We are proud to be pioneering this initiative and trust that meeting organizers around the globe recognize the positive impact they can have on the environment as face-to-face meetings increase,” says Eric de Neef, Executive Vice President, Global Chief Branding & Commercial Officer.

“Carbon Negative. Planet Positive allows you to make your meetings carbon negative and your impact planet positive. With the return of business travel, now is the time to have a positive impact. For Radisson Hotel Group, it is important that we offset carbon emissions according to the highest quality standards and in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This is why we select offsetting projects that are not only good for the environment, but also socially relevant. This initiative plays a key role in helping us achieve our Responsible Business targets to protect people, planet, and community,” says Inge Huijbrechts, Global Senior Vice President Sustainability, Security and Corporate Communications.

For each meeting, the carbon footprint is calculated using the HCMI methodology2 and then offset through projects which are Gold Standard or Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) recognized. These projects combat climate change and contribute to sustainable development in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and include a clean cooking and safe water program in Kenya, wind farm projects in Turkey, India, and the US to generate green electricity, a forest protection program in Peru to reduce deforestation sustainably, and a biogas project in rural China. In addition, members of Radisson’s Radisson Rewards loyalty program can also choose to redeem their loyalty points to offset their stay.

Innovation | Food Bus India- A double decker moving vehicle opens doors to diners

The Food bus India will be serving street food from the world curated by founders

Surjit Singh one of the Co-Founders of popular cafes and clubs lords of the Drinks, Warehouse Cafe, Open House Cafe & IMLY with his partner Sukhraj Singh have come up with a double decker bus dining destination named  Food Bus India- A moving vehicle to dine in for food lovers across NCR and Indian subcontinent.

“To bring this new age double decker dining in the Indian market it took all about 12 months of planning and 12 months of execution. It started during my studies in UK when my father convinced me of the idea of adapting and opening a QSR,which is the need of an hour and this is where adding famous street food across the Europe and Asia, from the capital of the world to capital of India. We are all set to bring dining over go first time in India” says Sukhraj Singh-Co-founder of Food Bus India.

Understanding the burgeoning demand and changing consumers' living styles and preferences towards a new lifestyle, this double-decker bus dining will provide diners a unique ambience to dine in a food truck and enjoy their meal.

The Food bus India will be serving street food from the world curated by founders and hospitality  personalities Surjit Singh and Sukhraj Singh. Guests will be provided with options of having  lunch, hi-tea, dinner, and breakfast making every food served with an innovative and unique presentation.

The key element and surprise package for every pizza lover is that the bus is going to provide them with a handmade pizza topped with freshly ground spices and veggies.

“This young generation is all crazy and fascinated about new ways of living and enjoying their life, but what still keep their local roots alive is the taste of their food, food is what still makes them happy and enjoy their moment, we at food bus wants each our customer to not just enjoy the moment but even live the little moment they will spend with us, so to let them enjoy we here have to make sure the food they are served with touches their heart and they remember and cherish it’’ says Mr. Sukraj Singh -Co-Founder, Food Bus India

The place will even have a new age QSR format, where the family and friends coming won't be waiting for long and long hours to get their first meal or snack. It will have a new way of giving food or starters which will be served quickly and smartly without killing customers time and moment.

“COVID 19 has highly changed the view pattern of customers, each one of us believes to be safe and hygiene wherever we are going, keeping all your safety our priority we at Food Bus India, with bus dining, brings separate booths for you and your family to enjoy fully with complete space and safety, Our utmost priority is making your experience the best with the change.We have been in this market and industry for long run,we know you believe and hopes the faith and trust goes the same with our new venture too,” says Mr. Surjit Singh-Co-Founder Food Bus  India.

Hilton NEWS | Hilton Honors Unveils Exclusive Offer for Dining ‘Like a Member’

Members to receive exclusive access to attractive perks and privileges at Hilton dining establishments in India and across Asia Pacific

NEW DELHI, India, July 2021– Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest-loyalty program for Hilton’s 18 world-class brands, today announced its Asia Pacific new dining offer, ‘Like a Member’, giving guests an opportunity to join Hilton Honors and enjoy its privileges in their locales, even without staying on property. Inviting guests to dine like a member, the offer includes discounts of up to 25%, as well as opportunities to earn Bonus Points across an extensive range of dining outlets managed by Hilton in the region. 

