Search Results

15 January 2021, Kolkata: Commenting on India-US relations under US President Joe Biden, British economist and politician, Lord Meghnad Desai, said, “I don’t think Kamala Harris is going to be absolutely 24X7 friend of India. She has her own views on many things. India and USA will probably have differences as Biden is on the soft left of American politics as Donald Trump is on the populist right of American politics. Therefore, there may be differences between Narendra Modi and Joe Biden on questions of human rights, Kashmir and so on. There already have been differences even when Trump was President with the Congressional Democratic members in America.” Lord Meghnad Desai was addressing an online session of Kitaab series organised by Prabha Khaitan Foundation of Kolkata and presented by Shree Cement where his latest book “Rebellious Lord: An Autobiography” was formally launched by guest conversationalist Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Indian economist and former civil servant. The Kitaab session was formally initiated by Ms Priyanshi Patel of Ehsaas Woman of Ahmedabad and was joined in by guests from all over the world. On India-China relations Desai said, “There is no solution to the India-China issue. It is a clash of two very deep nationalisms; two old cultures. How we are going to reconcile is very difficult.” Lord Meghnad Jagdishchandra Desai, is a British politician, life peer, author, economist, commentator, columnist and a film buff who has written over 30 books on economics, politics, history, cinema and fiction. He was awarded Padma Bhushan in 2008 by the Indian Government. He resigned from the Labour Party in November last year after 49-years citing anti-semitism. Talking of Indian films Desai said, “Bollywood and Indian films have an uncanny ability to tell India’s story to the world since Raj Kapoor’s times, even as it changes. I am a great fan of Bollywood, including southern films, which is a very good storyteller with content and entertainment,” Desai said. Regarding his analysis of the economic policies of the BJP in the mid 90s, Meghnad Desai said, “The BJP had a very muddled economic policy 25 years ago. Mentor, Deen Dayal Upadhyay had a kind of third-way idea, neither capitalism nor socialism. It was a khichadi. The Singh-Rao reforms were successful and instead of opposing those reforms, they swam with the tide. So their manifestos were totally irrelevant as to what they did.”

New Delhi, 11th January 2021: After successfully completing a pilot in Bidar (Karnataka) & Ahmednagar (Maharashtra), the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY – Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) converged scheme has been expanded to 113 districts across four states of Madhya Pradesh (except Indore district), Maharashtra (except South Mumbai area, Pune, and Kolhapur districts), and Chhattisgarh (except Raipur and Korba districts) and four districts of Karnataka – Bidar, Chikballapur, Chikmagalur and Kodagu districts. Starting today 28 lakh ESIC beneficiary families in these districts will be able to avail cashless treatment at any of hospitals empanelled under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana across the country. Speaking about the expansion of the scheme, Dr. Indu Bhushan, Chief Executive Officer, National Health Authority (NHA) said, “The National Health Authority and ESIC have been working continuously with a common goal to provide social security benefits in the form of cashless healthcare to its insured beneficiaries. We have jointly decided to expand the inpatient services under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY to all ESIC beneficiaries located in 113 districts across Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Karnataka at any empanelled hospital anywhere across the country. I am pleased to share with you that on the first day of its expanded operations, 10 beneficiaries have already been admitted and receiving treatment under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY.” To ensure seamless services to ESIC beneficiaries, NHA has made the necessary changes in the PM-JAY IT platform to enable seamless hospitalisation and claims payment. It has also sensitized the Empanelled Health Care Providers (EHCPs) and different stakeholders to ensure smooth implementation. As under the current process, all the payments for the treatments will be done by the National Health Authority to the hospitals against their claims. A dedicated call centre toll-free helpline 14588 has been setup by National Health Authority to take up all queries and grievances from the general public. National Health Authority and Employees’ State Insurance Corporation had entered into an agreement to extend cashless treatment to ESIC beneficiaries through the PM-JAY network hospitals and provide increased accessibility to better quality healthcare services and larger choice. The project was launched in a pilot phase in two districts, Bidder (Karnataka) & Ahmednagar (Maharashtra). Under the scheme, 32 beneficiaries availed the inpatient treatment services at PM-JAY hospitals. Based on the learning and experience in the pilot phase, the PM-JAY - ESIC converged scheme has been expanded for beneficiaries residing across 113 districts of 4 states – Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka (four districts).

Mumbai, 12th January 2021: While COVID-19 may have halted our travel plans, it has also given some of the world’s most popular tourist destinations a much-needed moment of rest as travellers stayed indoors. This pause in globetrotting has inspired hopeful Indian travellers to become more aware of the wider impact of their trips, with 70% of Indian travellers wanting to travel more sustainably in the future, as per Booking.com’s Future of Travel research findings. The survey conducted by leading digital travel platform Booking.com also reveals that 78% of Indian travellers expect the travel industry to offer more sustainable travel options to meet their goals of sustainable travel in the future. Unfollowing the crowd Indian travellers planning to travel in 2021 have expressed a wish to avoid other tourists, with a spike in interest towards exploring lesser-known destinations this year. Based on our research, 76% of Indian travellers will stay away from crowded tourist attractions, indicating that destinations will need to adopt new, smart crowd management measures to appease travellers. The report further states that 54% of Indian travellers will visit alternative destinations in a bid to avoid travelling during peak season and 49% of Indian travellers will prefer alternative destinations to avoid overcrowding. Supporting local communities As the pandemic has amplified people’s awareness about their impact on the environment and local communities, travellers are now more aware of their impact than ever before, which will pave the way for more sustainable and regenerative travel in the future. 75% of Indian travellers indicated that they want their travel choices to also support the destination’s recovery efforts, and 73% of Indian travellers want to see how their spendings go back into supporting the local community. Recycle and upcycle The impact of Coronavirus has inspired 55% of Indian travellers to consider reducing waste and recycle their plastic when travelling once travel restrictions are lifted, showing that people are not just committed to protecting themselves, but also the places they visit. To make sustainable travel easier for everyone, Booking.com is encouraging accommodation providers to make more sustainable choices. As a signatory to the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative (GTPI) led by World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Booking.com has committed to advocate for more sustainable practices and the elimination of the unnecessary use of single-use plastics in the travel and tourism industry. This includes promoting the GTPI’s recently published guide to Booking.com’s global network of accommodation providers, which offers practical advice to maintain high levels of safety and hygiene, without relying on single-use plastic products that further contribute to widespread pollution issues for communities and ecosystems around the world. Towards a sustainable future While travel has the power to broaden horizons, open up opportunities and connect people and cultures from around the world, every trip also has an impact on the environment and local communities. Booking.com wants to help lead the way in making sure that the impact of travel on people and places is both positive and long-lasting. In addition to developing resources with tips and information to help properties operate more sustainably overall, the company is testing features that enable properties to highlight their own eco-friendly efforts to potential customers on Booking.com. These first sustainable practices that have been identified (including efforts to eliminate single-use plastics, electricity-saving measures and initiatives to reduce water usage) can be easily implemented by accommodation partners and can also be verified by guests. Commenting on the Future of Travel study, Ritu Mehrotra, Country Manager, India, Sri Lanka and Maldives at Booking.com said, “At Booking.com, we believe travel has the power to transform lives for the better. As a leading digital travel platform, we believe sustainable travel will ensure future travellers can continue to encounter a world full of destinations sti ll worth exploring. For the past couple of years, we have worked alongside industry stakeholders to design and implement initiatives and products that support communities, reduce over-tourism, preserve culture and protect the environment. In doing so, we are fostering a long-term future where the whole industry works hand in hand to further transform the global travel experience into a powerful force for good.” METHODOLOGY / NOTES TO EDITORS *Research commissioned by Booking.com and conducted among a sampl e of adults who have traveled for business or leisure in the past 12 months, and must be planning to travel in the next 12 months (if/once travel restrictions are lifted). In total 20,934 respondents across 28 countries and territories were polled (including 999 from USA, 496 from Canada, 497 from Mexico, 997 from Colombia, 999 from Brazil, 499 from Argentina, 995 from Australia, 499 from New Zealand, 999 from Spain, 996 from Italy, 996 from France, 999 from UK, 996 from Germany, 498 from Netherlands, 499 from Denmark, 499 from Sweden, 498 from Croatia, 1001 from Russia, 498 from Israel, 997 from India, 994 from China, 499 from Hong Kong, 497 from Thailand, 496 from Singapore, 499 from Taiwan, 997 from South Korea, 500 from Vietnam and 995 from Japan). Resp ondents completed an online survey in July 2020.

National, 6th January 2021: Indoor Air Quality has been troubling facility managers for quite some time now. Contaminated central air handling systems can become breeding grounds for mold, mildew, and other sources of biological contaminants and can then distribute these contaminants through the offices or homes. Indoor Healthy air has assumed greater significance in the fight against Covid 19. To increase the safety of people working or living in enclosed environments, Milagrow, India’s No.1 service robots brand, has launched two advanced industry-grade duct cleaning robots. Milagrow Hydra & Milagrow Viper. Both the robots help with cleaning accumulated dirt, dust smut, etc in rectangular or round air ducts with a diameter between 100-350mm. This will be useful for facility managers across corporates, factories, hotels, restaurants, airports, healthcare companies, etc. The latest addition to Milagrow’s product portfolio, Hydra is the world’s most versatile duct cleaning robot that cleans large and medium-sized rectangular or round ducts between 250-1000 mm in size. It can also climb up to 30 degrees. It comes with an extendable telescopic cleaning arm, 3-way camera to leave no dead corners. A rotation rate of 297 rpm, 360-degree maneuverability on its own axis, variable speed control provides it with huge versatility. The full set of Milagrow Hydra weighing includes a cleaning robot, smart control box, 20 m flexible cable, an 1800W, 60L vacuum cleaner, 4 types of brush heads for different size ducts. Meanwhile, Milagrow Viper is the world’s thinnest, lightest, portable, compact, powerful duct cleaner that cleans round and rectangular ducts between 100-350mm. It comes with three PA 66 nylon brushes that have long durability and spins both sides and cleans efficiently without damaging the duct. Its footswitch makes for easy movement control whereas the flexible shaft bracket ensures easy storage. Viper’s Omni-directional wheel eases maneuvering around. The full set of Milagrow Viper includes the robot, control box, 10 m shaft/cable, sliding car, footswitch, and 3 types of brushes. Priced at Rs. 1,199,000 and Rs. 3,99,000 respectively, both Hydra and Viper come with a 1 year comprehensive warranty. Speaking on the launch, Mr. Rajeev Karwal, Founder Chairman of Milagrow Robots, said, “Today’s launch of Air Duct Cleaning Robots show our commitment to providing robotic and automation solutions to various chores or menial tasks where humans serve other humans at great risk to their own safety. Cleaning and maintaining Air Ducts was a very difficult task for facility managers and the launch of Milagrow Hydra and Viper air duct cleaning robots shall go a long way to make the task safe and also freeing up the time of manpower for higher value-added jobs.”

In December 2020, Touriosity has reached this important milestone! This magazine was born out of a casual discussion about the love for travel 9 years back. We were lucky, and grateful, to have friends from all over the world join us in course of time and gradually become part of our extended family. Through twists and turns, surprises and shocks, hardship as well as fun, and definitely a lot of learning, it has turned 100th in December 2020! Yes, all was not bad about this year after all. This feat would not have been possible without the cooperation of and encouragement from all our writers, photographers, regular columnists, other contributors, employees, interns, volunteers, readers, subscribers and everybody else who have supported us! We take this opportunity to put on record the names of all our 221 contributors (writers, columnists and photographers) who made the 100 monthly issues of TOURIOSITY a reality with their beautiful stories, regular columns and captivating photographs. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our patrons and contributors for embarking on the journey with us. We thought it fit to personally thank each of our 221 contributors over these 100 issues by listing out their names. Snapshot of the pages are provided below. This issue has another brilliant cover by Chris Nettekoven and more than 100 photos by Grete Howard. Kindly check the link wherein an acknowledgement has been specially dedicated to our contributors. It is also possible to download the 100th issue special edition from this link. Touriosity 100th Issue Milestone

Saturday, 21 November, marks exactly two years until the next and groundbreaking edition of the FIFA World Cup™. The compact nature, modern landscape and fascinating culture offered by the first edition of the event to be held in the Middle East and Arab world will guarantee a unique experience in 2022. Among the many distinctive features, travelling fans will have the opportunity to potentially attend more than one match a day during the group stage, which will feature an exciting schedule with four daily fixtures, as announced earlier this year. Infrastructure planned for the event has reached 90% completion, with the three stadiums that have already been finalised – Khalifa International, Al Janoub and Education City – safely hosting more than 100 matches in 2020 in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic. Three more tournament venues are in the final stages of construction: Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Al Bayt and Al Thumama. The main works at the remaining two stadiums – Ras Abu Aboud and Lusail – are set to be completed in 2021. Countrywide infrastructure is also being delivered at a rapid pace, including the state-of-the-art Doha Metro – which was successfully utilised by fans during the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2019™ – new roads and the expansion of Hamad International Airport, which is planned to cater for more than 50 million visitors a year by 2022. “2020 has surely been a challenging year for the entire world, and football was no exception. Despite the difficulties, steady progress was made in the last few months, showing yet again Qatar’s strong and continued commitment – under the leadership of the Amir, whom I personally thank – to hosting an unforgettable FIFA World Cup in two years’ time, which will no doubt build a legacy long beyond 2022,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “Besides the very important labour reforms recently announced by the government, progress has also been made on stadium construction, along with the implementation of strict measures to protect workers’ health. During my short visit to Doha a few weeks ago, I witnessed first-hand how well preparations have advanced, and I am looking forward with confidence to Qatar 2022, for the transformative impact it is already having on the country and the region, for the unique experience it will provide fans from all over the world and, of course, for witnessing the best World Cup ever.” HE Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, added: “We are immensely proud of the progress we have made over the last ten years. Both tournament and national infrastructure projects are well advanced, with everything on track to be completed well ahead of the big kick-off. Our legacy projects, meanwhile, are already having an impact on people’s lives in areas such as workers’ rights, education and entrepreneurship.” “This is an incredibly important FIFA World Cup – for Qatar, the region and the world. Qatar 2022 will introduce billions of people to the Middle East and Arab world for the first time, and help to foster a greater understanding and break down stereotypes that people may have of our country and region. We’re very excited to welcome the world in 2022.” Qatar will host the most compact version of the FIFA World Cup in modern times. All the stadiums are in close proximity to one another and will be linked by an ultra-modern transport infrastructure, meaning short travel times for fans, players and media. Visitors will be able to stay in one location throughout the tournament and will not be required to take any internal flights. The longest distance between stadiums is 75km (Al Bayt to Al Janoub), while the shortest is just 5km (Education City to Al Rayyan). In July, it was confirmed that the opening match would take place at the stunning Al Bayt Stadium, a 60,000 capacity venue designed to resemble a traditional tent used in the Arab world. The final will be staged at the 80,000-capacity Lusail Stadium on 18 December 2022 – Qatar National Day, which is a public holiday.

Mumbai, December 17, 2020: IndusInd Bank in partnership with Mastercard announced the launch of its first metal credit card - ‘PIONEER Heritage’ for the Bank’s ultra-high net worth segment of customers. Equipped with best-in-class features & privileges across an array of categories like travel, wellness, lifestyle among others, the all-new credit card has been specially curated to match the requirements of affluent Indian professionals and entrepreneurs. It is also part of the ‘World Elite’ platform by Mastercard comprising privileges that complement the lifestyle of the discerning few. The ‘World Elite’ platform is Mastercard’s signature global program that offers the choicest benefits to HNI cardholders across their passion points. With the launch of the ‘Pioneer Heritage Credit Card’, IndusInd Bank has joined the ranks with few other banks globally, that offer a credit card which has been exquisitely crafted with metal. Speaking on the launch of the new card, Mr. Samir Dewan, Head - Affluent Banking, IndusInd Bank said, “At IndusInd Bank, we believe that it is important to anticipate our customers’ needs, and curate the most rewarding experiences for them. With the launch of the PIONEER Heritage Credit Card, we are strengthening as well as broadening our card proposition for the PIONEER banking customers, providing them access to world class services by leveraging on our wide network and relationships. We believe, the new credit card is a compelling proposition that offers best-in-class privileges and indulgences across travel, wellness, lifestyle and luxury categories, thereby offering our wealth customers with an unmatched banking experience.” Commenting on the launch, Mr. Aman Ahuja, Vice President, Product and Innovation, South Asia, Mastercard said “Mastercard is pleased to partner with IndusInd Bank for the launch of our very first metal credit card ‘PIONEER Heritage’. India has over a million millionaires, and the number is growing by 12-13% every year. These High-Net-Worth-Individuals (HNWIs) exhibit an increasing demand for services, experiences, and differentiated products. Mastercard is committed to bringing customized experiences to this elite, affluent segment. This metal credit card is specially designed to offer Priceless moments to the ultra-high net worth segment of customers to meet their diverse preferences with meticulously customized offerings. This card offers a combination of niche banking solutions and carefully curated lifestyle privileges.” Key benefits of the ‘IndusInd Bank Pioneer Heritage Credit Card’ include: Travel: Unlimited complimentary access to participating international and domestic airport lounges Financial: Waiver on card annual fee if the cardholder meets the minimum spends criteria of INR 10,00,000 or more (combined spends of Primary and all Add-on Cards, if any) during the period Lifetime waiver of late payment charges, cash advance fee as well as over limit fee Lifestyle: Unlimited complimentary golf games and lessons at select golf courses in India 4 complimentary movie tickets per quarter as well as 20% discount on events on bookmyshow.com Complimentary membership for the card holder and his/her spouse to the Club ITC Culinaire Insurance: Complimentary personal air accident cover of Rs. 2.5 crores Insurance cover for a sum up to the credit limit on the card Lost baggage insurance of Rs.1,00,000 Loss of travel document insurance of Rs. 75,000 To apply for the ‘IndusInd Bank Pioneer Heritage Credit Card’, one can visit any of the existing IndusInd Bank PIONEER lounges or can also contact their PIONEER relationship manger. More information on this credit card is available on < https://bank.indusind.com/pioneer/personal-banking/cards/pioneer-heritgae-credit-card.html >

UAE-headquartered TIME Hotels Management has officially taken over the management of the Onyx Hotel Apartments in Al Qusais, Dubai, its fifth property in Dubai and its seventh in the UAE. TIME Hotels took over day-to-day operations of the rebranded TIME Onyx Hotel Apartments Al Qusais on Saturday (12th December) following an official handover ceremony, which was attended by Mohamed Awadalla, CEO, TIME Hotels and Ali Mohammad Obaid Al Qutami Al Suwaidi, Managing Director, Jams HR Solutions. Commenting, TIME Hotels CEO, Mohamed Awadalla, said: “This latest management acquisition, further reinforces our steady and focused growth strategy to expand our footprint in the UAE responsibly. The UAE hospitality sector has grown steadily in confidence, since the initial COVID-19 lockdown in April and now that vaccines are ready to be rolled out, I am very optimistic that our industry will rebound in 2021, especially during the build up to Expo 2020.” Conveniently located near Dubai’s commercial district, airport and an array of tourist attractions and major shopping destinations, TIME Onyx Hotel Apartments, Al Qusais, comprises 176 elegantly furnished apartments, including 42 studios, 99 one-bedroom apartments and 35 two-bedroom apartments. The property features Foodio, an all-day dining restaurant, Bites Café, a business centre, prayer room and a gift shop. Guests also have access to a temperature-controlled roof-top swimming pool, kids’ pool, jacuzzi and a fully equipped 24-hour gym. For those looking for total relaxation, guests can indulge in a ladies or gents sauna and steam room. For business executives, there is a business centre and a multi-purpose meeting room capable of accommodating 30 people. “TIME Onyx Hotel Apartment has been classified as a Deluxe Hotel Apartment and due to our location and our facilities, we are ideally suited for both corporate and leisure guests, whether it’s a short family weekend break, or an executive looking for a base, while making lengthy business trips, or working on local projects,” said Karim Ellecy, General Manager. For more information, please log onto http://www.timehotels.ae/.

