RNI-MPENG/2018/74957
HOSPITALITY LEXIS
December '21 Year 03 Vol 11 ₹ 100
. media
Sustainable Framework An Initiative by global hotel brands
Norwegian Spirit ITC Grand, Goa Property Review
Karan Suryavanshi
TAJ LAKEFRONT
Conscientious journey of getting the most majestic luxurious hotel, Taj Lakefront. A landmark location in the heart of India, with the beauty of lake views and mountain views.
A candid conversation with the Suryavanshi family.
RNI-MPENG/2018/74957
HOSPITALITY LEXIS
. media
CHAIRPERSON NOTE Rekha Chhabra Hora
During the pandemic, the hospitality sector has been one of the most affected sectors. However, with no time, the hospitality sector is bouncing back. During these tough times, there have been many examples in the Hospitality sector who innovated and expanded their ventures in remarkably brilliant ways. At each phase, our media house has made sure that their inspirational work and story reaches our readers. It was really impressive to see how the associations have supported the hospitality sector revival and we are proud that we could spread their work to the masses.
We have been very lucky that within a few years our readership has increased tremendously and have been immensely blessed that our industry and readers have always loved our work. On this note, I am delighted to inform our prestigious readers that we are expanding and introducing two more magazines, Business Lexis and India Lexis in 2022.
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01 | HOSPITALITY LEXIS
CMO NOTE Nikita Hora
The hospitality sector has always gone a mile ahead to bring a smile to a guest's face. The teams working in hotels, restaurants and cruises work very hard so that their customers can experience something different. Hospitality Lexis, as a media house, has been always working hard and constantly to reach maximum people so that readers could enjoy the hospitality experience. However, due to the pandemic people were very scared of dining outside and even the order started decreasing initially however it was very impressive to see the optimism of the hospitality sector to start all over again with all the precautions.
HOSPITALITY LEXIS | 02
Our media house is very proud that we helped the hospitality sector to make the guest feel comfortable and safe if they dine out or order outside food as hotels and restaurants were following the precautions. Our team also invited various accomplished people over social media for some interesting formal and informal conversations which our readers enjoyed immensely. We also invited home bakers and it was interesting to see the rising demand and interesting work done by the home bakers of India. So that the young minds of the hospitality sector do not get demotivated, we successfully conducted a few digital competitions and we were overwhelmed with the response.
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CEO & EditoR note Komal Hora The world is going through a very tough phase for the last two years due to the biggest and endless
pandemic.
People
have
not
only
witnessed financial crises but personal loss too by losing their loved ones. Somehow the world with a heavy heart has moved on and is trying to come back to normal lives with all the precautions. In such bad times, we were fortunate to hear a few pleasant and wonderful news that brought a smile to everyone's face. In 2021, Bhopal got to see and experience the most
beautiful
Lakefront,
and
Bhopal.
luxurious It
was
hotel an
Taj
amazing
experience to cover the story of Taj Lakefront by interviewing the people behind bringing the hotel to Bhopal. Additionally, it's refreshing to see how India has maintained its tourism by interviewing the General Manager of one of the finest properties of Goa, ITC Grand. We got to witness the vast innovations in the area
of
international
international
borders
are
tourism
where
creating
special
holiday packages for Indian tourists. Launch of ProWine Mumbai, which was the first inperson trade fair for the wine and spirits sector in
India
after
Pandemic.
There
has
been
immense progress in the food and beverages sector in terms of innovation Cadbury has brought
3D
chocolate
printing
where
customers can witness how their favourite chocolates are made in several 3D designs. I am sure the readers would be delighted and refreshed to read the December issue. We wish you good luck and pray that each reader will welcome 2022 with a big wide smile and happiness.
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03 | HOSPITALITY LEXIS
Contents
09
Norwegian Spirit
10
Visit Monaco
10
Jamaica Tourism
11
Hospitality with Sports
13
MonthlyRound Up
37
Travel On Spotlight
51
Sid Mathur
53
Ajay Shetty
55
Welldcare - Resorts for Seniors
57
The Purple Room
63
New Challenge for Travel business
HOSPITALITY LEXIS | 04
RNI-MPENG/2018/74957
HOSPITALITY LEXIS
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ON THE COVER 15 www.hospibuz.com
Contents
08
60
International Hospitality Updates
ProWine Launch
www.hospibuz.com
39
45
Build Inclusive Sustainabilty
ITC Grand Goa
05 | HOSPITALITY LEXIS
1240+ 760+ 150+ 27+ 21+
Hotels & Restaurants
Food & Beverage
Travel Tourism
Associations & Ministries
International Collaborations
Hospitality media house |
Google Rank 1
BEVERAGES
RESTAURANTS
HOTELS
FOOD
TRAVEL
Know what's brewing in the Hospitality Industry...
International NORWGN CRUISE
JAMAICA TOURISM VISIT MONACO
SPORTS TOURISM
9 10 11
Norwegian
Spirit
Golden opportunity for Indian travelers by Norwegian Cruise Line to explore Europe itineraries. Fr
an
n
a ssi
ce
Finlan
G erm any
d
Nine day road trip cruise between July and August 2022. Have some exciting time in the canals and cobbles square of Copenhagen. A day with art and history at St. Petersburg Spend some quality time in Helsinki, Finland in a Royal Palace
Greek Isles
Santorini
Istanbul Mykonos Explore the astonishing Greek Isles on a 7-day Stunning blue domed churches of Mykonos that match the blue skies and ocean gives you peace. White washed villages and black sand beaches of Santorini
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Mediterranean
Ita ly
Ru
Baltic
Swede
Spain
Explore the phenomenal Mediterranean on a seven day road trip by visiting six ports. Enjoy the Stalls at Barcelona in an open air market. Vatican City, architecture of the Sistine Chapel and Trevi Fountain. Final destination to Palma de Mallorca, Spain city of Romans known for its history and delicious cuisine.
