Snippets

Yatra.com launches affiliate program

Yatra online recently launched 'The Yatra Affiliate Program', an innovative business opportunity for companies and individual website owner. The affiliate program offers opportunity to generate revenue by promoting Yatra online products and services on the affiliate's website. It is free of cost and site owners can enhance their site services and business with wide range of Yatra online products and services, alongside generate additional commissions for every booking generated from an affiliate's site. The Yatra services offered are assisted round the clock travel consultants to assist visitors. The commission structure for domestic and international hotels and flight bookings are Rs 75 per booking for domestic flights, Rs 200 for domestic hotels and Rs 100 for international flights, and Rs 200 for holidays.

Leela Palace Kempinski wins slew of awards

Leela Palace Kempinski in Bangalore hosted the regional World Travel Awards (WTA) Ceremony where the winners of the Asia, Australasia & Indian Ocean Awards were announced. 'The Lifetime Achievement Award' was conferred to the honorary chairman of the Leela group of Palaces and Resorts, Capt C P Krishnan Nair for his contribution to the Industry. Capt. Nair was extremely overwhelmed with the honour and said that it felt like a thump on his shoulders. The Leela Palace Kempinski, Bangalore was crowned as the 'The Leading Business Hotel of India' while The Leela Resort, Goa won the Leading resort of India Award.

McDonald's to offload assets

Opting for an asset light policy, McDonald's, the world's largest fast-food chain, has spelt out plans to up to 21 per cent of company-owned restaurants to franchisees over a period of three years. This will enable the company to divert resources into fast growing markets including the BRIC countries Brazil, Russia, India and China. President and chief operating officer Ralph Alvarez said that most of the 1,000 -1,500 restaurants will be sold to current franchisees. Currently, the restaurant chain owns nearly 7,000 of its network of 31,000 outlets.

Singapore all set to stage biggest cuisine show in Asia

The World Cuisines Show 2008 (WCS' 08) will be staged in Singapore from July 25-27, 2008. The show is a global marketplace where exhibitors around the world gather under one roof and national tourism authorities from more than 130 countries have been invited to participate in this inaugural international event. Globally, gastronomic tourism is coming up as a form of special interest tourism in which food and beverages are the main motivating factors for travel to a desired destination. Global trends have identified that gastronomic tourists are looking for a more participatory style of holiday experience, which satisfies their interest in food and beverages and contributes to their personal development and social status or 'cultural capital'. There is a shift from 'passive observation' towards 'interactive involvement', whereby the visitor comes into close contact with locals and their way of life.

Century-old law firm, Fox Rothschild, becomes partner of Cornell Centre for hospitality research

Fox Rothschild has become a partner with Cornell's Center for Hospitality Research. Carolyn D. Richmond, a Fox Rothschild partner and co-chair of the firm's Hospitality Practice Group, will join to the center's advisory board. "Fox Rothschild is delighted to partner with Cornell's Center for Hospitality Research," she said. "Our multi-disciplinary team includes attorneys who have worked in leadership positions within the hospitality sector-so we know that the research the center provides is vital to aiding growth and developing new ideas for the industry. With offices in cities like Atlantic City and Las Vegas, we use that knowledge to make sure we're in step with the industry at all times." Among other activities, advisory board members meet with center researchers to discuss research studies.

Spa Finder names Ananda in the Himalayas top spa in India

Ananda in the Himalayas has earned the distinction of being the 'Top Spa in India' from Spa Finder, the global spa resource. Based on thousands of votes submitted by Spafinder.com visitors and Luxury SpaFinder Magazine, the Readers' Choice Awards represent the most complete consumer assessment of the Global Spa Market. "We are honoured to be recognised as the top spa in India by this sophisticated spa audience," said Ashok Khanna, MD of IHHR Hospitality. "It speaks volumes about the distinctiveness of our location, our treatments and our entire staff who work hard to ensure our guests have an exceptional experience.” The property has been voted the 'world's best destination spa' by the readers of the UK-based Condé Nast Traveller magazine for two consecutive years.

Design Hotels launches 2008 yearbook

Design Hotels has launched its 2008 edition of the Design Hotels yearbook featuring 38 new members. The hardcover volume comprises over 650 pages that feature all member hotels accompanied with photographs, in-depth architectural and design reporting. In 2008, Design Hotels celebrates 15 years. 'Looking Forward' is the yearbook theme that reflects the company's mission to spur on a new era in travel and hotel design. The issue features nine selected designers and hoteliers, including Karim Rashid, members of FG Stijl and Richard Hassell of WOHA. Claus Sendlinger, founder and CEO of Design Hotels said, "We are proud to present the expanded portfolio in this 2008 edition. The yearbook is a compilation of outstanding design, but also reveals conscientious building methods, novel uses of high technology, interactive, as well as emotional environments and individualised service."

India Hosp Corp to receive US $75 million investment

The India Hospitality Corp has announced that its controlling shareholders, Navis Capital Partners and Hayground Cove Asset Management, have committed to invest an aggregate of an additional US $75 million in the company. "Given IHC's strong capital structure and cash position, combined with strategic commitments from Hayground Cove and Navis, IHC is now very well positioned to capitalise on the wealth of opportunities India's hospitality and travel sectors provide," said Jason Ader, chairman of India Hospitality Corp. and CEO of Hayground Cove.

The investment comes approximately four months after the closing of IHC's acquisition of Navis-owned Mars Restaurants and SkyGourmet Catering for US $110 million, in which Navis had retained an option to invest up to US $75 million back into India Hospitality.