Articles for Latest News

Indian Leisure Destinations get only 18 per cent Rooms in Future Projections: Report

By BW Hotelier HOSPITALITY CONSULTING giant, has released an article titled ’Investing in Leisure: Exploring the Untapped Potential’ by Achin Khanna, Managing Director, HVS Consulting & Valuation and Rishabh Thapar, Associate, HVS Consulting & Valuation. The article evaluates the past performance and potential that leisure destinations hold for hotel development and why hotel investors must more actively look at investing in leisure destinations across India. Operating hotels in leisure destinations may have been less lucrative for multiple reasons in the past including seasonality, inaccessibility, lack of quality manpower and high fixed/operating costs. Consequently, today, amongst the proposed branded supply of 45,000 rooms in India (under active development being tracked by HVS) only 18 per cent are in leisure destinations. However, in light factors such as the burgeoning middle class, increased leisure spending/travel interest, growing domestic tourism, pro-tourism initiatives by the government and the performance of hotels in leisure destinations, it is both interesting and important to evaluate whether leisure destinations in India are still less lucrative than business destinations from a hotel investment perspective. The article highlights the growth of various markets and the opportunities in leisure destinations while looking closely at some of the trends in leisure tourism. It also reviews performance of hotels in leisure destinations, benchmarked against an All-India average. In conclusion, the higher RevPARs in leisure destinations, combined with incremental leisure spending on food and beverage, spas and travel & tours, merit investments into leisure destinations for hotel investors. Photo is purely representational.-   Click to read-HVS Report

Neeraj Tyagi Executive Chef at Shangri-La’s- Eros Hotel

By BW Hotelier NEERAJ TYAGI has been appointed as Executive Chef of Shangri-La’s- Eros Hotel, New Delhi. With more than a decade of rich experience in various kitchens at hotels and restaurants across the globe, Chef Tyagi brings a fresh and innovative culinary flair to his kitchens inspired by his classic training and world travels. Chef Tyagi’s worldwide experience has allowed him to develop an unrivalled passion for gastronomy. Chef Tyagi will be instrumental in planning, implementing and overseeing the diverse and unique food and beverage offerings at the hotel scheduled to open in 2015. With his sound industry knowledge and exceptional managerial skills, he will spearhead a talented team of young and passionate chefs. His vision and unparalleled creativity will bring a new and exciting dining experience at Shangri-La’s - Eros Hotel, New Delhi. Prior to taking up the role of Executive Chef at Shangri-La’s - Eros Hotel New Delhi as Executive Chef, he worked at Kempinski Hotel Aqaba, Jordan in the same capacity. Before moving to Jordan, he spent more than eight years at The Claridges, New Delhi and launched the city’s most recognised Mediterranean restaurant, Sevilla. His international stints include Garibaldi Italian restaurant & Bar, Singapore; Hulhule Island Hotel, Maldives and The Ritz London, which have elevated his philosophy of serving dishes orchestrated with passion and crafted to evoke full flavours through his creative composition and sound cooking techniques.

Goa Tourism Minister bags ’Best-Innovated Tourism Minister’ 2015 Award

By BW Hotelier THE-MINISTER for Tourism, Government of-Goa, Dilip Parulekar has been awarded the PATWA - Safari India South Asia Travel awards in the category for ’Best Innovated Tourism Minister’ for 2015. This award will be presented to him at a ceremony in New Delhi on August 7, 2015. Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) is an affiliate of United Nations WTO. Parulekar is the first tourism minister of Goa to receive this-prestigious award. Parulekar-said, ’It is a matter of great pride-and honor for me and-the Tourism Ministry, Govt. of Goa.-During the last three-and-a-half years as Minister for-Tourism in the-Govt. of Goa, it has been my endeavor-to take-Goa Tourism to greater-heights. Innovating, re-branding and creativity have been the key mantras that I have been working on tirelessly along with my young and energetic team.’ Parulekar pointed out that Goa Tourism has achieved-a lot during his stint as-tourism minister and attributed-this success-to the co-operation and support-of the- government, all- tourism officials and-the media in promoting Goa Tourism far and wide. He added that during the-last one year new initiatives have been launched-such as the-Hot Air Balloons, Amphibious vessels, Seaplanes,-Women Taxi Service and Comprehensive Beach Cleaning Management- Plan. Safety on the beach belt-has been-augmented-through the-lifeguard services and IRB patrolling, and-other safety measures-strengthened. Tourism infrastructure-has also been augmented and-new facilities such as-parking, changing rooms, toilet and locker facilities-will be-put in place soon.

