There is something magical about the monsoon season in Jammu. The rains wash away all that is old, dusty, and forgotten to reveal the lush, verdant paradise. The quaint hill station of Patnitop too comes alive during the rains with its beautiful mist-covered mountains, breathtaking treks, heartwarming local dishes, and adrenalin-pumping gondola rides! Against the backdrop of the monsoon clouds rolling in over the Himalayas, here are five wonderful ways you can make some monsoon memories with your loved ones in Patnitop: Hike to Nag Temple Don the rain boots and venture out on a refreshing hike to the ancient Nag Temple. The trail winds through dense forests and past gushing streams, offering stunning views of the surrounding Pir Panjal range. You’ll have to stop several times just to soak in yet another inspiring view! The temple itself offers a serene haven for quiet contemplation and soul purging with the pitter-patter of raindrops providing the perfect rhythm for introspection. Stroll through Patnitop Meadow Nothing like a walk in the rain to liberate your inner child! Grab your loved ones for a stroll through the beautifully landscaped Patnitop meadow, where the scent of flowers mingles with the earthy aromas of the rain. The best part of this walk? You can stop at a cozy spot to sip hot tea and munch on a bowl of Maggi as you watch the mist roll in. Soar high with a Gondola ride If you are looking for a truly jaw-dropping monsoon experience, you can’t miss a ride on the Skyview by Empyrean Gondola! This experience will have you gliding high above Patnitop’s stunning valleys and towering peaks, possibly even over the clouds if you …

Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) is proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Mr. Anand Kumar, the esteemed educator and founder of the Super 30 program. Renowned for his commitment to education, KTO’s collaboration with the Padma Shree awardee, introduces the ‘Korea Super 30’ edutainment travel packages. Designed to blend cultural exploration with academic enrichment, this initiative offers young learners a transformative experience in South Korea. Mr. Anand Kumar has also been named the Honorary Ambassador of Korea Tourism, tasked with promoting South Korea as a premier destination for international travel and education through December 2024. To mark the inaugural batch and to celebrate this collaboration, KTO is hosting an exciting contest. Three winners will embark on an all-expense-paid edutainment journey to South Korea alongside Mr. Anand Kumar himself. Mr. Myong Kil Yun, Regional Director for India & SAARC Countries, KTO Said, “Through our collaboration with Mr. Anand Kumar and the launch of ‘Korea Super 30’ edutainment travel packages, we are excited to offer young Indian students a unique opportunity to discover Korea’s rich cultural heritage and academic insights. This initiative reflects KTO’s commitment to fostering educational exchange and cultural understanding. We eagerly anticipate the enthusiastic response from participants for this contest as they explore Korea’s vibrant culture, historic landmarks, and delightful cuisine, creating lasting memories” Interested parents can nominate their children by visiting the Visit Korea website (or by clicking bit.ly/KTOIndiaSuper30Contest) and filling out the application form. Eligible participants must be Indian nationals residing in India, aged 14-18, and students up to class 12 with a valid passport. The last date to apply is 28th July 2024, 1800 hrs. IST. Winners of the contest will be announced on 2nd August …

The Fire Restaurant at Kuda Villingili Resort, Maldives has been chosen among the World’s Best Restaurants for Wine Kuda Villingili Resort, Maldives (July 2024) — Fire Restaurant has been honored for its outstanding wine program in Wine Spectator’s 2024 Restaurant Awards, which celebrate the world’s best restaurants for wine. “We are immensely delighted to receive the Wine Spectator’s 2024 Award of Excellence,” said Amjad Thaufeeq, Commercial Director of Kuda Villingili. This award is a testament to our team’s dedication to providing our guests with an outstanding dining experience and a wide range of wine choices. Our wine program is designed to cater to both connoisseurs and casual wine lovers, ensuring that every guest finds something to enjoy.” “The restaurant industry is growing and thriving, with restaurant openings surpassing pre-pandemic levels for the first time. To take advantage of the uptick, restaurateurs are re-investing in their wine programs,” said Marvin R. Shanken, Editor and Publisher, Wine Spectator. “Restaurants that make wine a priority are what the Wine Spectator Restaurant Awards program is all about. I’m pleased to congratulate all 3,777 restaurants for their dedication to wine and exemplary wine lists.” Launched in 1981, the Restaurant Awards represent the world’s only program focused exclusively on restaurant wine service. They are assigned on three levels: the Award of Excellence, the Best of Award of Excellence and the Grand Award, with 2,150; 1,531; and 96 winners this year in each respective category. Fire Restaurant has won the Award of Excellence The Award of Excellence recognizes restaurants whose wine lists feature a well-chosen assortment of quality producers along with a thematic match to the menu in both price and style.