With more than 900 dining outlets across the Asia Pacific, including India, all of which adhere to the highest standards of hygiene and safety, Hilton Honors aims to give members access to enjoy the best value while they dine, toast and celebrate in their home cities or within the region where it is safe to travel again. 

Hilton Honors members can enjoy the following benefits* when they dine at eligible Hilton-managed dining outlets across India, including takeaways, deliveries and alcoholic beverages, where permissible by law:

• 25% discount off net prices for all Hilton Honors Gold and Diamond Members     

• 10% discount off net prices for all Hilton Honors members      

• 500 Bonus Points awarded for any transaction over INR 1900 for all walk-in Hilton Honors members 

The ‘Like a Member’ offer will launch today across all participating dining outlets in India and will be valid until December 31, 2021. The program is also currently available in Greater China, South East Asia, Japan and Korea, Australian and New Zealand.

“Our Hilton Honors members are at the centre of what we do, so we are constantly looking for ways to give them seamless access to the experiences they desire and the recognition they deserve – an inside connection that elevates their every day,” said Ben George, senior vice president and commercial director, Asia Pacific, Hilton. “By engaging with the culinary passions and interests shared across the diverse region, this dining offer unlocks great choice and value through member-only benefits across Asia Pacific. As we continue to bring the light and warmth of hospitality to our members wherever they may be, we also look forward to welcoming them back to our hotels when they are ready.”

Manish Tolani, commercial director and vice president, Hilton, India said, “Dining out has undergone a massive shift, but what we know is that food remains an integral part of any experience. As markets start to reopen, we at Hilton remain committed to offering the best experiences to our guests in a safe environment. The ‘Like a Member’ dining offer aims to bring the finest cuisines to our members at the best value, along with other benefits so that our valued members can savour their favourite meals at our restaurants or their homes and get rewarded at the same time.” 

From feasting on the finest delicacies and sampling surprising new flavours and cocktails, to immersing in themed dining experiences, members can satisfy every craving through a wide array of dining options. Some of these restaurants in India include: 

@Saipe, Hilton Goa Resort

Inspired by Goa’s diverse vibe, @Saipe is an all-day dining restaurant featuring live kitchens that transform into a culinary theatre. Enjoy local delicacies with a modern take or a range of global cuisines in a relaxed ambience that celebrates the best of Indo-European design sensibilities. Experience chef-curated events at the private dining area or admire sweeping views of Goa’s stunning coastal landscape at the Patio@Saipe or Al fresco.

Feliz, DoubleTree by Hilton Goa – Panaji

Resonating the essence of Goa, Feliz offers a relaxed ambience in nature with outdoor seating overlooking the pool and the picturesque Mandovi River. The restaurant serves an exquisite selection of Coastal, Goan and Mangalorean cuisine. The menu incorporates sustainable seafood, prime cuts and exotic vegetables expertly prepared with intense aroma and flavours. A bar by night, Feliz showcases a selection of unique cocktails and trendy lounge music. 

Tiamo, Conrad Bengaluru

With balmy days and cool evenings, most days in Bengaluru equal al fresco. Tiamo is a celebration of the favourite Mediterranean bistro classics relished under open skies, overlooking the hotel’s iconic infinity pool with panoramic views of the breathtaking Ulsoor Lake. Savour robust flavours and the simple ingredients of Mediterranean cuisine in a stylish atmosphere.

Koji, Conrad Pune

Inspired by decadence, the award-winning Pan Asian restaurant, Koji, serves the best of Japanese, Chinese and Thai cuisines. Weaving in Japanese design philosophy, the stunning restaurant features a dramatic live kitchen, extensive sushi bar and an exclusive private dining area with a dedicated teppan grill. 

The Brasserie, Hilton Mumbai International Airport

A French-inspired restaurant, The Brasserie is a charming eatery to grab a bite or pack a power lunch. The all-day dining restaurant offers an innovative menu and aromatic dishes from around the globe in an intimate and elegant setting. Featuring enormous bay windows and overlooking the shimmering pool, guests are spoiled for choice with both familiar and exotic selections of Indian, French, Italian, Oriental and Mediterranean specialities.

