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IndiGo Enhances Tier II Connectivity

IndiGo Airllines

Adds 8 additional flights on its network
• Effective January 01, 2018, 6E to introduce new city pairs including: Hyderabad-Jammu and Jammu-Jaipur
• With addition of new flights, IndiGo endeavours to bring metro cities closer to Tier II and III markets

Reiterating its commitment to provide enhanced connectivity across its network – IndiGo, India’s largest and fastest growing carrier has introduced 8 additional flights across its network. Effective January 01, 2018, IndiGo will operate new flights between Hyderabad-Jammu and Jaipur-Jammu amongst other routes. The airline will also add new frequencies from Hyderabad to Varanasi and Jaipur.
The new flights are designed to cater to business and leisure travellers who are constantly on the lookout for new and affordable flying options. With over 900 daily flights connecting 46 destinations, these new flights will enable corporate and leisure travellers to experience IndiGo’s unmatchable ontime performance and hassle-free service.
Speaking on this, Mr. Aditya Ghosh, President and Whole Time Director, IndiGo said, “With increasing demand from regional sectors, we are pleased to announce the introduction of these new connections. We are hopeful that these new flights will provide affordable and unmatchable travel experience to our passengers across the country.”

Taj Wedding Studio Launched

Weddings at Taj Falaknuma, Hyderabad

The Taj Wedding Studio is the ultimate destination to create memorable wedding experiences; showcasing the latest trends in cuisine, innovation in banqueting, destination planning and wedding curation.

Taj Falaknuma

Resplendent venues at picturesque locations, sumptuous culinary experiences, bespoke wardrobes, and expert planners, the perfect wedding is a blend of grand gestures and intricate detail.


“The launch of the Taj Wedding Studio as the ultimate destination to create unforgettable wedding experiences will offer our guests exclusive access to experts in the industry and a variety of services that are designed to address all their wishes for their big day”


Since its establishment, Taj has always been synonymous with signature wedding celebrations at exotic destinations. To infuse creativity into weddings, Taj Hotels launched the Taj Wedding Studio recently that brings to life the art of planning a dream wedding, inspired from the very best in the industry. The Taj Wedding Studio is the insider’s guide to designing the best weddings and unparalleled events; it provides loyal guests across cities exclusive access to the very best elements that makes a wedding or celebration a lifelong memory.

While expert series and panel discussions with industry experts were prominent attractions at the launch of the Taj Wedding Studio, the pièce de résistance was the Grand Finale Fashion Show, “Tarkanna – The Bridal and Occasion Wear 2017/18 Collection” by Tarun Tahiliani, with his show-stopper ensemble finding resonance with Tajness, the overarching philosophy of hospitality at the Taj. In keeping with the philosophy that transcends time and space, Mr Tahiliani’s creation draws inspiration from the signature Florentine dome of The Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai. The hand-painted, printed lehenga uses lotuses and classic ojee jaals while its printed Tajness-inspired cape drape, sketched with illustrations of the dome and lightly dusted with Swarovski crystals, gota flowers and mirrors, paid tribute to the ‘new voice of tradition’.

Taj Exotica Goa

Participating along with Tarun Tahiliani for the Taj Wedding Studio are WeddingSutra, India’s leading bridal media brand; Ermenegildo Zegna, providing sartorial elegance, excellent service and innovation in fabrics with the ceremonial Made to Measure experience; and Zoya, the luxury jewellery brand from the house of Tata will be offering their bespoke bridal experience for the first time at the Taj Wedding Studio.

Commenting on the launch of the Taj Wedding Studio, Mr. Chinmai Sharma, Chief Revenue Officer, Taj Hotels Palaces Resorts Safaris, said, “Taj Hotels has always been a pioneer in hosting memorable weddings. The launch of the Taj Wedding Studio as the ultimate destination to create unforgettable wedding experiences will offer our guests exclusive access to experts in the industry and a variety of services that are designed to address all their wishes for their big day. In doing so, the Taj Wedding Studio will address the growing need for customization of weddings and live up to the Taj promise of inspiring creativity in every aspect of celebration.

