The Leela Palace, Bengaluru to introduce US Duck and US Turkey in menu as regular meals

The Leela Palace, Bengaluru, revamped its menu to cater to the ever-changing cravings of food connoisseurs and introduced duck and turkey as regular meals. These meats' common perception remains to be a conventional backdrop of duck and turkey that labels them as celebratory meals. However, the hotel understood the evolving sector and its patrons' expectations and thus integrated scrumptious delicacies made from meat in its regular menu, which shall now be available throughout the year.

Encouraging the consumption of duck and turkey while keeping in mind its versatility and lean quotient, the hotel also conducted an event where it endeavored to make meat-enthusiasts aware of the benefits of the meat. The event was held at the hotel's popular restaurants Citrus and Zen, and further focused on slashing the stereotype of constraining them to celebratory meals. It also helped change minds and give a new perspective to food lovers, emphasizing how people should turn to a well-balanced and nutritive diet, especially now more than ever. A U.S Poultry Station in the middle of the restaurants was much appreciated by the guests who enjoyed the buffet at these restaurants at lunch and dinner. The buffet offered delectable dishes made using USAPEEC's (U.S.A. Poultry & Egg Export Council) turkey and duck, which were the events' stars.

"US duck was roasted and carved on the table for the celebrations, and we also have few stir-fries on offer. Duck is red meat; it is very lean and healthy because the fat is on the skin, which can be easily removed. It can use it for burgers, salads, soups, and much more! It goes very well with Indian spices and can be substituted for chicken or mutton,” said Mir Zafar Ali, Executive Chef, The Leela Palace, Bengaluru.

Including duck and turkey in the lunch and dinner menu such as Dum ka Turkey, Turkey Raan, salad, kebabs, Duck Pepperfry and Turkey makhani as regular meals are catching traction. Patrons are understanding how it is safe and healthy to consume them and thus making the event and the objective of The Leela Palace, Bengaluru, successful. The hotel has some of the finest gastronomic destinations and experiences in the city and strives for more and more people to witness it for themselves.

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VISIT MALDIVES UPLIFTS DESTINATION PRESENCE AT PROPEL:FORWARD VIRTUAL CONFERENCE IN THE UK

Visit the Maldives participates at propelling forward virtual conference 2021 to connect with the travel industry, travel content creators, and media with the roadmap for recovery in a post-pandemic world. During the two-day event, Visit Maldives will share practical advice, key insights with thought-leaders and network with key content creators and media attendees.

Developed by the team at Captivate, the UK’s leading travel blogging network, and creators, this landmark conference is focused on reviving the travel industry, and the content creators that support it by overcoming the challenges of 2020 and refocus on the emerging travel landscape of 2021.

During the event, Visit Maldives will promote Maldives as one of the safest destinations to travel due to its unique geographical formation and the one island-one resort concept. Furthermore, attendees will be enticed to travel to Maldives through videos of experiences unique to the destination like; underwater dining, bubble tent on a beach and more unique experiences.

With participation as sponsor of this event, Visit Maldives was afforded the opportunity to be featured in the limelight. The added advantage of being in the centre of attention includes the opportunity to promote Maldives a ‘safe haven’ and to promote the products and experiences in a virtual setting.

As a sponsor; Visit Maldives is displaying the destination at the event in a virtual booth with provided virtual networking sessions focused on restoring and developing relationships with travel industry partners, content creators and media. Also branded networking tables, panel discussions, dedicated conference sessions will enable the destination to connect with many attendees during the event. Further to this, video advertisement and social media mentions to promote the destinations participation are included as well.

The UK market is an exceedingly important market in terms of arrivals to the Maldives. In this regard, to strategically promote the destination in the UK market as a ‘top of mind’ destination that entices travelers to discover and immerse themselves in the naturally isolated islands of Maldives to enjoy experiences of a lifetime.

Several marketing activities are in the pipeline for 2021, including joint promotions with notable tour operators, and prominent airlines, participation in key travel trade fairs and roadshows covering the UK and Ireland region. Furthermore, focused digital, social media and virtual activities are planned, aiming to maintain the destination presence and promote the Maldives as the most preferred destination within the Market.

As the Maldives has welcomed over 100,000 tourists in the first month of this year, the UK market remains as an essential market in order to reach the pre-pandemic number of arrivals.

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Appointment | Sita Lekshmi joins ibis Kochi City Centre as General Manager

“Lekshmi comes with over 15 years of Hospitality experience including 6 years with Accor India”

ibis, a smart economy brand from the Accor stable, has announced the appointment of Sita Lekshmi as the General Manager of ibis Kochi City Centre.

Lekshmi's appointment is a testament to ibis’ belief in women leadership. In her new role, she will be responsible for the operational success, lead hotel’s hiring, finance, budgets, and overall management of the property.

Lekshmi comes with over 15 years of Hospitality experience including 6 years with Accor India. After spending 7 years in hotel operations, she joined Accor in April 2014 as Sales Manager for Novotel & ibis Chennai Sipcot and eventually handled the role of Associate Director of Sales for same hotels.

She joined the preopening team of  Novotel Chennai Chamiers Road as Director of Sales in January 2018 and was instrumental in the successful opening and positioning of the hotel in the market.

Lekshmi comes with a strong operational experience in her initial career journey before moving to Sales. She was part of the India Executive Leadership Program (IELP) in 2017 and as part of her career progression moved to ibis Chennai City Centre as Rooms Division Manager in June 2019.

Commenting on the new appointments, Mr. Sylvain Laroche, Director of Operations, ibis & ibis Styles, India said, “We are proud to announce the appointment of  a women leader. Lekshmi will be playing a key role in the day-to-day operations as well as the management of our Kochi property. I extend a warm welcome and congratulate her on new role.”