9 December 2020: Festive season calls for heartfelt gifting. This year choose chocolates and coffee from artisanal India brands to express love and gratitude to loved ones. Artisanal chocolates from Colocal Launched in October 2020, Colocal is an artisanal chocolate brand with a flagship chocolate factory and casual dining cafe at Dhan Mill in Delhi. The Indian brand is now popular for it’s handcrafted dark chocolates made with pure cacao, cocoa butter, and raw cane sugar. The brand does not use any preservatives or artificial flavourings in its chocolate bars. Colocal dark chocolate inclusion bars are available in 55%, 66%, 72%, and 85% dark variants. Flavours available are caramel, sea salt, and nuts. Price starts at INR 250 per bar. To place orders call +91 93105 24620. Specialty Indian-origin coffee from Roastery Coffee Roastery Coffee is amongst the best specialty coffee roasters in India, with cafes in Hyderabad and Kolkata. Roastery Coffee brings fresh, seasonal coffee sourced from handpicked coffee farms across Southern India. It is one of the finest brands of artisanal coffee in the country today. Choose from a variety of specialty coffee for gifting this season to let your loved ones enjoy a pleasurable home brewing experience. The range includes Harley Estate Grapa, Black Honey (Balur Estate), Monsoon Malabar, Thogarihunkal Estate Honey Sundried Coffee, Carbonic Maceration (Harley Estate), to name a few. Apart from coffee beans, one can also buy coffee sachets and equipment from Roastery Coffee. Roastery coffee beans are available in packaging of 250gms, 500gms and 1kg. Price starts at INR 375 onwards. To place online orders visit www.roasterycoffee.co.in

The iconic resort is one of the first properties in the world to earn Sharecare Health Security Verified® Badge with Forbes Travel Guide DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (9th December 2020) – Atlantis, The Palm is today announced as one of only 30 hotels across the globe to earn the prestigious Sharecare VERIFIED® health security certification by meeting more than 360 global health security standards. Described as the “Michelin Guide equivalent for post-pandemic hotel safety standards,” Sharecare and the Forbes Travel Guide partnered on the Sharecare Health Security VERIFIED® to evaluate and confirm individual hotel’s cleaning regimen. With savvy travellers today looking for health and safety standards that go beyond the realms of “hygiene theatre,” full transparency and an ongoing commitment to their wellbeing are key. Which is why digital health company Sharecare, along with Forbes Travel Guide, strive to be the hotel industry’s go-to cleaning verification programme. Atlantis, The Palm is the first hotel in the Middle East, and one of the first worldwide to achieve this status by sharing an extensive and consistent approach to health and safety. Representing the iconic destination’s ongoing dedication to restore confidence with guests and travel planners in the age of COVID-19 and beyond, Atlantis, The Palm has signed up to health security software that requires leaders to verify their property’s health protocols on a regular basis in more than 360 standards. The cutting-edge software includes an artificial intelligence chatbot which walks leaders through a verification process that includes cleaning standards, procedures and products, social distancing measures, ventilation and air-handling equipment, and health safety communication with employees and guests. The comprehensive facility assessment also covers health and hygiene protocols, physical distancing, and compliance and accountability to give guests the peace of mind that the resort is adhering to global best practices for their safety and comfort. “In the new normal, wellbeing is going to be at the forefront,” said Sharecare CEO Jeff Arnold. “The next layer is this new expectation that’s being shaped: Where I stay, work, and play – is it safe?” Other hotels in the inaugural group include Boston Harbour Hotel (Boston); Nüwa Manila at City of Dreams (Manila, Philippines); Montage Los Cabos (Cabo San Lucas, Mexico); The Hazelton Hotel (Toronto); and Salamander Resort & Spa (Middleburg, Virginia). “In light of the pandemic – and with the wellbeing of our guests and colleagues always our number one priority – it has been Atlantis, The Palm’s prerogative to re-define and elevate safety and hygiene protocols. Being the first hotel in the Middle East, and one of the first worldwide to receive the Sharecare verification seal of approval, is testament to our commitment to making each and every one of our guests feel safe and secure, and we will continue to evolve to meet revised health and safety challenges and expectations,” said Marius Van Deventer, Director, Health & Safety, Atlantis Dubai. For more information about Atlantis, The Palm’s health and safety protocols please visit https://www.atlantis.com/dubai/about/covid-19-update. For bookings and the latest offers please go to https://www.atlantis.com/dubai/special-offers.

Arabian Travel Market (ATM), is expecting a huge influx of exhibitors and visitors from Israel and further afield, wanting to take full advantage of Israel’s participation in its first major travel event in the Middle East. ATM, which has already announced that the 2021 edition of its annual showcase, will take place live at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) on Sunday 16 to Wednesday 19 May, has witnessed a massive spike, not only in enquiries from Israel, but from travel companies around the world that specialise in tours to that region. “Following the signing of the Israel–United Arab Emirates normalisation agreement, the Israel Ministry of Tourism is planning significant steps to promote Israel as a tourism destination in the UAE. This will include participating for the first time in the Arabian Travel Market with a large booth and a delegation of Israel tourism industry representatives, as well as attending high level conference sessions," said Ksenia Kobiakov, Director of New Markets Development Department, Israel Ministry of Tourism. Putting that into context, according to the Dubai Government’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), in 2019, 8.6 million international trips were made by Israelis, a 9% CAGR over the past five years. The prospective length of stay by 2022 is forecast to be 11.5 nights indicating a willingness to embark on longer trips with business and leisure visitors making up 53% of the total outbound market. Currently Poland, France and other European destinations dominate, but Turkey and Egypt are top five destinations, showing potential interest in MENA destinations. “The interest shown by the Israeli Ministry of Tourism as well as other travel professionals based in Israel and international operators specialising in tours to Israel, has been extraordinary. This is a brand new market for both inbound and outbound operators and will provide a much needed boost to regional and international travel,” said Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market. “However, it is not just about direct travel between Israel and UAE and Bahrain,” she added. “Due to the burgeoning international flight network between El Al, Emirates, flydubai, Etihad and Gulf Air, there will be massive potential for two-centre holidays or stopovers, either during inbound or outbound legs. “Indeed, according to the Israel Ministry of Tourism, 2019 was a record year for tourism and pilgrimage with over 4,550,000 visitors, a 10.6% increase over 2018 and more than 350,000 arrived in December 2019, another record. “In addition, 5.7 million Jews live in the US, with France, Canada, UK and Argentina each having their own significant Jewish communities of 450,000, 392,000, 292,000 and 180,000 respectively. Many will of course make trips to Israel to see relatives and visit religious sites, who can now take advantage of an expanded international flight network,” added Curtis. Now in its 27th year and working in collaboration with DWTC and the DTCM, the theme of the show next year will be ‘A new dawn for travel and tourism’ and in support, a recent Colliers report - MENA Hotel Forecasts, estimates that 2021 will be a year of recovery, based on the assumption that hotel performance across the region is already improving. The health of the travel and tourism industry is key to the region. Prior to the pandemic, the direct contribution of travel and tourism to the Middle East’s GDP was predicted by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), to reach US $133.6 billion by 2028. So, given subdued oil prices and a general economic slowdown due to COVID-19 restrictions, it is clear that the regional economy will be relying on travel and tourism to recover quickly, once a vaccine has been FDA approved and distribution has started. Indeed, recently Emirates announced that its fleet of A380 aircraft could be fully operational by the first quarter of 2022. ATM 2021 will also play an integral role in Arabian Travel Week and for the first time, a new hybrid format will mean a virtual ATM running a week later to complement and reach a wider audience than ever before. ATM Virtual, which made its debut earlier this year after ATM 2020 was postponed, proved to be a resounding success attracting 12,000 online attendees from 140 countries. Other notable features of Arabian Travel Week will include International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) 2021, and Travel Forward, the travel technology vertical. ATM will also be partnering with Arival, which through a series of webinars will cover current and future trends for tour operators and destination managers. Other features will include Buyers Forums dedicated to key source markets including Saudi Arabia, India and China plus a virtual digital influencers’ speed networking session, a hotel summit and a responsible tourism programme. The show will strictly adhere to all DWTC’s stringent health and safety guidelines and will set out to provide a touchless and seamless experience. The team at DWTC has also implemented a range of measures including an enhanced cleaning regime, improved air circulation, multiple hand sanitiser stations and temperature checks. ATM, considered by industry professionals as a barometer for the Middle East and North Africa tourism sector, welcomed almost 40,000 people to its 2019 event with representation from 150 countries. With over 100 exhibitors making their debut, ATM 2019 showcased the largest ever exhibition from Asia.

4 December 2020, Jaipur: Lt Gen Alok Kler, PVSM, VSM, GOC-in-C, Southern Western Command, Indian Army, formally released the “Project Naman” - a National initiative of Shree Cement to provide free cement to the families of Armed Forces Personnel martyred in the past twenty years. The release of Naman Project comes as a run up to the Vijay Diwas which is observed each year on 16 December to mark India’s victory in 1971 Bangladesh War and remember the sacrifices of Indian soldiers. Under the Naman scheme, the family or the next of kin (NOK) of a Martyr who died in battle between 1st January 1999 to 1st January 2019 (20 Years), would be provided free cement to build a house on a plot size area of up to 4000 sq ft. The family of a Martyr may procure the cement in person from any of Shree Cement’s manufacturing facilities spread across India. Addressing the house on the launch of ‘Naman’ initiative, Lt Gen Alok Kler, PVSM, VSM, GOC-in-C, Southern Western Command, Indian Army said, “It is a wonderful gesture by Shree Cement to extend their support and solidarity for our veterans, martyrs who have given their lives for the country. This kind of recognition is rare and unique. This initiative in true sense has cemented a place for the company in the annals of the army history for the welfare for our martyrs and I sincerely hope that other large industries take a page out of this book and look towards the army and especially the people who have laid down their lives for the human service while forgetting their families.” He further said that there is a lot more that needs to be done for the army and our soldiers who have laid down their lives in their line of duty and other corporates should also come forward for the welfare cause in the same lines. “Since cement is the most vital input for building a house, we felt that the Naman scheme would be extremely helpful towards meeting the housing needs of the families of Martyrs. It is a great honour for us to make a humble contribution to the families of our soldiers who rose above the call of service and laid their lives for the motherland. We salute the Martyrs of our nation. I take this opportunity to thank Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh Ji for his guidance and support in implementing the scheme,” said Mr Prashant Bangur, Joint Managing Director, Shree Cement Ltd. The scheme would be implemented in association with Kendriya Sainik Board and executed by the Rajya Sainik Boards (RSBs) and Zilla Sainik Boards (ZSBs), Ministry of Defence, Government of India. Smt Sunita Devi and Smt Sudesh, family members of martyrs, were among the first beneficiaries of Naman to be handed over Naman cement release order by the GOC-in-C in the presence of Mr Sanjay Mehta, President (Commercial) & Chief Happiness Officer and Mr Arvind Khicha, Jt President (Commercial), of Shree Cement Ltd.

The Bheemili Resort managed by Accor hosted a group of Harley Davidson bikers for a rejuvenating pit stop at their wellness retreat property. The group of riders who are on a road trip to Kolkata received a warm welcome with a specially curated motorcycle themed High Tea, followed by an entertaining event where the bikers’ displayed their riding skills in their beautiful lawn arena. For a specialized experience, the culinary team curated Harley Davidson themed delicacies for the guests to savor. The guests deeply enjoyed their stay amidst the calming vibe of the property after an adventurous road trip. The team at the Bheemili resort was elated to host the riders and to extend the cheer of Novotel’s warm hospitality.

As 63% Indians pledge to not take travel for granted in the future, here are five emerging trip types that will redefine the dimensions of travel in 2021 Five emerging trip types for 2021 are: ● Solace in Solo: 54% of Indian travellers say they will be planning a solo trip in the future, a 3X jump from last year when only 18% of Indian travellers preferred a solo trip ● Breakaway Bubbles: 67% of Indian travellers plan to use future travel as an opportunity to reconnect with loved ones ● Weekend Wonders: 59% of Indian travellers want to take more shorter breaks in 2021 than they did in 2019 ● Relaxury: 47% of Indian travellers planning a relaxing trip to get away from it all, making relaxation the real luxury of 2021 ● Food for Thought: 38% of Indian travellers are keen to taste and indulge in local cuisine while travelling Mumbai, November 30, 2020: The global pandemic turned travellers’ plans upside down in 2020. Looking ahead at 2021, the impact of the pandemic is changing not just our choice of destination but also the type of trips we’re most likely to take in the coming year. New research from Booking.com, the world’s digital travel leader reveals the five emerging trip types for 2021 to motivate and inspire travellers to take a trip (or five) to best fit their newfound travel preference. 1. Solace in Solo The solo travel trend is likely to gather even greater momentum, as travel was stymied by the pandemic, which will likely nudge them to take the plunge to travel on their own in 2021. Booking.com data pre-pandemic saw only 18%* of Indian travellers planning a trip on their own, while 54%** of Indian travellers now say they will be planning a solo trip in the future. With 49%** of Indian travellers saying they would want to travel more in the future to make up for travel time lost in 2020, this mentality is no doubt encouraging travellers to plan a solo trip of a lifetime, to get back out in the world! 2. Breakaway Bubbles In 2020, most travellers have had extended time apart from friends and family. For many it appears that distance has made the heart grow fonder as 67%** of Indian travellers plan to use future travel as an opportunity to reconnect with loved ones. In fact, while being apart, 49%** of Indian travellers have revealed that talking to friends and family about travelling is one of their main inspirations to travel again. 3. Weekend Wonders With many travellers feeling apprehensive that future travel plans could be disrupted again, there will be an increased demand for a quick trip as 59%** of Indian travellers would want to take more shorter breaks in 2021 than they did in 2019 to minimize any disappointment. A further 35%** Indians travellers also revealed their preference of a weekend break for their first trip once restrictions are lifted, showing travellers’ desires to be able to escape reality, even for just a few days. 4. Relaxury The unexpected halt of travel plans for most travellers has meant that just being able to travel at all is a luxury, in fact, 63%** of Indian travellers have pledged to not take travel for granted in the future. So while research shows that travellers still have a high intention to travel again, only 14%** of Indian travellers are now actually planning a luxury getaway (such as a villa, 5-star hotel), with 47%** of Indian travellers planning a relaxing trip to get away from it all, making relaxation the real luxury of 2021. 5. Food for Thought Travellers’ desire to explore the world has not diminished, but 68% of Indians would still avoid travelling abroad even as travel restrictions are lifted. That is why local travel is a new way of exploring the world, with culinary delights being top of the list. And with taste buds at the ready, 38%** of Indian travellers are keen to taste and indulge in local cuisine while travelling, with 33%** wanting to eat out more often with the money saved from not travelling abroad. Ritu Mehrotra, Country Manager, India, Sri Lanka and Maldives at Booking.com said, “The effect of COVID-19 has and will continue to evolve the way we travel, impacting our choices and decisions in the near future. While travel in 2021 will be different, it is reassuring to see that Indians are still optimistic about its possibilities and have found creative ways to fulfil their wanderlust despite the pandemic. The findings of the Booking.com research and emerging trip types are testament to fact that travel is a vital part of our lives and when the best, and safest, possibilities permit, travellers will confidently take a step forward to chase their travel dreams once again.” To delve deeper into Booking.com’s predictions for the Future of Travel, visit https://www.booking.com/articles/category/future-of-travel.html *Research commissioned by Booking.com and independently conducted among a sample of adults who have taken a trip in the last 12 months/plan to take a trip in the next 12 months. In total 22,000 respondents were polled, including respondents from India. Respondents completed an online survey between 9th August to 28th August 2019. **Research commissioned by Booking.com and conducted among a sample of adults who have travelled for business or leisure in the past 12 months, and must be planning to travel in the next 12 months (if/once travel restrictions are lifted). In total 20,934 respondents across 28 countries were polled, including India. Respondents completed an online survey in July 2020.