EIH Posts Q1 profits of Rs 19.86 crores

A Gulp Of Goa May be Coming to a Bar Near you Soon

By Rashmi Pradhan IN ORDER to get beer lovers across the country to get taste of Goa’s famous King’s Beer, Viiking Ventures has acquired the marketing and distribution rights for the beverage across the country. As of now, the drink is available only in Goa, though the plan is to make is available throughout India in a phased manner. The new brand was unveiled by Sachiin Joshi, Chairman, Viiking Ventures, along with Moksh Sani of Living Liquidz and Vijay Monte Cruz of Impala Distillery and Brewery Ltd at a function in Mumbai. Impala Distillery and Brewery Ltd. and Viiking Ventures will form a partnership, valid for 20 years. Impala Distillery will manufacture and bottle the beverage, while all marketing responsibilities will be handled by Viiking Ventures. Speaking to BW Hotelier, Joshi said, ’We have redesigned the packaging of the product to appeal the masses. We are looking at a good distribution channel. In the first phase, the beer will be launched in four states including Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. The King’s Beer will be available in these markets by end of August.’ He projected, ’We will be increasing the production by three fold and will produce 3 lakh cart a month. By April 2016, it will be available across 12 states in India. We are looking at investment to the tune of Rs 500 crore in the next five years.’ Joshi revealed that talks are also underway to acquire scotch and whisky brands. Post this acquisition, the beer has been rechristened ’Goa Kings’. Viiking Ventures Group has interests across sectors such as hospitality, media and entertainment, health and fitness, realty and aviation. Photo: Sachiin Joshi, Chairman of Viiking Ventures during the media event. The Author is Assistant Editor of BW Hotelier.

'Bringing the World Under One Roof for Key Decision Makers'

By BW Hotelier THE-THIRD edition of MICE India and Luxury Travel-Congress 2015-(MILT Congress) concluded-in Mumbai last week. The event witnessed over 3150 meetings in total between buyers representing the leading corporates, agencies, wedding planners and film production houses from across India and suppliers from leading tourism boards, hotel chains, venues, sports hospitality and MICE specialists from around the world. The congress welcomed over 250 attendees-(decision makers of incentive, meetings, events and corporate travel planning) over the two days, from-the-country’s-leading corporate organizations. Experts-from the MICE segment in India-from companies such as-Ashok Leyland,-Abbott Healthcare,-Kurlon, Tata Motors, HDFC Standard Life Insurance,-Tata Steel,-Larsen & Toubro, Sanofi,-Vedanta-amongst others,-came together to provide-some much-needed perspective into the workings of this powerful sector to help broaden the understanding-on MICE travel-for planners and suppliers alike. Industry stalwarts from the-MICE planning industry-spoke on the need for travel partners to get more creative with their offerings and to move away from the vanilla packaging that has been the norm until now. Adding their views on the monetary aspect, these MICE professionals agreed-that although there would be a cap with the budget that could be allocated towards the spending, these decision makers would not shy away from increasing their-spend on certain creative-proposals and new destinations that could re-invent the way we look at incentives and events. There were also some interesting takeaways with these experts-sharing their insight on what works best for the Indian market. Majority of buyers-emphasized the-importance-of-inclusion of the employee’s or distributor’s family in the activity-to provide an enriched incentive-travel-experience. Another MICE buyer from a top tier pharmaceutical company enlisted the key factors responsible for a successful incentive activity,-with-value for money, proximity to India, accessibility, a proactive tourism board-and-creating a wow factor-being the most important.-During the highly anticipated visa panel discussion, the topic of ensuring-a-smooth visa issuance process for MICE rather than only focusing budgets on tourism marketing was highlighted.-Bringing it all together, it was observed that corporates make their MICE decisions based on-the 3S’s ’ Spend, Service and Satisfaction. The congress provided a niche industry focused platform for hotel chains such as-Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces, FRHI Hotels & Resorts, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, Hilton, Address Hotels and Resorts, Marriott Hotels,-along with DMCs, EMCs, Sports tourism players, tourism boards and convention bureaus from-Spain, South Africa, Thailand, Fiji, Toronto, Switzerland, Geneva, Abu Dhabi, Singapore, Korea, Oman, Zurich, New Zealand, Monaco, and Mauritius-to-meet C-level-executives-from the top corporation in the region. ’Our objective has always been to bring the world under one roof-to meet-senior decision makers-from India, who can make decisions on all aspects related to procurement for MICE, business and luxury travel activities. We have been successful in providing a platform for doing business and surpassing participants’ expectations over the past three years,’ said Sidh N C, Director ’ Projects, QnA International (see photo). ’Based on the feedback-we have-received, the-MILT Congress has raised-the bar this time around for all MICE-events in India and-is currently recognized as the strongest MICE platform in the region and we intend on raising the standard of the event with each-forthcoming-edition,’ he added.  

Viiking Ventures acquires marketing and distribution of Goa’s King’s Beer

IN ORDER to get beer lovers across the country to get taste of Goa’s famous King’s Beer, Viiking Ventures has acquired the marketing and distribution rights for the beverage across the country. As of now, the drink is available only in Goa, though the plan is to make is available throughout India in a phased manner.

