Page 188 - Hospitality Recreation

Day after Mumbai pub blaze, BMC smashes illegal structures

A day after the tragic fire in a pub which claimed 14 lives, the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)'s demolition squads went hammer and tongs after illegal fittings, extensions and obstacles at various locations here on Saturday.

2017: The year Delhi chefs cooked up a royal storm

With several festivals across town seeking to recreate cuisines from the erstwhile royal kitchens of India, 2017 was a year to savour regally delicious flavours from a bygone era. Several leading restaurants and hotels treated Delhiites to a decadent array of tastes and aromas, whipping up dishes once served to 'rajahs' and 'nawabs'. From the humble Nimone ki Sabzi, a dish of green peas fresh from the fields, to the Gosht Makhana Kurma, an elaborate meat curry, it was all on offer in the year that was. The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel, for instance, here curated the 'Dining with the Maharajas' event -- a series of food fests bringing to the table authentic flavours from the kingdoms of Hyderabad and Mahmoodabad in Uttar Pradesh in October. Chef de Cuisine Ashwani Kumar Singh from the hotel travelled to Sitapur in Uttar Pradesh to acquaint himself with the flavours of the era and the region and recreated not just the royal cuisine of the estate, but also the popular ..

Holidaymakers throng Himachal hills to soak in New Year's spirit

Tens of thousands of holidaymakers started gathering across resorts in Himachal Pradesh on Saturday to bid goodbye to 2017. Mellow sunshine and no snowfall will greet them at most of the tourist destinations till next week though.

Masala Library: Giving traditional Indian food a modern makeover (Foodie Trail -- Delhi)

Have you ever felt like eating street snacks like jhal moori cookie or ghugni chaat at one of the top-rated restaurants in the country? The culinary offering at Masala Library by Jiggs Kalra promises to offer you a never-before gastronomic voyage capturing the range of India's centuries-old food traditions with modern-day cooking techniques presented in a unique way.

Trump invites Coast Guard to play golf at his club

US President Donald Trump has invited service members of the US Coast Guard to play golf at his private club in Florida, where he practices his favourite sport daily during his Christmas vacation.

Buy bar accessories, quilts as house warming gifts

Get your friends a printed quilt or some quirky bar accessories for their new house, suggest experts.

Hosting house party? Try these tips

Thinking of organising a party this New Year at home? Create a small creative selfie wall, prepare healthy snacks and more to pull off a great party at home without burning a hole in your pocket, say experts.

CPI for industrial workers rises to 288 in Nov

Consumer price index for industrial workers (CPI-IW) increased by one point to stand at 288 in November, while retail inflation increased to 3.97 per cent from 3.24 and food inflation rose to 3.91 per cent from 2.26 for the month. The maximum upward pressure to the change in index (1.10 per cent) due to rise in prices of food, including wheat, wheat flour, Eggs, Goat, Meat, Milk, Onion, Tamarind, Bitter Gourd, Cabbage, Carrot, Coconut, Potato, Tomato Cooking Gas, Electricity charges, Firewood, Tuition Fee, Petrol etc. However, the increase was checked by Arhar, Masur and Urad (pulses), Groundnut Oil, Fresh Fish, Poultry, Green Chillies, Garlic, Ginger Brinjal, Cauliflower, Vegetables, apple and Banana etc, Labour Bureau sources said.

'Winter Fest 2017' kicks off at Rajasthan's Mount Abu

The three-day annual "Winter Fest 2017" took off here with fanfare on Friday with the city coming alive with colourful cultural and folk performances as well as traditional sports activities for visitors and tourists.

Indonesia to attract Indian wedding planners with offers

Indonesia is planning to attract Indian wedding planners to promote that country as the big fat Indian wedding destination with attractive offers, said a top official of Visit Indonesia Tourism Office (VITO)-India.

Jazz up your home with decor trends

Home is where your heart is -- so why not jazz up your abode with decor trends that are going to grab eyeballs in 2018.

More Indians travel on impulse, advance booking for holidays

Booking flight tickets and hotels months in advance while planning a vacation is a thing of the past as more and more Indians are turning into impulse holidaymakers, a study carried out by travel marketplace ixigo said. According to the survey, more than 30 per cent of those planning to travel within the country, booked their flights the same month in which they intended to travel. For those planning to fly overseas, this figure was even higher -- 50 per cent of the total number of people surveyed. The firm analysed data from over two lakh users on its platform. The sample studied involved equal representation of men and women, between the ages 18 and 65 years, from across the country. The survey stated that when it comes to hotel bookings, over 48 per cent of domestic and 43 per cent of international travellers make reservations within 30 days of the intended travel. In contrast, only 16 per cent domestic and less than 25 per cent international travellers booked hotels .