Vasco’s, Hilton Chennai

Enjoy fresh and innovative global cuisine from live kitchens at this stylish, all-day dining restaurant. The modern furnishings and relaxed ambience, together with superb views of the city, ensure the perfect dining experience. An elevated private dining room with a bird’s eye view of the restaurant below is available for those seeking an exclusive setting. 

The Amber Kitchen, DoubleTree by Hilton Jaipur, Amer

The Amber Kitchen is an ode to Jaipur’s rich culinary heritage and serves a diversity of local specialties, North Indian dishes as well as international cuisine. The all-day dining restaurant boasts an extensive buffet and live kitchen that dishes up exquisite local Rajasthani delicacies. Overlooking the Aravalli range, the restaurant enjoys ample natural light seeping in through large alcoves. The adjacent Garden Bar extends breathtaking views to guests looking to relax amidst the serene landscape. 

Spot 360, DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Bangalore

The combination of poolside cabanas, comfortable cocoon beds, luxe cocktails and exotic cuisine makes Spot 360 an ideal destination to bask in the ambience and views of Bengaluru when the sun goes down. With contemporary and retro music playing in the background, guests can indulge in a comforting progressive Indian menu paired with a wide range of premium liquor concoctions.

Hilton Honors offers members a wide range of benefits and perks across Hilton’s world-class portfolio of 18 brands, including exclusive discounts, rewards and hundreds of ways to earn and redeem Points on free nights, premium merchandise, charitable contributions and unique experiences. 

The industry-leading Hilton Honors mobile app provides guests a smooth, contactless experience even before stepping foot on property. Using a smartphone, guests can bypass the front desk, and check-in, select and access their room with a Digital Key at over 5,200 properties worldwide.

During this uncertain time for travelers, Hilton Honors remains committed to providing the flexibility to change or cancel bookings up to 24 hours before arrival, as well as status and Points extensions. For guests booking - or rebooking - a stay, Hilton Honors members are guaranteed the lowest price on all Hilton hotels when they book on Hilton.com or the Hilton Honors app, and have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of Points and money to book a stay.

To take advantage of the ‘Like a Member’ offer and the full spectrum of member benefits, enrol for free at HiltonHonors.com. 

High-resolution images can be accessed here.

*A full list of the terms and conditions for the ‘Like a Member’ offer can be accessed here.

# # #

About Hilton Honors

Hilton Honors is the award-winning guest loyalty program for Hilton’s 18 world-class brands comprising more than 6,500 properties in 119 countries and territories. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of Points and money to book a stay, an exclusive member discount and free Standard WiFi. Members also have access to contactless technology exclusively through the industry-leading Hilton Honors mobile app, where members can check in, choose their room and access their room using Digital Key. Hilton Honors offers its more than 115 million members hundreds of ways to earn and redeem Points, including select co-branded credit cards. Members can redeem their Points for free nights, premium merchandise and items on Amazon, and make charitable contributions. The program is free to join and travelers can enroll online by visiting hiltonhonors.com. Learn more about Hilton Honors at newsroom.hilton.com/hiltonhonors, and follow Hilton Honors on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Innovation | Young Hotel Management Students Invent semi automated Floor Cleaning Machine.

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Innovation | Two young entrepreneurs launch India’s first Ayurveda-Inspired Functional Chocolate brand

Designed to help the urban working millennials deal with their modern-day lifestyle disorders, two friends Pranav Sharma and Kritik Thakur, have launched India’s first Functional Chocolate brand, Awsum. Awsum is first of its kind chocolate brand which is using Ayurvedic principles to make products healthier that nowhere compromises on taste. Awsum uses the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda and combines it with premium dark and milk chocolate to create exciting products that come with functional benefits.

The Functional Chocolate as a category is very new and novel for the Indian markets with no similar brands available in the same space. These Chocolates are packed with herbs and nutrients that help the body to deal with the modern-day lifestyle health disorders and are very relevant for the current scenario where we are all dealing with a pandemic like Covid. The chocolates have a rich and smooth texture and do not come at a compromise of taste.

Awsum has initially launched 4 variants to start off with which are: Daily Energy, Sleep, Goodbye Stress, and Active Immunity.

