Tag Archives: Accor

The France Ambassador's Awards are the highlight of Atout France activities in India.

Atout France organises the sixth edition of the Ambassador’s Travel Awards in Mumbai

Atout France – France Tourism Development Agency organised the 6th edition of the very prestigious Ambassador’s Travel Awards in Mumbai on 12th December after a hiatus of 5 years and under the patronage of His Excellency Thierry Mathou.

These awards were instated in 2015 under the high patronage of the Ambassador of France to India and powered by VFS Global for all its subsequent editions. This year, the awards received an added impetus with the collaboration of La Vallée Village – member of the Bicester Collection.

The objective behind the awards is to recognise and reward a selection of travel companies across India for their exemplary efforts in showcasing France as a travel destination both from the destination showcase, visa perspective and the prolific penmanship of a journalist who, through articles, has essayed a versatile presentation of destination France.

Our jury members consisted of eminent luminaries that included His Excellency Thierry Mathou, the Ambassador of France to India, Claude Sarre General Manager Air France-KLM and Ségiyane Sylvain Paiquiry – Indo French entrepreneur and French Foreign Trade Advisor.

This year for the first time, a new category of awards was announced to felicitate a travel professional who has successfully completed Atout France’s global certified e-learning programme, France Connaisseur.

Six awardees were announced who won memorable stays and experiences in France as just rewards for their awards!

The winners for this year’s awards were:
1: Visa Category – awarded to Veena World for its exemplary endeavour towards qualitative visa submissions
Prize: A 2 night stay for 2 at the Novotel Paris La Défense, the Pullman Paris Bercy and the Novotel Jaipur Convention Centre courtesy Accor.

Destination Showcase Awards:

1: Gold – Best Showcase of France as an Incentive Destination
Winner: Thomas Cook (India) Limited
Prize: A 4 night stay for 2 people at France’s Palace Hotels that includes a 2 night stay at the elegant Shangri-La Paris and a 2 night stay the timeless Negresco in Nice

2: Diamond – Best Showcase of France as an Indulgent Destination
Winner: N.Chirag
Prize: A 2 night stay for 2 at the Palace Hotel Le Bristol Paris with a dinner for two at their 1 Michelin Starred restaurant le 114 Faubourg.
A 3 night stay for 2 in Méribel at Le Kaila (5*) and a dinner at their 1 Michelin starred restaurant L’Ekrin and 2 days ski-rental.
A 2 day Trois Vallées ski pass courtesy Meribel Tourism and a ski lesson courtesy the ESF Ski School.

A 3 night stay at Les Maisons du Clair de la Plume in Grignan, Provence including a champagne breakfast, a truffle experience, a wine tasting and vineyard visit

3: Platinum – Best Showcase of France as an Experiential Destination
Winner: Harmony-Tours
Prize: A premium economy ticket on Air France, a 3 night stay for 2 at the Fahrenheit 7 hotel in Val Thorens, a 3 night stay at the Fahrenheit 7 hotel in Courchevel and 2 “Trois Vallees Ski Passes”” for 3 days courtesy the Fahrenheit 7 hotels & 2 passes to Aquamotion and a dinner invitation by Courchevel Tourism

4: France Connassieur E-learning Award: Awarded to one travel professional for having successfully completed Atout France’s e-learning programme France Connaisseur.
Winner: Noopur Shukla, Holidays & More
Prize: 1 air ticket on Air France courtesy Atout France, a 6 night/7 day sojourn in the Occitanie region courtesy the Regional Tourism Board of Occitanie and the tourism boards of Toulouse, Carcassonne, Nimes, Montpellier and Lourdes. The stay includes the following:
Toulouse: 1 night in a 4* hotel, a guided tour of the city and 2 City Passes
Carcassonne: 1 night in a 4 *hotel with a guided tour of the Medieval City with their virtual reality headset
Montpellier: 1 night in a 4*hotel, city cards and a visit “Bonjour Montpellier”.
Nimes: 1 night in a 4* hotel and 2 City Passes
Lourdes: 2 nights in a 4* hotel and tickets to the Pic du Midi

5: Media Award- awarded to 1 journalist for his/her prolific penmanship in showcasing varied facets of France
Winner: Vidhi Gupta of Global Spa Magazine
Prize: 1 premium economy ticket on Air France, a 3 night stay for 2 in Luberon at the Domaine de Capelongue (5*) Bonnieux Beaumier Hotel & Spa with a full day escorted tour. The prize also includes a 3-night stay at Hotel Le Cep in Beaune, Burgundy with a wine tasting in their cellars, access to their H20 area, 1 yoga session and dinner in their vegetarian restaurant.

