HospitalityBizIndia.com

Carlson acquires remaining 60 per cent stake in 46 T.G.I. Friday's Restaurants

Carlson, a global hospitality company, has acquired the remaining 60 per cent stake in T.G.I. Friday's UK Holdings LTD from AAC Capital Partners, a leading Northern European mid─market buy─out firm, for USD 50 million. The acquisition is part of Carlson's strategy to invest more than USD 100 million to both acquire and fuel further growth of the Friday's brand in the UK market over the next five years.

According to a report in www.prnewswire.com, Carlson's investment in its UK restaurant operations supports Ambition 2015, Carlson's global growth strategy. For its T.G.I. Friday's brand, the Ambition 2015 strategy aims to expand the brand's portfolio by at least 160 by 2015 to nearly 1,100 T.G.I. Friday's restaurants in operation in more than 60 countries.

Hubert Joly, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director, Carlson said, “As a global hospitality company, our objective is to continue to grow our core hotel and restaurant brands, and T.G.I. Friday's UK acquisition is a tremendous

Hong Kong witnesses 2, 72,978 Indian visitor arrivals in first six months of 2010

Figures released recently by Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) show an outright record of 2, 72,978 Indian visitor arrivals to Hong Kong in the first six months of 2010. The figure represented not only a year─on─year increase of 58.4 per cent, but also the highest half─yearly figure ever recorded. Also reaching a new mark was the arrival figure for the month of June 2010, which increased by 59.5 per cent to reach 64,053. Total visitor arrivals in the first six months of 2010 in Hong Kong stood at 16,856,016 – reflecting a growth of 23.1 per cent.

The table below summarises visitor arrivals from different market regions in the first six months and in June 2010:

FSSAI issues EOI to design mobile food labs in India

With an aim to take the process of food testing to the doorsteps of the consumers and others, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued an expression of interest (EOI) to design mobile food labs. FSSAI in its EOI notice mentioned, “Proposals are invited from interested public institutions/PSUs/autonomous bodies/private organisations working in the area of food safety to design mobile food labs with an objective of detecting the common adulterants/contaminants prevalent in the food items available for public use on the spot.”

According to FSSAI, these labs will visit the local markets, households, restaurants, godowns, schools and other public places, conduct tests on the spot and declare the result, thereby creating awareness among the people and also furnish feedback to the food safety authorities. The information collected by these labs would be useful in maintaining surveillance and could also be utilised by the food safety officers, laboratories and others involved in food safety

Barclay brothers sell InterContinental stake for USD 520 million

According to a Reuters report, Barclay brothers have sold their 10.4 per cent stake in InterContinental Hotel Group Plc for USD 520 million. The owner of the Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza brands as well as the InterContinental chain said the Barclay brothers' investment vehicle Ellermann Corp had sold its entire 29.9 million share stake.

David and Frederick Barclay, owners of the Daily Telegraph and the London Ritz hotel, started buying InterContinental shares toward the end of 2006 and built their holding to around 10 per cent by May 2007, to become by far the biggest shareholders.

Wyndham Worldwide partners with Samsung to bring HDTV experience to its properties

Wyndham Worldwide, one of the world's largest hospitality companies, has tied─up with Samsung, a market leader in consumer electronics, as the sole endorsed television brand for Wyndham Hotel Group, Wyndham Vacation Ownership and RCI affiliates worldwide. This partnership works in concert with Wyndham Worldwide's strategic sourcing group whose objective is to leverage global purchasing to achieve savings, support brand standards and further enhance the guest experience.

According to a company release, Wyndham Worldwide properties and RCI affiliates have the ability to reduce energy consumption by utilising Samsung's eco─friendly ENERGY STAR efficient HDTV products, which generate better power saving benefits. According to ENERGY STAR, qualified energy rated TVs use about 30 per cent less energy than standard units. Samsung products will be distributed through Hotel Solutions, the largest distributor of hospitality televisions in North America

Paul Davis, Senior Vice President of strategic

Commonwealth Games Organising Committee to float three tenders for all catering needs

The Organising Committee Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010 has decided to float three tenders, instead of one tender for all catering needs, from athletes to security staff. Till now the Organising Committee (OC) has only signed a single catering contract, with Australian firm Delaware North, for the Games Village.

