TOURISM INDIA JUNE 2021 Digital

INCREDIBLE INDIA

WONDERFUL WORLD AVIATION ONLINE TECHNOLOGY

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JUNE 2021 VOL. 24 NO. 02 Pages 60

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MOVENPICK KUREDHIVARU PARK HYATT MALDIVES PHUKET EMIRATES AMILLA MALDIVES

T O U R IS M REBOUNDS

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Editor’s Note

Trust will be the key for Recovery

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n January 2021 the rollout of vaccines did slowly bring back the confidence of the tourism Industry and the travellers. Industry had picked up in November-December of last year with tourists coming, but the optimism was short-lived as the second wave swept across the globe at a faster pace and the second wave of Covid-19 changed everything. The understandable uncertainly is the only result of the concerns of health and hygiene and the covid protocols.

The life-changing circumstances of unprecedented casualties in the history of mankind triggered by COVID-19 are still reeling above our heads. The second wave of COVID-19 made more daily infections than the first wave, which has taken a toll on the recovery process of the travel sector, particularly the airline companies.

The aviation sector had a bitter big blow with the second wave and the recent spike in COVID-19 cases drastically attack with flyers confidence tanking, leading to further delays in the recovery of demand.

The effect of this pandemic is so strong and deep and it takes time to heal. The research work across all fields is subject to pre-COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 classifications. In the post-COVID-19 researches economic, environmental, social setbacks and policy suggestions are the main highlights.

Unfortunately, we have Covid variants and we are sure about the third wave but yet don’t know about its magnitude. So we should have to prepare ourselves

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and our systems In this new normal the priority of customer interest is also changing and the new researches have indicated that travellers are looking for simple pleasures such as time outdoors, great views, sunshine and sleeping in a comfortable bed. Flexible travel will be a trend in the new normal As the Tourism sector is based on personal experience and promotes solidarity and friendship, it will play a key role in spreading trust more widely. As trust will be the motto and Travellers will remain cautious and choose to holiday with brands that they trust will keep their safety as the top-most priority through this way we can drive our economies back towards growth and start rebuilding our societies.

Products and services which offers the domestic market will need re-looked as Domestic Travel plays a major factor in the recovery of the hospitality sector in 2021. The increased technological integration into 5 the customer experience is another solution.

During the pandemic, new products and value-added services were especially targeted to enhance the customer experience and last year a lot of brands used the opportunity to come up.

As more people get vaccinated around the world and travel restrictions ease, people will get back to travel just as quickly as Revenge Travel.

Rajani A Editor

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Contents

JUNE 2021

VOL. 24 NO. 02

Cover Photo Courtesy: Anantara Hotels & Resorts

MANAGING EDITOR Ravisankar K V EDITOR Rajani A EXECUTIVE EDITOR Raadia Mukadam ASSOCIATE EDITOR G. Ajithkumar ART EDITOR N Bhattathiri DIRECTOR - DESIGNS Anand Sankar PHOTOGRAPHERS Vivek R. Nair, Murukesh Iyer EXECUTIVE - DIGITAL MEDIA VAISHNAV RAMAKRISHNAN

BUSINESS & EDITORIAL ASSOCIATES NEW DELHI D Anilkumar +91 9868123311 MUMBAI K V Satyanath +91 9745598126 KOLKATA Jayasree Singh +91 943306033 BANGALURU Damodaran K Nair +91 8310955261

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2021 RESULTS TRACKING PROJECTIONS, BRIGHT SPOTS TO EMERGE IN 2022

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IATA WELCOMES G20 PUSH TO RESTART

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WTTC CALLS G7 LEADERS TO SAVE THE GLOBAL TRAVEL & TOURISM

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WTTC PREDICTS A MONTHLY £19.8 BILLION LOSS

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REGENERATING THE ADVENTURE INDUSTRY

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TOP 10 THINGS TO SEE AND DO AT PHUKET

EDITORIAL & CORPORATE OFFICE TOURISM INDIA PUBLICATIONS PVT. LTD A-29, KUMARA VILAS, ELANKOM GARDENS, VELLAYAMBALAM, SASTHAMANGALAM P.O., TRIVANDRUM, KERALA, INDIA 695010 TEL: +91 471 2315256 MOB: 9847060531 CONTACT US Editorial Enquiries editor@tourismindiaonline.com Mob: +91 9847060531 Advertisement Enquiries marketing@tourismindiaonline.com Mob: +91 9745598126 Circulation & Subscription Enquiries circulation@tourismindiaonline.com Mob: +91 9745598126 Online Edition www.tourismindia.org www.tourismindiaonline.com Digital Edition: https://issue.com/tourismindia No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written permission of TOURISM INDIA PUBLICATIONS PVT LTD. All rights reserved Copyright @2021 Printed and Published by Ravisankar K V on behalf of TOURISM INDIA PUBLICATIONS PVT LTD, A-29, Kumara Vilas, Elankom Gardens, Vellayambalam, Sasthamangalam P.O., Trivandrum 695010 at Aarsha Offset Graphix, Mettukkada, Thycaud.P.O., Trivandrum- 695014 Editor: Rajani A

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GOVRTNMENT COMMITTED TO REVIVAL OF TOURISM, KERALA TOURISM MINISTER KTDC TO UPGRADE ONLINE BOOKING SYSTEM

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SANDEEP NANDURI NEW DIRECTORTOURISM, TAMILNADU

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UDAIPUR RANKS 8TH UNDER SMART CITY MISSION

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INDIANS IN PLANNING MODE FOR WINTER WEDDINGS

Contents 26

IHCL & BACL ANNOUNCES A 775-ROOM HOTEL AT BENGALURU AIRPORT

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INDIGO ANNOUNCES NEW FLIGHTS FROM DARBHANGA

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TREEHOUSE HOTELS LAUNCHES ‘THE BAG OF HOPE’

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THOMAS COOK INDIA & SOTC TRAVEL ANNOUNCE TRAVSHIELD

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TRAVEL QUARANTINE-FREE WITH ETIHAD AIRWAYS FROM AED 995

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EMIRATES RETURNS TO ROLAND-GARROS 2021

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TOP 10 THINGS TO SEE AND DO AT PHUKET

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MOVENPICK RESORT KUREDHIVARU IS AN ECO CONSCIOUS RESORT IN THE MALDIVES

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AMILLA MALDIVES UNVEILS SIZZLING SUMMER HOLIDAY PROGRAMME

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JOURNEY ACROSS THE HEMISPHERES AT PARK HYATT MALDIVES HADAHAA

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HONG KONG CONVENTION AMBASSADORS TEAM UP TO MAKE CITY THE PLACE TO MEET

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AVANI HOTELS DEBUTS ON BALI’S HOTTEST CORNER

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FLORISTA PARTNERS JOINS WITH CAFÉ COFFEE DAY

7 54 EBRO INDIA DONATES OXYGEN GENERATING

PLANT IN HARYANA

56 FAREPORTAL INDIA SUPPORTS EMPLOYEES WITH VACCINATION CLINIC

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NEWS / INTERNATIONAL

2021 RESULTS TRACKING PROJECTIONS, BRIGHT SPOTS TO EMERGE IN 2022 The new mid-year revision of the ‘Asia Pacific Visitor Forecasts 2021-2023’ from the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) indicates a hard year ahead in 2021 but with recovery occurring thereafter, albeit in a very uneven fashion

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ith the extreme volatility in the travel and tourism sector brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant containment policies and measures enacted in order to prevent its continued spread, predicting the course of any form of recovery has never been as important as it is today.

The new mid-year revision of the ‘Asia Pacific Visitor Forecasts 2021-2023’ from the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) indicates a hard year ahead in 2021 but with recovery occurring thereafter, albeit in a very uneven fashion.

That in and of itself necessitates constant reviews of the current position with future predictions being continuously revised with the most recent data and information at its base. Across all 39 8

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Asia Pacific destinations the difference in the estimated values used in the original forecasts and those with the most recently released official arrivals data was a positive gain of 3.8% between the two. From an initial forecast of 121.843 million international visitor arrivals (IVAs) in 2020 in the original series, the actuals can now be updated at 126.475 million.

The contraction rates and loss of arrivals still remain severe, however, with an overall reduction between 2019 and 2020 of more than 577 million foreign arrivals. Those losses, unfortunately, are forecast to continue throughout 2021 for most Ms. Liz Ortiguera CEO of PATA

sub-regions, under all scenarios.

The exception is Asia, which is predicted to have a positive annual growth of almost 51% yearover-year, under the mild scenario.

That singular result can be expected to move the Asia Pacific overall position to an annual increase of a little more than 27%, between 2020 and 2021, but only under the mild scenario. All other positions remain negative over that period.

The good news, however, is that 2022 looks to be promising, with annual increases across the board, ranging from gains of 105% to 320% under the mild scenario, to between 8% and 75%

even under the severe scenario.

It is important not to be seduced by such large annual percentage increases, however, as despite those gains, the absolute volume of arrivals remains well below the 2019 benchmark for IVAs, even out to 2023 under some scenarios.

The expected results for 2021 average just 23% of the 2019 volume at best. In 2022 that is expected to increase to between 27% and 61% depending on the scenario, reaching between 51% and 99% by 2023, again, depending on the prevailing scenario at that time.