Sharing her thoughts, Sheetal Munshaw – Director Atout France, said, “This comeback edition was indeed much a much-awaited one. It was heartening to receive itineraries from different Indian cities, which again reinforces the evolution of the Indian traveller. Our source markets have now diversified to include many more cities across the country, which indicates a lot of potential for France. A special mention must be made of all our partners who have generously sponsored stays and experiences for our winners in both France and India. This year, in addition to the continued and steadfast support we have been receiving from VFS Global since the inception of the awards in 2015, we are also extremely pleased to have on board La Vallée Village – member of the Bicester Collection as our partner. Over the last several years, La Vallee Village has consistently invested in the market and we are grateful for their unwavering support”.

 

Accor Brings first Novotel to the Land of Taj with Signing of Novotel Agra Fatehabad Road

Accor, a world-leading hospitality group, proudly announces the signing of Novotel Agra Fatehabad Road, marking the debut of the Novotel brand in Agra City. Set to open in 2029, this new address will exemplify Novotel’s commitment to championing balanced living, balancing business and leisure to create a seamless experience for guests visiting the home of the iconic Taj Mahal.

Spanning 13,000 square meters, Novotel Agra Fatehabad Road will offer 275 intuitively designed rooms starting at 28 square meters, offering a comforting and energised atmosphere for families and business travellers alike. Every detail will reflect Novotel’s core values of balance, flexibility, and purposeful living.

The hotel will offer an array of world-class dining experiences, including an all-day dining restaurant, a speciality restaurant, and a lively bar. Adding to its versatility, the hotel will feature state-of-the-art banqueting facilities with 2,000 square meters of flexible space designed to host social celebrations and corporate events. Leisure and wellbeing amenities will include a swimming pool, modern fitness centre, and ample parking, ensuring every need is met with ease and efficiency.

The project is spearheaded by Crystal Vista Ventures LLP, under the leadership of Laxman Das Goyal and his family, whose legacy in hospitality includes the renowned Grand Mercure Agra and Crystal Inn Agra. This new venture is poised to strengthen the group’s contribution to Agra’s tourism and hospitality sector even further.

 

Aniruddh Kumar, Vice President of Development, India & South Asia, Accor, said, “Novotel Agra Fatehabad Road is a significant milestone in our journey to bring balanced living to India’s most dynamic destinations. We are delighted to collaborate again with Goyal family, whose dedication to excellence mirrors Novotel’s vision of creating intuitive, family-friendly, and purpose-driven hospitality experiences. With its rich heritage and robust tourism potential, Agra City presents the perfect setting for this project. Novotel Agra Fatehbad Road exemplifies Accor’s dedication to expanding our footprint in India and delivering world-class hospitality experiences to our guests.”

Laxman Das Goyal, partner of Crystal Vista Ventures LLP, expressing his enthusiasm for the project, stated, “Our partnership with Accor to bring Novotel to Agra reflects our shared commitment to providing world-class hospitality experiences. With Novotel Agra Fatehabad Road, we aspire to create a destination that caters to discerning global travellers while contributing significantly to the city’s thriving tourism industry.”

With over 590 hotels across 65 countries and a robust pipeline of 160+ new properties, Novotel continues to set the standard for balanced living. As part of its Positive Impact Plan, Novotel is also committed to reducing its environmental footprint through sustainable operations and ocean conservation initiatives. In 2024, Novotel announced a three-year agreement with World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) to champion the protection and restoration of the world’s oceans, the greatest source of balance for the planet, through science-based action and conservation projects.

 

As one of the largest international hotel groups in India, Accor operates 66 hotels across the country under the Raffles, Fairmont, Sofitel, Pullman, Grand Mercure, Novotel, Mercure and ibis brands. The Group has a strong pipeline of more than 30 hotels currently under development in India.

SBI Card unveils 3 variants of ‘SBI Card MILES’ for travellers

SBI Card has launched three variants of its first travel-focused core credit card, ‘SBI Card MILES’, in Mumbai.

The card is aimed at bringing holistic travel benefits to travellers of all kinds. SBI Card MILES offers compelling features that include conversion of Travel Credits to Air Miles and Hotel Points, accelerated rewards on every travel booking, and airport lounge access among others.

Empowering cardholders with an absolute choice of redemption, the card partners over 20 airline and hotel brands including Air Vistara, Air India, Spicejet, Air France-KLM, Etihad Airways, Air Canada, Thai Airways, Qantas Airways, ITC Hotels, IHG Hotels & Resorts, and Accor, to name a few.