According to a report in www.expressindia.com, the catering has been divided into three parts with separate tenders for VIPs, which includes athletes, technical officials and games officials, another for the workforce, volunteers and security staff and the last for food stalls to cater to spectators.

For VIPs, the OC is discussing the possibility of hiring the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). The catering budget has already gone haywire and the Committee wants Rs 121 crore more. Even the Rs 106─crore Games Village contract was signed after the tender was floated twice. Delaware North's first bid was rejected on the excuse that the firm had not paid the earnest money.

Fairmont Hotels and Resorts to open 20 hotels in Middle East and Asia

Fairmont Hotels and Resorts will open 20 hotels worldwide over the next three to four years, mainly in the Middle East and Asia. This information was given by Chris Cahill, President and Chief Operating Officer, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts in Shanghai recently. Included in the new Middle East projects is the highly anticipated, and delayed, Fairmont Palm Jumeirah project that could finally open by Quarter Four of 2011.

According to a report in www.zawya.com, the company's Middle East portfolio includes the iconic Fairmont The Wave in Muscat and the Makkah Clock Royal Tower in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The latter project is not only competing for the world's tallest structure but the three─hotel complex is being constructed at an estimated cost of Dh11 billion, according to Mohammed Arkobi, Vice─President and General Manager, Makkah Clock Royal Tower hotel. In the UAE, the Group has announced a project in Abu Dhabi Marina City, which is still in its design phase that should open by Quarter Four of 2012. This is aside from the Fairmont Fujairah that opens in 2011.

STR Global posts Middle East/Africa region occupancy performance results for June 2010

According to data compiled by STR Global, the Middle East/Africa region reported favourable results in the three key performance measurements for June 2010 when reported in USD. The region's occupancy rose 1.7 per cent to 59.2 per cent, Average Daily Rate (ADR) increased 14.3 per cent to USD 151.00, and Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) grew 16.3 per cent to USD 89.37.

Highlights among the region's key markets for June 2010 include (year─over─year comparisons, all currency in USD):

With the help of the FIFA World Cup held in South Africa from June 11─July 11, 2010, Cape Town, South Africa and Johannesburg, South Africa, reported large increases in all three performance metrics for the month.
Cape Town's occupancy rose 15.9 per cent to 57.8 per cent, ADR was up 123.9 per cent to USD 258.21, and RevPAR soared 159.6 per cent to USD 149.34.
ohannesburg increased 27.1 per cent in occupancy to 80.6 per cent, ADR rose 101.9 per cent to USD 201.09, and RevPAR jumped 156.5 per cent to USD 162.15.

No service tax on eatables served in moving trains: Delhi HC

The Delhi High Court has said that eatables provided by the Indian Railways Catering & Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) in trains do not come within the ambit of service tax. The court passed the order on a petition of the IRCTC, seeking a direction from the government to impose service tax on food and beverages served by the Indian Railways, instead of Value Added Tax (VAT).

Rejecting IRCTC's plea, a division bench comprising justices V K Jain and Badar Durrez Ahmed said that service tax cannot be imposed on eatables and beverages served in moving trains.

The Delhi High Court said, “We hold that the transaction between the petitioner firm (IRCTC) and the Indian Railways for providing food and beverages to passengers aboard trains is a transaction of sale of goods by IRCTC to Indian Railways. There is no element of service at all, except heating cooked food and serving food and beverages. In fact, the service component with respect to sale of food in a restaurant is much more than supply of food to a passenger in a compartment of a train.”

Ascott to launch its first serviced residence Citadines Bali Kuta in 2012

CapitaLand's wholly─owned serviced residence business unit, The Ascott Limited (Ascott), has bagged a contract from Indonesian developer PT Rudy Indopratama Sejahtera, to manage a 174─unit serviced residence in Kuta, Bali, Indonesia. To be named as Citadines Bali Kuta, the serviced residence will open in 2012. The five─storeyed serviced residence will consist of studio, one and two─bedroom apartment units. Besides, facilities like gymnasium, spa and swimming pool will be available.