Weddings at Taj Exotica Goa

Engaging a select audience at the Taj Wedding Studio launch, the Taj hosted panel discussions on The Art and Curation of a Wedding – Essentials of Planning, Managing Aspirations and Exceeding Expectations and The Quintessential Indian Wedding: Celebrations that Reflect Heritage and Culture with doyens of industry, celebrities, stylists, fashion icons, philanthropists and patrons who deliberated on the essentials of what makes a wedding perfect.

Guests also had an opportunity to attend the expert series and master classes that threw the spotlight on Food Pairing and Cuisine Trends as well as innovation in banqueting. Celebrity chefs including Chef Amit Chowdhury, Executive Chef – The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai; Chef Sajesh Nair, Executive Chef – Taj Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad; and Mr. Abhas Saxena, Chief Sommelier – The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai, focused on current cuisine trends and food and wine pairings. Adding international flavour was Mr. William Spinner, Director of Catering – The Pierre, A Taj Hotel, New York. An icon of the hospitality industry in New York City, Mr. Spinner has worked with celebrities, socialites, heads of state and CEOs, and is the last word on hosting weddings and banquets at The Pierre.

Hotel room of the future?

Future Hotel Rooms

Accorhotels has made an interactive hotel room timeline inspired by the last century’s evolution.

Travel through time with a hotel room and immerse yourself in the Roaring Twenties or in the modern style the future may bring. To every era its own style, to every style its own room.

Record player or wireless speaker?

Little in common between the twenties shiny rooms and the flashy and geometric style of the sixties! It is not only the design, but also the rooms’ equipment that evolved. While the beginning of the century’s petroleum lamps were not easy to maintain, today we can turn on the light with a clap of hands. A beep can open the curtains and a snap of the fingers can change the TV channel. This timeline of the past 100 year offers us a glimpse at the numerous transformations one single hotel room went by through the ages.

A global perspective 
In cooperation with Lobke Elbers (Community Manager at TravelNext) and Patrick Kooiman (Writer at interiorator.com), AccorHotels BeNeLux teams are convinced that such original initiative is a great way to display content in a different and interactive way. The goal? Offer a reflection of every era’s society through the hotel rooms’ evolution… A travel through time that will seduce more than one!

Wonderful Indonesia Festival in Thailand

The Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia in collaboration with The Embassy of Indonesia in Bangkok, and Regional Tourism Office from Banten, Jakarta, and West Sulawesi Province will seduce the Land of the White Elephant with a mesmerizing  festival in CentralWorld Square, Bangkok, Thailand, on 17-19 November 2017. Under the theme  “The Never Ending Story of Magical Land and Legends”, the festival will present the uniqueness of Indonesia’s tourist destinations along with its legendary stories.


“We’re committed to holding Wonderful Indonesia Festival in Bangkok and want to bring Indonesia to Bangkokians so they can get to know our country better in terms of the richness of our nature and culture”


CentralWorld with its strategic location with one of the highest footfall in Bangkok is the ideal venue. Visitors can easily get there by BTS (Bangkok Mass Transit System) from all areas across Bangkok.

“We’re committed to holding Wonderful Indonesia Festival in Bangkok and want to bring Indonesia to Bangkokians so they can get to know our country better in terms of the richness of our nature and culture. This event is presented not only for Thais but also for many other tourists who visit Thailand. Basically, we encourage everyone to come to “Wonderful Indonesia Festival in CentralWorld Bangkok,” said Deputy for International Marketing, I Gde Pitana.

The Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia in its continued effort to familiarize Indonesia tourist destinations to foreign visitors will be showcasing Bali with all its natural beauty and cultural richness, an iconic tourist destination in Indonesia and even in Southeast Asia. In fact, Indonesia has 14,572 islands that possess unique characteristics in each destination. Hence, Minister of Tourism Arif Yahya has announced ’10 new Bali’ to be an alternative choice for foreign tourists. The 10 destinations are Bandung, Bali, Jakarta, Riau Islands, Joglosemar (Yogyakarta, Surakarta and Semarang), the Coral Wonders (Wakatobi, Bunaken and Raja Ampat), Medan, Makassar, Lombok and Banyuwangi. The ’10 new Bali’ will support the Wonderful Indonesia campaign to attract 15 million foreign tourists in 2017 and 20 million foreign tourist by 2019.