The surge in annual arrivals between 2020 and 2021 into

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Asia under the mild scenario is expected to come from mostly Northeast Asia source markets, with the Russian Federation also adding a welcome boost in numbers. Collectively, this top five source market cluster is expected to add an additional 29 million IVAs into Asia between 2020 and 2021, representing some 80% of the predicted increase into the region over that period.

As Liz Ortiguera, the CEO of PATA, explains “Expectations for a return to the past should be shelved and more attention paid to those source and destination markets best preparing to drive recovery within the Asia Pacific.

Travel recovery is being driven by a complex range of factors from the varying market policies regarding virus control and containment to local citizens’ sentiments on vaccine take-up.”

Ms. Ortiguera continues, “Success will come to those that efficiently implement science-based best practices to control the pandemic in their home markets to restore both source market government and consumer confidence. In the travel industry, a “duty of care”-based approach in delivering services and products will support a more sustainable recovery.”

She concludes with the advice, “On a positive note, our forecast projects a pent-up demand for travel experiences in the Asia Pacific region. Flexibility in marketing and delivering new experiences to engage travellers as corridors open up will be critical.”

Along with the volume increases, there are likely to be some significant annual percentage growth gains into Asia between 2020 and 2021.

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NEWS/ INTERNATIONAL

IATA WELCOMES G20

PUSH TO RESTART TOURISM The five-point agenda to safely restore mobility includes Sharing information among industry and governments to inform policies and decisions to ensure safe mobility,

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he International Air Transport Association (IATA) welcomed the agreement by the G20 Tourism Ministers to support the safe restoration of mobility by following the G20 Rome Guidelines for the Future of Tourism. IATA urged G20 governments to quickly

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follow up their endorsement of the guidelines with actions. particularly The five-point agenda to safely restore mobility includes Sharing information among industry and governments to inform policies and decisions to ensure safe mobility, Agreeing com-

mon international approaches to COVID-19 testing, vaccination, certification and information, Promoting digital traveler identity, biometrics and contactless transactions for safe and seamless travel, Providing accessible, consistent, clear and updated information to travelers to encourage and facilitate travel planning and journeys, Maintaining and improving the connectivity, safety and sustainability of transport systems.

“The G20 has the right focus and agenda to restart travel and tourism. The combination of vaccinations and testing are the drivers to make travel broadly and safely accessible.

Moreover, Prime Minister Draghi’s promise that Italy is ready to welcome back the world and encouragement to book holi-

days should be an inspiration to other world leaders. It captures the urgency that is needed to move forward quickly and safely in restoring the freedom to travel,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

Risk Management

The emphasis on information sharing, working together to implement practical processes, and data-driven policies is particularly welcome. These are the basis for managing the risks of COVID-19 as we move towards normality.

“The G20’s call for a combined effort of industry and governments to share information moves us towards the risk management framework that is needed for a restart.

No industry knows better that safety is paramount than aviation.

Effective risk management— based on evidence, data and facts—underpins everything

The G20 agreements add important support to the building momentum to restore travel. airlines do, and it is a core aviation competency that can help governments safely reopen borders. Over a year into the crisis, and with six months of experience with vaccines, data exists to support the targeted measures that the G20 is aiming for. Using data to guide restart plans should gain impetus from the G20 action plan,” said Walsh.

Aviation Getting Ready

The aviation industry is already making critical progress to be ready.

The IATA Travel Pass re-

sponds exactly to the need for reliable testing and vaccination certificates verified against the traveler’s itinerary. This will be particularly useful in furthering the recommendation for digital solutions. IATA Travel Pass will help prevent fraud and provide a framework for airlines to securely and efficiently manage COVID-19 travel credentials that governments could easily tap into. With over a billion doses of the vaccine administered already and a growing number of countries welcoming vaccinated travelers, a system to globally recognize digital vaccine certificates is becoming even more critical.

The UNWTO/IATA Destination Tracker will give travelers the confidence to plan travel knowing the measures that are in place and requirements to travel.

The G20 agreements add important support to the building momentum to restore travel.

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NEWS / INTERNATIONAL

WTTC CALLS G7 LEADERS TO SAVE THE GLOBAL TRAVEL & TOURISM The open letter laid out the critical role the G7 must play to drive real change and save the global Travel & Tourism sector by safely restoring international travel and mobility through three key measures.

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he World Travel & Tourism Council has called on Boris Johnson, UK Prime Minister and the G7 Heads of State, to lead

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a coordinated response to restart international travel safely, which it says will be critical to the global economic and social recovery.

The open letter laid out the critical role the G7 must play to drive real change and save the global Travel & Tourism s e c t o r by safely restoring international t r a v e l

and mobility through three key measures.

The first is to put Travel & Tourism at the heart of all government decision-making globally, recognizing its economic and social importance and committing to stronger global public-private collaboration.

Secondly, to commit to implementing a consistent framework to safely reopen international travel, through the use of testing, health & hygiene protocols, and digital health travel passes to ensure the safe and seamless flow of people.

Finally, to reopen international borders between countries with

similar successful vaccination rollouts and low levels of infection, such as the US and the UK. This move would unlock both inbound and outbound travel and provide a significant boost to both economies, based on clear, consistent metrics and following a data-driven approach.

Ms. Virginia Messina, WTTC Senior Vice President, and Acting CEO said: “With the global Travel & Tourism sector hanging by a thread, Boris Johnson is in a unique position to lead the G7 response to restart international travel and save the millions of jobs and livelihoods that depend on a thriving sector.

“The situation is critical, so we must put Travel & Tourism at the heart of all governmental decision making globally and agree a

consistent framework to reopen international borders. “The risks of not doing so are enormous. In the G7 countries alone, the sector accounts for 5.11% of the total economy and almost one in 10 of all jobs globally (9.07%). If we don’t save international travel, we simply won’t achieve global socioeconomic recovery.

“However, we can and should harness the opportunity presented by the hugely successful vaccination rollout, to remove travel restrictions and build bridges, not walls, which will allow the safe and free movement of people who are fully vaccinated or can show proof of a negative test.

“We urge Boris Johnson‘s government which led the world by administering the very first COVID-19 vaccination dose, and

the other leaders of the G7 to take this courageous step and save a sector which will be crucial in saving their economies.”

WTTC said that we will not achieve global recovery unless international mobility resumes and helps bring back millions of jobs into the economy; enabling free & fair trade to flourish once again.

Travel & Tourism will also play a key role in enhancing our preparedness and resilience against future pandemics, as well as tackling climate change.

The global lockdowns and closed borders have made some 62 million jobs in Travel & Tourism have been lost around the world, with many more at risk, and the sector’s contribution to global GDP has slumped by US$4.5 trillion (-49.1%).

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NEWS / INTERNATIONAL

WTTC PREDICTS A MONTHLY £19.8 BILLION LOSS WTTC’s open letter to Boris proposes four key measures

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TTC has warned the UK Government that the UK will lose a staggering £639 million a day during July if international travel remains off-limits.

According to an open letter to the UK Prime Minister, from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) UK faces a possible £19.8 billion loss if international travel is effectively delayed until August. Up to 218,000 more jobs in the sector are also at serious risk of being lost if no action is taken now – in addition to the 307,000 jobs which were lost in the UK last year.

The letter urged the government to unlock the doors to international travel to avoid inflicting severe long-term damage on the country’s economy – and to prevent putting at risk the competitiveness of the UK’s Travel & Tourism sector.

The letter, signed by WTTC Members including TUI, Expedia, Meliá Hotels, Silversea Cruises, Iberostar, The Travel Corporation, and Certares, amongst others, praised the progress made with the highly successful vaccine 14

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rollout, which the government should take advantage of, to allow the resumption of safe international travel and reactivate its economy.

It also outlined four steps the government could take immediately, which would provide a critically needed boost to struggling Travel & Tourism businesses up and down the country, fearful that the summer season is slipping away.

Ms. Virginia Messina, Senior Vice President WTTC, said: “If international travel remains off-limits for the whole of July, WTTC research has shown that every day, the UK would lose a staggering £639 million*, severely delaying the UK’s economic recovery and competitiveness.

“Stalling the resumption of international travel could cost the country dearly. We simply can’t afford any further delay – we are Mr. Boris Johnson, Prime Minister of UK

running out of time and money, with many more businesses in danger of going bust, which would result in more jobs losses.

“However, there are steps that the government can take now so that by June 24 when the green list of travel destinations is updated, we can get travel safely moving again, bring certainty to a market begging for stability and help power the economic recovery.

“Only through these measures will the future be brighter for many and will we be able to achieve a long-term, inclusive and sustainable recovery. The restoration of free cross-border mobility is essential to help drive the economic recovery from the pandemic.”

WTTC’s open letter to Boris proposes four key measures. Reopen international travel by allowing fully vaccinated citizens to travel freely without quarantine, both inbound and outbound.

They should be able to visit countries with similar vaccination levels and with proven low infection rates, such as the EU, the US, and Canada, through a data-driven transparent approach that will help restore consumer confiwww.tourismindia.org

Ms. Virginia Messina, Senior Vice President World Travel & Tourism Council

Up to 218,000 jobs at serious risk of being lost if international travel stays off limits over peak summer holiday period

dence.