According to Dinesh Kumar Khara, Chairman, State Bank of India, “The strong economic growth and robust consumption landscape has accentuated India’s position in the world. Even in travel sector, today, India is considered amongst the key source markets for outbound travel in many countries including those in Asia and Europe. I congratulate SBI Card on the launch of SBI Card MILES, a strong product that will redefine the travel experiences for Indian consumers.”

The three variants, SBI Card MILES ELITE, SBI Card MILES PRIME, and SBI Card MILES, have been designed to elevate these experiences through curated travel benefits. Cardholders can earn up to 6 Travel Credits on every INR 200 travel spend and up to 2 Travel Credits on spending INR 200 on other categories.

The offerings under ‘SBI Card MILES’ bouquet enable cardholders to carry out an easy and seamless Travel Credits redemption across multiple renowned flights and hotel partners. One can convert these Travel Credits into Air Miles/Hotel Points of respective partners or directly use them to book air tickets and hotel accommodations by visiting SBI Card mobile app or website. Alternatively, one can redeem them on SBI Card’s Rewards Catalogue as well.

Speaking at the launch, Abhijit Chakravorty, MD & CEO, SBI Card, said, “Our customer-centric approach has always driven us to design innovative products, solutions, and services that address the evolving and diverse lifestyle needs and offer customers an extremely rewarding experience. Indian travellers are large global spenders and naturally, with increased and more robust travel plans, consumers are looking for curated benefits to enhance their travel experiences. SBI Card MILES is our endeavour to offer our customers the best of all the travel benefits. The card has been designed to become one true travel partner for the cardholders. We are sure that our cardholders will enjoy the exclusive benefits offered by our travel-centric core card.”

SBI Card MILES ELITE comes with multiple and varied spends milestone benefits. These include up to 5000 Travel Credits on reaching spends of INR 1 lakh in 60 days of enrollment; up to 20,000 Travel Credits on spends milestone of INR 12 lakh; and spends-based fee reversal on reaching spends milestone of INR 15 lakh.

With airport lounge access being an important part of the overall travel experience, SBI Card MILES ELITE offers Priority Pass membership. Using the card, cardholders will be able to enjoy up to 8 complimentary domestic lounge visits and up to 6 international airport lounge visits in a year. What’s more, the card also enables users to earn additional domestic lounge access. Every time a cardholder achieves the cumulative spends of INR 1 lakh, cardholders will receive 1 gift voucher for lounge access that can be used by either the cardholder or the guest.

Importantly, SBI Card MILES ELITE cardholders will also enjoy a low foreign transaction mark up of 1.99% and travel insurance cover. The card will be available on Mastercard and RuPay network. The joining and annual fee of SBI Card MILES ELITE is INR 4,999 plus applicable taxes while SBI Card MILES PRIME and SBI Card MILES have a fee of INR 2,999 and INR 1,499 plus applicable taxes respectively.

 

manav thadani

Hotelivate’s 19th HICSA to showcase South Asia’s culinary innovations and design

Hotelivate will host the 19th Edition of its Hotel Investment Conference – South Asia (HICSA) at the JW Marriott Bengaluru Prestige GolfshireResort and Spa from 2 – 4 April 2024.


While the previous few editions have focused on post pandemic resilience, revival of the industry and thereafter exponential growth opportunities, this edition of HICSA will be centered around the hospitality palate. The theme for HICSA this year is Savouring South Asia: Innovations in Food Tech and Designwhich aims at unlocking the potential of South Asia’s culinary future and creating a sustainable, delightful, and technologically advanced hospitality ecosystem. The conference will serve as a knowledge-sharing hub, fostering dialogues aiming to shape the future of the industry.


Commenting on the 19th anniversary of HICSA, Manav Thadani, Founder Chairman – Hotelivate said “We are excited to bring HICSA 2024 again this year to the “Silicon Valley of India”. This year we are focusing on the aspect of technology in our business and no other city would be more appropriate than this one. India is the heart of South Asia’s thriving hospitality industry and this year’s conference promises to be a dynamic platform for exploring investment prospects, trends, and best practices, and to network with the industry’s brightest minds. We believe HICSA will set the stage for numerous investment ventures in this rapidly evolving region. We are extremely grateful for the support we have received from our delegates, patrons, speakers, and sponsors as we come together in celebration of all things remarkable in food, beverage, and hospitality.”