Commenting on her appointment, Sita Lekshmi, General Manager, ibis Kochi City Centre said, “I have been a part of the Accor family for over 6 years now. I am excited to embark on my journey as the General Manager at ibis Kochi City Centre. I look forward to serving the best and take ibis to great heights.”

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Appointment | Pranjali Dhotre appointed General Manager ibis Pune Viman Nagar

ibis, a smart economy brand from the Accor stable, announces the appointment of  Pranjali Dhotre as the General Manager of ibis Pune Viman Nagar.

Her appointment is a testament to ibis’ belief in women's leadership. In her new role, she will be responsible for the operational success, lead hotels hiring, finance, budgets, and overall management of the property.

Commenting on the new appointment, Sylvain Laroche, Director of Operations, ibis & ibis Styles, India said, “We are proud to announce the appointment of a powerful women leader. Pranjali will be playing a key role in the day-to-day operations as well as the management of our Pune property. I extend a warm welcome and congratulate her on her new role.”

Commenting on her promotion, Pranjali Dhotre, General Manager, ibis Pune Viman Nagar said, “As I venture on to expand my responsibilities, I thank the management for believing in my potential and giving me this opportunity. I look forward to contributing to ibis’s incredible journey and work with the leadership to deliver upon brand ethos.” 

Pranjali Dhotre has been elevated as the General Manager at ibis Pune Viman Nagar who also has been a part of the Accor family for a decade now. Pranjali brings with her over 12 years of overall hospitality experience and has successfully handled multiple assignments across our network and navigated the hotel through the pandemic while leading from the front.

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Radisson Blu Resort Maldives Appoints Don Brandi Kumara as Executive Chef

Radisson Blu, the upper-upscale brand that delivers personalized service in stylish spaces, has appointed Don Brandi Kumara as the new Executive Chef of Radisson Blu Resort Maldives, Radisson Hotel Group’s first property in the Maldives.

A highly-skilled and experienced culinary professional, Chef Brandi is responsible for overseeing the resort’s three exceptional restaurants, four iconic bars including The Lab Cocktail and Wine Cellar, and in-villa dining.

Starting his kitchen career as a Demi Chef De Partie in 2004, he quickly moved up the ranks, working at five-star hotels in Asia and the Middle East. With 17 years of experience under his belt, Chef Brandi has demonstrated his talent at many of the world’s top establishments, including Hilton Worldwide, Marriott International, and the US Oceania Cruises Marina Ship. During his stellar career, Chef Brandi has achieved many prestigious accolades, including Gold Medals in Academic Award Hotel Asia Culinary Challenge in 2011 and 2012.

Achieving the Cookery Management Diploma in Ceylon Hotel School, Srilanka, Chef Brandi was taught to be honest, passionate, caring, and helpful towards others by his hospitable Sri Lankan family. “Attitude is everything, I listen to my heart and do everything with a passion that led me to become one of the youngest chefs in the industry”.

He now brings his vision and expertise to Radisson Blu Resort Maldives, where he will delight guests with diverse international cuisine at Raha, the casual dining destination, Alifaan, the Mediterranean grill, and seafood restaurant, and Eats & Beats, the resort’s chill-out poolside bar, Crusoe’s, an adults-only sanctuary, and Kabuki, the exciting eatery specializing in Nikkei cuisine. He crafts exclusive epicurean occasions at The Lab Cocktail and Wine Cellar. Taking the guests for fun dining in informal settings, Chef and his team host a weekly barbeque dinner on the beach.

In the hands of Chef Brandi, Radisson Blu Resort Maldives will broaden the taste palate with many vegetarian menu options in all dining outlets and add exciting elements with themed buffets and daily specials. He is ready to welcome guests to Radisson Blu Resort Maldives and transport them on a voyage of culinary discovery.

Radisson Blu Resort Maldives

Appointment | Amit Gera joins Sayaji Hotels as the new General Manager Operations

Sayaji Hotels Ltd. has appointed  Amit Gera as the new General Manager of Operations. An alumnus of IHM Shimla, Gera is a passionate hospitality professional with 20+ years of work experience in operations.

Prior to this, he was associated with Hilton Chennai as Director of Operations and has previously worked with brands like Oberoi Cecil Shimla, Marriott Mumbai, Taj Fort Aguada (Goa), Leela  Palace Bangalore, Sheraton Bangalore, Radisson Blu Jaipur, Crowne Plaza Ahmedabad and Hilton Bangalore.

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Appointment | Vikrant Dhingra joins Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore as Revenue Manager

Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore recently appointed Vikrant Dhingra as Revenue Manager. With over four years of experience in the hospitality industry, he has worked with leading Indian hospitality brands such as IHG Hotels & Resorts and Lemon Tree Hotels.

In his new role, Dhingra will be responsible for the entire revenue management for the hotel. His most recent position was as Cluster Revenue Analyst with Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty and Hyatt Regency Thrissur.

Commenting on his appointment, Dhingra said, “I am excited to join the vibrant, carefree, and optimistic team wherein I get the opportunity to contribute majorly for a new market generating the maximum revenue for the hotel.”

Dhingra is skilled in the hospitality industry, event management, revenue management and yield management. In his free time, he enjoys watching cricket and swaying his legs to Punjabi beat.

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Signum Hotels signs hotels in Greece & Israel

Signum Hotels & Resorts, established by seasoned hotelier Mehul Sharma is all set to penetrate the Greek & Israel market. Signum Hotels has tied up with Israel-based Frank Group to develop and manage the company’s upcoming hotel portfolio across both destinations.

