Page 31 - Hospitality Recreation
Kerala Tourism holds trade meets in USA to woo tourists
: In an effort to woo more travellers from America,Kerala Tourism showcased its signature assets before leading stakeholders of the travel and tourism industry and held trade meets in major cities of the USA. New Jersey, Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles were the four American cities where Kerala Tourism held trade meets during February, a Kerala Tourism press release said. "USA is the second largest market for Kerala Tourism after Europe. The four trade meets conducted there were part of a concerted campaign to tap the full potential of the American travel market. The campaign was aimed at tapping the premium segment of travellers from USA," Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran said in a release. "We also wanted to send out a strong message to American travellers and prominent stakeholders of travel and hospitality industry in that country that Kerala has fully overcome the impact of last year's floods and is ready to receive the guests with an array of new products ..
Delhi commuters can locate nearest bus stops, plan journey through 'ONE DELHI' App
Commuters will now be able to locate the nearest bus stops, know the time of arrival of the buses, and plan their journey, courtesy an app that has been launched by the Delhi government. Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot launched a common mobility app 'ONE DELHI' on Tuesday. The app has features like real-time estimated time of arrival (ETA) for buses, route visualiser, auto-detection of nearest bus stops, multi-modal journey planner with navigation. Through the app, commuters will be able to see the time they will take to reach their destination through Metro or buses. The app also a feedback option through which commuters can share their grievances. Soon, the app will also have features like the total time taken using the Metro and buses to reach the destination.
Woman makes bomb hoax call to settle a score with hotel; held
Filled with revenge following an argument with a waiter, a 23-year-old woman guest allegedly made a hoax call saying that a bomb has been planted in a hotel at Calangute beach in Goa, sending police into tizzy in the early morning hours before she was traced and arrested. The woman, identified as Rangoli Patel, was found to be staying with her friend in another hotel near the beach. She is a resident of Mumbai. Calangute police inspector Jivba Dalvi said the control room in Panaji received the call at 1:15 am, following which a team was sent to the hotel and patrons evacuated. "The quick reaction team of the Anti-Terrorist Squad was also called at the spot. A bomb disposal squad and a dog unit also carried out the check. Finally, the agencies realised that it was a hoax call," he said. Subsequently, police traced Patel to a nearby hotel on the basis of the caller data, the officer said. "During questionning, the woman disclosed she made the hoax call thinking that the ...
Fire ravages famous Nainital hotel
A major fire gutted Nainital's famous Metropole Hotel on Monday evening, the police said.
Major fire breaks out at Nainital's Metropole Hotel
A major fire ravaged Nainital's famous Metropole Hotel which once counted Pakistan founder Mohammad Ali Jinnah and many prominent film personalities among its key guests but was lying vacant for years after its declaration as an enemy property. One of the main buildings of the hotel, which housed sales tax office till a few years back, was destroyed in the fire, said Nainital Circle Officer Vijay Thapa. He said though the exact cause of the fire was yet to be ascertained, it prima facie looked like the handiwork of miscreants. One of the oldest hotels of Nainital, Metropole was lying vacant for years, following its declaration as an enemy property after its original owner Maharaja Mehmodabad left India for Pakistan. A litigation is still on in this regard in courts. Pakistan founder Jinnah was one of its most famous guests who spent his honeymoon here. Many movie stars and politicians used to frequent it and enjoy its luxuries in its prime. Staying at this hotel during its prime was ..
First phase of barrier free Kerala Tourism project takes off
: Kerala Tourism Monday launched the first phase of its ambitious Barrier-free Kerala tourism project, making 70 destinations across the southern state disabled and elderly friendly. Inaugurating Phase One of the project, Tourism minister Kadakampally Surendran said that the objective was to make all tourism centres accessible to the differently abled by 2021. Special tour packages for differently empowered tourists, both domestic and foreign, are being planned together with Responsible Tourism Mission, he said. Kerala has become the first state in India to implement UN World Tourism Organisations call for 'Tourism for All Promoting Universal Accessibility in 2016, the Minister added. He also released the logo of the Barrier-free Kerala project in the presence of differently empowered persons. Of the 120 centres envisaged in Phase One,70 centres have been equipped for the differently empowered with accessible ramps, special toilets, wheelchairs, walking sticks, folding ...