“The mission of the brand is to inspire lifelong healthy habits by bringing simplicity, inspiration, and delight to the world of supplements and nutraceuticals. These functional chocolates immensely help you to fight and deal with modern-day lifestyle problems- from sleep deprivation to stress and anxiety. So, a product like this has become all the way more relevant in the current scenario where India is fighting a battle with a global pandemic, wherein everyone is looking for immunity boosting products, and problems like sleep deprivation stress and anxiety has aggravated all the way more”, said the Co-founders, Pranav Sharma and Kritik Thakur.

The idea of Awsum was conceived in the backdrop of nationwide lockdown declared by the government last year in 2020 when the co-founders themselves grappled with problems such as sleep deprivation, daytime lethargy, and anxiety. And their own experience led to the creation of the brand that aims to help people deal with these problems in a more convenient and exciting way. Their ‘Awsum’ thought took shape at Gurugram based start-up incubator, Huddle that closely works with selected high-growth start-ups. The company is also backed and mentored by a group of highly accomplished individuals and industry experts.

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AWARENESS | The Resort undertakes unique campaign to create traffic safety awareness on Mumbai’s roads

Oh Lord! ‘Yamraj’ warns traffic rule violators on Madh-Marve Road

The Resort undertakes unique campaign to create traffic safety awareness on Mumbai’s roads

On Wednesday, commuters on Mumbai’s Madh Marve Road were in for a surprise when they found themselves face to face with none other than Yamraj – the God of death!

The Resort, Mumbai undertook a unique initiative wherein a volunteer dressed up as Yamraj directly confronted drivers and motorists if they were found violating traffic rules. The campaign purported that if a driver or a rider was thinking of violating traffic rules, they were stopped by the Lord of Death, Yamraj himelf! Yamraj did not just stop motorists, he also appealed to them to follow traffic rules! He also got assurance from people that they will not violate traffic rules and will care for their safety.

The Resort launched this unique initiative in a creative manner to spread road safety awareness and to educate people on the many fatalities that occur if rules are not followed. A novel idea, and one that immediately grabbed attention, the campaign seemed to be successful in making drivers think before they violated traffic rules. Road safety is among one of the major concerns of Mumbai’s traffic police. Time and again, the police have come out with campaigns on road safety, yet people end up breaking traffic rules. 

When he stopped people, ‘Yamraj’ also ensured that he made them aware about various traffic rules like the use of helmets for two-wheeler riders, use of seat-belts for four-wheeler drivers, safe distance between vehicles, use of indicators, not using mobile phone while driving or riding vehicles and avoiding over-speeding. 

A little distance away from where Yamraj stood, there were also boards with slogans written on them that ranged from Yamraj ko dekhke darr gaye kya to Aapka waqt abhi khatam nahi hua, gaadi dheere chalaiye and Wear helmet, wear seat belt to Ghar pe koi appka intezar kar raha hai, drive slow. 

Talking about the initiative, Satyajit Kotwal, The Resort said, “The common psychology is that people are likely to refrain from an act if they are truly afraid of repercussions. Police try their best to warn people and make them aware about following traffic safety rules. But we thought the face of Yamraj will haunt them the next time they violate traffic rules on the road. I think we were quite successful in making people aware through this campaign.”

Conrad Bengaluru begins 2021 with an era of healthy lifetstyle for its guests and employees

This event was curated to design a life centered on wellness. This was a one of a kind event, where the fitness enthusiasts had 90 mins of work out with fun team challenges and ZUMBA.

With a state-of-the-art Gym and wellness-centered culture, Conrad Bengaluru has always taken pride in itself being a health & lifestyle-oriented workplace for team members and guests.

The property's General Manager, Srijan Vadhera, a fitness enthusiast walks the talk with his focus on wellbeing. As a wellness aficionado, he strongly advocates and practices making healthy living choices and focusing on holistic well-being as a way of life, making him truly stand apart.

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Hilton Introduces Hilton EventReady Hybrid Solutions for Meetings and Events

As we emerge from a year of uncertainties, one business reality seems crystal clear: Hybrid meetings and events will be critical in the near-term. To address this dramatic shift in how people meet and celebrate, Hilton is introducing a set of Hilton EventReady Hybrid Solutions. The new suite of offerings, which will continue to evolve, directs event planners to Hilton’s hybrid-ready hotels while also providing them with planning resources – including an expanded Hilton EventReady Playbook and flexible customer offers.