Norway
Reykjavik
Northern Europe
Explore Northern Europe on this 8-day cruise Amsterdam, enjoys the floating flower market and Iceland
dam square. Explore the historic port city of Bergen. Reykjavik,Iceland’s capital, where authentic dining and hot springs come together.
09 | HOSPITALITY LEXIS
JAMAICA TOURISM
Monaco Government launched its new Digital Travel Trade Platform The Monaco Government Tourist and Convention Authority has launched a new website dedicated to travel trade professionals, whether being from the leisure or MICE segment. It is a dedicated platform for the valued travel trade partners of Monaco Government Tourist & Convention Authority. They will find the latest industry initiatives, customised resources and tools essential to the international promotion of the Principality. Website is available in English characterized into 5 segments- what is happening in Monaco, Discover Monaco, a toolbox for travel professionals, Marketing campaigns and webinars.
Experiencing one of the fastest travel and tourism recoveries in the world. Jamaica, an award-winning destination with the coolest pavilion at the ongoing World Expo 2020 in Dubai, got a boost with the visit of Hon. Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism of Jamaica, who embarked on an overseas tour to highlight the recovering tourism sector in Jamaica. Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism of Jamaica “The fortunate thing for us is that geography was in our favour in that 85% of the touristic values of Jamaica are within our resilient corridors. So, we were able to develop strong, COVID management protocols, fully recognized and appreciated by the World Travel and Tourism Council”. Alex Rayner, a director of Amadeus at the World Travel Market in London, England “Jamaica has been doing the right things in the marketplace and the airlines and tour partners are responding in confidence. We also note that average room night stays are longer, and airlines are putting on more capacity to meet the demand. This is very good news for Jamaica, and in many places the news is just not good.” Donovan White, Director of Tourism of Jamaica “The Ministry and the JTB have been working around the clock in line with Minister Bartlett’s aggressive push to bring back our numbers and the tourism industry back on track in record time. We have maintained, even in the down times, continuous and relentless contact with our many partners to ensure that we can turn things around as quickly as possible. The work is arduous but absolutely needed and we are seeing the fruits. Nonetheless, we remain cautiously optimistic and won’t take our eye off the ball.”
HOSPITALITY LEXIS | 10
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Aiming to Score High Hotels bidding big on sports tourism
Accor an official partner of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024 10 Spectacular New Hotels and Attractions Set To Open Before The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Chief Operating Officer of Qatar Tourism, Berthold Trenkel, said: “Football fans will have an exceptional variety of accommodation options to choose from. We want travellers to discover the best of Qatari and Middle Eastern hospitality and have an unforgettable experience that will make them want to return. As well as watching the football, we encourage all fans to investigate Qatar’s variety of attractions, from sampling the local cuisine to exploring our iconic museums, from exhilarating dune bashing to relaxing in the spa or at the beach, there is something for everyone.”
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President Tony Estanguet and Chairman & CEO Accor Group Sebastien Bazin announced a partnership between Paris 2024 and Accor at the Destination France Summit, attended by the French President Emmanuel Macron. Sebastien Bazin, Chairman & CEO of Accor said, “We share great many values with Paris 2024, including the importance of working together, uncompromisingly high standards, generosity and flying the flag for France on the world stage. Accor is proud to partner with the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024, when athletes and spectators from the world over will come to France to see what we have to offer . Our employees and teams are already pulling out all the stops to show the world what hospitality means in France and offer everyone an unforgettable experience and stay during the greatest sporting event on the planet. Paris is hosting the Games, and we will be ready to host the people who are making them happen.” Tony Estanguet, Paris 2024 President said, “I am delighted to welcome Accor into the Paris 2024 family. This partnership marks the culmination of our close collaboration with one of the world’s leading hotel groups, right since the bidding phase. It reiterates our shared objective to offer all those involved in the Olympic and Paralympic Games – the athletes, officials and media – a service and experience that reflect our special take on welcoming in France when we host them for Paris 2024. Benefiting from optimal living conditions, they will be able to focus on what really counts – the show and their performance.”
11 | HOSPITALITY LEXIS
ROUNDHLdY T N UP y up ates across the na t i l a t MO i p tion . Hos The Federation of Hotel and Restaurants Association of India (FHRAI) Urges the Honorable Finance Minister to notify Rs. 60,000 crore Loan Guarantee Scheme.
& RESTAU T
S EL
& TOURI SM
HO Hotels and Restaurant Association of Western India (HRAWI) appoints Mr. Kunal Premkumar Gujral as its Secretary General. HRAWI requests the honorable Prime Minister to give relief in the cost of L.P.G. (Liquid Petroleum Gas) in restaurants.
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FO
D
R
A
S NT
O
Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) commended the Pune Police and its commissioner to take strict action against PPL (Phonographic Performance Limited) and Novex Communication for Copyright Licence Agencies For extracting money from hotels.
Madhya Pradesh Tourism represents exceptional tourism at WTM (World Travel Market) 2021 and RARE India, a community of some luxurious hotels will showcase collections of wildlife lodges and camps in the state.
Sattvik Council of India collaborated with Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Cooperation (IRCTC) to provide vegetarian experience. The association is happy to bring vegetarian certification to Indian Train.
FSSAI appreciated the IMA for the support to the Eat Right India Initiatives. A master training workshop was conducted at the Indian Medical Association (IMA) towards safe and healthy diets for all citizens and the medical fraternity.
13 | HOSPITALITY LEXIS
India lexis
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www.indialexis.media
ON THE COVER
A JEWEL IN THE HEART OF INDIA
THE CHANGED
SKYLINE
Conscientious journey of getting the most majestic luxurious hotel, Taj Lakefront. A Landmark location in the heart of India with the beauty of lake views and mountain views. A candid conversation with the Suryavanshi family.