Remove PCR testing requirements for travel from countries on the green list and replace by a rapid test or no test Require only one test for those travelling from countries on the amber list of travel destinations.

PCR tests are expensive and inconvenient, and their use will continue to deter people from travelling for either business or leisure.

Set a date to reopen international travel – to be announced on 24 June and implemented by 19 July, in line with the final unlocking of social measures in England.

International visitors to the UK spent £35.6 billion in 2019, generating growth and prosperity across the country, helping to make it the world’s fifth-biggest economy in terms of Travel & Tourism GDP. In 2019, the Travel & Tourism sector contributed 10.1% to the UK’s GDP and supported 4.3 million jobs, representing 12% of total employment.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic turned this world upside down, devastating the Travel & Tourism sector with 62 million jobs lost globally, while many more remain at risk.

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NEWS / INTERNATIONAL

REGENERATING THE ADVENTURE INDUSTRY The Hybrid PATA Adventure Travel Conference and Mart 2021 was launched on May 26, 2021

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TTC launched its Women’s Initiative, at the Global Summit in Cancun, with the help of 18 Grand Slam singles title winner, Martina Navratilova. The Travel & Tourism leaders pledged to work towards women’s equality and boost female representation in leadership roles in an

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announcement before the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

Ms. Gloria Guevara, WTTC President & CEO unveiled the public-private-academic partnership to promote diversity and drive inclusivity which will help lead the way to achieve equality for women throughout Travel & Tourism. It led to the

signing of the WTTC Cancun Women’s Declaration to support women, which recognised their contribution around the world and the importance of an equal equitable environment to enable them to thrive as leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators.

The drive committed signatories to provide equal

opportunities for women by removing barriers, ensuring fair treatment, and encouraging greater financial, professional, and social independence.

Gloria Guevara said: “As the first female President and CEO of WTTC, it is an honour to champion this important initiative. The pledge made with the launch of the first Women’s Initiative in Travel & Tourism by a combination of the private, public and academic sectors to work towards women’s equality, marks a significant step forward.“Globally, women have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic which has exacerbated the pay gap, the opportunity gap and the shocking lack of senior positions and leadership roles across the Travel & Tourism sector.“This needs to be changed, WTTC research shows women play a vital role and represented 54% of Travel & Tourism’s employees worldwide. Yet while more than half the sector is accounted for by women, all too few occupy any senior or strategic roles.

“Therefore, I’m delighted to share a platform today with one of the world’s greatest ever tennis players, Martina Navratilova, to help launch WTTC’s groundwww.tourismindia.org

breaking Women’s Initiative.”

Ms. Martina Navratilova said: “Women have always had to outperform men, and whilst things are changing for the better, it is still a fight and a constant battle. “Change happens much quicker when it comes from the top. Companies would be more profitable if more women were in positions of power and boardrooms were less homogenous and reflected the diversity of their customers.

“This is why I am delighted to be here with WTTC on the day it launches its Women’Initiative. As an advocate for women’s rights, I know every action we take will help change the lives of women everywhere and make the world a fairer and better place.

For the private sector in the short term, the 17Women’s Initiative has two core elements; developing skills and creating formal sponsorship and mentorship programmes for young women in business. It will encourage women to bring in new ideas and skills to broaden the wealth of experience and expertise from women at all levels across the entire Travel & Tourism sector.

Senior women leaders will also be empowered to become

mentors and share their skills and experience with the next generation of female Travel & Tourism leaders to nurture and develop new talent.

The private sector pledged to increase the female representation of leadership positions by 30-50% and aim toward increasing by a third, the representation of women to board levels and C-suites, by 2030.

There will also be a commitment to identify opportunities to reduce any gender pay gaps and implement gender diverse slate requirement for all open roles and to each year share progress and publish an action plan to achieve their goals. According to WTTC data, in 2019 before the pandemic struck, the Travel & Tourism sector accounted for 10.4% of global GDP and supported the livelihoods of 334 million people.

Under the theme “Uniting the World for Recovery” the Global Summit made history by becoming the first-time global Travel & Tourism event where leaders gathered together since the COVID-19 ravaged the sector and halted all major events around the world in March 2020.

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NEWS / NATIONAL

GOVRTNMENT COMMITTED TO REVIVAL OF TOURISM,

KERALA TOURISM MINISTER Industry leaders explained to the Minister how the pandemic had resulted in a severe setback for the entrepreneurs and all others engaged in the sector

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erala Tourism Minister Mr. P A Mohamed Riyas has assured the stake-holders in tourism that the government

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will unveil various projects fo- keting campaigns. cusing on the revival of the vital The Minister said that the govsector ravaged by the Covid-19 ernment will closely work togethpandemic, including special mar- er with the industry with the aim

of doubling the tourists’ arrival by 2025,” and hoped that 2022 will be turn out to be a “Covid-19 Free Tourism Year.”

“The government will implement all possible measures to ease the current problems being faced by the industry. Special marketing campaigns will be conducted once the second wave of of Covid-19 recedes,” Mr. Riyas said addressing a virtual meeting of representatives of 18 stakeholders in the tourism sector on Thursday May 27, 2021.

The meeting was convened to elicit suggestions for revival of the industry that has been hit badly by the pandemic and work out plans for an impressive comeback.

The participants explained to the Minister how the pandemic had resulted in a severe setback for the entrepreneurs and all others engaged in the sector. They noted that unlike any other state, Kerala Government had provided total support and encouragement to the industry during the crisis.

The Minister told them that the urgent task will be promoting internal tourism and the arrivals from other states. “Apart from completing the present projects on a time-bound manner, two new heritage projects focusing on Ponnani and Aranmula will be planned and implemented quickly,” Mr. Riyas said.

“The roads to tourism centres will be developed and more tourism circuits will be formed by connecting destinations. Through the socially-committed Responsible Tourism, the benefits of tourism sector will be made available to more people. The government’s goal is to support the kind www.tourismindia.org

of tourism that brings benefits to entrepreneurs, tourists and local community alike,” the Minister pointed out.

Mr. Riyas urged the stakeholders to approach tourism sector with greater enthusiasm by taking the current crisis as an opportunity. He also assured that the government’s activities and projects will be based on giving a new fillip to the tourism sector.

Ms. Rani George, IAS, Principal Secretary, Tourism, Mr. V.R. Krishna Teja, IAS, Director, Tourism, and Mr. Biju BS, Dy. Director (Mktg) were also present.

Representatives from Kerala Travel Mart Society (KTM), Association of Approved & Classified Hotels of Kerala (AACHK), Confederation of Kerala Tourism Industry (CKTI), Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) Kerala Chapter, Association of Tourism Trade Organisations India (ATTOI), Association of Domestic Tour Operators of 19 India (ADTOI) Kerala Chapter, Kerala Houseboat Owners Federation, All Kerala Houseboat Owners Association, Confederation of Accredited Tour Operators, Kerala Homestay & Tourism Society (Kerala

HATS), Homestay Owners Welfare Association Kerala (HOWAK), Kerala Hotels & Restaurants Association (KHRA), Kerala Ayurveda Promotion Society, Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) South Chapter, CII Kerala Chapter - Tourism Committee, All Kerala Tourist Guides Association, Tourist Guides Federation of South India and Chairman of FICCI Kerala Tourism Committee attended.

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NEWS / NATIONAL

KTDC TO UPGRADE ONLINE BOOKING SYSTEM K

Channel Manager software to link KTDC with global networks

erala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) will be upgraded by this month-end with the introduction of Channel Manager Software to make the booking of rooms from any part of the world quick and has-

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sle-free.

This was disclosed by Mr. P A Mohamed Riyas, Minister for Tourism Govt of Kerala,while on his visit to Hotel Mascot and Hotel Grand Chaithram of KTDC to review the progress of their

renovation projects launched to elevate the hospitality facilities and services of Kerala Tourism to global standards to meet the post-pandemic surge.

The upgrading of the online booking system is the first major

step to connect the prime properties of KTDC to global tourism networks. The system will connect KTDC hotels with major booking websites like Booking. com, Agoda and Indian booking engines like Make My Trip, Goibibo, and IRCTC of the Indian Railways, giving them greater international visibility, Mr. Riyas said.

The Minister took stock of the status of various works, including the renovation of the Rooftop Restaurant and Heritage Block at the over a century-old Hotel Mascot and the restaurant, rooms, and conference hall at Hotel Grand Chaithram.

“The ongoing projects will raise the comfort and quality of services of these two top hotels of KTDC to international standards.

The projects will be completed within the timeframe set for them,” Mr. Riyas said after discussions with V R Krishna Teja IAS Tourism Director and KTDC MD, and senior officials present.

The quality and choice of dishes served in KTDC restaurants will also be improved, by including local delicacies in their menu, which will make the food served by them appealing to the local patrons as well as tourists. The ambiance and service of all allied facilities at KTDC hotels will also be improved.

SANDEEP NANDURI NEW DIRECTORTOURISM, TAMILNADU

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r. Sandeep 21Nanduri IAS has taken charge as the new Director, Department of Tourism, Government of Tamil Nadu.

Mr. Nanduri was the District Collector of Thiruvannamalai before this. Mr. Nanduri helmed Metro Water in Chennai as Executive Director during the drought in 2013. To get Madurai a

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Smart City Ranking was one of his initial targets, which he eventually accomplished.