Mumbai, November 30, 2020: Thomas Cook (India) Ltd., India’s leading integrated travel services company, along with its Group Company SOTC Travel Ltd., announced the extension of their Assured Safe Travel Program with the launch of a complimentary Doctor on Call 24x7 service, exclusively for their customers. The companies have partnered with Apollo Clinics - a member of the Apollo Hospitals Group, the leader in the Indian healthcare sector, to reassure and assist customers while travelling. The Doctor on Call service is a meaningful initiative to support and reassure customers by addressing their health and medical queries via tele-consultation, by ensuring an effective way to connect with top quality doctors while on holiday. To avail of the exclusive Doctor on Call service (24x7) in association with Apollo Clinics, the customer merely follows 2 simple steps while on holiday: ● Call 1860 500 7788 ● Share your Booking File Number for verification and phone and email id to be contacted by the doctor Post verification, the customer will receive a one-time free consultation call from an Apollo Clinics Doctor within 45 minutes. If required, a prescription will be emailed by the Apollo Clinics Team. Even as travel recovery is being enabled again, the biggest challenge now is the challenge to re-instil confidence and a positive sentiment towards leisure travel in most customers, who remain worried and cautious. As leaders, Thomas Cook & SOTC have taken this challenge head-on and put together a holistic three pronged customer confidence-building program in the form of the “Assured-Insured-Secured” Program that covers every aspect of physical safety as well as mental and financial security to give the customer complete peace of mind. The Assured Safe Travel Program developed and rolled out in association with Apollo Clinics is the most comprehensive set of travel safety protocols in the new normal, encompassing not only internal processes, retail outlets etc., but also every partner and service provider across airlines, local travel service partners, hotels, attractions etc. Insured in partnership with ICICI Lombard & Go Digit General Insurance Limited has customers fully covered with possibly the most comprehensive retail travel insurance program that includes COVID-19 related hospitalization up to sum assured. As part of the Secured aspect, to ensure customer confidence from a money and security point of view, the companies offer flexible date changes, rescheduling, cancellations and even guaranteed, accelerated refunds (subject to certain minimum criteria). The companies also launched the country’s first Safe Holiday Helpline to offer free Holiday expert consultation to help customers navigate the maze of confusing and changing information about state regulations, International travel guidelines, etc, to instil confidence and make the best and safest choice for their travel. Mr. Madhavan Menon, Chairman & Managing Director, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd. said, “As leaders in the travel industry, our teams across Thomas Cook India and SOTC are focused on ensuring the health and safety of our customers and our endeavour is to provide them the confidence to travel. Our Doctor on Call service in association with Apollo Clinics - a member of the Apollo Hospitals Group, is an extension of our Assured Safe Travel Program and yet another step towards reassuring our customers with dedicated and meticulous health care services, should the need arise at any point in time on tour. Through this initiative, combined with our Assured, Insured & Secured program, we seek to cover every aspect of physical safety as well as mental and financial security - to give customers the total peace of mind they deserve when planning a holiday in the new normal.” Mr. Anand Wasker, Chief Operating Officer, Apollo Clinic, said, “We provide all Primary Healthcare services under one roof via Apollo Clinic format and are committed to offering world-class healthcare services to our customers. We are delighted to partner with Thomas Cook and SOTC to offer tele consultation services to customers who are in need while travelling.”

Singapore – To better meet customer expectations in the post-COVID world, Scoot will be launching a new inflight portal,ScootHub, to serveas a one-stop shop for all customerneeds inflight. ScootHub, which can be easilyaccessed from customers’ own mobile devices,will be the first of its kind in the region to offer such diverse functionalities. Launching in phasescommencing December 2020, Scoot customerswill be able to orderfood and beverages from Scoot Café, shop for duty-free items from KrisShop,play games, browse inspirational travel content and more, all from the convenience of their owndevice. This transition from physical to digital inflight menus, duty-free catalogues and magazines reduces surface contact and physical interactions between customers and crew, giving customerspeace of mind about their health and safety on board. This reduced interaction also allows Scoot to resume some inflight services, such as buy-on-board food, which had been temporarily suspended. In ScootHub’s secondphase, from April 2021, customerswill be able to book ground activities and attractions while inflight.They can also sync theirKrisflyer membership to earn or redeem miles when they purchase items via KrisShop or activities and attractions via Pelago, the SIA Group’s new platform for destination inspiration and content. Scoot has a roadmap of additional features to be deployed in subsequent phases. Mr Campbell Wilson, Scoot’s Chief Executive Officer, said, “We know that health and safety are top of customers’ minds these days, and that regulatory requirements have changed the inflight experience. “ScootHub enables us to resume valued services in a safe, low-touch manner, improving customers’ experiences and – through reduction in paper-based collaterals – improving our environmental sustainability too. “Our investment in this portalis part of Scoot’s comprehensive digitalisation programme, both internal and external, which also includes health-focused initiatives such as touchless check- in kiosks and bag-drop facilities, enhanced online and mobile check-in capabilities, and real time information on travel requirements.” Customers can access ScootHub by using their personal mobile devices to scan a QR code on the seatback, or connect to the “ScootHub” network on their mobile devices. When successfully connected, they will be able to access the following features: a) Scoot Café Food and beverages including hot meal combos, snacks, hot drinks, soft drinks and liquors can be ordered, and payment made via credit card*, on this tab. Cabin crew will be alerted via their fulfilment device once orders have been placed, and food will be served within 20 minutes to customers at their seats. b) Scootalogue Previously, inflight duty-free shopping only took place at a specific time during the flight. With ScootHub, customers can browse an extensive range of travel essentials, cosmetics, accessories, as well as exclusive Scoot merchandise in the comfortof their seats and make their purchases any time. Payment can be made via credit card on the portal,and cabin crew will deliverthe purchases to customers. The range of inflight duty-free shopping items available for sale will steadily grow, and by end-June 2021, customers will be able to access KrisShop.com’s full range of items and delivery options. c) What’s On Replacing Scoot’s physical inflight magazines, customers will be able to discover inspirational travel and lifestyle content and, from April 2021 purchase ground attractions and experiences while inflight. For example, if a traveller is flying from Singapore to Melbourne, recommendations on where they can visit or dine in Melbourne will be available for purchase onboard and synced upon arrival, allowing them to immediately head to the attraction or restaurant after clearing immigration. This allows travel and hospitality brands to connect with travellers in more meaningful and mutually beneficial ways, and helps the brands to better understand customers’ spontaneous behaviour and preferences. d) Map Passengers can view the flight’s progress in real time via this live map. By end 2021, travel and hospitality brands can also offer relevant content to travellers through real- time geo-positioning on the map. This means that when passengers access the map, they will be able to see attractions, tours or experiences pinned on the map and they can click on the pinned location to find out more. e) Poll Scoot will obtain customers’ feedback on their inflight experience on the spot, while their experience is still fresh in their minds. Companies may also use this feature for market surveys so that they can better understand customers’ travel habits and consumption patterns, in return for incentives such as free drinks or snacks from the Scoot Café menu for customers who participate. a) Inflight Services Passengers travelling on our Boeing 787 Dreamliners will be able to purchase in-seat power directly on ScootHub to charge their gadgets during the flight. Onboard seat upgrades, currently suspended to facilitate contact tracing, will be enabled in a subsequent phase. b) Games To keep the young and young at heart entertained during their flights, a myriad of games are also available on the portal, ranging from colouring activities and puzzles, to fun-packed adventures and brain teasers. Streamlining existing content offerings and packing new content formats onto a digital platform, it is estimated that Scoot will reduce paper consumption by more than 156 tonnesof paper (equivalent to over 2,000trees), translating to over 13 tonnes of fuel saved and over 41 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions reduced ayear**. * Payment via credit card on the portal is targeted to be available by end-March 2021. In the meantime, payment for food and beverages is to be made by credit card to cabin crew. ** Based on 2019 flight data

The Ministry of Tourism of the Kingdom of Cambodia has the honor and pleasure to inform relevant institutions, tour operators, development partners, media, and the public that due to an unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, which poses a serious impact to tourism industry with an uncertain ending, Cambodia, as the host country, has sought for opinion about the postponement of ATF 2021 to 2022 from ASEAN Secretariat and Member States, especially Indonesian Embassy in Cambodia, and the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of Indonesia as the next host of ATF for the support of the aforementioned postponement. With reference to the letter No. B/PP.O2.00/1138/S/202O dated 21" October 2020 of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of Indonesia, and the letter No. 983 SCN.PT dated ll 'h November 2020 of the Royal Government of Cambodia, the Ministry of tourism of Cambodia is pleased to inform all stakeholders that Cambodia will host the full-fledged ATF in January 2022, which will include Ministerial Meetings, National Tourism Organizations (NTOs) Meetings, other related meetings, TRAVEX, and will be attended by national and international buyers, sellers and media. However, the ministry still organizes the online meetings to endorse some documents as the host country. the confirmed date of the ATF 2022 in Cambodia will be informed in due time. The Kingdom of Cambodia is awaiting all national and international delegates, buyers and sellers, and media to Cambodia — One of the Safest Countries to Visit amid COVID-19 and it is a good opportunity to restart tourism industry together in Cambodia. For further information, please contact the Department of Overseas Tourism Marketing and Promotion by mobile: (+855) 17 938 393 or by email: prakvuthy1983@gmail.com.

86% Indian travellers to take more health and safety related precautions when traveling in the future, based on global research commissioned by Booking.com Mumbai, 24 November 2020: COVID-19 has affected nearly every aspect of our lives, including travel. As travellers start to rediscover the world again, it's not surprising that 86% Indian travellers are planning to take more health and safety related precautions when traveling in the future and 71% Indians opting to avoid certain destinations altogether due to safety concerns as per a Booking.com report. When compared with the global travel trend for avoiding destinations due to safety concerns, India ranked second globally, after Thailand. Road trip ready With a shift in destination preferences, transportation preferences have also changed. 68% of Indians are likely to give public transportation a miss to avoid travelling with a large number of people due to the fear of contracting COVID-19. This is higher than the global average of 46%. Instead, travellers will choose to rent or drive their own car to and around their destination – making 2021 the year of the road trip. Safety first The ‘new normal’ will also see travellers prioritize and adhere to increased health and safety measures, as 78% Indians are happy to travel to destinations where health spot checks on arrival are standard and 81% Indians don’t mind travelling to a destination where it's mandatory to wear a face mask in public. Unsurprisingly, travellers will look to the travel industry for reassurance with 75% Indians expecting travel providers to clearly outline the safety precautions they’re taking and 48% agreeing that a clear display of cleaning and hygiene policies is now a must have. Precautions on top of mind Keeping safety while travelling a priority, 77% of Indian travellers will only book a particular accommodation if it’s clear what health and hygiene policies it has in place, with 79% favoring accommodations that have antibacterial and sanitizing products. The ‘new normal’ will also see travellers prioritize and adhere to increased health and safety measures. Quarantine measures will remain less popular with only 51% of Indian travellers willing to accept these in order to travel to a particular destination. Additionally, Booking.com has introduced its Minimal Cleanliness Score Commitment to support unique accommodation partners as they commit and work to improve and maintain their cleanliness score, as determined by verified guest reviews from travellers who have booked and stayed at the property. Based on ongoing guest feedback, only properties which live up to this cleanliness quality over time will remain available for guests to book, ensuring peace of mind for travellers looking to travel safely. Commenting on the findings of the research, Ritu Mehrotra, Country Manager, India, Sri Lanka and Maldives at Booking.com said, “Health and safety are top priority for travellers wanting to travel once again. Travellers are looking forward to new health and safety measures to avoid COVID-19. In response to a rise in demand from travellers, Booking.com now enables properties to be able to easily display safety measures such as hygiene, sanitisation, social distancing on their property listings, so travellers can have peace of mind when booking their next trip. With over 14 million listings on Booking.com now having implemented health and safety measures globally, including over 700,000 listings in India, we are making it easier for everyone to experience the world, in a way that fits their needs.” To delve deeper into Booking.com’s predictions for the Future of Travel, including Safety Cleans Up, visit https://www.booking.com/articles/safety-cleans-up.html

New Delhi, 24 Nov 2020: After roaring success in Punjab, the popular American eatery, Uncle Jack’s, has today launched its first outlet in the capital city of Delhi. Well known for hearty American fare and with 8+ outlets currently operational across Punjab, Uncle Jack’s is now all set to advance further the brand’s success story with its entry to Delhi. The first Uncle Jack’s outlet in the capital is now open at M Block, Greater Kailash in South Delhi. Commenting on the expansion, Ankush Arora, Founder - Uncle Jack’s India said, ‘Uncle Jack’s was conceived as a simple dream of bringing the best of American food to India. We are overwhelmed with the love we have received in North India over the last 4 years, and are now excited to make a mark in the capital city of India.’ Ankush Arora launched Uncle Jack’s in 2016 in the beautiful city of Chandigarh. The menu offers the best of American food with a fresh take on flavours, style of preparation and quirky presentations. One can sample Hot Dogs straight from the streets of New York, the Waffles from diners, and the oh-so-scrumptious and comforting burgers and pasta, apart from other delectables. They undoubtedly are serving the best fries in the country as their most famous and loved product. The food is interestingly named after historic American personalities. The beverage presentations are an added attraction at Uncle Jack’s. With the Delhi outlet now open and fully functional, Uncle Jack’s is all geared to entice the taste buds of Delhiites. Address: Plot No 22, M Block, Greater Kailash II, New Delhi Contact No.: +91 76969 40115

23 November 2020, Kolkata: Shashi Tharoor’s latest book “The Battle of Belonging” was formally launched at the Prabha Khaitan Foundation’s signature event Kitab by Chief Guest Mr Hamid Ansari, former Vice-President of India, Farooque Abdullah, David Davidar, Pavan K Varma, Makarand Paranjape. Author Shashi Tharoor shared details of his inspiration for writing “The Battle of Belonging”. The online event, organized by Prabha Khaitan Foundation in association with Aleph Book Company and moderated by journalist Karan Thapar. The formal launch was followed by a stimulating discussion and critical appraisal of Shashi Tharoor’s 22nd book which delves into current social, political and cultural issues confronting India. Guests lauded Shashi Tharoor’s latest book but contested some of the core concepts like nationalism, patriotism, civic nationalism, the idea of India and others elaborated in the book. In his book, Tharoor says patriotism and nationalism are different. A patriot is ready to die for his country; a nationalist is ready to kill for his country. Some of the live panellists at Kitab did not agree with this distinction with Pavan K Varma calling it an “intellectual quibble”. Mr Hamid Ansari said, “This is a passionate plea for an idea of India that was taken for granted and is now seemingly endangered by ideologies that seek to segment it on imagined criteria of us and them. I found the essays on identity and patriotism particularly enlightening. The book’s analysis is comprehensive, yet it stops short of suggesting a doable recipe for correcting the shortfalls.” David Davidar of Aleph Book Company, publisher of the book, said, “This book falls in the rarest-of-rare `Indispensable’ category – books you cannot do without.” Shashi Tharoor said, “This book is the culmination of a lifetime’s thoughts, readings and arguments on issues of nationalism and patriotism and intensely personal too. The book was prompted by the rise of a fundamental challenge to the very essence of Indian nationalism. India’s own anti-colonial nationalism converted itself into a `civic nationalism’ encoded in a democratic Constitution and then the conflict over contemporary attempts to convert that into a religious-cultural nationalism. That is the battle of belonging to India and having India belong to you. Those are the principal themes in the book.” Responding to a question from Karan Thapar, Farooque Abdullah said, “Today we are being divided on religion, caste, creed and language. Are we making a strong India or killing the very essence of it! ” Paranjape Marakand, poet and novelist, said, “The idea of India is highly and hotly contested today and the Nehruvian consensus has now probably crumbled to dust. Shashi’s book should open up serious debates but I don’t think India is a country which practices `civic nationalism’. I think ours is `civilisational nationalism’ and is always plural.” Pavan K Varma, on a dissenting note, said, “All religious extremes are bad, including Islamic fundamentalism, which I notice you don’t speak about in your book at all. And if there are sanctuaries for it in any parts of India, I think, they should equally be the focus of your attack so that the book does not appear to be one-sided. I really cannot understand what is a `civic nationalism’ for a country which goes back to the dawn of time and whose civilisational legacy is something we find very difficult to ignore and contributed to any idea of India that we may have recently formed. Why do we need to devise this sanitised notion called civil nationalism which privileges a recent Constitution as it should be but posits it against any unwarranted cultural infusions as though that was the intention of the constitution makers.”

