Page 19 - Hospitality Recreation
Brett Lee unveils franchise model of Giant India
Former Australian cricketer Brett Lee on Thursday unveiled the franchise model for one of the worlds leading bicycle brands -- Giant India, along with a brand new limited edition range of cycles.
Accor introduces day-use concept across its hotels in India
Global hospitality major Accor Thursday said it has introduced the concept of Day Stays by Accor across all its 50 hotels in the country. Through Day Stays by Accor, which is essentially a room for the day between 9 am to 9 pm priced at around 60 per cent of the best available rate, guests can book a room for day utilisation and can have access to all hotel facilities, Accor said. "Day Stays by Accor has been conceptualised in a way to help our business travellers, transit travellers; and guests who look for brief stays at hotels get an ease on their pocket with friendly rates and great services," Accor India and South Asia COO Jean-Michel Cass said. Accor operates a network of ten brands with approximately 9,500 rooms spread across 51 properties in 22 key destinations in India and Sri Lanka.
Man held for issuing fake fitness certificates to vehicles
A 32-year-old man was arrested in Thane district of Maharashtra for allegedly issuing fake fitness certificates of the regional transport office (RTO) to commercial vehicles, police said on Thursday. A fitness certificate is an official document certifying that the holder's vehicle is fit for being driven in public places. The accused, Anil Sachdev, used to charge Rs 3,000 per certificate for a goods carrier, a police spokesperson said. He was arrested on Monday near the Thane railway station after a transporter complained that the accused gave him a fake vehicle fitness certificate. On verification, the police found that the transporter's certificate was not issued by the RTO, she said. He was booked under Indian Penal Code Sections for cheating and forgery and a probe was underway to find out how many fake certificates were issued by him, the official added. The Bombay High Court last year said the practice of issuing fitness certificates to private vehicles without ...
Chef stopped at Los Angeles airport with 40 frozen piranhas
A famous South American chef says he was stopped as he brought 40 piranhas in a duffel bag through Los Angeles International Airport. Virgilio Martinez, chef-owner of Central restaurant in Peru, tells the Los Angeles Times on Wednesday that he hoped to serve the predatory, sharp-toothed fish during an LA food festival. Martinez was featured in the third season of the Netflix show "Chef's Table." He says customs agents pulled him into an interrogation room last week when they found the cache of frozen, vacuum-sealed piranhas. After five hours, the agents let Martinez through with the fish. He used them that night on a salad. The newspaper says the following night he dried the piranha skins and served them inside the piranha heads. Piranhas are common in South American rivers.
Big Daddy commences operations in Goa
Big Daddy Casino, an offshore casino with 'no-limits' tables, which is touted as the biggest and most modern offshore gaming destination in Asia, is all set to enter the Indian market with an 11-day extravaganza, starting today, in Goa.The glitz and glamour of Las Vegas and Macau casinos lure visitors from all corners of India and abroad, who are eager to score big. However, enthusiasts can enjoy a number of internationally renowned games right here in India at Big Daddy Casino in Goa.Narinder Punj, Chief Visionary Officer and mentor of Big Daddy Goa said, "Big Daddy Casino is all set to revolutionise the gaming industry and redefine the rules of offshore gaming. We firmly believe that Big Daddy Casino will immensely contribute to the growth of tourism of Goa. We look forward to working towards our goal of establishing Goa into a global offshore gaming and entertainment destination.""Big Daddy Casino promises to enthrall with the best of world-class gaming experience, equipped with ...
Srinagar: Government to construct 16 viewpoints on banks of Dal Lake
Jammu-Kashmir government is building viewpoints on the banks of Dal Lake in Srinagar for the convenience of tourists."There are around 16 points that we call 'ghats' that are being developed with a blend of modern and traditional architecture," N A Wani, Director Kashmir Tourism said on Wednesday.Last month, it was reported that in an effort to attract tourists and restore the sheen of the famous island Char Chinari located at the Dal Lake, the tourism authorities have come forward to plant two new Chinar trees on the island.It is a popular tourist destination and used to be one of the favourite spots of Bollywood films for shooting movies. Kashmir is popular for its traditional cultures and heritage that has for years attracted tourists from across the world.