An IAS of 2009 batch, Nanduri has served as DM and Collector of three districts and as Executive Director, Chennai Metro Water Board.

He was posted as Corporation Commissioner of Madurai Corporation in 2016.

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UDAIPUR RANKS 8TH UNDER SMART CITY MISSION 22

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FAMOUS FATEH SAGAR LAKE AND ANCIENT TEMPLE NEEMACH MATA LOCATED ON A HILL ON THE BANKS OF THE LAKE ARE THE LOCATIONS FOR THE PROJECT

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amodar Ropeway and Infra Limited, a private player will be investing approximately Rs. 20 crores to complete a one-of-a-kind ropeway project in the city Four of Rajasthan’s cities, Udaipur, Kota, Ajmer, and Jaipur, have secured the 8th, 11th, 29th, and 36th rank among the 100 smart cities of the country in an online ranking released by The Union government.

As the Government is making efforts to elevate cities’ infrastructure, private players are leaving no stones unturned by executing futuristic infra projects that will make regular activities convenient for the citizens and add immense value to tourism. Famous Fateh Sagar Lake and ancient temple Neemach Mata located on a hill on the banks of the lake are the locations for the project The 430 m long ropewww.tourismindia.org

way will start in proximity to SCERT Hostel, Fatehsagar Lake, and end at Neemach Mata Temple at Hill Top. In this direction, Damodar Ropeway and Infra Limited (DRIL) will be investing approximately Rs. 20 crores to make a one-of-a-kind ropeway project, which is scheduled for completion by the end of 2022. The ropeway planned by DRIL will add feathers to the cap of the Udaipur, which currently ranks 8th among the 100 smart cities of the country.

The city has always been 23 popular as a picturesque tourist destination due to the magnificent palaces, and for having the second-largest artificial freshwater lake in Asia.

DRIL holds an accident-free record for nearly four decades in constructing ropeway and cable car projects at multiple locations in

India and abroad. “We want to contribute significantly to the nationwide campaign of ‘Make in India’, by using indigenous raw materials, employing local construction workers, Indian civil engineers, and establishing projects as per the government guidelines,” says Aditya Chamaria, Managing Director, Damodar Ropeways & Infra Ltd. Ropeway at Science city, Kolkata, Ropeway at Maihar, Naina Devi, HP, Gangtok, Satna, MP, Sikkim, Namchi, Vaishnodevi, Tawang, Trikut, are some of the major ropeways in India built by Damodar Ropeways. Indian players such as DRIL with decades of experience have the potential to redefine commuting in urban cities with a positive impact on the environment by reducing carbon footprints JUNE JUNE2021 2021TOURISM TOURISMINDIA INDIA

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NEWS / NATIONAL

INDIANS IN PLANNING MODE FOR WINTER WEDDINGS

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62% increase in demand for destination weddings: WeddingWire India ReportWedding Planning queries up by 30% in H1 2021 for the Sept-Dec 2021 period vis a vis last year; Venues (50%) become the most enquired service followed

by Photographers (13%) and MakeUp (9%); With tech-savvy consumers

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eddingWire India, the Indian subsidiary of The Knot Worldwide and a leading online marketplace for couples and wedding professionals, today released insightful statistics on how Indians are planning for weddings in the new normal. As one of the fastest-growing and trusted wedding technology platforms, WeddingWire India saw a 30% jump in queries in H1 2021 for vendor services vis a vis last year. The statistics showcase increased interest in planning and scheduling weddings in the Sept-Dec 2021 period. The demand for destination weddings has gone up by 62% with Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Udaipur being the top 3 choices.

As per the data, venues were the top enquired service at 50%

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followed by photographers (13%) and Make-Up (9%). As compared to tier 2 cities, major cities and metros reported 79% enquiries with more tech-savvy consumers. While Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, and Bangalore landed in the top 3, the company also saw demand for these services from cities like Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Pune, Udaipur, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Kanpur, Goa, and Kerala.

Commenting on the trends, Mr. Ankur Sarawagi, India Country Head - The Knot Worldwide, said, “There is no doubt that the pandemic has been a challenging time for the wedding industry.

However, we saw a shift in user behavior, new trends emerged.

Couples started looking at intimate weddings and adopting tech innovations to plan their weddings. Hence, as an agile company, we enabled 60,000+ vendors and service providers to adapt. Our expertise in tech and vision to empower couples with access to every wedding service professional at one platform and within the comfort of their homes has enabled us to deliver during these unprecedented times.

These numbers solidify our belief that the industry will soon be able to bounce back.”

The data also highlighted that when it comes to wedding planning, the bride inevitably takes lead with ~2X more enquires as compared to the groom. Interestingly, while both Bride and Groom agreed that venue was the most important decision to make, their second choice was make-up and photography, respectively.

79% ENQUIRIES CAME IN FROM MAJOR CITIES. DELHI-NCR, MUMBAI, AND BANGALORE LANDED IN THE TOP 3; WHEN PLANNING WEDDINGS, BRIDES TAKE LEAD WITH ~2X MORE ENQUIRIES AS COMPARED TO GROOMS; TOP 3 CHOICES FOR DESTINATION WEDDINGS ARE JAIPUR, JODHPUR AND UDAIPUR www.tourismindia.org

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NEWS/NATIONAL

IHCL & BACL ANNOUNCES

A 775-ROOM HOTEL AT BENGALURU AIRPORT Part of Airport City at BLR Airport, hotel complex to have two IHCL brands – Vivanta and Ginger

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ndian Hotels Company (IHCL), South Asia’s largest hospitality company, announced the signing of an agreement with Bengaluru Airport City Limited (BACL) for a 775-room hotel at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (BLR Airport). The hotel will be a combination of a 450-room Vivanta and a 325room Ginger hotel. This will be a management contract with BACL to operate another hotel at BLR

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Airport where IHCL already operates Taj Bangalore.

BACL – a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bangalore International Airport Limited – has been founded to develop the Airport City at BLR Airport as a world-class destination of a truly mixed-use development, consisting of business, medical and biotech parks, a world-class mall, hospitality, convention and exhibition centres and a central park. The Air-

port City will offer leisure, retail, entertainment and hospitality, with a multipurpose concert arena for hosting large conventions and shows.

Commenting on the signing, Mr. Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, IHCL, said, “Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru is one of the fastest growing airports in the world. This new upcoming hotel complex, along with

Taj Bangalore, will offer a combined inventory of 1,150 rooms catering to the needs of this dynamic and evolving market. We are delighted to extend our partnership with Bengaluru Airport City Limited.”

The proposed hotel will be strategically located in close proximity to the concert arena that is currently under development, and will be part of the sustainable Airport City being developed

by BACL. The Vivanta and Ginger branded hotels will have extensive banqueting facilities to capture the growing potential of the MICE demand. It is slated to open in 2025.

“We are happy to collaborate on this hotel complex with IHCL as we believe this partnership will put the Airport City on the national and international convention circuit. This is a steppingstone towards making BLR Airport a significant destination for the region. The Airport City project will not only help meet the growing commercial needs of people, but also create massive job opportunities, as well as boost economies of the state and the country,” said Mr. Rao Munukutla, CEO, BACL. Bengaluru is the capital of the state of Karnataka. Known as the Garden City because of its greenery, the city is widely regarded as the “Silicon Valley of India” because of its role as the nation’s leading information technology (IT) exporter.

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INDIGO ANNOUNCES NEW FLIGHTS FROM DARBHANGA Connecting cultural capital of Bihar to capital of Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal; Flights to commence from July 05, 2021, bookings open

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n-line with its vision to strengthen regional connectivity, IndiGo, India’s leading carrier, announced Darbhanga as our new domestic destination in the 6E network. The airline will connect Darbhanga to Kolkata and Hyderabad via direct flights, effective July 05, 2021.

Being the 6th largest metropolis in Bihar, Darbhanga is also one of the fastest growing cities of India owing to the increasing opportunities in manufacturing and trade across the states.

Mr. Sanjay Kumar, Chief Strategy and Revenue Officer, IndiGo said, “We are pleased to have one of Bihar’s largest cities, Darbhanga, as our new domestic destination in 6E network. Increased connectivity between the three states will help promote trade and commerce in the region. IndiGo is committed to provide wider networks with an affordable, ontime, safe and hassle-free travel experience onboard our lean clean flying machine”.

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NEWS / HOSPITALITY

TREEHOUSE HOTELS LAUNCHES ‘THE BAG OF HOPE’ L

Your Way To Give Back To Covid Relief Efforts

ockdown and social distancing amid the Covid-19 have taken a tremendous toll on our economy. The second wave has been brutal and unwavering. People are losing their loved

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ones, and one just cannot be insular even if we want to.

The tremendous strain has not only been on our healthcare systems but our economy as well. To spread some cheer amidst this

pall of gloom, Treehouse Hotels offers everyone a chance to be a part of its community relief initiative with something as simple as booking a vacation package. The Treehouse Bag Of Hope start-

ed as an impact initiative by the group to help Covid-19 infected patients and families around the Bhiwadi area with simple, nutritious, and balanced meals. The elderly and unwell needed help and support, and the Treehouse kitchen stepped in to serve. Every morning the team of chefs and servers, all masked and gloved, would prepare and deliver meals in the bags to the Covid-19 affected households in Bhiwadi. In the past month and a half alone, Treehouse Hotel has served over 1500 meals in Bhiwadi.