Announcing the signing, Mehul Sharma, Founder & CEO - Signum Hotels & Resorts said, "We continue our focus on company’s International expansion and this signing is a significant step towards our vision of marking Signum’s presence at exceptional destinations globally. We are elated to partner with the Frank Group and look forward to a promising journey together."

The Frank Group is an international holding and investment group of companies with highly diversified activities. The company is greatly experienced and active in Israel & EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) in the fields of real estate, tourism, high-tech ventures, energy, homeland security and holds numerous business connections around the world. Frank Group has been investing in Israel, Europe, USA and in the last five years, especially in Greece. 

On the tie-up with Signum Hotels, Elad Frank, CEO - Frank Group said, "We are happy to partner with Signum Hotels to expand our hospitality footprint in the Greek & Israel market. We will also be transforming our properties in islands and the mainland to Signum hotels strengthening our strategic partnership further."

Under the exclusive arrangement with Frank Group, Signum Hotels will develop a significant portfolio of more than 15 hotels across Greece and Israel, over the course of three-five years. The first Signum hotel in Greece is expected to be operational within the next 12 months.

"VISIT MALDIVES" HOSTS TOP JOURNALISTS FROM INDIA MARKET

Visit Maldives hosts key journalists from the Indian market to promote the Maldives as a safe haven for travelers and to showcase the unique experiences that are available in the Maldives to the Indian audience. This is the first media familiarization trip from the Indian market this year, as part of the current marketing activities to keep the destination presence across pan India. The journalist will stay in the Maldives from 21st to 26th February 2021.

The top media team consists of editors and senior correspondents from The Pioneer, Sunday Guardian, ET Travel World, TMM Magazine and Sputnik News which has a huge readership and circulation base in the Indian market.

The team is hosted by Kagi Maldives and Emerald Maldives. Journalists will experience signature cuisines, wellness & spa offerings that are unique to each property, along with fishing and watersports activities. These experiences will be covered and published by the individual journalists, and properties will benefit from a wide range of media coverage.

As India is the second-largest market in terms of arrivals to the Maldives, Visit Maldives is continuously conducting various marketing activities to maintain destination presence and promote the Maldives as a safe haven for Indian travelers. Apart from the familiarization trips, several high-impact campaigns on both offline and online platforms are in the pipeline such as participating in travel trade fairs, educational webinars, and roadshows. Along with great connectivity from India, Visit Maldives aims to increase the arrivals from the Indian market to pre pre-pandemic level with high-impact promotional activities.

Furthermore, the tourism industry is recovering gradually, on 14th February 2021, Maldives recorded a total of 4,856 tourist arrivals in a single day. Additionally, to ensure the safety of all tourists and the citizens, Maldives has commenced the COVID-19 vaccination program and it is anticipated that the COVID-19 cases will decrease gradually, in turn increasing the confidence travelers have in the Maldives.

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ITC Grand Chola receives ‘Swachh Hotel’ award from City Corporation

The ITC Grand Chola Hotel, Guindy was awarded the ‘Swachh Hotel’ award on Monday as part of Swachh Survekshan 2021 by the Greater Chennai Corporation, for its sustained initiatives in solid waste management.

“We wanted to recognize individuals and organizations that help us in our drive to minimize waste sent to landfills and create a sustainable solid waste management system,” said a Corporation official. In a statement, the civic body said several organizations, NGOs, restaurants, hospitals, markets, residents welfare organizations have contributed in their own way towards Corporation’s initiatives to create a clean city. On average, around 5,000 metric tons of waste is collected in city daily.

Speaking to Express, Zubin Songadwala, General Manager, ITC Grand Chola and Area Manager, ITC Hotels, South said that for over a decade ITC Hotels has pursued the path of ‘Responsible Luxury’ where every action attempts to be in harmony with the environment and society. “We stopped using single-use plastic in our premises from January 2020 and produce our own water bottles in our plant which is then filled with purified water.

Even if someone says that they want a sealed water bottle and not our in-house water, we make sure we have glass bottles in stock for that,” he said. “Even as far as the amenities in the rooms go, we stopped using disposable plastic razors and toothbrushes and instead have turned to bamboo toothbrushes and razors with bamboo handles. Nothing on our takeaway menu comes in plastic packaging- it is either paper, cardboard, or corn starch packaging,” he added.

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Marriott International Appoints Anthony Capuano as New CEO And Stephanie Linnartz as President

Marriott International’s (NASDAQ: MAR) Board of Directors announced today that Anthony “Tony” Capuano has been appointed Chief Executive Officer and has joined the company’s Board of Directors, effective immediately. He was previously Group President, Global Development, Design and Operations Services. The Board of Directors also announced that Stephanie Linnartz, previously Group President, Consumer Operations, Technology and Emerging Businesses, has been appointed President, effective immediately. Mr. Capuano’s and Ms. Linnartz’s appointments follow the unexpected passing of Marriott President and CEO Arne Sorenson on February 15, 2021.

“Tony has played a critical role in Marriott’s growth over the last decade,” said J.W. “Bill” Marriott, Jr., Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board, Marriott International. “He will be a terrific leader as we continue to advance our growth strategy while also navigating the market dynamics of the COVID-19 pandemic. He works thoughtfully and pragmatically with our owner and franchisee community and has been steadfast in ensuring Marriott delivers operational excellence and elevated customer experiences at our properties. Tony has a deep appreciation for Marriott’s thousands of associates who ultimately deliver on our customer and brand promise and I know he will be a superb steward of our culture. Together with Stephanie in the role of President, and the rest of our exceptional leadership team, Marriott could not be in better hands,” Mr. Marriott said.

