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INDUSTRY BUZZ
GOA MARRIOTT RESORT AND SPA GETS DINESH MAAN ON BOARD AS NEW DIRECTOR OF FOOD & BEVERAGES
Dinesh Maan, an Army Brat, who spent his childhood in the boarding school and did schooling in the Army School has been appointed as the Director of Food & Beverages at Goa ’ s premier property Goa Marriott and Spa. Dinesh had started his career in the hospitality Industry with Taj Palace, New Delhi as an Associate and climbed the ladder to become the Director of Food and Beverage within a short stint of 13 years. Known to be an Army Brat Dinesh did his schooling from 05th to 12th Standard in Army Public School Dagshai, Solan (Himachal). He spent his childhood in boarding school since he was 8 years old. According to the reports, Dinesh always had an interest in the travel and tourism industry and that made him to join the Hotel Management after finishing his school. He joined the 3 years course in Hospitality and Tourism at NIHM (National Institute of Hotel Management), Dehradun for a B.SC.
After finishing his education at NIHM he joined the Taj Palace in New Delhi as an Associate and then climbed the ladder to become the Director of Food and Beverage. Dinesh Mann has worked with renewed hotel chains like Taj, Oberois, and Marriott in the past. With this new responsibility at Goa Marriott Resort and Spa, he will be supervising the five Food & Beverages outlets, 14 thousand square feet of Banqueting space and In-Room Dining, and Minibar for 190 rooms. He will be also overlooking the overall functioning, Marketing, and revenue of the entire Food and Beverage division and leading a team of 61 team members. Mr. Maan will also be responsible for the seamless functioning of the F&B department and employees while looking after the International brand standards and client satisfaction. He will also be helping in preparing the Annual Food & Beverages plan and devising the marketing strategies for the hotel and individual outlets. According to the reports, Mr. Maan will also be taking care of the recruitment, training, and motivation of the Food & Beverages team at Goa Marriott Resort and Spa. Mr. Maan ’ s last stint was at Conrad, Pune where he was holding the responsibility as Director of Food and Beverage and he is known to set many records for Conrad by establishing Food and Beverage to the top for Pune Market. In his leisure time, Mr. Maan enjoys keeping himself updated with the new developments in the Food and Beverages scenario and he is also passionate about watching the latest movies and spending quality time with family.
IHCL CONDUCTS TRAINING PROGRAM FOR GTDC STAFF AT TAJ RESORT & CONVENTION CENTRE
In an effort to achieve benchmark service standards for Tourism in Goa, the Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) conducted a full-day training program for the staff of Goa Tourism Development Corporation Ltd (GTDC) Residencies at Taj Resort & Convention Centre in Dona Paula. The training involved a thorough showcase of IHCL’ s signature hospitality and an interactive session with the Learning and Development Team of IHCL, Goa on the current trends and potential learnings of this rapidly evolving industry. The attendees were chosen on basis of seniority in ranking and experience. The session involved a detailed study of the heart of the house departments including Housekeeping, Food and Beverage Service, Food and Beverage Production, Front Office, Engineering and Horticulture.
Each Head of Department demonstrated the various techniques and skills used in daily hotel operations and the correct use of state-ofthe-art equipment for effective time management with bulk requirements. Additionally, each department discussed the common challenges faced and the various methods practiced to address them. Speaking on the initiative, Mr. Vincent Ramos, Senior Vice President – Goa for IHCL said, “Unlike other states in the country, tourism is the backbone of Goa ’ s economy with 40% of the population directly or indirectly dependent on it. Hence, it is imperative that we adapt to the changing tourism landscape and match the service expectations of today ’ s travellers. Goa has immense potential to position itself as the world’ s best travel and leisure destination. With a combined and unified effort of all the partners and stakeholders in the industry, I am certain that Goa can achieve exemplary standards in tourism. ” On completing the training, participants were rewarded with certificates and mementos by GTDC’ s senior leadership team. In his speech at the closing ceremony, Dr. Ganesh Gaonkar, Chairman – of GTDC said, “We are immensely grateful to the IHCL team for extending their resources and support towards enhancing the service standards at GTDC Residencies. Undoubtedly, IHCL is the hallmark of Indian hospitality with a service culture that has been nourished over 118 years and practiced across 50 global destinations. This synergy will help Goa to be a model state as per the vision of our Hon ’ble Chief Minister, Dr. Pramod Sawant. ” GTDC has over 500 keys spread across the length and breadth of the state in key locations. These properties are primarily used to cater to travelers visiting the paradisiacal state of Goa from across the country.