Treehouse Hotels now extends this initiative to its guests or anyone who wishes to help and participate in this initiative. Just book a room night at any of their participating hotels under the Bag of Hope package on dates of your choice. This way you not only get a vacation but also get to contribute to the hotel company’s relief effort. Each room night booked

by you under the ‘Bag Of Hope’ holiday package would contribute to feeding 50 people in the community. This room night can be availed till 31st December 2022 at any of the Treehouse Hotels across India. This initiative allows the guests to create happy memories and make their vacations more meaningful.

In the words of Jayant Singh, Managing Partner, “Treehouse Hotels has always been a company with a soul. Our guests and our community have been family to us. We always enjoyed and loved serving with our philosophy of ‘Service Dil Se’, translated to mean ‘serve with your heart and soul’. The hotel business and tourism industry as a whole has been reeling under the sharp blow dealt over the last year and a half. Our company has been feeling the pain too, but more pain was being felt by the team which wanted to work and contribute

but did not have any direction.

With the ‘Bag of Hope’ initiative, we have not only contributed to the wellbeing of our community but also our team members who feel empowered and excited to be able to do their bit for their community. We will continue to forge ahead with our efforts and invite anyone who wishes to join us to contribute to this cause by booking through the ‘Bag of Hope’ package.

At Treehouse Hotels we have always stood tall with our community and country and will continue to do so. This initiative will extend after lockdown towards causes that have community impact. Post lockdown, we aim to support families from lower-income groups who have suffered blows both financially and emotionally. We also hope to be able to serve our elderly who have suffered long-term effects of the pandemic and will continue to need support.”

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NEWS / TRAVEL

THOMAS COOK INDIA & SOTC TRAVEL ANNOUNCE TRAVSHIELD T

ravShield. Aimed at ensuring a stress-free and safe holiday experience across every stage of the customer journey, and offers a wide range of customer benefits like Connect Safely, Book Safely, Care & Assistance, Travel & Stay Safe.

To provide much-needed financial support, the companies

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have introduced a unique Holiday First and Pay When You Return scheme to provide customers the flexibility and benefits of paying only once they return from their holiday.

Mr. Madhavan Menon, Managing Director, Thomas Cook (India) Limited said, “At Thomas Cook and SOTC, we deeply value our customer’s safety and go to great lengths to ensure that our travel services meet global safety standards. In 2020, we launched the Thomas Cook & SOTC Assured Program in association with Apollo Clinics, which became the accepted standard for safe travel in India.

As travel reopens again, to give our customers across Holidays, Business Travel, and MICE the confidence to travel safely, I am proud to present TravShield – a

definitive Travel Safety Commitment from Thomas Cook & SOTC. TravShield encompasses and enhances our existing Assured Safe Travel Program, ensuring meticulous health and safety protocols at every stage of the customer journey. To benefit our customers and allay their fears, TravShield offers significant flexibility in rebooking/cancellations, guidance on travel protocols via our Safe Holiday Helpline; also our emergency Doctor On Call service while on tour.

TravShield together with Holiday First and Pay When You Return incorporates the companies’ commitment to health and safety, simplifies the travel experience, and offers significant savings, thus making travel safe, flexible, hassle-free, and easy on the wallet.

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NEWS / AIRLINES

TRAVEL QUARANTINEFREE WITH ETIHAD AIRWAYS FROM AED 995 Etihad Airways has launched reduced and flexible fares to quarantine-free destinations globally

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hether travellers are looking for a short city break or a week relaxing on the beach, it’s time to see the world from a new perspective.

Make up for lost time and reclaim the summer.

With limited or no quarantine when travellers fly to and from Etihad’s sale destinations, experience a Spanish fiesta with fares from Abu Dhabi to Barcelona from AED 1,995 or soak up the cultural vibrance Rome has to offer from AED 1,995.

For those that are looking for a bit of extra room onboard, Economy Space offers just that - with extra legroom for more space and comfort. Until 24 June, all new bookings will receive a 30% discount on Economy Space seats.

The sale extends across all of Etihad’s cabins, with return Business fares starting from AED 9,495 out of Abu Dhabi to Seychelles’ beautiful islands and AED 10,995 from Abu Dhabi to Athens’ ancient ruins, sun-kissed coastlines.

With Etihad’s flexible fares, guests can change their flight for free if they need to. Etihad Guest members who book during the promotional period will earn double miles.

To simplify the travel expe-

Travellers who use Verified to Fly can enjoy fast track checkin at the airport by going to the dedicated Verified to Fly desk for a quicker and smoother experience rience and provide additional peace of mind, Etihad recently launched Verified to Fly, allowing guests to validate their Covid-19 travel documents before arriving at the airport. Travellers who use Verified to Fly can enjoy fast track check-in at the airport by going to the dedicated Verified to Fly desk for a quicker and smoother experience. To use the Verified to Fly service, guests can sign-up by visiting Manage my Booking and will receive further information on how to submit their doc-

uments.

For more convenient travel options, guests can also check-in for their Etihad flight from the comfort of their own home by visiting etihad.com/homecheckin up to seven hours before their flight.

This means passengers can check-in their bags, choose their seats and collect their boarding passes and luggage tags from their home in Abu Dhabi. Once at Abu Dhabi International Airport, all non-transit passengers who have used the home check-in service can skip the queues bagfree, making the airport journey seamless. Luggage will need to be collected at the destination baggage belt.

Flying to, from, and via Abu Dhabi is supported by the airline’s fully redesigned sanitisation and safety programme, Etihad Wellness, which ensures the highest standards of hygiene are maintained at every stage of the customer journey.

Those wishing to book are advised to visit etihad.com and the app to view their options and to remain informed on the appropriate entry regulations at their end destination. The sale starts on Tuesday, 15 June 2021 and ends on Thursday, 24 June at etihad.com.

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NEWS / AIRLINES

EMIRATES RETURNS TO ROLANDGARROS 2021 EMIRATES RETURNS TO ROLAND-GARROS 2021 FOR THE NINTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR AS THE OFFICIAL AIRLINE AND PREMIUM PARTNER OF THE ICONIC PARIS TOURNAMENT, TAKING PLACE FROM MAY 30TH TO JUNE 13TH, 2021

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s part of its Fly Better brand promise, Emirates returns to Roland-Garros 2021 for the ninth consecutive year as the Official Airline and Premium

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Partner of the iconic Paris tournament, taking place from May 30th to June 13th, 2021. The airline is proud to stand alongside Roland-Garros to share and

grow the passion for sports, bring communities together, and offer customers in France the best experiences in flight and on the ground. Emirates has been a

long-standing partner of Roland Garros since 2013 and has become a Premium Partner of the Grand Slam in 2018. With its fiveyear agreement, Emirates enjoys a significant presence throughout the tournament.

Emirates’ commitment to Roland Garros is a natural extension of its existing tennis sponsorship portfolio around the globe, which now includes three of the four Grand Slams as well as 60 other tournaments across the year through a partnership with the ATP. The airline continues to use sports to connect fans and deliver world-class experiences to its customers, mirroring Emirates’ commitment to its customers through superior product and service.

Emirates’ commitment to Roland Garros is a natural extension of its existing tennis sponsorship portfolio around the globe, which now includes 3 of the 4 Grand Slams as well as 60 other ATP tournaments Emirates currently operates two daily flights between Paris and Dubai, using a Boeing 777300 as well as its iconic Airbus A380 aircraft, making it the only carrier to operate this double-decked aircraft in the French sky. Through its hub in Dubai, Emirates serves more than 100

destinations worldwide with reinforced sanitary measures to ensure the safety and confidence of its passengers. Customers are reminded that travel restrictions remain in place, and travellers will only be accepted on flights if they comply with the eligibility and entry criteria requirements of their destination countries.

Emirates’ tennis portfolio includes some of the highest-profile events on the tennis calendar– the Australian Open, the French Open, and the US Open.

The airline is also the Official Airline and Premier Partner of the ATP World Tour, delivering a powerful and consistent presence via the Tour’s iconic net branding across 60 tournaments in 32 countries in six continents.

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FEATURE / DESTINATION

TOP 10 THINGS TO SEE AND DO AT PHUKET F

Phuket island is ready to welcome back visitors from around the world with the stunning beaches

or decades Phuket has been one of the most popular island destinations in Thailand, attracting millions of visitors each year. With the disappearance of international tourists for the last 18 months, the island’s stunning beaches have once again become pris-

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tine, the azure waters teeming with an abundance of sea life, and the surrounding islands rejuvenated with lush greenery unseen before.

Now the island is ready to welcome back visitors from around the world Here are the top ten unmissable things to experience

on a visit to Phuket.

Go on a walk-through history.

Phuket has come a long way from its beginnings as a tin-mining settlement, but with a little imagination, you can almost see the merchants of yore arraying goods inside the ornate

Sino-Portuguese shophouses in Phuket Town. Converted into trendy restaurants, guesthouses, and boutique hotels, they have since received a new lease on life; many restored to their former glory.

between two young lovers was made into a film titled “Saphan Rak Sarasin” (Sarasin, The Bridge of Love). Whether you come here to reflect on life, love, or have a photo shoot at the pretty pergola overlooking the river, Sarasin Insta-float amongst giant Bridge is guaranteed to make an lilies. impact.