'Ker giving importance to implementing ecofriendly projects'
: The Kerala government Monday said it was giving importance to implementing eco-friendly projects in tourism centres Speaking at a function here to mark the inauguration of the first and second phase construction work of upgrading infrastructure at nearby Kovalam,tourism minister Kadakampally Surendran said the beach at that town would get a makeover after completion of the project. The work, based on the Kovalam master plan, is estimated to cost Rs 20 crore. "With the completion of this project, the world famous Kovalam beach will get a makeover. In fact, we need a multi-level car parking here, but lack of land is a concern. The government will consider it seriously," the Minister said. Tourism Secretary Rani George, who welcomed the gathering, said that the work of the first two phases of the Kovalam project would be completed within two years.
Singapore supermarket chain removes basmati from shelves after customer finds dead rat in rice bag
A supermarket chain in Singapore has removed a brand of basmati rice from the shelves after a dead rat was found by an Indian customer in a bag of rice he had bought from one of its outlets. Vegnesh Jodimani was shocked to find a dead rat inside the bag of basmati he had bought from Sheng Siong supermarket in Bedok Reservoir Road last Saturday, the Straits Times reported on Monday. Jodimani's Facebook post has been shared more than 3,100 times, the paper said. A Sheng Siong spokesperson told the Singapore daily that the House brand basmati has been removed from the shelves and the chain's supplier has been informed about the matter. "The supplier is currently investigating the matter, the spokesperson added. Sheng Siong has refunded the customers. Most of the basmati comes pre-packed in smaller bags of 2-kg or so from India and Pakistan. It is branded as per retail outlet requirements in some supply contracts. Singapore's Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA), the de-facto ...
IAF pilot Abhinandan will fly again after he's declared fit
Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman will fly an aircraft again after he has been declared fit, IAF Chief Air Marshal BS Dhanoa said on Monday."Whether he flys again or not depends upon his medical fitness. Post-ejection, he has undergone a medical check. Whatever treatment is required, we will give it to him. Once he gets the medical fitness, he will get into fighter cockpit," he told reporters here.He went on to add, "If he is fit to fly a fighter, then he will go back soon. If he is not fit to fly, he will become a low medical category till the time he gets his currency. He will then go back when he gets his fighter currency back."Underlining that medical fitness is a topmost priority for the IAF, the Air Chief Marshal explained, "Ejection is something that takes a toll on your body and if you are not perfectly fit and God forbid you have to eject again, you will be spending the rest of your life in a wheelchair. We do not take a chance with the fitness of a fighter pilot.""When we .
Have a colorful time (literally) on your next holi-day
/ -- Agoda, one of the world's fastest growing online travel agents (OTA), shares some top tips and destinations to help you enjoy Holi, the traditional Hindu Festival of Colors. Historically marking the arrival of spring, Holi has evolved as a celebration of love, fertility, friendship and youth. It's an opportunity for people to get together with friends and loved ones to have good old-fashioned fun. Central to the celebration is an afternoon devoted to playing with water, covering each other in colored powders known as gulal, and indulging in sweet treats -- a day that children (and adults) look forward to all year. Holi takes place from 20-21 March 2019, though dates may vary in different countries. If Holi sounds like something you'd enjoy, here are some destinations to consider and tips to help you have a great time: 1. Go all out with a celebration in Goa, India India and Nepal are great destinations to get the true taste of this beloved festival. Head to Goa, the party capital
Abhinandan flying fighter plane again depends on his fitness: IAF chief
Indian Air Force (IAF) chief B.S. Dhanoa on Monday said Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman will be allowed to fly a fighter plane again only if he is found physically fit.
Hotel Okura Nikko launches new hotel in Bangkok
The grand opening ceremony of Japanese brand hotel Hotel Nikko Bangkok was held in Bangkok, Thailand.With the launch of the new hotel, Okura Nikko Hotels brand has now expanded to 70 hotels worldwide with Japanese unique hospitality service called Omotenashi in each country. Okura Nikko Hotels is one of the most famous Japanese hotel brands and this is their second hotel in Bangkok.The hotel, located at Sukhumvit Road, two minutes from Thong Lo BTS station, has 301 rooms with traditional Thai design. In addition, it contains a popular facility such as an outdoor pool and fitness centre. "Hotel Nikko Bangkok is located in Thong Lo area, and it is known as one of the fashionable spots in Bangkok. So as our hotel, here is a kind of perfect location to be opened. We are trying to provide Japanese style hospitality called 'Omotenashi' which means providing not only the service followed by manual but also trying to give guests more personal touch service and hospitality, Jo Sato, General .