Prior to this appointment, Mr. Capuano, 55, was Group President, Global Development, Design and Operations Services. In this role, he was responsible for leading global development and design efforts and overseeing the company’s Global Operations discipline. During Mr. Capuano’s tenure leading global development, the company grew its footprint from just over 3,200 properties in early 2009 to over 7,600 properties by year-end 2020. In addition, Mr. Capuano has overseen the tremendous growth and globalization of Marriott’s development pipeline to 498,000 rooms as of December 31, 2020, with more than half of the pipeline representing projects outside of the U.S. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Capuano has led Marriott’s work on its Commitment to Clean initiative, which was designed to enhance Marriott’s already substantial cleaning protocols to provide additional peace of mind for travelers.

Mr. Capuano began his Marriott career in 1995 as part of the Market Planning and Feasibility team. Between 1997 and 2005, he led Marriott’s full-service development efforts in the Western U.S. & Canada. From 2005 to 2008, Mr. Capuano served as Senior Vice President of full-service development for North America. In 2008, his responsibilities expanded to include all of U.S. & Canada and the Caribbean and Latin America, and he became Executive Vice President and Global Chief Development Officer in 2009. Mr. Capuano began his professional career in Laventhol and Horwath’s Boston-based Leisure Time Advisory Group. He then joined Kenneth Leventhal and Company’s hospitality consulting group in Los Angeles. Mr. Capuano earned his bachelor’s degree in Hotel Administration from Cornell University. He is an active member of the Cornell Hotel Society and a member of The Cornell School of Hotel Administration Dean’s Advisory Board. Mr. Capuano is also a member of the American Hotel and Lodging Association’s Industry Real Estate Financial Advisory Council.

As President, Ms. Linnartz will be responsible for developing and executing all aspects of the company’s global consumer strategy, including brand, marketing, sales, revenue management, customer engagement, digital, information technology, emerging businesses and loyalty strategies. In addition, Ms. Linnartz will oversee Marriott’s global development organization, which is responsible for the strategic growth of the company’s 30 lodging brands, as well as the global design and operations services functions. Ms. Linnartz will also spearhead the company’s progress on issues including the intersection of technology and hospitality, the continued growth of the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty platform, the excellence of our brand portfolio, and environmental sustainability.

“Stephanie has a leadership track record and clear vision for how our core lodging business, travel platform initiatives and loyalty strategies can work together to accelerate growth,” said Mr. Marriott. “Her deep experience across our business will enable her to work seamlessly with our owners and franchisees, innovate for our guests and customers, and champion new opportunities for our associates. Tony and Stephanie are exactly the CEO and President we need as we continue to push forward towards recovery and growth in the years ahead.”

“Every member of the leadership team feels a profound sense of loss at Arne’s passing. He was not just a friend and a leader for us, he was a guidepost for the hospitality industry,” said Ms. Linnartz. “The best way we can honor Arne’s memory is to continue to move the company forward. It is my privilege to take on the role of President and to work with Tony and the rest of the executive team to ensure a seamless transition and to successfully execute our strategy.”

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News | Kangana Ranaut now becomes a restaurateur, in Manali

Manali, Feb 23: Actress Kangana Ranaut has ventured into the food and beverage business by opening a cafe and restaurant in her hometown Manali. On Tuesday, Kangana shared photographs from the location where her cafe will be set up. 

The actress calls this her dream venture, revealing that apart from cinema she is also passionate about food.

“Sharing my new venture my dream with you all, something which will bring us closer, other than movies my other passion food, taking baby steps in to FnB industry, building my first cafe and restaurant in Manali, thanks to my terrific team dreaming of something spectacular. Thanks,” Kangana tweeted.

The actress had recently hinted about her “new venture” on social media even though she did not divulge details about the same.

After wrapping up shoot for the Bhopal schedule of her forthcoming spy thriller film “Dhaakad”, Kangana tweeted on Sunday, hinting at her new venture. 

The actress had written: “Schedule wrap alert…. most wonderful people, thank you chief Razy and my dear friend Sohail, amazing team I had the time of my life. #Dhaakad is going to be something spectacular. Now running to another mission, new venture coming up.”

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Rahul R. Nair joins Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore as Director of Sales and Marketing

Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore recently appointed Rahul R. Nair as Director of Sales and Marketing. With more than a decade of sales experience, he has worked with leading Indian and International luxury hospitality brands such as The Taj hotels resorts and palaces, Fortune Hotels, ITC hotels, Park Hyatt, and Hilton hotels worldwide.

In his new role, Nair will be responsible for the entire sales and marketing and will spearhead the growth and development of the hotel. He brings immense experience and a wealth of market insights & knowledge, along with his prowess at building a personal connection with guests and delivering successful outcomes by empowering the team and building efficient processes.

His most recent position was as Director of Sales with Hyatt Place Rameswaram. Commenting on his appointment, Rahul said, “I am excited to join the modern, savvy and worldly Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore and be a part of the team here. I look forward to sparking conversations, and creating a healthy appetite for exploration.”

Nair enjoys spending some quality time with his daughter, passionate about travelling, cycling and reading at his spare time whilst also being an avid biker.