The forthcoming budget offers a vital chance for the hospitality sector as we believe this is the Golden period for Indian Tourism Industry in case we are able to make the Best use of this opportunity. We request the government to announce industry status for hotels and lower the GST rate from 18% to 12%, bringing it in line with international standards for the tourism industry. This combined advantage will stimulate investments, enhance tourism, and generate job opportunities. The much needed industry status will enable much easier access to cheaper loans for expansion and development. There should be a provision for single window clearance for approvals, a long standing demand from the hotel industry. Government can also lease old properties such as Havelis and hotels for long term, to benefit tourism industry through Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.  Given the industry’s substantial contribution to India’s GDP and foreign exchange earnings, we believe these steps will drive economic growth and position India as a more competitive tourism destination.

As Budget Day  approaches nearby, we are seeking interest in pre-budget prediction stories concerning the hospitality and tourism sector, Please find below the quote from Mr. Ahsan Shervani, Vice President, Star Hotels Ltd (Shervani Hotels) . A kind request to please check if it can be incorporated in stories you may plan. “Its no secret that Industry leaders are advocating for changes like granting infrastructure status to the hotel sector and lowering the GST rate on rooms priced above ₹7,500 from 18% to 12%​.  The hospitality industry has largely recovered from the pandemic, with current tariffs and occupancies reaching or surpassing pre-COVID levels due to strong demand from both leisure and business travelers​. These measures are expected to bolster the industry, drive investment, and ultimately enhance the travel and tourism experience in India.”

Swosti Premium, the luxury hospitality icon in the temple city Bhubaneswar, is thrilled to announce that after complete renovations and upgradaton in service standards, Swosti Premium has now been upgraded from 5-Star to 5-Star Deluxe Classification by the Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India on 9th July 2024. This prestigious recognition acknowledges our team’s tireless efforts, dedication and commitment to deliver excellence in service, amenities and overall guest experience. The 5-Star Deluxe classification is a testament towards luxurious accommodations and amenities, world class dining experiences, exceptional service standard and State-of-the-art facilities and services. On behalf of Swosti Premium, we extend our gratitude to our valued patrons and team members of Swosti Premium for their continued support. We look forward to continuing to exceed expectations and set new benchmarks in the hospitality industry. Very soon Swosti Group will be unveiling the first 5-Star Deluxe hotel in Puri to cater to domestic and international tourists.

The Clarks Hotels & Resorts, India’s fastest-growing hospitality brand, unveiled its latest offering: aôtel by clarks inn. Designed for the modern, discerning traveller, aôtel offers prime locations, tasteful accommodations, and interiors, providing an engaging and vibrant stay experience. The brand is created keeping the young tech-savvy travelers in mind. The thoughtfully designed rooms are equipped with contemporary furnishings, smart technology, and aesthetic décor to ensure a relaxing and enjoyable stay. To provide a hassle-free experience to travelers, they have the convenience of smart room controls, high-speed Wi-Fi, and seamless mobile check-in/out processes. The newly launched brand integrates the latest technology to provide a comfortable stay, catering to the needs of tech-savvy travelers. Instead of traditional check-in counters, aôtel boasts spacious communal areas that foster a sense of community and relaxation. These social hubs are perfect for meeting fellow travelers, working remotely, or simply unwinding after a day of exploration. The stay offers unique dining experiences that offer ample opportunities for socializing and making new connections. The on-site restaurants and cafes offer a variety of culinary delights, from local flavors to international cuisines, ensuring every meal is a memorable experience. Overall aôtel’s architecture and interior design emphasise modern aesthetics and functionality. From open-concept lobbies to multifunctional public spaces, every aspect of aôtel is crafted to enhance the guest experience. They also provide various options to maintain health and well-being while traveling, including yoga sessions, spa treatments, and fully-equipped gyms. Aôtel has debuted in Palampur, reflecting the company’s ambitious growth vision. The property features 21 meticulously designed rooms, departing from traditional accommodation. Guests can savor exquisite culinary delights at the all-day dining restaurant and unwind in the chic terrace dining. The property …