According to a company release, Lim Ming Yan, Chief Executive Officer, Ascott said, “While the majority of Ascott's guests are business travellers and expatriates on extended stay, more leisure travellers are choosing to stay at our serviced residences. Bali is a world famous resort destination and over the years, it has become an increasingly attractive MICE destination. Bali continues to attract a high volume of tourist arrivals each year, which bodes well for our business in this market. With Citadines Bali Kuta, our guests can now enjoy the familiar homely environment in a renowned resort destination.”

Nurturing the Ecology

Nurturing the Ecology
The concept of sustainable development dates back to 1987 when the UN─sponsored Brundtland Commission's report on 'Our Common Future' was published on a recognised international platform; this was essentially the trigger for 'green development' practices to spawn across the globe in the years to come.

No service tax on eatables served in moving trains: Delhi HC

FSSAI issues EOI to design mobile food labs in India

'Marina Bay Sands is a game changer for Singapore'

Marina Bay Sands, the Integrated Resort developed by Las Vegas Sands Corp. in Singapore, is perhaps, one of its kind development undertaken by a corporate entity. Apart from the sheer size and product offerings, the architectural beauty of the integrated resort is a visual delight. Thomas Arasi, President & CEO, Marina Bay Sands Pte Ltd., explains various aspects of the property and product offerings to P Krishna Kumar, during the formal opening

Radhika Shastry ─ Managing Director, RCI India Pvt Ltd

Radhika Shastry
Managing Director,
RCI India Pvt Ltd

STR Global posts Asia/Pacific occupancy performance results for June 2010

According to data compiled by STR Global, hotels in the Asia/Pacific region experienced increases in all three key performance metrics for June 2010 when reported in USD. In year─over─year measurements, the Asia/Pacific region's occupancy rose 14.5 per cent to 63.9 per cent, Average Daily Rate (ADR) increased 10.8 per cent to USD 121.83, and Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) jumped 27.0 per cent to USD 77.83.

Highlights from key market performers for June 2010: (year─over─year comparisons, all currency in USD)

With a boost from the Expo 2010, held May 1─ October 31, 2010, Shanghai, China, achieved the largest increases in all three key performance metrics: Occupancy rose 60.3 per cent to 78.2 per cent, ADR was up 30.5 per cent to USD 135.51, and RevPAR soared 109.2 per cent to USD 105.96.
Three markets, besides Shanghai, reported occupancy increases of more than 20 per cent: Beijing, China (+33.5 per cent to 66.3 per cent); Hong Kong, China (+26.9 per cent to 77.2 per cent); and Osaka, Japan (+22.0 per cent to 72.7 per cent).

Ongoing Hospitality & Tourism Projects: June 2010

Ongoing Hospitality & Tourism Projects: June 2010

Hotel Tunga Regency

M�venpick Hotel & Spa Bangalore : Thomas Weber, General Manager

Thomas Weber
General Manager,
M�venpick Hotel & Spa, Bangalore

Action Capture for July 2010

Shraddha Jadhav, Mayor, Mumbai inaugurates the Maharashtrian food festival at Renaissance Hotel Mumbai and Convention Centre

Royal Orchid Hotels – A Case Study

Royal Orchid Hotels – A Case Study

Leopard spotting safari offer by Mahindra Holidays and Resorts

Leopard spotting safari offer by Mahindra Holidays and Resorts

Carlson acquires remaining 60 per cent stake in 46 T.G.I. Friday's Restaurants

BrewDog launches world's most potent beer 'The End of History'

BrewDog a Scottish brewery has launched a 110 proof beer (55 per cent alcohol by volume) which is touted to be the worlds most potent and expensive beer priced close to USD 762 per bottle. The Belgian ale 'The End of History' has been infused with fresh juniper berries and nettles from the Scottish Highlands; the beer was developed using an extreme freezing technique to squeeze out more water and make the beer stronger.

The process involved using hundreds of pints of beer, and it was repeated dozens of times to produce just enough for a 330 ml bottle. The End of History was made to offer beer drinkers more choice. “This is the beer to end all beers, We want to show people there is an alternative to monolithic corporate beers, introduce them to a completely new approach to beer and elevate the status of beer in our culture,” the New York Post quoted James Watt, Co─founder, BrewDog.