With each meeting and event experience delivered by dedicated team members, as part of the Hilton EventReady Hybrid Solutions, participating hotels will have access to comprehensive team member training resources to build and strengthen their knowledge in hybrid events.

“Hilton has remained a leader in the meetings and events industry for more than 100 years by listening intently and innovating quickly to changing customer needs,” said Martin Rinck, executive vice president and chief brand officer, Hilton. “Hilton EventReady Hybrid Solutions were born out of our continued commitment to excellence – from accessing the capabilities of our global portfolio to rolling out a suite of extensive event planner resources and introducing team member training to ensure we can deliver the optimum overall event experience.” 

The Hilton EventReady Hybrid Solutions will begin rolling out globally this month. Additionally, the expanded Hybrid Events chapter of the Hilton EventReady Playbook – which will include detailed case studies, pro-tips, a glossary of hybrid event terms and more – will also be available in English this month and accessible to customers working with any hotel within the Hilton global portfolio.

The portfolio of hybrid-ready hotels will spotlight the baseline requirements that customers should expect when hosting a small hybrid event, which include:

• IT Readiness: Each hotel will have undergone an evaluation to assess the available IT bandwidth and infrastructure of the hotel to meet the requirements of small hybrid events. To be deemed “hybrid-ready”, hotels are required to have a minimum amount of incremental and available bandwidth that is above and beyond the hotel’s average circuit utilization level. This requirement allows for seamless communication and connectivity to optimize the hybrid experience within the hotel while providing easy access for virtual attendees.

• Multi-Site Offering and Express Agreements: These incentives enable customers to book the in-person portion of their event at multiple hybrid-ready Hilton locations as well as create a more seamless contract experience.

• Expanded Playbook: While the EventReady Playbook is available to customers globally, those looking for in-depth information on planning and executing small hybrid events can access the expanded Hybrid Events chapter, which will continue to evolve alongside customer needs.

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Rustic Art launches Serve Clean to preserve the essential nutrients in your Vegetables and Fruits

“ India’s only powdered fruit and vegetable wash

- 100 percent Natural and Organic Wash that helps retains freshness for nearly a week

”

Rustic Art, a home-grown organic personal & homecare brand recently launched Serve Clean – a 100 per cent natural and organic Vegetable & Fruit Wash. The Soapnut Tamarind powdered formulation is curated to get rid of wax, dirt, bacteria and pesticides from vegetables and fruits. Enriched with Colloidal Silver, it has a strong anti-bacterial property that works effectively against all types of fungus, bacteria, and pathogens. Colloidal Silver combined with other ingredients makes the formula more potent and invincible.

 The extremely porous skins on vegetables and fruits easily absorb the chemicals from soap. While consuming these food items, the residues of soap or detergent absorbed by the vegetable might get ingested directly. This could lead to various health troubles like diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain, nausea and other such issues. Some of these issues may falsely look like COVID-19 symptoms causing panic. Therefore, it is imperative to opt for an organic wash that helps cleanse the dangerous carcinogens without leaving any residue.

Sunita Jaju, Founder & Director, Chief Formulator, Rustic Art (Brand owned by Erina Eco Craft Pvt. Ltd.) said, “Our endeavour has always been to serve consumers with sustainable solutions derived from natural sources. In view of the pandemic, consumers are more inclined towards eco-friendly products for safety and hygiene. We curated a 100% organic powdered wash that is free of chemical fragrance, preservative, sulphate and synthetic colour. Most vegetable and fruit washes in the market use up a lot of water to get rid of the residue from the surface. Serve Clean is a highly water efficient and safe formula which requires very less water to rinse off. “

Rustic Art’s Serve Clean powder consists of Baking Soda which eliminates pesticides and dirt while Sodium Per Carbonate retains the nutrients and vitamins in the food & keeps them fresh for a longer time period. With natural cleansers like Soapnut (Reetha), it helps to get rid of the wax and other toxic chemicals on the surface. It also removes dubious elements from the surface of vegetables and fruits with Tamarind. The natural chelating agents like Sodium Gluconate and Potassium Alum helps to bind the heavy metals and dirt & help them settle down into the water bath.

The powdered formula is water-efficient in nature while making the waste-water recyclable for urban-gardening and other household chores. It requires much lesser water to wash and a simple water bath can be used to clean the produce. It also helps to retain the freshness in the fruits and vegetables post washing for at least twice the usual time-frame and hence prevents food wastage.

