Business Travel on the Rise: USD 1.8 Trillion Forecast by 2027 Predicts GBTA 2023 Index

Business Travel on the Rise: USD 1.8 Trillion Forecast by 2027 Predicts GBTA 2023 Index

By Author

Published on December 23, 2023

As the world marches towards 2027, the global business travel sector is poised to reach a staggering USD 1.8 trillion, marking a significant leap in the industry. The 2023 GBTA Business Travel Index Report has shed light on this remarkable growth, indicating a faster-than-expected rebound. In 2023 alone, business travel spending rose by 47 percent, reaching USD 1.03 trillion, and is projected to continue its upward trajectory.

Last year's business events scene painted an equally impressive picture. The ICCA statistical forecast revealed an astonishing 349 percent increase in in-person events. Out of the 10,602 recorded business events globally, 9,009, accounting for 85 percent, were in-person, with the Middle East leading the charge. The region accounted for the highest percentage of in-person delegates at 94 percent, as per the official figures.

Looking ahead, the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024 is setting the stage for a groundbreaking collaboration. Slated from May 6-9 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, ATM has joined forces with the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) and the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA). This strategic alliance, designating ICCA and GBTA as 'Knowledge Partners,' is a testament to ATM's commitment to enhancing the value and innovation of its regional trade show. This partnership is expected to offer profound insights and open new opportunities for the burgeoning business events and travel segments.

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The business travel industry's growth trajectory is complemented by an evolving landscape. Despite the global rebound, many firms are rethinking their travel strategies. The shift towards video conferencing and rail trips over flying, while slower to return business travel to 2019 levels, is a nod to environmental concerns. This trend is a balancing act between maintaining corporate relationships and minimizing overall emissions, reflecting a conscientious approach to business travel.

During ATM 2024, ICCA will delve into various MICE industry topics through seminars, while GBTA will unveil the prevailing trends in the business travel sector. These sessions are designed to provide attendees with valuable insights into recent research, innovations, and best practices.

The collaboration brings together diverse perspectives. Dr. Senthil Gopinath, CEO of ICCA, expresses enthusiasm about this inclusive approach, marking an exciting chapter for business events in future editions. Catherine Logan, Regional Senior Vice President EMEA and APAC at GBTA, emphasizes the MEA region's potential and its impressive recovery to 95 percent of pre-pandemic spending in 2022.

The upcoming 31st edition of ATM, themed 'Empowering Innovation: Transforming Travel Through Entrepreneurship,' focuses on exploring how travel and tourism innovators can attract greater funding and significantly boost the sector's contribution to the global GDP. Last year's event, with over 40,000 attendees, set a new benchmark, and this year's edition is poised to raise the bar even higher.


Sunfeast YiPPee! Reimagines 13 Iconic Odia Festive Recipes with a Noodle Twist

Sunfeast YiPPee! Reimagines 13 Iconic Odia Festive Recipes with a Noodle Twist

By Author

Published on July 30, 2026

Sunfeast YiPPee! has brought a contemporary twist to Odisha’s rich culinary traditions through ‘Baro Masa, YiPPee! Parba’, an initiative inspired by the state’s celebrated philosophy of ‘Baro Masa, Tero Parba’ (12 months, 13 festivals).

The campaign reimagined 13 iconic Odia festive recipes by blending traditional flavours with the versatility of YiPPee! noodles. Each creation was inspired by a signature festival dish or ingredient associated with Odisha’s monthly celebrations and recreated through innovative cooking techniques, including replacing key ingredients, using noodles as a stuffing, or incorporating them into traditional preparations.

The initiative aimed to offer consumers a new way to experience familiar festive favourites while celebrating Odisha’s diverse food culture.

The 13 festival-inspired creations include:

YiPPee! Posto (Pana Sankranti)
Inspired by Potala Posta, this preparation replaced pointed gourd with YiPPee! noodles cooked in a rich poppy seed (posto) gravy, allowing the noodles to absorb the traditional flavours.

YiPPee! Luna Poda Pitha (Raja Parba)
Inspired by Luni Poda Pitha, this creation combined YiPPee! noodles with vegetables and spices, shaped into a pitha-style preparation while retaining the essence of the festive delicacy.

YiPPee! Dalma (Rath Yatra)
A noodle-based interpretation of Odisha’s iconic Dalma, where YiPPee! noodles were added to the traditional vegetable and Dalma masala preparation to create a unique festive fusion.

YiPPee! Dahi Bara Aloo Dum (Gamha Purnima)
The classic dish received a modern makeover with crispy noodle and rice-based bara served with curd and traditional Aloo Dum.

YiPPee! Saga Bhaja (Nuakhai)
Inspired by the harvest festival preparation, YiPPee! noodles were combined with seasoned leafy greens to create a contemporary take on the traditional dish.

YiPPee! Khichdi (Durga Puja)
The festive staple was recreated by reducing rice and dal quantities and incorporating YiPPee! noodles during the final stage of cooking.

YiPPee! Chaula Bara (Kumar Purnima)
A noodle-inspired version of the traditional bara, prepared by combining YiPPee! noodles with vegetables and spices before shaping and frying them.

YiPPee! Thunka Puri (Bali Jatra)
Traditional Thunka Puri was reinvented with a flavourful YiPPee! noodle stuffing before being fried and served with Chhena Tarkari.

YiPPee! Enduri Pitha (Prathamastami)
The traditional turmeric leaf-steamed delicacy was recreated with YiPPee! noodles replacing the classic stuffing while maintaining the authentic preparation method.