If you like your nature to come Take part in a sea turtle with a side of strange and unusu- release. al, you will love the Ma Doo Bua Five of the world’s seven excafé. A must-visit destination for istent species of sea turtles – botanists and Instagrammers Leatherback, the Loggerhead, alike, this lakeside eatery is home the Olive Ridley, the Hawksbill, to a colony of giant water lilies and the Green turtles – can be strong enough to hold the weight found in the waters of the Anof a child (or a very light adult). daman Sea. All are classified as 37 A bridge to the heart. either endangered or threatened.

Ask any older resident of Phuket Mai Khao beach is one of the few and they will recount the story of Phuket beaches that continues to the island’s very own Romeo and welcome nesting turtles, thanks Juliet who met their untimely end to the efforts of Mai Khao Marine on the Sarasin Bridge. Connect- Turtle Foundation that focuses ing the mainland of Phuket and on enhanced nest protection and Phang Nga in southern Thailand, improved incubation conditions. the bridge opened in 1967 and Anantara Mai Khao’s Annual Turis considered by some, the most tle Release takes place around beautiful bridge in the country. the Songkran holiday in mid-April In 1987 it entered the collective and brings the entire community memory when the tragic romance together. www.tourismindia.org

Tipple on the island’s own rum.

To explore a more contemporary side of Phuket, head to the award-winning Chalong Bay Rum Distillery. Plan to spend a few hours here as you tour the facilities learning the centuries-old French technique of using copper stills, before joining a cocktail-making workshop centered on Chalong Bay’s pure sugarcane juice rum. Distilled and bottled in Phuket and packed with local botanicals, it skillfully showcases the terroir of the island.

Experience local life.

Koh Panyee is a small fishing village built on stilts a 20-minute longtail boat ride from the main island. The local Muslim community is always welcoming and ready to show you around their unique home in the shallow waters. The floating village has a school, a mosque, small souvenir shops, and restaurants. The community are also football mad and have their very own floating football stadium and their love of the game has made them one of JUNE 2021 TOURISM INDIA

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Ma Doo Bua café, A must-visit destination for botanists and Instagrammers alike, this lakeside eatery is home to a colony of giant water lilies strong enough to hold the weight of a child 38

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Southern Thailand’s best football teams.

as props in tourist photos feeding the demand for baby gibbons.

See gibbons ethically.

But there is a way to engage with Gibbons was poached to the these gorgeous creatures in an brink of extinction in Phuket’s jun- ethical way. Phuket’s Gibbon Regle over 40 years ago. Today, they habilitation Project, a research diare illegally kept as pets or used vision of the Wild Animal Rescue

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Foundation of Thailand (WARF), rescues gibbons and rehabilitates them so that they can be reintroduced into their natural habitat.

Visit the center to learn about the work the center is doing, as well as observing the animals at the

designated viewing areas.

before being presented with part of it is the amazing array of The Man with The Golden ler THE actual golden gun from the local food to sample. Even if you Gun Layan Experience.

1974 movie. A glamorous yacht aren’t looking to buy, the electric Your mission if you choose to accept it is to enjoy the ‘Golden Gun’ experience at Anantara Layan Residences. Catch a private jet from Bangkok to Phuket, be whisked by chauffeur-driven limo to the 8-bedroom, Villa Similan, the largest and most luxurious of the resort’s residences. Enjoy martinis (shaken not stirred) by your own private but-

cruise around Phang Nga Bay, atmosphere and historic setting where The Man with the Golden are guaranteed to charm Gun was filmed, with free-flowGet back to nature. ing Krug champagne tops off the Take a hike to the island’s last Bond experience. virgin rainforest Khao Phra Thaeo Shop till you drop.

National Park. The rainforest is Phuket’s famous Sunday Walk- known for its wide array of birds ing Street Market on old Thalang and wildlife, but the main attracRoad has something for every- tion is the Bang Pae waterfall ofone from secondhand goods, fering a cool spot to swim after a clothes, souvenirs and the best long hike.

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NEWS / HOSPITALITY

MOVENPICK RESORT KUREDHIVARU

IS AN ECO CONSCIOUS RESORT IN THE MALDIVES I Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts is one of the largest hotel groups to have committed to Green Globe Certification for all properties worldwide

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n line with the best practices of Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts commitment to sustainability, Mövenpick Resort Kuredhivaru Maldives has been working on various sustainability campaigns, fulfilling their environmental responsibility to the community.

Whilst the design and operation of the resort was undertaken with a clear focus and long term commitment to preserve the untouched Noonu atoll where the resort is located, Mövenpick Resort Kuredivaru Maldives continues to take various measures to monitor and reduce its carbon footprint and its impact on the environment and communities.

Green initiatives held by the resort 1. Waste recycling on the island Plastic, paper and glass are being segregated. Dry and wet waste is segregated and disposed separately. The resort use an incinerator, bottle crusher and compacting machine to reduce

dry waste transport volume and practice a Reduce, Reuse and Recycle program throughout heartof-the-house areas.

2. Water production In-house desalination plant produces water for inhouse usage in the villas and staff area: shower, bathtub, tap, etc. The ocean water is being converted into the sweet one by separating the sea salt from the water. Excess steam is being used to heat the running water on the island.

3. Drinking water production plant Aiming at eliminating the plastic waste altogether, Mӧvenpick Resort Kuredhivaru Maldives has launched its own water bottling plant. Sparkling and still water bottles come in two sizes: small (0,5L) and large (1L), which are being used in the villas and dining areas. No plastic bottles or drinking straws are being used on the island.

4. Mӧvenpick Garden The resort is home to its own www.tourismindia.org

hydroponics farm and garden.

It harvests almost 70 kilos of freshest backyard produce every month as part of having a sustainable product supply programme to become partially self-sufficient. The resort uses hydroponic system to allow vegetables and fruits grown in the garden to be fresh, rich in nutrients and bursting with flavours.

Organic gardening and composting are the secrets of the lushest vegetation the resort guests enjoy around the island paradise.

Nutrients for the plants and trees 43 in the resort’s landscape and garden come from composted kitchen waste and dry leaves.

5. STP (Sewage Treatment Plant) This facility is used to water the gardens as an initiative to prevent water wastage.

6. Solar panels With 900 solar panels installed on the roofs at the back of the house buildings, the resort provides majority of the electricity

supply to a solar system. These are synchronized with our generator to produce energy around the island. The solar panels produce 450KW electricity used in the daily operations providing 30 – 40 per cent of the daytime power needs. Since the installation in January 2019, the system has contributed nearly 600MWh (mega-watt hours) to the property saving 158,000L of diesel since its operation.

7. In-villa AC systems The built in AC system in all the resort rooms uses its electricity to heat the water supply once operating.

8. Other The resort is engaged in several resource-saving initiatives, including the extensive use of LED lighting, dual flush systems in toilets, WPC walkways, major coconut shells and bamboo designs, wardrobe sensor lights in guestrooms, and heat recovery systems. Mövenpick Resort Kuredhivaru Maldives has JUNE 2021 TOURISM INDIA

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NEWS / HOSPITALITY teamed up with Convention of the Rights of the Child – UNICEF that advocates, raises funds and awareness for the most pressing issues facing children, so that every child can fulfil their potential.

Part of our social contribution our yearly commitment for “KiloOfKindness” which is mainly shared with the local nearby community.

Finally, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts is one of the largest hotel groups to have committed to Green Globe Certification for all properties worldwide. With the new partnership the Maldives-based resort underpins its ambition to set an example for the industry. The strategy is part of a company-wide programme to establish a common and global approach to environmental, employer and social sustainability.

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Amilla Maldives has launched five different holistic wellness packages that offer a thrilling range of activities for adults

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ith the school summer holidays looming, Amilla Maldives is unveiling a jam-packed schedule of exciting activities and entertainment to keep kids of all ages occupied. Proving once again that there’s so much more to do in the Maldives than just sunbathing, Amilla Maldives is launching the summer holiday programme on June 15th.

Multilingual guest performers from around the world will be providing entertainment for guests and they’ll also be actively engaging with them. Teens will be able to join their workshops and masterclasses, ranging from fire dancing to DJ lessons and even aerial acrobatics. For those who enjoy a quieter approach, there will also be coconut painting and chess workshops. With manta season in Baa Atoll underway, it’s set to be the experience of a lifetime. Amilla is just minutes from world famous Hanifaru Bay where hundreds of Manta Rays frolic and feed.

Amilla’s renown Football Camp expands for summer with a 2-month long football academy. Coach Murey will be on hand hosting sills workshops 6 days per week for age groups 9 and under,

10 to 13 year and 14 years and above.

The resort is also continuing to run its’ incredible ‘Amilla Academy’, whereby kids can enjoy a quiet dedicated space for studying with an in-house tutor standing by to help. The tutor also hosts weekly English/Russian lessons and is available for private tutoring services.

For adults, Amilla has launched five different holistic wellness packages that offer a thrilling range of activities. The packages focus on Active De-Stress, Movement, Mindfulness, Detox and even Acrobatics. They are designed to be flexible so that they can fit around guests’ family time or other activities, and they can run for five days, seven days or longer. Each package includes a consultation with the Wellness Team and a tailor-made meal plan, incorporating the resort’s delicious ‘Wellness Your Way’ menus.