I owe my success to Bhopal, and I feel blessed to share my expression of gratitude, Taj Lakefront. It is a reflection of the rich heritage, culture and beauty of the city of lakes, Bhopal.
DILIP SURYAVANSHI CHAIRMAN & MANAGING DIRECTOR DILIP BUILDCON
I wanted to offer everything that the city was missing in terms of luxurious hospitality.
KARAN SURYAVANSHI CUSTODIAN OF THE JEWEL TAJ LAKEFRONT, BHOPAL
IN
CONVERSATION WITH
KARAN SURYAVANSHI
Being so successful in the infrastructure business, why did you choose to expand into the hotel industry? Hotels always fascinated me and I have always been very passionate about the hotel business. Staying and experiencing luxury hotels, raised by curiosity about building and running hotels. Being a part of DBL, I have been into infrastructure but my journey of becoming a hotelier started a decade ago. It was 2009-2010, when my dad suggested me about the land parcel. It was a lake view property accompanied with hill view as well. At that moment, I knew this was it. For me this is was an opportunity of a lifetime as I very well knew there can be no second property with such scenic beauty in the city. For me there was no second chance, having a property with lake view , I wanted to offer everything that the city was missing from a high rise luxurious view of the lake by a pool side, a lounge with a view and a space where guest could experience sundowner, room stays and dining with the lake view.
HOSPITALITY LEXIS | 22
The first time I stood at the land parcel, my vision was clear, this will be 'the destination', where scenic beauty will blend with luxury at its best.
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GLIMPSE A JEWEL IN THE HEART OF INDIA
Surreal, majestic and opulent, The Taj Lakefront, Bhopal epitomises true luxury. Overlooking the upper lake and just 25 minutes from the international airport, this iconic landmark symbolises the soul of Bhopal and its vision for tomorrow. The world's strongest hospitality brand is now in the heart of India. www.hospibuz.com
23 | HOSPITALITY LEXIS
Why a Taj property? WHY IHCL? Initially, we had signed for Vivanta. IHCL was very confident that it will do wonders in this market. But later the deal fell off, when the former MD & CEO IHCL, decided to drop the brand Vivanta from the IHCL portfolio. Things changed for us, when Cyrus Mistry bid adios to TATA group and we met Saurabh Agrawal, CFO TATA and now MD & CEO IHCL, Puneet Chhatwal. He was clear that Vivanta was one of the most profit making brands at IHCL and would stay, in fact all gateways were converted to Vivanta. Henceforth, we negotiated and signed the management contract within a week, but for Vivanta again. In late 2019, we realised that we were overshooting the budget and I felt it should be a Taj and not Vivanta. When Mr Chhatwal visited, the structure, was ready till the 9th floor, the moment he entered the property, he asked me “Karan what do you want?” I said “you already know what I want, I want it to be a TAJ.” He asked me three questions - Room size? Number of restaurants? Banquet total capacity? Once answered, Mr Chhatwal stated “It’s a Taj!”
HOSPITALITY LEXIS | 24
The magic of ‘Tajness’ was the reason, I wanted my first hotel to be a Taj. Being an Indian brand, Taj has been the hallmark of Indian culture, warmth and hospitality. For generations, people connect with the century old legacy of Taj. Undoubtedly, being a businessman I did negotiate will all possible brands, athough I personally wanted the hotel to be a Taj.
We signed for Vivanta twice and ended up being a Taj.
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With these analysis, I knew Bhopal was an untapped and emerging market for luxury hotels.
What made you confident about Bhopal? So we did clear our bid for the land in 2010 but our clearance of the land was done by 2016, which became a blessing in disguise as the Bhopal market had matured. I had observed the need of a luxury hotel in Bhopal, especially with just one branded and one palace hotel in the city. To my surprise, when I started talking to brands, they were also very excited. There analysis and my observations kept us on the same page and we were equally confident about the location. Bhopal did not have a single 5 star hotel, branded hotel room inventory was very low, rather was taken care by just one branded hotel in Bhopal. Similarity, for luxury banquet and gourmet dinning, Bhopal had very few options.
At Dilip Buildcon Limited, there were no lay offs or pay cuts. Major challenges faced by you due to the pandemic? At DBL, there were no lay offs or pay cuts, because our team is our strength and are like family to us. So if these times were tough for us, so were for them. We even managed to provide medical support to the staff and their families. In fact, to keep our hotel work going, our contractors were supported with DBL
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logistics for raw material supplies. Throughout the project, we did not halt our project except the times of complete lock down. We followed all the covid protocols at the site, in fact with norm that labour could stay at the site and continue working, if they don’t step out of the site, we kept our work going.
25 | HOSPITALITY LEXIS
HOUSE OF MING Based on the Yin-Yang concept, House of Ming perfectly balances the flavours of Cantonese and Sichuan cuisines.
MACHAN Dining experience overlooking the Lake.
CULINARY EXPERIENCE From artisanal coffees to a lavish spread of delectable dishes, experience dining at its finest in our signature Taj restaurants. True connoisseurs can treat their palate with authentic delicacies of Chinese, Southeast Asian, European, contemporary Indian and other world cuisines.
Taj Lakefront, will take the fine dining experience to another level in the city.
HOSPITALITY LEXIS | 26
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SUNDOWNER DESTINATION The Infinity Lounge is a spectacular destination to experience the sunset from 50 meters height with a lake view accompanied by the hills. Our guests can enjoy the signature cocktails with tapas from across the world.
With this scenic beauty, I want the city to experience and enjoy the sundowner concept.
LUXURIOUS POSH NIGHCLUB On weekends, this destination is the city’s most luxurious and posh night club with a hight rise bar and world class music with different bands from around the world. Additionally, we have both indoor and outdoor sitting, which lets us cater to mostly all the age groups and preferences.