YiPPee! Chuda with Aashirvaad Soya (Data Osha)
This creation blended familiar regional flavours with YiPPee! noodles and Aashirvaad Soya for a contemporary festive interpretation.

YiPPee! Pakhala Bhata (Ispade Mela)
Rather than altering the traditional Pakhala Bhata, YiPPee! created a flavourful noodle-based Choka as an innovative accompaniment.

YiPPee! Ghanta Tarkari (Dola Purnima)
The mixed vegetable preparation was recreated with a thicker consistency and combined with YiPPee! noodles to absorb the festive flavours.

YiPPee! Muga Dali Khichdi (Ram Navami)
The regional favourite was reimagined by blending YiPPee! noodles with moong dal preparation, creating a modern yet familiar festive dish.

Through these 13 creations, Sunfeast YiPPee! showcased the adaptability of noodles while celebrating Odisha’s food traditions, festivals, and cultural stories. The ‘Baro Masa, YiPPee! Parba’ initiative brought together innovation, regional cuisine, and festive experiences, highlighting how traditional recipes can evolve while remaining connected to their roots.


IHCL Goa Showcases Smart Hospitality Innovations at Tech Fest 2026

IHCL Goa Showcases Smart Hospitality Innovations at Tech Fest 2026

By Author

Published on July 29, 2026

IHCL Goa hosted Tech Fest 2026 at Taj Cidade de Goa, bringing together engineering leaders, hospitality professionals, and technology partners to explore how smart infrastructure and sustainable innovations are shaping the future of hospitality.

The event highlighted the growing role of technology in enhancing operational efficiency, improving guest experiences, and supporting environmentally responsible hotel operations. As sustainability and digital transformation become increasingly important across the hospitality sector, the showcase focused on solutions designed to create smarter, safer, and more resource-efficient hotels.

Among the technologies on display were smart energy management systems, predictive maintenance solutions, and IoT-enabled monitoring platforms that use real-time data to optimise electricity, water, and fuel consumption while improving asset management.

The exhibition also featured energy-efficient chillers designed to reduce energy usage and carbon emissions, alongside advanced indoor air quality systems implemented at Taj Cidade de Goa that maintain PM2.5 levels below 10. Robotic carpet and floor cleaning systems demonstrated how automation can improve operational efficiency while enabling associates to focus on personalised guest service.

Innovation extended to engineering and sustainability operations through intelligent LPG safety systems, digital metering, renewable energy solutions, and integrated sustainability dashboards that enable hotels to monitor and manage resources more effectively.

Additional technologies included next-generation water bottling plants aimed at reducing single-use plastics, energy-generating fitness equipment, immersive audiovisual solutions for events, and circular economy initiatives such as in-house sludge treatment and biogas generation that convert waste into reusable resources.

Commenting on the occasion, Ranjit Phillipose, Senior Vice President – Operations, IHCL Goa, said, "As we celebrate innovation at this Tech Fest 2026, let us remember that every sensor installed, every kilowatt saved, every litre of water conserved and every kilogram of waste recycled is not just a technological achievement but also it is a commitment to future generations. Let us lead that future with innovation, responsibility and purpose."

Through Tech Fest 2026, IHCL Goa reinforced its commitment to integrating technology, sustainability, and operational excellence while advancing responsible luxury hospitality across its portfolio.


Hyeglo Beauty Debuts as India's First Intelligent Beauty House

Hyeglo Beauty Debuts as India's First Intelligent Beauty House

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 28, 2026

Hyeglo Beauty has officially entered the Indian beauty market as the country's first Intelligent Beauty House, introducing a skincare-first approach to makeup under the philosophy, "Better Makeup, Built for Skin." Founded by Kanupriya Ahluwalia, the premium beauty brand aims to redefine modern makeup by combining thoughtful formulations with skincare benefits.

Designed for today's ingredient-conscious consumers, Hyeglo focuses on creating products that not only enhance appearance but also work in harmony with the skin. The brand's philosophy is centred on purposeful beauty, placing equal importance on performance, skin health and innovation.

Hyeglo Beauty is the vision of Kanupriya Ahluwalia, whose decade-long experience in India's beauty industry includes building several leading beauty brands. With an MBA in premium Brand Management, she has created Hyeglo to reflect the changing expectations of consumers who seek transparency, efficacy and quality in their beauty products.

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Speaking about the launch, Kanupriya Ahluwalia, Founder & CEO, Hyeglo Beauty, said:

"Beauty has evolved. Women understand ingredients, they understand formulations, and they expect more from the products they choose. Hyeglo was created for this generation, one that values intention as much as aesthetics. We don't believe makeup should simply sit on the skin; we believe it should work in harmony with it. That philosophy became Beauty with Brains."

The brand identity is built around two signature colours that reflect its philosophy. Pink represents confidence, individuality and self-expression, while silver symbolises precision, innovation and the science behind every formulation. This approach extends across the brand's product design, packaging and overall consumer experience.

Hyeglo says every product is developed through research-driven formulations, with carefully selected ingredients and a focus on long-term value rather than short-lived beauty trends. The company aims to introduce products that become everyday essentials instead of seasonal launches.

The launch comes at a time when consumers are increasingly looking for ingredient transparency and products that bridge skincare and makeup. Hyeglo's formulations are designed to meet these evolving expectations by combining clinical research, premium quality and high performance.

The brand has already received early recognition, with its Skin Tint winning the Most Innovative Product of the Year award within weeks of its launch. According to the company, strong organic repeat purchases also reflect growing consumer interest in its skincare-first approach.

Looking ahead, Hyeglo Beauty plans to establish itself as an Indian premium beauty house with global appeal, focusing on science-backed innovation, craftsmanship and purpose-led product development.

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