Forever 21 launches exclusive Kendall and Kylie collection in India
Forever 21, India's most preferred International fast fashion destination just made your summer a degree hotter (for all the right reasons, obviously!).Empty your wardrobes and make room for something fresh as Forever 21 drops an exclusive collection curated by the fashion moguls and queens of the city of dreams - Kendall Jenner and Kylie Jenner.The Kendall and Kylie collection is everything between streetwear chic to ramp drama ready. Inspired by the duos distinct and celebrated fashion tastes, the collection consists of an array of apparels that promises to live upto its expectations.It is time to bring back the grunge. That's right, folks! Grunge is in and it's here to stay. Channel the chic Goth in you with Kendall and Kylie's off-duty collection. Available in exaggerated cuts and length, the apparels from this segment offer shopper with infinite opportunities to experiment with their ensemble and give it a personal touch.Bid adieu to sacrificing your style for comfort with the ...
Kim Jong-un's train makes no stop in China
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's special train passed the Chinese port city of Tianjin on Monday, sources said, ending speculation about a possible meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Finger-licking biryani becomes new pizza for millennials (IANS Special)
At a time when online food ordering has become the new normal for millennials and working couples, piping hot biryani has come out of the oven in a big way, emerging as the most-loved comfort food across Metros and suburbs in the country.
Meet Aliya Farooq, Srinagar's first certified woman fitness trainer
Giving a push to women empowerment, Aliya Farooq, the first certified woman fitness trainer in Srinagar, is creating ripples with her gym-cum-fitness centre for women.Around 50 women are enrolled in her gym centre and are undergoing physical fitness training."My in-laws supported me a lot after marriage. They are the ones who encouraged me to continue my studies after marriage. Earlier we had a gym for both men and women, but we faced a lot of problems because we only had a male trainer. So, I became a certified trainer myself," Farooq told ANI.She did her schooling from CMP Higher Secondary School at Khanyar and her Class 12th and graduation from Women College, Srinagar.'Fitness Solution', was started by Farooq's husband in 2000 in the Khanyar area in old Srinagar city. After her husband failed to run the gym smoothly, he hired a male trainer in 2010, but that too didn't work. This is when Aliya stepped in and changed the fate of her husband's gym.In 2012, Farooq did her fitness ...
Botanical garden, boat house coming up at Valparai
: A botanical garden and a boat house are coming up in Valparai in the district, as part of promoting tourism and generating jobs in the hilly area. The foundation stones for the Rs 5-crore garden and the Rs 2-crore boat house were laid Sunday by Tamil Nadu Municipal Administration Minister S P Velumani, an official press release said. Also, a foundation stone was laid by him for 112 apartments meant for the poor and the needy in the area, the release said.
Pritzker Prize, Irish-born architect Kevin Roche dies
The acclaimed Irish-born architect Kevin Roche has died, leaving his mark on world-class buildings from New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art and the city's Museum of Jewish Heritage to airports in New York and Washington. A spokesman for his architectural firm says Roche died Friday at 96 of natural causes at his home in Guilford, Connecticut. Roche designed more than 200 buildings around the world, winning the Pritzker prize the equivalent of the Nobel for architecture. His work includes corporate headquarters, scientific research facilities, plus theaters, a zoo, and various new wings for the Met museum along with a master plan. In his native Ireland, he created the Convention Centre Dublin. Roche studied with another architectural luminary, Mies van der Roe, and collaborated with the Finnish-born Eero Saarinen.
Vizag: Bulgarian national arrested for cloning of ATMs cards
The police on Saturday here arrested a Bulgarian national for allegedly cloning ATMs.City Task Force Team led by ACP Mahendra Mathe came to know that some foreign national was moving into ATM centres in a suspicious manner and was staying in Dolphin Hotel and suspected of doing ATM cloning in his room.Following which Cyber Crime staff apprehended him and a case was registered in the Cyber Crime Police Station.During the interrogation, he revealed that earlier he used to work as a bartender. When his friend introduced him to an unknown person who said that they will arrange travel tickets for him to Kolkata where he will receive one laptop and card cloner machine, Airtel SIM card and empty cards for card cloning and offered 20 per cent commission on total money withdrawn from ATMs in India.He reached Kolkata on January 31 and stayed in Howard Jhonson Hotel for two days and also collected one HP Laptop, card cloning slot machine, Airtel SIM and 160 blank ATM cards.On February 3, he came
Two new bus routes to ease life for Gurugram residents
The Gurugram Metropolitan City Bus Limited (GMCBL) has decided to link Dwarka Expressway in Sector 106 with Huda City Centre metro station and Ambience Mall with Gurugram bus stand via two new bus routes within one month.