INDUSTRY BUZZ

ON THE SPIRITUAL JOURNEY WITH PLANET HOLLYWOOD BEACH RESORTS, GOA

Planet Hollywood Beach Resort, Goa has spiritual life and soul of its own. We offer a blissful escape away from the cacophony of city life to guests visiting us from India and other countries. We take great pride in providing excellent hospitality to our guests and make sure that they leave us feeling rejuvenated in mind and body. The approach to a great vacation varies from person to person however, the elemental goals for a holiday are mostly similar. At Planet Hollywood, Goa the proximity to the beautiful Arabian sea with a view of golden sunrises and sunsets, a vast stretch of a white sandy beach with the crisp and fresh sea breeze, and a verdant surrounding within the resort gardens are designed to provide the mind and body with a healing and cleansing experience. Regardless of the nature of travel, business or leisure, travelers are always presented with amazing opportunities to meet new and interesting people and encounter new and exciting experiences that can be life-changing sometimes. A new place, new people, and new experiences always contribute to spiritual growth whether you find it in the company of others or amidst your solitude.

One ’ s spiritual experiences in the journey of life serve to be the best memories. My name is Ravi Kumar, an astrologer, and spiritual seeker.

I am working with Planet Hollywood Beach Resort, Goa as an in-house astrologer and spiritual coach. I am blessed with wonderful memories of meeting some like-minded spiritual people at the resort. They have become a part of the spiritual journey of my life and enriched me to create a spiritual program based on my journey influenced by our interactions. This program is called RAVIYOG. RAVIYOG – LEARN TO LIVE Project “RAVIYOG” is a Spiritual Program based on Spirituality in Practical Life. It is aimed to serve humanity and promote awareness about Spiritual and Life Sciences. It is based on Family Values, Culture and Tradition, and Spiritual Living Practices that are relevant and practical in present times. Spirituality in Practical Life means a living experience of spiritual values of life in thoughts, emotions, actions & intentions. It is all about living with the necessary humane sense that is sensible, science & spiritual. In present times we do not need great enlightenment of knowledge & wisdom or any superpower in everyday life. We just need to learn, follow, and practice basic concepts of Spiritual & life sciences to begin with positive changes in our lives. The aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic has been widely spread unemployment and career problems that have taken a toll on psychological health and wellbeing. With the rise in stress, mental health issues, and lifestyle disorders, the future of individual development lies in achieving the oneness of the mind and body. Spirituality unites everything, the fundamentals of business and economy with that of life and nature, for sustainable growth and development. The solution to the many problems of modern people, society, and the system is spiritual education and awareness. Spiritual Tourism in Goa Goa is known for its party culture and casinos. However, that is not Goa in its entirety. The rich cultural heritage in Goa along with its majestic churches, beautiful temples, mountains, waterfalls, a long golden coastline, and other natural wonders work as a perfect backdrop for making Goa a suitable destination for spiritual experiences. Spiritual tourism has started to gain popularity in India, however, it is limited to cities, such as Ayodhya, Varanasi, Puri, Somnath, and the Himalayas. People are seeking spiritual knowledge to enhance their personality and perception of life by practicing yogamediation and living more in touch with their psychological and spiritual sides. Spiritual Culture or Spiritual Tourism can be truly developed only with the necessary spiritual services, environment & ecosystem because a certain spiritual inspiration is necessary to bring the people together for a common spiritual cause & purpose. Every individual is seeking spiritual knowledge to enhance their personality & perception of life but a certain spiritual inspiration is also necessary to learn, follow & practice spiritual life with the required discipline, dedication & devotion. Spiritual Life to Explore Yourself, Discover Yourself & Surprise Yourself. Although every individual is spiritual in some way, but it is a challenge to bring together like-minded spiritual people on a common platform for a common spiritual cause. With the Spiritual Program RAVIYOG we can create spiritual experiences which can be shared with everyone through real-life spiritual stories &

& memories. The concept & idea is based on –Learning by Sharing Life Experiences. For example, a lot of people have already realized and started the practice of yogameditation & spiritual lifestyle but a certain dedicated spiritual space, culture & environment is necessary for the spiritual knowledge-experience and to grow & evolve with yog-sadhana. Through the spiritual program ‘RAVIYOG’ we can offer unique spiritual activities & services to the people which everybody would like to experience and to make it a part of their lives.

The spiritual program will focus on creating a technology-driven spiritual project which will provide opportunities for spiritual education and self-development. It will support & improve the urban & rural lifestyle with the people ’ awareness & involvement to create a sustainable project using modern science and technology for the spiritual health and well-being of everyone.

This program aims to bring together all the organisations of travel and tourism industry for a common cause and efforts toward the popularization of spiritual development. The idea behind the common spiritual cause is to use the available infrastructure and resources more sustainably to improve the quality of life for the guests and the employees at the hotels and resorts. The spiritual coaching and consultation program along with spiritual workshops-seminars will create the necessary eco-system to support the other ideas of spiritual content, spiritual videos, and animations using the latest technologies. I have given Spiritual Coaching and

Consultation to many people and it has enhanced my understanding and awareness of the people, society, and the system. The spiritual program will create a public platform for the spiritual education programs and courses with all the likeminded spiritual people working together.

It can be accessible and available to everyone through digital media, websites, and applications. The latest technologies can be used to build an online platform for spiritual learning, information, and communication. You can read more about me, my spiritual journey, and the RAVIYOG program on www.raviyog.com. Thank You.