Travstarz Global Group, A Trip.com Invested Company concluded its Multicity Road Shows with its last show in Indore last month. The shows started with Travstarz Egypt DMC Showcase in Delhi which was presented by Mr. Ali ElSamman, Director – Operations, Travstarz Egypt DMC who was in India. It was followed up by Travstarz Networking Events in Amritsar, Pune, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Ludhiana and finally concluding at Indore over the last few months of 2024. The well attended events saw over 40 to 50 agents in each city even for Lunch Events on working days. Pankaj Nagpal, Managing Director, Travstarz Global Group added “We restarted our operations late in 2022 post Covid and as a part of our revised strategy to focus on our Core Business of DMC and Hotel Consolidations, Visas and Marketing, we took this initiative to reconnect with all our Travel Agent Partners across India who have been supporting us for the past over 15 years now to showcase our latest offerings in terms of our Destinations and services. We have discontinued selling few destinations and have added newer and more interesting destinations like Egypt, Turkey, Greece, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Japan and Vietnam to our Portfolio and have a strong on ground presence in these countries. With our Partner Head Quarters in Los Angeles, USA, we now have unique and unmatched offering for USA and Canada both with over 600 short and long-haul itineraries for these countries alone. Also, as a part of our new strategy, we now have pre-purchased inventory of hotels and flights at various destinations with excellent rates and service delivery and we wanted to share the same further and network and reconnect with all our partners …

Hahnair, a charter airline and premier distribution partner for airlines worldwide, proudly announces a partnership with renowned Formula 1 driver Nico Hülkenberg. This collaboration will see Nico Hülkenberg prominently displaying the Hahnair logo on his helmet throughout the 2024 racing season. Nico Hülkenberg will benefit from Hahnair’s unparalleled commitment to safety, service, and comfort, traveling to his races with the airline’s top-tier aircraft and crew. This strategic alliance underscores the similarities between the precision and innovation of Formula 1 racing and the advanced, efficient airline distribution services provided by Hahnair. Daniel Rudas, General Manager and COO of Hahnair said, “Hahnair is delighted to partner with Nico Hülkenberg, an exceptional athlete who embodies speed, commitment to success, and the skills to master powerful technology” “Hahnair ensures that airlines achieve accelerated success in the highly competitive airline distribution market, mirroring the relentless drive and cutting-edge performance seen in Formula 1.” Expressing his enthusiasm for the partnership, Nico Hülkenberg commented, “Traveling with Hahnair, I can count on their first-class Connoisseur Service as well as reliably arriving at my races in time.” Nico Hülkenberg drives for the Haas F1 Team in Formula One. He won the GP2 Series Championship in 2009 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2015, and he is a previous champion of both the Formula 3 Euro Series and A1 Grand Prix, as part of A1 Team Germany. Hahnair is a scheduled and charter airline providing first-class service to passengers. The airline is also renowned for its distribution solutions for airlines as well as ticketing services for travel agents worldwide. The company currently partners with 350 airlines and more than 100,000 travel agencies in 190 markets. For more information on Hahnair, visit www.hahnair.com.

Marriott India is pleased to announce a strategic collaboration with Project Buniyaad by Honda India Foundation, enhancing its commitment to community development by integrating initiatives with Skill India and promoting women empowerment across the nation. Project Buniyaad – Athmanirbharta Ka Aadhar, launched by Honda India Foundation, focuses on equipping individuals with essential skills through education, vocational training and promoting environmental stewardship in North-East region of India & Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. Marriott India, renowned for its excellence in hospitality and dedication to enhancing community well-being, is honored to align with this impactful initiative. Marriott India’s initiative to invest in training youth in hospitality demonstrates a commendable commitment to both social responsibility and industry development. By allocating resources to equip these individuals with valuable skills and knowledge, Marriott not only empowers them to build sustainable careers but also enriches the hospitality sector with a diverse talent pool. Offering paid internships following their training, further underscores Marriott’s dedication to fostering inclusive growth and creating opportunities for marginalized communities. This initiative not only transforms lives but also contributes positively to the broader economy by ensuring more equitable access to professional pathways within the hospitality industry. Under this initiative, unemployed youth will receive 3 months training from ­Visan Foundation post which a certification will be provided from Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council. Ranju Alex, Area Vice President, South Asia – Marriott International said, “We are excited to join hands with Project Buniyaad – Aathmanirbharta Ka Aadhar by Honda India Foundation” “Together, we aim to contribute to the socio-economic development of communities through education, skills training and promoting sustainable practices.” We believe that empowering individuals with skills and knowledge is key to sustainable …