Tag Archives: Design

First Vande Bharat sleeper train to be on track in 2 months: Vaishaw

Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said that work on the first Vande Bharat sleeper trainset is progressing rapidly, with the first train expected to be on track within two months.

“The completion work of the trainset of the Vande Bharat sleeper train is in full swing and the first train will be on track within two months. All technical works are in the last phase. The trainset is manufactured by BEML Ltd at its rail unit in Bangalore,” Vaishnaw said.

He added that the much-awaited Vande Bharat sleeper trains will enhance commuter mobility and provide a range of comforts that align with global standards, reports Moneycontrol.

Talking about the train’s robust construction, Vaishnaw noted, “The car body structure is crafted with high-grade Austenitic stainless steel, featuring crashworthy elements integrated into the crash buffers and couplers. Complying with stringent safety standards, all materials and aggregates in the trainset adhere to the Fire standard requirements as per EN45545 HL3 grade.”

The Vande Bharat sleeper trains have been designed with a strong focus on both aesthetics and functionality. “The Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains designed by BEML prioritise both aesthetic appeal and functionality in their interiors, sleeper berths, and exteriors. From the front nose cone to interior panels, seats and berths, interior lights, couplers, gangways and beyond, every element is meticulously designed to meet the exacting standards of the sleeper trainset,” he added.

 

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.

Bhutan witnesses its newest luxury property with the launch of Pemako Punakha

Pemako, an emerging luxury hospitality brand originating in Bhutan, unveiled its latest addition- Pemako Punakha. Nestled across 70 sprawling acres of land, this property boasts a collection of 19 opulent tented villas, alongside a two-bedroom tented villa and a presidential tented villa, each discreetly positioned to harmonize with the surrounding natural splendor. Positioned just a 3.5-hour drive away from the Paro International Airport (116km), Pemako Punakha beckons with its serene location.

Commenting on the launch, Christiane Doris Wasfy, General Manager, Pemako, said, “We are delighted to introduce the luxury hospitality group – Pemako and its stunning properties to Indian travellers. As we celebrate the grand opening of Pemako Punakha, a result of 7 years of dedication, design and innovation, we look forward to catering to adventurers and explorers constantly seeking unique journeys. The group offers ideal stay experiences with its 2 stellar properties in Punakha and Thimphu that embrace nature, and cultural realms and offer extraordinary gastronomy – all the while giving the freedom and the time to detach oneself from worldly distractions, to think and feel more deeply. We are looking forward to welcoming guests from around the world and showcasing the beauty of Bhutan through Pemako.”

Regarding dining options, the establishment prides itself on providing guests with fresh, organic, locally sourced ingredients, crafting traditional Bhutanese cuisine. Additionally, guests have the option to unwind in the evenings with a selection of handcrafted cocktails available at the Five Nectars Bar.

Govt to tailor India tourism offerings based on visiting countries’ profile

According to a report in The Indian Express, in order to market its tourism offerings better, the government will project different aspects of India to different countries.

This is being done with the help of Indian missions abroad, officials said. For 20 of India’s major source markets, which include the US, UK, Thailand, Canada, China, Oman and Russia, the missions have been tasked with chalking out specific marketing plans customised as per the profile of tourists from the respective country.

For instance, India will pitch itself as a destination for culture and history to the French, while adventure tourism and the Buddhist circuit may be marketed to Thailand. In the case of Russians, the need is to expand the spectrum of tourism beyond Goa and Kerala.

Recently, Union Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, along with officials from the Tourism Ministry, held a virtual meeting with Ambassadors and Tourism Officers from some of these missions, wherein specific marketing plans were presented.

“There is a realisation that the one-size-fits-all approach to promoting India as a tourist destination to foreigners does not yield great results. So, the idea is to market the tourist offerings in a more customised manner,” says an official.

For instance, in the case of French travellers coming to India, it was observed that more than 70 per cent of them go online to check out a destination before they travel, and most of them also write blogs and reviews after their visits. “Only those with an extremely satisfactory experience express themselves as ambassadors of a destination,” as per a presentation submitted to the ministers by the Indian Mission in Paris.

It was recommended that more direct flights be added between French and Indian cities, and historical linkages between the two countries be highlighted to generate curiosity. The mission also decided to participate in big-ticket tourism events in France — such as Salon Mondial du Tourisme in March and IFTM Top Resa (tourism trade show) in September — to highlight such offerings.

The plan to customise tourist offerings is meant to appeal to different country profiles by making the most of India’s diversity. The factors that will be kept in mind to design the new strategy include age-group and income profile of the tourists from a country, their gender, connectivity with the country (and if there’s a need to establish more direct links), and other relevant market trends and insights, officials say.

It was almost a year ago that the government appointed tourism officers in 20 Indian missions abroad to give a boost to the sector that was brought to its knees during the pandemic. The job of these officials is to promote India abroad and liaise with the tourism ministries of the respective countries to woo potential tourists.

“We have Tourism Officers identified in 20 Missions abroad, where we have large tourist footfalls,” Reddy said. The countries include Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Oman, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the Netherlands, the UK and the US.

Cleartrip appoints Joy Banerjee as Senior Director – Product Design

In the latest move to strengthen its leadership, Cleartrip, one of India’s fastest-growing online travel companies, has appointed Joy Banerjee as Senior Director – Product Design. He will be instrumental in elevating the design orientation of Cleartrip’s products and platforms to fortify its user experience and eventually the business outcome.

Banerjee is a seasoned design leader with over 2 decades of design experience including classical, computational and design strategy. He has spearheaded design innovations in enterprise applications, and consumer products across travel, education, insurance, healthcare and IT sectors. Joy’s cross-industry expertise will be integral in shaping Cleartrip’s user experience to bring greater simplicity, accessibility and seamlessness to its UI/UX.

Speaking on the appointment, Mrugendra Shintre, CTPO, Cleartrip, said, “Customer experience is the centre of all our endeavours and ‘design’ is integral to moulding this experience. We are pleased to bring aboard, Joy Banerjee, who is an industry veteran and strongly imbibes Cleatrip’s creative vision and customer obsession.”

Commenting on his appointment, Joy Banerjee, said, “Cleartrip has always been known for its design – its products are simple, easy to understand and provide an uncluttered experience. I am excited to lead the product design charter at Cleartrip, especially in the post-pandemic world where there is a greater need for human-centric design. We need to build greater trust, flexibility and overall simplicity into our platforms. Cleartrip 2.0 is truly at an inflexion point. And I’m thrilled to be a part of this journey.”

During his career, Banerjee has worked extensively in the online travel and insurance domains, having designed products for companies like ebookers plc (now part of Expedia Inc), First Europa (pan-European insurance aggregator) and Isango! (global aggregator of online tours & activities, acquired by TUI Travel plc). Apart from leading Woodapple, the digital design agency he co-founded, Joy has been on the founding teams of several global startups, the latest being Sherlock AI – a US-based, conversational AI coaching platform. Joy is also an alumni of IDC School of Design, IIT Bombay.