Berlin/Mumbai, 18 November 2020 – Due to the ongoing travel restrictions and the circumstances around the current pandemic situation, ITB India organiser has decided to hold the inaugural ITB India 2021 as an entirely virtual event, set to take place from 7 - 9 April 2021. The new event format provides exhibitors and attendees with both maximum safety and planning certainty. The virtual show welcomes over 400 Indian and Southeast Asian buyers from MICE, Corporate and Leisure sectors. ITB India 2021 Virtual will be hosted on ITB Community in Asia (ITB Community), which is a one of a kind, unrivaled 24/7 experience for trade professionals to forge connections, strike conversations with industry peers and do business all-year-round. "We had high hopes that we could combine a live and a virtual event for the very first ITB India next April. Unfortunately, the travel restrictions in place, and the economic uncertainty resulting from the worldwide pandemic have become too unpredictable to proceed with the show as a hybrid event as originally planned. As much as we would have wished to bring the industry together face-to-face, I firmly believe our highest priority should be the health and safety of our attendees and personnel,” said Katrina Leung, Managing Director of Messe Berlin (Singapore), the organiser of ITB India. Attendees of ITB India 2021 Virtual can expect the following key privileges: Business Matching – Live platform to exchange business contacts and schedule virtual appointments. Delegates can benefit from business appointment via social video and messaging functions. Conference – A robust line-up of key industry speakers with thought-providing insights or showcases of innovative technology and solutions. Supplier Directory – A comprehensive view of all suppliers, such as company profiles, product resources and downloadable articles. On-demand Videos – All attendees of will be entitled to exclusive videos from virtual events or industry contributors. Exhibitors may enjoy early bird discounts on virtual booth packages starting from USD 1,000+, click here to view package summary. Exhibitors, buyers and visitors who are interested in registering or sponsoring ITB India 2021 Virtual event can reach out to info@messe-berlin.asia for more details or visit https://www.itb-india.com/. ITB Community in Asia is now live and open on itb-community.com.

Hamburg, 18.11.2020. According to COTRI ANALYTICS, the quantitative research part of COTRI China Outbound Tourism Research Institute, China will reclaim its top position as main source market for international tourism. Travellers from Mainland China can be expected to be responsible for more than a million border crossings, with the Special Administrative Region Macau as main destination. However, a number of other countries in Asia welcome Chinese visitors again, including Thailand, Laos, Japan, Singapore and others. Chinese citizens within the Schengen region in Europe can also travel between European countries. Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Georg Arlt, CEO of COTRI: “Obviously China is the ‘tallest within a group of dwarfs’ in this development. In November 2019 more than ten million Chinese travelled abroad and other source markets also sent out millions on international business and leisure trips. However, it is important to notice that the often-cited ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ looks very much like a Chinese lantern.” For the whole year of 2020 COTRI ANALYTICS expects a number of 18 million Chinese international trips, most of which however happened in January, representing about 10% of the number for 2019. For 2021 COTRI ANALYTICS forecasts around 100 million international trips of Chinese citizens. Prof. Dr. Arlt: “There are many million Chinese waiting eagerly to travel abroad again. With CoViD-19 almost defeated in East Asia and vaccines hopefully becoming available in a few weeks, we should see a wave of Chinese outbound travellers starting Chinese New Year travelling to Asia and after Easter to Europe. It will take time to get visa regimes and air connections back on track, that’s why we only forecast about 100 million trips in 2021. In 2022 however, we are very likely to see a new record number of outbound trips. China will recover quicker than other source markets and Chinese travellers will look for new, less crowded and friendly destinations offering quality products adopted to their specific demands, which will be different in post-virus times compared to previous years. Destinations and service providers better start now to prepare for these ‘new’ Chinese guests.”

Reed Travel Exhibitions, organiser of Arabian Travel Market (ATM), has announced that the 2021 edition of its annual showcase, will take place live at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) on Sunday 16 to Wednesday 19 May. Now in its 27th year and working in collaboration with DWTC and Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), the theme of the show next year will be ‘A new dawn for travel and tourism’ and the spotlight will be thrown onto the current state of the industry and more importantly, what the future holds. It will also look at the emerging trends and how innovation can drive the industry forward. Supporting ATM’s theme, a recent Colliers report - MENA Hotel Forecasts, estimates that 2021 will be a year of recovery, based on the assumption that hotel performance across the region is already improving. Major destinations such as Dubai and Cairo are leading the way with estimated full year 2021 occupancy levels of 68% and 65% respectively. They were closely followed by Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Jeddah, Muscat and Amman, with average occupancies of 58%, 56%, 51%, 48%, and 45% respectively. Overall, average year-on-year growth of the 20 destinations researched was 47%. The health of the travel and tourism industry is key to the region. Prior to the pandemic, the direct contribution of travel and tourism to the Middle East’s GDP was predicted by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), to reach US $133.6 billion by 2028. So, given subdued oil prices and a general economic slowdown due to COVID-19 restrictions, it is clear that the regional economy will be relying on travel and tourism to recover quickly, once a vaccine has been fully developed and rolled out. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “Last week, Pfizer released the first reading of its Phase-3 trial data for its COVID-19 vaccine, announcing that it was more than 90% effective in preventing the coronavirus, based on interim data analysis. “If approved by the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA), Pfizer estimates it can roll out 50 million doses this year and up to 1.3 billion in 2021, enough to vaccinate almost 675 million people. So, we are confident that by May next year, we will be on the threshold of a new dawn for our industry.” ATM 2021 will also play an integral role in Arabian Travel Week and for the first time, a new hybrid format will mean a virtual ATM running a week later to complement and reach a wider audience than ever before. ATM Virtual, which made its debut earlier this year after ATM 2020 was postponed, proved to be a resounding success attracting 12,000 online attendees from 140 countries. In total, the event facilitated 11,301 prescheduled one-to-one meetings and 23 live video sessions including Q&As and polls which ran alongside the presentations to enable audience interaction. Overall, the webinars had more than 24,000 views over the course of three days. “It is imperative that we include a virtual element to Arabian Travel Week because many industry professionals from around the world, cannot attend the live event in person every year. It would also be naïve of us to imagine that governments throughout the world will relax their travel restrictions, to the same degree, at the same time and of course reopening airports and flight routes will also vary by country,” said Curtis. Other notable features of Arabian Travel Week will include International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) 2021, and Travel Forward, the travel technology vertical. ATM will also be partnering with Arival, which through a series of webinars will cover current and future trends for tour operators and destination managers. Other features will include Buyers Forums dedicated to key source markets including Saudi Arabia, India and China plus a virtual digital influencers’ speed networking session, a hotel summit and a responsible tourism programme. The show will strictly adhere to all DWTC’s stringent health and safety guidelines and will set out to provide a touchless and seamless experience. The team at DWTC are working hard to ensure that all events run safely and have implemented a range of measures including an enhanced cleaning regime, improved air circulation, multiple hand sanitiser stations and temperature checks. ATM, considered by industry professionals as a barometer for the Middle East and North Africa tourism sector, welcomed almost 40,000 people to its 2019 event with representation from 150 countries. With over 100 exhibitors making their debut, ATM 2019 showcased the largest ever exhibition from Asia.

The Residence by Cenizaro is recognised for its superlative collection of independent luxury resorts in some of the world’s most desirable locations such as - Bintan, Mauritius, Maldives - Falhumaafushi, Dhigurah, Tunis and Zanzibar. With a brand promise of “Moments Enriched”, these resorts deliver highly immersive environments that reflect each destination distinctly. Every property in the family has a unique personality and sense of place, illustrating global markers of excellence in heartfelt hospitality - with attention to detail and intuitive, personal and bespoke service. Here are the latest festive and new year celebrations offers: THE RESIDENCE MALDIVES AT DHIGURAH Welcome 2021 with your loved ones at The Residence Maldives at Dhigurah, a stunning palm-fringed paradise. Discover the perfect island hideaway with uninterrupted sea views, in a beautiful garden setting, or floating atop the clear turquoise water of the lagoon. All the 173 exquisite private villas at the resort have their own private pool, and are crafted from the finest local materials fusing traditional Maldivian architecture with modern design and luxurious conveniences. Savour international flavours, from Indian Ocean specialties to Mediterranean tapas and contemporary Cantonese cuisine. The resort has Maldives’ only exclusive Spa by Clarins wellness retreat, nestled in lush tropical gardens that promises a journey to blissful wellbeing. November – December Mega Sale 11.11 Mega Offer: This limited period offer is valid on bookings made from now till 19 November 2020. Guests can save up to 50% on best available rates, enjoy added perks like - complimentary room upgrade, complimentary domestic flight and speedboat return transfers (minimum stay of 4 nights or more), and Full Board upgrade to Standard All Inclusive meal plan. Stay validity till 31st December 2021. 27.11 Black Friday Offer: This limited period offer is valid on bookings made from 21 November to 04 December 2020. Guests can save up to 60% on best available rates, enjoy added perks like - complimentary room upgrade, complimentary domestic flight and speedboat return transfers (minimum stay of 4 nights or more), and Full Board upgrade to Standard All Inclusive meal plan. Stay validity till 31st December 2021. December Celebrations Festive Celebrations Offer provides a wide range of experiences, varied on-site entertainment and festive activities (minimum stay of 4 nights or more, from 23 December 2020 to 2 January 2021). This package includes 50% off Best Available Rates with daily breakfast, Complimentary domestic flight and speedboat return transfers, and additional perks such as - Complimentary Sunrise & Sunset Yoga sessions at the Spa by Clarins, non-motorised water sports daily (kayak and stand-up paddle), 30-minute guided house reef snorkelling (three times a week) and more. The theme for this year’s festive programme is ‘Nature Through Dhigurah’ (23rd December 2020 to 2nd January 2021), where the resort takes inspiration from the lush vegetation on the island to celebrate the days leading up to the New Year. The programme encourages guests to reconnect with Mother Nature and the team has designed activities for families and couples to enjoy in and around the resort. THE RESIDENCE BINTAN Usher the New Year with your family, companion or closed circle of friends at The Residence Bintan, nestled amid nature’s splendour with sweeping views across a calm bay. Luxuriate in the abundance of space and the closeness of nature at this idyllic retreat that combines the rural charm of a traditional Asian village with a luxurious modern twist. Discover this divine island abode among 127 terraces and villas that invite you to unwind in profound comfort and relaxation, overlooking lush gardens and the tranquil bay. Indulge your senses with a walk in the bountiful herb and vegetable garden – Earth Basket, savouring the mouth-watering epicurean creations crafted from its fresh, organic produce. Rebalance mind, body and soul with invigorating and pampering rituals by renowned British spa brand ila. New Year Celebrations Festive Getaways Offer provides a well-deserved break for families or couples to celebrate with sumptuous festive feasts and merry entertainment highlights. The New Year’s Eve programme has been designed to delight the senses and create a magical journey to remember. Packed with a culinary showcase of world cuisine, cultural spectacle with traditional dance and live music, Local Arts & Sustainability Show and a spectacular fireworks display! Plan ahead and enjoy 10% off the Festive Getaways package.

Seven in ten Indian travelers agree they won’t be comfortable traveling until a Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine or treatment is in place (71%) WANDERMUST Over three in five travelers are excited about traveling again after lockdowns (63%) The same amount are more appreciative of travel and will likewise not take it for granted in the future (63%) Travelers also report that they plan to take a similar number of trips in the 12 months after travel restrictions are lifted in their country as they did in the year pre-pandemic: Our time at home has made us crave the world outside more than ever: 65% of travelers have a heightened desire to see even more of the world 49% want to travel more in the future to make up for time lost in 2020 50% will plan a trip to make up for a milestone celebration missed due to Coronavirus 54% intend to rebook a trip they had to cancel

Bengaluru, 11th November 2020: Digit Insurance, on a mission to make insurance simple in India, offers its common carrier insurance covering flight delay service for domestic passengers under ‘Common Carrier Delay Cover.’ To avail this service, passengers need to pay a nominal fee of INR 49 through Digit’s official website. Any passenger, except an infant, can avail of this insurance cover. Digit Insurance’s ‘Common Carrier Delay Cover’ compensates passengers facing flight delays for more than 90/120 minutes during Summers / Winters respectively with fixed benefits. In case of delayed flights, passengers with this cover will automatically get their claim registered from Digit. They would need to just upload the details of their boarding pass and share their bank details. The money will automatically then get credited to customers’ account. Vivek Chaturvedi, Chief Marketing Officer, Digit Insurance, said, “We have unfolded this unique offering to enable customers to have a stress-free trip. This is in line with our mission of offering simple and relevant products to our customers enabled through latest technologies. Offering this product now is essential in its intent as we see revival in domestic travel. This product aims to address the problems that customers have to go through due to flight delays through a frictionless process.” This cover is applicable only for a single flight. In case customers would like to protect their complete round trip, they should get a cover for flight delay for each onward and return flight. In case the airline has been responsible and has informed the customer about the flight delay at least six hours in advance, then he/she will not be eligible for the flight delay compensation. For more details of the policy, customers can visit the website of Digit Insurance: https://www.godigit.com/domestic-travel-insurance/flight-delay

New Delhi, 5 Nov 2020: COLOCAL, an artisanal chocolate brand, launches its flagship in Delhi at Dhan Mill, Chhattarpur. COLOCAL is a bean-to-bar concept and features a chocolate factory along with casual café dining. Conceptualized by power-couple Sheetal Saxena and Nishant Kumar Sinha, COLOCAL is a result of their love and passion for chocolate and coffee. COLOCAL aims to redefine the chocolate indulgence experience in the capital. The location, Dhan Mill at Chhatarpur, serves as the perfect backdrop with its charming, luxurious and niche vibe, dotted with couture fashion houses, cafes, high-end brands, creative studios and a lot more intriguing outlets to explore. Commenting on the launch, Sheetal Saxena, Co-Founder, COLOCAL, says, “The launch of COLOCAL is a dream come true for us. When we started working on this project, everyone said it requires a skill set and formal knowledge to be able to understand it. However, we broke this barrier and learned that all we need is sheer passion and dedication to succeed at anything. All our team members are from a village, adopted and trained by us, they were unschooled before about the nitty-gritty and details. They make the most amazing chocolate with all the love, care and precision. Brand COLOCAL is artisanal, sustainable, zero waste, passion-driven and approachable. Our objective is to educate people about chocolate and create a “bean to bar” market for them to explore the whole process and technique of making chocolates. Our ideal audience is inquisitive, experimental, chocolate lover, coffee lover and a foodie.” The concept is based on strategically sourcing locally grown cacao and transforming it into the finest, skillfully blended chocolate available for all the chocoholics out there in every possible form. The idea behind the brand is to introduce people to the craft chocolate world, where they get to taste the real chocolate with their varied notes, made out of premium quality Indian beans. The process of making craft chocolates is often seen as the most complex and layered product to work with. The whole process from bean-to-bar is an extensive and far-flung activity, involving a lot of steps before the final bar is produced. The brand sources the Cacao from Tamil Nadu and Kerala, the two regions where the best quality cacao is grown in India. Once the beans are plucked from the Cacao tree, they are then taken for fermentation at a high temperature to get the right profile. After fermentation, the beans are left for 3-4 days to dry completely before the process of roasting starts. Roasting is the most important yet momentous part of the entire process. It brings out the desired notes, taste, colour and texture of the cacao beans. Once the beans cool down, they are cracked open and separated. Then the Cacao nibs are crushed and sugar is added to make the final chocolate bars. After the Cacao nibs are crushed and made into chocolate liquor, they are further conched to remove the acidic acids from the bar for a better after-taste. Tempering is the final step and this is what decides the final finish look and taste of the chocolate. All chocolates are tempered at different temperatures and are packaged and distributed around the world. The entire process of making a bar out of roasted cacao beans takes up to 72 hours. The menu at COLOCAL is handpicked and assorted with a mix of Italian and Continental fare such as Sourdough Pizzas, handmade Pastas, scrumptious burgers and sandwiches, not to forget the most popular and celebrated Roastery Coffee House coffee beverage menu. It also incorporates delectable drinks and food menu made using the in-house chocolates like hot chocolate, cold chocolate, cacao cold brew, to name a few. COLOCAL also offers baked goods and bakery items overwhelmingly revolving around chocolates. The appetizing desserts include Chocolate Soufflé, Chocolate Tart, Cakes, Chocolate Babka, Sourdough, Croissant, Pain au chocolat, amongst many more intriguing treats. The avant-garde COLOCAL is an extension of Sheetal and Nishant’s individual gifted personaly. The vibe of the place is unadorned, casual, chic and homely, where guests can feel completely at ease. The exquisite interiors are primarily in white and yellow, which create a warm and welcoming ambience for the visitors. The brand identity of COCOCAL is very compelling, as it reflects a whole and a cross-section of a Cacao pod, showcasing chocolate in its rawest form. COLOCAL is all about a riveting experience which is smart, casual, warm, welcoming, approachable and truly artisanal. Come and brace yourself for an enticing chocolate indulgence only at COLOCAL!