Hotelivate is proud to announce the presence of three global CEOs at their prestigious conference that brings together a diverse range of participants from the hospitality, real estate, and investment industries. This year, as speakers atthe 19th Edition of this conference, there will be Sébastian Bazin – Chairman &CEO – Accor, Mark S. Hoplamazian – President & CEO – Hyatt Hotels Corporation and Federico J. González – Executive Vice-President – Radisson Hotel Group.


Accor promises nonstop potential and opportunities with its tagline – “Live Limitless”. In a thought-provoking keynote session at HICSA2024 titled “Live Limitless: Going ALL The Way”, Sébastian Bazin – Group Chairman & CEO – Accor,will talk about his vision in the ever-evolving hospitality scape. “We are proud to be partnering with Hotel Investment Conference South Asia for their 2024 event. HICSA is an incredible platform for the global hospitality industry, bringing us together in India – a country which is alive with endless potential for the travel sector and unique experiences. It is clear that India’s moment is now, actively shaping tomorrow’s journeys and paving the way for the future of hospitality. Our collaboration with HICSA reflects our commitment to India and our vision to become a true trailblazer in this vital market”, said Sébastian. He has a finance background and has held various leadership roles in the hospitality sector. He joined Accor’s Board in 2005, became its Chairman and CEO in August 2013, and chairs the Gustave RoussyFoundation’s Board. Additionally, Sébastien has been on GE’s Board since 2016 and took on the role of CEO for Accor’s Luxury & Lifestyle division in January 2023.
In an exclusive interview titled “Heart of Hyatt: Enjoy Life Everyday”, Ashish JakhanwalaChairman, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, SAMHI Hotels will be in conversation with Mark Hoplamazian, Chief Executive Officer, Hyatt Hotels. When asked, Mark Hoplamazian commented that “It is valuable to have a platform like HICSA that brings together key voices from the industry. For the upcoming 19th edition of HICSA, I am excited to underscore the pivotal role that the India and Southwest Asia region plays in Hyatt’s intentional growth strategy. This region is a catalyst for innovation in everything from guest experience to F&B to events and I am so excited about the development opportunities ahead.” Mark became President and CEO of Hyatt Hotels Corporation in late 2006. Prior to this, he had led The Pritzker Organization, LLC, advising Pritzker family businesses, including Hyatt.
He has a background in international mergers and acquisitions at The First Boston Corporation in New York. Mark serves on Hyatt’s Board of Directors and holds positions with VF Corporation, the American Hotel & Lodging Association, Brand USA, and the World Travel & Tourism Council. He is also involved in civic and industry leadership roles.
In an exclusive interview, Manav Thadani – Founder Chairman of Hotelivate, will engagewith Federico J. González – Executive Vice Chairman – Radisson Hotel Groupand CEO – Louvre Hotels Group in a conversation centeredaround “Happiness and Change”.Commenting on this edition of HICSA, Federico said “HICSA is a platform to explore and capitalize upon untapped growth opportunities within the multitude of destinations in India. As one of the largest international hotel groups in the country, Radisson Hotel Group remains committed to deepening its presence in this vibrant market. The engaging discussions at HICSA will provide an opportunity to not only address the challenges confronting the industry but also to collaboratively map out the areas of upliftment within the sector. At Radisson Hotel Group, we are actively driving change through industry-leading initiatives such as the Hotel Sustainability Basics and a commitment to Net Zero. Our diverse portfolio of country-specific brands as well as our growth strategy and recent accolade as ‘Best Hotel Chain – South Asia by Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) International Travel Awards’ at ITB Berlin 2024 stand as a testament to our focus in India as well as our commitment to excellence.” Federico has extensive global executive leadership experience in hospitality, leisure, and FMCG. He was CEO of NH Hotel Group and Deputy GM of Disneyland Paris. He also held senior roles at Procter & Gamble. Federico is known for his marketing expertise and has authored three books. He advocates for ambitious profitability, purpose, and diversity in organizations.

On Day 1, the conference will feature some exclusive interviews and keynote addresses in an endeavour to make the event more content rich. The day will close with the ‘HICSA Hotels of the Year Awards’ presented by MakeMyTrip, that recognizes the most remarkable new hotel developments in the South Asian region. The nominations include hotels across six categories: Luxury/Upper Upscale Hotel; Upscale Segment; Upper Mid-Market Segment; Mid-Market Segment; Budget/Economy Segment; Boutique Hotel Segment. The winners will be shortlisted by a designated jury and then finally determined by the HICSA 2024 delegates through a voting process and announced as part of the conference program.  

