By BW Hotelier JET AIRWAYS has appointed Amit Agarwal as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the company. Agarwal, 47, is a Chartered Accountant with more than 24 years of experience having held positions in India, Europe and North America. As CFO of Jet Airways, Agarwal will be responsible for all financial and fiscal management aspects of the Company’s business. He will join the Operating Committee that has been tasked by the Board of Directors to lead Jet Airway’s growth and strategy. Commenting on the appointment, Naresh Goyal, Chairman, Jet Airways, said, ’I am delighted that Amit Agarwal has joined Jet Airways as Chief Financial Officer and a key member of our Operating Committee. Amit is a seasoned finance professional with knowledge and insights of Indian and international markets. His expertise across cost, finance, treasury and banking functions, combined with experience of turning around businesses makes him the ideal choice for this role. ’Jet Airways is committed to the three-year turnaround plan to achieve profitability and our recent financial performance is a clear indication that we have made significant progress in this direction. Amit’s broad experience will be valuable for the Company as we continue to implement our growth strategy.’ Agarwal joins Jet Airways having recently held the position of CFO of Suzlon Energy with responsibility for managing the finance function and driving its turnaround initiatives. Prior to that he held various leadership roles at Arcelor Mittal ’ Europe and Essar Steel.
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By BW Hotelier THE HOTEL and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI) has welcomed the Maharashtra government’s decision to allow hotels and restaurants to operate till 5am on December 24, 25 and 31. However, it has expressed apprehension about being able to host Christmas Eve programmes as the necessary permissions are yet to be granted by the Police. The hotel owners are in a limbo and unable to make arrangements until the police extend their approval too. The HRAWI has appealed for blanket approvals on extension of timings on these days by default, as against ad hoc approvals given each year. It also has requested the Government to provide such approvals through a single window rather than from multiple departments like Police, Excise and others. Bharat Malkani, President, HRAWI and Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), (see photo) said, ’Firstly, we wish to express our thanks to the State Government for granting an extension on the deadline. But without all the approvals in place we cannot conceive special programs for our patrons. This not only affects the city from a business point of view in terms of revenues lost, both to exchequer and the establishments, but also restricts revellers from enjoying the spirit of the season to the fullest.’ ’Each year hotels face the dilemma of whether or not to proceed with making any special arrangements as we are unsure if all the permissions will come through in time. Even if the permissions do come through, it does no good for us to receive it at the eleventh hour because then we have very little time to make the required arrangements. Hence, we request all departments to expedite the process of giving permissions and extend the permissions through a single window,’ added Malkani. Earlier this year the Chief Minister had announced his commitment to promote tourism and create ease of doing business for the hotel industry in the state. Based on the proposals submitted by HRAWI, the Government in principle resolved to reduction of operating licenses from 75 to 25, requiring only 5 forms for obtaining all these licenses, abolishment of event licenses for pre-designated locations and permission for live performances, among others. Kamlesh Barot, past President, HRAWI, concluded, ’We are thankful to the Maharashtra state and especially Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for acknowledging some of the more critical issues faced by the hotel industry. However, this particular issue of deadline extension approvals coming at the last minute remains unaddressed. HRAWI has been requesting for a blanket deadline which will do away with the need for issuing notifications every year on these three days. This will not only bring in out-of-state tourists but also bring back the lost lustre of Mumbai, being the country's megapolis. We sincerely hope that the State gives this issue the due consideration and includes this in the ambit of ease of doing business in the state.’
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By BW Hotelier THE LEELA Palaces, Hotels and Resorts has announced a new addition to the group’s luxury portfolio with the reflagging of Ambience Group’s five-star deluxe hotel in East Delhi. Renamed The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel, Delhi, the 480-room property offers one of the largest conference and event space in India. With the newest addition, The Leela group now operates three properties in the Delhi-NCR totalling over 1150 rooms, further enhancing its brand appeal and market penetration. Commenting on the development, Rajiv Kaul, President, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, said, ’The addition of The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel Delhi to our portfolio further consolidates our presence in the Delhi-NCR region and underscores our asset light growth strategy. The hotel is designed to offer a seamless experience for large conferences, weddings, exhibitions, product launches to guests from here and overseas. As India emerges as a significant destination for world-class banqueting, conventions and events, this property shall further assist in making Delhi a preferred upscale MICE destination.’ The property is helmed by Jaideep Anand, an experienced hotelier with over three decades with leading hotel groups. Anand brings an immaculate reputation for excellence in hotel operations, food and beverage, and wellness.