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WEBINAR ON " A DAY IN LIFE OF A GENERAL MANAGER " AT SOHM

Rendezvous "Meet & Greet" is an Academia-Industry Virtual series initiated by the School of Hospitality Management aimed at bringing industry and academia closer.
It is essential for both industry professionals and academicians to maintain a healthy network. Rendezvous "Meet & Greet" Series will aid both to stay updated with the current trends and share knowledge mutually beneficial to one another. Budding hoteliers will meet seasoned professionals and will interact and network for their professional development.
Chapter 5 of Rendezvous-Meet & Greet series themed on “A Day in Life of a General Manager” was with Mr Kumud Singh, General Manager, Jaypee Green Golf and Spa Resort, Greater Noida.
Mr Kumud discussed the various avenues of the General Manager's job and gave valuable inputs on Revenue Management, Stress Management and highlighted the Management Training (M.T.) program. It was a fruitful and knowledgeable session for the students.
The session was conceived by Mr. Sumit Pratap and moderated by Ms. Megha Sharma, Assistant Professor-SoHM

Sheraton Grand Palace Indore receives the Red Achievers Award

Sheraton Grand Palace Indore is humbled to receive the Red Achievers Award for the first time after opening for 'Luxury and Grand 5-star Property' from Red FM 93.5 Indore under their Red Achievers Award 2021 recognizing and celebrating the contribution made by our unsung heroes. This award upholds the exemplary efforts and a tough fight put up by one and all during these unprecedented times.

This recognition was bestowed after reviewing guest’s reviews, recommendations and contributions to society during the pandemic.

Rohit Bajpai, General Manager, Sheraton Grand Palace Indore expressed his gratitude and said, “The determination and resilience our team of associates showcased at the time of the pandemic when it was in its peak is no short of an achievement. This is our first award since our reopening that will further strengthen our belief to continue with our commitment to providing best-in-class hospitality for our guests'.

The recognition and applaud we have received from our patrons enable us to work harder and keep our guard up by adhering to government rules and regulation combined with our relentless efforts in implementing all the necessary safety and hygiene measures.”

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SUN ISLAND’S GLEAMING AWARDS

Sun Island is a happy place, always gleaming with radiant smiles. Shimmering with optimism to make 2021 a superb year, Sun Island’s staff are smiling a lot more these days - because their Sun has just become brighter with several new accolades.

Sun Island is a winner of Agoda’s prestigious 2020 Gold Circle Award (GCA), denoting exceptional service. Agoda.com offers this prestigious award to hotels and resorts that have proven their place among the best, providing excellent value, service, and flexibility to guests.

And with a brilliant score of 9.1 out of 10, Sun Island has won Booking.com’s Traveller Review Award for 2021; an award that exemplifies exceptional guest experiences.

Sun Island has also received Hotel.com’s ‘Loved by Guests Award 2021’ for high guest rating scores, and the prized Holiday Check Award granted based on customers’ ranking of the world's most popular hotels.

Sun’s General Manager, Abdulla Fathhey – who also recently received the title of the 2020 Best General Manager of the Maldives by the World Luxury Awards in recognition of his commitment to excellence and outstanding achievement in luxury hospitality – is thrilled with the success of his resort. Abdulla says:

“These awards, collectively, are an honor bestowed to us by our wonderful guests. I am forever grateful to all our guests for their loyalty to Sun Island and their appreciation of our staff for providing exceptional service at all times. For the past year and to date, especially throughout these trying times, our staff has been extraordinary in stepping up to ensure guest safety and comfort. I am fortunate to be a part of a winning team and will strive to merit these recognitions with the continued support and encouragement from our beloved guests”.

Reflecting on what these awards mean to staff, Director of Rooms, Abdulla Faiz said:

“These awards mean a lot for all of us at Sun who is working day and night to meet the expectations of our guests. These awards that are based on guest reviews are testimonies of guests’ genuine appreciation of our services. Such recognition of our service by guests brings joy to our hearts and meaning to our service”.

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Streaming into 2021: PPDS launches latest Philips MediaSuite into warehouses across EMEA

Next generation experience: Latest Philips MediaSuite hospitality TVs feature stylish new design options, plus enhanced functionality, features and benefits for users and managers. 

PPDS is delighted to announce the latest models of its ground-breaking Philips MediaSuite hospitality TVs – the HFL5114 and HFL6114 – are now available in warehouses across EMEA. 

Further building on PPDS’ commitment to providing market-leading products and solutions to the hospitality sector, the latest MediaSuite models span six size options – ranging from 32” to 75” – each designed to ensure the highest and most personalised end user experience available in the market. 

Available in 43”, 50”, 55”, 65” and 75”, the HFL6114U series provides stunning 4K UHD (3840x2160) picture quality and comes with a brand new, super-slim, silver metal bezel design, together with a stylish matching stand.  

The HFL5114U, optimised for wall-mounted installations, is available in 43” and 50” options and matches the 6114U’s 4K UHD capabilities, while the 5114 – available in 32” and 43” – provides a high quality FHD option. Both are designed with a stylish black bezel.

Philips MediaSuite: Streaming with new benefits 

As with previous models, these latest release MediaSuites with Android TVTM OS have Chromecast built-inTM, allowing guests to stream and view content – be it photos, movies, music or even presentations – instantly and in up to 4K from their compatible laptop or mobile device (IOS, AndroidTM or Windows) with just the touch of a button and with no new apps or additional hardware required. 

Users also have access to thousands of popular apps on Google Play, including popular services such as local news, weather and traffic information, as well as content streaming from providers such as YouTubeTM, Deezer and Spotify, plus Disney+ and Netflix.

Elaborating on the features of the new Philips MediaSuite range, Jeroen Verhaeghe, Global Product Manager at PPDS, said: “As a market leader, we continue to drive the market forward. With the HFL5114 and 6114, we’re driving the market up another gear. Bringing even more features and benefits to hoteliers and guests and once again cementing our position as the brand of choice for innovation in Professional TVs.”