The first full day of the conference will culminate into a ‘Culinary Carnival’ – a celebration of gastronomy, bringing together talented chefs, artisanal food vendors, and passionate hoteliers at the JW Marriott Bengaluru Prestige Golfshire Resort and Spa. In line with the theme this year, the focus will be on a gastronomic extravaganza. A diverse and mouth-watering array of dishes from celebrated restaurants, both standalone as well as in hotels, across India will showcase their cuisines, from street food classics to gourmet delicacies. Marriott International, ITC Hotels, InterContinental Hotel Group, Massive Restaurants, The Leela Hotels, Resorts & Palaces, Hyatt International and Atelier House Hospitality and would be some of brands showcasing their top restaurants.

Day 2 of HICSA will feature curated panel discussions and mini keynote sessions with industry leaders. Post the famous “Hot Seat: Leaders on Fire”, which will bring to light leadership dilemmas, the conference will ultimately conclude with the prestigious MakeMyTrip General Manager of the Year Awards 2024. While the Hotel Operations Summit India (HOSI) took a hiatus in 2023, our commitment to celebrating excellence in the hospitality industry remains steadfast. These awards have beenseamlessly integrated into HICSA as a part of the main conference. These awards are a wonderful opportunity to recognize and highlight the hard work and outstanding performance displayed by the General Managers untiringly running the show. Theclosing dinner will be at Falak, The Leela Bhartiya City as the perfect end to this event. The 19thedition of HICSA promises to be a remarkable convergence of insights, innovation, and inspiration, offering an unforgettable experience that will leave a lasting impact. Join us as we embark on this exciting and intellectually stimulating journey together.

Accor extends ‘The Choice is Yours’ incentives to reward ALL Event Planners

 

Accor is recognising the efforts of event planners by introducing its groundbreaking ‘The Choice is Yours’ offer. Open to all Accor Live Limitless and Accor Plus members organising social celebrations, weddings, business meetings, or conferences at any Accor hotel in India, this offer is tailored to provide planners with a range of value-added benefits to align with their event specifications and financial considerations.

For eligible planners securing an event reservation until December 31, 2024, a substantial up to 30% deduction on the master bill awaits. Additionally, planners can opt for either a complimentary upgrade to the next higher category meeting or catering package or receive one complimentary guest room for every ten guest rooms booked. To further enhance the experience, ALL and Accor Plus members can enjoy double rewards points for qualifying events.

This unprecedented offer empowers planners to customise their social celebrations, weddings, business meetings, and conferences according to their unique requirements and budget constraints across Accor hotels in India.

Ms. Pratima Badhwar, Head of Commercial, Accor India and South Asia, expressed, “Accor is dedicated to delivering top-notch experiences for our guests and partners. ‘The Choice is Yours’ offer reflects our commitment to the MICE industry by providing tailored benefits and an unparalleled level of flexibility. We anticipate that this initiative will revolutionize event planning, establishing a new benchmark for excellence in hospitality and contributing to the industry’s growth.”

Accor’s ‘The Choice is Yours’ offer is extended to ALL and Accor Plus members and is applicable at hotels including Raffles, Fairmont, Sofitel, Pullman, Novotel, Grand Mercure, Mercure, ibis, and ibis Styles.

Accor expands in South India with the Signing of Mercure Rajahmundry City Centre

Accor announced its latest addition to the Mercure portfolio in India. Developed in collaboration with Compass Enterprise Private Limited, the Mercure Rajahmundry City Centre is strategically located on the city’s main 100 Feet Road. Property is set to open in January 2028.

Rajahmundry stands out for its thriving industries and prominent bullion markets and is a significant Hindu pilgrimage destination. Mercure Rajahmundry City Centre is set to bring together a seamless fusion of authenticity and comfort across its 120 rooms. The hotel has three Food and Beverage Outlets and an expansive 1,000 sqm Banqueting Facility for hosting grand events and fitness Centre and Spa.

Aniruddh Kumar, Vice President of Development, India & South Asia for Accor, promised an incomparable experience at Mercure Rajahmundry City Centre, stating, “This collaboration will enable us to contribute to Rajahmundry’s economic and cultural section, providing a world-class destination that reflects the city’s heritage and modern spirit. The opening of Mercure Rajahmundry City Centre marks another milestone in Accor’s journey to redefine the hospitality landscape in India”.

Dr. Ganni Bhaskara Rao, Chairman, Compass Enterprise Private Limited, part of GSL Group, said, “Our family is proud to bring the first international branded hotel to this historical city. We are confident that Mercure Rajahmundry City Centre will set new standards in hospitality excellence.”