In the coming days, Wonderful Indonesia Festival in Thailand will highlight 5 destinations: Medan – Aceh, Jakarta – Bandung – Banten, Yogyakarta – Solo – Semarang (Joglosemar), Surabaya – Malang, and Bali – Lombok. These destinations will be promoted through storytelling and legends from each destination such as the story about Lake Toba legend to promote Lake Toba and Medan, Lutung Kasarung legend to promote Jakarta and Bandung, and the legend of Roro Jonggrang to promote Yogyakarta, Solo and Semarang.

The festival will come with a unique and compelling concept, featuring activities such as art and cultural performances, a concert, a workshop, culinary and fashion bazaars. Indonesian coffee, Batik, Wayang (shadow puppets) and Angklung traditional music instrument are going to be put on display at the festival. Visitors will also be engaged with stimulating activities, such as ceramic painting, a unique craftwork from Malang, paper-doll making workshop and have the opportunity to sample an array of traditional dishes such as Kerak Telor, Soto Bandung, Martabak and other traditional snacks.

For those who love entertainment, Thai actress-model, Pinky Savika Chiyadech is going to perform at the festival. Moreover, the event will also host games, movie screening, augmented reality and virtual reality corners. As for those who love to shop, the festival will host a handicraft market featuring Shirayas Tenun Garut, Cita Tenun Indonesia, Inderes Batik, Roemah Batik Cirebon, Limpapeh Kebaya, Lungsin Tas Tangan and many more artisans.

A travel fair promoting tour packages to Indonesia is also going to be held during the celebrations, featuring Thailand Travel Agencies Association (TTAA), Thai AirAsia and Thai Lion airlines, among others.

“We are holding this trade fair to increase the number of tourists from Thailand that have so far reached 118,000 people this year,” said Assistant Deputy of Promotion for Southeast Asia, Rizki Handayani.

Germany Leads the Global Medical Tourism Source Market

Reducing everyday stress and taking time off is an important aspect in today’s fast changing world. Hence, an increasing number of people is becoming more and more aware of the importance of staying healthy and energetic and therefore go in increasing numbers on health-oriented and medical trips.


With more than 1 million foreign health & medical trips, Germany strengthened its position as the world’s leading source market for health-oriented and medical tourism


In 2016, the world population undertook some 11.4 million international health-oriented and medical trips, resulting in a market share of 1.4 per cent on all outbound trips worldwide. According to findings of the World Travel Monitor®, conducted by IPK International and commissioned by ITB Berlin, nearly 70 per cent of all international health & medical outbound trips have been made mainly for health-oriented reasons such as wellness and spa holidays. The share of trips for medical purposes (including cure, hospital rehab and stays in medical clinics) was around 30 per cent.

Germany biggest source market followed by USA

With more than 1 million foreign health & medical trips, Germany strengthened its position as the world’s leading source market for health-oriented and medical tourism. In Europe, Russia follows second before third-placed France and Italy. The most important source market in this niche-segment outside of Europe are the USA. On second, third and fourth place follow Asian source markets, namely South Korea, China and Japan.

Destination ranking also led by Germany

Germany is not only the most important source market but also the number one destination in the overall segment of health-oriented and medical tourism, closely followed in Europe by Hungary, Austria and fourth-ranked Spain. Outside of Europe, the USA are the most popular destination for health & medical tourism, followed by Mexico and Japan. While Austria is the third most important European destination with respect to the whole segment, it is the leading destination in Europe with regard to wellness / spa holidays only.

Reducing stress and relaxing most important motives

When on a health-oriented trip, travelers especially want to “reduce stress” combined with “relaxing” and “switching off”. These are the most important factors while being on a health-oriented trip, followed by spa / wellness treatments. The treatment of diseases, pains and other health problems is for about 40 per cent of all health-oriented and medical tourists of high relevance.

Every second health-oriented / medical tourism traveler between 35 and 54 years

When looking at socio-demographics there is nearly an equal distribution between male and female health-oriented and medical travelers. However, there are differences regarding age distribution. The percentage of travelers between 35 and 54 years is by far the biggest group with a share of around 50 per cent, followed by travelers up to 34 years and the age segment 55+.