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27 | HOSPITALITY LEXIS
Event Spaces and Banquets Taj Lakefront, Bhopal is the most luxurious wedding destination in the city. With wide variety of event spaces, Raj Mahal city’s biggest ballroom, Sheesh Mahal, Vindhya lawn, Satpura terrace,
Tapti
and
Narmada
for
corporate events. We followed the 360 degree approach while planning, we have taken care of guest experience at the property, reaching and entering the property. With a parking space of 1100 cars, multiple entry points, separate drop off arenas for lobby, lawns and banquets.
We have made sure our guest experience is no less than a king or a queen.
HOSPITALITY LEXIS | 28
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ESCAPE TO THE LANSCAPES OF TAJ LAKEFRONT WITH
SEEMA DILIP SURYAVANSHI
Being a Lake view property, what was your vision ? I believe landscape is the very first impression of the property, it’s the entry experience that sets the tone and impacts how the guest feels. With the lake view, I had the benefit of calming influence of water and I designed the entrance pavilion with lush green plants, water bodies with lotus, flowering plants and plants with coloured leaves. I made sure that the pavilion connects with the lake view and drive outside providing a serene, calming de stress effect for the guest. At the same, each details of the landscape design fulfils the goal to meld landscape with interior spaces.
According to me, the guest experience starts from the entry point and landscape should be the very first visual treat to the guest. Landscaping is the soul of the property.
Tell us about the selection and variety of plants? Our whole hotel is infused with greens, from our entrance to our banquet spaces especially Vidhya lawn and Satpura terrace, so a very wide variety of plants have been selected. An intense research for the exquisite plants was done and I have traveled for the same. These selections are a robust and resilient mix of native and adopted plants. All minute details were taken care of, the grass for banquets is from Delhi, plants for vertical gardens are from Pune and a lot of tress are from Rajmundri. The lotus for the water bodies are from Singapore and some other plants at the property have also been sourced internationally.
HOSPITALITY LEXIS | 30
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I wanted the landscape of the property to be picturesque by connecting it with the scenic view around the property. I have a created a panoramic view with the lakes view outside, water bodies with flowers inside, lush green plants adding life to the drive through of the property.
My vision was to create a serene & calming landscape as a visual treat for my guests. What kind of challenges did you face? For me, this project was very close to my heart and I was very dedicated, so every challenge just raise the standards for me. Due to pandemic, traveling frequently was not an option, so I chose to make selections over video calls which helped me explore even more options. I needed vertical garden setup, natural rocks, irrigation systems, pots and a lot of other things on the site. Moreover, while dealing with plants, deadlines are a major challenge as plants need their own time and care to flourish.
At Taj Lakefront, the landscape should be as beautiful as the memories captured.
Especially for the Vindhya lawns which is largest outdoor banquet space, landscaping was the quintessential element. I have created a 3000 sq feet vertical garden. As I wanted the lawn to be impeccable. Role of landscape in guest experience? A luxury hotel is always a nest for memories of someone’s holiday, wedding, or some special occasion and in the era of social media, everyone like to capture the moments digitally. So I wanted the overall feel to be picturesque. Be it wedding photoshoots, pictures of a staycation, at Taj Lakefront, the landscape should be as beautiful as the memories captured.
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31 | HOSPITALITY LEXIS
SNEAK PEEK INTO THE INTERIORS WITH
ANUSHKA SURYAVANSHI
Being a Lake view property, what was your vision ? We are in the city of lakes and called Taj Lakefront, our prime focus was to offer our guest with utmost experience of the lake view. Our entire property is planned to offer the lake view, starting from our lobby, to dinning arenas, as well as the rooms. The view was a major part in terms of the infinity pool, our infinity club that was the major spot for us where we really created that scenic far fetched view. Even our kitchens have a lake view, which provides our kitchen staff with a positive reinforcement to work in a nice and a good environment.
Our vision for Taj Lakefront was very clear, one should feel they are in the city of lakes.
What role does lighting and chandeliers play ? Our chandeliers are the ‘star of the show’ in terms of our banquets, they bring in the life. About the lobby, we thought in terms of the ceiling art work which is a very nice geometrical design, it looks very monotone, simple and contemporary but at the same time with the kove lighting it just adds the highlight to that ceiling. In terms of design at the same time, there is no chandelier but subtlety. There is so much going on in the lobby, colour palate wise, fabrics of the furniture and everything else, this brings in some kind of calm.
Our chandeliers are the ‘star of the show’ in terms of our banquets.
HOSPITALITY LEXIS | 34
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SATRANGI
Reception lobby, Signature Wall
How did you decide and select the artworks for the property? Our whole property reflects the art and culture of Madhya Pradesh. In terms of art, Taj loves to inculcate art from the locals, that is around the state. The paintings have a traditional touch with the golden zari work. We made it our own in terms of design and brought in some beautiful pieces which would go really well with the property, and also bring in that culture. Our style of art is contemporary, ethnic, classical with a modern twist.
We brought in tribal work, bagh, kalamkari and mandala motif paintings and traditional Dhokra art of Madhya Pradesh.
To present this Rajwadi look we have created this entire twenty feets SATRANGI with seven different types of karigiri’s. The kalamkari Peacock symbolizes happiness grace and prosperity, thus spreading this aura around us at this Beautiful Taj Lakefront.
What is the overall colour palette and theme of the property? The overall colour palette is nude champagne gold palette with pop of colours. We have majorly focused on monotones and made sure there is synchronisation and harmony with the pop colours used, that brings it all together, makes a fabulous piece all put in a very methodological manner.