Travel Corporation India promotes Tourism through Cuisine Exchange Programme

By BW Hotelier TRAVEL CORPORATION (India) Ltd. (TCI), inbound division of Thomas Cook (India), in a pioneering initiative, managed over 100 delegates from China, Korea and Taiwan, at a unique food exchange program. This original concept was launched in partnership with Beijng Kangyuan Food Culture Exchange Center and Hotel Kempinski Ambience, Delhi. Key dignitaries present at the event were Zhang Wenyan and Liang Cheng from The International Nutritious Cuisine Research Association (of China and Korea respectively), and Xie from Taiwan Chinese Cuisine & Travel Development Institute; Ma of Beijing Youth Travel Ltd., Rohit Tokhi and Neelabh Chugh, Hotel Kempinski Ambience and Prashant Narayan, COO and Head of Leisure Travel (Inbound), TCI (seen addressing the gathering in photo). In a strategic initiative to leverage China’s ’Visit India Year 2015’, TCI positioned Incredible India via an original concept of Culinary/ Gourmet Tourism to tap the strong emerging Inbound Chinese market, as also that of Korea and Taiwan. India being the home of a diversity of vegetarian cuisines, an engaging platform of a Cuisine Competition (Bodhi Cup) was chosen with special focus on the nutritional value and health factor of vegetarian meals. Narayan said, ’TCI’s internal data has highlighted the growing influence of China as a powerful source market for inbound tourism. While Chinese tourists stand at 100 million (expected to touch 200 million by 2020), India enjoys unfortunately but an insignificant share. Food plays a critical role in every culture and hence in a focused attempt to leverage the China market potential, equally that of Korea and Taiwan, the 11th International Nutritious Cuisine Competition (Bodhi Cup) was organized, with special emphasis on vegetarian food. The Cuisine Contest created a delightful on-ground engagement for over 100 participating chefs from across China, Korea and Taiwan, with vibrant discussion around India, vegetarian cuisine, nutrition, health and fitness.’ As a special gesture, our team at TCI has invited the delegates to experience Indian hospitality and explore India’s heritage and culture ’ the iconic Taj Mahal, holy city of Varanasi and Bodh Gaya. Narayan concluded, ’Prime Minister Modi’s pro-tourism initiative of e-TV (covering 43 countries, extended to an additional 31 countries) now includes China, and this augurs well in giving a fillip to Inbound Tourism. With cuisine seeing increasing interest, our Inbound team has created a unique product portfolio that includes culinary experiences along with special yoga tours, Indian ayurveda and spa-wellness programmes, etc to engage the discerning Inbound markets and we hope this creates a buzz for the upcoming season.’  

Grand Mercure Goa Shrem Resort Appoints New Director of Sales & Marketing

By BW Hotelier ACCORHOTELS HAS-appointed Jayakrishnan Sudhakaran as the new Director of Sales and Marketing for Grand Mercure Goa Shrem Resort. In his role he will be responsible for leading and further improving all aspects of the sales and marketing communications, promoting brand strategies and providing the best of Grand Mercure hospitality experience to the guests. Sudhakaran has been in the hospitality industry for over 12 years. Prior to joining AccorHotels, Sudhakaran was the Director of Sales at Park Hyatt Goa Resort and Spa in Goa where he was employed for four years. After graduating with a degree in Hotel Management from the Institute of Professional Sciences and Management, followed by a Post Graduate Degree from School of Communication and Management Studies, Cochin, Sudhakaran started his career with the Taj Hotels & Resorts and Palaces and then went on to hold various positions in prominent chains across India. Commenting on his appointment, Rohan Sable, General Manager, Grand Mercure Goa Shrem Resort, said, "We are thrilled to have Jayakrishnan lead our sales efforts at Grand Mercure Goa Shrem Resort. His key expertise lies in developing and implementing sales strategies in sync with market conditions and we look forward to his collaboration in pursuit of providing the best of Grand Mercure hospitality to our guests.’

AccorHotels wins PATA Gold Award 2015 for Corporate Environment Program ’Planet 21’

By BW Hotelier ACCORHOTELS HAS won the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Gold Award 2015 for best corporate environment program for Planet 21: Reinventing Hotels Sustainably. This is the third year in a row that AccorHotels has won gold at the PATA Awards, which is great recognition for the group’s firm commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and protection of the environment. ’We are honoured to be recognised for our Planet 21 program which includes 21 commitments to act together across a range of environmental and social issues,’ said Michael Issenberg, Chairman and CEO AccorHotels Asia Pacific (see photo). ’Our hotels in Asia Pacific ’ and globally - have set strong targets for reducing water consumption, energy use and carbon emissions, but, just as importantly, Planet 21 includes actions on child protection, disease prevention, employee development and other social commitments not only to the planet but also to people.’ The group has also undertaken two separate surveys with Accenture and EY, which found overall that AccorHotels decision to invest in sustainability programs not only has a positive impact on its carbon footprint, but also makes good business sense. The studies found there is a strong link between sustainability and increased guest satisfaction, improved business performance and increased loyalty of key B2B customers.