Product: Rustic Art’s “Serve Clean Soapnut Tamarind” Vegetable & Fruit Wash

Price: INR 225 for 300g

Availability: www.rusticart.in, Amazon, Flipkart, etc

Lab-grown chicken made by US start-up Eat Just made its historic culinary debut

Lab-grown chicken made by US start-up Eat Just made its historic culinary debut on December 19 at restaurant 1880 in Singapore, after the country became the first to approve the sale of cultured meat which are cultivated without slaughtering any animals.

US start-up Eat Just revealed that its product had been approved for sale in the city-state as an ingredient in chicken nuggets. Eat Just chief executive Josh Tetrick said that the launch "moves us closer to a world where the majority of meat we eat will not require tearing down a single forest, displacing a single animal's habitat or using a single drop of antibiotics".

The company on December 16 said it had made its first commercial sale of the product to 1880, a restaurant in Singapore's Robertson Quay, a posh riverside entertainment centre.

According to CNBC Make It, the GOOD Meat Cultured Chicken will be available in a trio of sample dishes: bao bun with crispy sesame cultured chicken and spring onion; phyllo puff pastry with cultured chicken and black bean puree; and a crispy maple waffle with cultured chicken with spices and hot sauce. The trio will cost about $23, Tetrick told the news portal.

The restaurant began serving the cultured meat on December 19 evening, saying its first diners were students aged 14-18 who had been invited to the launch after showing "a commitment to building a better planet", reported news agency AFP.

Domino’s Pizza introduces India’s first Plant based Pizza, The Unthinkable Pizza

Domino’s Pizza, India’s leading QSR chain introduced “The Unthinkable Pizza”, India’s first plant protein based product.

Made entirely from plant based proteins, The Unthinkable Pizza is 100% vegetarian and yet has the sensory properties of chicken.

Plant proteins have caught the imagination of consumers around the world, and Domino’s Pizza is the first QSR brand to bring this latest trend to India.

Introduced after extensive consumer testing, The Unthinkable Pizza will provide both vegetarians and non-vegetarians an interesting and innovative option in the menu.

The Pizza would be available at all Domino’s restaurants across Delhi NCR, Mumbai and Bangalore.

Talking about the new launch, Pratik Pota, Chief Executive Officer & Whole-time Director, Jubilant FoodWorks Limited, said, “We are delighted to launch India’s first plant protein based product, The Unthinkable Pizza. This innovative and 100% vegetarian product will allow Indian consumers to experience the plant-protein wave sweeping across the world. Domino’s has always brought pioneering innovations to the Indian market, and we are happy to once again be the first to bring this trend to India.

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Wyndham Goes High Impact, Low Contact with New Mobile App: Introduces Lightning Book and In-Stay Features

LONDON - Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the world's largest hotel franchising company with approximately 9,000 hotels across 90 countries, has announced the arrival of its new mobile app for iOS and Android, combining best-in-class design with personal experiences, account management, gamification and more.

Available in both platforms' app stores, the new Wyndham app provides travellers with a reimagined user experience to inspire upcoming getaways and 2021 travel plans.

The app, which prioritises low-contact in-stay features, comes at a critical time as both travellers and hoteliers look for innovative, digital solutions to help navigate the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.

"More than ever, travellers are seeking drive-to accommodations and Wyndham offers the power of established brands that they know and trust—brands like La Quinta® by Wyndham, Days Inn® by Wyndham and Super 8® by Wyndham," said Jessica Davidson, senior vice president, Digital, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. "For everyday travellers, especially those travelling during the pandemic, this app is a game changer, delivering the features guests expect today alongside a robust foundation for the future."

Chief among the key offerings in the new Wyndham mobile app are features and functionality that simplify the hotel booking process.

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· Mobile Check-In / Checkout - Available at nearly 300 hotels throughout the U.S., with plans to expand more broadly, guests can leverage mobile check-in and checkout to reduce contact between themselves and hotel staff.

· Lightning BookSM - Designed for road trippers and road warriors, guests can search for and book the nearest Wyndham hotel for the night in as a few as three taps. They can also see in real time their proximity from the hotel and book using Wyndham Rewards® points, should they prefer to do so.