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35 | HOSPITALITY LEXIS
Travel attractions Abroad
4% Netherlands 9%
19%
Europe
USA
16% Dubai/ Abu Dhabi
9% Maldives
South Africa
Who you are planning a trip with ? SOLO 23 FAMILY 37
FRIENDS 26 SPOUSE 14
Which age group is planning to travel ? 60%
40%
8% Mauritius
7% Austrlia
L ON SP E V A O R T T
4%
14%
South-east Asia Malaysia Singapore
T H G I L
20%
0%
18-24 24-30 30-35 35-45
HOSPITALITY LEXIS | 36
>40
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Travelling domestic or international ?
Ways of booking Only Flight 19%
Nothing 27%
NOT DECIDED 24%
INDIA 47% Only Stay 20%
ABROAD 29%
Flight + Stay 34%
Indian destinations are triumphing over foreign hotspots.
Choices in destination type Beaches
22%
Historic Cities
17%
Thinking
13%
Mountains
19%
Staycation
11%
Choices in Stay Homestays
32% 33% 26% 44%
Choices in Travel Plane
48%
Train
33%
Bus
22%
Car
26%
Rented Car
21% Source:- InMobi Pulse Travel Trends Nov 2021
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37 | HOSPITALITY LEXIS
Business lexis
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TOP PLAYERS IN HOTEL INDUSTRY
BUILD INCLUSIVE SUSTAINABILITY
ALL HOTELS FRAMEWORK ACCESSIBLE FOR OF THE WORLD
INCLUSIVE SUSTAINABILITY for Hotels
Worldwide At Barceló Hotel Group we are fully aware of the challenge that we face to achieve a sustainable transformation of one of the most relevant economic sectors on a global scale. That is why we see this alliance as a great opportunity to support and promote the path for a sustainable tourism and an active contribution towards the fulfilment of the SDGs.
Sébastien Bazin
Raúl González CEO EMEA , Barceló Hotel Group
Chairman & CEO, Accor While Accor is actively working towards achieving carbon neutrality in line with its science based targets, we welcome the Basic Sustainability Framework initiative. We believe that this framework is a useful step towards ambitious sustainable goals and practices for the hospitality industry.
Marcus Bernhardt
We have only one chance with planet earth. Deutsche Hospitality with its approximately 11,000 employees is aware of this responsibility. Participation in the Basic Sustainability framework therefore is a matter close to our hearts. We, as part of the Huazhu Group Limited, are proud of being an active partner of this initiative. Let’s seize the opportunity to make a big difference together.
CEO, Deutsche Hospitality
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41 | HOSPITALITY LEXIS
Pierre-Frédéric Roulot CEO Louvre Hotels Group
At Louvre Hotels Group, as part of Jin Jiang International, we are convinced that the hotel industry needs to evolve to develop more sustainable practices aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. That is the aim of our of global CSR plan “Objective 2025”. Because of the climate emergency, this work must be done collectively, with all the hospitality groups going in the same direction, but also with our staff members, our clients and our partners. Sustainability is becoming a new standard for everyone that is exactly why we endorse the Basic Sustainability framework with a lot of energy and hope.
Gabriel Escarrer Jaume Vice Chairman CEO Meliá Hotels International Meliá Hotels International is proud to be part of the Basic Sustainability framework. In the face of the current climatic emergency, all industries, and also tourism, must join forces and assume their own commitments, taking into account their own reality. This alliance is an excellent platform that should lead us to identify and promote opportunities that benefit society as a whole. Sharing knowledge, innovation and good practices, through clear and homogeneous measurement indicators, is the best way to, together, make the challenge a reality. In this commitment we do not understand competitors, we understand allies with whom we want to move towards a sustainable future from a responsible present.
HOSPITALITY LEXIS | 42
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We live in an era of transformation today. Our world is changing at an unprecedented pace with the rise of new technologies, growing environmental concerns and a renewed, collaborative understanding of economic and social value. We are committed to create shared value for all our stakeholders, communities, and the planet. It is our pleasure to partner with the Basic Sustainability framework on this journey.
Federico J. González CEO Radisson Hotel Group After the pandemic, we are pleased to see that the hotel sector is taking a coordinated and non-competitive way forward to facilitate a true and effective response to the climate change challenge we face. The Basic Sustainability framework is a stepchange that will help every hotel to get started on their sustainability journey faster. This will move us at Radisson Hotel Group, together with our owners Jin Jiang International, and the whole industry closer towards the ultimate target of Net Zero and, at the same time responds to our clients’ demand for sustainable travel options that are easy to understand.
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Puneet ChhatwaL MD & CEO, IHCL
Ramón Aragonés CEO NH Hotel Group This is a promising opportunity to leverage the strength and influence of the hotel industry to really make an impact. For years, the sector has been an engine for economic growth, social development and the coming together of cultures and now, together, we will also be the driving force to a more sustainable future. We, as part of Minor, endorse the Basic Sustainability framework with great enthusiasm and the conviction that it is a huge step in the right direction.
43 | HOSPITALITY LEXIS
Lavish stay with an ethereal view
ITC GRAND GOA
Goa is known for its beaches, clubbing, partying and staying in exquisite resorts. So when one comes to South Goa, ITC Grand Goa gives guests a truly immersive experience. ITC Grand, Goa is one of the best properties which is spread across 45 acres of land with direct access to the pristine Arossim beach. This beach-side, village-styled resort's architecture draws inspiration from the Indo-Portuguese vintage and blends classical elegance with a distinctive regional allure that is infused in its service, cuisine, rituals and more - promising a truly immersive experience. The resort offers 6 signature food and beverage outlets along with multiple outdoor and indoor venues for bespoke banqueting, special events and weddings. Spread across 36,000 sq. ft of tropical bliss, Kaya Kalp - The Royal Spa weaves its own brand of magic on mind, body and soul. The state-of-the-art fitness center is open 24 hours geared to meet all lifestyle and fitness goals. The swimming pool is also a delightful surprise.