IHCL CONTINUES TO STRIVE TOWARDS BENCHMARKING TOURISM STANDARDS IN GOA

In a continued effort to achieve industry benchmark standards for quality tourism in Goa, Mr. Vincent Ramos, Senior Vice President – Goa of the Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) is empanelled as member of the Empowered Committees for the Goa Tourism Board, an apex body for planning, policy making, strategizing and overseeing the implementation of various tourism programs and initiatives in the state. In his new role, Mr. Ramos will contribute towards the various Land and Infrastructure development programs and initiatives in Goa. Spearheading the largest hospitality operator in the state, Mr. Ramos brings with him exceptional leadership skills and a multitude of management experience from within the tourism industry. Hailing from the beautiful island of Chorão in Goa and being son of the soil, he has been actively involved with the local state authorities to enhance tourism in Goa as Mentor for the Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) Committee –Tourism vertical and as an Executive Member of the Managing Committee of Travel & Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) as well as

the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Goa. Speaking on the appointment, Mr. Ramos said, “Goa has immense potential to position itself as the world’ s best travel 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. It is an honour to be in service of the state and we look forward to empowering the State Government with all the required support and achieving our common goal of repositioning Goa as a world-class leader in tourism. ” Since inception, IHCL has always been synonymous with Goa, having inclusion and business responsibility embedded in its DNA. Thus, constantly striving for the local communities to share in the benefits of its presence with maximized local employment and generating new avenues for business opportunities with a collaborative approach towards helping improve the quality of life and giving back to the community. IHCL comprises of a group of brands and businesses that offer a fusion of warm Indian hospitality and remarkable service including Taj, SeleQtions, Vivanta, Ginger, amã Stays & Trails, Qmin and TajSATS. With a footprint of 21 unique destinations in the state and over 1500 rooms across the length and breadth of the state, IHCL continues to define the changing landscape of tourism in Goa as the largest hospitality operator and leader in the tourism sector.

FORTUNE MIRAMAR GOA BAGS TWO AWARDS AT THE INDIA HOSPITALITY AND F&B PROWORLD EXPO-2022

Fortune Miramar Goa, a member of ITC’ s hotel group made its presence felt at the India Hospitality and F&B Pro-World-Expo 2022. The hotel won across two major categories at the event this year as it grabbed the ‘People ’ s Choice ’ and ‘Goa ' s Best General Manager ’

awards. Speaking on the occasion, Ricardo D'Lima, Cluster General Manager Goa and West Coast, Fortune Miramar Goa, said “Receiving

these awards is an honour, especially after the pandemic. It demonstrates Fortune ’ s unwavering commitment to delivering guest delight with a focus on warm hospitality and impeccable services. We look forward to scaling new milestones and receiving many such recognitions with the support of our passionate and dedicated team that continues to exceed guest expectations. ” Fortune Miramar Goa provides a sophisticated and contemporary setting in one of Goa ' s prime locations. The hotel features 45 beautifully furnished rooms, a selection of dining options, and banquet space for up to 150 guests. Fortune Miramar ' s steady growth and popularity since its inception has progressed owing to its accessible distance from the local beaches, casinos and the airport. Being an Indian hospitality brand, Fortune Hotels are deeply conscious and perceptive to the likes and dislikes of the domestic guests. This reflects in the popularity that Fortune Miramar has garnered in Goa - the most popular holiday destination in the country. The hotel with its distinct, differentiated features continues to attract business and leisure travellers alike. The Hospitality and F&B Pro-World Expo is the region ' s largest and oldest business-tobusiness (B2B) event for the Agro, F&B, Interiors-Exteriors, Cleantech-Housekeeping, and Solar-Waste-Engineering industries. Thousands of business visitors attended this event, including the members of all related associations representing various components of the hospitality and F&B industries. The event is supported by well-known organisations such as the All-India Food Processors ' Association (AIFPA), the Association of Food Scientists and Technologists (AFSTI), the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), to name a few.

BATON CHANGE AT SKAL GOA

Skalleague Shekhar Divadkar was installed as the new President of Skal Club Of Goa, for the term 2022 - 24, at a glittering ceremony held during the AGM on Sunday, the 28th of August 2022 at Alila Diwa - Goa, Majorda - Goa, which was well attended by members, invited dignitaries and the press. Honorable Minister for Transport, Industries, Panchayat Raj & Protocol, Shri Mauvin Godinho was the Chief Guest for the event, while Director of Tourism and CEO of the new formed Goa Tourism Board, Shri Nikhil Desai was the Guest of Honour. Curtorim MLA & GIDC Chairman, Alexio Reginaldo Lorenco &

Benaulim MLA, Captain Venzy Viegas also graced the occasion. Director of Transport Shri Rajan Satardekar attended the event too. Sk. Shekhar Divadkar a member of SKAL since 2007 held various key posts during his 15 years with SKAL, he was earlier Treasurer, Secretary, Vice President with Skal Goa, National Secretary for Skal International India and presently is Secretary for Skal International Asia, he is also member of the Skal International President' s Committee for Statutes and By-laws. While continuing the tempo which was set by the past President Sk. Ernest Dias, Sk. Shekhar and his Skal Goa Board Members have a vision of creating a niche for the club in the areas of Conservation Of Environment, CSR, Social Causes concerning our Industry – Hospitality & Travel, to archive the history of Skal Goa to follow statutory requirements and above all giving Skal Goa a voice in India, in Asia and the World. This would bring about a better visibility for SKAL GOA on the Local, National and International platform.