Voice control, enhanced security and Netflix ready

The new 5114 and 6114 MediaSuite TVs come pre-installed with exciting new features and functionality for an enhanced and more personalised user experience. 

These include Google Assistant’s voice control functionality*, latest security updates, and a more personalised and intelligent content selection. Plus, the ability to embed Netflix – the world’s most popular streaming platform with more than 203 million paid memberships – allowing users to enjoy seamless access to all their favourite movies and shows. 

Next generation hospitality TVs: Set for sustainability

With the latest version of Android TV OS, introduced in October 2020, all existing HFL6014 and HFL5014 models can be updated to include these benefits as a part of the PPDS ‘extended lifetime’ guarantee. Allowing older models to be upgraded to bring cutting-edge experience to life for longer and building on the company’s strategy to spearhead a more sustainable way of working for the AV industry. 

“At PPDS, we always place customer experience at the heart of what we do. Entertainment is a big part of the experience when staying in a hotel. With our TVs running on Android TV OS, our extended lifetime guarantee ensures guests can always enjoy a home from home experience, choosing to watch or listen to their own content on or through the big screen, rather than their smaller personal device. Likewise, for hoteliers, having the ability to upgrade their fleet of TVs to ensure expectations are met, rather than being forced to invest heavily in new models is invaluable – for them and for the planet.”

About PPDS

PPDS is a trading name of TP Vision Europe B.V. (“TP Vision”) and MMD-Monitors & Displays Nederland B.V. (“MMD”), registered in the Netherlands, with their head offices in Amsterdam. TP Vision and MMD are wholly owned subsidiaries of TPV Technology Limited (“TPV”), the world’s largest manufacturer of monitors and a leading provider of display solutions.

PPDS exclusively markets and sells Philips-branded professional displays, covering professional TVs, signage and LED solutions, worldwide under trademark license by Koninklijke Philips N.V.

By combining the Philips brand promise with TPV’s manufacturing expertise in displays, PPDS employs a competitive and focused approach to bring innovative products to market – from its 10” touchscreen through to unlimited LED displays. Designing solutions that make a positive impact, both for resellers and for end-customers – at the right time and in the right places.

Google, YouTube, Android TV and other related marks are trademarks of Google LLC.

Marriott International RevPAR declined 64.1 percent worldwide

Fourth quarter 2020 comparable systemwide constant dollar RevPAR declined 64.1 percent worldwide, 64.6 percent in the U.S. & Canada, and 62.7 percent in international markets, compared to the 2019 fourth quarter;

• Fourth quarter reported diluted loss per share totaled $0.50, compared to reported diluted EPS of $0.85 in the year-ago quarter. Fourth quarter adjusted diluted EPS totaled $0.12, compared to fourth quarter 2019 adjusted diluted EPS of $1.51;

• Fourth quarter reported net loss totaled $164 million, compared to reported net income of $279 million in the year-ago quarter. Fourth quarter adjusted net income totaled $39 million, compared to fourth quarter 2019 adjusted net income of $498 million;

• Adjusted EBITDA totaled $317 million in the 2020 fourth quarter, compared to fourth quarter 2019 adjusted EBITDA of $901 million;

• The company added nearly 63,000 rooms globally during 2020, including more than 28,000 rooms in international markets and a total of roughly 8,100 conversion rooms. Net rooms grew 3.1 percent from year-end 2019;

• At year end, Marriott’s worldwide development pipeline totaled nearly 2,900 properties and more than 498,000 rooms, including roughly 20,000 rooms approved, but not yet subject to signed contracts. Over 229,000 rooms in the pipeline were under construction as of the end of 2020;

• As of year-end 2020, the company’s net liquidity totaled approximately $4.4 billion, representing roughly $0.8 billion in available cash balances and $3.6 billion of unused borrowing capacity under its revolving credit facility.

Ingredient Ideology | WARMING UP WITH WALNUTS A BUNDLE FULL OF BENEFITS TO EXPLORE AND IMBIBE By: Dr. Kaviraj Khialani- Celebrity Master Chef.

Walnuts are one of those varieties of nuts which have been known to us for a very long time and come winter come walnuts used to be the call I heard as I grew up from the elders in the house to the kids all would get going working hard to crack those nuts against all possible options to check what’s in store within and relist the fruit from the bundle of joy and well-being.

Walnuts are known to be an edible seed of a drupe and not a true botanical nut, rounded, single-seeded stone fruits of the walnut tree used for its inner goodness upon ripening and nutritive consumption, we often refer to them as Persian or English varietals, not to forget they must be processed and stored properly since their poor storage often makes them susceptible to insect and fungal mold infestations, a mold-infested walnut batch is to be discarded completely.

From having it as it is in its naturally crunchy texture and dense woody mouthfeel to having it in desserts, coffee walnut brownie, date, walnut pancakes, walnut banana bread, in health bars, in chocolates, milkshakes, smoothies, a few main courses as well walnuts have found their space well enough in our kitchen and bakery since a while now.

Let us have a look at them:

Top 10 Health Benefits of Warming up with Walnuts:

1. Walnuts are considered good for hair, skin, bones and assist in graceful aging.

2. Walnuts are high in antioxidants, helps fight stress, are a nutritionally dense form of food.

3. Walnuts assist our body in healthy blood formation, lubricates our digestive system.

4. Walnuts are a rich source of Vitamin E and omega 3 fat from plants including walnuts which is called alpha-linolenic acid [ALA]

5. Walnuts are known to be good for memory and the brain and also improve metabolism.

6. Walnuts also contain Vitamin- B complex, they also strengthen the kidneys and lungs.

7 Walnuts prevent inflammation in the body and prevents constipation and helps digestion in our system.

8.Walnuts help in the treatment of type-2 diabetes and also helps in weight loss and management.