November 5, 2020 (Washington, D.C.) — Planet Word, a revolutionary museum dedicated to the power, beauty, and fun of language and to showing how words shape the human experience, opened its doors to the public. Housed in Washington, D.C.’s historic Franklin School, Planet Word is the world’s first voice-activated museum, featuring immersive galleries and exhibits that will engage visitors of all ages in experiencing words and language from a wide range of perspectives. General admission is free. Founded on the belief that literacy is fundamental to the health of democracy, Planet Word aims to inspire and renew a love of words, language, and reading. Appreciation for the power of language fosters empathy and encourages civil discourse. By engaging people of all ages with language, Planet Word encourages visitors to both fall in love with the joy and whimsy of words and understand how vital they are to American society and to our world. “I am so thrilled to open Planet Word’s doors to the public and cannot imagine a more fitting time for a museum of language to open in our nation’s capital,” said Planet Word founder and CEO Ann Friedman. “Democracy depends on literate citizens. I hope that Planet Word can provide a forum for civil discourse and a place where our community, in all its vibrant diversity, can gather to share the words that bridge differences and forge solutions.” The museum held a mostly virtual ceremony to commemorate its public opening. This event featured remarks by District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser and Planet Word founder Ann Friedman. It also included remarks by writer and actress Anna Deavere Smith and a performance by spoken word artist Charity Blackwell, as well as a musical performance from Renee Fleming, a freestyle hip hop performance from rapper Christylez Bacon, and a poetic dedication written for the occasion by Naomi Shihab Nye. Planet Word supporters including former President Barack Obama, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the Grammy-winning musician Paul Simon also made surprise virtual appearances. Planet Word is the world’s first major museum taking a high-tech approach to bringing language to life. It features ten immersive learning galleries designed by exhibit design firm Local Projects which use technology in imaginative, ingenious ways to reimagine the modern museum experience. Among the museum’s voice-activated exhibits is “Where Do Words Come From?”,a 22-foot-tall talking word wall that shares the story of the English language through a conversation with visitors and extraordinary light effects. Other highlights include an acoustically-sealed room where visitors use a teleprompter to deliver one of eight historically significant speeches; a karaoke lounge where music lovers will learn secrets of great songwriting; and a secret poetry nook hidden in the stacks of a magical library. In other galleries, visitors can create an advertising campaign, literally paint with words using “smart” paint brushes, and converse with native speakers of widely spoken and endangered languages. The gift shop was designed by Nate Berkus, the well-known interior designer, author, and television personality. In the spring, Planet Word looks forward to welcoming the buzzworthy, cause-casual eatery, Immigrant Food, as its restaurant partner – to be housed at the museum. Immigrant Food, whose values and mission align closely with Planet Word, opened its flagship location right next to the White House in 2019 to rave reviews. In the newly created courtyard entrance of the museum, Speaking Willow – the first permanent installation in D.C. by renowned contemporary artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer – provides an immersive language experience for visitors upon arrival at Planet Word. The metal sculpture, resembling a weeping willow, plays voice recordings from hundreds of different languages as visitors pass underneath its branches. The interactive sound-and-light sculpture features 364 individual speakers and 3.6 miles of ethernet cable and was commissioned by Ann and Tom Friedman in partnership with New York’s Public Art Fund. Planet Word builds on the long history of innovation at the Franklin School, a National Historic Landmark building and the site of both one of the city's first public schools and the world’s first wireless voice transmission, a feat achieved by Alexander Graham Bell in 1880. In the past two years, the building has undergone a major restoration and rehabilitation, funded by Ms. Friedman, and led by the architecture firm Beyer Blinder Belle in partnership with general contractor Whiting-Turner. The project included the restoration of the soaring Great Hall – the building’s architectural centerpiece – and replication of its original frescos; the two grand staircases with ornate railings and original ceramic tile treads have been restored to their former grandeur. To learn more about the significance of Planet Word’s home in the Franklin School, visit PlanetWordMuseum.org/Franklin-School. “Planet Word, much like Washington, D.C., is all about celebrating art, creativity, and innovation,” said Mayor Bowser. “This beautiful museum has found the perfect home in Downtown DC at the former Franklin School, where children and families alike will enjoy a one- of-a-kind cultural and educational experience. Thank you to Ann Friedman and my team at the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development for bringing this national historic landmark back to life.” Planet Word previously announced a multifaceted partnership with Shared Studios, a global collective that creates meaningful human connections between people separated by distance and difference through transformative conversations in both immersive and virtual environments. The museum is home to one of Shared_Studios’ Portals, which is outfitted with immersive AV technology that enables visitors to converse and interact with people from around the world as if in the same room. Visitors to the Planet Word Portal will make live connections with others across the globe – and in doing so discover the richness of languages and how words shape our lives, our decisions, and our relationships. Planet Word and Shared Studios’ DIVERCITIES initiative – a program that explores the commonalities and the uniqueness of languages in cities and cultures across the world – launched online in September. Each month, through moderated conversations with comedians, poets, artists, journalists, educators, and activists, DIVERCITIES will connect D.C. locals with peers in cities in the Portal network, including Lagos, Erbil, Milwaukee, Mexico City, Berlin, and Dallas. For more information about this initiative and other Planet Word programming, visit PlanetWordMuseum.org/Events. Since breaking ground in June 2018, Planet Word has met its initial $20 million fundraising goal to cover the creation of the museum’s exhibits, experiences, and start-up operating costs. Planet Word’s generous donors include AT&T, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Carolyn Bucksbaum, the Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation, Ann and John Doerr, Microsoft Corporation, and Christine and Stephen A. Schwarzman. The rehabilitation and restoration of the Franklin School as a home for the museum was funded and overseen by Ms. Friedman. Planet Word will be open Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is free, with a suggested donation to support the museum’s mission-driven programs, exhibits, and educational outreach. Due to Covid-19, the museum has instated a number of safety procedures, including limiting capacity in the building to support social distancing. Planet Word recommends visitors reserve timed passes online in advance of their visit; a limited number of passes may be available for walk-ups on a first-come, first-served basis. Masks are mandatory for all visitors over the age of two. Stylus pens compatible with the museum’s interactive exhibits will be available to avoid the need for visitors to touch surfaces, and hand sanitizing stations are located throughout the museum. To register for tickets and review visitor guidelines, visit PlanetWordMuseum.org/Plan-Your-Visit.

New Delhi, 5th November, 2020: The latest entrant in the Indian luxury hotel space, The Postcard Hotel walks away with multiple honours at The World Travel Awards, 2020. The Postcard Dewa, Thimphu has been voted as ‘Asia’s Leading Luxury Boutique Hotel’ and ‘Bhutan’s Leading Boutique Hotel’, The Postcard Cuelim, South Goa has been voted as ‘India’s Leading Boutique Hotel’ and ‘Goa’s Leading Boutique Hotel’ and The Postcard Velha, Old Goa has been voted as ‘India’s Best Wellness Retreat’. In just a year of being operational, the brand has managed to make a mark for itself amongst the top luxury hotels in Asia. Kapil Chopra and a team of experienced hospitality professionals founded The Postcard Hotel with a vision to open experiential luxury hotels in unique destinations. The immersive hospitality and its unconventional and fluid nature is what truly sets the brand apart. No set breakfast hours, personalised exclusive dining, cocktails on arrival and the flexibility of anytime check-in and check-out are some of the unique offerings that have contributed to the vast recognition and appreciation of the brand. “Evolving rapidly and staying positive in this new environment was the need of the hour. While our hotels continued to provide the highest levels of service and genuine care for our guests, enhancing the procedures and protocols for safety of our guests and team became our priority. Additionally, to ensure that they feel safe and reassured, The One Key Hotel was introduced.” says Chopra. The ‘One Key’ access is a unique service that allows guests to book the entire hotel for themselves, during which the property is completely closed off to non-residential guests with a complete sanitisation of the premises including the pool prior to arrival. The boutique nature of The Postcard properties and their polished safety and service standards is what contributed to their success post opening after the nationwide lockdown this year. With limited inventory and plenty of outdoor spaces, social distancing is naturally inbuilt in the way the hotels are designed, with enough space for each guest to feel secluded and enjoy their own private experiences. This has led to possibly the biggest success story globally for any brand with revenue for the current year already exceeding last year’s - buoyed by an increased occupancy and high average room rates. Each hotel by The Postcard offers unique experiences that are true to its surroundings, giving guests a sense of the neighbourhood and the destination in a way never seen before. The Postcard Cuelim, is a 350 year old restored estate located in South Goa. This six room hotel overlooking 3500 acres of lush green paddy fields seamlessly blends in with Goa’s rich culture and tropical radiance, providing the experience of seclusion and disconnect. The Postcard Dewa, Thimphu is nestled in a forest on the outskirts of Bhutan’s capital city. The newly built hotel with 15 suites and a minimum room size of 995 square feet is located with a spectacular hilltop view of the Thimphu valley and surrounding forests. Just a 20-minute drive from Thimphu city’s sights and sounds, the hotel aims to provide a sense of splendid seclusion. As the only carbon negative country in the world, 72% of Bhutan is forest covered, and The Postcard is a perfect base from which one can explore the magnificent landscape and culture of Bhutan. The Postcard Hotel is committed to opening a multitude of new hotels in hidden holiday destinations across India and the globe. The Postcard, Gir Wildlife Sanctuary, The Postcard on the Arabian Sea, Karnataka and The Postcard in the Himalayas, Mashobra are expected to open first amongst their planned openings in 2021. “Travellers today are receptive and eager. They’re not simply satisfied with stunning sceneries, but also want to expand their cultural knowledge and grow as individuals- Gir provides the option of a great wildlife experience and an opportunity to sight the majestic Lion” says Kapil Chopra, founder and CEO, The Postcard Hotel. He added, “Untouched locations that allow people to get away from their urban lifestyles and reconnect with nature is what the affluent traveller is looking for. For those wanting a coastal experience that is slightly off the beaten track, the Maravanthe coast in Karnataka is one of the most picturesque coastal stretches in India. As Indian travellers start looking for new domestic destinations, the more pristine areas in the Himalayas will also come into vogue. I see Mashobra having the benefit of easy accessibility and close proximity to Shimla, along with the sense of being cut off from the crowds.”

Tourism Ministers from Israel, United Arab Emirates and Kingdom of Bahrain will come together at WTM Virtual for the first time since signing historic agreements to normalise relations in September. The Abraham Accords, signed on 15 September, set in motion a host of business opportunities and intergovernmental agreements between Israel and the UAE, as well as creating exciting tourism prospects in the region for the first time. Concurrently, Israel and the Kingdom of Bahrain also signed an agreement to launch full diplomatic relations. The agreements gave the go ahead for official dialogue between the countries and set in place new opportunities for tourism. Those involved hope tourism between the destinations will provide the chance to establish peace on a deeper level within the Middle East region. Since the Accords were signed, Israel’s first-ever commercial flight – carrying a high-level delegation from Israel and the US – landed in the UAE, while the first commercial passenger flight to Israel by a carrier from the UAE landed at Israel’s Ben-Gurion international airport in October. As a result of the Abraham Accords, the Israel Transportation Ministry announced there will be 28 direct weekly passenger flights connecting Tel Aviv with Abu Dhabi and Dubai. On day one of WTM Virtual, seven weeks after the historic agreements were signed, WTM will host a momentous discussion among tourism ministers from the three destinations. Orit Farkash-Hacohen, Minister of Tourism for Israel; Dr. Ahmad bin Abdullah Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and Small and Medium Enterprises for the UAE and H.E. Mr. Zayed R. Alzayani, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism to the Kingdom of Bahrain and Chairman of Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, will discuss the tourism opportunities now available and determine the role that tourism will play in helping to secure long-standing peace in the region. It will be the first time the tourism ministers have met since signing the agreements. They will take part in a WTM Virtual session entitled Tourism: The Path to Peace in the Middle East, which will take place immediately after the Ministers’ Summit, on Monday 9 November. WTM Senior Director Simon Press said: “The session will provide a fascinating insight into how co-operating on tourism and trade – encouraging people to engage with different cultures and experience new places, sample different food and take part in different activities – can advance peace. “WTM has always understood the unique way that travel promotes tolerance, empathy and cross-cultural understanding. When people travel, they form friendships, engage in dialogue and are able to see things from a different perspective. When flight paths open up, the prospect for new business becomes a reality, which creates wealth and opportunity for destinations and their citizens. “The post-COVID possibilities are endless for this region and we’re excited that WTM Virtual has been able to facilitate such an important meeting and play a part in history.” Tourism: The Path to Peace in the Middle East, featuring the tourism ministers of Israel, UAE and Bahrain, will take place on Monday 9 November, at 15.00 – 16.00 GMT (19.00 – 20.00 GST).

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 02 November 2020: Chile is hosting a series of events to secure its’ position in the UAE as the leading exporter of walnuts and dried fruits with a trio of virtual and live business networking opportunities. Prominent UAE importers have been selected for the exclusive sessions which will include a series of presentations outlining the superior quality and health benefits of Chilean produce, group discussions, as well as the opportunity to participate in virtual and live business meetings. Carlos Salas, Trade Commissioner of Chile in Dubai, said: "The UAE and the wider GCC region continue to be incredibly important markets for Chilean dried fruit exporters, despite the challenges of COVID-19. “As such, we have developed a series of online events which will provide importers from the UAE, and the rest of the world, to learn more about our fantastic produce, do business, and ultimately secure deals with renowned Chilean exporters.” The first event, the 24th e-business meeting of the Chamber of Commerce of Valparaiso, took place from the 27th – 30th of October. The event saw over 176 Chilean exporters of fresh fruit, nuts, vegetables, and healthy foods undertake a series of 30-minute meetings with importers from the UAE and the rest of the world. ExpoNut 2020, which takes place on November 25th, is the second virtual event to take place. It is the largest meeting point for the Chilean nut industry, annually bringing together more than 500 producers, exporters, suppliers, investors. As a result of COVID-19, the event will be virtual this year and host a series of talks and panel discussions addressing exports, agriculture, and sustainable development. The event will also host the ExpoNut Business Roundtable, giving importers from the UAE the opportunities to partake in a series of discussion with Chilean Walnut exporters. Rounding out the series of events is the ProChile Food Exporter Meeting, taking place from 7th -12th December, live in Chile. Five UAE importers will have the opportunity to meet with a range of Chilean companies during workshops and roundtable discussions. A series of masterclasses, product sampling and insights into the latest market innovations will also take place. “This will be a vital opportunity for exporters to reconnect with valuable importers from the UAE, as we look to build on the successes witnessed in 2019. Our number one priority is to facilitate meetings and networking, however, showcasing the superior quality, health benefits, and sustainable practices relating to our produce is also vitally important,” added Salas. The popularity of Chilean walnuts has surged in the last two years, with the country the leading exporter in the southern hemisphere, and now the second-largest exporter in the world, exporting over 135,000 tonnes in 2019. In the UAE, the value of exported dry fruits from Chile increased by 75% year-on-year in 2019 to US$43.8. This was primarily attributed to walnuts, which made up 76% of the total dried fruit exports to the UAE. According to yield estimates based on the planted area and average performance, production in Chile is expected to increase to 163,000 tonnes in 2021 and 200,000 tonnes in 2024. Over 95% of all production is exported to 75 countries, with the Middle East accounting for 54% in 2019. For more information please visit www.prochile.gob.cl/ or www.chilenut.cl/home/

The COVID-19 pandemic is casting a long shadow over countries worldwide and has quickly moved beyond being a health crisis alone. Fears it has sparked of an impending economic crisis are rippling through all aspects of our lives. The COVID-19 crisis has exposed the vulnerabilities of people and societies, and calls for a strong response based on solidarity, co-operation and responsibility. In India, where COVID-19 cases have crossed the 7-million mark (as on October 12, 2020) and continue to increase, it is of the utmost importance that individuals and organizations act responsibly to tackle the problem, while ensuring that critical work continues. Toshiba has stood side-by-side with India and its people since the onset of the outbreak. Toshiba Group companies in India continue to take measures to ensure employee safety, and business continuity to sustain society. With their employees, they continue to extend support to the community, pursuant to Toshiba’s basic commitment, ‘Committed to people, Committed to the Future’ Mr. Tomohiko Okada, Managing Director, Toshiba India Pvt. Ltd. said, "Toshiba Group is responding to the coronavirus pandemic with measures that prioritize the safety of our employees and their families, and of our customers and business partners. We continue to monitor the situation in India and to follow Indian government guidance and instructions, while doing all we can to ensure business continuity. Pursuant to our basic commitment "Committed to People, Committed to the Future", Toshiba group companies in India have donated approximately INR 2.28 crores during the current crisis, towards the fight against the pandemic, as well as other CSR activities approved by the Government of India. Even during these testing times, Toshiba is moving forward with positivity, compassion, and empathy and is continually adjusting its approaches to keep all its employees safe and healthy.” The monetary contributions Toshiba Group has pledged towards fighting the virus include voluntary salary contributions by employees and contributions from Group companies: Toshiba India Pvt. Ltd. (TIPL), Toshiba JSW Power Systems Pvt. Ltd. (TJPS), Toshiba Transmission & Distribution Systems (India) Pvt. Ltd. (TTDI), Toshiba Software India Pvt. Ltd. (TSIP), Toshiba Water Solutions Pvt. Ltd. (TWS) and Toshiba Johnson Elevators (India) Pvt. Ltd. (TJEI). While the external focus has been on financial contributions to support the fight against COVID-19, the main concern in-house has been taking multiple steps to ensure employee health and well-being. Toshiba India Pvt. Ltd. (TIPL) plays a leading role in initiating measures to fight the virus. A comprehensive “Protocol Manual for Officer Operations during the COVID-19 pandemic” prepared by TIPL and clearly focused on employee safety, has been adapted by other group companies in India in multiple locations. TIPL also has an emergency response team (ERT) that monitors employee health and takes prompt actions as needed. Since the gradual lifting of the lockdown, TIPL continues to ensure sanitization and social distancing inside its premises. Toshiba Water Solutions Pvt. Ltd. (TWS) hosts online training programs for personnel at various project sites. These webinars feature in-length discussions on COVID-19 preventive measures. Toshiba Johnson Elevators (India) Pvt. Ltd. (TJEI) takes measures to safeguard its employees' physical and mental health. Even before the lockdown was imposed in March, TJEI implemented a work from home policy as an early preventive measure. It also introduced a 'we care' initiative, under which an "employee connect" team was established to closely monitor, access and address any anxieties arising from the pandemic and lockdown. Toshiba Transmission & Distribution Systems (India) Pvt. Ltd. (TTDI) shares regular updates on best practices to maintain health and hygiene. Sanitization and temperature checks are made standard practices. To comply with government regulations, the company has arranged additional employee transport to and from work. TTDI has also set up COVID-19 isolation wards for employees showing any symptoms, and tied up with hospitals to ensure reasonable pricing in case any employee needed to be admitted. To boost the morale of the employees, COVID-19 insurance policies were also arranged. TTDI warriors who worked during the lockdown were appreciated and rewarded. Toshiba JSW Power Systems Pvt. Ltd. (TJPS) gives priority to the well-being and convenience of its \employees and customers. The company takes the many precautionary steps demanded by the situation and suggested by government advisory notices. During these difficult times, TJPS also supports its workforce with groceries and other food items, helping them ride the crisis smoothly. Toshiba Software India Pvt. Ltd. (TSIP) is promoting programs to ensure the physical and mental well-being of all employees. This includes an online nutritionist service, a series of webinars on health topics, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that provides employees with confidential counselling services on a wide range of work, family and personal issues. TSIP also ensured that employees stranded outside the country on business reached home safely by coordinating with consulates and airline companies. On top to this, the company paid special allowances allowing employees to purchase furniture or equipment needed to work from home seamlessly, and employees infected with the coronavirus are granted additional leave and support. To maintain high morale and foster an open culture, HR also regularly contact employees with updates from Toshiba. These are just a few examples of the commitment demonstrated by Toshiba Group Companies. In this time of deep uncertainty, a new approach to leadership is needed, one that recognizes the paramount importance of compassion and empathy. Toshiba is striving to adapt and evolve FOR A NEW DAY.