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Why is ITC Grand Goa considered a staycation choice for all age groups ? The Mantra of ITC is Atithi Devo Bhava, the staff greets the guests by joining hands and saying ‘Namaste’. Our logo is Namaste, it reflects our mantra. This resort is kid’s friendly, family friendly, safe and homely for senior citizens as well. So generally if you want a vacation or a holiday with family our property is very convenient and renowned. The layout of the hotel is such that every age group can be accommodated, we have rooms on the ground floor and first floor with a garden view, pool view, Lagoon view and many more. Therefore it's suitable for all generations. This place is a package of fun. Food and chill with a soothing environment and alluring view ITC Grand Goa, is a destination for culinary experience, weddings and staycation. Mind blowing location with a private beach is a must visit, it's a dreamy experience.
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AMIT KUMAR General Manager, ITC Grand Goa
How is ITC Grand Goa, a safe and appropriate destination in these challenging times? #weassure is our mission to provide the best possible covid precautions and safety measures. When we started after the lockdown the most important factor was trust. To enhance the trust of the guests we have placed a tag of #weassure on the tables in the restaurants of the property, something which is the example and commitment set by ITC hotels for health, safety and hygiene of everyone. All our cutlery crockeries are wrapped, partitions in the between the tables called separators which help maintain distance between the tables are placed. This reduces the contact between the tables and increases the safety. Each and every protocol as well as all the guidelines are followed very strictly. Our staff wear PPE suits, head covers, gloves and masks all the time which build the trust of the guest. Furthermore, to build deep trust in the mind of our guests so that they feel safe at the property, QR codes are provided for menus in the restaurants, spas and rooms so that everything is accessible in no-contact or touchless format.
GM's Interview
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What makes your hotel one of the best wedding destinations in south Goa ? Goa has become the hottest destination for weddings as a lot of people believe that most romantic weddings take place on the beach. ITC Grand Goa has a private beachfront at Arossim beach along with enchanting gardens and manicured lawns. There are very few and rare hotels and resorts in Goa that have a private beachfront with singular space in Goa. Additionally, there is availability of indoor venues which can be customised and decorated for each host’s individual requirements. With the dedicated team that helps the guests to customise their décor, cuisines, music, entertainment and every other minute detail ITC Grand, Goa is the best wedding destination. What kind of Culinary Experience is offered ? ITC hotels are known for their culinary strength. At ITC Grand, Goa itself we serve a large variety of cuisine and the flavours which are very different from each other. We have six dining options and that's our unique selling point, especially for staycations and weddings. We only have Goan restaurant Tempero, where guests can experience the authentic local flavours. We have our Master Chef from Goa, Chef Sarita who is a local and known for authentic Goan food. Our guests have an option to enjoy the royal Afghan cuisine at The Royal Afghan – Seaside Barbeque and Grill, which is located on the North West frontier on the sea. Additionally, we have Pavilion At the Village Square, multi cuisine and Kebabs and Kurries. We also have Ottimo Cucina Italiana where guests can relish Italian food. We also have two bars at the property Farol bar and a pool bar where guests can enjoy and relax.
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Please share your post covid revival strategy? Revival post pandemic was slow but Goa being a popular destination was the first to bounce back. The tourists started visiting in August when the lockdown slowly opened, after the government released the restrictions. Initially there was a night curfew, the restaurants were open with half capacity, and the timings were till 7 pm. So it was very challenging but was a relief because we had finally resumed our services. Once the situation was improved, the closing time of restaurants was changed to 9 pm. The restrictions were slowly and gradually removed and at the same pace, the entire Goa started picking up. A very steady and planned progress towards our services. Eventually, the government also permitted spas and casinos with covid safety and precautionary measures. How did you keep your staff motivated during the challenging times? ITC is a brand where there was no salary deduction from the staff working in the hotel. Additionally, we educated our staff that wearing masks or gloves or regular sanitization is essential for their safety and health, before being vital for the safety of the guests. During complete lockdown also, our staff was supported by us as there were no salary deductions or pay cuts.
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KHOYA ou B Mithai Luxury
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Koffee with Karan to Isha Ambani's wedding, Khoya is the choice. Why Indian Mithai? People don't give mithai probably because there is no benchmark for quality, assurance and hygiene. People are embarrassed about giving mithai and that's what we wanted to change. If you even visit high profile halwai, it looks like a fish market. We have done 9 months of research on traditional mithai, recipes, ingredients and the process to understand how people are using ingredients in mithai & we started recreating that. We did everything handmade keeping the mithai authentic yet innovative. We created beautiful boxes that match that sort of culture faraway. Something that people were looking for and now there are lots and lots of people giving Khoya mithai with their wedding invitation.
How did Khoya make it to Isha Ambani's Wedding? "We were part of the Koffee with Karan gift hampers and once Abhishek Bachchan won the gift hampers on the show and took it home. He told his mother Mrs Jaya Bachchan that you must try this mithai and she really liked it. She called Neeta ji (Ambani) to ask if she had tasted the khoya mithai. Neeta Ambani called Sanjeev Khosla and asked if he could find out about this company? Sanjeev said he knew this guy as earlier we had ordered mithai from him. That is how we were selected for Isha Ambani's wedding, after Chef Ritu Dalmia confirmed. All the mithais used for the pooja and other functions of Isha Ambani’s wedding were done by us."
"Mithai was losing it's importance in India. KHOYA MITHAI has brought it back."
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Share about launched RTD G&T & G&T 2.0. AS:Salud G&T 2.0 is India’s very first pour-and-enjoy gin & tonic in a bottle. It is crafted using the finest English Juniper, Indian quinines, and botanicals from Europe. It comes in 3 flavours – Original, Cucumber and Lavender. Future of Gin products in India?