Australia─based 3B Distribution to enter India by September 2010

Australia─based 3B Distribution to enter India by September 2010

eRevMax plans to expand its footprint in Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and China

eRevMax plans to expand its footprint in Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and China

High Tea vs Afternoon Tea

Arvind Kumar Saraswati
Assistant Professor,
Banarsidas Chandiwala Institute of Hotel Management & Catering Technology, New Delhi

USD 30 billion needed to revamp India's food processing industry

To revamp the food processing industry a huge investment of $30 billion is estimated. The investment, if achieved, will benefit the industry through its restructuring, and push the current 2.2 per cent share of processed food trade in fruits and vegetables to 10 per cent, the 26 per cent share of fisheries to 40 per cent, around 6 per cent share of poultry to 15 per cent and also help in stimulating 20 per cent share of the buffalo meat to 40 per cent and that of milk from 35 per cent to 60 per cent by 2015.

India's processing level as compared to other country is low and the efforts of the Food Processing Ministry call for investment so that the sector receives the much required push. Processing levels of fruit and vegetables in the case of the US, Philippines and China currently exist at 65 per cent, 78 per cent and 23 per cent respectively. Fisheries and poultry processing levels in developed world range from 60 per cent to70 per cent as against 60 to 75 per cent as regards to milk.

The projection was made by a study on 'Emerging Opportunities and Strategic Thrust Areas for Food Processing,'

Sodexo raises earnings goals as Q3 sales rise

Catering and services company Sodexo announced that third quarter revenues rose 7.4 per cent, led by stronger growth in emerging markets and North America, along with slight increase in the company's full─year target as per a Dow Jones Newswires report.

Sales for the quarter ended May 31 rose to EUR 4.04 billion from EUR 3.77 billion a year ago. In the first nine months, the company's contracts in healthcare, education and seniors continued to offset weaker growth in the corporate sector. Michel Landel, CEO, Sodexo said the group remains prudent in its outlook because the economic environment remains volatile. Still, the company slightly increased its full─year target and now forecasts organic revenue growth of 2 per cent, from a previous objective of flat revenues.

Sodexo is also increased its operating profit target by around EUR10 million, to between EUR 780 million and EUR 800 million at constant rates for fiscal year 2010.

Information security risk management in the hotel industry: Role of people and technology

Anil Mallya
Associate Consultant─Technical Advisory Services,
Mahindra SSG

Le Sutra: First Indian Art Hotel

High Tea vs Afternoon Tea

Arvind Kumar Saraswati
Assistant Professor,
Banarsidas Chandiwala Institute of Hotel Management & Catering Technology, New Delhi

Total solutions for human health

Hyderabad─based Leonia Resort's spa facility known as 'The Leo Juventa Centre for Integrated Medicine' is one of the largest health and medical spas in India. The spa is a part of the holistic resort concept developed in Hyderabad and features 45 treatment rooms, couple suites and spa suites. Leo Juventa spa is spread over 1,00,000 sq ft and has been positioned to offer complete wellness package that revolves around the philosophy of body, mind and soul. Leonia Resort houses 88 suites or lagoon villas with 1,200 more rooms, which are scheduled to open by December 2009.

The spa was created keeping the holistic views in mind to give total solutions to human health problems. This particular system is designed and customised for the individual's requirement. This scientific─based system amalgamates different medicinal therapies like ancient Indian medicine (Naturopathy, Ayurveda, Meditation and yoga), Hydrotherapies Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Cosmetology, Massotherapy, Anthroposophical Medicine with Modern Medicine by recognising the strengths and weaknesses of the systems.

Sohum Spa to roll out franchise model in India

Mumbai─based Sohum Spa, Core Wellness Ltd's spa brand plans to roll out franchise model in India by the end of this month. The franchise model will be applicable to standalone spas across India. In the next one year, Sohum Spa plans to have six to ten spas running under franchise model. Currently, Sohum Spa runs in all the Sun─n─Sand hotels and also at Madhubhan Resort & Spa in Anand, Gujarat on a revenue sharing basis that is on management contract. Sohum Spa also provides consultancy to hotels.