VISHAL KHOSLA TAKES OVER AS GM OF AZAYA BEACH RESORTS
Vishal Khosla, a well-known name in the hospitality sector is a seasoned professional having vast exposure in the domestic and international markets across the UK, UAE and India has been appointed as General Manager at Azaya Beach Resorts situated on the pristine white sands of Benaulim Beach situated in south Goa. The property is spread across in 10 acres of land touching the beach with 114 well-appointed rooms. Mr Khosla dons a hat of 20 years of experience in the Hospitality Industry and he is a seasoned hospitality professional having extensive cross-cultural exposure to widespread domestic and international markets. Before joining the Azaya Beach Resorts, Mr Khosla had been serving as a general manager in well-known properties such as Novotel Goa Dona Sylvia Resort, Park Regis Resort, Whispering Palms Beach Resort and The Kenilworth Resort & Spa in Goa. He has also worked with well-known international brands like the Hilton Glasgow Hotel, Radisson SAS Hotel in Liverpool, IHG – Holiday Inn Hotel in Aylesbury, Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi, The Taj
Mahal Palace & Tower and JW Marriott Hotel in Mumbai and The Club Mahindra Resort and The Lalit Golf & Spa Resort in Goa. “I feel privileged to have this unique opportunity of relaunching a jewel that is yet to be discovered, ” said Mr Khosla adding that Azaya Resorts has many unique features including the largest inventory of plunge pool suites in Goa. “I am excited to be a part of this service-oriented team and humbled by the potential that this new journey holds. ” Vishal’ s enthusiasm and vision find synergy in Azaya ’ s bold, vibrant and playful character that maximises guest satisfaction. His immense operational experience will be instrumental in strengthening and delivering Azaya ’ s core ethos while his commitment to excellence will create value that further enriches the genuine, attentive and intuitive service design of the property. He will also enhance the celebrations and bespoke experiences that have become the hallmarks of this property. Azaya Resorts Goa is premium property promoted by the Saraf Hotel Enterprises headed by Mr Radhe Shyam Saraf who owns a chain of hotels under the Hyatt Brand and Owned Brands in India and Nepal. Mr Saraf had started his first property in Nepal in the year 1977 called Yak & Yeti and since then he never looked back. The Azaya Beach Resorts Goa draws the inspiration from Maldivian sense of place with uninterrupted, soul-stirring sea views and powder-soft white sand spread deep into the resort. With a fresh, fun and trendy vibe, Azaya welcomes you to a unique destination where celebrations require no occasion and bespoke experiences transform moments into memories.