Mr. Pankaj Bohra, has been elected as the President of the West India Council of Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (IACC). Mr. Bohra, 56, who was earlier associated with Ernst & Young (EY), is a Senior Partner of Pankaj Bohra & Co. Chartered Accountants. He has been associated with IACC for the past 12 years and brings with him a rich experience of Corporate Governance including professional expertise in the fields Audit & assurance, Tax Advisory, Corporate Finance, and Cross Border Investments etc. Commenting on his new role, Mr. Bohra said, “Relations between India and the USA are stronger than ever. Bi-lateral trade between the two countries has gone up tremendously in the last few years with USA emerging as a largest trading partner of India in its foreign trade. However, we believe there is a huge potential for further scaling up of bi-lateral trade & investments. The West India Council of IACC will actively engage with the governments & other stakeholders and continue to work in this direction.”

New Delhi, October 26, 2020: Travel is seeing a comeback, but in a new normal, new trend continue to define consumer preferences. From taking life to the road, to consciously and safely reconnecting with the places and people that matter most, Airbnb and travelers predict what travel will look like in 2021. The year of the staycation Guests are seeking unique travel experiences by staying in one-of-a-kind accommodations on Airbnb, but are preferring to be close to home or in their home cities. The staycation trend resonates with travellers, pointing to the perennial human need for new experiences, either for short stays or for stays that are a month or more. With access to quiet nooks in busy cities, close to parks and gardens, immersive natural surroundings and wide-open spaces, travellers are looking for respite from the everyday in accommodations such as condominiums, farm stays, villas, and cottages in places such as: · Bengaluru, Karnataka · Mangalore, Karnataka · Pune, Maharashtra · Guwahati, Assam · Hyderabad, Telangana Nearby stays, close to metro to see a rise According to Airbnb search data, guests continue to search for nearby stays that are a drive away from metro cities, to explore a slower pace of life for holidays or for inspiration. Travellers are searching for destinations such as Gokarna, Shimla, Mussoorie, Kasauli and Alibag where they can spend time with family and friends. Guests are increasingly looking at rediscovering the magic in their own backyards. Established destinations as well as hidden gems near metros are seeing interest from travellers fleeing urban life, enlivening local communities on city outskirts.Top spots for nearby stays include: · Gokarna, Karnataka · Shimla, Himachal Pradesh · Mussoorie, Uttarakhand · Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh · Alibag, Maharashtra Regenerative travel bringing travellers closer to communities A key trend Airbnb is noting is that as travel picks up again, consumers may prefer immersive and regenerative travel at the heart of communities. Sustainable travel choices that are closer to remote communities and nature not only provide a boost to these communities and their members - redistributing the economic impact of travel – but are accessible and affordable and are a transformative choice contributing to unique and individual travel experiences. In 2021, living remotely will continue to define travel preferences with the rise with travellers aching for more access to open spaces, fresh air, and wildlife. Destinations that are highly searched for on Airbnb, by both inbound and domestic travellers are: · Karjat, Maharashtra · Panchgani, Maharashtra · Manali, Himachal Pradesh · Mangalore, Karnataka · Mukteshwar, Uttarakhand Many travellers may intend to work remotely in a room with a view in 2021. Entrepreneurs may explore new hubs closer to their businesses or customers. Airbnb has documented stays by entrepreneurs looking for a hub to inspire creativity, digital nomads who aspire to work from anywhere for longer periods of time, and creatives discovering their newest masterpiece. Authors, musicians, artists, and athletes alike are increasingly looking for stays with private spaces and retreating to suburban or rural areas from big cities. With India’s much-loved festival season around the corner, guests are either looking at travelling to their hometowns or spending time together as family. India continues to be travel hotspot, globally With discretionary outbound travel on a slow uptick currently, there are reasons to predict that travel in 2021 will bounce back in India, on both domestic and inbound sectors. Airbnb search data suggests India remains a hotly searched-for destination globally, with the following cities and towns featuring on the most searched-for list. · Gokarna, Karnataka · Kasol, Himachal Pradesh · Mangalore, Karnataka · Karjat, Maharashtra · Panchgani, Maharashtra · Igatpuri, Maharashtra · Alibag, Maharashtra · Haridwar, Uttarakhand Outbound, Indians are continuing to prize locations such as Toronto and London. Commenting on these trends, Amanpreet Bajaj, General Manager - Airbnb India, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan, said, “As we come closer to 2021, transparency, trust and safety will be more critical than ever before, and will continue to set the benchmark for traveller expectations. Trends such as travelling closer to cities and working from anywhere will continue to see interest. Importantly, this means that travel benefits more and more local communities economically, rather than being concentrated in tourist hotspots. We truly look forward to a future of travel that is inclusive, sustainable and regenerative.” In 2021, travel will continue to be more about living, working and connecting safely away from home.

Singapore, 23 October 2020 – ITB Asia, ‘Asia’s Leading Travel Trade Show,’ successfully concluded today rounding off the first virtual event in its 13-year history. The highly-anticipated trade show was hosted virtually on the newly established online platform, ITB Community in Asia (ITB Community). Over three days, the virtual event welcomed over 35,000 travel professionals from around the world who participated in the show’s vibrant agenda of conference and networking sessions, supported by world leaders and leading destinations. With the virtual platform providing the perfect space for networking, attendees also took part in online business appointments, fuelling confidence in the industry’s future. Katrina Leung, Managing Director of Messe Berlin (Singapore), organiser of ITB Asia, shared: “We are proud to be the leading travel trade show in Asia, playing our part in creating a close-knit community who support one another through the good times and the more difficult ones. The past three days have been a testament to the resilience of our peers with industry leaders coming together, united by a common purpose of paving the way forward in the face of the new normal.” New exhibitors signal confidence in the industry This year, exhibitors were present at ITB Asia 2020 Virtual’s exhibition through digital exhibition booths. The virtual exhibition featured major players in the hotel, tourism and travel sectors, including Advantage Austria, Inspired by Iceland, Korea Tourism Organisation, Maldives Marketing & PR Corporation, Malta Tourism Authority, Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia, Moscow Project Office for Tourism and Hospitality Development, Saudi Tourism Authority, Singapore Tourism Board, State Tourism Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Visit Finland, Visit Rovaniemi and more. The show floor also featured Department of Information and Tourism, Taipei City Govt, Park Hotel Group, Promotion Bureau of the Principality of Monaco, Sapporo Convention Bureau, Shizouka Prefectural Govt and Switzerland Tourism joining ITB Asia’s exhibition grounds for the first time. Conferences on reinventing travel and navigating through challenges Themed “Reinventing Travel in the New Normal”, ITB Asia 2020 Virtual’s conference saw more than 160 top speakers from major global brands lead more than 100 conference sessions. This year’s conferences specially focused on helping travel industry professionals reinvent traditional business models to adapt to current times and prepare for the industry’s recovery. At the conferences, a specially curated line-up of industry heavyweights shared innovative perspectives on ways to build a more resilient travel industry, as well as solutions to move the industry forward. Keynote sessions and topics focused on major themes ranging from MICE, corporate travel, travel technology, tours and activities, destination marketing, air travel, and hotel revenue and distribution. With the new virtual format of the show, recordings have been made available on-demand for all registered delegates to view and watch again. Paving the way for a new show model for ITB Asia Next year’s edition of ITB Asia will be a hybrid show featuring a live and an online model to facilitate continuous engagement with industry stakeholders. Scheduled to take place in Singapore from 27-29 October 2021, the live segment of the event hopes to bring back human connections through face-to face business meetings and networking sessions. Complemented by a proven virtual segment, key functions of the show such as online business matching, on-demand content (insights articles and videos) for all-year-round business, networking and learning will further strengthen ITB Asia’s offering as the leading travel trade show. Interest is already being expressed for ITB Asia’s 2021 edition, with more than 40% of the exhibition being booked. Confirmed exhibitors will include Advantage Austria, Best Western International, Inspired by Iceland, Korea Tourism Organization, ITB Asia’s official hotel partner, Marina Bay Sands, Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia, the State Tourism Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan and many more. Registration for ITB Asia 2021 is available through this link. For more information on ITB Asia 2021, the sales brochure can be downloaded at: https://bit.ly/ITBA2021Flyer.

Singapore, 21 October 2020 – ITB Asia, Asia’s Leading Travel Trade Show, today opened its virtual doors for the first-ever virtual event. As one of the industry’s firsts, the three-day event is being hosted online. Over the course of the next three-days, almost 900 buyers and 400 exhibitors from all over the world will come together to establish high-quality networks, conduct business, and share their knowledge. Held on the newly established platform – ITB Community in Asia (ITB Community) - this year’s ITB Asia event also plays host to MICE Show Asia and marks the debut of Travel Tech Asia. Katrina Leung, Managing Director of Messe Berlin (Singapore)- organiser of ITB Asia – comments; “We are proud to have quickly pivoted to a fully virtual format that has enabled us to maintain our position as the leading travel trade show in the region. It is now more important than ever before that we provide this opportunity for industry leaders around the globe to come together virtually to share insights, knowledge, and experience, to pave the way for the future of the travel trade. Over the next three days, we look forward to closely collaborating with international exhibitors, travel companies and international buyers to unveil a strong, engaging, and contextually relevant programme.” Virtual Exhibition to facilitate business and networking Despite ITB Asia’s brand-new format, the virtual exhibition line-up continues to facilitate business appointments, digital exhibition booths, a business matching platform and 24/7 chat and call functions for almost 400 exhibitors around the world to engage with key clients and partners. Being a global stage, the virtual exhibition will feature new destinations including Switzerland, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Monaco and Sapporo. Exhibitors from hospitality and travel groups include Meliá Hotels International, Radisson Hotel Group and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, to name just a few. As part of ITB Asia’s usual business matching typically held on the exhibition floor, this year’s Business Matching takes place on a dedicated Business Matching portal. Available throughout the three days of ITB Asia, sellers will be able to upload company brochures and collateral, and buyers may upload proposal request briefs for the same successful discussions and business negotiations as like the previous ITB Asia shows. Conference line-up to reinvent travel Now in its thirteenth year, the theme of this year’s event, set against the backdrop of the ongoing pandemic, is “Reinventing Travel in the New Normal”. The over 100-session themed agenda, led by more than 160 international speakers, has been specifically curated to support the travel industry in navigating the current challenges and prepare for eventual recovery. Today’s conference will see a strong line-up of speakers from across the industry discussing topics such as the future of travel, and building recovery for travel and tourism. These speakers included industry heavyweights from leading global organisations such Maribel Rodriguez, Senior Vice President, Membership & Commercial at World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), and Anita Mendiratta, Special Advisor to Secretary General at The UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Tomorrow (22 October), attendees can look forward to hearing from top speakers such as Alexandre de Juniac Director General & CEO, International Air Transport Association (IATA), and keynote speakers Deep Kalra, Founder & Group Executive Chairman, MakeMyTrip and Ben Drew, President, Viator. They will be sharing their insights on topics from improving leadership to restoring confidence and attracting travellers. Partners set to discuss the path to recovery This year, ITB Asia’s partners also have a strong speaker track. In its fifth year of partnership with CrescentRating for the “Halal in Travel Asia Summit”, this year’s summit focuses on enabling destinations and travel stakeholders to develop their own strategic solutions towards recovery and growth through insights from their Mastercard-CrescentRating Travel Readiness Report and using their Travel Readiness Framework. The Travel Foundation will run a themed session focussed on “Building Back Better” which will look at what better means to the Future of Tourism Coalition, which has developed thirteen guiding principles to help over 200 companies, destinations, and organisations forge a new path for tourism. Cruise Lines International Association will focus on preparing for resumption in its session and will answer questions on what the travel trade can do to combat misperceptions and raise awareness of the strict regulations that govern cruises worldwide. Building a resilient MICE industry with MICE Show Asia MICE Show Asia invites professionals in the meetings and events industries to look ahead to building a resilient post COVID-19 MICE industry. Highlights of the event will include a series of MICE destination talks with global participation including Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED), German Convention Bureau (GCB), Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB), Russian Convention Bureau (RCB), Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) and more with MICE associations including IAPCO, MPI Academy and SITE Africa also in attendance. The launch of Travel Tech Asia Co-located with ITB Asia and MICE Show Asia, is Messe Berlin’s brand-new show – Travel Tech Asia. Here, participants can share latest technologies, trends, tech travel brands and innovative start-ups, to create new possibilities for the future of travel. Thousands of influential executives and attendees across travel industry sectors will come together for three days of unparalleled networking as part of the largest travel trade show in APAC. Amadeus, TrustYou and Oracle Hospitality are also leading a brand-new track on Hotel Revenue and Distribution. Meanwhile, a new Air Travel track will see executives from leading associations and agencies present the latest global flight data trends and insights, led by the Skyscanner, Dohop and many more. For more information on this year’s event, or to join the next two days, please click here.

October 2020: Roastery Coffee, one of the best speciality coffee roasters with cafes in Hyderabad and Kolkata, has introduced Balur Estate Limited Edition Thick Bed Honey Coffee that comes from one of the most well-known coffee plantations, Balur Estate, in Karnataka. It is a Limited Edition coffee, perfect for Pour Over and AeroPress brew lovers, as well as for all discerning coffee aficionados with notes of bubblegum and stone fruit in it, giving it a dash of exotic, fruity and refreshing flavor. “Thick bed” is a technique where coffee is handpicked and then dried on a thick bed to retain more moisture which results in slow drying and develops sweeter characters in coffee. The beans are roasted light to lend the notes of bubblegum and stone fruits, which makes for an interesting combination. The rare taste of Bubblegum in your coffee lends it a unique character. Roastery Coffee brings to you fresh, seasonal coffee sourced from the best coffee farms across India. It is one of the finest brands of artisanal Coffee and offers a wide range of coffees, each brewed differently. The Balur Estate Limited Edition Thick Bed Honey coffee is a new addition to brand’s already existing range of special edition variants which include Harley Estate Grapa, Monsoon Malabar, Thogarihunkal Estate Honey Sun Dried Coffee, Carbonic Maceration (Harley Estate), to name a few. Balur Estate has been a 400-acre coffee plantation since the 1840s. Today, it is under the responsible stewardship of fourth-generation coffee planters. What makes Balur Estate coffee so unique is its location and elevation. Balur Estate coffee is processed with the utmost attention at each processing stage from picking to milling. Every bean by hand, manually harvested only when the fruits are cherry red, and no mechanical harvesting is used that would mix bitter green beans in with matured red fruit. State of the art machinery and skilled workers are employed to ensure coffee that is consistently defect-free. Different methods of coffee processing are explored at the estate and the phrase “quality from crop to cup” best describes the planning and operation of Balur Estate coffee. So visit Roastery Coffee House in Hyderabad and Kolkata for a perfectly brewed cup of limited edition Balur Estate Thick Bed Honey Coffee or order online for brewing pleasure at home. Price range: INR 400 -750 Available at : https://www.roasterycoffee.co.in Hyderabad: Roastery Coffee House, 8/2/287/12, House 418, Road 14, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad Kolkata: Roastery Coffee House, 70 B, Calcutta South India Club, Gariahat, Kolkata

Buyers from travel firms around the world can reconnect with established partners, forge new contacts and make business deals at next month’s WTM Virtual (9-11 November) from 7am to 10pm GMT, to allow access to all the different time zones across the globe. Organisers of the online event aim to host 5,000 pre-selected buyers from a diverse range of companies across the world and from their global database. Of those buyers already registered, almost 50% have expressed an interest in the Middle East region. To date, over 100 exhibitors from over 10 destinations in the Middle East have confirmed. They include Dubai Tourism, Expo 2020 Dubai, Emaar Entertainment, Jordan Tourism Board, NEOM, RAKTDA and Saudi Tourism Authority, amongst others. Buyers will have access to free one-to-one meetings, along with other opportunities to meet exhibitors taking part in WTM Virtual and Travel Forward Virtual. Furthermore, they can meet members of the media and influencers from around the world. Some buyers with spending power in certain sectors will be selected to take part in Speed Networking sessions during London Travel Week. As well as sealing crucial business contracts for 2021 and beyond, the buyers will be able to learn about key travel trends as the industry recovers, rebuilds and innovates in the wake of the pandemic. Those who apply will be vetted to ensure they are senior, high-calibre buyers and then they can join the WTM Buyers’ Club. This will enable free access to the entire WTM Virtual platform, with many opportunities to connect, learn and do business. The online activities start with London Travel Week (30 October-5 November) which hosts networking and promotional opportunities ahead of the main events during WTM Virtual (9-11 November). WTM London’s Senior Director Simon Press said: “This will be a vital opportunity for senior buyers to reconnect with valuable contacts in the wake of the pandemic, as we all look to recover and rebuild in 2021. “Many travel businesses have seen widespread changes in personnel over the course of the COVID-19 crisis so it’s more important than ever for buyers and suppliers to make contact with the right people in order to plan their roadmap to recovery. “Our number one priority is to facilitate meetings and networking – but another key element will be our conference sessions with thought leaders from across the travel industry. These will help buyers invest in the right products and destinations for growth next year.” He added: “Although we can’t meet in person this year, the online platform does mean that we can attract a wider variety of buyers than in previous years. “The WTM Portfolio team has hosted many virtual events in recent months and we have a 40-year track record of holding top-level gatherings, so buyers and suppliers can be confident that they will have a first-rate experience. “WTM Virtual will be a must-attend event for senior buyers with substantial spending power who want to conduct business, develop trusted partnerships and lay the foundations for a bounce-back in 2021.”