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By BW Hotelier TAJ HOTELS Resorts and Palaces has added a new property to its luxury portfolio. Taj Bangalore will be the sixth Taj group hotel in the Garden City. Located minutes from Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, Taj Bangalore offers 154-room and 12 luxury suites and a presidential suite. Prabhat Verma, Senior Vice President ’ Operations - South, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces, said, ’Bangalore is the epicenter of India’s entrepreneurial wave and an emerging center for international conclaves and conferences. As the city continues to grow and thrive, we are excited to add to the momentum by welcoming the newest Taj hotel to the city. Taj Bangalore reflects the city’s unique urban identity and will extend to its guests the unmistakable Taj warmth and elegance.’ Ian Dubier, General Manager, Taj Bangalore, said, ’Taj Bangalore is designed to give entrepreneurs, business professionals and those in search of rest and relaxation the very best of the Taj’s legendary service. Our services are centered on the guest experience: spacious rooms, expansive conference and events spaces, dedicated start-up friendly zones and round-the-clock gastronomic treats encourage the mind-space to think and create. On-the-go food and the anti-jet-lag menu at the elegant Jiva spa are designed with our multitasking guests in mind.’ Taj Bangalore has over 25000 sq.ft.of banqueting space, comprising an array of private multifunctional indoor spaces from elegant ballrooms to intimate boardrooms to suit all requirements. The 24-hour all-day dining, Caf- 77 East, has light-filled indoor and alfresco spaces ideal for the Bangalore weather. Authentic Indian food is on offer at the Indian restaurant, Tamarind, where guests can choose from dishes straight from the Royal kitchens including Rajasthani laal maas, Punjabi rara gosht or Awadhi lagan ka murgh. For those in search of an Eastern flavor the Asian restaurant, Soi & Sake, offers Chinese and Japanese fare. Sit around the live Tepan grill or Sushi bar to see a culinary masterpiece created in front of your eyes.
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By BW Hotelier THOMAS COOK (India) Ltd. has announced a strategic partnership with ItzCash to extend its outreach to India’s rapidly growing unbanked inward remittance market, by offering remittance services (Xpress Money & MoneyGram) across an extensive network of over 75000 touch points, pan India. According to the World Bank Report Migration and Development Brief, India is the largest receiver of remittances in the world ’ at an approximate USD 71 billion in 2014 (up from a mere USD 22 billion in 2005) ranking Indians as the second largest diaspora globally (approximately 25 million Indians living in 110 countries worldwide). However as per the Reserve Bank of India, about 40 per cent of India’s population still does not have access to financial services. Thomas Cook India’s research-analytics further reiterated this opportunity, revealing strong potential in the unbanked inward remittances markets of Middle India and rural areas, including Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Kerala. Hence to leverage the untapped opportunity of this unbanked market, Thomas Cook India has partnered with ItzCash, to offer extensive distribution and hence both ease in access, convenience and swift transactions for its inward remittance customers. Commenting on the announcement, Mahesh Iyer, Chief Operating Officer- Foreign Exchange & Head- Visas, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd., (see photo) said, ’Inward remittances form about 22-23 per cent of India’s foreign exchange income and having more than tripled over the last decade, is a powerful growth market. Thomas Cook India’s alliance with ItzCash, is hence a strategic move to leverage the powerful potential of this unbanked inward remittance market- especially in Middle India and rural and semi-rural catchment areas; and thereby offer our customers hassle free convenience and access and speedy inward remittance transactions.’ He further added, ’With this partnership, we aim to become one of the leading inward remittance distribution networks in India and reaffirm our consumer commitment as a comprehensive Payment Solutions Provider.’ Naveen Surya, Managing Director, ItzCash Ltd., said ’From the inception, we have been offering digital payments especially for the mass middle class in the country. Our leadership in this space coupled with our distribution especially in T2 and T3 locations will add lots more value to the end consumer. We are very upbeat about this association with our esteemed partner ’ Thomas Cook India.’ ItzCash is the first company to be issued the Certificate of Authorization by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) under the Payment and Settlement area.
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By BW Hotelier GVK MUMBAI International Airport Private Limited (MIAL), a joint venture between a GVK-led consortium and the Airports Authority of India, has been declared as the winner of the ’Golden Peacock Award for Risk Management’ for 2015 by an awards jury under the Chairmanship of Justice M. N. Venkatachaliah, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India. The award was presented at a specially organized presentation ceremony, the ’Golden Peacock Awards Nite’ at Hotel ITC Windsor Manor, Bengaluru in the presence of a distinguished gathering of business leaders during IOD's National Convention on Risk Management, which was held at the same venue recently. The Golden Peacock secretariat received 77 responses this year, of which 31 applications were shortlisted for final selection and only 12 were awarded after careful scrutiny through a three-tier assessment process managed by a group of Risk Management experts. The award was conferred on a company each from 12 industry sectors. MIAL secured the honour in Transportation (Aviation). The Golden Peacock award comes on the back of 38 other awards and accolades that MIAL has won in the year 2015 for the world-class and passenger-friendly facilities and services at the international airport, including the Pranaam GVK Guest Services, the GVK Lounge, the Airport Garden, the architecture and structural design of the terminal and other features.