Peruvian climber dies on Nepal's Mt Makalu
Experienced Peruvian climber Richard Hidalgo was found dead Wednesday on Mount Makalu, the world's fifth-highest mountain, expedition organisers in Nepal said. The body of the 52-year-old was found in his tent at 6,600 metres (21,650 feet) by Sherpa guides who went to check after he did not wake up. "The guides said that it seemed he had died in his sleep. We are figuring out how to bring his body back," Mingma Sherpa of Seven Summit Treks told AFP. Hidalgo was climbing the 8,481-metre (27,825-feet) Makalu as part of a project to summit the 14 highest mountains in the world without supplementary oxygen by 2021 to mark the bicentennial of Peru's independence. Hidalgo had been posting comments on his "incredible expedition" on social media on Tuesday. Considered an accomplished climber, Hidalgo had already been up five mountains above 8,000 metres, including the challenging Annapurna. The incident comes two weeks after a Malaysian climber was rescued from Mt. Annapurna after spending ...
Villagers travel 3km for water as Godavari river dries near Aurangabad
Residents of Navgaon village have to travel three kilometres to fetch water as there is a drought in the region after the water in Godavari river dried.Talking to ANI, one of the villagers said, "The women of this area have to travel at least three kilometres and dig into the sand to get fresh water. We do not have water for ourselves and also for our livestock.""The situation has remained like this for the past one month as the water in Godavari river had dried," he added.He further said, "We tried to speak to the District collector but he refused to talk and issues a note that administration is working in every village to tackle the issue of the water crisis.
Go on shopping spree at souks of Dubai
A trip to Dubai is incomplete without a shopping spree. Whether you fancy bling of gold or want to bring home some spices or explore the scents of Dubai -- souks is the answer.
QE2 ship-turned-hotel celebrates 50 glorious years
Queen Elizabeth 2, the ship, celebrated 50 years since its maiden voyage on May 2, 1969. Now, a floating hotel in Dubai, the Queen Elizabeth 2 is the perfect base from which you can explore the rich cultural heritage of the city as well as its modern day wonders.
Kalimark launches 30 new variants of aerated drinks, juices and corn
The 103-year-old Chennai-based Kalimark Group of Companies, manufacturers of popular aerated drinks such as 'Bovonto' and 'Vibro' have launched 30 new variants under the 'Bovonto', 'Zypsy' and 'Ilani' brands.Film actors Nikki Galrani, Akshara Haasan and world-renowned Chef Dhamu launched these 30 variants of aerated drinks, juices, coconut water, mineral water and corn rava and flour recently (6 May) at Chennai.Galrani launched Ilani range of pineapple, mango and litchi. Coconut milk with chocolate and vanilla flavours were also launched. All these products are available in 180 ml tetra packs. Incidentally, the Ilani in all its flavours is 100 per cent natural tender coconut water without any preservatives and colour.Hassan launched 7 products under the Zipsy range of 180 ml tetra packs having flavours of mango, guava and tamarind in PET bottles of 200 ml and 500 ml.Chef Dhamu launched two sizes of corn rava and two sizes of corn flour in 1/2 kg and 25 kg for residents and ...
Varanasi village says no to 'chor', yes to 'Chowkidar'
Kakarhiya village in Varanasi district is sending a message that is loud and clear to the opposition parties.
App-based 2-wheeler taxi service launched in Shillong
An app-based two-wheeler taxi service was launched here on Tuesday, which will be able to take a solo passenger to his or her destination faster by using small roads avoiding traffic snarls in major thoroughfares. A passenger can avail the service by entering the pick-up and drop locations in the app. The bike taxi is offering introductory rates of Rs 29 per 4 km, Rapido city head Suman Acharjee said. Rapido is a Bengaluru-based company that launched the service in the city. The company started its operations in Guwahati in December last year and Shillong is the second city in the North Eastern region where it launched its service. Acharjee said Rapido provides bike taxi service in 40 cities across the country.