UAE-headquartered hospitality company, TIME Hotels, has added the Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry (Dubai Chamber) CSR Label Award for H1 2020, to its growing list of accolades, for the sixth year in succession. TIME Hotels was recognised for initiatives such as its ‘Sanitised & Ready’ campaign, which includes a range of new intensified cleaning measures and sanitisation procedures which were implemented throughout all public areas as well as in each individual guestroom. The improved protocol includes detailed infection control which focuses on the disinfection of all hotel transportation, reception areas, elevators, public rest rooms and guestrooms as well as all F&B outlets and kitchens. Additionally, initiatives were put in place to boost morale and promote positive wellbeing among all of its staff members, as well as improving the guest experience across its portfolio of properties. Eddie Ignatius, Corporate Director of Quality & Business Excellence, TIME Hotels, said: “We were applauded by Dubai Chamber’s Centre for Responsible Business for our initiatives and commitment to encouraging and developing CSR plans and activities. To be recognised for the sixth year in a row, not only underscores that commitment to our social responsibilities it also highlights our consistency. The personal development of all team members is a key focus, with TIME Hotels dedicating a set amount of working hours to allow them to catch up on e-learning modules. Furthermore, through performance-related personal training and development plans, staff are encouraged to broaden their existing skill sets with a range of employee engagement activities. Mohamed Awadalla, CEO, TIME Hotels, said: “Boosting staff morale is essential during these challenging times and as a result we’re working hard to ensure that we cultivate a warm and constructive working environment, conducive to positive mental health. The current crisis will pass, and I want our staff to be fully motivated when all of the travel and social restrictions have been lifted.” Launched in 2010 to reward corporate commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, the CSR Label is awarded based on performance scores across seven different criteria including human resources (training, development, welfare, Emiratisation), client relations, business development, procurement, environment, health and safety, innovation and community; with Dubai Chamber also measuring the resulting impact in four key areas, namely workplace, marketplace, community and environmental. His Excellency Majid Saif Al Ghurair, Chairman of Dubai Chamber, said: “The benefits of participating in the Dubai Chamber CSR Label initiative are far-reaching and go well beyond the recognition as the framework is designed to help companies evaluate their social and environmental impact and CSR practices, and identify key strengths, as well as areas where they can improve and enhance competitiveness.” For more information, please log onto http://www.timehotels.ae/

15th October 2020 – Kibus Petcare, a pet product company, has announced the launch of a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign for Kibus, its proprietary at-home product that cooks pet food with the healthiness of traditional home-cooked meals. An automatic, convenient device that cooks healthy, natural, and minimally processed dog food, Kibus will meet the needs of demanding dogs and their owners worldwide. A seamless and integrated device, Kibus has an all-in-one design that cooks dehydrated pet foods via a six-minute rehydration process that is easy and automatic. Each Kibus device contains a food tank, water tank, food bowl, and water bowl, and rehydrates food and dispenses it in pre-set portions, up to four times a day, individually and precisely. Giving fresh, warm, and healthy food to our furry friends, Kibus makes food available for days on end with minimal effort and can be placed in the corner of one’s home seamlessly with its black-colored body. Easy and convenient to use, getting started is simple for consumers. First, unbox the Kibus and connect it to a power supply. Second, program how much food a pet is to consume each day and how frequently. Lastly, add dehydrated pet food to the food tank and fresh water to the water tank, and close the top lid. Kibus’ automatic rehydration process takes care of the rest. Food and water bowls will stay extended until the next cooking process is scheduled to begin, or until they are removed for cleaning. As part of this campaign, Kibus Petcare plans to develop a companion mobile application for monitoring and tracking a pet’s diet and programming feed settings, along with an exclusive white-colored variation. Kibus Petcare is excited to bring this new way of feeding dogs to homes around the world. Declared the most innovative product in Spain at AECOC 2019, Kibus has similarly been recognized by the European Commission, Google for Startups and TechCrunch, first-class universities, and Brinc, one of the main hardware accelerators. Feeding dogs a healthy and natural diet, automatically, will never be easier, but the support of pet owners and furry friends is needed to make it possible. For a limited time, support Kibus on Kickstarter [here] and get exclusive rewards as a token of your support, including early bird pricing, customizations, and add-ons. “We have developed Kibus to offer pet parents a way to feed their pets on a healthy and natural diet in a convenient way”, explains Albert Icart, CEO of Kibus. “They can even schedule Kibus to work on its own at the scheduled time, with no need to be at home”.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates ( 14thOctober, 2020) – Atlantis, The Palm announced today that it will be offering all its global guests who stay five nights or more the opportunity to claim back the cost of their respective countries’ departure PCR test from now until 30th April, 2021. With many travellers still required to conduct a PCR test before arriving into the UAE, Atlantis, The Palm is giving back the full cost of the tests for two guests per room staying five nights or more to spend as in-resort credit. This means that for a PCR test that costs up to US$190 (AED 700) each, two guests will receive the full amount of the test back to spend on anything in-resort including food and beverage, spa or marine and waterpark experiences. Speaking about this latest development, Timothy Kelly Executive Vice President and Managing Director, Atlantis Dubai, said: “We are continuously evolving to meet the needs of our customers during this challenging time. We would like to continue to make the travels of our international guests easier by giving back the cost of their home country’s departure PCR test to spend on a range of amazing in-resort activities and experiences. We hope this will continue to reduce any travel inconveniences and encourage more guests from across the globe to visit Dubai’s premier entertainment destination.” Kelly added: “We look forward to our guests relishing every moment of their time spent at Atlantis, The Palm as we strive to implement innovative ways to welcome them in a socially responsible way. To further ensure this, Atlantis, The Palm has been granted the internationally certified safeguard label by Bureau Veritas as well as issued the safety seal of approval by the Dubai government – the Dubai Assured stamp. This demonstrates to guests that the entire resort, including all of our rooms, restaurants, attractions and retail outlets, follows the strictest safety measures and protocols to ensure their health and wellbeing.” While Atlantis, The Palm will continue to closely monitor the situation as it evolves and keep their guests and prospective guests regularly updated, all international guests are advised to please check the requirements of the country they are travelling to and from before they travel. Atlantis, The Palm is now fully operational with guests able to enjoy daily complimentary access per each night’s stay to the region’s number one waterpark, Atlantis Aquaventure and The Lost Chambers Aquarium. Guests can take their pick of where to dine from a collection of 31 world-renowned restaurants including Bread Street Kitchen & Bar, Hakkasan, Nobu and the award-winning underwater restaurant, Ossiano. https://www.atlantis.com/dubai

8 October 2020, Kolkata: Shree Cement, India’s leading cement manufacturer and the investor in East Bengal Football Club, has announced in a press communique the formation of Shree Cement East Bengal Foundation (SCEBF) to steer the affairs of the 100-year-old football Club while gearing up for the Indian Super League (ISL) 2020-21 session. Shree Cement, in its first official communication, expressed thanks and gratitude to the Hon'ble Chief Minister of West Bengal, Smt Mamata Banerjee, and Mrs Nita Ambani, Founder & Chairperson, Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), for recognising the legacy of the century-old institution. "We are delighted to be part of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2020-2021 season. A formal agreement with East Bengal was signed today and I thank the Hon'ble Chief Minister of West Bengal, Smt Mamata Banerjee, for her inspiration, guidance and continuous support. She is dedicated to the development of sports in West Bengal and we share the same vision,” said Mr Hari Mohan Bangur, Managing Director, Shree Cement Limited, through an official press release here today. “We also extended our thanks and gratitude to the Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) for recognising the legacy of our Club and to Mrs Nita Ambani for her constant encouragement. The objective is to revive the glorious past of the Club. For our fans, we promise to leave no stone unturned in our bid to strive for excellence,” Mr Bangur said. “We are delighted to take part in the Hero Indian Super League. At our Club, our aim will always be to develop the game in every way possible. We promise to put our best foot forward and make the fans proud in our first season,” Mr. Prashant Bangur, Shree Cement Joint Managing Director, said. “Football is not just a passion but very much a part of Bengal's rich and varied culture and the East Bengal Football Club is the face of Bengal's football. We would focus on nurturing the players and their development by creating an ecosystem within the Club to carry forward its legacy. We will ensure the flag of East Bengal flies high and thank our millions of supporters all over the globe,” Mr Prashant Bangur said.

Set to open its doors in the first quarter of 2021, Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh will mark the first Hyatt hotel in the Cambodian capital and the debut of the Hyatt Regency brand in one of Asia’s most dynamic destinations. With 247 guestrooms including 43 suites, the new contemporary-meets-colonial property is ideally situated in the heart of Phnom Penh’s cultural and business district of Doun Penh and within walking distance to the Royal Palace, National Museum and the riverside. Conceived by award-winning Singapore-based SCDA Architects, the interiors of the hotel will reflect Cambodia’s diverse heritage, seamlessly blending Khmer architectural accents, French colonial influences, and specially-commissioned artworks by contemporary Cambodian artist, FONKi. Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh will feature five dining venues including The Attic, an old world speakeasy-style bar, and a stylish indoor/outdoor open-plan dining concept called FiveFive Rooftop Restaurant & Bar, where guests can enjoy panoramic views of the Mekong River, the Royal Palace and the city skyline alongside refreshing cocktails and lively DJ performances. In addition, the hotel will feature 1,400 square meters of meeting space as well as a slew of recreational facilities including a 24-hour fitness center, tropical infinity pool, spa and the Regency Club Lounge. Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh – Guestroom Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh – The Attic Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh – FiveFive Rooftop Restaurant & Bar

Early bird tickets for £25 (US$32) will give visitors access to an extensive conference programme, virtual exhibition, and the chance to book one-to-one meetings with exhibitors. Ticket price includes access to London Travel Week Virtual Buyers’ Club Members, Ministers and Media will have full access to virtual events including meetings for free Travel trade professionals from around the world can now register for WTM Virtual (9-11 November 2020) to access the unrivalled range of online conference sessions, briefings and meetings. Included in the ticket price will be access to London Travel Week Virtual – a set of events designed to celebrate the travel and tourism industry, taking place between 30th October – 5th November. WTM Virtual will replace the live events of WTM London, Travel Forward and London Travel Week. The platform will follow the WTM Portfolio’s purpose and pledges to offer the best opportunities for travel industry professionals to connect, learn and do business. Members of the Buyers’ Club, Ministers and Media will get free access to the entire platform, with trade delegates paying an early bird registration fee of £25 (US$32). The original price is £34 (US$44). Visitors can engage in the event starting from the 30th October, when London Travel Week kicks off and be connected until the last day of WTM Virtual (9-11 Nov). WTM Virtual will be accessible from 7am-10pm GMT, which means professionals from different time zones around the world can participate. Combined, WTM Virtual and London Travel Week, will offer an extensive conference programme of nearly 50 sessions streamed live online and on demand with the majority of the sessions open to all. Some of the virtual event visitors will also be able to access and watch: ● UNWTO, WTTC and WTM Ministers’ Summit ● Responsible Tourism Sessions ● International Tourism and Investment Conference – ITIC ● Destination Briefings and Press Conferences from all over the world ● Aviation sessions with Ryanair and JetBlue CEOs ● Travel Forward Virtual – Technology Conference ● London Travel Week Virtual Content Creators Summit ● PR Summit Furthermore, trade delegates can upgrade their access package for £20 in order to have five pre-scheduled meetings with exhibitors. These one-to-one video meetings will last for half-an-hour and take place during WTM Virtual. WTM London’s Senior Director Simon Press said: “Thousands of travel trade professionals from around the globe will take part in WTM Virtual, as we all come together online to help our industry recover, rebuild and innovate. “This is an excellent opportunity for industry leaders to connect and collaborate across the industry to confirm, predict and tackle pressing business issues and trends; conduct business transactions, form trusted partnerships, and provide opportunities for business growth. “Building on our 40 years of experience, we are crafting an unmissable event designed to help delegates seal deals and create a roadmap to recovery. “As well as learning about ways the industry is dealing with the COVID-19 crisis, delegates can conduct business during one-to-one virtual meetings. “There will be four virtual theatres to host webinars and debates, including our popular annual Responsible Tourism session. Meanwhile, the Travel Forward Virtual will have the theme of ‘Resilience, Innovation, Response’, offering delegates a free technology exhibition, conference sessions and speed networking for start-ups to meet investors. Simon Press said there will be even more opportunities to learn and network during London Travel Week (30 October-5 November 2020). “It features six Speed Networking sessions so exhibitors, brands and destinations can meet before the virtual show and build business connections,” he added. “London Travel Week will also host virtual awards ceremonies such as the World Travel Leaders’ Awards and the Responsible Tourism Awards. “Furthermore, the week will see summits about wellness, as well as destination briefings, press conferences and PR Summit.” He concluded: “Our team is working tirelessly to make sure WTM Virtual brings together all the key industry players from countries around the world, to share their vision of how travel and tourism will bounce back in 2021. “We will provide an outstanding platform for industry professionals to meet and do business. “Now, more than ever, it is crucial that we work together to support the recovery of our industry.” Access the registration form: https://london.wtm.com/visit/Visitor-registration/

This year the Ministry of Tourism is saluting the father of Nation on web screen on this birth anniversary, paying ode to his philosophies and teachings with a series of webinars starting on 1st October.  In this series, the Ministry presented a session titled Gandhi, Ahmedabad and Salt March on 3rd October 2020. This 58th session of Dekho Apna Desh Webinar series focused on Gandhi ji's stay in Ahmedabad and Salt March. After Returning from South Africa in 1915 Gandhiji was advised by Shri Gopal Krishna Gokhale to travel across India and decide his future place to initiate his freedom movement. Gandhiji finally chose Ahmedabad and continued till 12th March 1930 when he left for his famous Dandi March to break the Salt Act on 6th April morning and was finally arrested on 5th May and taken to Pune. The webinar was presented by Mr. Jenu Devan, Managing Director and Commissioner, Gujarat Tourism and Mr. Debashish Nayak: Member Secretary and Advisor-Dandi Path Heritage Management Centre and Hon. Director-Oriental Studies and Heritage Management Resource Centre, Gujarat Vidyapith. Setting the tone for the Webinar, Mr. Jenu Devan  presented the initiatives taken by the Government of Gujarat with Ministry of Tourism in identifying those places associated with Mahatma Gandhi and development of tourist infrastructure in the  Gandhi circuit covering Ahmedabad- Rajkot-Porbandar-Bardoli-Dandi taken up and sanctioned under the Ministry of Tourism assisted Swadesh Darshan Scheme. He mentioned how Government of Gujarat is focusing on youth participation promoting philosophies of Gandhi ji through activities like  cycle yatra, spiritual live concert, launching a video show in Dandi etc. Mr. Debashish Nayak spoke about the support received from people by Gandhi during his days in Ahmedabad.  When Gandhi returned from South Africa, it was in Ahmedabad that he chose to set up his base. He lived in Ahmedabad between 1913 and 1930. It was from here that he launched the historic Dandi March (Salt March) in 1930. Mr. Debashish Nayak also recounted how the stay of Gandhi ji in Ahmedabad was very eventful and listed the many national level initiatives taken by Gandhi ji , including foundation of Gujarat Vidyapith in 1920. Throughout his stay Gandhiji was supported by the people of Ahmedabad and many memories are associated with it. The Sabarmati Ashram still echoes with the spirit of Mahatma Gandhi.  The City of Ahmedabad was important in sowing the seeds of the peoples movement that Mahatma Gandhi led.  It is in his years in Ahmedabad between 1915 and 1930 that he managed to experiment and then transform India’s freedom struggle from a small scale upper class initiative to a mass movement.  Within few months of his landing in India from South Africa in 1915, Gandhi set up a Satyagraha Ashram in Ahmedabad. In 1917 a deadly plague had spread to Ahmedabad.  This created a panic and prices of basic commodities started soaring.  The plague subsided by January 1918 but the prices of essential commodities continued to rise.  The mill workers wanted a permanent rise and improvement of working conditions.  Gandhi decided to go on indefinite fast in solidarity with the mill workers on the 15th of March.  The mill owners agreed to 35% pay raise after an arbitration and Gandhi broke his fast on 18th March 1918. The speakers also touched upon how Gandhi inspired people all over the world, including one of the United States most famous civil rights leaders, Martin Luther King Jr. King learnt about Gandhi through his writing and a trip to India in 1959. King drew heavily from Gandhian principle of nonviolence in his own civil rights activism. Aiming to promote Gandhian philosophy in a big way, the Culture Ministry  with the Government of Gujarat is set  to develop Gandhi heritage sites across the country. The Dandi Heritage Corridor Project to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi's Dandi Yatra and other places associated with Gandhiji are being promoted to attract visitors. The 21 places along the 349 km long Sabarmati-Dandi route where Gandhiji had made night halts during the historic Dandi yatra from March 12 to April 6,1930, will also be developed.  There will be simple huts with basic facilities at these night halts. The ambiance will be simple and frugal because the basic aim is to feel the Gandhian way of living. The night halts along the route include Nadiad, Anand, Navsari and the bank of Tapti near Surat are to be developed. There will be memorial stones at these locations with his speeches engraved on it. Besides, a sidewalk along the route will also be developed for the people who may want to replicate the Dandi March. Government of Gujarat is also taking the initiative of preserving and protecting some trees like mango, banyan trees which were part of Gandhi's journey during the freedom struggle. Summing up the webinar D.Venkatesan , Deputy Director General said that the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, is perfectly preserved in India. From various museums and memorials to Gandhiji's ashram, there are various stopovers in the country that testify the great life of the leader. His philosophies of truth and non-violence to inspire millions and many people trace his footsteps by visiting the various monuments dedicated to him. Gandhiji's contribution to human development is far too great and varied to have been forgotten or overlooked. The world today recognises him as a far more compelling social innovator than humanity ever realised. Dekho Apna Desh Webinar Series is an effort to showcase India’s rich diversity under Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.The Series is presented in technical partnership with National e Governance Department, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. The Sessions of Webinar are now available on the https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbzIbBmMvtvH7d6Zo_ZEHDA/featured and also on all social media Handles of Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. Posted On: 04 OCT 2020 12:39PM by PIB Delhi