For the second time ITB Berlin will be fully devoting a platform to medical tourism, which has become an important fast-growing market. Medical service providers, hotels and destinations will be able to exhibit their products and services In the Medical Tourism Pavilion in Hall 3.2. Presentations and workshops will be held so that visitors can find out more about the latest trends and developments in this growth market

Andaz Checks into Singapore

SINAZ_W003 Andaz King Room

Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced the opening of Andaz Singapore, the first Andaz hotel to open in Southeast Asia. Andaz Singapore furthers the brand’s mission to create inspiring, indigenous experiences that immerse guests in the local culture of each unique destination. The hotel marks the seventeenth property for the brand and joins other Andaz hotels in global gateway cities and top resort destinations around the world.

Located at the heart of cultural crossroads, where Kampong Glam, Little India and the Bras Basah Bugis arts and entertainment hub meet, the locally inspired boutique hotel draws inspiration from its lively surroundings – intimate alleyways filled with shop houses in vibrant colours and textures – and weaves this ambience into the hotel to offer guests fresh perspectives of the city. The hotel is a short 20-minute drive from Changi Airport and only a five-minute drive to Singapore’s Central Business District.

“We are extremely excited to open Andaz Singapore and to bring the inspirational and creative Andaz brand to Southeast Asia,” said General Manager Olivier Lenoir. “By bringing in the local spirit of our surrounding neighborhoods and offering new perspectives, Andaz Singapore aims to inspire a sense of discovery.”

Locally Inspired Design

Andaz Singapore opens in DUO, a striking pair of concave skyscrapers, 186 and 170 metres high, clad in a latticework of hexagonal windows. Designed by multi-award-winning German architect Ole Scheeren, renowned for his works with the China Central Television Headquarters in Beijing and Prada Epicenters in New York and Los Angeles, DUO is the largest integrated development in the Ophir-Rochor district and comprises of residences, retail spaces, offices and the new Andaz Singapore hotel. DUO is directly connected to Bugis MRT station via underground pedestrian walkways, providing easy access to all corners of the city.

Andaz Singapore, in collaboration with famed interior designer Andre Fu of AFSO, envisioned the hotel as a contemporary lifestyle destination, which embraces Singapore’s urban spirit. Fu observed the hotel’s dynamic location and its neighborhood to create a multi-layered alleyway and incorporated subtle, locally inspired techniques, decorative details, furniture, art and fabric into the hotel’s design.

A number of acclaimed artworks are showcased in the hotel; color-saturated pieces by Brazilian sculptor André Mendes and other remarkable works from local Singaporean artist Ahmad Abu Bakar, New York-based Filipina artist Monica Delgado and Malaysian artist Fauzulyusri Mohd Yusof.

Andaz Singapore houses 342 contemporary guestrooms, including 26 suites, with floor-to-ceiling windows framing stunning views of the city. As with all Andaz hotels, guests can enjoy a complimentary minibar with locally sourced snacks and non-alcoholic drinks that are replenished daily, complimentary Wi-Fi and all-day complimentary refreshments at Sunroom.

Dining with a Sense of Place

Visitors have a wide variety of food and beverage options to choose from. Alley on 25 brings Singapore street dining to hotel guests by offering seven alleyway “shop houses” on one floor, from a platter of barbecued snacks from Smoke & Pepper to a steaming bowl of noodles from Auntie’s Wok & Steam or a refreshing shaved ice from Icehaus; 665°F, specializing in premium meat and sustainable seafood; and Mr Stork, a rooftop bar offering teepee-hut seating and an observatory corner to enjoy a breath-taking 360-degree view of the city.

Andaz Studios

Event organizers can take advantage of Alley on 3, the hotel’s 14,800-square-foot (1,375-square-meter) events alleyway featuring four residential-style event spaces including The Glasshouse, a distinct ‘glass-box’ venue; Garden Studio, which has an adjoining outdoor terrace; and two Studios available for smaller gatherings.