Speaking exclusively to Hospitality Biz, Dr B Rajesh Srinivas, President, Sohum Spa said, “By the end of this month, we plan to introduce franchise model as a different mode of operations. We will be participating in Franchise India 2009 Expo, which will be held on November 26─27, 2009 in New Delhi. To start with, most of these franchise contracts will be in Delhi. However, we believe that this business model is a faster way of expanding the business.”

Furthermore, Srinivas added, “In case of franchise, we will provide training to the staffs, branding, consultation to set up the systems and putting them in place.

BCIHMCT to organise award ceremony in New Delhi from Oct 7 to 9, 2009

Banarsidas Chandiwala Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology (BCIHMCT), New Delhi will organise 8th Chandiwala Hospitality Ensemble 2009. The national event will take place from October 7 to 9 in New Delhi. The theme for this year's award ceremony is 'Grand Trunk Road from Kolkata to Kandhar.'

Traditional and ethnic Indian cuisine from regions around the Grand Trunk Road will be served during the event. Also an effort to reflect culture and ethnicity shall be done by hospitality students. The event's aim is to provide an appropriate platform to the budding hospitality executives, not only to display their skills but also to have an opportunity to refine and enrich the same.

Evergreen 23XRV screw chiller

Carrier Airconditioning & Refrigeration Ltd. (Carrier India) has recently launched energy efficient cooling solution. The non─ozone depleting Evergreen 23XRV screw chiller achieves 40 per cent more energy savings than the US industry standard.

IIMA to conduct programme on Revenue Management and Dynamic Pricing from September 27 to October 1, 2010

The Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIMA) will organise a programme on Revenue Management and Dynamic Pricing from September 27 to October 1, 2010. Senior level executives who are responsible for maximisation of revenue are expected to participate in the programme. These executives will be either from the commercial sector, information technology sector or marketing sector.

Persons engaged in developing pricing systems in hotels, airlines, car rentals, restaurants, Internet service providers, movie theatres, casinos broadcasters, healthcare, transportation service providers, energy, petroleum, sporting complex and cricket associations, cruise liners will also take part. In addition, this will be an interesting area for consultants to work on.

The programme aims to provide an insight into concepts of revenue management; provide an understanding of how revenue management systems improve revenue; acquaint the participants with various tools and techniques used in revenue management;

HTI to organise leadership and personality development camp in May '09

Mumbai─based Hospitality Training Institute (HTI) in association with Turning Point, Nature Trails and Saif Creations is organising its leadership and personality development residential summer camp 'Discover 09' at the Dabhosa Waterfalls Resort in Maharashtra during May. The six day long summer camp is open to individuals above the age of 15.

The camp's first batch will be conducted from May 1 till May 6, and the second batch (in Marathi) during May 6 to May 11. Third batch of the camp is slated from May 11 to May 16, and the last batch will be held from May 16 to May 21. The camp fees has been fixed at Rs 5,900 per person (including travel, meals as well as lodging for six days, which excludes taxes and insurance). HTI has announced group offers and early bird offers for the camp. After completion of the camp, the participants will be awarded with a certificate by HTI.

Elaborating on the camp, Dominic Costabir, Director, HTI (India) Pvt Ltd said, “Discover 09 is for 'iGen's', the young generation with access to education, luxury and technology. But the pressure,

Growth story of microbrewery industry in India

Sudhakar Hannda
Hospitality & Foodservice Consultant

HICSA 2010: Adding value to Indian hospitality development

HICSA 2010

Carlson acquires remaining 60 per cent stake in 46 T.G.I. Friday's Restaurants

The countdown begins

With the Right to Education becoming a fundamental right to all children, the Right to Ignorance also seems to be on the horizon. Students cannot repeat the same class till the eighth grade only suggests the casual approach which students, teachers and parents will have towards education. In a few years time most children will be officially literate but hardly educated. Schemes like 'best five' would only make the once respected Indian education system hollow. Education should be a right but with quality and no preconditions and discounts.

As I write this piece, many aspirants would be chalking out their careers in the hospitality industry. But even before they walk the corridors of these hotel management institutes, mentally they would have walked up the ladders of the industry. Little would they know about institutes that flaunt foreign university affiliations, but have been 'unapproved' by All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).