Mumbai, October 1, 2020: Reiterating its customer commitment towards building a safe travel environment with the highest standards of hygiene, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd., India’s leading integrated travel services company, along with its Group Company SOTC Travel Ltd., have collaborated with leading hospitality company, Marriott International, to launch the Holiday with Confidence portfolio – holidays inbuilt with comprehensive protocols that ensure safe travel in the COVID-19 era. The launch is a continuum of a series of meaningful customer-first health & safety initiatives from Thomas Cook & SOTC: The Assured Safe Travel Program in partnership with Apollo Clinics, tie-up with ICMR accredited labs to deliver end-to-end contactless COVID-negative certification services pan India and the Safe Holiday Helpline - a free service to support customers in safe holiday planning. According to the Thomas Cook India & SOTC Holiday Readiness Travel Report, a significant 75% respondents indicated health & safety as their overriding concern; 72% displayed a preference for reputed travel brands. Therefore, in an endeavour to build consumer confidence and offer them a safe and stress-free holiday experience, the companies have collaborated with Marriott International to launch the Holiday with Confidence portfolio that incorporates the collective expertise of the Thomas Cook & SOTC Assured Safe Travel Program in partnership with Apollo Clinics, and Marriott International’s Commitment to Clean. Combining Marriott’s extensive footprint across India and its industry standards of hygiene and sanitization protocols, Thomas Cook & SOTC seek to redefine travel with distinctive holiday experiences across its range of staycations, workations, drivecations and quick getaways across 16 participating Marriott International brands, comprising - The Ritz-Carlton, The St. Regis, W Hotels, JW Marriott, Sheraton, Westin, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Le Meridien, Renaissance, Marriott Executive Apartments, Tribute, Courtyard by Marriott, Fairfield by Marriott, Aloft and Four Points by Sheraton. Special experiences across the Marriott properties include, an exclusive 4-course dining experience by a specialty chef, a private session with a golf pro at the historic Poona Club Golf Club, pizza making classes, fun activities at the Kids & Family Club and a romantic movie-under-the-stars, among many others. The Holiday with Confidence international selection includes- attractive discounts on spa treatments to shark feeding attractions, fun and exciting water sport activities in key resort destinations, and more. Mr. Madhavan Menon, Chairman and Managing Director, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd. said, “Health & Safety form a critical element of our customer-first strategy at Thomas Cook India & SOTC and this is reflected in the series of meaningful initiatives aimed at building customer confidence: our Assured Safe Travel Program in partnership with Apollo Clinics, our COVID-negative certification services and Safe Holiday Helpline. I am hence delighted to announce our association with Marriott International that reiterates our customer promise of health & safety with the launch of our Holiday with Confidence portfolio. This partnership brings together the power of our collective brands in delivering comprehensive hygiene and safety protocols via the Thomas Cook & SOTC Assured Safe Travel Program and Marriott’s Commitment to Clean designed by the Marriott Global Cleanliness Council.” He added, “As part of our Holiday with Confidence program, our customers also benefit from the exceptional hospitality of Marriott International, combined with the holiday expertise of Thomas Cook India and SOTC.” Commenting on the partnership Mr. Rajeev Menon - President - Asia Pacific (excluding Greater China), Marriott International said, “The travel-related implications (of Covid-19) have been unprecedented and fastchanging. As restrictions and lockdowns are becoming more relaxed, there is a cautious return-to-travel, with consumers putting their faith in brands they trust. In keeping with our endeavour to restore confidence in travel & stays across our hotels, Marriott International is very pleased to partner with Thomas Cook & SOTC in bringing the Holiday with Confidence portfolio of experiences to our guests. With Marriott’s Commitment to Clean initiative and Thomas Cook & SOTC’s dedication to responsible travel, we have developed a harmonized set of health and cleanliness protocols, that will enable guests to re-experience the joy of travel through elevated and unique hotel experiences.”

Mumbai, 30th September 2020: Travel may not be the same during these unprecedented times, but data from Booking.com, one of the world’s leading digital travel players reveals that the happiness travel can bring isn’t measured in kilometres. Travel plans may have changed drastically in 2020, and travellers may not be able to take that distant trip they had previously hoped for, but this has given travellers the opportunity to discover - and in many instances rediscover - heaps of wonderful experiences closer to home. Delving into the travel patterns of Indians in the last few months, Booking.com calculated that the average distance Indians travelled between June and August 2020 is down 56% compared with the same time last year, which is slightly lower than the global average of 63% (1). When looking back at the same time last year, Indian travellers journeyed on average 1,786 km per booking. In 2020, that distance has dropped to just 780 km per booking (1). Happiness isn't measured in kilometres More than half (67%) of the total distance travelled by Indians between 1 June and 31 August 2020 was within the country, compared to only 34% during the same period of 2019(2). New Delhi, Bengaluru, Gurgaon, Mumbai and Hyderabad featured as the top most booked destinations between June - August 2020 by Indian travellers (3). Top booked domestic destinations by Indian travellers (1 June - 31 August 2020) 1. New Delhi 2. Bangalore 3. Gurgaon 4. Mumbai 5. Hyderabad 6) Jaipur 7) Chandigarh 8) Pune 9) Chennai 10) Kolkata Accommodations rediscovered - From Motels to Homestays When it comes to accommodation choice, Indian travellers were more likely to have opted for a motel than they were last year, followed by villa, hotel, lodge and homestay (4) which all topped the rankings of trending accommodation types for Indian travellers. This rise in pitching tents shows the shift in travel types we’ve seen. When looking back at the end of 2019, before we knew that our 2020 travel plans would be clouded by a global pandemic, only 28% of Indians were intending to stay at a villa, 16% in motels and 63% were anticipating staying in traditional hotels (5). The unexpected route to our travel plans While the events of the year have led to seismic shifts in travel behaviors and destination choices, travel has still found a way to satisfy many travellers’ wanderlust. At the end of 2019, 51% of Indians were dreaming of beautiful beaches and 42% of bustling city trips (5). 40% even dreamt of traveling to visit family and friends before they knew their contact with them would have been limited this year (5). Many of those travel desires would typically have been met with far flung destinations, but this year many have discovered these simple pleasures next door. So, whether it is exploring the pink city of Jaipur or soaking in the Nawabi culture of Hyderabad, the travel desires of many Indians have still been explored in 2020, just a little closer to home. Ritu Mehrotra, Country Manager, India, Sri Lanka and Maldives at Booking.com, said: “During these unprecedented times it's reassuring to see that while our plans and priorities may have changed, our passion for travel has not. Whether it’s the memories captured, relationships strengthened or smiles made, the summer of 2020 proved that the happiness travel can bring is not simply measured in kilometres and that there are plenty of adventures to be explored and comfort to be found right next door. With our mission to make it easier for everyone to experience the world, we offer the widest choice, great value and the easiest experience so travellers can get out and enjoy all kinds of travel experiences, whenever it’s safe to do so and whether that’s near or far.”

New Delhi, September 18, 2020- Sarovar Hotels and Resorts is pleased to announce the promotion of Shatabdi Dutta as the New General Manager – Marketing. The elevation is in line with the company’s efforts to strengthen its marketing department and bring urgently needed edge for the brand. In her new role, Ms. Dutta will be responsible for Databases –Quality, Quantity and Targeting; Digital thrust- Search Engine Optimisation, Campaigns, Lead generation, Viral content reach, Social Media traction, Website hits ;Alliances, Partner programmes and Guest recognition. Her focus area would now also be on Sales vertical. Shatabdi’s  ongoing journey since 2013 within the organisation is illustrative of a team member who has continued to display positivity, ability to learn, and passion as exemplified in her work for communicating  the values of brand Sarovar. She has active contribute in Sarovar's major Marketing Campaign- “Happiness @ Sarovar”. She was awarded the coveted “Marketing Person of the Year” Award for her marketing genius in increasing Sarovar's brand visibility. Her prior experience includes stints with Make My Trip and has implemented unique and fresh creative ideas of marketing and advertising, delivering profitable solutions to drive sales, attract and maintain customers and build a corporate brand.

Great Indian Journeys Bring alive India’s vibrant heritage Mumbai, September 17, 2020: Thomas Cook (India) Ltd., India’s leading integrated travel services company and its Group Company, SOTC Travel Ltd., have partnered with India's favourite storyteller, Amar Chitra Katha, to take travellers on an enchanting journey through time, re-living India’s vibrant history and culture with the launch of its Great Indian Journeys. Much loved historical characters have been hand-picked to act as a personal guide through each epic journey, including - Birbal (the witty/wise advisor of Mughal emperor, Akbar), Tenali Raman (poet and social thinker of the mighty Vijayanagar empire), Sudama (childhood friend of Lord Krishna) and Chetak (Rana Pratap’s true war horse and faithful companion). The itineraries carefully curated by Thomas Cook India and SOTC’s holiday experts and creatively illustrated via graphic comic strips in the distinctive Amar Chitra Katha style, present India’s young explorers and parents with an engaging format to discover India’s rich heritage and iconic attractions – in a very special route to their roots. The Great Indian Journeys welcomes travellers on a voyage of discovery via an easy paced 4-5 day itinerary through locales steeped in history - Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Udaipur, Mathura, Hampi, Delhi, Agra and more - that chronicle India’s golden ages. Each itinerary incorporates exclusive elements such as: personalised storytelling sessions around favourite historical characters, spectacular sound & light shows, local culinary experiences, and more.* In addition, customer benefits include: 1. Quality accommodation options with daily breakfast 2. Private transfers in AC vehicles 3. Affordable pricing starting at Rs.19 999.00* 4. Flexible cancellation options & a minimal booking deposit 5. Easy payment and EMI options 6. Meticulous health & safety under the Company’s Assured Program in partnership with Apollo Clinics 7. Additionally, COVID-negative certificate facilitation services are also available 8. A 3-month gift subscription to both – the Amar Chitra Katha and the Tinkle Comics Reading Apps worth Rs. 1 150.00 Mr. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd. said, “Children have emerged as clear decision makers when it comes to holidays! So, in a strategic initiative to engage with this powerful segment and bring alive India’s rich heritage, we are delighted to announce our partnership with Amar Chitra Katha to present Great Indian Journeys. Vibrant itineraries have been designed by our holiday experts to showcase epic journeys with a child-friendly format of Amar Chitra Katha’s graphic comic strips.” He added, “Travel is a great storyteller and our Great Indian Journeys endeavour to bring India’s history to life with much loved characters as personal guides/narrators. Starting at an attractive price of Rs. 19 999.00*, the selection of enchanting experiences across historical destinations like Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Udaipur, Mathura, etc. offer a delightful combination of fun and learning/discovery, while also ensuring a memorable family holiday.” He added, “Our Assured Program in partnership with Apollo Clinics ensures meticulous health & safety protocols across every touch-point and to further assist our customers, we have tied up with ICMR accredited labs to offer seamless end-to-end COVID-negative certification services with contactless facilitation – across India. Our Safe Holiday Helpline is yet another meaningful consumer initiative - a free service to support customers in safe holiday planning.” Click here to book Mr. Daniel D’souza, President and Country Head, Leisure, SOTC Travel said, “At SOTC Travel, we continue to believe in bringing families closer and creating their best memories with us. India’s favourite comics- Amar Chitra Katha plays an important role while growing up and has become an integral part in shaping a million childhoods. The Great Indian Journeys gives our travellers an opportunity, to reconnect and relive their fondest childhood memories with their children and families, by visiting India’s most iconic historical places. These specially designed itineraries, in the form of creative graphic comic strips, bring to life a unique combination of edutainment devoted to Indian culture and history. Through the Great Indian Journeys, we continue to help create delightful holiday experiences for our customers.” He added, “To ensure health and safety for travellers, we have associated with ICMR accredited labs across India to provide a first of its kind COVID-negative certification services. This, along with our Assured Program in partnership with Apollo Clinics, have been incorporated in every holiday proposition for a hassle-free journey for all our customers. To further assist our customers, we have launched India’s first Safe Holiday Helpline, a free service to the public - offering expert guidance & assistance for safe holiday planning, visa assistance, country specific updates, on-ground health and safety measures, travel documentation, health certification, etc.” Click here to book *Terms and conditions apply Ms. Preeti Vyas, CEO and President, Amar Chitra Katha said, “As India’s favourite storytellers, our vision at Amar Chitra Katha has always been to inspire children and families through our vibrant stories about India’s glorious past and culture. The Great Indian Journeys by Thomas Cook India & SOTC, is an exciting collaboration which offers families a unique opportunity to directly experience and engage with India’s heritage through these specially-curated & memorable family holidays. Amar Chitra Katha has been telling stories for over 53 years and has always been a ‘route to your roots’. She added, “As we firmly establish ourselves in the digital age, we are passionate about taking our founder Mr. Anant Pai’s legacy forward, by reaching out to our audiences via multiple platforms and experiences, including, films, apps, games and videos to tell India’s stories. Our association with SOTC-Thomas Cook is another powerful step in enabling Indian families to experience our stories real-time, not just in 2D or 3D but indeed in 5D, with emotions, feelings and a sense of awe. Through this new property - The Great Indian Journeys, travellers can be assured of the finest travel experience combined with authentic and vibrant depiction of itineraries through storytelling; which is the hallmark of Amar Chitra Katha.”

Indian Government has mandated unrestricted domestic travel, international travel likely to catch up fast The Indian Government has mandated the States to do away with any restrictions on the movement of persons within the country. The policy of unrestricted travel first announced in Unlock 2 has been reiterated in Unlock 3 and 4 guidelines and the States are now lifting restrictions like e-passes, COVID-19 tests and quarantine, etc. The States who allow unrestricted access are likely to benefit from huge pent-up demand, as the air, rail and road transport is also opening up. Countries are also preparing to open up as the risk perceptions of travel have considerably subsided. Though it may be while before full normalcy is established, countries that open faster and with least restrictions are likely to tap into the pent-up demand in the coming season. ReCONNECT, the virtual B2B travel trade exhibition launched by the organisers of India’s leading travel trade show OTM will see 3000+ travel industry professionals come together virtually on 18th September. Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority and Kenya Tourism Board have joined ReConnect as Premium Partner Countries. Tourism Fiji and Spain Tourism are Official Partners while Bangladesh is the Partner Country. Singapore Tourism Board is exhibiting as the Feature Country. Frankfurt Tourism, Visit Brussels and Zagreb Tourist Board will also be present as Feature Destinations for the first time. Destinations like Azerbaijan, Belgium, Croatia, Ethiopia, Germany, Japan, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Singapore, Thailand, Zimbabwe and many others will be represented at the event. Amongst Indian States, Gujarat Tourism will be present as the Premium Partner State. The Ministry of Tourism, Govt of India is also setting up a virtual booth at ReConnect, extending its vital support for reopening tourism. Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) has joined in the capacity of the Hospitality Partner. STIC Travel Group is the Official Partner while helloGTX and Technogram are the Travel Technology Partners. OneAbove has come onboard as the DMC Partner. ReCONNECT will take place on a proprietary virtual platform that allows ease of doing business where destinations can e-meet with their buyers and media to rebuild confidence and re-energise travel. Using the AI-powered Smart Matchmaking tool, sellers can connect with the most relevant buyers for digital networking. Virtual brand promotion, video conferencing and screen sharing are all a part of ReCONNECT. Over 2,500 buyers have registered for the virtual event. Travel agents, corporate buyers, wedding planners and event managers comprise a diverse base of buyers interested in meeting with 200+ B2B suppliers representing 500+ destinations from 18 countries in the virtual show. The event is also hosting a global Conference Programme with the best minds of travel & tourism from India, Asia and beyond. Leaders from Bidroom, Genesys Digital, Lonely Planet India, Reliance, SAP Concur, Travelstop, Thomas Cook are going to discuss travel in a post-COVID world. ReCONNECT is supported by travel associations like TAAI, TAFI, OTOAI, ADTOI, MTOA, IATTE, Skal International Mumbai South, IATO, ETAA, SATA, GTAA, TOSG, TAAN, VTA, ATAA, TAAS, TAG, TTAUP, HHTDN, EHTTOA, SIGTOA, TTAA, TAAP, UTEN, TLC, SGTCA and TAHAT. The virtual event is designed to provide the long-awaited booster shot to the Indian travel trade community and their global partners, in the wake of lockdowns. Visit the ReConnect website for more details.