CIS Gurgaon Relaunches as Radisson Gurugram Udyog Vihar

Radisson Gurugram Udyog Vihar

Country Inn & Suites by Carlson, Udyog Vihar recently announced its rebranding to Radisson Gurugram Udyog Vihar–a brand synonymous with outstanding service and comfort. It is the first Radisson hotel situated in the millennium city of Gurugram.


“The hotel enjoys a superb location, ideal for business and leisure travelers. We have infused all the necessary elements in the hotel to make it a distinctive business as well as a leisure destination”


Strategically located in the business district of Udyog Vihar, the hotel has completely reinvented itself to better serve its
discerning guests with its signature Yes I Can! service philosophy. The hotel provides quick and easy access to the Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi through a 15 minutes’ drive and is situated within proximity of city’s corporate, entertainment and shopping centers, namely DLF Cyber City, Cyber Hub and Ambience Mall.

“I am delighted to welcome our first Radisson hotel to Gurgaon. Delhi NCR is a key market for us and Gurgaon remains a promising destination due to its thriving corporate suburb. We appreciate the investment that the owners have made in upgrading this hotel and the trust they have demonstrated in the Radisson brand,” said Raj Rana, chief executive officer, South Asia, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group.

Radisson Gurugram Udyog Vihar offers spacious and modern rooms along with revamped and upgraded amenities and state-of-the art meeting facilities, which makes it an ideal destination for corporate and MICE travelers. Spread over 98,000 square feet, Radisson Gurugram constitutes a total inventory of 200 spacious and upgraded rooms. The inventory includes 130 renovated rooms and suites as well as 70 newly constructed rooms.

“We are excited about relaunching the hotel as Radisson and looking forward to capitalize on its brand equity. The hotel has been upgraded significantly and we are confident that guests will appreciate its new features and amenities. We are happy to partner Radisson team for this upgrade and are looking forward to a continued association with them.” said Yogesh Bhasin Chairman, Arpit Projects Limited.

“The hotel enjoys a superb location, ideal for business and leisure travelers. We have infused all the necessary elements in the hotel to make it a distinctive business as well as a leisure destination. We are confident that the hotel will offer a memorable stay experience through its distinctive brand hallmarks”, said Rajesh Bhasin, managing director, Arpit Projects limited.

Radisson Gurugram features two new room categories – Deluxe and Business executive in addition to 28 executive suites and one deluxe suite. Located on the ninth floor, the deluxe suite is endowed with bespoke features and facilities. All rooms are bright and modern, complemented with LED TVs, tea/coffee maker, ironing board and spacious work desk. The hotel also offers amenities like complimentary WiFi, three hours express laundry, 24 hour in-room dining and electronic safe to all its guests.

The hotel offers a wide selection of delightful dining options including The Brew Bar – an intriguing 24-hour concept at the lobby level, featuring tea/coffee and all types of beverages along with aromatic delights during the day and a stylish bar with a mesmerising experience of unique alfresco dining by the evening; Deli Shop – the iconic Deli shop houses variety of chocolates, cakes and pastries with an array of distinctive tea; Café NH8 – an all-day dining restaurant serving the finest global cuisine through buffet and ala carte. The restaurant has been revamped with an addition of scrumptious Italian and Chinese options to the menu.

The hotel also features ‘VIVANT – Live Well’ the wellness center that boasts a rejuvenating and revitalizing ‘SVA Spa’ and a new fitness center along with a lavish outdoor swimming pool. The spa features three massage rooms including an exclusive couple massage room.

Radisson Gurugram boasts approximately 10,000 square feet of total meeting space. A separate Banquet Porch adds to the range of options available for meetings and events. With flexible spaces that can be customised to host meetings for upto 400 guests and built in with the latest amenities, the hotel makes for a perfect venue for business meetings and social events. The hotel offers a pillar-less ball room of approx. 3820 square feet that can be divided into three break-away rooms and four boardrooms to accommodate small gatherings.

National Geographic and Scenic Announce River Cruise Partnership


“Our trips are designed to celebrate remarkable destinations, to foster genuine interactions with local cultures, and to promote a deeper understanding of the natural world”
Nancy Schumacher 
Head of Travel and Tour Operations for National Geographic


National Geographic Expeditions and award-winning operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours have teamed up to launch a new line of National Geographic River Cruises. These new offerings will combine Scenic’s truly all-inclusive luxury river cruise experience with National Geographic’s 129-year legacy of science, conservation and exploration to create an unforgettable experience for travelers.