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By BW Hotelier VIVANTA By Taj, Gurgaon has appointed Chef Arzooman Irani as the Executive Chef of the hotel. Chef Irani joins the 100th Taj property in the country after his last assignment in Sri Lanka as the Executive Chef of Vivanta by Taj, Bentota. With 22 years of culinary experience, Chef Irani started his journey with the Taj Group in 2005. His stint with the Taj has taken him to various Vivanta properties including Vivanta by Taj - Fishermans Cove, Chennai; Vivanta by Taj - Green Cove, Kovalam; Vivanta By Taj - Fort Aguada, Goa and Vivanta by Taj ’ Whitefield, Bangalore. Chef Arzooman Irani has taken over the reins from Chef Neeraj Chaudhry and will be overlooking the entire F&B for the hotel including the iconic Thai Pavilion; the all-day diner Latitude, the high energy bar Tease, banquets and in-room dining. Welcoming Chef Irani, Mr. Sumeet Taneja, General Manager, Vivanta by Taj, Gurgaon said, ’We are delighted to welcome Chef Arzooman Irani and are confident that the tremendous experience he brings along will take the hotel to new culinary heights. We wish him the very best for his exciting new journey in Gurgaon.’ Born and raised in Pune, Chef Arzooman has a Diploma in Hospitality from Australia, a degree in Professional Cooking from the Baltimore International Culinary College, USA and a Diploma in Management studies from the Swiss Hotel Association - Les Roches, Switzerland. His culinary journey has taken him to numerous hotels and restaurants from Australia to the United States and now back home to his native country. Speaking on the occasion Chef Arzooman Irani said, ’I am excited about my new association with Vivanta by Taj, Gurgaon that brings me back to India from the coastal shores of Sri Lanka. Gurgaon is a melting pot where people from various countries and cultures come together. It is an exciting time for Gurgaon as it's quickly becoming the millennium city and a new food destination.’
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THE BW Hotelier’s Smart Hotels Conclave and Expo ’15 organized on December 17 at Radisson Blu MBD, Noida saw a gathering of industry experts, insiders, technology specialists and curators discussing and deliberating on ways to promote intelligent hoteliering.
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By BW Hotelier RANA KAPOOR, MD and CEO, YES Bank (see photo) has been appointed as the Consul General of the Republic of Cyprus, Maharashtra. His Excellency Demetrios A. Theophylactou, High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus, made the announcement during his recent visit to Mumbai. Kapoor, has been the Hon. Consul for the Republic of Cyprus since 2002. The announcement comes at a time when a high level delegation led by the President of Cyprus is planning to visit India in 2016 and strengthen bilateral ties. Cyprus though geographically closer to Asia is a part of the European Union. Cyprus is keen to explore the various business opportunities that exist particularly in its tourism sector. His Excellency Demetrios A. Theophylactou recently highlighted that Cyprus offers stability, quality, and accessibility. Investors looking at Cyprus will also have access to Europe. Cyprus is the only stable country in the wider eastern Mediterranean region; it is a m-lange of cultures. We are sure that the promotion of Rana Kapoor as the Consul General Republic of Cyprus, Maharashtra will help to us strengthen the relationship between the two nations as we move forward. Speaking on the occasion, Kapoor said, ’I feel deeply honored that the Republic of Cyprus has reposed their faith in me through this significant honorary diplomatic assignment. I pledge my continuing commitment to enhance bilateral relationship between India and Cyprus to the mutual benefit of both the nations.’
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By BW Hotelier THOMAS COOK (India) Ltd. along with Travel Corporation (India) Limited (TCI), its wholly owned subsidiary, formally completed the process of acquisition of 100 per cent shareholding of Kuoni Travel (India) Private Limited from the Kuoni Group, on December 16, 2015. With this, Thomas Cook India completes the acquisition process of Kuoni Group’s Travel businesses across both India and Hong Kong. In addition to the current brands of Thomas Cook and TCI, the acquisition will allow Thomas Cook India Group the usage of the SOTC brand (including SITA) in perpetuity, the Kuoni brand in India for 12 months and in Hong Kong for five years. Commenting on the acquisition, Madhavan Menon, Managing Director, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd, (see photo) said, "We have successfully completed the closure process for the acquisition of Kuoni Travel across India and Hong Kong; this gives us significant synergies across the entire spectrum of travel services, including, Inbound, MICE, Outbound and Domestic, as also Corporate Travel. As part of our strategic intent of a larger Asia play, we had taken the first step with our acquisition of Luxe Asia in Sri Lanka, and Kuoni Hong Kong is now a reiteration of our intent.’ Menon added, ’The acquisition of Kuoni India ’ ably led by the Management Team under Rajeev Wagle and Dipak Deva- represents strong businesses and brands that we plan to leverage for customers of both Kuoni and Thomas Cook India, and we welcome aboard all our colleagues at Kuoni India."
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