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MoT-FHRAI
CRS scheme deferred
The Ministry of Tourism (MoT) has deferred the scheme of Central
Reservation System (CRS) it had signed with the Federation
of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) in
order to tackle the room shortage in the country.
Hotels,
restaurants in Chandigarh to become smoke-free
Hotels and restaurants in Chandigarh are tightening their
belts with the city set to become the first one in the country
to be officially declared smoke-free. The new ruling, enforced
from July 15 this year, will ensure that smoking in public
places and public utilities is banned.
IHG
appoints new CEO for Asia Pacific
InterContinental Hotels Group has appointed Peter Gowers as
chief executive, Asia Pacific region and Kirk Kinsell as president,
Europe Middle East & Africa (EMEA).
Cleartrip
launches hotel search model
Online travel company Cleartrip has redesigned its hotel search
section. Speaking on the new development, Stuart Crighton,
COO of Cleartrip, said, "We have introduced an enhanced
version of our current model product.
'Our
strength is ownership and operations of hotels'
The Phoenix Group has earmarked over Rs 2,000 crore for establishing
its presence in key gateway cities. Jaideep Singh, its VP
(Operations), speaks to Neeti Mehra of its flagship property
Radisson Plaza Resort & Spa Kumarakom and the group’s
future plans.
Hoteliers
demand check on Delhi-NCR land prices
As the land auctions for hotel sites in Delhi-NCR reel under
uncertainty owing to rapid price rise, hoteliers and the travel
fraternity demand an end to the illogical process of bidding.
FHRAI
moots for hotel incentives in Sikkim, WB
The Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Association of India
(FHRAI), in order to facilitate promotion of hill stations
in the states of Sikkim and West Bengal, has proposed for
incentives for new hotel projects in the region.
Lemon
Tree to open 6 properties next year
Upscale hotel chain Lemon Tree is set to launch six properties
across metro cities in India. It is also initiating talks
with Nirula's for its F&B outlet - Potpourri - for its
no-frills brand Red Fox.
Dominos
set to foray into branded ice cream segment
In an effort to extend its offerings in India, global fast
food retailing giant Dominos Pizza is planning a foray into
the ice cream segment, apart from launching boneless chicken
and chicken kickers for the first time at its restaurants
in India.
'There
is huge potential for Courtyard in India'
Marriott International has plans to expand to 21 properties
over the next three years. Edwin Fuller, president and managing
director (Lodging International), Marriott International,
speaks with Andrea Lopez about the company's endeavours.
Oberoi
Group to invest Rs 900 cr over 4 years
The Oberoi Group said it will invest about Rs 900 crore by
2011 to develop three properties in India besides entering
into management contracts abroad.
Carlson
Hotels supports children's cause
Carlson Hotels Worldwide has entered into a collaboration
with Plan India, a non-government organisation (NGO) working
for children in adverse circumstances.
Starwood
Capital unveils Baccarat hotels
Starwood Capital Group, an international real estate investment
and development firm led by Barry Sternlicht, announced the
creation of Baccarat Hotels & Resorts, a five-star luxury
hotel brand inspired by Baccarat's global iconic status.
HM
institutes jubilant over SC ruling on AICTE approval
The Supreme Court in a fresh ruling has upheld the prerequisite
of AICTE approval for technical institutes in the country.
Metro
Cash & Carry expands pan-India
German group Metro Cash & Carry, a self-service wholesaler,
is planning to launch its distribution centres in Mumbai and
Kolkata by the last quarter of 2007.
Berggruen
to expand its Keys by 2011
Berggruen Hotels plans to expand its boutique budget brand
Keys with 38 hotels in the country by 2011 with an investment
of Rs 16-24 crore on construction only with additional budget
for the land.
Pride
Group plans to expand operations
With three existing properties in Pune, Nagpur and Ahmedabad,
the Pride Group of hotels has added a fourth five-star to
its kitty with the launch of its new hotel in Chennai.
DS
Group's hospitality branch expands
The DS Group, known for products like Catch salt and pepper
dispenser and Pass Pass mouth fresheners, has taken over the
airport hotel in Kolkata.
Sahara
enters into hospitality sector with Sahara Star
The Sahara group has launched a five-star property in Mumbai
named Sahara Star, which marks the group's foray into the
hospitality sector.
Signature
Crest plans to open serviced apartment abroad
The Signature Crest, a Mumbai-based fully-owned subsidiary
of TravelOrg Holidays, is planning to launch serviced apartments
abroad.
Kolkata
to have its second 'Taj' Hotel
Putting to rest all speculations, Taj Hotels Resorts &
Palaces has announced to set up its second property in Kolkata.
Snippets
'Mid-market
and budget hotels have maximum potential'
Nikhil Sawant, director (Hospitality & Healthcare), JohnsonDiversey
India, speaks to Express Hospitality about the Indian hospitality
scene.
Air-conditioning,
refrigeration in hospitality to grow sharply
Air-conditioning and refrigeration are one of the key components
of the hospitality sector and the All India Air-conditioning
& Refrigeration Association (AIACRA) expects the business
to grow sharply.
Eight
brand partners announced for Abacus BAR programme
Abacus International announced that eight additional hotel
brands are to partner with the Abacus Best Available Rates
(BAR) programme that guarantees travellers and travel agents
the best available rates from partner hotels.
KHPL
on an expansion overdrive
Kambala Hospitality (KHPL), that has eight restaurants in
its portfolio, is looking to expand its products not only
in India but even Dubai and London.
Oodles
of noodles to 'Wok' the house in India
Jumeirah Branded Restaurants, part of Dubai-based Jumeirah
Group, has signed a license agreement with Dish Hospitality
that will see 35 Noodle House restaurants opening in India
with scheduled openings in Bangalore and Mumbai by the end
of this year.
Costa
Coffee to open 300 outlets in four years
Britain's coffee chain Costa Coffee is eyeing massive expansions
across the country.
Living
Liquidz plans to open 500 stores by next year
Wine retailer Living Liquidz is looking at opening 500 stores
across the country by next year.
Blackstone
Investment funds buys out Hilton Hotels
Hilton Hotels has entered into a definitive merger agreement
with The Blackstone Group's real estate and corporate private
equity funds in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately
US$ 26 billion.
Realities
of realty
Express Hospitality attended the CII Real Estate Conference:
Realty 2007 that analysed, amongst other realty trends, the
budget hotel boom with a discussion on the growing demand
for real estate by hotels. Can budget hotels afford the current
real estate prices? Sayoni Bhaduri finds out
Saastra
launches automated hospitality ecosystem software
Saastra Software, a Bangalore-based software firm, has launched
Saastra, a software claimed to be the first of its kind in
the world which would automate the entire ecosystem of the
hospitality sector, thereby eliminating the involvement of
an agent.
New
kids on the block
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