And guests young and old can learn to scuba with Dive Butler International or learn how to ski, wakeboard or sail at the island’s H.U.B. Water-sports Centre.

There will also be LUX Tennis’ on-site tennis lesson packages, and during June, tennis pro, Philipp Davydenko, will offer daily tennis camps or be available for private lessons.

To find out more about Amilla Maldives’ anything-but-boring summer, email: stay@amilla. com

AMILLA MALDIVES

UNVEILS SIZZLING SUMMER HOLIDAY PROGRAMME

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JOURNEY ACROSS THE HEMISPHERES

AT PARK HYATT MALDIVES HADAHAA Truly spellbinding, the Equator Experience is a once in a lifetime opportunity to cross the Equator at a leisurely pace while admiring the beauty of Maldives

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secluded and remote island showcasing the best of tropical wonders and the glory of Mother Nature, Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa is a purely untouched destination. The barefoot luxury resort, located away from the teeming atolls of the north, is a true paradise. Guests are able to relish in complete serenity while also partaking in a series of bespoke experiences unique to Maldives and the resort’s desirable location.

Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa has the unique position of being one of the closest resorts to the Equator at only 0°30’25.33N. Our once in a lifetime Equator Experience gives guests the opportunity to journey across the hemispheres.

The Equator Experience starts with an adventurous boat cruise and journey to 0°00’00.00N. 46

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Enjoy a refreshing coconut drink fresh from the shell and dine on tasty canapés such as fresh tuna sashimi, smoked salmon, sushi and avocado and egg wraps.

Head to the Equator and enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the turquoise waters, the warm sunshine and the sheer tropical landscape. Upon reaching the coordinates 0°00’00.00N, the boat captain highlights the GPS reading on the radar showing that they have reached the Equator. There is nothing left to do but jump into the inviting water of the Indian Ocean and swim across the hemispheres.

Truly spellbinding, the Equator Experience is a once in a lifetime opportunity to cross the Equator at a leisurely pace while admiring the beauty of Maldives. For guests or couples looking for a romantic adventure, this unique

experience ticks all of the boxes.

In order to enhance this glorious experience, guests can visit an uninhabited island for a picnic, watch for wild and friendly spinner or bottlenose dolphins playing in the water, or catch a fresh fish to be cooked for dinner upon your arrival.

In order to enhance this glorious experience, guests can visit an uninhabited island for a picnic, watch for wild and friendly spinner or bottlenose dolphins playing in the water, or catch a fresh fish to be cooked for dinner upon your arrival.

Begin a beautiful day in Maldives with a daily breakfast for two, spend the morning exploring the tropical nature of the island, and later, head for a two-course a la carte lunch and three-course a la carte dinner at the Dining Room.

Situated next to the infinity pool with views of the Indian Ocean, The Dining Room offers a range of tempting international cuisine in a contemporary setting. Guests staying with the All-Inclusive Package are able to dine on Chef’s Signature Specials such as The Sea and The Maldivian Pizza, Scallop Risotto or Lobster Tagliatelle Hadahaa. Try a culinary adventure of Maldivian specialities featuring the freshest seafood catches of the day, such as yellowfin tuna, wahoo or barracuda and locally grown herbs and spices such as pandan leaves and lemongrass. The open-air restaurant provides the perfect open-air space to relax and savor an exquisite dining experience.

The All-Inclusive Package includes a selection of sparkling wines, red and white wines, beers including cider, premium spirits, a diverse selection of cocktails,

mocktails & juices as well as still or sparkling Hadahaa water, tea and sustainable coffee by the Ethical Coffee Company.

The All-Inclusive Package is available for booking and stays from now until 31 December 2021. Terms and Conditions apply. Check availability for the All-Inclusive Package https:// w w w. hya t t . co m /e n - U S / h o tel/maldives/park-hyatt-maldives-hadahaa/mldph/offers To explore more about Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa experiences, visit the new independent website at www.experienceparkhyattmaldives.com and learn about other memorable, adventurous activities such as Traditional Maldivian Fishing, Cast Away Survival Experience, and Hadahaa Sea Kayaking.

Located just 55 kilometeres (34 miles) north of the equator, Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa

is an ideal place for private and quiet relaxation. Seamlessly integrating local culture and environment, all 51 luxuriously villas are minimalist in style, designed and built with guests’ privacy and comfort in mind. From contemporary settings to casual ambiences, worldwide and regionally inspired dishes are offered for dining options. Our Maldives spa, The Vidhun Spa embraces local holistic wellness with treatments based on Hoonu - Cooling, Fini Heating and Hiki – Hydrating. Situated at the heart of one of the largest natural atolls in the world, Hadahaa is secluded, away from teeming atolls of the North, with pristine waters and 360° house reef where snorkeling and scuba diving in Maldives are steps from each villa. Blue Journeys, the resort’s PADI Five Star certified dive and activity center provides a variety of water recreations.

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NEWS / OUTBOUND

HONG KONG CONVENTION AMBASSADORS TEAM UP TO MAKE CITY THE PLACE TO MEET The HKTB has launched the ‘Hong Kong Convention Ambassador’ programme to help revitalise Hong Kong’s MICE industry, after a turbulent and challenging 2020 with unwavering resilience and agility

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ver 100 distinguished leaders of business and professional bodies in Hong Kong have joined forces with the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB)as Hong Kong Convention Ambassadors to promote the city as the premier choice for regional and global Meetings, Incentive trips, Conventions, and Exhibitions (MICE) events.

The HKTB has launched the ‘Hong Kong Convention Ambassador’ programme to help revitalise Hong Kong’s MICE industry, after a turbulent and challenging 2020 with unwavering resilience and agility.

With extensive connections, influence, and personal standing in their respective fields, the Ambassadors have a significant 48

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advantage when they lobby potential conference organisers to consider Hong Kong as the preferred host city for future MICE events.

“As we chart the road to recovery, we are grateful to have over 100 prominent leaders of the

community join us in promoting Hong Kong as the preferred host for global MICE events, ” Dr. YK Pang, Chairman of the HKTB said, as he extended a warm welcome to the Ambassadors. “The Hong Kong Convention Ambassador programme is formulated not

only to bring business events to the city when travel resumes. It will also promote the advantages of Hong Kong to the global business community and help drive multi-sectoral recovery.

The economic multiplier effect of hosting world-class MICE events is huge. And the HKTB team is here to offer full support to the Ambassadors’ efforts,” he added.

On average, MICE visitors are high-yielding travellers who spend at least 20% more per capita than general visitors.

Furthermore, they create a larger multiplier effect on the city’s economy. MICE events also help drive the recovery and development of the region, including the Greater Bay Area.

The city is poised to welcome its first-ever Greater Bay Area Artificial Intelligence Congress with over 2,400 participants in November 2021. “Hong Kong is in the best position to host this GBA

event given its leading position as the most international city and a gateway to the mainland.

The ambassador programme will certainly deepen the network between the HKTB and business sectors to bring even more leading international events,” said Mr. Henry Li, Chief Marketing Officer of Hong Kong Productivity Council.

Professor Philip Chiu the Associate Dean (External Affairs), Faculty of Medicine at The Chinese University of Hong Kong and Congress Chair, 15th Asia Pacific Congress of Endoscopic and Laparoscopic Surgeons of Asia (ELSA 2021), has pulled out all the stops to bring the annual congress to Hong Kong in November 2021. To be held at the Hong Kong Science & Technology Park, ELSA 2021 is the biggest conference in Asia in endoscopic and laparoscopic surgery. The event will bring economic benefits

and further elevate the city’s medical standing, paving the way for bidding for more international medical events.

Professor Chiu said, “Hong Kong has solid fundamentals and a track record in hosting international medical conferences, thanks to its connectivity, service quality, efficiency, and the city’s leadership in various medical fields. Together with leaders in other specialties, I am honoured to take part in promoting Hong Kong as the international city for conferences.”

The strong alliance of Convention Ambassadors will amplify Hong Kong’s appeal in drawing more top MICE events to the city, thereby driving a robust recovery post-COVID-19. With the HKTB team’s comprehensive support, they will contribute significantly to strengthening the city’s status as ‘The World’s Meeting Place’.

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NEWS / HOSPITALITY

AVANI HOTELS DEBUTS ON BALI’S HOTTEST CORNER Avani Seminyak Bali Resort will join the brand’s rapidly growing collection of 33 properties around the globe

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vani Hotels announces the opening of Avani Seminyak Resort in Bali, the brand’s first property in Indone-

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sia. Centrally located in the heart of Seminyak, the resort is just a short walk away from the area’s stylish beach hub and renowned

nightlife. With 21 brand new residence-style accommodations and 16 private pool villas, visitors will have the ideal stay, no mat-

ter how long their Bali journey.

Seminyak attracts travellers from near and far. This lively area, brimming with creative energy from inspiring art galleries to stylish restaurants and trendsetting bars, is just steps from the resort. Avani Seminyak is also only 10 minutes walk to the renowned surf of Seminyak beach, 30 minutes from Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS), and approximately a 1.5-hour drive from the Balinese mountain town of Ubud.