· Digital Room Key - Coming later this year to select U.S. resorts like the Wyndham Grand Bonnet Creek in Orlando, Fla. and Wyndham Grand Rio Mar in Rio Grande, P.R., guests may choose to receive their room key digitally via their mobile phone and use throughout the duration of their stay. Expansion to other hotels and resorts is anticipated over the next 12 months as additional locations choose to leverage and implement.

Creating an Immersive Experience
Building on the app's core features is a fully reimagined user experience that is filled with personal touches while anticipating and adapting to users' real-time needs based on where they are and what they want to do.

· In-Stay Mode - Open the mobile app within three days of a stay and the home screen defaults to prioritise and display information that's of the most relevance to the guest, such as important stay details, local attractions, mobile check-in availability and more.

· My App Passport - Guests can track their engagements with memorable stamps, animations and more when they achieve select in-app accomplishments such as booking a stay or redeeming points. New stamps and achievements are expected to be added over time.

· Special Offers - Open the mobile app without an immediate, upcoming or current stay and guests are greeted by name along with their current Wyndham Rewards point balance, search functionality and the latest promotional offers. Guests can learn more with a single tap and register for offers just as easily.

· Account Management - Guests can make the most of their travels with simple and intuitive account management, including the ability to easily update their Wyndham Rewards member profiles and stay preferences, add preferred methods of payment, view previous and upcoming stays, check their personalized offers, purchase points and more.

Added Davidson, "Our new app could not have arrived at a more critical time. The pandemic has propelled digital adoption and travellers now expect streamlined, low-contact experiences. This app allows our thousands of franchisees to help deliver upon those expectations, while providing the easiest and fastest possible path to booking direct. It's a win-win both for our guests and for our franchisees."

About Wyndham Hotels & Resorts

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) is the world's largest hotel franchising company by the number of properties, with over 9,000 hotels across approximately 90 countries on six continents. Through its network of 813,000 rooms appealing to the everyday traveller, Wyndham commands a leading presence in the economy and midscale segments of the lodging industry. The Company operates a portfolio of 20 hotel brands, including Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Microtel®, La Quinta®, Baymont®, Wingate®, AmericInn®, Hawthorn Suites®, Trademark Collection® and Wyndham®. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is also a leading provider of hotel management services. The Company's award-winning Wyndham Rewards loyalty programme offers 84 million enrolled members the opportunity to redeem points at thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally. For more information, visit www.wyndhamhotels.com.

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Hilton named as global industry leader in sustainability by DJSI for second consecutive year

Hilton has been named the global industry leader in sustainability for the second consecutive year on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI), the most prestigious ranking for corporate responsibility and sustainability performance.

As the industry leader in hotels, resorts & cruise lines, the company earned top scores across the assessment’s three key areas including governance & economic, environmental and social performance. This marks the fourth consecutive year Hilton has been recognized for sustainability leadership through inclusion on the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index and North America Index.

“In a year where the hospitality industry has been severely impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, we have stayed true to our founder’s noble premise that travel can make the world a better place,” said Kate Mikesell, vice president, global corporate responsibility, Hilton. “We believe the need for corporate responsibility leadership is more critical now than ever before, and we are proud to be recognized by DJSI for our efforts to redefine sustainable travel and tourism.”

As a key component of recovery from the global crisis, Hilton has reaffirmed the company’s commitment to its bold Travel with Purpose 2030 Goals to cut its environmental footprint in half and double its social impact. These goals, which were established in 2018, align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and drive Hilton’s positive impact through its operations, supply chain, and communities. Hilton is dedicated to fighting climate change and is proud to have been the first major hotel brand to set science-based carbon reduction targets in line with the Paris Climate Agreement.

This year, Hilton’s efforts have included a focus on helping communities recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The company’s efforts included partnering with American Express to donate up to 1 million hotel room nights to frontline medical workers, working with food donation to open up hotel kitchens to feed those in need, and creating new virtual volunteer opportunities for its Team Members. Along with Hilton’s rapid response to the global pandemic, the Hilton Effect Foundation recently announced its 2020 grants which support organizations around the world dedicated to helping vulnerable communities recover from COVID-19. Through these grants and other donations, the Foundation has invested more than $1 million to addressing the pandemic.

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