AJAY Shetty Founder & Director, Salud Beverages
Salud G&T 2.0 India’s very first gin and tonic in a bottle. What’s exciting about the Gin World? AS: Currently, the Gin trend or the Ginnaissance as they call it, has created a massive impact in India – making us the fifth largest gin consumers in the world. It was exciting for us to be a gamechanger in the gamechanging ready-to-drink space, and carve out a new market niche as India’s first gin and tonic in a bottle.
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Post pandemic change in the industry? AS:The culture of socialisation is changing, with more people appreciating true and meaningful connections over large scale partying. While the pandemic has caused a setback, I feel it has also opened up more opportunities and audiences by creating a more dynamic drinking culture.
AS:Gin is here to stay, and its popularity is likely to keep growing. It is a very versatile drink, and gin cocktails like G&T also have a reputation of being more healthy than other alcobev drinks. Trends boosting gin products demand? AS:Drinking at home, health consciousness and hot summers are here to stay! These factors have all combined to create a gin culture. So, a drink like G&T, which is cool, refreshing, easy to drink and healthy is a no-brainer. The idea behind setting up Salud? AS:It all started when we noticed a significant gap in the alcobev industry. People were looking for something fresh, convenient, easy to drink. This gave birth to Salud G&T 2.0. Salud today is much more than G&T. We call it Life 2.0!
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Retirement resorts for senior living
Because ageing should be about joy and not just getting by.
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er & CEO und Fo
We don’t want people to move with Welldercare and retire, we want them to come and THRIVE. Welldercare exists to inspire, nurture, and revitalize the spirit of veterans with person-centered bespoke care and intuitive service. By bringing together AI with emotional intelligence, priority access to best-in-class healthcare,world-class hospitality, and an outcome-based approach to set the gold standard in holistic wellness ensuring they live happy & healthy. For us,they are not ‘Seniors’ or ‘Elders’ but Veterans of life
Kanishka Acha rya
Welldercare, enters the Indian Hospitality Industry announces its plans to launch long term Retirement resorts for senior living. The resorts are designed for those who believe in living life with zeal & vigour, a Welldercare lifestyle that begins after 60. Stressing on the second innings, Senior living at Welldercare is going beyond reactive solutions to re-design senior living. The new class of luxury condominiums is breaking all the stereotypes of living life after 60. Welldercare Retirement Resorts offer a continuum of engaged lifestyle, not bounding veterans to one location by offering them a choice of moving to different locations of their choice without any gap in the care continuum. The resorts offer accommodation in luxury and holistic living in two categories of accommodation designed with several senior living amenities with a highly trained & sensitive personalised Care Delivery program. It will be supported by best-in-class doctors, caregivers, nurses, nutritionists, counsellors, yoga coaches and physiotherapists. Welldercare shall launch its first set of resorts in Goa, Cochin, Kumarakom and Munnar in the next three months at scenic locations. With vast acres of lush greenery, magnificent trees and water bodies, the resorts shall offer curated experiences to deliver a truly memorable living experience for their veterans. The company plans to scale its network of retirement resorts to 20 locations in the next 24 months. It targets serving about 500 senior couples by 2022.
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The Purple Room Home to the first-ever 3D Cadbury chocolate printer
Anil Viswanathan Senior Director Marketing Mondelez India
Consumers to curate their box of exquisite 3D chocolates. The zone is located at the newly inaugurated Jio World Drive (JWD) Mall, Mumbai. Shoppers will get to consume their favorite brands in a new avatar,‘shoppertainment’ to enhance their Shopping experience as original milkshakes made from Dairy Milk, Bournville, 5 Star, and Oreo at the store. Consumers can now watch their favorite chocolate being made in the 3D machine. The store offers 28 chocolate designs in 3D including all alphabets for a personalized & novel experience, available for a limited time.
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“Over the years, Mondelez India has created and grown the premium end of the chocolate market and owned the chocolate gifting space, with products like Cadbury Dairy Milk Silk, Cadbury Bournville, Cadbury Dark Milk, Cadbury Celebrations, etc. As the next leg to this journey, we are thrilled to introduce ‘The Purple Room’, a premium Cadbury experience zone, that also houses India’s first-ever 3D Cadbury chocolate printer. Through this store, we aim to provide our consumers with a unique and memorable Cadbury chocolate experience. The zone not only showcases some of our much-loved products in the premium & gifting segment but also helps us to elevate Cadbury’s premium credentials and generate brand love.”
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MUMBAI LAUNCHED ITS FIRST EDITION SUCCESSFULLY With a lot of enthusiasm and energy Prowine world launches Prowine Mumbai at St. Regis. ProWine Mumbai is a part of the globally iconic ProWien World and is jointly organised by Messe Düsseldorf India and All Things Nice. It has become the most important marketplace for wines, spirits and craft wines. The event rightly kick-started with champagne popping and an inaugural ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by dignitaries from the US Consulate, the Consulate General of France, Australian High Commission, South African Consulate, Trade Centre of Argentina, Republic of Mauritius, corporate heads and the industry associations with media partners. First in-person trade fair for the wine and spirits sector in India after Pandemic Two days master class with 15 sessions attended by renowned brands and visitors. Introduced to new products that are now available in the Indian market. Spirits Pavilion for tasting and meet producers of Gin, Vodka, Single Malts, Rum, tequila, craft, beverages and beer. Strict rules were implemented to ensure all hygiene and safety. Exhibitors were fully vaccinated.