Part of floating restaurant submerges in Tehri Lake
Marina, a floating restaurant which had come to symbolise the BJP government's efforts to boost tourism in Uttarakhand, tilted mysteriously and partially sank in Tehri Lake Tuesday. Half of the floating restaurant submerged in the lake, said SDM Ajay Vir Singh, also the additional chief executive officer of Tehri Lake Special Area Tourism Development Authority. Efforts were under way to pull out the boat with prop of ropes, wires and power boats, he said. The factors leading to the boat's submergence are being looked into, he said. Marina, the first-of-its-kind boat to have been launched in the Tehri Lake to attract tourists had grabbed headlines last year when the state government held a cabinet meeting there as part of a move to publicise it as a new feature of tourism in Uttarakhand. However, the boat was not in use for months since its grand opening last year as no one came forward to take the facility on lease and operate it for tourists as planned by the state government.
Emirates serves dates to Indians flying to Dubai during Ramadan
Gulf airline Emirates on Tuesday said it will serve one million dates at 'iftar' and 'suhoor' on board and on ground to passengers travelling from India to Dubai during the month-long Ramadan fasting.
Floating restaurant sinks in Tehri reservoir
Marina, a floating restaurant of the Uttarkahand Tourism Department, sank partially in the Tehri reservoir on Tuesday, officials said.
Stones hurled at Ambedkar statue in Greater Noida village
Some bike-borne men hurled stones on Tuesday at a statue of BR Ambedkar outside a village in Greater Noida, leading to resentment among locals, police said. The incident took place around 1 pm outside Sidipur village, under the Jarcha police station limits, officials said. "According to eye witnesses, four to five men, who seemed to be in an inebriated condition, arrived on motorcycles and started hurling stones at the statue of Ambedkar, which was placed on the top of the concrete entry gate to the village. The condition of the statue is fine. No damage was done to it," a police official told PTI. The suspects, who were likely from nearby Kiyawali village, were being tracked down, the official said, adding that security has been beefed up in the village. "The law and order situation is normal. We are here as a cautionary measure while the suspects are being tracked down," the official said.
Priyanka, Deepika let their hair down at Met Gala after-party
After completely slaying the Met Gala pink carpet looking breathtakingly stunning, Bollywood divas Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone posed for an epic photograph at the Met Gala after-party, alongside Nick Jonas.Priyanka, who owned the pink carpet in a Dior Haute Couture silver gown, changed into a comfortable silver blingy dress for the after party.Meanwhile, Deepika ditched her pretty pink Barbie gown for a bright yellow dress paired with a black and white striped coat.The 36-year-old shared the picture-perfect moment on her Instagram account. "Charlie and the Indian angels end the night," she wrote alongside the photograph.Apart from Priyanka, Nick, and Deepika, the photo also features socialite Natasha Poonawalla, Fashion Director for Vogue India Anaita Shroff Adajania and American political staffer Huma Abedin.Priyanka and Nick made their grand return to the 2019 Met Gala as a married couple on Tuesday. The two turned heads as they arrived hand-in-hand and posed for the ...
Mustard oil finds favour with international chefs
It's hard to beat for its versatility - as a cooking medium, as a dressing, as a preservative and for body massage.
Met Gala 2019: Everything you need to know about the 'Camp' fashion theme
A star-studded night and everything vogue, which is what Met Gala, is all about. However, this year's theme, 'CampEvery year on the first Monday in May, the Metropolitan Museum of Art organises the Costume Institute Gala, more commonly known as the Met Gala, to kick off the beginning of its popular fashion show at The Costume Institute. Stars put on their best to match the theme of the year at the red carpet, and this year would be no different.As reported by People, Met Gala's 2019 theme has no resemblance to the literal meaning of 'Camp' that involves pitching a tent. The theme is rather taken from American writer-filmmaker Susan Sontag's essay 'Notes on Camp' from 1964, which begins by defining the term as "its love of the unnatural, of artifice and exaggeration." Here the term is not in relation to beauty but with the degree of stylization, the degree of artifice.The essay continues in 58 bullet points that just converge to one single term, 'Camp'. Susan explained that not ...