Each sailing will be accompanied by a National Geographic expert who will enrich the experience through educational presentations and informal discussions throughout the trip. European cruises will also have a National Geographic photographer on board to share professional techniques and help guests hone their photography skills. On National Geographic River Cruises, guests will have a menu of rich, experiential excursions to choose from, ranging from hikes and bike rides to in-depth learning experiences that focus on the natural world, culture and history.

“We are excited and proud to align ourselves with a brand as historic and well respected as National Geographic,” said Glen Moroney, chairman of Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours. “We believe Scenic’s dedication to providing guests with the most exceptional five-star, all-inclusive river cruise experience available is a perfect complement to the enriching and authentic experiences for which National Geographic Expeditions is known.”

“Our trips are designed to celebrate remarkable destinations, to foster genuine interactions with local cultures, and to promote a deeper understanding of the natural world,” said Nancy Schumacher, head of Travel and Tour Operations for National Geographic. “Bringing river cruises into our portfolio allows our travelers to reach spectacular parts of the world in a unique way. We are pleased to partner with Scenic, as they share our commitment to delivering outstanding experiences to guests.”
This partnership between Scenic and National Geographic River Cruises will offer numerous sailings in Europe: on the Rhine, Danube, Main and Moselle Rivers; in Holland and Belgium; through France’s Bordeaux region and Portugal’s Douro Valley—as well as on the Irrawaddy River in Myanmar (Burma). Departures begin in 2018 and can be booked directly through National Geographic Expeditions natgeoexpeditions.com/rivercruises or Scenic www.scenicusa.com/nat-geo now.

Food is the Soul of our Resort – Sanjay Pagi

Upper Deck Restaurant
Sanjay Pagi

“Spend a day with the Chef – We are encouraging guests to spend time with the chef. Be involved in what they are eating”


Mr.Sanjay Pagi, Director – F&B at Radisson Blu Resort Goa believes that food festivals and fusion cuisines win guest more than anything else. He creates new concepts which have been never heard in the culinary world.

“ Spend a day with the Chef – We are encouraging guests to spend time with the chef. Be involved in what they are eating. This has been a huge success within the local guest who comes to experience our gastronomy themed events.  Another new launch is Walk the Talk – Actually talk to the Chef while your dish is being prepared. We are also planning first time in the history of 5 star culture is International Thali.”

Innovation is the key driver. Also, we believe that no resort is successful without the active participation of local guest. We host a large number of food festivals to attract local customers. The latest being Viva Sao Joao Goan food festival which attracted more than 75 Goan families. This festival is a huge success, which is organized every year.

Sanjay closes with the remark that if we can win hearts of local Goans with our cuisines, it remains to your imagination what wonders we can do to the outside world.

Food battles are now won outside the kitchen – Executive Chef Mahesh

Radisson Blu Resort Goa Cavelossim Beach
Executive Chef Mahesh

In Pursuit of Perfection


“Food battles are now won outside the kitchen. It is no more an inside protected activity. Multi skill and think differently is my success mantra”


Executive Chef Mahesh of Radisson Blu Goa, creates an outstanding Goan Portugese era when it comes to the culinary experience down the memory lanes of Goa.  He has won many laurels, but he vouches for the biggest satisfaction after winning customers on the basis of food pitch.

“Food battles are now won outside the kitchen. It is no more an inside protected activity. Multi skill and think differently is my success mantra. I believe in continuous learning of new cuisines and empowering my team. At the same time knowledge sharing has to take place. Motivating my chefs to learn everyday and master the art of perfection is the only way forward.”

“We always encourage our chef’s to intact with the guests. It’s only during communication that one reads the mind of the customer and creates something unique and tailored made.”

Cooking since he was ten years old and working as an Executive chef in Radisson Blu Goa since 2011, Chef Mahesh has travelled the Entire North America in his cooking exploration, honed his skills in the fine art of French classical, burgers and steaks  tex mex, mexicalifornia, hand crafted contemporary Indian food without the calories.

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