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Ni khi l Agarwal , Founder Al l Thi ngs Ni ce and Co-organi ser of ProWi ne Mumbai . We are thrilled to have put in place the very first business platform for the wine and spirits industry. We are overwhelmed by the fantastic response, we believe ProWine Mumbai will elevate the future of the wine and spirits industry in India and we hope you enjoy all that ProWine Mumbai will offer you in the coming years Thomas Schl i tt Managi ng Di rector, Messe Düssel dorf Indi a It fills me with joy and gratitude to see this amazing recognition from the industry stakeholders in India for the first ProWine Mumbai event. Going from being a ProWein Educational Campaign to a first-ever fullfledged comprehensive trade fair for the Wine & Spirits industry is the reflection of developing the market for the future growth of the industry in India. I am glad that at the maiden edition most major players from India and representation of 7 leading wine producing countries were represented. With this successful premiere we have laid the foundation for ProWine Mumbai to be the ideal platform to Meet – Network – Taste and connect the market as an annual meeting place. Cheers!! Shruti Gai kwad representi ng Consul ate of Argenti na It was wonderful. It gave us the opportunity to introduce ourselves & meet different people in business. Mathi l de BERTILLE Trade Offi cer, Agri busi ness Department, Busi ness France Indi a The ProWine Mumbai was a real success and we are really proud to have been part of it with our 13 French producers in the Pavilion. Nikhil Varma Amrut Distilleries Pvt. Ltd A great opportunity to reach, interact and connect with the consumers. Also, a brilliant chance to meet and network with the industry folks. It was an adequately planned event.
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Excerpts from the digital discussion of the travel and industry experts regarding being prepared for the new variant, Omicron. Staying prepared for the challenge by being aware of the safety methods as well as understanding the protocols. With the current outbreak of Omicron variant, has started bringing back negative feelings in the mind of travel trade as well as travellers at large. There are various versions that are being circulated on the effects of Omnicron. As the trade was seeing revival of international travel with MoCA opening up the skies effective 15th Dec'21 this sudden outburst has put spokes in the wheels of progressive revival. Domestic travel within India doesn't seem to get impacted as much since it's the holiday season and there are no significant cases of the new variant presently diagnosed here to. It's a wait and watch situation for the next 7-10days, say upto 10 Jay Bhatia, December 21. If we don't see the cases on this Omnicron variant, then Vice - President there shall be no impact on Domestic travellers. Travel Agents Association Of India Further for 2022, with the majority of the people getting vaccinated and with the global skies from India expected to open up soon, the travel trade seems to be looking towards positive growth. Travellers are already in the planning stages for their trips overseas for the upcoming summer season from April to July 2022.
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Aditya Sanghi, Co-Founder & CEO Hotelogix
"The fear of the pandemic has certainly made the hospitality industry extremely resilient.The immediate effect of the new outbreak may cause delay in international travel resumption however this might be temporary. With a robust domestic travel recovery, the Indian hospitality sector has already managed to survive and thrive in 2021 despite less inbound tourism. Over the last two years, the hotel industry has managed to generate revenue from the domestic leisure travel sector, pandemic led trends such as workations/staycations have also ensured revenue generation for properties alongside compliance to the ‘stay at home’ SOPs. In the last two years one has witnessed major changes within the tech support that is being provided to the hospitality & travel industries providing Indian hotels & travel businesses & airport regulators with the much needed provision for seamless operations despite all the challenges at hand. Solutions such as contactless guest/passenger experiences through digital PMS, SOPs for housekeeping, monitoring vaccination status or RTPCT test reports have not only instilled confidence among consumers but has also encouraged establishments to function flawlessly despite the pandemic led fears. Omicron led concerns are a given however we foresee that like in the past the sector will survive and eventually thrive."
"It is still early days to see what impact this new variant will have on the industry and we are not currently seeing a surge in booking cancellations. As we continue to navigate through these evolving times, the health and safety of our guests and our team members continue to be our top priority."
Nikhil Sharma Regional Director Eurasia Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
"At the moment, we haven't witnessed a significant impact on bookings, what we have noticed is that governments and establishments have tried to act faster this time around, postponing the office joining dates, making tests mandatory, and beginning to reinstate tougher rules. At this moment, we can only hope that things don't become as tragic and terrible as the last two waves, and if we are to deal with any lockdowns this time, we come out stronger as we have in the past." Deep Banka COO, Zostel
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"Omicron is nothing but a wake-up call that although we are vaccinated and things are moving towards normalcy, safety guidelines need to be followed when we are out of our homes. That said, as travellers, for us any variant of the covid virus demands the same attention. Our masks stay on when we are out, and our sanitizers stay in our pockets for quick cleans at regular intervals, especially before eating. 2020 was a shock, 2021 was us getting used to the new normal and 2022 should be life as usual with the virus and the safety protocols a part of our normal travel routine." Rishabh & Nirali Shah Gypsycouple
“As per the situation The travel industry’s recovery will be slow as new COVID19 variants are causing governments to continue using travel bans to stem the spread. While we also feel travelers are not panicking or cancelling bookings just yet, the situation is dynamic and companies are seeking more clarity. Given the uncertainty, there could be some near term challenges to the travel and leisure segment. Thereby, they could possibly see volatility depending upon the news flow with respect to the new variant. Rational measures need to be taken by the travel & Hospitality sector and consider proportional riskreduction.”
"While Omicron has created some concern for the travel sector in the short run, industry moral continues to remain intact. Unlike before, now there are ample anticipatory measures in place to deal with not just the virus but the way in which we do business within the industry. Today technology aids the system in order to ensure contact-less operations and helps to keep travel operations running even in the eventuality of a rise in cases. Through the last 2 waves, there were long two to three month periods when travel was disrupted, however services resumed fast enough. We are certain that the domestic sector will do considerably well of course with due diligence and protocols in position. We are expecting a good winter season for destinations such as Kerala, Goa, Himachal, Kashmir & the Andamans. Internationally Maldives will continue to be a popular destination. The government rules & restrictions per region are bound to change with each passing day however we remain positive that travel is here to stay with restrictions of course.”
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Vedavyas Komara CEO, TrackEx
Arun Bagaria Co-Founder, TravClan
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OUR REACH
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