Foodie travellers inspired by Instagram can follow to learn of local hotspots curated by AvaniMe resident influencers who share their favourite hangouts. Kick back and soak up the Balinese vibes at Plant Cartel for 100% natural plant delights, Cabina Bali for a floating brunch, or Mad Pops Bali for sustainably delicious frozen treats.

After exploring all Bali has www.tourismindia.org

to offer, Avani Seminyak is the perfect place to rest and rejuvenate. Every bright and spacious villa and residence is accentuated with breezy beachy tones, designed to foster a welcoming laidback island atmosphere. Guests will feel at home with private kitchen and dining areas in addition to signature Avani amenities. At the same time, the private pool villas are 150 sqm of spaciousness, perfect for friends and 51 families to enjoy. Last but not least, the suite residences boast open-air terraces and range from simple studios to larger multi-bedroom

units with pool access.

Avani Seminyak offers a menu centered around carefully sourced ingredients from the islands to ensure sustainability.

Enjoy Indonesian and international dishes at GROOVE restaurant as well as learning to create Bali’s traditional cuisine at the community cooking classes.

Guests looking to keep fit can work up a sweat at the AvaniFit gym. Or complete laps at the secluded pool before simply relaxing in a pool-side cabana.

Avani Seminyak Bali Resort will join the brand’s rapidly growing collection of 33 properties around the globe, including the recently opened FCC Angkor by Avani in Cambodia, Avani Central Busan Hotel in South Korea, Avani Ao Nang Cliff Krabi Resort and Avani+ Mai Khao Phuket Suites & Villas in Thailand.

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NEWS / NATIONAL

FLORISTA PARTNERS JOINS WITH

CAFÉ COFFEE DAY to set up shop-in-shop flower retailing across India

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n a strategic tie-up, Florista and Café Coffee Day (CCD) have partnered to open shop-inshop flower kiosks in CCD outlets across India.

CCD is the pioneer of coffee culture in India with 500 outlets nestled in prominent locations across the country and Florista has an established network of quality florists delivering in 300 cities of India and over 100 countries worldwide.

The collaboration will see Florista kiosks come up outside select CCD large format cafes in a shopin-shop format. The partnership will work on a revenue-sharing model and will be piloted across 20+ outlets in Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Baroda, Surat, Bengaluru, and Delhi in the first year and later to be expanded across 100 outlets. Florista will provide a compact and attractive outdoor floral kiosk, trained manpower, and business know-how to its franchise partners looking for low investment opportunities.

The partnership comes at a time when, due to the pandemic, many have lost jobs and are looking for a regular source of income.

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Mr. Vinay A Bhopatkar CEO, Cafe Coffee Day

A lot of enterprising individuals are now considering low-cost new business opportunities instead of taking up a full-time job.

With the lockdown becoming relaxed, people are beginning to move out to spend ‘we time’ with family, friends and colleagues.

With Florista kiosks outside CCD outlets, it is likely to attract walkin customers triggering impulse purchases. Additionally, the franchisees can service floral requirements of events, weddings, or home décor in the catchment

area.

Speaking on the partnership, Cafe Coffee Day CEO Vinay A Bhopatkar said, “At Cafe Coffee Day, we truly believe that coffee and conversations are our way of fostering human connections.

And we feel that collaborating with Florista, a brand that highly complements our offerings is a natural fit. Opening up our spaces for the retail of fresh flowers by a renowned brand such as Florista will only give our customers more avenues to express their care for loved ones. This partnership brings together the right synergies to offer our consumers another reason to share a great cup of coffee, and a little joy as well.”

Ms. Smriti Shetty Dalvi MD & CEO, Florista India

The 3 most important ingredients for success in the floral business are location, service quality, and business acumen in that order. Speaking on the alliance, Smriti Shetty Dalvi, MD & CEO, Florista India, commented, “Through this collaboration and our franchisee model, we are trying to offer a low investment business opportunity to enterprising individuals. The key eligibility criteria for becoming a Florista franchisee is an entrepreneurial mindset and love for flowers. The prominent location of CCD cafes will help our franchisees get a flying start.”

This alliance of a coffee shop and flower shop will create fresh experiences for people beyond coffee and conversation.

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NEWS / CSR ACTIVITY

EBRO INDIA DONATES

OXYGEN GENERATING PLANT IN HARYANA R

Embrace pure white shores lined with swaying palms

einforcing their commitment towards supporting local communities, Ebro India, the Indian arm of Ebro Foods International Group, is funding and taking an active role in the establishment of an oxygen generating plant at Kalpana Chaw-

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la Government Medical College & Hospital (KCGMC) in Karnal, Haryana. Facilitated by the Ebro Foundation, this initiative towards Covid-19 relief is yet another testament of Ebro India’s ethos to nurture and support the community in which it operates.

Home to Ebro India’s manufacturing unit in India – Karnal is one of the oldest districts of the state.

KCGMC is one of the biggest hospitals in the region, with a capacity of close to 280 oxygen beds.

The new oxygen plant will be able to support 107 beds, thereby significantly augmenting the medical infrastructure requirements in the wake of the second wave of the pandemic. The Plant will be a permanent feature of the Hospitals infrastructure, therefore providing vital support for years to come.

Commenting on the initiative, Mr. Peter Walker, MD, Ebro India said, “The Oxygen Plant is being funded by the Ebro Foundation, a Global Charitable NGO which has reached out to provide support to the local community in which Ebro India operates. Ebro Group is a global family and we feel the impact of the devastation caused by the loss of human life for our

employees, associates, and the community at large. We have always been at the forefront to empower and support the community especially in an area which many of our employees live. The establishment of the oxygen plant will not only safeguard the lives of the people at this crucial time but will also continue to serve and support the community once the pandemic is behind us.”

Ebro India has been actively supporting communities through meaningful initiatives in collaboration with Ebro Foundation. The Foundation is the driving force behind the actions carried out by the Ebro Foods Group within the framework of its commitment to the well-being and progress of society and the creation of value among the communities in which it operates. The Foundation majorly focuses on four main areas – Nutrition and Health, Equality, Sustainability and Environment, and Social Work. Additionally, the Foundation pays special attention to the issues that arise and affect the social environment of MS. BLANCA HERNANDEZ President, Ebro Foundation

www.tourismindia.org

MR. PETER WALKER the geographical areas in which MD, Ebro India the Ebro Group operates, such as India.

Elaborating upon the efforts of the Ebro Foundation, Ms. Blan- ca Hernández, President, Ebro Foundation, said “We felt the need to stay close to our team in Ebro India and help in this terrible health crisis, help people have access to oxygen, shelter them and ultimately help save lives. Also, to 55 send the message that, from the entire international community, we are very aware of you”.

Over the past few years, Ebro India has significantly contributed to the development and enhancement of the communities in India. Ebro India is the Indian branch of Ebro Foods International Group, the global leader in rice production and second worldwide in the fresh and dry pasta sectors.

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NEWS / NATIONAL

FAREPORTAL INDIA

SUPPORTS EMPLOYEES WITH VACCINATION CLINIC Fareportal India enacted another in a series of actions designed to help and support their employee family, as India grapples with the continuing coronavirus pandemic

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areportal India has partnered with the CK Birla Hospital to offer vaccinations to all employees free of cost. Fareportal is also offering the vaccination to all registered dependents and up to 2 more persons per employee if any employee wishes to have extended family members vaccinated. The vaccination program will involve multiple dates, to accommodate employee availability. Between Jun 10th and Jun 14th, 3 camps were organized at the company premises covering almost 300 of its employees, their dependents, extended family members, and internal support staff. This is the first of the multiple camps the organization plans to conduct to support the vaccination drive in India.

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“Getting the vaccination to our employees and their families is very important to all of us at Fareportal. We are thrilled to be working with the CK Birla Hospital to achieve this,” said Rajat Bhatia, Vice President and Head of Human Resources at Fareportal, India. The vaccination camp is a part of our ongoing efforts to provide healthcare support to our employees and their families.” he added.

Fareportal India is a whol-

ly-owned subsidiary of Fareportal, a global travel technology leader and the second largest flights OTA in North America, powering a next-generation travel concierge service. Utilizing its innovative technology and company-owned and operated global contact centers, Fareportal has built strong industry partnerships providing customers access to over 600 airlines, a million hotels, and hundreds of car rental companies around the globe.

CELEBRATE FATHER’S DAY THE SALUD WAY

Salud G&T 2.0, India’s very first gin and tonic in a bottle is an ideal gift to your dad on Father’s day

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alud offers a way to celebrate all those special dads out there. The ones who aren’t afraid to do things differently, the ones you look up to not just because they’re “dad”, but because of the person they are, and the things they do. Show your dad you appreciate him with Salud – the urban Lifestyle brand that’s all about creating new

ways to bond with your people and celebrate Life 2.0.

– Original, Cucumber and Lavender – to choose from to match your dad’s personality. It is both Maybe he’d like a comfy and modern in taste and style, with a stylish Salud tee to wear to your vibe that caters to its target aunext hangout. Or a Salud tucker dience and is gender agnostic. cap to flaunt his cool-dad vibe. Salud intends to be a Global LifeAnd, of course, you can raise a style Brand with a universal aptoast to him with a gift of Salud peal and variety in flavours.

G&T 2.0 – India’s very first gin and tonic in a bottle. It’s got 3 flavours

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