SKAL GOA RECEIVES OUTSTANDING RECOGNITION FROM SIAA 3 TIMES IN A ROW
Skal Club of Goa led by dynamic President Sk. Ernest Dias was adjudged the Club of the Year 2022 & Young Skal Club Of The Year 2022 – both for the third year in a row by Skal International Asia for the Asian Region. The leadership exhibited by President Sk. Ernest Dias has brought out the very best from the Skal Goa Board and the Members. The Club has grown significantly from 165 numbers to 193 with an increase in Young Skal Members as well. The Club had conducted a number of projects for the Young Skalleagues during the pandemic and also post pandemic period. Year on year we have been increasing our membership. The enthusiasm of young members eager to join Skal is a testimony of the learnings and experiences and rewards being reaped by the Young Skalleagues. The Young Skal movement has been ably led by Director Young Skal Sk. Carl Costa. The planning and execution of all the Young Skal events has been meticulously worked out by Skal Goa dependable Young Skal Director Sk. Carl Costa. Some of our Skalleague Members have adopted eco-friendly environmentally sustainable projects. Different activities as undertaken by the Club range from 1. Supporting the Orphans, Aged & the Underprivileged 2. Beach Cleaning activity
3.Blood Donation drives 4. Awareness of Safe Practices connected with Torism during the Pandemic period etc. Our attendance of members at General Body Meetings and of Board Members at the Board Meetings has been excellent. There was excellent bonding, interaction and networking amongst members at meetings and events. The Club has been regular contributors to Florimond Volckaert Fund for the long-term benefit of Skalleagues in need. For the second year running Skal Goa has been at the forefront in organizing the Rallies –Bike Rally ( 2020 ) & Car & Bike Rally ( 2021 ). Bike Rally 2020 was for promoting Tourism in Goa & assuring people that we were a safe destination to visit. Car & Bike Rally 2021 was held on World Tourism Day as a show of solidarity with the industry that we are all apart off. All these activities and moreover excellent camaraderie amongst members and families was the hallmark of Skal Club of Goa in bagging this award for the third time. The support offered by all the Ex-President’ s and the Skal Goa Board Officials has been exemplary and spontaneous in every respect. Sk. Shekhar Divadkar has been awarded The Skal Asian Region Personality of the year 2022 Award. It is a matter of pride for Skal Goa that Sk. Shekhar Divadkar a founding member, a person with deep commitment for Skal and whose embodiment of daily work is Skal first has been so honoured. Sk. Shekhar Divadkar is presently designated as Secretary with Skal International Asia and as Vice President with Skal Goa and he has made significant contributions to the development of Skal and the travel industry at Local, National, Asian and International level. Sk. Shekhar Divadkar has been awarded The Skal Asian Region Personality of the year 2022 Award. It is a matter of pride for Skal Goa that Sk. Shekhar Divadkar a founding member, a person with deep commitment for Skal and whose embodiment of daily work is Skal first has been so honoured. Sk. Shekhar Divadkar is presently designated as Secretary with Skal International Asia and as Vice President with Skal Goa and he has made significant contributions to the development of Skal and the travel industry at Local, National, Asian and International level. Skal Club Of Goa has also achieved laurels at the World Level as well. The Club has been the Club Of The Year 2020 & The Runner Up Club Of The Year 2021. The Club has achieved the Gold Award for Second Highest Net Increase In Members for 2020 & the Platinum Award for the Highest Net Increase In Members for 2021. Our Skalleague Mario Sequeira has been the proud recipient of the Skal Special Award For 2020 for outstanding service rendered for the Skal cause & so also has been conferred with the prestigious Title of Membre D’ Honneur in 2021. Skal Goa is indeed proud of Member Skalleague Mario Sequeira. Skal Club Of Goa has been invited once again for the third time in a row by Skal International to participate in the Club Of The Year competition. It is indeed a major achievement for any Skal Club to be so invited.
KERALA AND AHMEDABAD ON TIME MAGAZINE’S TOP 50 DESTINATIONS TO EXPLORE!
Kerala and Ahmedabad have been named by TIME among the 50 top destinations to explore in its list, of World’ s Greatest Places of 2022. Kerala as we all are aware is one of India ’ s most beautiful states and is often referred to as
‘God’ s Own Country ’ . It is known for its temples, palaces, breath-taking beaches and enchanting backwaters. Kerala boasts of its first caravan park which is fast gaining popularity amongst the tourists. As India
’ s first UNESCO recognised World Heritage City, Ahmedabad has an abundance of ancient landmarks and modern, contemporary innovations turning it into a unique destination for cultural tourism. Gandhi Ashram that sits on the banks of Sabarmati river and the ‘ navratri’ being the world’ s longest’ dance festival which goes on for 9 days are some of the highlights of this cultural extravaganza.
SCO a Beijing based organisation(Shanghai Co-operative Organisation) is an eight member security an economic alliance comprising of, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India and Pakistan, have announced Varanasi to be the ‘Cultural and Tourism Capital’ of SCO for the year 2022-23 under a rotative policy initiative to bring about active public participation to promote tourism in the member countries. Each year another member to be honoured the privilege of the title. The main agenda is to explore the rich resources in respect to tourism the member countries have.