Ultra-violet hues: Trending colour code for men

Ditch basic colours like black, red and blue for your wardrobe, and try ultra-violet. Invest in a bomber leather jacket in ultra-violet or team a woven detailed leather duffle bag with your formal suits, suggest experts.

Helsinki, Florence among offbeat spots explored by Indians: Report

Indians are increasingly exploring offbeat destinations like Helsinki, Moscow and Florence, signifying changes in travel behaviour this year, indicates a report.

Get your shine on this New Year's Eve

Hula your way into the New Year or dance off daubed in glitter -- there are options galore for party goers here this New Year's Eve (NYE). With unlimited food and drinks, rousing electronic dance music (EDM) and DJs to celebrity singers, the eastern metropolis has upped its game in the party scene over the years.

Rajasthan reports big surge in tourist arrivals

If you're looking to celebrate New Year in Rajasthan and have not booked a room so far, then the chances are you may not get one or get it a very high price.

Dighalipukhuri is attracting tourists in Guwahati

Centuries-old Dighalipukhuri lake in Guwahati is emerging as a popular tourist destination offering recreational activities, including boat rowing championships and boat rides.Eco-tourism plays a major role in preserving the natural and cultural assets as tourists from all across the country throng the long manmade lake for its immense scenic beauty and historical significance.Adjacent to the lake is an amusement park where children play and have their share of fun and one of the sites that hold attention of the visitors is the newly constructed replica of legendary Assamese Ahom General Lachit Borphukan, who is known for his leadership during the famous battle of Saraighat, fought between the Ahom Kingdom and the Mughal Empire."With the advancement in the park and more development, the tourist inflow will increase and more tourists from abroad will be attracted to this lake. I think coming here one can have a good time as the environment is peaceful and there is discipline. People ...

Tourist arrivals are on upswing in J&K: Minister

Jammu and Kashmir Minister of State for Tourism Priya Sethi today sought to allay concerns over security of tourists and said that tourist footfall has increased in recent times. She listed various measures being undertaken by the J&K government to promote tourism. "The government of Jammu and Kashmir is taking all steps to make that secure. For the tourists to come there, visit there, the Department of Tourism headed by the Chief Minister (Mehbooba Mufti) has taken many measures...to definitely welcome our guests, our tourists (sic)," Sethi told reporters at a road show organised to promote tourism in the northern state. Citing the example of terror incidents in Europe and elsewhere, she said the scourge is being faced all over the world. "Tourism Police for the service of tourists is also in place in Jammu and Kashmir," the minister said. The state, comprising Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh regions, has received more than a crore of tourists in recent times and the ...

'Nearly 10 per cent growth in tourist arrivals in Jaipur'

The number of tourists arriving the Pink city has increased by nearly 10 per cent towards the end of the year, with domestic as well as foreign visitors flocking to Jaipur to enjoy holidays. Director of the tourism department Pradeep Kumar said that the increase was nearly 10 per cent in the arrival of tourists this year compared to last year. On the occasion of Christmas, 16,034 tourists visited Amber Fort while 9,224 tourists visited Jantar Mantar. The footfall in Hawa Mahal and museum was 6,974 and 5,199 respectively on December 25. Rajasthan association of tour operators' president Khalid Ahmad said that most of the foreign tourists visiting the city are from European countries. They celebrated Christmas in the state and will be welcoming the new year also in the desert state, Ahmad said. Jaipur hotel association's president Gajendra Luniwal said that the occupancy of hotels presently was nearly 80 per cent as the tourists are rushing to the Pink city.

Orange Festival of Music and Adventure in Arunachal attracts adrenaline junkies

Excitement, thrill and musical extravaganza gripped Dambuk village, located in the Lower Dibang Valley in Arunachal Pradesh, when a four-day long Orange Festival of Music and Adventure (OFAM) offered tourists the experience of various rendition of Indo-Western music and adventure sports activities.Dambuk in Arunachal is known to produce some of the best oranges in the country and hence the name Orange festival evolved.Abu Tayeng, director of the festival, said at the occasion, "No one really knows about Dambuk. I thought if I could do something like this which may popularize the town, may be slowly it will become a tourist destination. It has everything to offer to its tourists. This year we have added show jumping event, we brought in the country's best two wheelers show jumpers Gaurav Khatri. He enthralled the audience with his daredevil tricks."Besides the festival, the picturesque lush green landscape, valleys, farmlands, majestic hills and mountains accompanied with tents and ...