9. Walnuts are also called longevity food, get us good sleep, and also helps reproductive health in men.

10. Walnuts offer us a balance of all the essential nutrients needed on a daily basis for smooth functioning and also its consumption gives a feeling of satiety and fullness.

Top 10 Culinary Uses of Walnuts:

1. Adding walnuts to health shakes and bars, having them in between the meals during the day, having them in warm milk before sleeping at night, walnut cinnamon cookies & soy walnut biscuits are a good choice as well.

2. Walnuts have been used in making Akhroat ka halwa, sheera, and also used in making various Indian sweet look great as a part of the garnish.

3. Using walnuts in salads adding them for that crunch on top is a great option, it also can form the part of the body like in Waldorf salad, try adding it to a vinaigrette dressing it works well too, also a little drizzle of walnut oil on a salad can change its entire mouthfeel.

4. Date & walnut muffins, banana flaxseed and walnut bread, whole-grain pancakes with fruity walnut toppings, walnut, tropical fruit waffles are some of the ways of using it.

5. Walnuts in stir-fries, adding them to a filling for pies, crusts, pastries, and tarts also works well, it can easily blend itself well be it sweet or savory preparations.

6. Cheese, spinach and walnut tartlets, chicken and walnut pies, walnut and mushroom crepes, soy walnut meatballs, tofu, and walnut Asian style stir fry are some of the ways to use walnuts too.

7. Add them for that crunch to a sandwich spread as well with avocado, lime, mint, garlic, and olive oil to spread its wholesome nutrition on the bread layering it to be relished.

8. Steamed fish with walnuts dressed in sweet chili sauce wrapped in lettuce leaves, walnut oatmeal idlis, walnut and tahini chutney, walnut butter on crackers with grapes and cheese like a canape concept.

9. Baked berry and walnut bread pudding with custard sauce, walnut parfaits, date and walnut mousse, chickpea walnut falafels in pita pockets, coriander walnut, and chili pesto sauce tossed with boiled pasta of your choice and fresh basil, parmesan shavings.

10. Walnut, Celery, and Cream Cheese in pastry cases called Vol-Au-Vents, open sandwiches, dips, and chutney concepts with walnut and paprika blended with tahini paste and mayonnaise can be offered with grilled and BBQ foods as well.

Here are a few simple and easy to make recipes with Walnuts for all our readers:

Recipe-

1] HERBED WALNUT & PEA DIP

Ingredients:

• Walnuts- 10-12 nos.

• Boiled chickpeas- 1 cup

• Garlic- 1 tsp chopped

• Coriander leaves tbsp. chopped

• Mayonnaise- ¼ cup

• Salt and crushed black pepper- to taste

• Roasted crushed cumin – ½ tsp

• Mixed herbs- ½ tsp

• Chili flakes-1/2 tsp

• Olive oil/ oil- 1 tbsp.

• Lime juice- 1 tbsp.

• Chilled water- 2 tbsp.

To serve the dip with: assorted sticks of vegetables/ crackers/ pita bread/ cheese straws/ Lavash etc.

Method:

1. Prepare all the ingredients for the dip and keep ready

2. Using a mixer grinder jar combine together all the ingredients and churn them well into a dip.

3. Remove and serve into a dip bowl, serve chilled.

2] HEALTHY FRUITY WALNUT SHAKE

Ingredients:

• Walnuts- 5 -6 nos.

• Soy milk/milk/oats milk/- 2 cups

• Vanilla essence or a pinch of green cardamom/cinnamon powder-1 pinch- [any 1]

• Banana- 1 no ripe

• Dates- 3 -4 no.

• Mint leaves- 4-5 no.

• Chia seeds/ sunflower seeds/pumpkin seeds- 1 tsp [any 1]

Can add any other nuts or dried fruits of your choice as well like apricots/ raisins/sultanas etc.

Method:

1. Prepare all the ingredients for the healthy shake.

2. Using a blender churn together all the ingredients to a smooth texture.

3. Pour into serving glasses and garnish as desired and relish.

Recipe-

3] WALNUT VEGGIE SOUP

Ingredients:

• Walnuts- 6-8 nos.

• Olive oil/oil -1 tbsp.

• Bayleaf-1 no

• Garlic- 1 tsp chopped

• Ginger-1 tsp chopped

• Spring onion/onion- 2 small- chopped.

Assorted mix vegetables of your choice: carrots/beans/peas/potatoes/pumpkin/capsicums/sweet potato/beetroot etc can be used.

For non-veg options: add boiled chicken/ saute prawns/ sliced sausages etc once the soup is ready.

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Water/veg stock- 3-4 cups

• Tomatoes-2 med sized chopped

• Mixed herbs- ½ tsp or fresh herbs like basil/rosemary/thyme

• Garam masala powder-1/2 tsp

• Milk top cream- 2 tbsp.- optional

• Coriander leaves- 2 tbsp. for garnish.

Method:

1. Prepare all the ingredients for this healthy and worthy soup.

2. Heat oil in a pan, add in the Bayleaf, onions, garlic, ginger & saute for a few seconds.

3. Add in the vegetables of your choice, tomatoes, salt, pepper, spices, herbs, chili flakes, tomatoes and mix well.

4. Add in the water/stock and simmer for 20-25 mins, cool, remove the Bayleaf, puree and strain the mixture.

5. Bring it back to a boil, check for seasonings, texture, etc and add in the cream, walnuts and mix well.

6. Serve hot.

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Brief About The Writer:

Dr. Kaviraj Khialani- Celebrity Master Chef, is a Mumbai-based Author, Writer, Healthy Eating - Lifestyle Specialist, Food Designer, Academician & having mastered over 33 International Cuisines, is also a Food & Beverage Consultant. He has worked with esteemed properties like the Taj Group of Hotels, Kuwait Airways to name a few, he has been awarded several Global and National Awards for his outstanding performance in his chosen field he loves to share his knowledge and experience of over 2 decades with the Food & Hospitality Industry.

IHG debuts its global extended-stay brand, Staybridge Suites® in India

The company continues to build on its strong growth momentum in the country and strategically expand its brand portfolio across key cities

India, February 22, 2021: IHG Hotels and Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies has announced the debut of its world-renowned extended-stay brand, Staybridge Suites® in India with the signing of Staybridge Suites Bengaluru Thanisandra. Signed as a management agreement in partnership with NR Greenwood Construction Pvt. Ltd, the hotel is expected to be operational in the first quarter of 2023. Debuting in the ‘Silicon Valley of India’, Bengaluru, which is also recognized as the second fastest-growing major metropolis in the country, the hotel is expected to benefit from the strong demand for extended stay branded hospitality options in the city, from domestic as well as international corporate travel segments. 

Staybridge Suites is IHG’s upscale extended-stay hotel brand which offers amenities such as a fully equipped kitchen in suites, a dedicated outdoor space, daily complimentary hot breakfast with signature items and an evening social event three nights a week. The brand is thoughtfully designed with extended stay guests in mind. 

A perfect destination for both business and leisure travelers, Staybridge Suites Bengaluru Thanisandra will offer a residential-style of hotel experience with 170 suites featuring kitchenettes and will be designed for multi-night business and leisure travelers looking to break from the travel norm while on the road, be it for days or even months at a time. Additionally, the hotel will feature two meeting rooms, a 300 sqm dining room, and will provide facilities such as a business center and a gym, with overall guest experience being enhanced through IHG’s signature hospitality. 

Benefitting from a strategic location, the hotel will be in close proximity to the Manyata Tech Park which is one of India’s (and Asia’s) largest and fastest-growing IT-specific Business Parks, categorized under the Special Economic Zone & business zone, housing several fortune 500 companies.  The prime location will contribute to the hotel emerging as an ideal choice for corporate travelers and its close proximity to the Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru, UB City and MG Road will further add to the guests’ convenience.

Commenting on the debut of Staybridge Suites in India, Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG, said: “We are delighted to expand our portfolio in the country and introduce our global long stay brand, Staybridge Suites, to the Indian market. The thriving corporate sector in Bengaluru and limited hospitality options for long-stay travelers present strong prospects for the success of the new hotel and will also pave the way for brand’s expansion in other cities.”

He further added “This latest development is testament to our continued commitment to grow our footprint in India by bringing the right brands to the right markets at the right time. We are pleased with the confidence our owners have placed in our business and brands, and we look forward to further strengthening our portfolio in the country to offer exceptional hospitality options to our guests.”

C Sridhar, Managing Director, NR Greenwood Construction Private Limited, added,” With this signing, we are pleased to venture into the Indian hotel sector and partner with a reputed hospitality player like IHG, which makes us confident in the success of this project. Bengaluru is the most sought-after destination in the corporate and IT landscape in India, and is therefore a perfect fit for a brand like Staybridge Suites. We are confident that the hotel will be well-received by the guests upon its opening in early 2023.”

IHG® currently has 42 hotels operating across five brands in SWA, including Six Senses, InterContinental Hotels and Resorts®, Crowne Plaza®, Holiday Inn® , Holiday Inn Resort® and Holiday Inn Express®, and a strong pipeline of 54 hotels due, to open in the next 2-3 years. 

Numbers as of September 30th, 2020 

About IHG®

IHG® (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is a global organisation with a broad portfolio of hotel brands, including Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas, Regent Hotels & Resorts, InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton® Hotels & Restaurants, Hotel Indigo®, EVEN® Hotels, HUALUXE® Hotels and Resorts, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, voco™, Holiday Inn® Hotels & Resorts , Holiday Inn Express®, Holiday Inn Club Vacations®, avid™ hotels, Staybridge Suites®, Atwell Suites™, and Candlewood Suites®. 

IHG franchises, leases, manages or owns nearly 6,000 hotels and 890,000 guest rooms in  more than 100 countries, with approximately 1,900 hotels in its development pipeline. IHG also manages IHG® Rewards Club, our global loyalty programme, which has more than 100 million enrolled members.

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group’s holding company and is incorporated in Great Britain and registered in England and Wales. Approximately 400,000 people work across IHG’s hotels and corporate offices globally.

Visit www.ihg.com for hotel information and reservations and www.ihgrewardsclub.com for more on IHG Rewards Club. For our latest news, visit: https://www.ihgplc.com/en/news-and-media and follow us on social media at: https://twitter.com/ihgcorporate, www.facebook.com/ihgcorporate and www.linkedin.com/company/intercontinental-hotels-group.

About Staybridge Suites 

About Staybridge Suites®: Staybridge Suites® is an all-suite hotel brand designed to meet the needs of extended stay guests seeking a break from the travel norm. The Staybridge Suites brand offers guests a hugely different travel experience, whether for business or leisure, with spacious suites, fully-equipped kitchens in each room and a free social happy hour. The brand has more than doubled in size over the past decade, with hotels open across the Americas, Europe and the Middle East. For more information about Staybridge Suites, visit www.StaybridgeSuites.com Find us on Twitter www.twitter.com/Staybridge, Facebook www.facebook.com/StaybridgeSuites or Instagram www.instagram.com/staybridge.

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